Cytopoint now approved to treat canine allergic dermatitisSeptember 17, 2018Zoetis announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted an expanded indication for Cytopoint, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy for the treatment of allergic dermatitis in dogs. Administered every four to eight weeks, one injection of Cytopoint works by targeting and neutralizing interleukin-31 (IL-31), a key protein involved in triggering itch in dogs, offering both convenience and sustained efficacy, according to Zoetis. "This approval gives veterinarians much-needed flexibility for personalized treatment of allergic and atopic dermatitis in dogs with two therapeutic approaches—the injectable Cytopoint and the oral tablet Apoquel," said Thomas P. Lewis II, DVM, DACVD, of Dermatology for Animals in Gilbert, Ariz. "Allergic dogs and their owners have a variety of needs, and these medications from Zoetis can bring fast and long-lasting relief to my canine allergy patients, as well as bring peace of mind to their owners." Apoquel (oclacitinib tablet) is formulated to start relieving itch within four hours and provides veterinarians with the flexibility to start and stop itch control, according to Zoetis. Cytopoint begins to relieve itch within 24 hours and provides sustained itch relief for four to eight weeks, giving the skin time to heal, the company stated. They may …
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Vertical Vet, Titan Group partner to boost controlled substance complianceSeptember 17, 2018Titan Group now offers Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) controlled substances solutions to new and existing Vertical Vet members. The partnership provides exclusive access to Titan's suite of services, designed to reduce risk, remediate issues, and educate personnel on how to prepare for DEA audits and inspections as well as prevent and detect internal and external drug diversion activity, according to Titan. "Our goal is to provide the veterinary industry with proactive controlled substances compliance solutions that are easy to implement and sustain long term," said Jack Teitelman, Titan founder and CEO. "Every veterinary practice handling controlled substances is at risk for noncompliance. Inadequate security and failure to prevent drug diversion can cost a practice in lost inventory, damage to reputation, and potential physical harm to staff and patients. In the current world of widespread opioid abuse, both internal and external drug diversion threats are continuing to increase. Sadly, many unsuspecting practices remain in the dark until their drugs are stolen or missing." In addition, the partnership offers exclusive discounts on DEA risk inspections and audits to members. Access to educational resources, including webinars, industry-accredited CLE courses, and compliance training modules, also are available as part of the partnership. "We …
Survey highlights impact of opioid shortages in veterinary medicineSeptember 17, 2018A nationwide survey conducted by Wedgewood Pharmacy aims to show the unintended consequences for veterinary medicine caused by the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) efforts to address the national opioid crisis. To address the misuse and diversion of opioids by people, the DEA has proposed an average 10 percent decrease in the 2019 manufacturing quotas for six frequently abused opioids, including five key Class II opioid drugs commonly used by veterinarians. When supplies of these drugs are limited, manufacturers and distributors give preference to allocating supplies for use in human health, creating shortages for veterinary medical practitioners, Wedgewood said in a statement. Key survey findings: In 2017, anywhere from 27 to 73 percent of veterinary professionals have had difficulty obtaining necessary supplies of five opioids (hydromorphone, morphine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, and oxymorphone) they consider "important to your practice and to your patients' health" by 50 to 80 percent of respondents. Shortages of these opioids have led to the use of less effective, non-narcotic alternatives such as NSAIDS (83 percent), increased patient suffering (71 percent), use of a local anesthetic (49 percent), postponed procedures (26 percent), and patient deaths (3 percent) 88 percent of respondents "rarely" …
American Heartworm Society releases 2018 Canine Heartworm GuidelinesSeptember 17, 2018 The American Heartworm Society (AHS) has released 2018 Canine Heartworm Guidelines, which focus on reducing heartworm transmission, clarifying testing recommendations, and avoiding shortcuts in treatment. The 2018 guidelines reflect the following updates to the AHS' recommendations: Prevention Given the highly preventable nature of heartworms, prevention practices are the cornerstone of any practice's heartworm management program, said Chris Rehm, DVM, president of the AHS. "Unfortunately, the latest AHS survey found that incidence has been trending up rather than down, with the number of infected dogs per clinic rising by 21 percent in the U.S. and its territories between 2013 and 2016." Environmental and climatic changes, as well as the relocation of microfilaremic dogs and the expansion of microfilaremic wild canid territories are considered to be contributing factors to both incidence numbers and the spread of heartworms to areas once considered nonendemic, according to the AHS. "For these reasons, we continue to stress the importance of year-round administration of macrocyclic lactone preventives, along with practical steps to reduce mosquito exposure, such as eliminating standing water on the property and keeping pets indoors during peak mosquito times," said Dr. Rehm. "Year-round prevention is the single most important step …
