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 …
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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 …
Women’s Veterinary Summit Set for July 17-18April 13, 2016A former Navy fighter pilot and a venture capitalist are among the speakers who will address attendees at the inaugural Women’s Veterinary Summit in Las Vegas. The event, scheduled for July 17 and 18 and sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, is designed for veterinarians and students. Topics will include practice ownership, contracts and negotiations, leadership skills, and career goals. The keynote speakers are Carey Lohrenz, the U.S. Navy’s first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot, and Sharon Stevenson, DVM, Ph.D., the co-founder and managing director of Okapi Venture Capital in Laguna Beach, Calif. Also set to speak are: Kathleen Ruby, Ph.D., director of counseling and wellness skills development at Washington State University. Karen Bradley, DVM, a Vermont practice owner and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association board of directors. Carla Gartrell, DVM, JD, Dipl. ACVIM, associate dean for academic affairs at Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine. S. Dru Forrester, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, director of global scientific affairs at Hill’s. Ellen Lowery, DVM, Ph.D., MBA, director of U.S. professional and veterinary affairs at Hill’s. Valerie Ragan, DVM, director of the Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. The two-day …
Universal Unveils Portable PET ScannerApril 13, 2016Universal Medical Systems Inc. has teamed up with a Maryland company to bring to the veterinary market a portable, high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. The 50-pound piPET scanner may be used with small or large animals and is suited for diagnosing lameness in horses, Universal reported Tuesday. The Solon, Ohio, distributor of veterinary imaging devices noted that piPet’s small size allows it to be transported between veterinary hospitals. The machine’s 9-inch bore diameter can accommodate everything from a dog’s head for brain images to an equine leg during a lameness examination. The manufacturer is Brain Biosciences Inc. of Rockville, Md. “X-ray radiography, CT and MRI imaging provide information about anatomical changes due to trauma or disease process,” said Brain Biosciences’ president, David Beylin. “piPET scanner allows you to scan and visualize disease-related changes in metabolism on a molecular level, in 3D, with high resolution and contrast.”
AAHA Study: Culture Can Make or Break Veterinary Practice's SuccessApril 13, 2016The culture and relationships within a veterinary practice may have a significant impact on its overall success. That’s according to survey data that was revealed during the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 2016 State of the Industry presentation. The AAHA 2016 State of the Industry, which was presented during the AAHA Austin 2016 Yearly Conference, examined data from a fall 2015 survey AAHA conducted with the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver that studied organizational culture in veterinary practices. AAHA Chief Executive Officer Mike Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP (C/F) shared the survey results along with an update on economic data from IDEXX Laboratories. The culture study surveyed more than 1,000 veterinary hospitals to study the qualities of organizational culture in veterinary practices, evaluate the overall and specific subcultures in veterinary hospitals, and determine how culture affects veterinary practice metrics. Key findings of the culture survey include: Perceptions toward training and career development as well as staff relationships with veterinarians are positive. Perceptions toward institutional fairness and communication as well as rewards and recognition can be improved. Less positive perceptions of culture are held by employees with little decision making power …
Funds Raised to Help Dog Whose Legs Were Broken on PurposeApril 13, 2016A dog named Iris (nickname Dara’Lynn) came to the Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, Ariz., last November with two broken legs. After examination, veterinarians determined that her legs had been broken for some time. Iris was treated, but even after four months, her legs still aren’t healing. Iris must wear splints, which cause problems of their own, including pressure sores and rashes. Go Fund Me Iris needs orthopedic surgery, so the Pima Animal Care Center put together a Go Fund Me fundraiser to help raise funds to pay for it. The surgery will be performed by Douglas A. Rohn, DVM, Diplomate ACVS of the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson. As they write on their Go Fund Me page: “It is going to cost $3,400 by Dr Rohn who has generously offered to only charge us for one fracture. Dr Rohn is an extremely experienced boarded specialist and he is confident he can help Dara'Lynn run and play again! Please consider donating. Together we can mend the wrongs that have been committed against this innocent little sweetheart.” As of press time, the fundraiser has …
