AVMA names new volunteer leadersJuly 16, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association House of Delegates named 19 new volunteer leaders for AVMA’s councils and committees during the association’s annual convention.
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Heartgard producer launches feline parasiticideJuly 16, 2018A new monthly heartworm disease prevention product for cats has been announced by Boehringer Ingelheim. Applied topically, Centragard (eprinomectin and praziquantel transdermal solution) can also treat and control hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms.
IKEA recalls LURVIG water dispenser due to pet suffocation riskJuly 13, 2018IKEA has issued a global recall on the LURVIG water dispenser for pets, effective immediately. The company cites the risk of dogs and cats getting their heads stuck in the dome of the dispenser as the reason behind the recall, reporting two incidents of suffocation worldwide. IKEA sold 16,700 units in the U.S. and 7,767 in Canada from October 2017 to July 2018. "At IKEA, the safety and security of our products is our top priority, which is why we have decided to recall the LURVIG water dispenser," said Petra Axdorff, business area manager at IKEA of Sweden AB. "We are deeply saddened by these events and know that pets are important and loved family members for many of our customers." IKEA is urging its customers to immediately stop using the dispenser and return it to any location for a full refund. Proof of purchase is not required. Any questions are to be directed to IKEA's customer service line at 888-966-4532 (U.S.) or 1-800-661-9807 (Canada). Article number: 303.775.72
RUSVM debuts new research and pathology buildingJuly 13, 2018Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) has opened a new Research and Pathology Building designed to facilitate multidisciplinary research collaborations and better allow students and faculty to address issues relating to the One Health initiative. Located on St. Kitts, an island country in the West Indies, the site is expected to further enhance the school's research capabilities in a global capacity. Research in the new facility will allow for an improved understanding of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases (e.g. leptospirosis, dengue, chikungunya), reducing the development of antimicrobial resistance, and protection of threatened and endangered species and ecosystems in the Caribbean. Specifically, research will address sea turtle conservation and feral animal immune contraception strategies, as well as National Institutes of Health-funded research on arboviruses. "Our commitment to research is essential to the future of veterinary medicine, which will involve collaborations across multiple disciplines to address zoonotic diseases that pose devastating threats in the Caribbean region and beyond," said Sean Callanan, Ph.D., MVB, MRCVS, CertVR, DECVP, dean at RUSVM. "The center also represents our commitment to provide our students with an innovative and advanced educational program that prepares them to become leaders within the One Health realm." The facility creates 13,000 …
Zoetis launches mobile app version of VetVance websiteJuly 13, 2018Zoetis has launched a mobile version of its VetVance website. VetVance, a free educational resource, provides veterinarians, veterinary students, recent graduates, and veterinary technicians with online content relating to professional development, business skills, professional stewardship, financial literacy, and personal wellness. The new mobile app, available for use on iOS smartphones/tablets and Android smartphones, features many of the tools found on the VetVance website, including courses, course progress tracking, and registrant profiles. Registrants who use VetVance span multiple areas of interest, including small-, large-, and production-animal medicine, as well as academia, laboratory, industry, and other areas. They represent a range of professional veterinary experience and include nearly 8,000 students enrolled in, and more than 6,000 practicing veterinarian graduates from, a U.S. or Caribbean college of veterinary medicine. "Currently, VetVance has nearly 17,000 registrants globally," said Christine Jenkins, DVM, DACVIM, vice president and chief medical officer, Veterinary Medical Services and Outcomes Research at Zoetis. "This new mobile app will provide additional access for users, and more opportunities for Zoetis to reach an even broader audience with important messaging around topics of greatest interest to the veterinary professional, including personal wellness and financial literacy." The free …
Colin Harvey honored with 2018 WSAVA Scientific Achievement AwardJuly 12, 2018Colin Harvey, BVSc, FRCVS, DACVS, DAVDC, has received the 2018 World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Award for Scientific Achievement in recognition of his work to highlight the importance of veterinary oral and dental health in companion animals as well as in developing tools to support the incorporation of dental procedures and dental preventive strategy into daily veterinary practice. The award will be presented during this year's WSAVA World Congress, Sept. 25-28 Singapore. Dr. Harvey graduated from the University of Bristol School of Veterinary Sciences before completing an internship and surgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania. He was trained in dental procedures by faculty of the School of Dental Medicine at the UPenn. Until his retirement in 2013, he was professor of surgery and dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania, a position he held for 33 years. As a boarded specialist in both surgery and dentistry (charter diplomate of American Veterinary Dental College), he introduced a range of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures into clinical, teaching, and research activities. This led to improvements in the major oral surgery reconstructive techniques necessary for cancer patients, as well as in the management of oral trauma …
