Registration Opens in April for Free Eye ExamsJanuary 28, 2015Free eye screenings will be offered in May during the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists’ annual National Service Animal Eye Exam Event. The exams are open to certified and active working animals in the United States and Canada or those enrolled in a formal training program. Among the eligible occupations are guide, handicapped assistance, detection, military, search and rescue, and therapy. Registration for the eighth annual event, which is co-sponsored by Stokes Pharmacy of Mount Laurel, N.J., will run from April 1 to 30 at www.ACVOeyeexam.org. Owners or handlers of eligible service animals will receive a registration number allowing them to schedule a May eye appointment with a participating veterinary ophthalmologist. More than 7,000 animals were served in 2014 and more than 30,000 over the program’s seven years. While dogs are most commonly examined under the program, other animals, such as horses and a donkey, were checked in 2014. ACVO reported that the exams have rooted out eye ailments in hundreds of animals. One guide dog, Swap, was diagnosed in 2012 with pigmentary uveitis, a condition that affects the vision of golden retrievers. “Had I not gone to the event and had Swap’s eyes checked, …
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Donors Bankroll Wisconsin Shelter ProgramJanuary 27, 2015The University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine is launching the Shelter Medicine Program after successfully raising more than $1.3 million in grants, gifts and pledges. More than a third of the funding—$500,000—is a 10-year pledge from rescue advocates Jeff and Sara Wiesner, whose dogs have been treated at the teaching hospital, the university reported Jan. 20. “We hope the outcome of our gift is a better understanding among new veterinarians of the special challenges facing shelters and rescue groups and how each of them can make a difference helping these organizations,” Jeff Wiesner said. The new program will include a shelter medicine rotation, an elective course, an intensive weeklong course, clinical studies, externships and a student club, the university stated. Directing the program will be clinical assistant professor Sandra Newbury, DVM, the chairwoman of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Shelter Standards Task Force. She wants to sharply reduce the number of animals—an estimated 2 million to 5 million—that are euthanized each year at U.S. shelters. “There is no affliction among companion animals that even approaches the level of mortality associated with animal homelessness,” Dr. Newbury said. “Veterinarians are uniquely positioned to support the incredible efforts of shelters by …
Study: Dogs with Spinal Cord Injuries May Require Customized TreatmentsJanuary 27, 2015A one-size-fits-all approach is not ideal for treating dogs with spinal cord injuries, according to a clinical trial conducted at the North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The findings may lead the way to personalized treatments for spinal cord injuries, and hopefully better outcomes for canine and potentially human patients, the college noted. The study included 19 paraplegic dogs, all of which had suffered similar spinal cord injuries. All dogs had been injured long enough to rule out any hope of unaided recovery. Two drugs were used in the study: 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP) and a derivative of the drug called t-butyl, which was developed by Daniel Smith and the Center for Paralysis Research at Purdue University. 4-AP has been tested on humans for spinal cord injury, and is currently in use as a treatment for multiple sclerosis. T-butyl has not been tested clinically on humans. Both drugs work by helping damaged nerves transmit signals, according to the college. The trial was a blinded, placebo-controlled, cross over study. All dogs were treated with a placebo and both drugs, each for a two-week block of time assigned randomly, to first determine whether the drugs were effective, and then see whether or …
Rabies Booster Works in Some Exposed PetsJanuary 26, 2015Pets whose rabies vaccination has expired will likely survive exposure to the deadly virus if they are quickly given a booster, according to Kansas State University researchers. The discovery also means that pet owners potentially could choose short-term quarantine of such animals at home rather than euthanasia. Many states now require unvaccinated pets that are exposed to rabies to be quarantined for six months at an animal control facility, a costly proposition for owners faced with paying thousands of dollars in kennel bills. “This has the potential to save a lot of pets’ lives,” said Michael Moore, DVM, MPH, the project manager at the Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. “Our hope is that now animals with an out-of-date vaccination status that are exposed to rabies will be allowed to be handled the same as dogs and cats with up-to-date vaccinations. They will be given a booster and a 45-day observation at home.” The study, published Jan. 15 in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, was the first to present scientific data on animals with out-of-date rabies vaccinations, Kansas State reported. Most of the 74 dogs and 33 cats that Dr. Moore and his colleagues …
Wildlife, Exotic Animal Medicine Symposium to be Held in AprilJanuary 24, 2015The Wildlife and Exotic Animal Medicine Symposium will take place April 11-12 at the University of California, Davis. Up to 16 hours of continuing education credit are available. The program will include: “Developments in the Surveillance of Wildlife Zoonotic Viruses” by Jonna Mazet, DVM, MPVM, Ph.D.; “Avian Self-Mutilation” by Liz Stelow, DVM, Dipl. ACVB; “Latest Developments in Locally Threatened Wildlife” by David Jessup, DVM, MPVM, Dipl. ACZM; “Diseases and Medicine of Pet Hedgehogs: An Update” by James Carpenter, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACZM; “Advancements in the Field of Clinical Oncology in Zoological Settings” by Tara Harrison, DVM, Dipl. ACZM; and “Rabbits & Rodents - Ectoparasites & Beyond” by Stephen White, DVM, Dipl. ACVD; among other topics. The symposium is sponsored by the Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Medicine Club and the Avian and Exotic Medicine Club. For details, visit the website here.
