AVMA to host LGBTQ+ events, sessions at 2018 conventionJune 28, 2018In its ongoing effort to support LGBTQ+ veterinarians, students, and colleagues, and improve their well-being, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) will be hosting events and a series of sessions at its 2018 convention next month in Denver. The Pride Veterinary Medical Community will host a town hall titled "Be Your Authentic Self." Group discussion will allow LGBTQ+ veterinary professionals to learn from their colleagues how they deal with stigma, barriers, and personal empowerment in practice. Pride VMC also will host its board meeting, as well as its annual meeting and networking reception, on Saturday, July 14, from 5 - 7 p.m., followed by AVMA's inaugural "Live Life, Love All" event from 7 - 11 p.m. at the Hard Rock Cafe Denver. "Revealing Hidden Biases: How It Can Impact Our Ability To Provide Successful Veterinary Care," a panel discussion presented by the Women's Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative and Pride Veterinary Medical Community, will help attendees identify personal biases that may hinder communication with a client regarding pet care and compliance, and find ways to increase understanding and foster empathy toward clients and coworkers. This session will be held Saturday, July 14. On Sunday, July 15, …
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Blue Buffalo Clinical Trials Office celebrates second year of OSU partnershipJune 27, 2018The Blue Buffalo Veterinary Clinical Trials Office (BBVCTO) at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine is celebrating its second year supporting studies to improve the animal and human health. In the past year, the BBVCTO assisted with the design and management of more than 30 clinical trials, enabling 300 client-owned pets to participate in studies that aim to extend the lives of dogs and cats through advanced treatments. "Our partnership with Blue Buffalo has made it possible for us to provide support for studies that test new diagnostic tests and treatments across a wide spectrum of pet health including cancer, renal failure, heart disease, and arthritis," said Cheryl London, DVM, Ph.D., director of the BBVCTO and professor of veterinary biosciences. "Clinical trials in veterinary medicine are critical for identifying new approaches to more effectively detect and treat diseases in the pets we love. They also have the added benefit of advancing outcomes for people with similar diseases." Providing hope to pet parents The BBVCTO supervises clinical trials involving client-owned dogs and cats. The pets continue to live with their families during these studies with the ultimate goal of finding new therapies, diagnostic tests, and medical devices that …
Veterinary Practice Partners celebrates hospital No. 50June 27, 2018Veterinary Practice Partners (VPP) veterinary group celebrated its 50th hospital partnership this week. Founded in 2011, VPP allows veterinarians to "continue practicing the excellent medicine they have become known for, while minimizing the headaches of managing a practice," the company said in a statement. "I'm tremendously proud of the fact that our 50 hospitals are still—and will continue to be—veterinarian co-owned, and that we get to work with such a great family of hospitals each and every day," said Rich Lester, VPP CEO. "It's very satisfying that VPP's partnership model is allowing our partners to enjoy the benefits of ownership without the headaches of running their businesses." VPP has 51 DVM co-owners of their 50 hospitals, 17 of which were previously associate DVMs. One thousand employees work at their partner hospitals, and 40 employees support the hospitals at VPP's headquarters in King of Prussia, Pa. The company oversees back-office operations, including marketing, finance, accounting, and human resources. "Not long after I partnered with VPP, I went away with my family on spring break for the first time in 10-plus years, which I was able to do because I knew I had a partner who had my …
Veterinary toxicologist warns of blue-green algae dangers to livestock, petsJune 27, 2018Steve Ensley, DVM, Ph.D., a clinical veterinary toxicologist at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, a part of the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is warning pet and livestock owners about cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria, which grow and replicate rapidly in warm, sunny environments where agricultural runoff deposits nutrients into waterways that allow the algae to thrive, can pose a health hazard to animals and humans who come into contact with the various toxins it produces. The most prominent problem involves a toxin called microcystin, which affects the gastrointestinal tract and liver, according to Dr. Ensley. When animals are exposed to this toxin, they may experience vomiting or diarrhea; if the exposure is severe, it can be lethal and cause liver failure in animals, Ensley said. "If there is a bloom in a body of water that animals are drinking out of, then we need to move them away from it as fast as we can," Ensley said. "Fence off that water source if at all possible." If livestock and/or pet owners are worried that their animals could potentially be exposed to blue-green algae, then they should regularly check for signs of its development, Ensley said. …