Veterinarian enrollment open for 2018 Diabetes PetCare AllianceSeptember 14, 2018Merck Animal Health, Purina, and Zoetis are joining forces for the fifth year in a row to support the Diabetes PetCare Alliance. The program provides free diabetes education and diagnostic tools to veterinarians and owners. Last year, sponsors lifted the enrollment cap on participating veterinary practices; as a result, the number of cases diagnosed through the program increased significantly, from approximately 300 pets in 2016 to 535 in 2017. Studies show that while believed to be underdiagnosed, diabetes mellitus affects an estimated one in 230 cats and one in 300 dogs. Since 2014, the alliance has helped veterinarians screen thousands of pets for diabetes and, in turn, jump-started management and monitoring of newly diagnosed patients. The program is timed to prepare veterinary practices for Pet Diabetes Month in November. Veterinarians who enroll in the Diabetes PetCare Alliance program gain access to tools and resources related to diabetes awareness and screening. In addition, clients whose pets are diagnosed during the program period receive a free disease management kit from participating clinics. The kits include the following: One AlphaTRAK 2 Blood Glucose Monitoring System from Zoetis One 6-lb. bag of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management …
Probiotic subject of two new clinical trials in domestic dogsSeptember 14, 2018ExeGi Pharma announced two new clinical partnerships with the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Tennessee to study the company's Visbiome Vet probiotic in domestic dogs. Both studies will evaluate the probiotic's effectiveness in managing canine gastrointestinal disorders. Visbiome Vet is an eight-strain probiotic compound with a high concentration of beneficial bacteria (112.5 billion bacteria per dose); the product has been the subject of four controlled clinical trials thus far. The University of Georgia will research effects of the product on diarrhea levels in dogs postsurgery. The placebo-controlled study will evaluate the incidence and severity of diarrhea, as well as changes to the canine microbiome. The second study, conducted by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, will evaluate reduction of severe diarrhea in canine acute gastroenteritis after consumption of Visbiome Vet. This placebo-controlled study will compare the safety and efficacy of Visbiome Vet to dietary changes with a specifically formulated medical diet, or antibiotics (metronidazole). "Gastrointestinal disorders are a common cause for pet owners to seek the medical care of a veterinarian," said Al Jergens, DVM, PhD. "Modulating the gut microbiome with high potency probiotics may prove to be a …
NAVTA announces diagnostic imaging as 16th specialty for vet techsSeptember 14, 2018The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has announced a 16th specialty academy for veterinary technicians, the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Diagnostic Imaging (AVTDI). The AVTDI comprises veterinary technicians who wish to perform higher-level diagnostic imaging, including digital radiography, fluoroscopic special procedures, CT, MRI, ultrasonography, and nuclear imaging. The organizing committee for the AVTDI worked diligently to meet the NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS) standards for the association's specialty recognition, according to Ed Carlson, interim chair of the CVTS. The AVDTI joins the existing 15 NAVTA-recognized veterinary technician specialties: dentistry, anesthesia, internal medicine, emergency and critical care, equine nursing, zoological medicine, surgery, behavior, clinical practice, nutrition, clinical pathology, dermatology, ophthalmology, laboratory animal medicine, and physical rehabilitation. The NAVTA CVTS, formed in 1994, provides guidelines to veterinary technician organizations to form specialties and assists the existing academies. Academies develop pathways and advanced standards that candidates must complete and maintain in order to be awarded the designation of veterinary technician specialist in a specific discipline.
Thirteen dogs win Walkin' Pets calendar contest supporting disabled petsSeptember 13, 2018The 2019 Walkin' Pets worldwide calendar contest has announced 13 winners from around the world. This year, the winning dogs hail from eight countries: Thailand, Brazil, Germany, England, United States, Mexico, Italy, and Wales. The champions were selected by popular vote on the Walkin' Pets Facebook page and were announced through a video by the company. The winning dogs range in age from 1 to 11 and are of all sizes and breeds, including a dachshund, a German shepherd, a Siberian husky, French bulldog, and more. Each year, the contest features pets using Walkin' Wheels wheelchairs to help raise awareness of options for disabled pets with mobility challenges. The 2019 calendar is available for pre-order at (888) 253-0777. All proceeds from calendar sales go to the Handicapped Pets Foundation.
California to test pilot program for injured police dogsSeptember 13, 2018California Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1776 on Sept. 6, establishing a pilot program that would authorize medical technicians to provide emergency, ground-based transportation to a veterinary facility for police dogs injured in the line of duty. This bill would authorize the County of San Bernardino to work with the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency to conduct a pilot project starting Jan. 1, 2019, in which they collect specified data about the results and submit a report to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2022. As an exception, there must be no person requiring medical attention or transportation at the scene when the request is made, and the ambulance must have a policy permitting the transportation of an injured police dog. The canine handler must accompany the dog and remain in full control during transport. Additionally, the canine handler remains responsible for any first aid given to the injured police dog during transport.
Pet doc publishes more tales of owning a veterinary practiceSeptember 13, 2018P.J. Miller, DVM, has authored a new book, Designer Dogs, Awkward Hugs & a Pigeon: Veterinary Tales, Again, a humorous behind-the scenes novel describing his personal experiences owning a veterinary practice. As a follow-up to his first book, Cute Poodles, Sweet Old Ladies & Hugs, his new volume includes the same characters and relationships loved by fans. It provides an insider's view into life as an animal doctor and gives a deeper glimpse into the emotional human-animal bond. Miller has been practicing veterinary medicine in Central Florida for more than 20 years. Designer Dogs, Awkward Hugs & a Pigeon: Veterinary Tales, Again is published by thirty8street Publishing and is available at Amazon.
