Peeva and Covetrus helping to identify lost petsApril 15, 2019Peeva and Covetrus are working together to help bring lost pets home. Using Peeva's radio frequency identification (RFID) tag system, the Covetrus Connected Marketplace provides a single point of integration with most practice management systems (PIMS), helping to instantly identify a pet's owner when the tag is scanned. "Peeva's RFID tag technology and centralized database helps ensure these loved ones are safely returned to their families," says Peeva CEO, Michael Hamilton. "Pet medical information is key to ensuring accurate and rapid identification of a pet's owner, which is why this strategic partnership with Covetrus is so important. It affords us the opportunity to scale quickly by delivering a secure and permissions-based PIMS-integrated solution to the many veterinary practices to which Covetrus provides services."
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UA applies to launch a veterinary programApril 15, 2019Students interested in veterinary medicine may soon have the opportunity to study at the University of Arizona (UA). According to an online news report by the Arizona Republic, the university received support from the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). Opening an accredited veterinary medicine program at the school has been a work in progress for many years, as the UA initially asked for approval from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council's on Education in 2014. According to the same report, AVMA denied the accreditation, as it had concerns over the potential program's finances, number of faculty members, research programs, and clinical resources. UA appealed the decision, but it was not successful. The school reapplied in 2017. Now with the approval from ABOR, a site visit by the AVMA is scheduled to happen next month, says the report. UA will hear by September whether it will receive a letter of reasonable assurance, which is required to receive accreditation. The UA College of Veterinary Medicine would be the state's only public veterinary medicine program.
Cats are taking over Times Square this springApril 12, 2019Cats will take the spotlight in Times Square this spring as part of a campaign to promote the love of cats. The International Cat Association (TICA), Winn Feline Foundation, and Dr. Elsey's Cat Products have joined together to create a feline billboard campaign that will be front and center in one of the world's busiest pedestrian areas. The initiative runs until June 30. TICA has celebrated the welfare of cats since its start in 1979. Currently, it is made up of more than 8,000 cat lovers in 104 countries. The Winn Feline Foundation has been supporting and funding feline research since 1968. More than $6 million has been given to researchers working toward a better understanding of diseases, treatments, and cures for feline health conditions. Dr. Elsey's creates various cat products. The company will be in New York from April 22 to May 15 to host the first Power of Purrsuasion pop-up event at Meow Parlour.
Embrace Pet Insurance launches scholarship for veterinary technician studentsApril 12, 2019Embrace Pet Insurance is awarding three veterinary technician students $1,000 scholarships as part of its Veterinary Technician Student Scholarship Program for the 2019-2020 school year. "Embrace is thrilled to be supporting the veterinary community by offering these scholarships," says its director of claims, Jenna Mahan, RVT. "The impact veterinary technicians have on the health and well-being of our pets can't be overstated. Our hope is each scholarship gets a lucky student closer to their goal of a career as a veterinary technician." To qualify, students must: • be 18 years of age or older; • be a U.S. citizen; • have a GPA greater than 3.0; and • be enrolled in a veterinary technician program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Students must submit a 500-word essay on why they want to work in the veterinary industry and how their work will make a difference for the pet population in their area. Recent transcripts and proof of the student's enrollment in an accredited veterinary technician program are also required. To apply, students must complete the online application and attach their essay, transcripts, and proof of enrollment. The deadline for applications …
CBD and hemp product claims spike by 300 percent, says TrupanionApril 11, 2019Pet insurance claims for cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp products increased by 300 percent between 2017 and 2018. This is according to Trupanion, which says it has seen a large increase in submitted claims relating to CBD products over the past six years. The insurance company found more than 20 percent of Americans were living in states where recreational marijuana use was legal by 2017. This is up from five percent before California, Massachusetts, and Nevada were added to the list of states where it's legal. Based on Trupanion's data, the U.S. states with the most claims for CBD are: 1) Washington 2) New Jersey 3) Florida 4) New York There is an abundance of anecdotal evidence supporting the benefits of CBD and hemp products to pets, but little formal research. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is toxic to pets, causing balance problems, irregular heartbeat, incontinence, or worse. Inhalation by second-hand smoke can be dangerous too, as well as edible forms of THC. The top conditions pet owners use CBD or hemp for their pets are seizures, musculoskeletal issues, such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, cancer, and behavioral issues, like anxiety.
