Zoetis launches Witness FFH test to detect three feline diseasesOctober 4, 2017Zoetis Inc. announced the launch of Witness FFH, a triple test that detects antigens to feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline heartworm, as well as antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Witness FFH is a simple, convenient, and cost-effective test that requires no refrigeration and is priced comparably to current FeLV-FIV tests on the market with the added benefit of heartworm testing, the company stated. "Zoetis is committed to delivering high-quality, point-of-care diagnostics to help easily and affordably diagnose conditions or diseases that affect the quality or duration of a pet's life," said Chris Demiris, marketing director, U.S. Diagnostics at Zoetis. "The new Witness FFH test is a rapid, reliable test that helps keep cats healthy." "A shared clinical sign of all three diseases is vomiting, so a triple test helps veterinarians make accurate diagnoses more quickly," said Matthew Krecic, DVM, MS, MBA, DACVIM, senior technical services manager, U.S. Diagnostics at Zoetis. "Sick cats may also have FeLV or FIV; therefore, testing for those concurrent with heartworm is sensible." Veterinarians should consider testing for heartworm infection in cats because clinical signs can be confused with those of many other diseases, including feline asthma, …
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AHS urges best practices to prevent, minimize heartworm transmission in dogsSeptember 14, 2017By Veterinary Practice News Editors The American Heartworm Society (AHS) has announced a new set of veterinary best practices for minimizing heartworm transmission in dogs relocated due to recent natural disasters, a cross-country family move, or other circumstances. The guidelines include recommendations for heartworm testing, treatment, and prevention, and were developed in collaboration with the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV). "Preventing transmission of D. immitis has always been a focus of the AHS Heartworm Guidelines," sais Chris Rehm, DVM, AHS president. "However, we believe we need to do more, given the potential for heartworm-positive dogs to serve as reservoirs for infection. For example, if a microfilaria-positive dog is rescued in one state and subsequently moved to a new home in another state where nearby pets are unprotected, mosquitoes feeding on the new dog can quickly become heartworm vectors. The results can be disastrous for unprotected pets in the vicinity." Measures can be taken to protect the health of both infected animals and their new neighbors, according to Dr. Rehm. While the ideal scenario is to treat infected dogs before transporting or traveling with them, situations often dictate that infected animals cannot undergo …
UC Davis vets remove 5-inch heartworm from cat's femoral arteryJuly 13, 2017Stormie, a 4-year-old female Siamese with a history of heartworm disease since she was 1 year old, was with her owner while she visited family in the Bay Area when one of her rear legs became lame.
AHS survey shows heartworm on the riseMay 30, 2017The American Heartworm Society (AHS), an organization devoted to funding research and spreading awareness about heartworm disease, released its 2016 Incidence Survey findings and the news is not good—per-clinic cases of heartworm are on the rise.
How one vet clinic improved flea and tick complianceMay 25, 2017Meghan Bingham, CVPM, has been with West Alabama Animal Clinic in Houston since 1996, when it was a one-doctor practice. In the past 20 years it’s grown to a nine-doctor practice with a staff of 45.
How to take care of itchy petsMay 18, 2017he evolution of flea and tick control has been impressive, while therapeutic options for allergic dermatitis—atopic dermatitis in particular—have made significant strides.
CAPC 2017 forecasts for heartworm, lyme, anaplasmosis, erlichiosisMay 11, 2017The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is confirming what many already know: milder winter temperatures, increased precipitation and general shifting weather patterns have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes across the country.
Treating parasites in 2017May 2, 2017While part of the U.S. is under the misconception that harsh winters minimize parasite populations, experts say most of the country should brace for last year’s levels as well as continued growth in tick- and mosquito-borne diseases.
Zoetis receives FDA approval for heartworm disease treatmentFebruary 21, 2017Zoetis has announced that its heartworm treatment DIROBAN has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). DIROBAN (melarsomine dihydrochloride) is for treatment of dogs infected with Dirofilaria omits — the cause of heartworm disease. It is now available for sale to veterinarians in the United States.
AKC Foundation awards $200,000 for tick researchDecember 21, 2016The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation in Raleigh, N.C., handed out its first round of Tick-Borne Disease Initiative Grants, totaling more than $200,000, to researchers at five organizations.
