NexGard Approved to Fight Brown Dog TicksApril 16, 2015Brown dog ticks, beware. Merial Ltd. has won permission from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to add a label claim stating that the canine medication NexGard (afoxolaner) protects against a fourth tick species. The monthly preventive’s newest target is the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), which is found throughout the lower 48 states and is linked to diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. The Duluth, Ga., veterinary drug manufacturer in 2014 was allowed to promote NexGard’s effectiveness against black-legged (Ixodes scapularis) and lone star (Amblyomma americanum) ticks in addition to the initial claim for the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). The prescription-only chewable tablet also is indicated to kill fleas. “When used as directed, NexGard has been shown to kill ticks all month long,” said Merial’s director of veterinary medical affairs, Doug Carithers, DVM. “Plus, it has the added benefit of killing fleas.” NexGard is not the only canine drug formulated to kill four common tick species. Merck Animal Health last year released a similar medication, Bravecto (fluralaner). Nexgard recently was named a 2015 Best New Product in the household category as part of a consumer survey conducted by Better Homes …
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Is Your Bookshelf Bare? Enter Our A Veterinary Book for Every Clinic SweepstakesApril 16, 2015Bookshelf a little bare? Veterinary Practice News is here to help, with our "A Veterinary Book for Every Clinic" (AVBEC) Sweepstakes. According to the publisher, this book is "'Pain Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses' guides readers through the important concepts of animal pain management, providing specific approaches to managing pain in a wide variety of veterinary conditions. Emphasizing the technician's role in advocating for the patient, the book equips technicians with the knowledge needed to manage pain in dogs, cats, horses, livestock, exotics, and zoo animals. Logically and comprehensively covering this difficult subject, Pain Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses provides both introductory material on the tenets of pain management and specific techniques to apply in the clinical setting. With information on recognizing and understanding pain, the physiology of pain, pharmacology, and analgesia in different settings, the book outlines how to practice good pain management as an integral part of nursing care. Pain Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses provides both basic and advanced information, allowing students, practicing veterinary technicians and nurses, and veterinary staff alike to take a more active role in pain management and develop a more thorough understanding of this complex subject." Fill out the form …
Study Finds No Evidence of Stress in NYC Carriage HorsesApril 16, 2015New York City carriage horses are not as stressed from trotting the city streets as some may think, according to a new study led by Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif. The horses studied were quartered at Clinton Park Stables from Aug. 3-5, 2014, to gauge what levels of stress the animals might have as a result of their work. “I wanted to identify the effect this situation has on these horses,” said Joseph Bertone, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, professor of equine medicine at Western University College of Veterinary Medicine. “Ultimately, I’m concerned about equine welfare. On the other hand, I’m also concerned over claims that could dismantle, or likely end, the lives of these grand horses. The same claims could see the loss of an iconic New York City institution, the loss of the important human-animal bond the drivers have with these spectacular animals, as well as have a profound negative economic impact on the people whose lives this would touch.” NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio proposed a ban on horse-drawn carriages in December 2014. His proposed code amendment, which requires a majority vote of the New York City Council, would go into effect June 1, 2016. The …
VPI Reveals Top 10 Pet DisordersApril 15, 2015Dogs are like people. Or is it the other way around? Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. of Brea, Calif., reported today that skin allergies were the most common ailment that sent dogs to their veterinarian in 2014. On the human side, a Mayo Clinic study published in early 2013 identified skin disorders as the No. 1 issue that led people to schedule a doctor’s appointment. Joint disorders were the second more frequent complaint of human patients compared with a ranking of fifth among dogs. VPI’s chief veterinary medical officer, Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA, repeated the type of advice that people often receive about their own health. “The majority of conditions on our top 10 list can be successfully managed if treated promptly,” Dr. McConnell said. “Early detection can prevent many of these issues from becoming severe and making treatment more costly.” VPI found that canine skin allergies led to insurance claims averaging $189. The most common issue requiring veterinary assistance in cats was bladder or urinary tract disease, for which the average cost was $425. The pet health insurer analyzed its database of more than 525,000 insured pets to determine the top medical conditions in 2014 that resulted in …
2017 AVMA Convention Stays in IndianaApril 15, 2015The American Veterinary Medical Association will hold its 2017 convention in Indianapolis as planned after state legislators revised a controversial law that some said would have allowed businesses to discriminate against gays and lesbians. Days before changes to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act were signed into law April 2, AVMA issued a statement that the law posed “many unsettling questions” and left the organization “concerned that not all of our attendees will be welcomed in Indiana.” The possibility of moving the convention out of Indianapolis was raised, but the AVMA board of directors reaffirmed the schedule during a meeting last week. “Our board discussed the concerns that had been expressed and the changes made by the Indiana state legislature to address the concerns,” the organization stated Tuesday in its AVMA@Work blog. “The board received input from the Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association regarding their view on the legislative fix. The AVMA Convention Division staff have spoken with representatives of the Indiana Convention Center, who expressed their continued commitment to welcome all attendees with open arms. “The board reviewed the declaration of non-discrimination signed by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and the statement from the Indy Chamber, assuring continued …
