Volunteer Veterinary Dentists, Techs, Provide Dental Care to Big CatsApril 18, 2016If you have dreams of being a veterinary dentist for the big cats, keep an eye on the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Center Point, Ind., and the Peter Emily International Veterinary Dental Foundation for opportunities. You could take part in volunteer events, such as one that was held this past weekend, where more than 15 volunteers headed over to the Exotic Feline Rescue Center to spend two days doing dentistry work for eight big cats. The volunteers consisted of veterinary dentists, technicians and other professionals from around the United States, according to Fox 59. The animals treated included a lion, a puma and several tigers. brightcove.createExperiences(); This was thanks to the Peter Emily International Veterinary Dental Foundation (PEIVDF). According to their ‘About Us’ page: “Our mission is to provide life improving advanced veterinary dental care and treatment to exotic animals located in US (and in the future, overseas) captive animal facilities and animal sanctuaries, which are under funded and/or understaffed from a veterinary perspective. Through these missions, we are also increasing …
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Vet Explores the Funny Aspects of Cooking for Dogs in New BookApril 18, 2016Cooking for dogs is a trend that’s been around for years, but the funny side of it hasn’t ever really been talked about. That’s what a new book, “Canine Kitchen Capers: A Humorous Look At Preparing Food for Dogs (& Spouses)” is all about: how hysterical it can be. Written by Judy Morgan, DVM, a holistic veterinarian, and her husband Hue Grant, the book is full of stories of cooking misadventures, such as: Vegetarians willing to cook meat only for their dogs; The woman who spent three days canning food for her dog, forgetting her kids and feeding her husband cold cereal; and The occasional starving husband who can't stop himself from secretly scarfing the dog's homemade stew. Judy Morgan Authors Hue Grant and Judy Morgan, DVM, with two of their rescued spaniels. Morgan says the stories in the book were submitted by readers of her prior book, “What's For Dinner Dexter? Cooking for Your Dog Using Chinese Medicine Theory.” A recipe for dog food and a complementary recipe for humans accompany each story. For example, “Butternut Squash Banana Treats for Dogs” is followed by “Maple Bacon Pecan Butternut Squash …
Vet Staff Can Now Become Fear Free ExpertsApril 15, 2016The Fear Free concept developed by Idaho practitioner and Veterinary Practice News columnist Marty Becker, DVM, has grown into a certification program. Launched March 31 at the American Animal Hospital Association conference, the program aims to train veterinary professionals in Fear Free methods and protocols. Fear Free is designed to calm nervous veterinary patients and address their physical and emotion well-being through gentle handling and comfortable surroundings. A relaxed patient could become a more frequent visitor to a veterinary hospital. AAHA is the corporate home for the Fear Free Certification Program. “We’re thrilled to be a part of something this big, something that really has the power to ease stress on pets and people and make sure pets are getting the veterinary care they need,” said AAHA CEO Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, Dipl. ABVP. The certification process includes eight online modules. Successful completion of the program brings a three-year certification. AAHA reported that the education modules were the work of the Fear Free Executive Committee, along with board-certified veterinary behaviorists and anesthetists, veterinary technician behavior specialists, and practice management experts. Introductory prices are set at $139 for students, $279 …
AAHA Picks Best PracticesApril 15, 2016The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) awarded the seventh annual AAHA-Accredited Practice of the Year Awards during the AAHA yearly conference’s Opening Session. Pembroke Animal Hospital of Ontario, Canada took home first place for the general practice category. MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets-Cincinnati of Fairfax, Ohio was awarded first place for the referral practice category. AAHA also awarded finalist places for the accredited general and referral practice awards: Country Hills Pet Hospital of Eden, Wis. (general) Moorpark Veterinary Hospital of Moorpark, Calif. (general) Valley Cottage Animal Hospital of Valley Cottage, N.Y. (general) Metropolitan Veterinary Associate of Norristown, Penn. (referral) “A well-deserved congratulations goes to all of these practices for practicing a high standard of veterinary care for their patients. We believe that the success of a veterinary practice depends on the entire team working together to provide excellent care,” said Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP, AAHA chief executive officer. “We are proud to call these practices AAHA-accredited veterinary hospitals and hope that many more practices will follow in their footsteps of excellence.” Originally published in the May 2016 issue of Veterinary Practice News. Did you enjoy this article? Then subscribe today!