FDA warns against using possible nonsterile animal drug productsJuly 12, 2018The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting veterinarians and animal owners to not use animal drug products labeled as sterile produced and distributed by Ranier's Compounding Laboratory "due to a lack of sterility assurance." Jeannette, Pa.-based Ranier's also does business as Ranier's Pharmacy and Ranier's RX Laboratory. The FDA is urging veterinarians to check their inventory, quarantine any purportedly sterile drug products, and not administer them to patients. Administration of a nonsterile drug product intended to be sterile may result in serious and potentially life-threatening infections or death, according to the report. FDA issued a warning letter to Ranier's Compounding in March 2017 following an inspection. During FDA's recent follow-up inspection of Ranier's compounding facility, investigators observed insanitary conditions, including poor sterile production practices. On June 6, 2018, FDA recommended that Ranier's Compounding recall all unexpired human and animal drug products intended to be sterile and to cease sterile operations until it makes adequate corrections at its facility. On June 7, 2018, Ranier's Pharmacy informed FDA that it agreed to voluntarily recall and cease sterile operations. However, the company has failed to comply with its commitment, reported the FDA. To date, no …
Radagast Pet Food recalls raw diet cat foodJuly 12, 2018Radagast Pet Food of Portland, Ore., is recalling three lots of Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Chicken Recipe that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to an FDA report. In addition, the company is recalling one lot of Rad Cat Raw Diet Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe due to possible contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O121. No pet or human illnesses have been reported. The following three lots of Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Chicken Recipe, shipped to distributors nationwide in May and June 2018, are being recalled: Lot Code 63057, Best By Date: 10/9/2019 Lot Code 63069, Best By Date: 10/23/2019* Lot Code 63076, Best By Date: 10/31/2019* (8-oz. UPC 8 51536 00103 6, 16-oz. UPC 8 51536 00104 3, 24-oz. UPC 8 51536 00105 0) *These two lots were shipped to one distributor in Vancouver, BC, Canada, in addition to U.S. distributors in May and June, 2018. The following single lot of Rad Cat Raw Diet Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe, shipped to distributors nationwide only in May and June, is being recalled: Lot Code 63063, Best By Date: 10/15/2019 (8-oz. UPC 8 51536 00121 0, 16-oz. UPC 8 51536 00122 7, 24-oz. UPC 8 51536 00123 4 and …
AVMA seeks input on equine diagnostic imaging specialtyJuly 11, 2018An organizing committee has submitted a petition to the American Board of Veterinary Specialties requesting the recognition of equine diagnostic imaging as a specialty within the American College of Veterinary Radiologists (ACVR), asserting the current format is weighted toward small animal imaging and limits the training time for equine imaging. According to the petition, ACVR equine diagnostic imaging specialty (ACVR-EDI) would: Provide dedicated training for equine radiologists to enhance their service to equine practitioners and specialists Further raise the standard of care Promote research, teaching, and academic development The proposed three-year training would include all available diagnostic imaging modalities, and encompass orthopedic, soft tissue, abdominal, airway, and cardiac imaging. Certification in ACVR-EDI would be a possibility for currently boarded veterinary radiologists who pass the ACVR-EDI certifying examination, as well as for those who undergo the ACVR-EDI residency. Input must be received by Sept. 17. For more information, click here.
The Ohio State University surgical simulation lab opens in AugustJuly 11, 2018A surgical simulation laboratory is scheduled to open at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine next month. The $9.3-million facility will feature operating systems to simulate surgery or exams and other technology-facing amenities designed to better prepare veterinary students to practice medicine beyond university through hands-on experience. "The systems we are installing are very similar to models used in hospitals or medical schools for human health care," said Toni Hare, college spokesperson. In addition to simulation, the laboratory will include a 3D printing office, as well as animal-specific models used by clinicians and students as they practice surgeries. The new facility will also provide students with an opportunity for self-directed learning at their own pace, in a strategy designed to increase professional confidence. "This is one more way we produce graduates who are effective and ready to practice in the real world," said Hare. The 16,000-square-foot rooftop addition, which will sit on top of The Ohio State Veterinary Medical Center, will also add new office space for faculty and staff. The project received funding from the veterinary college, as well as through a $39-million donation from the Stanford Foundation in 2016.