Royal Canin launches podcast for veterinariansApril 11, 2019Having uncomfortable conversations with pet owners is the subject of the first episode in a newly launched podcast for veterinarians by Royal Canin. "Vet Talk with Royal Canin" brings together industry experts to speak on issues veterinarians face every day. The podcast will provide discussions and tips about the most common challenges in the industry. "For more than 50 years, Royal Canin has been a committed partner of veterinary professionals across the world, and 'Vet Talk with Royal Canin' is another opportunity to help facilitate conversation within the veterinary community," says Brent Mayabb, DVM, Royal Canin chief veterinary officer and vice president of corporate affairs. "We understand today's veterinarians face a landscape with a unique set of both challenges and opportunities, and we developed this podcast series to have an open, candid discussion on some of these topics." The first episode features Andy Roark, DVM, and Megan Hill, DVM as they provide ways veterinarians can approach difficult topics with pet owners such as pet obesity. Upcoming episodes will focus on how to find happiness and stay positive as veterinary professionals, along with common nutritional myths and the future of the industry. "Vet Talk with Royal Canin" is available on …
Southwest Washington humane society launches $10-million fundraising campaignApril 11, 2019The Humane Society for Southwest Washington has launched a $10-million campaign to increase the size of its Vancouver hospital. The expansion will allow veterinarians to provide care for low-income pet owners. According to a news report from The Guardian, a $3-million donation has been received from a private donor and construction is expected to begin in 2021. Stacey Graham, the nonprofit's president, told The Guardian the campaign will initially be targeted toward high-level donors, with public fundraising starting in 2020. The funds will go toward a 2,105-sf addition to the southeast corner of the building, along with a two-story addition on the north side. In an effort to provide veterinary care to low-income pet owners, the clinic says it will charge based a on client's income to avoid circumstances where owners must surrender their pets because they can't afford to pay for necessary treatment.
Mars Petcare introduces new division focusing on collaborationApril 9, 2019Mars Petcare has announced the launch of Kinship, a collaboration platform for start-ups, veterinarians, and industry collaborators that provides them access to data, science, and industry expertise. "We're excited about our new global division, Kinship, becoming a unique collaboration platform for entrepreneurs and innovators to create new products and services delivering on our purpose: a better world for pets," says Mars Petcare president, Poul Weihrauch. "There are extraordinary opportunities in data, science, and connected technology. Match them with the expansive reach, resources, and core capabilities of a global industry leader like Mars, and together we can create a powerful force for transforming pet care." The initiative will focus on three main areas: • Health care: Kinship will look for new ways to provide pet owners with care options that are more accessible, effective, and personalized to fit the needs of their pets. • Nutrition: By working together with its partners, Kinship will find new ways to support pet health through nutrition. • Science: Kinship will work with experts to uncover ways to help change pet care through science by applying new discoveries from microbiome biology to machine learning. "Our ambition for Kinship is to bring together the brightest minds …
Education and awareness are key to preventing dog bitesApril 9, 2019Parents learning canine behavioral cues and teaching them to their children to avoid injuries is one of the ways to prevent dog bites. That's according to Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA), which released several recommendations for parents and veterinarians to help keep children safe. The advice comes during National Dog Bite Prevention week, which runs from April 7 to 13. Parents should also be aware of a dog lifting its lip, panting or yawning inappropriately, cowering, holding its breath, flattening its ears to its head, growling, or snapping. "Many dogs will give a warning or several warnings they are uncomfortable, and a person needs to back off," says Lori Teller, DVM, DABVP, a past TVMA president who is a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine. "People often miss these signs and think a dog bite occurred out of the blue." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 4.7 million dog bites are reported every year. Seventeen percent of them require medical care—half of the victims are children. According to TVMA, it is important to teach children not to approach unknown dogs, but it also warns many dog bites occur when interacting …
Texas affordable pet care bill on hold for nowApril 8, 2019Pet owners relying on low-cost veterinary clinics are breathing a temporary sigh of relief now that lawmakers are taking another look at a bill designed to limit pet care access to only the most indigent clients. House Bill 3806 would outlaw nonprofits from providing any veterinary services besides spaying, neutering, and vaccines to anyone other than the poorest pet owners. Further, pet owners who don't qualify based on their income would have to go to private veterinarians to receive treatments such as heartworm prevention, flea control, or lifesaving procedures. Last week, Texas's house agriculture and livestock committee heard public commentary on the bill's potential impact on pets' health. "It is not a good bill. It targets people who would have a hard time paying for normal shots, testing, and some other services for pet owners," Emily's Legacy Rescue employee, Kimber Hopkins, told News Channel 6. "It may even affect rescues receiving low-cost vetting, causing adoption fees to increase and more animals being surrendered to the city shelters."
