Idexx Hits CE Milestone: 800,000 Free CreditsJuly 1, 2015Idexx Laboratories Inc. has some free advice for veterinary professionals: Try our no-cost continuing education. The Westbrook, Maine, provider of diagnostic veterinary products and services announced last week that the company’s Idexx Learning Center has awarded more than 800,000 free CE credits since 2007. Worldwide, nearly 31,000 veterinary practices in 207 countries have signed up for webinars, in-person seminars, tutorials and online courses, Idexx reported. The company valued the educational offerings at $30 million, based on other sources of continuing education in the veterinary industry. “Medical and practice technology is constantly evolving, changing and improving in veterinary medicine,” said Jonathan W. Ayers, CEO of Idexx Laboratories. “By providing these educational resources, we help to strengthen the bonds that lead to healthy pets and practices, in a way that also advances the veterinary profession,” Ayers added. Idexx called itself the leader in veterinary continuing education, a claim other top providers didn’t directly challenge. One of them, the North America Veterinary Community, which schedules classes at its annual convention and throughout the year, described Idexx as “a valued partner.” “We are always impressed with how Idexx creates new ideas and innovations,” said NAVC’s CEO, Thomas M. Bohn, MBA, CAE. “The Idexx …
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Ohio State Promotes Rustin Moore to Veterinary DeanJuly 1, 2015Rustin M. Moore, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS, will move from one executive office to another when he takes over Sept. 1 as dean of Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Moore, an expert in equine health, was announced Tuesday as the replacement for Lonnie King, DVM, Dipl. ACVPM, who is retiring Aug. 31 after six years as dean. Moore, executive director of Ohio State’s Veterinary Medical Center, will oversee what U.S. News and World Report this year ranked as the nation’s fifth-best veterinary school. The college enrolls about 640 students and employs 130 faculty members. After earning his Ph.D. at Ohio State in 1994, Moore was hired as an assistant professor in Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine and was elevated to professor in 2000. While in Baton Rouge, La., he led efforts to rescue horses and other animals left in peril by a pair of 2005 hurricanes, Katrina and Rita. Moore, a 1989 DVM graduate of Ohio State, returned to Columbus in 2006 as a professor and as chairman of the department of veterinary clinical sciences. He later became chief of the Veterinary Medical Center—among the world’s largest animal hospitals—and simultaneously served as associate …
Vet-owned Dog Selected as World’s UgliestJune 30, 2015Second place wasn’t good enough for Quasi Modo, who last week was honored as the world’s ugliest dog. The 10-year-old pit bull-shepherd mix was born with birth defects that left her with a hunched-over appearance shared by the fictional character Quasimodo in the novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.” The canine Quasi Modo, who lives in Loxahatchee, Fla., with veterinarian Virginia Sayre, DVM, finished as runner-up in the 2014 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest but returned to Petaluma, Calif., to try again. The competition, held annually at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, is a beauty contest of sorts. “We aren’t interested in lineage—it’s the inner beauty and personality that shine in our World’s Ugliest Dog Contest,” said the fair’s marketing director, Karen Spencer. More than two-dozen arguably unattractive contestants walked a red carpet in front of judges and 500 spectators. Chief judge Brian Sobel said Quasi Modo “epitomized excellence in ugliness”—an achievement worthy of the $1,500 first-place prize. The contest also served to draw attention to shelter dogs and pet adoptions. Like Quasi Modo, most of the contestants had been rescued. Quasi Modo’s application, ghost-written by Dr. Sayre and husband Mike Carroll, explained her origins. “I was abandoned at an animal shelter and …
In Minnesota, 1 Million Urinary Stones and CountingJune 30, 2015The Minnesota Urolith Center has left no stone unturned in its quest to reduce urinary disease in cats and dogs. Researchers led by co-director Jody P. Lulich, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, reported this month that they had analyzed 1 million bladder stones, or uroliths, since the center opened in 1981. Located at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, the Urolith Center provides veterinarians around the world with free analysis of suspected stones as small as poppy seeds to as large as gravel or even bigger. “In the past, stones were thrown away or even taken to school for show and tell, but it is increasingly accepted that analysis provides valuable data to improve the health of companion animals and is vital to prevent recurrence,” said Dr. Lulich, a professor in the department of veterinary clinical sciences. Identifying urinary tract-obstructing bladder stones—struvite? calcium oxalate?—is only part of the mission. The findings have led to surgery-free therapies such as improved canine and feline diets. Food manufacturer Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. of Topeka, Kan., which makes stone-fighting formulas for dogs and cats, provides financial support to the Urolith Center. “Our close partnership with the [center] shows the value of …
Aratana Optimistic About Canine Appetite DrugJune 30, 2015An appetite stimulant for dogs showed positive results in a pivotal field effectiveness study, according to developer Aratana Therapeutics Inc. The drug—code-named AT-002—is delivered orally by syringe. Its chief ingredient, capromorelin, mimics ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite, increases body weight and increases serum growth hormone levels, Aratana reported this month. The Kansas City, Kan., company, which is working on a number of other animal drugs, hopes that AT-002 could be given to inappetent dogs suffering from acute or chronic illness, undergoing chemotherapy, recovering from surgery or enduring the last stage of life. “We believe it could be a first-in-class approved drug for treating inappetence in dogs,” said Ernst Heinen, DVM, Ph.D., Aratana’s chief development officer. More than 200 client-owned inappetent dogs received either a 3 mg/kg daily dose of capromorelin for four days or a placebo. The randomized, multisite study used an owner questionnaire to assess the results. The data and other information will be delivered to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “Based on current timelines for the FDA approval process, Aratana anticipates commencing commercialization of capromorelin for treatment of inappetence in dogs in 2016,” the company reported. AT-002 also is being investigated for …
