Kansas State University to study impact of supplement in geriatric dogsMarch 8, 2019Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine is set to study the impact of a lean muscle supplement in geriatric dogs. Forty dogs suffering from three of the four following conditions will be enrolled in the study: • weakness; • weight loss; • slowed or altered mobility; and • exercise intolerance. The study—which will test MYOS RENS Technology's Fortetropin—will be performed under the supervision of Kenneth R. Harkin, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), professor and section head of small animal internal medicine. All the dogs will be fitted with an activity collar. After monitoring their activity for two weeks, 20 dogs will be assigned to receive the supplement and 20 will receive a placebo. Activity levels will continue to be monitored and the quality of life assessment, based on the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs questionnaire, will be used to evaluate results. "Pet owners often remark their dog is slowing down as they enter their golden years," Dr. Harkin says. "Although osteoarthritis is often tipped as the culprit, the loss of muscle mass associated with old age is an underappreciated cause. Geriatric dogs with muscle mass loss fatigue easily, which by itself can negatively impact their quality of …
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Four Kansas State University veterinary students receive $1,000 AVMA scholarshipsMarch 7, 2019Four Kansas State University veterinary students have each been awarded $1,000 by the Auxiliary to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Legacy Endowed Scholarship. The awards are given to students at 32 AVMA-accredited veterinary colleges in the U.S., the Atlantic Veterinary College in Canada, and St. George's University and Ross University in the Caribbean to support their education. This year, the scholarships went to third-year veterinary medicine students, Danielle Pickering and Katelyn Guill-Sanchez, and second-year veterinary medicine students, Rebecca Tomasek and Katya Luckenbach. "This scholarship will help me relieve some of the financial burden of veterinary school, as I pursue a career in small animal or mixed medicine, and eventually a doctorate," Pickering says. "As a veterinary student who is interested in public health and international veterinary medicine, I am always looking for educational opportunities to travel to other countries to experience what the field of veterinary medicine is like in them," Luckenbach says. "Being an out-of-state student, it is hard to justify borrowing extra money for electives involving international travel, so having the privilege of being awarded this scholarship will help to fund my upcoming international veterinary tours elective." "I am so excited to receive this award for the …
Banfield Foundation commits $1 million to keep pets and domestic abuse victims togetherMarch 7, 2019The Banfield Foundation says it is investing $1 million in its Safer Together initiative to help victims of domestic violence and their pets find pet-friendly shelters. According to a recent study, up to 89 percent of pet-owning domestic violence victims report their abuser has threatened, injured, or killed the family pet. Further, about six to 10 percent of domestic violence shelters allow animals onsite. The Safe Together grant would allow qualifying nonprofit organizations to apply for funding as they increase their capacity to help people and pets escape domestic violence. "Through our work and the work of other outstanding organizations, we hope to create a world where victims never have to choose between their own safety and the safety of their loved ones, including their pets," says Banfield Foundation executive director, Kim Van Syoc. "Victims often remain in a dangerous environment because they do not have access to a pet-friendly shelter or program, and we believe saving the life of a pet can save the life of a human. Pets play an essential role in families, particularly during crises like domestic violence. Keeping pets safe and healthy helps ensure they remain a vital part of their …
AAHA releases 2019 Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and CatsMarch 7, 2019The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has updated its dental care guidelines with the goal of decreasing oral pain and improving the quality of life for dogs and cats. While not always apparent to pet owners, by the age of three, dogs and cats have some level of periodontal disease. Updated from the 2013 edition, the 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats are designed to help veterinary professionals expand their current client education efforts, so pet owners understand periodontal disease can be avoided through regular dental checkups and proper home care. The new guidelines also help veterinary practitioners address the fear of anesthesia among pet owners, as it is the most common reason for declining dental procedures. "Regular dental care is one of the most powerful ways we can improve the quality of life of our patients," said AAHA chief executive officer, Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP (emeritus). "AAHA continues to support the use of general anesthesia in dental procedures to promote appropriate diagnostic capabilities and decrease patient stress, injury, and risk of aspiration. Because home care is crucial in the support of a healthy, pain-free mouth, client communication and education remain central to these guidelines." Detailed …
Boehringer Ingelheim launches initiative to fight heartworm disease in dogsMarch 6, 2019Boehringer Ingelheim is debuting Heartworm 2020, an initiative dedicated to increasing the number of dogs who receive heartworm disease prevention in 2019. The initiative comes in response to a report from the American Heartworm Society (AHS) that found a 21 percent increase in positive heartworm tests per clinic. "We knew we could help increase the number of dogs receiving the heartworm disease prevention," says Sarah Cloud, Heartgard brand director. "Heartworm 2020 addresses this issue at the grassroots level by asking everyone in the veterinary clinic to participate. If every clinic does their part to get 20 new dogs on prevention, that means 583,240 more dogs will be protected from this potentially deadly disease in 2019 than were protected in 2018." To help clinics accomplish the Heartworm 2020 goal, Heartgard Plus will give heartworm disease education tools and incentives to pet owners. Heartgard Plus will also provide clinics with tracking tools and educational resources for staff. "Helping clinics educate pet owners on the on-going risks of heartworm disease is the first step in increasing the number of dogs on prevention," says head of U.S. Pet Veterinary Professional Services, Zach Mills, DVM. "Heartworm 2020 will help educate pet owners on heartworm …
Pennsylvania clinic to host second K9 Veterans Day eventMarch 6, 2019Leader Heights Animal Hospital is hosting its second annual K9 Veterans Day event to recognize, honor, and celebrate service animals from organizations in York County, Pa., and nearby areas. Held on March 16, this rain-or-shine event takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 1:30 p.m. The celebration is open to the public; however, the organizers are asking that pets stay at home to not distract the service animals. The event includes: • Hero awards for local service animals • Memorializing fallen service animals in the clinic's K9 Memorial garden • K9 demonstrations • Free fingerprinting for children • Dog pampering (with free laser therapy) and nail trims for all service animals • Raising money for the West York K9 department and York County Sheriff's Office K9 department • Free food For more information, see Leader Heights Animal Hospital's Facebook page or email cbear@nvanet.com.
