Favorite Vet Contest Called Off Due to BullyingAugust 26, 2015The American Veterinary Medical Foundation’s third annual America’s Favorite Veterinarian contest was suddenly canceled today because of harassment of the finalists. The Schaumburg, Ill., nonprofit organization blamed the shutdown on activists opposed to the declawing of cats. Online public voting was scheduled to end Sept. 1, but “a vicious cyberbullying attack which disrupted and contaminated the final election process” led to the early end, the organizers reported. All 20 veterinarians will receive certificates of recognition. “We deeply regret that our contestants had to endure this abuse and intend to take proactive steps in the future to prevent this type of interference from impacting our activities,” said AVMF’s chairman, John Brooks, DVM. The bullying was done through “the circulation of fraudulent negative advertisements, negative reviews and threatening phone calls,” AVMF stated. “One contestant, for example, was called ‘a whore, a butcher, a mutilator, a hack, an animal hater, a disgrace to the profession,’” the organization added. One of the finalists, Lisa Aumiller, DVM, of HousePaws Mobile Veterinary Service in Mount Laurel, N.J., said her experience “wasn’t horrible” and was limited to a phone call and social media posts. “We were one …
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DNA Test Digs Deeper Into Dogs’ BackgroundAugust 25, 2015Royal Canin USA Inc. has released an upgraded version of the Genetic Health Analysis, a diagnostic tool that can identify a dog’s ancestry going back three generations, spot genetic mutations and warn of a predisposition to certain health conditions. The veterinary-exclusive test features a tenfold increase in the number of genetic markers tested and disease markers reported—at least 3,000 and 140, respectively, the company reported today. Veterinarians may use the results to detect the breeds in a dog’s bloodline, predict the animal’s ideal weight, adjust feeding guidelines, screen for potential diseases or conditions, and develop a health and wellness plan. MDR1 genetic mutation testing is included. “The presence of a mutation in the MDR1 gene, for example, can make a dog much more sensitive to many commonly used medications, but veterinarians have no way of knowing unless they run a test,” said Cindy Cole, DVM, Ph.D., the director of research and development at sister company Mars Veterinary. “The updated analysis can also screen for degenerative myelopathy, a devastating condition that generally develops later in life,” Dr. Cole added. “Knowing that your patient is at risk allows you to proactively plan a lifetime of care for that dog.” The analysis, …
MetaStim Adjuvant Added to Swine VaccineAugust 25, 2015Zoetis Inc. has released a reformulated porcine circovirus (PCV) vaccine that includes the MetaStim adjuvant. MetaStim, a common vaccine emulsion, slows the release of antigens, giving a pig’s immune system more time to respond to the virus, the company reported today. “MetaStim has been used in swine, bovine and equine vaccines for years, including most recently, Fostera PCV MH,” said Darrell Neuberger, DVM, of Zoetis’ Pork Technical Services. The new Fostera PCV MetaStim swine vaccine is indicated to protect against diseases caused by porcine circovirus Type 2 (PCV2). The vaccine carries 23-week duration of immunity, the Florham Park, N.J., company stated. Fostera PCV MetaStim, which replaces Fostera PCV, is available in 50- and 250-dose vials.
Wisconsin Vet School Raises Money to Purchase Armor for Police DogAugust 25, 2015Jagger, a Madison, Wis., police dog, is now fighting crime with the added protection of a bullet-proof vest thanks to donations from faculty, staff and students at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM). Jagger is a two-year-old German shepherd serving as a K9 with the Madison Police Department (MPD). He is also a University of Wisconsin Veterinary Care client. Each month, the vet school holds a fund drive for a local charity, most of them benefitting animals, according to the university. The drive, coordinated by SVM Facilities Manager Karen Mier, brought in more than enough to cover the cost of the vest. The funds were donated to Wisconsin Vest-a-Dog, a nonprofit dedicated to providing protective vests for every police dog in the state. The group purchased the vest for Jagger and put the remainder toward body armor for another MPD K9, Slim. These are the third and fourth sets of canine body armor that SVM students and employees have helped purchase. Mier previously coordinated the collection of funds to vest police dogs with the Adam’s County Sheriff’s Department and the UW–Madison Campus Police.