Canine Flu Was Transmitted to Four CatsApril 15, 2016The canine influenza strain that struck thousands of U.S. dogs in 2015 has infected four cats at a northwest Indiana animal shelter. Sandra Newbury, a clinical assistant professor and director of the Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, confirmed the diagnosis. “Suspicions of an outbreak in the cats initially were raised when a group of them displayed unusual signs of respiratory disease,” Dr. Newbury said. “While this first confirmed report of multiple cats testing positive for canine influenza in the U.S. shows the virus can affect cats, we hope that infections and illness in felines will continue to be quite rare.” Newbury and Kathy Toohey- Kurth, MS, Ph.D., of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, reported that dogs housed at the shelter also tested positive for the H3N2 strain. The feline link was not a total surprise. “Feline cases previously reported in South Korea suggested that the virus … was capable of making the leap from dogs to cats,” the university stated. “However, just one cat tested positive for H3N2 on a single occasion in the U.S. last year.” All the shelter animals were quarantined, and …
University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine Holding Open House on April 23April 15, 2016The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine will hold its annual Open House Saturday, April 23, 2016, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The free event will take place, rain or shine, on the UT agricultural campus, located on Neyland Drive. The tours are self-guided. Children are encouraged to bring their stuffed animals for a teddy bear clinic for veterinary students to examine. Guests will have the chance to learn about dog bite prevention and tour exhibits featuring small animal medicine, large animal medicine, community organizations and pet rescue groups. There will be an anatomy lab with various skeletons and plastinated specimen. Canine and equine parades of breeds are scheduled throughout the day. Guests can also enjoy learning about various cat breeds and farm animal breeds. No registration for individuals is necessary. The veterinary open house is held each year to better acquaint the public with veterinary medicine and services provided at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, which was established in 1974. Find more about the open house at the college's website.
Extended Interview With Evan Antin, DVMApril 14, 2016When Evan Antin, DVM, graduated from Colorado State University’s College Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences in 2013, he probably never expected to become famous for his good looks. It all started in late 2014 when People’s magazine named him “Sexiest Beast Charmer” in their annual “Sexiest Man Alive” issue. However, that press and fame that came from that was nothing compared to late January 2016, when the website Bored Panda published an article titled “The Hottest Animal Doctor Ever That’ll Make You Want To Get Your Pet Checked.” Soon, BuzzFeed, US Weekly, ABC and media outlets around the world were labeling him as the Internet’s “sexiest veterinarian.” Dr. Antin has taken the fame—and teasing from his colleagues—in strides. No stranger to media appearances even before he was Internet famous, he’s been on FABLife, the Kris Jenner Show, Fox and Friends and has recently finished up a project with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cameron Newton. He has his own YouTube channel called “Evan Antin Wild Vet,” where he "[promotes] animal conservation one …
Banfield Foundation Makes $45,000 Grant to AVMA's "Reaching UP" New Mexico ProgramApril 14, 2016The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) launched has launched pilot grant program, which will be funded by corporate, private and public foundations. One hundred percent of the funds will benefit programs identified through the AVMA's strategic management process in the areas of animal welfare, economics and research. The Banfield Foundation provided a commitment of $45,000 to fund the first beneficiary of the pilot grant program, 2016 Reaching UP, New Mexico, which will provide veterinary care to traditionally underserved Native American populations in New Mexico throughout the year. In addition to the grant provided by the Banfield Foundation, Banfield Pet Hospital associates will participate in the program as volunteers alongside other AVMA veterinarians. "The Banfield Foundation is proud to partner with the AVMA to support the 2016 Reaching UP New Mexico program," said Lilisa Hall, executive director of the Banfield Foundation. "As an organization dedicated to animal welfare, education and elevating the pet-human bond, we believe that efforts to improve access to veterinary care in underserved areas are incredibly important to pets, pet owners and local communities." Minimal access to veterinary care has led to an overpopulation of dogs, which in turn harms animal health and welfare, public health, and …
Missouri Vet College to Host Symposium on Zoonotic Disease ResearchApril 14, 2016The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and Mizzou Advantage will host the symposium, “Infectious and Zoonotic Disease Emergence: Recognizing Challenges and Identifying Opportunities for Impactful One Health Research,” May 23 to 24, 2016, at the Bond Life Sciences Center in Columbia, Mo. The symposium aims to raise awareness about zoonoses through the exchange of scientific information about these diseases, and provide an opportunity for scientists to work with policymakers and stakeholders to identify priority areas for research, according to the college. The event is open to veterinarians, students, clinicians, scientists, among others. Featured speakers will talk about zoonotic disease emergence and opportunities to integrate human and animal health, particularly in settings where resources are limited, the college noted. The keynote speakers are: Tony L. Goldberg, DVM, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology in the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, associate director for research at the university’s Global Health Institute and the John D. MacArthur research chair; John A. Crump, MD, the McKinlay professor of global health and co-director of the Center for International Health, at …
KSU Vet Researchers Successful in Treating FIPApril 14, 2016A new research project from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine has been successful in treating a deadly cat disease that has previously been nearly 100 percent fatal. Yunjeong Kim, an associate professor in the college's diagnostic medicine and pathobiology department, has worked with collaborators in various fields to develop an antiviral compound for feline coronavirus associated with feline infectious peritonitis, more commonly known as FIP. Her article, "Reversal of the Progression of Fatal Coronavirus Infection in Cats by a Broad-Spectrum Coronavirus Protease Inhibitor," has just been published in the journal PLOS Pathogens. "FIP is caused by coronavirus infection," Kim said. "Coronavirus infections are very common among cats. However, in most cases, these viral infections cause mild and self-limited enteritis or no symptoms. But some cats will develop a fatal disease which is FIP." Kim said FIP is usually found in young cats that are less than 2 or 3 years old. "FIP arises from certain viral mutation that occur in the infected …
