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 …
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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 …
They Ate What?! X-ray Contest 2018October 1, 2018Toys, tiles, and towels—and a large one at that! Animals eat all sorts of things, forcing their owners to make a mad dash to their veterinarian. Once again, our annual X-ray contest drew dozens of entries, each of them perplexing in their own way, and the next one more bizarre than the last. Choosing a winner was tough, but our panel of experts came through. The winner receives $500, courtesy of IDEXX Laboratories Inc., and a one-year subscription to its Web PACS, a picture archiving communications system valued at $2,400. Total retail value of the prize is $2,900. Check out the top rad, along with the honorable mentions.
WSAVA announces Purina Institute as first Diamond PartnerOctober 1, 2018The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) announced that the Purina Institute has become the organization's first Diamond Partner, lending support to some of the WSAVA's key clinical committees and initiatives. These include: The Global Nutrition Committee, which produces research and resources to help the veterinary healthcare team understand the importance of nutrition in companion animal health The Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee (AWWC), which promotes advances in companion animal wellness and welfare around the world (the committee published its Global Guidelines on Companion Animal Welfare at this year's WSAVA World Congress) The Hereditary Disease Committee, which raises awareness and understanding of hereditary disease and genetic predispositions in dogs and cats WSAVA One Health Committee, which works to highlight the importance of the small companion animal-human interface on the global One Health agenda The Purina Institute is also a Global Partner for WSAVA One Care, an initiative to motivate veterinary associations in countries where companion animal practice is still emerging to raise standards of care. Serving as the global voice of Purina's science and its more than 500 scientists and pet care experts, the Purina Institute aims to put nutrition at …
American Humane honors lifelong aquatic animal advocateOctober 1, 2018John Nightingale, PhD, animal advocate, conservationist, and educator, received American Humane's Humane Hero Award in Los Angeles on Sept. 28. at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Dr. Nightingale is president and CEO of Ocean Wise and its initiatives, including the Vancouver Aquarium, the first Canadian zoological institution to receive certification through the American Humane Conservation program; Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood Program; Plastic Wise; the Coastal Ocean Research Institute; the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup; and partner/operator of Europe's largest Aquarium, Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Spain. As a professional biologist and public communicator with a background in marine biology, nonprofit management, education, and ocean conservation, Nightingale helps raise awareness about preserving the world's oceans, said American Humane. Through his work at the Vancouver Aquarium, now Ocean Wise, and prior to that at the New York Wildlife Conservation Society/New York Aquarium, the Seattle Aquarium, the Maui Ocean Centre, and Bios Inc., he spearheaded the development and delivery of some of the world's most effective aquatic ecosystem science, interpretation, and public engagement programs, according to American Humane. "It is my great pleasure and honour to receive the American Humane Hero Award," said Nightingale. "Having dedicated my life to conserving our natural world, I am …
AVMA economist shares findings on antibiotics, sustainabilityOctober 1, 2018Matthew J. Salois, chief economist for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), presented to the New York Academy of Sciences on the implications of raising animals without antibiotics. The presentation, "Sustainability and Antimicrobial Use in Animal Agriculture," calls for nuanced and evidence-based antibiotic policies that consider a holistic view of antibiotics' impacts on animal welfare, the environment, and economics. In recent years, some companies and consumers have embraced raising animals without antibiotics; today, nearly half of all broiler chickens are raised without antibiotics, according to the AVMA. During his presentation, Dr. Salois cautioned that reduced use of antibiotics in farm animals can have negative implications for animal welfare and the overall sustainability of animal agriculture, if not accompanied by appropriate changes in management practices. For example, the average mortality rate for broiler chickens raised without antibiotics can be 25 to 50 percent higher than for conventionally raised broiler chickens, he said. Additionally, birds raised without antibiotics are much more likely to suffer from painful medical conditions, such as being more than three times as likely to experience ammonia burns in their eyes, Salois added. The higher incidences of disease and mortality for birds raised without antibiotics, …
IsoPet canine soft-tissue sarcoma treatment delivers 'complete response'September 28, 2018Vivos Inc., a pharmaceutical company that develops minimally invasive treatments to combat cancer in humans and animals, reported that its signature product, IsoPet, was used to treat a hind-leg soft-tissue sarcoma in a Shetland sheepdog at the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center in Columbia, Mo. The treatment of the sarcoma resulted in a "complete response," meaning tumor destruction and disappearance, together with a healthy recovery, according to veterinary oncologist Charles Maitz, DVM, PhD, DACVR-RO. Results will be presented in at the Veterinary Cancer Society's annual conference in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 17 - 20. Post-treatment imaging and dosimetry provided confirmatory data addressing questions previously raised by U.S. Food and Drug Administration review panel, including: Near-uniform placement by injection and interstitial perfusion within the tumor without vascular clearance to normal organs and tissues Very high therapeutic ratios (radiation dose to the tumor relative to normal organs) Effective, highly localized, high-dose radiotherapy, and complete absence of adverse side-effects in critical normal tissues The University of Missouri is now advertising availability of IsoPet treatment for dogs and other species, including treatment of equine sarcoids. "The successful treatment of the cat and dog subjects thus far increases the likelihood of …
