USDA Approves Avian Influenza VaccineSeptember 21, 2015Chicken and turkey producers will finally possess a weapon in the fight against the deadly and highly contagious avian flu. Harrisvaccines of Ames, Iowa, reported today that the company received the first conditional license of a vaccine targeting highly pathogenic avian influenza. The virus has killed an estimated 50 million chickens and turkeys in the United States since the initial outbreak was reported this past spring. The drug, Avian Influenza Vaccine, RNA, is not ready for distribution. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which granted the license, wants a stockpile of 500 million doses readied in time for the next outbreak, which could begin as wild birds migrate south for the winter. “Although we cannot sell the vaccine today, we are in a better position to apply this robust and rapidly produced vaccine, if and when the virus re-emerges once again,” said Joel Harris, vice president of Harrisvaccines. Another reason is that some countries are wary of buying the meat of vaccinated poultry. “There’s concern that if we start vaccinating against avian influenza [now] our trading partners will stop importing meat from the U.S.,” Harris said. Avian Influenza Vaccine, RNA is a single-dose injectable formulated for use in day-old chicks and adult hens. …
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Virginia Tech Gets OK for Proposed Design of New Dairy, Animal Science FacilitiesSeptember 17, 2015Virginia Tech recently reported that its Board of Visitors has approved the proposed design for the second phase of the new Dairy Science Complex. Phase II builds upon the new state-of-the-art research facilities and provides additional space for research, teaching and Virginia Cooperative Extension initiatives in dairy and animal sciences. Scientists working at the new complex will collaborate with partners in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, the Department of Dairy Science, the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, the Agricultural Technology Program and with colleagues from industry and universities across the United States. The $7.6 million facility will include an applied reproductive physiology facility, an intensive metabolic research facility at the Kentland Farm complex and a bovine extension, teaching and research facility on Plantation Road. Virginia tech The new dairy facilities will be a boon to collaboration and applied research and teaching structures will allow unparalleled experiential learning for students. “The new buildings are an indication of the university’s support of the land-grant mission and will ensure the continued success of our award-winning dairy science program,” said Mike Akers, Ph.D., the department head and …
OSU Opens Gaylord Center for Excellence in Equine HealthSeptember 15, 2015The Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences recently opened the Gaylord Center for Excellence in Equine Health. The center, which will offer horse owners more options, was made possible by a $1 million lead gift from the E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation. “This new facility greatly enhances our ability to provide premier health care for horses of all ages and disciplines,” said Todd Holbrook, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (large animal), Dipl. ACVSMR), equine section chief. “We are excited to offer these services to horse owners everywhere.” The new space has created an outpatient service area for equine athletes while a separate overhead door entrance allows sport horses to enter the temperature controlled Gaylord Equine Performance Suite directly from the outside rather than going through the hospital’s large animal clinic entrance. In addition, specialty equipment for regenerative medicine is now centrally located adjacent to the exam area. The Gaylord Equine Neonatal Care Wing has three …
Illinois Alters Protocol After Cow DeathsSeptember 14, 2015The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine has changed procedures after one cow died and four were euthanized in a case the U.S. Department of Agriculture attributed to possible unsanitary conditions and inadequate post-surgical monitoring. The college-owned cows underwent invasive surgery during a student laboratory and later developed post-operative peritonitis, or inflammation or infection of the abdominal lining, USDA stated. A USDA inspector reported that the operations involving six student groups and six cows were conducted in “a prep area” rather than a surgical suite and that the cows were moved days later to the campus farm, where oversight was assigned to two animal caretakers. University administrator Lyndon J. Goodly, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACLAM, described the matter as “extremely important.” “We will address and correct any shortcomings,” Dr. Goodly, the associate vice chancellor for research, wrote in an Aug. 25 response to a USDA regional director. A USDA veterinary medical officer, Susan Kingston, DVM, raised questions about the deaths following her routine inspection. “At some point in a …
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.
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. …
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.
Proper Imaging Techniques for HorsesAugust 19, 2015Originally published in the August 2015 issue of Veterinary Practice News. Loved this article? Then subscribe today! While many general practitioners see horses somewhat regularly as part of their practice, using radiography, such as X-ray or ultrasound, isn’t that common. Veterinarians sometimes make errors or have lapses due to inexperience with equine radiology methods. Anthony Pease, DVM, MS, DACVR, associate professor, diagnostic imaging for the College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, Mich., said that almost every lameness case would benefit from radiographs. “They are a non-invasive, fast way to get information about the limbs, and with digital technology, the ability to consult with specialists can be done on the farm,” he said. Meghann Lustgarten, DVM, DACVR, assistant professor, radiology at N.C. State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, N.C., said the equine cases that require the most imaging are pulmonary disease, colic and lameness. “I think the most common errors made in the field regard radiographic positioning. It can be difficult …
Equine Veterinarian Aiming for OlympicsAugust 14, 2015Fernando Cardenas, DVM, came to the United States from Colombia in 1987. Having grown up around horses, it was only natural for Dr. Cardenas to become an equine veterinarian, opening 3H Veterinary Service in New Hill, North Carolina. But his love of horses expanded past taking care of them. He also had an interest in sport horse performance. He also competes with Quincy Car, his 12-year-old horse, in show jumping, stating that his passion is horseback riding. "Show jumping is the test between the rider and horse to clear 12 to 13 obstacle courses,” Cardenas told WRAL Sports. Cardenas, who calls his horse smart and brave, recently competed at the Pan-American games in Toronto. Now he has his sights on the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “There are many, many people that I competed with that just ride for a living, so I said to myself I was probably one of the very few amateurs competing at this level.” In the upcoming months, Cardenas will continue to work …
Livestock Pose Giant Threat to British VetsJuly 28, 2015Don’t be careless around bulls and other large animals. That’s the advice of the British Veterinary Association, which found that more than half of veterinarians working with production animals on farms had been injured over the previous 12 months. Even interacting with smaller livestock can be dangerous. “Kicked in the side of the head while castrating a calf” was among the responses to BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey. Among wounded practitioners, nearly 1-in-5 classified their injuries as “very” or “quite” severe. “By far the most common injury was bruising caused by kicks, with almost 85 percent of production animal vets who had been injured reporting this,” BVA stated in July as part of Farm Safety Week. “Other injuries reported included lacerations, crush injuries, head injuries caused by kicks and fractures caused by kicks.” One large animal veterinarian recalled being targeted by a pair of bulls. “Bruised and shocked,” the practitioner stated. “Both attacks [while] doing whole herd testing on separate bulls, one stock and one beef bull. Both attacked from behind on a farm with poor facilities.” Another complained of “cattle crushes and squashed body parts.” Veterinarians and farm owners must be safety conscious, said BVA President …