Interceptor Heartworm Drug Returns Under ElancoJanuary 22, 2015Elanco Animal Health has revived a long-gone parasiticide with the reintroduction of the heartworm drug Interceptor Flavor Tabs. The Greenfield, Ind., veterinary drug maker inherited Interceptor from Novartis Animal Health, which discontinued the monthly medication in 2013 because of quality-control issues. Elanco absorbed Novartis in a $5.4 billion takeover that took effect Jan. 1. Interceptor Flavor Tabs, which are set to return this spring, are an “integral part of the new Elanco’s parasiticide portfolio,” spokeswoman Cathy Martin said Monday. “Interceptor provides veterinarians with the right science at the best value,” Martin added. Pricing information was not released. Interceptor (milbemycin oxime) is formulated to prevent heartworms and intestinal worms. The drug is indicated for the treatment and control of hookworms, roundworms and whipworms in dogs and for adult roundworms and hookworms in cats. Norvartis had sold about 1 billion doses of Interceptor Flavor Tabs when production issues emerged in 2011 at a plant in Lincoln, Neb., interrupting the supply of a number of other popular veterinary drugs, including the anti-parasites Sentinel Flavor Tabs and Sentinel Spectrum. Sentinel reappeared in April 2013, the same month that Novartis announced that Interceptor was being discontinued. The Sentinel line was spun off to …
Idexx Unveils Kidney Test BreakthroughJanuary 22, 2015A new test designed for the early detection of kidney disease in cats and dogs will be added to all routine reference laboratory chemistry profiles from Idexx Laboratories Inc. The announcement was made Monday at the annual North American Veterinary Community conference in Orlando, Fla. The test involves SDMA, or symmetric dimethylarginine, a renal biomarker that identifies the onset of kidney disease months or even years earlier than traditional diagnostic methods, Idexx reported. Early detection gives veterinarians and pet owners more treatment options, the Westbrook, Maine, company added. The test will become part of all routine reference profiles at no additional cost, Idexx stated. “We expect to begin trials with several hundred customers in North America by March and to roll out the test as part of the routine chemistry panel in the North American market this summer,” said Idexx CEO and President Jonathan W. Ayers. “A rollout in our global reference laboratory network will extend into 2016.” Oregon State University hinted at the development in November 2014, when it revealed the findings of an SDMA research project involving Idexx. The clinical study, published in The Veterinary Journal, showed that SDMA identified the onset of kidney disease an …
Henry Schein to Purchase Scil Animal CareJanuary 22, 2015Henry Schein Animal Health will expand into Canada and Italy upon the acquisition of fellow veterinary products and services distributor Scil Animal Care Co. The takeover of Germany-based Scil will strengthen Henry Schein Animal Health in the specialty diagnostics market. Among Scil’s product lines are chemistry and hematology analyzers, digital radiography and dental equipment, ultrasound machines, laboratory software, surgical power tools and orthopedic implants. Scil, which employs 200 people and does about $70 million in annual sales, also provides product training and veterinary education. The company operates primarily in the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Henry Schein Animal Health reported 2013 sales of $2.6 billion. The acquisition by parent company Henry Schein Inc. was announced Monday and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2015. The purchase price was not released. All Scil employees, including CEO Hartmut Jaissle, Dr.Med.Vet., will stay with Henry Schein Animal Health. Henry Schein Inc. CEO Stanley M. Bergman called Scil’s specialty diagnostics business “a critical element to help veterinarians provide high-quality care and increase practice revenues.” “The Scil Animal Care professionals will enhance our animal health business’ equipment sales and support capabilities,” Bergman said. “This will be …
New Program Helps Care for Pets after Owners PassJanuary 22, 2015The Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine has partnered with the Oregon Humane Society (OHS) to create Pet Promise, a program that will help care for pets after owners have passed away. When pet owners enroll their cat or dog, and contributes to Pet Promise, a legal contract will be set up where the college becomes an advocate for a pet after the owner dies. The college and OHS work together to find the pet a good home, and all costs are covered. The program aims to give pet owners peace of mind knowing their pet’s future is in the hearts and hands of the people who work at the college, according to the university. For details, visit the Oregon State website.
Ohio State Helps Police Dog with Orthopedic SurgeryJanuary 20, 2015Eddie, a 7-year-old K9 police dog, is recovering nicely after having surgery for hip dysplasia in early January, according to The Ohio State Veterinary Medical Center, which performed the procedure. The Malinois German shepherd belongs to Chicago Police Officer Chad Rezny, member of the Village of Alsip Police Department, a unit in a south-side suburb of Chicago. The two have been working side-by-side for seven years. After Eddie was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine referred Officer Rezny to Ohio State. Jonathan Dyce, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVS, an associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, performed the total hip replacement surgery. The surgery will extend Eddie’s service life and “enable me to do my job better,” said Officer Rezny. Eddie serves as a dual-purpose dog and is known as an elite athlete with skills in narcotics detection, article search, building and area search, suspect apprehension and handler protection. Officer Rezny, who has been with the Alsip police force for 17 years, notes numerous occasions when Eddie has saved his life by being his first-line of defense during armed robberies and apprehensions. Officer Rezny said he is looking forward to having his partner back, which …
