UC Davis study applies human cancer differentiation analysis to dogsOctober 4, 2018The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine (UCDSVM) is conducting a clinical trial to study the potential application for canine cancer screening using cancer differentiation analysis (CDA) liquid biopsy technology from Anpac Bio-Medical Science Co. Studying at least 186 dogs in a blinded clinical trial, Anpac Bio and UCDSVM are investigating CDA's ability to identify cancer in blood samples from dogs confirmed with sarcomas or carcinomas versus healthy control blood samples from dogs of similar age and breed. Following the initial screening, UCDVSM will then test if CDA levels also correlate to treatment response (i.e. if the dogs' cells are responding to cancer treatment such as surgery or radiation) and monitor remission/potential recurrence. "Dogs are just like people; the sooner we identify disease, the better chance we have in treating and curing it," said John Reddington, DVM, PhD, Anpac Bio's chief advisor for veterinary and comparative research. "Unfortunately, dogs can't tell us when they don't feel well, so, we often catch diseases like cancer late stage. [Anpac Bio's] cancer differentiation analysis liquid biopsy technology has proven to be very useful in detecting over 20 human cancer types with just a single …
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Penn Vet doctors receive NIH grant to target canine autoimmune diseaseOctober 4, 2018Nicola J. Mason, BVetMed, PhD, and Aimee S. Payne, MD, PhD, have received the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's Transformative Research Award, part of the institute's High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, for their work in targeting autoimmune disease in dogs. Under the grant, Drs. Mason and Payne are looking to evaluate a genetically engineered cell-based therapy to treat dogs with naturally occurring autoimmune skin disease known as pemphigus. Dogs are one of the few other species to develop pemphigus, a condition that mirrors pemphigus in human patients. Evaluation of this approach to treat pet dogs with the disease may ultimately lead to breakthrough therapies for humans. According to the Autoimmune Disease Research Center at Johns Hopkins, at least 10 million Americans suffer from the more than 80 illnesses caused by autoimmunity. "The successful treatment of autoimmunity in the family dog using this unique approach would not only be a breakthrough in veterinary medicine, but could also change the way autoimmune disease is treated in humans," said Mason, associate professor of medicine and pathobiology at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Penn Vet. "We believe that this work may facilitate the translation of cellular immunotherapies for a broad range of canine …
Morris Animal Foundation funds three equine medicine pilot studiesOctober 4, 2018 The Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) will fund three pilot studies in horse health focusing on parasitic worms and equine metabolic syndrome. The studies, which collectively awarded more than $30,000 in grants, are in addition to eight large-animal research projects the foundation announced in April. Identifying Drug Resistant Parasites, University of Delaware Uses molecular methods to identify which species of equine parasitic worms come back first after deworming. Understanding drug sensitivity and specific resistance mechanisms will help researchers develop more effective and targeted deworming strategies. Evaluating New Equine Metabolic Syndrome Test, Murdoch University, Australia Investigates a new laboratory test to improve diagnosis of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), a metabolic and hormonal disorder in horses. A new efficient and cost-effective EMS test will help veterinarians better diagnose and manage this complex disease in horses. Understanding the Role of the Microbiome in Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Utrecht University, the Netherlands Studies the potential relationship between the bacterial composition of the microbiome and the development of EMS in Shetland ponies. Understanding how EMS develops, and the role of gut bacteria in this process, might provide new opportunities to intervene in early stages of disease and help prevent horses and ponies from …
VCP behind new AAHA Pet Wellness ProgramOctober 3, 2018Veterinary Care Plans (VCP) has partnered with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to bring to market the AAHA Pet Wellness Plan program, a comprehensive wellness plan management solution for AAHA-accredited member veterinary practices. The program combines the practice of wellness, for successful program design, pricing, launch, and management of a wellness plan program, with the business of wellness, for continued growth, real-time analytics and program insight, increased compliance, and ongoing wellness program success. "Our relationship with AAHA opens the door for veterinarians to deploy wellness plans in a way that allows them to use best practices, driving long-term growth for their practice, building lifelong relationships with clients, and a lifetime of improved health for their patients," said Bob Richardson, president of VCP. "To be truly successful, it is imperative to understand the two sides of wellness—the practice of wellness and the business of wellness—and their roles in ensuring both short- and long-term success." "As veterinary professionals, it is important to make routine wellness care more manageable, both to help ensure optimal health care for pets while enabling pet owners to fit veterinary care into their budgets," said Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP (Emeritus), AAHA CEO. "We believe offering tools like …
WSAVA elects Australian veterinarian as its new presidentOctober 3, 2018Shane Ryan, BVSc, MVS, CertVetAcupuncture, GradDipAnimChiro, MChiroSc, MRCVS, an Australian veterinarian practicing in Singapore, has been appointed president of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Dr. Ryan, a member of the WSAVA's executive board and former chair of its Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee, will take over from Walt Ingwersen, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, and will serve a two-year term. After graduating from the University of Queensland, Ryan worked and traveled in Australia, the U.K., and Europe before moving to Singapore in 1984. In 1989, he opened his own practice in Singapore, Companion Animal Surgery, which is now a 24-hour veterinary facility with 10 veterinarians and 15 auxiliary staff. He first became involved with the WSAVA while a member of the Singapore Veterinary Association (SVA) Committee and played a part in developing its bids to host WSAVA World Congress in 2018. He also helped develop WSAVA's new Animal Welfare Global Guidelines for Companion Animal Practitioners and the Veterinary Team, which were launched during this year's WSAVA World Congress. "I will build on his efforts to strengthen the sense of community across the association and I'll be engaging with our members and working with our leadership team to …