Royal Canin inspires future veterinarians with contestMarch 6, 2019Royal Canin has teamed up with Vet Set Go to give aspiring teen and tween veterinarians the chance to win one of three sought-after spots at Auburn University's junior vet camp. "Like many of my colleagues, my love for animals and desire to help them was awakened at a young age," says Laura Pletz, DVM, scientific services manager at Royal Canin. "In early elementary school, I remember being so appreciative of the veterinarian who cared for my puppy when he broke his leg. I dreamed of being able to provide that same level of care for all animals, which is the moment I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. I never strayed from that passion and would have loved to have had the opportunity to participate in a program such as junior vet camp." The camp runs from July 14 to 19 and is offered to students entering sixth through eighth grade. Three contest winners will receive all-inclusive entry including free tuition, meals, and housing. Attendees will learn about veterinary treatment in classrooms, laboratories, and outdoor facilities. The students will be taught about public health, food, animals, wildlife, anatomy, x-rays, and first aid. Mentoring about veterinary science careers will …
Fear Free issues request for research proposalsMarch 5, 2019Fear Free is now accepting proposals to help researchers focus on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress related to veterinary visits or/and enriching the lives of pets at home. To qualify, proposals must be original, evidence-based research that will increase and enhance the understanding of the science and knowledge on which Fear Free training and education is based. Fear Free is offering a grant amount of up to $2,500 to individuals, groups, or teaching institutions looking for assistance to help fund their study. Submissions can meet one of two categories: 1) Research in dogs and/or cats exploring the prevention, reduction, or assessment of fear, anxiety, stress, and pain associated with veterinary visits, including travel, facilities, procedures, hospitalization, or the return home. 2) Research in dogs and/or cats studying the effects of techniques, approaches, and strategies to decrease fear, anxiety, and stress in the home including environmental enrichment, meeting behavioral needs, therapeutic interventions, and measures and tools for evaluating stress and distress. Research projects should have Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee or Welfare approval. Submissions are accepted throughout the year, but are now being reviewed. Proposals can be submitted to: fearfreepets.com/fear-free-research
UF College of Veterinary Medicine spends $6 million to expand its facilitiesMarch 4, 2019University of Florida (UF) College of Veterinary Medicine is expanding its facilities with a new $6-million addition, which will help to better train its students and offer primary care and dentistry services. Built a decade ago, the current building offers 100,000 sf with the new space adding about 12,000 sf. It will provide more space for primary care and dentistry services, and will also contain offices for administrative personnel. The ground floor of the original facility now has more room for emergency and critical care services. Before construction of the new building, primary care and dentistry service clients shared an entrance and lobby with emergency clients. The university says when pet patients are stabilized, they can be seamlessly transferred to primary care in the new building.
Martha Stewart to enter animal CBD market with new partnershipFebruary 28, 2019A good thing could be in the works for pet well-being thanks to a collaboration between lifestyle guru and animal lover Martha Stewart and Canopy Growth Corp. The Canadian cannabis and hemp company announced today that Stewart has joined Canopy in an advisory role to assist with developing and positioning a broad new line of product offerings. "I am delighted to establish this partnership with Canopy Growth and share with them the knowledge I have gained after years of experience in the subject of living," Stewart said. "I'm especially looking forward to our first collaboration together, which will offer sensible products for people's beloved pets." Stewart is a vocal advocate for animals, championing the health and wellness of pets and farm animals alike. According to Canopy, several clinical trials are underway to explore the effectiveness of CBD and other cannabinoids as they relate to improving the lives of both humans and animals. The company says it will be guided by Stewart's knowledge of consumer products and merchandising. "As soon as you hear the name Martha, you know exactly who we're talking about," said Canopy Growth chair and co-CEO, Bruce Linton. "Martha is one of a kind and I am …
