Common and 'forgotten' head and neck lymphocentrumsJanuary 8, 2018Recently, a young Weimaraner presented for eyelid surgery through our ophthalmology department, and it was noticed that he had bilaterally symmetrical subcutaneous soft tissue swellings dorsal to the maxillary third premolar teeth.
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ASU awarded $6.4M grant to test preventive canine cancer vaccineJanuary 8, 2018Arizona State University (ASU) professor Stephen Albert Johnson, Ph.D., has received a $6.4 million grant from the Open Philanthropy Project to support a clinical trial of a vaccine to prevent canine cancer. The trial will involve approximately 800 middle-aged, healthy pet dogs and will test the effects of a multivalent frameshift peptide (FSP) vaccine developed at ASU that has shown promise in mouse studies. Scientists think the vaccine has potential for human use, too. "Our goal has always been that if this is possible, we should at least try it," said Johnston, director of the Biodesign Center for Innovations in Medicine and CEO of Calviri Inc., a cancer vaccine company. "Open Philanthropy was the only organization that responded to support our high-risk project, the biggest cancer intervention trial in dogs ever." Johnston and his team developed the new FSP vaccine over the past 10 years. The vaccine, already tested for efficacy in mice, is shown to be safe in dogs, according to Johnston's research. Cancer is the leading cause of death in pet dogs and their cancers are very similar to their human counterparts. Some breeds have a very high cancer rate, as much as 40 percent. The canine …
Minimally invasive: Less is moreJanuary 5, 2018If you have had a medical procedure performed using minimally invasive techniques, you are well aware of the benefits: less time under anesthesia, less pain, less time in the hospital, and quicker recovery.
Getting a leg upJanuary 3, 2018While prosthetics have been used in veterinary medicine for more than a decade, the application of these devices in this sector is still relatively new compared to human medicine.
Zomedica, Celsee Inc. partner to deliver cancer liquid biopsy platformDecember 21, 2017Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. has entered into a license and supply agreement with Celsee Inc., an innovator of progressive rare cell capture, characterization, and retrieval products in the emerging field of liquid biopsy. Under the terms of the agreement, Zomedica will have animal health exclusive global rights to develop and market Celsee's liquid biopsy platform for use by veterinarians as a cancer diagnostic. A liquid biopsy is a blood test with the potential to detect the presence of circulating tumor cells in the blood. Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are shed from a primary tumor into neighboring blood vessels and are transported throughout the body's circulatory system. The detection of CTCs in the blood could indicate a cancer diagnosis without the need for an invasive tissue biopsy, according to Zomedica. "Liquid biopsy is cutting-edge technology in human medicine right now and we're excited about the opportunity to develop and market this platform for use in veterinary medicine," stated Gerald Solensky, Jr., CEO at Zomedica. "We selected the Celsee platform because of the ease of use, workflow simplicity, and flexibility to use our novel canine biomarkers. If we successfully develop Celsee's technology, we believe we will be able to …
Giving the topic of sound veterinary nutrition the respect it deservesDecember 20, 2017Do enough professionals among the veterinary profession treat companion animal nutrition with the significance it deserves? What's driving the US pet obesity epidemic? Are practitioners doing enough to address it? Veterinary Practice News asked Martha G. Cline, DVM, DACVN, president, American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, and a clinical veterinary nutritionist at AAHA-accredited Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, N.J., these questions and more about the topic of diet and nutrition. Here's what she had to share. Why did you decide to specialize in veterinary nutrition? During the summer between my first and second year of veterinary school, I worked with the nutrition department at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) through a summer research program. The focus of this research was canine obesity. This experience was the foundation of my interest, which solidified during my clinical year when I spent additional time rotating through the nutrition services at UTCVM, Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, N.J., and Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. I had excellent mentorship at all of these facilities that helped guide me on my way (shout out to Drs. Angela Witzel, Joe Bartges, Claudia Kirk, Laura …
USDA grants Zoetis' Vanguard Rapid Resp one-year DOIDecember 19, 2017The USDA has granted Zoetis' Vanguard Rapid Resp intranasal vaccine line one-year duration of immunity (DOI) claims for Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2), and canine parainfluenza virus (CPiV). Vanguard Rapid Resp is the first and only intranasal vaccine line in the US that has been demonstrated to provide one year of protection against three important canine infectious respiratory diseases (CIRD), according to the company. "The demonstration of a one-year duration of immunity for all three antigens in Vanguard Rapid Resp represents an important step in the protection of dogs from CIRD. This new DOI confirms the efficacy of a single product that provides both rapid and durable protection against these important antigens in the CIRD complex," said Stephan Carey, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, assistant professor of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, consultant for Zoetis. "This extended DOI is essential in reducing morbidity and mortality from infectious respiratory disease among dogs in social or commingled environments such as boarding facilities and shelters." Vanguard Rapid Resp is available in three antigenic combinations (Bb + CPiV + CAV-2; Bb + CPiV; Bb only), and all of these choices can be administered with a syringe …
The beat goes onDecember 15, 2017Dogs love their human families with their whole hearts, and the humans who love them back want to keep their beloved companions’ hearts healthy.
Dog and cat behavior myths debunkedDecember 15, 2017Veterinary behavior is a relatively new specialty in our profession. Unfortunately, as such, plenty of old wives tales persist. As veterinarians and veterinary nurses, we critically evaluate and use evidenced-based medicine for our patients on a daily basis, and this should apply to behavior and training, as well. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about our patient's behaviors that still are being propagated, despite scientific evidence to the contrary. Myth No. 1: Human dominance maintains proper structure and obedience Common things we hear: "Don't let your dog sleep on the bed or couch because you don't want them to think they're dominant." "You need to alpha roll your dog to show him who's boss." "Once I put him in his place, he behaved perfectly." "You need to always be the alpha." No species in the animal kingdom creates dominance hierarchies with another species. However, dogs do create dominance hierarchies among themselves. This fluid relationship is maintained primarily by the deferential dog and not the most assertive. Take, for example, two household dogs each given a rawhide. The two go to their respective corners. One dog finishes first, then approaches the other and takes the second chew for himself. …
What Veterinary Practice News readers loved in 2017December 15, 2017Another new year is upon us, but before we embrace 2018 and all it might have to offer veterinary professionals and the industry, let's recap Veterinary Practice News' 10 most-read features of 2017. 1. Canine influenza virus 2017: Beyond two show dogs 2. 10 secrets to keep your veterinary nurses happy 3. University of Minnesota develops cancer drug that helps dogs with hemangiosarcoma 4. Study: Cats eating dry food have increased risk for developing Type 2 diabetes 5. Zoetis earns license for Cytopoint skin therapy 6. Raising greyhound health awareness 7. American Association of Feline Practitioners revises declawing position 8. The 7 top challenges facing veterinary medicine in 2017 9. Petco officially enters the veterinary hospital ring with Thrive 10. The strangest things vet techs have heard clients say