K-State Hits Road for Mass Pet SterilizationsApril 15, 2015Thousands of shelter animals will be spayed or neutered over the next year inside a mobile surgical unit serving shelters across eastern Kansas. The Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine on Monday dedicated a 32-foot gooseneck trailer, which a Ford F-350 diesel pickup will transport to nonprofit and municipal shelters in Manhattan, Junction City, Ottawa, Emporia, Topeka, Lawrence, Salina and Clay Center, Kan. Conducting the surgeries will be Kansas State veterinary students completing an elective two-week shelter medicine rotation. “We believe students will develop a strong appreciation for the magnitude of the homeless pet population and will be prepared to volunteer and advocate for shelters in their communities after graduation,” said Brad Crauer, DVM, an assistant clinical professor who directs the shelter medicine program. A donation from longtime college supporter Cheryl Mellenthin paid for the Shelter Medicine Mobile Surgery Unit. The gift was delivered in honor of Mellenthin’s late husband Mark Chapman, a Kansas State graduate, and Chris Gruber, who served as the college’s director of development until his 2013 death. “We are deeply humbled by the passion and amazing commitment to animal health and shelter medicine education expressed through Cheryl’s gift,” said the college’s dean, Ralph …
Help Choose America’s Favorite VetApril 14, 2015Pet owners and industry professionals have until May 17 to nominate someone as America’s Favorite Veterinarian, an annual award sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. The winning veterinarian will receive $500 and a trip to the 2016 American Veterinary Medical Association convention in San Antonio. The national contest is in its third year. The first two winners were Carlos Campos, DVM, of San Francis Veterinary Hospital in Spring Hill, Fla., and Tim Hunt, DVM, of Bayshore Veterinary Hospital in Marquette, Mich. Though Drs. Campos and Hunt are companion animal practitioners, nominees may come from any line of veterinary work, including private practice, research, public health, academia or agriculture. Nominations, which require an essay of 250 words or less on why the veterinarian is deserving of the award, are being accepted at www.AVMF.org/AFV. Twenty finalists will be put to an online public vote to determine the winner. The voting will run from July 11 to Sept. 1. The American Veterinary Medical Foundation is AVMA’s charitable arm.
Arizona Vet School Won’t Open This YearApril 14, 2015The University of Arizona has postponed for at least one year the opening of what would become the nation’s 31st veterinary college. Arizona last fall received the go-ahead from the state Board of Regents to launch the Veterinary Medical and Surgical Program this August. However, according to a statement posted on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences website, the Council on Education, which accredits U.S. schools of veterinary medicine, will not inspect the Tucson campus and satellite facilities until next year. “We were disappointed to learn recently that the American Veterinary Medical Association has decided not to schedule a site visit for us until Jan. 24 to 28, 2016,” the university reported. “This means we cannot begin the full program in August 2015 as we had hoped. The AVMA’s decision means we must delay our targeted program start to August 2016.” The AVMA Council on Education has a dozen comprehensive site visits scheduled in 2015, including stops at two schools that opened last year: Midwestern University in Glendale, Ariz., and Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn. The delay hasn’t shaken confidence in Arizona’s ability to construct a veterinary school using pre-existing and new facilities. “We’re going to …
Husband Arrested in Assault on Arizona VetApril 14, 2015An Arizona veterinarian remained on life support today and her husband was being held on a charge of attempted murder after she was found unconscious in their home. Kerman Dubash, DVM, MS, the co-owner of Pusch Ridge Pet Clinic in the Tucson suburb of Oro Valley, was taken to a hospital after a 911 call Sunday afternoon brought emergency responders to the couple’s home. Her husband, George A. Majewski, 62, a veterinarian whose license was revoked in 2010, was arrested based on statements he made to investigators, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department reported. “It appears that he physically assaulted his wife,” the department stated in a news release. Dr. Dubash is a 1986 graduate of Bombay Veterinary College in India, according to her profile on the Pusch Ridge website. She earned a master’s degree in veterinary preventive medicine from Ohio State University in 1994 and a year later interned at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. A Pusch Ridge representative declined to comment. Dubash’s husband lost his license in 2010 after the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board determined that he threatened a client in a telephone call, left two hostile voice messages on a board …
Ross Vet School Pens Agreement with Ngee Ann PolytechnicApril 14, 2015Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) has established an articulation agreement with Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) in Singapore. Through the agreement, graduates of NP’s Veterinary Bioscience diploma program will receive priority consideration for admission to RUSVM, provided that they meet certain academic requirements. Qualified students will have their application fees waived, guaranteed interviews and be considered for eligible scholarships, according to RUSVM. “At RUSVM we aim to train veterinary students to serve animal and public healthcare needs for the 21st century, anywhere in the world,” said Elaine Watson, Ph.D., DSc, FRCVS, dean of RUSVM. “We are extending our reach across the globe to recruit aspiring veterinarians prepared to learn about everything from zoonotic disease threats to environmental, conservation and food safety and security issues to the latest advances in the care of pets. “This new partnership with Ngee Ann Polytechnic will help ensure that committed and talented students from Singapore have the opportunity to become part of this vision and develop rewarding careers in veterinary medicine, training at a school based in the tropics.” Veterinarians are growing in demand in Singapore, according to Hedy Goh, Ph.D., director of the NP School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology. “This …