Study: "Dog cognition does not look exceptional," researchers findOctober 3, 2018 Dogs may be smart cookies—just not quite the braniacs that many believe they are, according to research published in Learning & Behavior. In a study that examined more than 300 papers on the intelligence of dogs and other animals, researchers reviewed evidence that compared dogs' smarts with other domestic animals, other social hunters, and other carnivorans, such as wolves, bears, lions, and hyenas. What scientists from the U.K.'s University of Exeter and Canterbury Christ Church University discovered were that dogs' cognitive abilities were at least matched by several species in each of these groups as well as several cases where dogs' mental abilities suffered from "over interpretation." "During our work it seemed to us that many studies in dog cognition research set out to 'prove' how clever dogs are," said Stephen Lea, PhD, the study's principal author, from the University of Exeter. Lea went on to say that dogs' correct responses or actions are often compared to those of chimpanzees, but researchers found "in each and every case … other valid comparison species that do at least as well as dogs do in those tasks." The review focused on sensory cognition, physical cognition, spatial cognition, social cognition, and …
Royal Canin releases Pill Assist to help administer medication to dogs October 2, 2018Royal Canin has launched veterinary-exclusive Pill Assist soft chews to simplify administering medication to dogs. According to a study by the company, Pill Assist enabled successful pill administration in 97 percent of cases. "We understand the stress pet owners face when trying to provide necessary medication for their pets," said Catherine Lenox, DVM, CVA, DACVN, scientific affairs manager for Royal Canin. "A dog's medication cannot help if it is not taken. Royal Canin developed Pill Assist to ease the burden on pet owners and enable dogs to better consume the medication they need." The product's soft texture can be molded around any pill shape, is available in sizes for small and medium-to-large dogs, has moderate calorie content, and includes vitamins and prebiotics. The product can be found at select veterinary clinics.
FDA approves Boehringer Ingelheim's Semintra for feline hypertensionOctober 2, 2018The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved Semintra (telmisartan oral solution) 10 mg/mL oral solution for the control of systemic hypertension in cats, according to Boehringer Ingelheim. The product was designed specifically with cats in mind to provide safe, reliable, and convenient long-term control of blood pressure, said Boehringer Ingelheim. "We are proud to continue to set new standards of care for cats to optimize their health and well-being through the veterinarian," said Shawn Hooker, global head of Strategic Business Unit Pet Vet at Boehringer Ingelheim. "Early disease detection and early treatment are key to ensure cats live longer and happier lives. With Semintra, we offer a pet owner-friendly, easy-to-give solution to help raise the quality of life of cats with hypertension, while providing reliable long-term blood pressure control." Semintra is for oral use in cats only. The most common side effects reported in field studies include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anemia, dehydration, poor appetite, and weight loss. It has not been evaluated in cats with systolic blood pressure > 200 mmHg, cats with hepatic disease, cats younger than 9 months of age, or cats that are pregnant, lactating, or intended for breeding. Visit semintra.com for …
WVC announces open registration for 2019 annual conferenceOctober 2, 2018Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) has announced that registration is open for its 91st Annual Conference, scheduled for Feb. 17-20 in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. WVC's educational lineup will highlight scientific advancements in veterinary medicine through speaking sessions and interactive learning. Participants also will have the opportunity to earn annual required continuing education; hands-on labs at the Oquendo Center will give participants opportunity to practice new procedures and techniques. "We know that where you turn for education matters," said Anthony Pease, DVM, MS, DACVR, WVC's chief veterinary medical officer. "It's WVC's mission to provide solutions-based learning and practical knowledge that can be immediately applied to your practice. The annual conference is your opportunity to stay competitive and gain expert insight and hands-on experience. Most importantly, it's also the perfect chance to remind yourself of why your work truly matters." To compliment this year's educational offerings, exhibit hall, and networking opportunities, Grammy Award-winning country artist Keith Urban, Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik, and motivational speaker Mel Robbins will headline the event's entertainment. Featured speakers for the 2019 conference (for a complete speaker list, visit wvc.org): Sue Ettinger, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), …
American Humane announces 2018 Hero Vet, Vet Nurse, Dog awardsOctober 2, 2018American Humane has announced the winners of the 2018 American Humane Hero Veterinarian, Veterinary Nurse, and Dog awards. 2018 American Humane Hero Veterinarian Award Throughout his career, David Chico, VMD, MPH, of Albany, N.Y., has been committed to the betterment of the health and well-being of animals, fostering the important human-animal bond. Ten years ago, Dr. Chico created a free quarterly pet wellness clinic in partnership with Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) to provide veterinary care to low-income, HIV-positive pet owners. As part of his continued support, he answers emergency calls at all hours and makes house calls for those too ill to visit the clinic. He volunteers with Animals Lebanon in Beirut, providing lifesaving care to severely abused and neglected animals; works tirelessly on animal cruelty cases in the U.S. as well, assisting with several large dog-fighting and neglect cases; and improves the lives of all those he touches, human and animal alike. 2018 American Humane Hero Veterinary Nurse Award Tammy Boland of Oceanport, N.J., has gone above and beyond her call of duty to save hundreds of dogs over the last 11 years through her nonprofit Pick Your Paw Animal Rescue. Boland networks with some of the busiest …