Many Canadian Piglets Low on IronAugust 24, 2015Young pigs may need a second round of iron supplementation to stave off anemia and disease, according to a study conducted at Ontario Veterinary College. Doctoral student Amanda Kubik weighed nearly 1,200 piglets being raised on commercial farms across Ontario and collected blood samples, the University of Guelph reported Aug. 17. All the pigs had received a standard 200-milligram iron supplement in the first few days after birth. Kubik randomly chose one small, medium and large pig from each litter just before weaning and returned three weeks later for more testing. By that point the pigs were getting their iron from feed. “There were statistically significant results,” Kubik said. “The between herd prevalence of iron deficiency in the sampled pigs prior to weaning was 28 percent and the prevalence of anemia was 6 percent. When the same pigs were sampled three weeks later, the between herd prevalence had increased to 43 percent for iron deficiency and 18 percent for anemia.” Advancements in nutrition, genetics and on-farm management mean piglets are born into larger litters and grow at a faster rate than in previous decades, the university noted. As a result, standard supplement protocols may not meet their needs. …
On-Job Injuries Take Toll on British VetsAugust 24, 2015Cat and dog doctors are hurting, too. The British Veterinary Association has found that patients sank their teeth or claws into the vast majority of exotic and small animal practitioners over the previous 12 months. The survey of hundreds of BVA members discovered that 78 percent had been bitten and 9 in 10 had been scratched. An earlier report on large animal veterinarians revealed that 85 percent had been on the receiving end of a kick and that 6 percent suffered a kick-related head injury. The message for both groups is to be careful and work closely with animal owners on safety matters. “Vets accept the daily risk of injury at work, but these figures highlight just how common injuries are for vets who care for pets,” said BVA President John Blackwell, BVSc, MRCVS. “Rather than simply accepting this as an occupational hazard, veterinary teams should ensure they are taking all appropriate measures to mitigate the risks of working with animals whenever possible.” The organization suggested that more dogs be muzzled when brought into an examination room—an idea that doesn’t sit well with some pet owners. “People are sometimes reluctant to let us muzzle their dogs, even if …
Zoetis Expands Nebraska Drug FactoryAugust 24, 2015A Zoetis Inc. plant that makes Rimadyl (carprofen) for dogs along with a variety of other animal drugs and vaccines has undergone a 19,000-square-foot expansion. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Aug. 20 at the Lincoln, Neb., factory, which employs 500 people and has room for an additional 30 at peak production times. “Zoetis is excited to expand its footprint in Lincoln and provide veterinarians, livestock producers, pet owners and the animals in their care with a reliable, consistent supply of quality animal health products,” said Zoetis site leader Betty Mason. “The entire community can be proud of our expanded manufacturing operations, which enable us to produce 1,200 finished goods for more than 100 markets around the world.” Zoetis, based in Florham Park, N.J., makes a number of flagship products in Lincoln. Among them are the pain medication Rimadyl, the livestock vaccines Bovi-Shield Gold and Respi-Sure One, and a swine vaccine formulated to fight porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. The expansion will allow for full production of the beef cattle weight-gain drug Synovex and the manufacture of the new Canine Atopic Dermatitis Immunotherapeutic, which is scheduled to roll out later this year.
Greenies Rolls Out Vet-Only ChewAugust 20, 2015Chew on this, practitioners: A veterinary-exclusive dental treat from Greenies. The Nutro Co. today launched a reformulation of the popular Greenies chew. While the longstanding retail treat is marketed for canine dental health—a later version added joint health—the newest product comes with other claims. Greenies veterinary-formula chews not only work to reduce dental plaque and tartar, according to the Industry, Calif., manufacturer, they also are infused with ingredients supporting cognitive, immune, metabolic and skin health. “We are equipping veterinarians with a superior product that their clients can only get from them,” said Brad Quest, DVM, a veterinarian working for the Greenies brand. “In addition to the treat texture that optimizes dental efficacy, these chews have whole-body health benefits based on nutrient levels recommended by the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition.” The new Greenies start with gelatin, wheat protein isolate, glycerin and pea protein. Additional ingredients, the company reported, include omega-3 fatty acids for cognitive health, antioxidants such as Vitamin E and taurine for immune health, and minerals such as magnesium, zinc and iron for metabolic health. The fatty acids and chelated minerals are designed to support a healthy skin and coat. Veterinary-exclusive Greenies come in Teenie, petite, …
Longtime Missouri Clinic Keeps Up With TimesAugust 20, 2015Eagle Animal Hospital has come a long way in 68 years, transitioning from a dairy barn to a more modern building to a newly renovated clinic featuring solar panels and luxury boarding rooms. The small animal hospital, established by Dr. Tom Eagle in 1947 in the Kansas City, Mo., suburb of Riverside, today employs five veterinarians, a practice manager, a kennel manager and a team of veterinary technicians, assistants and customer service personnel. Current owner Jim Sparks, DVM, goes way back. He started as a 15-year-old kennel attendant in 1979 under Dr. Tom Noyes and moved on to college and a veterinary degree from the University of Missouri. Dr. Sparks returned to Eagle Animal Hospital after graduation, and when the opportunity arose to buy the practice, he did so in 1996. The renovated clinic, which will officially be unveiled during a public open house Aug. 30, is “the culmination of my whole life’s work,” he said. “We have such a special workplace here at Eagle, with staff made up of family and friends that truly care about our patients and work hard to make all everyone feel at home,” Sparks said. “We wanted the building and services to reflect the environment …
Penn Vet to Begin Internship Program at Local ShelterAugust 20, 2015The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine is partnering with Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals of Radnor, Pa., with the hope to maximize the welfare and adoptability of pets in need of homes. Behavior problems are the leading cause of pet relinquishment, according to Penn Vet. The partnership aims to reduce that. As such, Penn Vet’s M. Leanne Lilly, DVM, will begin a special internship at the shelter, assessing and treating animal residents with behavioral problems and establishing a training program for shelter staff and volunteers. Together, Penn Vet and the Francisvale team will monitor the progress and long-term outcomes of the program. In addition, Penn Vet will provide support to adopters by offering post-adoption behavioral counseling. “This partnership presents an extraordinary opportunity to further enrich the lives of the dogs and cats that presently reside at Francisvale and of those who may find themselves at our doors,” said Dorothy Claeys, executive director of the Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals. “The collaboration will also provide an incredible educational opportunity for our staff and volunteers who will be working with and learning from the Penn Vet team. We …
