Study shows African swine fever can be transmitted through feedFebruary 15, 2019New information is being learned about how the currently circulating strain of African swine fever (ASF) could spread in feed and feed ingredients.
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Iowa police officer charged with stealing narcotics from veterinary clinicFebruary 14, 2019An Iowa police officer has been charged with stealing drugs from a local veterinary clinic.
Report highlights growing pressure on pet industry to produce sustainable productsFebruary 14, 2019According to new report by the World Pet Association (WPA) and the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), only 23 percent of pet industry professionals rank their own sustainability program as effective, while 26 percent report they have no sustainability program at all.
Dangerous tick species could spread across North AmericaFebruary 13, 2019The long-horned tick could establish itself across North America if transported accidentally, according to a new study.
Report reveals top 10 heartworm cities in the U.S.February 13, 2019Cincinnati, Ohio, and Stockton, Calif., have topped the list of heartworm infested cities in the U.S. for January.
FDA approves new drug for diabetic dogsFebruary 12, 2019A new drug for managing diabetes mellitus in dogs has been approved for use in the U.S.
Trupanion expands coverage to offer pet enrollment at birthFebruary 12, 2019Pet insurer Trupanion is removing age restrictions from its policies, a change the company says is a result of its promise to deliver lifelong support to animals and pet owners.
AVMA urges Congress to act on horse abuseFebruary 8, 2019The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is asking Congress to pass the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, which would help end the cruel and inhumane practice of soring horses. AVMA says soring continues to be a pervasive issue, especially in Tennessee's walking horse industry, where deliberate pain is inflicted to exaggerate a horse's gait and gain advantage in horse shows. "From a veterinary viewpoint, it's indisputable that soring causes horses an unacceptable and unnecessary level of pain," said AVMA president John de Jon, DVM. "Unfortunately, soring practitioners have become experts at hiding evidence and even working with horse show inspectors to avoid detection. The PAST Act would provide the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the resources and enforcement mechanisms necessary to finally end this cruel and inhumane practice." Soring methods include the long-term application of harsh chemicals to horses' legs, the grinding of their soles to expose sensitive tissue, the insertion of hard objects such as nails between horses' shoes or pads and their soles, and the use of chains or other "action devices." Although soring was made illegal in the 1970s, AVMA reports violations often go undetected because trainers and owners are able to exploit loopholes in …
Covetrus launches as newly formed companyFebruary 8, 2019Henry Schein Animal Health and Vets First Choice, two unique and complementary businesses in the animal-health industry, have combined to form Covetrus. Under the newly formed company, Covetrus says it will provide veterinary practices with a more comprehensive set of integrated services and technology solutions, tools to strengthen client relationships and growth, and improved workflow and cost-effectiveness through efficient delivery of next-generation solutions. The new company will trade under the NASDAQ stock market under the symbol CVET. "[This] marks an important new chapter in the world of veterinary medicine, as we launch Covetrus as a new company listed on NASDAQ," says Benjamin Shaw, president and chief executive officer. "We look forward to strengthening our customer relationships and expanding our veterinary practice partnerships worldwide, as we bring more comprehensive and powerful solutions to market to meet their evolving needs and improve health and financial outcomes." As part of the spin-off, Henry Schein received approximately $1.1 billion in what is expected to be tax-free proceeds that will be used to pay debt.
AAFP survey finds Cat Friendly Practice program growing in popularityFebruary 7, 2019Ninety-eight percent of members of the Cat Friendly Practice (CFP) program say they would recommend it to other veterinary professionals. That's one of the findings of the American Association of Feline Practitioners' (AAFP's) 2018 Cat Friendly Practice survey. The program's main purpose is to cater to the unique behaviors and needs of cats, and to help decrease the stress of the veterinary visit for the cat and the caregiver by providing the veterinary team with tools and resources needed to treat feline patients. "The survey results tell the story that CFPs, and their clients and cats, are benefiting from the program in vital ways," says Heather O'Steen, CAE, chief executive officer of the AAFP. "They're improving treatment of cats in their care and helping to advance feline medicine. We encourage any practice that has feline patients to learn more about becoming a Cat Friendly Practice. The program is an AAFP membership benefit with no additional charges, and there are many resources to walk you through the process. Implementing just a few cat-friendly strategies can make a huge difference in the experience for the cat, caregiver, and your entire veterinary team." The survey—which included 460 respondents—also found the following: 99 percent …