AFSCAN announces 2018 research and studentship awardsMay 29, 2018The African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN), a project supported by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association's (WSAVA) Charitable Foundation, has announced the recipients of the 2018 AFSCAN Research and Studentship Awards. AFSCAN Research Awards AFSCAN Research Awards offer academics working at a veterinary school in Africa the opportunity to secure a grant to fund a locally relevant clinical research project of their devising in partnership with a research laboratory overseas. From six applications this year, two projects have been selected for funding following review by the WSAVA scientific advisory committee and the AFSCAN management board. Dr. Willy Mwangi from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, has been awarded $9,945 for an 18-month project: "Spatial and molecular epidemiology of Giardia duodenalis in shelter and client-owned dogs in Nairobi County, Kenya." Dr. Adekunle Bamidele Ayinmode from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, has been awarded $8,170 for a two-year project: "Prevalence and genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis in clinical samples from cats and dogs in south west Nigeria." AFSCAN Studentship Awards The AFSCAN Studentship Awards enable a fourth- or fifth-year African undergraduate veterinary student to spend six to eight weeks participating in research …
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Merrick recalls treats containing possible elevated beef thyroid hormonesMay 25, 2018Merrick Pet Care, based in Amarillo, Texas, is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited amount of beef dog treat varieties due to the potential that they contain elevated levels of a naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone, according to an FDA report. Dogs consuming high levels of beef thyroid hormone may exhibit increased thirst and urination, weight loss, increased heart rate, and restlessness. Dogs that consume high levels of the treats for a long period may experience an increase in these symptoms, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid or labored breathing. The voluntary recall covers only specific production codes of the following beef treat products: Castor & Pollux Good Buddy Prime Patties Real Beef Recipe 4 oz. Castor & Pollux Good Buddy Sausage Cuts Real Beef Recipe 5 oz. Merrick Backcountry Great Plains Real Beef Jerky 4.5 oz. Merrick Backcountry Great Plains Real Beef Sausage Cuts 5 oz. Merrick Backcountry Great Plains Real Steak Patties 4 oz. To view more information on the recalled products, click here. To locate the production code, consumers should look on the lower back of the treat bag. No other production codes, sizes, or varieties of …
Winn, AAFP announce 2018 scholarship winnersMay 25, 2018The Winn Feline Foundation and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) have announced the recipients of the 2018 joint scholarships for clinical practice and clinical research scientist. Each winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship. Nicole Rowbotham, a junior at Mississippi State University who was awarded the clinical practice scholarship, aspires to obtain her American Board of Veterinary Practitioners certification in feline practice and become the owner of a feline-exclusive hospital. Courtney Meason-Smith, a junior at Texas A&M University who was awarded the clinical research scientist scholarship, seeks to develop an independent research career investigating histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis in cats and is developing novel diagnostics and therapeutics to address these conditions. In 2016, the boards of directors of both Winn and the AAFP approved a joint scholarship. The application process prompts students to answer two essay questions explaining their specific interest and background in feline health and welfare, as well as their plans for future participation in feline medicine. Recipients of the scholarships are selected based on individual academic achievement, strong leadership, and deep dedication to the study of feline medicine, health, and welfare. "Both Nicole and Courtney have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills that …
AVDA recognizes Kim Allen with Lifetime Achievement AwardMay 25, 2018Kim Allen, president of Henry Schein Animal Health's commercial division, has been honored with the American Veterinary Distributors Association's (AVDA) 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award. Allen, who has worked in the veterinary distribution industry for more than 36 years, was the first woman to join the AVDA board of directors, serving from 1990 to 2005 and as chair from 2001 to 2004. "Kim's dedication and service to the animal health industry and distribution for more than 36 years is truly remarkable," said Paula Brown, AVDA chair. "She was a role model and mentor for me and many other women in the industry. Her support of AVDA as a board member and first woman chair was groundbreaking and helped to make the association better for all of our members." Allen, who received her bachelor of science in animal science from Rutgers University, joined Henry Schein in 2005. Prior to that, she worked in various senior executive positions in the veterinary distribution industry, including president of Burns Veterinary Supply for the Darby Group Companies. An avid horse rider and breeder, Allen is also a member of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, U.S. Dressage Federation, and U.S. Eventing Association. …
CSU veterinary school celebrated for communicationsMay 25, 2018The communications program at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) has been recognized with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges' (AAVMC) 2018 Communications Excellence Award, with association judges praising the school for a "portfolio of fresh and engaging communication products and content" designed to facilitate student and community engagement. "Communications excellence is fundamental to institutional advancement," said Andrew T. Maccabe, DVM, MPH, JD, AAVMC CEO. "We congratulate our colleagues at Colorado State University for earning this distinction, and appreciate the role their work is playing in advancing the overall interests of academic veterinary medicine." Spearheaded by director of communications Kristen Browning-Blas, CVMBS's strengthened efforts include a recently redesigned website, which features a continuously updated online news room that has garnered millions of page views. A story exploring cross-species viral transmission reached 325 million readers and viewers, while another on Lyme disease research earned an estimated readership of 407 million and elicited global coverage through 300 mainstream media outlets. The college also increased its social media programming, which helped grow the veterinary teaching hospital's social media audience by 132 percent year-over-year. Through social media engagement, CVMBS helped introduce girls to …
