Could noise sensitivity in dogs be a cry for pain relief?March 26, 2018 A study conducted by animal behavior scientists from the U.K. and Brazil found that dogs that show fear or anxiety when faced with loud or sudden noises could actually be in pain. The researchers examined cases of dogs that had developed sensitivity to variations in noise volume, pitch, and occurrence, and found they also had associated musculoskeletal pain. The undiagnosed pain could be exacerbated when auditory stimuli makes the dogs tense or jump, placing extra stress on muscles or joints that already are inflamed, causing further pain, according to the study. That pain is then associated with a loud or startling noise, leading to sensitivity to noise and avoidance of situations where they had a previous bad experience, such as at a local park or in a loud room at home. According to the researchers, veterinarians should give any dog with a behavior issue a thorough physical exam to determine that if pain is a factor, it can be diagnosed and treated, and the behavior issue can then be addressed. In the study, all dogs that experienced pain and were treated showed improvement in behavior. Pain, behavior issues, and the onset of pain "Although the average ages of the …
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Salmonella outbreak linked to pet guinea pigsMarch 26, 2018 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported nine cases of Salmonella infection connected to pet guinea pigs across eight states. The illnesses, which resulted in one hospitalization, ranged from July 2015 to Dec. 2017. "This outbreak is a reminder that pet rodents such as guinea pigs, regardless of where they are purchased or adopted, can carry Salmonella bacteria even when they look healthy and clean," states the advisory. States cited in the advisory include Colorado, with two reported cases, as well as Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Virginia, and Vermont, with one case each. The outbreak strain of the bacteria was identified in a sample collected from the guinea pig belonging to the patient in Vermont. Illness resulting from exposure to Salmonella usually lasts four to seven days. Those affected usually recover without treatment, but extreme cases of diarrhea and vomiting can lead to hospitalization. Infection is considered most dangerous for children younger than 5, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. The CDC recommends veterinarians remind clients with pet rodents to enforce good hygiene practices, especially in regard to young children. To read the full report, click
Why AAHA accreditation is a big dealMarch 23, 2018Becoming an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited veterinary practice isn't about prestige—it's about operating at a higher level, according to an article at consumersadvocate.org. The accreditation process is challenging, rigorous, voluntary, and not guaranteed. When a veterinary facility steps up to become accredited, it's making a proclamation that the organization is committed to excellence, the article stated. That's not to say unaccredited practices are engaging in sub-par animal health care. However, it "raises the question of how much more successful they would be if they truly reached for their full potential by obtaining accreditation," said Darren Taul, DVM, AAHA president elect. Since 1933, the association has charted the course for approximately 3,700 practices to achieve accreditation. "Accreditation is a way to force yourself to be the best you can be," said Bo Williamson, DVM, owner of the Tennessee Avenue Hospital in Cincinnati, the oldest continuously accredited AAHA animal hospital in the world. "Owners and employees of accredited hospitals constantly look to make things better." Currently, only 12 to 15 percent of animal hospitals are accredited; the association wants more practices to make the commitment to achieve accreditation. Accreditation serves two purposes. First, …
Zoetis scholarship award program passes $6M markMarch 23, 2018Zoetis and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) announced the awarding of $630,000 in scholarship funds through the Zoetis Veterinary Student Scholarship Program for 2018. Now in its ninth year, the program awarded scholarships in the amount of $2,000 to 315 second- and third-year veterinary students representing 33 colleges of veterinary medicine. The program has awarded $6.1 million over the past nine years, helping to offset education expenses for more than 3,000 veterinary students. Lizann Guzman, a student enrolled in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif., said the award made a significant impact on her educational experience. After not being accepted to the veterinary college in her home state, Guzman faced a difficult financial choice. "One of the hardest decisions of my life was moving out to California for vet school, knowing that I would be in so much more debt than if I waited a year to reapply in-state," said Guzman, who will graduate in 2019. "This scholarship greatly helped me out financially and gave me extra motivation to work hard in pursuing my dream." "Easing the economic pressure on students like …
Merck, AVMF award $280K in scholarships to 56 veterinary studentsMarch 22, 2018Fifty six veterinary students from around the world have received scholarships from Merck Animal Health, in partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF). Through the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program, select second-and third-year students pursuing careers in companion animal or large animal medicine each will receive a $5,000 scholarship (totaling $280,000) to support their educational endeavors. "We know that the cost of veterinary education can be a challenge but want to encourage talented students to pursue their dreams," said Scott Bormann, vice president, North America, Merck Animal Health. "We're honored to support these recipients, as the work they do throughout their careers will have an important impact on the animal health industry, helping to advance the well-being of both companion and large animals." The AVMF, the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association, has supported veterinary students for more than five decades. "The AVMF helps ensure the future of veterinary medicine by recognizing and supporting outstanding students," said Jan K. Strother, DVM, chair, AVMF board. "We are honored to partner with Merck Animal Health in providing these scholarship opportunities." Award recipients from U.S. and international veterinary schools …