UC Davis Vet School Honored with Legislative ResolutionJune 30, 2015The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine was honored in late June with a state resolution acknowledging its recent ranking as the top veterinary school in the world. Specifically, the school was ranked best in the nation for veterinary medical teaching, research and service by U.S. News and World Report and No. 1 in the world by QS World University Rankings. “This resolution means a lot because it recognizes the faculty, the staff and the students who have done so much hard work built upon the history of helping animals, people and the environment. We really greatly appreciate the resolution which recognizes the excellence here within the School of Veterinary Medicine and all throughout U.C. Davis.” said Michael D. Lairmore, DVM, Ph.D., dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. Assemblyman Bill Dodd, D-Napa, and Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis. presented the resolution. “UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has long been a leader in providing exceptional education to its students.” Dodd said. “The top national and international rankings recognize the outstanding work of the students, faculty and staff in helping animals and continuing to advance veterinary medicine.” “Congratulations to Dean …
Registration Opens for AABP ConferenceJune 29, 2015The American Association of Bovine Practitioners is advertising a schedule chock-full of continuing education and in-depth training when the organization holds its 48th annual conference. Registration for the convention, set for Sept. 17 to 19 at Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, is available at http://bit.ly/1Lyx7mU. The conference theme, “Embrace Change, Expand Skills, Explore Opportunities,” refers to the evolution of bovine medicine and the need to adopt new skills, the organization stated. “The general sessions will focus on cattle welfare topics for beef and dairy farms, and keynote speaker Dave Daley will present current thoughts on animal welfare and the changing social ethic,” said AABP president-elect and Ohio veterinarian Fred Gingrich, DVM. “Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn from veterinarians and producers who have experienced undercover videos released from their farms,” Dr. Gingrich added. Nearly 20 preconference seminars will be held beginning Sept. 13 on topics ranging from “The Veterinarian’s Role in the Dairy Fresh Pen” to “Dairy Cattle Lameness.” Ten limited-enrollment clinical forums are scheduled for Sept. 17 and 19. Subjects include “The Life of a Young Veterinarian: Debt, Purchasing a Practice, Work/Life Balance” and “VFD’s—What Veterinarians Need to Know.” Also planned are …
FDA Permits Longer Use of Canine Anti-vomit DrugJune 29, 2015Cerenia Tablets have been approved for extended use in older dogs suffering from acute vomiting, manufacturer Zoetis Inc. reported today. The new label claim, sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, allows Cerenia (maropitant citrate) Tablets to be given daily to dogs 7 months or older until the condition is resolved. The drug had been limited to five consecutive days’ use. The dosing limitation for dogs 2 to 7 months old remains five consecutive days, Zoetis stated. The treatment of acute vomiting changed in 2007 with FDA’s approval of Cerenia, said Todd R. Tams, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, the chief medical officer of the VCA veterinary hospital chain. “Now, with the removal of the five-day dosing restriction, veterinarians have greater latitude to treat each patient individually,” Dr. Tams said. “If vomiting isn’t controlled, an animal can become dehydrated,” he said. “Additionally, acute vomiting may result in consequences such as electrolyte abnormalities or aspiration, which can lead to pneumonia or esophageal injury.” The new label claim followed a three-month oral toxicity study and a two-week pharmacokinetics study, Florham Park, N.J.-based Zoetis stated. Cerenia Tablets are indicated for the prevention of acute vomiting and vomiting due to …
New Lego Product Features Female VeterinarianJune 29, 2015Lego has introduced a new line of products of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). One of those new women-in-STEM is a veterinarian! Mia, part of the Lego Friends universe, is now a veterinarian and, according to her product description, girls can: Help injured animals with Mia at the Vet Clinic! Today she is looking after a cat and a dog. Help her examine the dog on the table and check his heart and lungs with her medical tools. Then take him over to the scales to be weighed – he needs more exercise in the Vet Clinic’s animal playground. Later take the cat on the medical trolley to have her paw x-rayed in the sliding scanner. She will need to stay at the clinic for a while, so help clean, feed and pamper her to make her feel better. Then it’s time to answer the phone and check patient records on her computer — it’s another busy day at the Vet Clinic! Heartlake City, the city that’s part of the Friends line, features a lot of stereotypical girl hangouts — e.g., juice bar and hair salon — so Mia’s new clinic definitely adds some science to the town. …
Pittsburgh Zoo Names Child With Leukemia Honorary VeterinarianJune 26, 2015When 7-year-old Emily expressed her dream of one day becoming a veterinarian, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with the help of the Pittsburgh Zoo, made it happen. The young leukemia patient got to visit the zoo and PPG Aquarium and help treat the animals. To treat the animals, however, she needed to be a veterinarian. The Pittsburgh Zoo was on top of it, naming her Honorary Veterinarian, giving her blue scrubs complete with her name and even calling her “Dr. Emily” throughout the day, wpxi.com reports. Dr. Emily’s first patient was an alligator named Hawkeye, and you can see from the video below that she was both excited and nervous to be living out her dream. After treating Hawkeye and recording all the necessary notes concerning the alligator’s exam, Dr. Emily got to help examine a tenrec and then assist in trimming the beak of a penguin. We’re guessing this was a dream come true for Emily and would be for any animal lover and aspiring veterinarian like her.