NY State to invest $12M in veterinary educationMay 24, 2018New York State will contribute $12 million to fund a new college of veterinary medicine at Long Island University (LIU) in Brookville as part of a $40-million project to establish the first school of its kind in the New York metropolitan area, said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. While there are 30 schools of veterinary medicine across the U.S., only three are located in the northeast and none are in the New York metropolitan area. LIU's College of Veterinary Medicine, which is expected to begin classes in September 2019, will effectively fill this academic gap. The college will enroll 100 students into the four-year doctorate program annually and create at least 100 staff positions. "Investing in the nation's newest veterinary college and the first in the New York metropolitan area is a transformative event for Long Island University, for the region, and for animal health, which will create great New York jobs and research opportunities," said Kimberly Cline, LIU president. "We are grateful to all of our partners in government, the animal health community, and business community, for their support." The funds are part of a $72 million investment to support three economic developments on Long Island. In …
Eastern Wyoming College AVMA accreditation renewedMay 24, 2018The veterinary technology program at Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) has maintained full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) after review last year. "We are pleased to receive ongoing accreditation from the CVTEA," said Susan Walker, DVM, program director. "We constantly strive for excellence in order to meet the needs of the veterinary field in this region. As a result, our graduates continue to be in high demand." EWC's program participated in a full site visit with a team from AVMA last September. The committee announced the continuation of the program on full accreditation following deliberation of the report of evaluation from the site visit. The program, which first received AVMA accreditation in 1976, will complete a biennial report due in September 2019, with a full site visit scheduled for 2023. "We are the only veterinary technician program in Wyoming and one of the most exceptional programs in the United States," said Lesley Travers, Ph.D., EWC president. "The instructors in this program work hard to ensure this level of excellence and to maintain accreditation. Our students benefit greatly from this level …
NAVTA veterinary nurse initiative receives additional corporate supportMay 22, 2018Midmark Corp. has announced its support for the effort to make registered veterinary nurse the standard credential in the U.S. veterinary technician profession. To unite the profession under a single set of credentialing requirements and scope of practice, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) initiative aims to establish the credential of registered veterinary nurse as a substitute for the current titles of registered veterinary technician, licensed veterinary technician, certified veterinary technician, and licensed veterinary medical technician. The result, NAVTA believes, is allowing practice at a higher standard of care. Additionally, the alignment of current veterinary technician titles under a single credential will open avenues for better reciprocity across the nation, allowing technicians to work outside of the state where they were originally credentialed. A key outcome is to establish a nationwide standard for obtaining and maintaining credentialing requirements that are appropriate for veterinary nurses in every state. NAVTA is actively seeking insights and feedback to ensure this standard meets private credential levels. Interested parties are encouraged to email vetnurse@navta.net and contact their state associations to provide feedback regarding this proposed standard. "… we believe that creating a single, unified title that elevates and …
Mississippi State University survey aims to improve shelter dog welfareMay 22, 2018A Stanton Foundation-funded survey that aims to compile data about dog populations in shelters located in key geographic regions across the U.S. is underway at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine with the goal of determining the number and physical characteristics of dogs entering shelters, as well as the eventual outcome of their shelter stays. "The lack of reliable data makes it difficult to most effectively serve and help dogs in need," said Kent H. Hoblet, DVM, MSc, dean of MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine. "This survey will ultimately enable organizations that seek to promote canine welfare to help the greatest number of dogs. The information will be beneficial to shelter operators, policymakers, and ultimately dog owners across the nation because it will provide vital insights into patterns and behaviors regarding dog ownership, adoption, transfers, outcomes, and resource distribution." The research team will connect with more than 400 participating shelters in Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Colorado, and Oklahoma. These states were chosen because they each have a registry of shelters and provide a diverse geographical representation of the U.S. "People in all regions of the country care very much about canine welfare, and we believe that this study …
Report: Canadian veterinary drug prices expected to spikeMay 21, 2018An increase in veterinary drug service fees proposed by Health Canada could lead to higher prices for some animal medications and the elimination of others, according to a report from research organization Agri-Food Economic Systems. The report, which was commissioned by the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), states the suggested increases would range between 169 to 500 percent by April 2019 and would affect more than half of the veterinary drugs for livestock and companion animals, leading to potential medication shortages in Canada, as well as a decreased competitive edge for the country's food animal industries. "The proposed fees will have unintended consequences that will hurt the safety of our food supply, our trade with foreign countries, and reduce pet owner access to health management tools for their pets," said Al Mussell, the report's co-author. "This is an administrative decision made without the full understanding of the ramifications for Canada's economic competitiveness and welfare of its animals; it also sets an alarming precedent for regulatory service fees that could apply elsewhere in the agri-food chain." While Health Canada suggests the proposed fees make the country more consistent with those applied in the U.S., …