Can The Pet Effect play a role in practice success?March 22, 2018Zoetis has released two new videos as part of The Pet Effect, an educational campaign to raise awareness of pets' positive health benefits for humans, and how, by extension, veterinary professionals are key contributors to public health. To help publicize The Pet Effect, Zoetis has partnered with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). "The Pet Effect aims to put veterinarians at the center of the conversation with pet owners and potential pet owners about how human and pet health are connected," said J. Michael McFarland, DVM, DABVP, executive director, Zoetis Petcare Marketing. "As a HABRI co-founder, Zoetis firmly supports human-animal bond research, and we hope these videos and new research results will help spread the word of the physical and emotional benefits of pet ownership." Who saved who? The Pet Effect campaign has assembled scientific evidence that demonstrates how pets improve heart health, alleviate depression, increase well-being, support child health and development, and contribute to healthy aging, as well as assist in treating a range of conditions from autism spectrum disorder to Alzheimer's disease to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The campaign videos, Comrade and Adopt a Human, portray two situations in which pets can positively affect …
Pathway Vet Alliance donates $3K to three charities following WVCMarch 22, 2018Following Pathway Vet Alliance's recent rebrand reveal at the 90th annual Western Veterinary Conference (WVC), the national veterinary management group announced it will donate $3,000 to three charities connected to causes important to the veterinary community. Prior to the start of WVC, Pathway pledged to donate $5 to charity for each visitor's conference badge scanned at the company's booth. The total amount donated by Pathway will be divided equally and presented to the American Humane Association, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation's Veterinary Care Charitable Fund, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. "We're deeply touched by the warm reception we received at this year's conference and are thankful to those who stopped by our booth to help us contribute these funds to three amazing charities," said Stephen Hadley, DVM, CEO of Pathway Vet Alliance. "Our new brand identity and reaffirmed mission to be change agents for good really resonated with the crowd at WVC. We have an exciting year ahead of us and are excited to build on this success." Last month, Pathway unveiled its new rebrand to Pathway Vet Alliance and adopted a new logo, color palette, typeface, website, and …
Dog defies death three times after treatment at UF Small Animal HospitalMarch 21, 2018Rupert, a young dachshund run over by a golf cart in Ocala, Fla., last month, is now living a charmed life after being resuscitated three times by University of Florida (UF) veterinarians. Rupert was discharged Feb. 27 from UF's Small Animal Hospital after being treated for eight days in the hospital's intensive care unit. His owner, Jamie McAllister, couldn't be happier. "To say Rupert is a miracle is an understatement," McAllister said. "If it weren't for the doctors and staff at UF, I don't know where we would be." McAllister said Rupert had jumped off a friend's golf cart while she was driving and rolled under one of the vehicle's tires. She immediately took him to her veterinarian, who advised her that Rupert be taken to the UF Small Animal Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. "His veterinarian called me in Gainesville to say Rupert's family wanted to bring him to UF for treatment of severe pulmonary contusions, but he was not stable enough for transport," said Ashley Allen, DVM, a clinical assistant professor of emergency and critical care at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine. "So we teamed up," Dr. Allen said. "Dr. Gareth …
AAVMC introduces new slate of officersMarch 21, 2018Calvin Johnson, DVM, Ph.D., DACVP, dean of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, has assumed his duties as president of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). Johnson had been serving as president-elect of the organization. Michael Lairmore, DVM, Ph.D., dean of the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, was named president-elect following an intra-organizational election held in late January. Lairmore, board certified by both the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) and American College of Veterinary Microbiologists (ACVM), has served as dean at California since 2011. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine. Phillip Nelson, DVM, Ph.D., dean of the Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, has completed his term of service as AAVMC president and will now serve a year as past-president. The president, president-elect, and past-president comprise the executive committee of the AAVMC board of director樂威壯 s and meet monthly. Mark Markel, DVM, Ph.D., dean of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, continues as treasurer. Paul Lunn, BVSc, MS, Ph.D., MRCVS, DACVIM, dean of the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine continues as secretary. …
AAVMC council funds second round of annual education researchMarch 21, 2018The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges' (AAVMC) Council on International Veterinary Medical Education (CIVME) has funded three program grants designed to foster the enrichment and advancement of international academic veterinary medicine. Funded proposals include collaborative projects from 15 institutions in 11 countries and five global regions. Funded programs include: Creating the next generation of evidence-based veterinary practitioners and researchers: What are the options for a veterinary curriculum ($9,500)? Main applicant: Dr. Heidi Janicke, St. George University, Grenada. Collaborators: Bristol Vet School, U.K. and Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Bangladesh. The perceptions of final-year veterinary science students, studying at four international veterinary schools, regarding the suitability of the undergraduate professionalism-training curriculum ($8,780). Main applicant: Dr. Stuart Gordon, Massey University, New Zealand. Collaborators: Murdoch University, Australia; University of Nottingham, U.K.; and University of Guelph, Canada. Towards an international veterinary immunology teaching network and platform ($10,000). Main applicants: Drs. Victor Rutten and Femke Broere, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. Collaborators: University of Leipzig, Germany; University of Bern, Switzerland; University of Veterinary Medicine Munich, Germany; Royal Veterinary College London, U.K.; University of Berlin, Germany; University of Environmental and Life Sciences Wroclaw, Poland; and University of Veterinary Medicine …