Elanco PRRS vaccine licensed by USDAJune 27, 2018Prevacent PRRS vaccine, a modified-live respiratory vaccine effective in the reduction of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), respiratory form, in piglets aged 2 weeks or older, has been licensed by the USDA, reports Elanco Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly and Co. PRRS causes disease in two forms: a respiratory form that weakens young pigs' ability to breathe and a more severe reproductive form that causes mass deaths in pigs during late pregnancy. Since its emergence in the late 1980s, the virus has cost the swine industry millions annually in respiratory disease in piglets and reproductive failure in sows. Current estimates place the cost at $560 to $660 million annually. "PRRS has grown to be a costly and challenging disease that is difficult to control at the local, regional, and national levels," said Chris Chavis, senior director with Elanco North America Food Animal Business. "We are eager to bring producers a new product to tackle this devastating disease." The vaccine is part of Elanco's Full Value Pigs line, which includes a portfolio of products that help to control specific enteric and respiratory diseases. The viral strain in Prevacent PRRS is "highly relevant" to today's swine operations, Elanco …
AVMA salutes LGBTQ+ veterinarians, colleagues during Pride MonthJune 27, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is celebrating Pride Month by sharing stories of LGBTQ+ veterinarians and their colleagues, which can be viewed at AVMA's Facebook page. The AVMA and the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (formerly LGVMA) collaborate to support veterinary students and professionals who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as LGBTQ+ clients. "We believe diversity fosters a climate conducive to success for all members of the veterinary medical community and affirms the value of human diversity for the enrichment of our communities," said Janet Donlin, DVM, AVMA CEO. "The AVMA believes that diversity and inclusion make us stronger, which is why we stand up in support of our LGBTQ colleagues during the month of June." The effort to recognize LGBTQ+ veterinarians, students, and colleagues is an important step in improving their well-being, according to Melinda Merck, DVM, president of the Pride Veterinary Medical Community. "Being LGBTQ can create additional stressors, such as the inability to be authentic and to feel safe," said Dr. Merck. "If we can't be our authentic selves, or feel safe in that authenticity, it creates barriers that hinder our relationships with coworkers and clients, and can ultimately have a negative impact …
Scratchpay veterinary lender raises $6.4M Series A funding for expansionJune 26, 2018 Scratchpay, a financial tech company focused on veterinary care, has raised a $6.4 million in a Series A funding round led by Companion Fund, a pet-care focused investment arm launched by Mars Petcare. Founded in 2016 by John Keatley and Caleb Morse, Scratchpay offers payment plans to clients with vet bills from $2,000 to $10,000. If approved, applicants choose among various payment and interest options. Once the plan is set, the vet receives a confirmation email and Scratchpay pays the clinic through direct deposit. The company's underwriting model incorporates multiple proprietary and third-party data sources specific to the animal health industry, according to CEO John Keatley. "We are the only lender that incorporates information about the pet and the procedure being performed into lending decisions," he said. The company makes money on the interest, which is determined on an individual basis, ranging from 5 to 26 percent, and a 5 percent cut on all transactions it handles. As Scratchpay pays the vet clinic the approved amount up front and takes full responsibility for pet owners' payments, this process potentially mitigates the risk-assessment problem vets (and pet-owners) often face in …
Midmark offers rebate program on select veterinary equipmentJune 26, 2018Midmark Corp. has launched a promotion for 2018, The Edge, which gives veterinarians and veterinary facilities the opportunity to receive cash rebates with the purchase of select veterinary equipment now through Aug. 31. During the promotion, rebates of up to $750 per item are available with the purchase of eligible animal health products through an authorized Midmark dealer. Rebates include: Stainless-Steel Lift Tables with Scales, electric or folding ($375 rebate) Stainless-Steel Lift Tables without Scales, electric or folding ($275 rebate) Midmark Wet Dental/Treatment Lift Table ($750 rebate) Midmark Exam Lift Table ($750 rebate) 255 Single LED Procedure Light ($100 rebate) 255 Dual LED Procedure Light ($300 rebate) Midmark Diagnostic Monitor ($150 rebate) Midmark M9 or M11 Automatic Sterilizers ($400 rebate) In addition, discounted pricing is also available on a broad selection of Midmark products including: Containment Kennel runs Surgery tables Lift tables Exam tables Treatment tables Grooming and tubs Scales Exam and treatment lighting Dates to remember: Promotion order period: June 1 – Aug. 31 Last date to take shipment of products: Sept. 30 Invoice must be dated: June 1 – Sept. 30 Last date to redeem incentives: Oct. 31 For product inquiries, call the Midmark Customer Experience Department …
5 tips for new veterinary clinic construction financingJune 26, 2018Whether you have outgrown your existing building, are expanding into new service areas, or are just ready to own your own space, you've made the decision to build a veterinary clinic from the ground up. The first step to turning your new dream clinic into a reality is to determine the type and amount of financing you require. This will lay the groundwork for everything you do moving forward, from site selection to equipment purchases. For veterinarians, it's important to speak with a lending expert who understands the unique needs of your practice. In addition to conventional loans, there are several Small Business Administration (SBA) loans available to veterinary practices, each offering different benefits. A lender that specializes in veterinary financing will help you select the right loan and oversee all the financing details, so you can focus on the construction of your new clinic. When reaching out to a lender, there are several steps you can take to ensure the loan process goes smoothly so you can get the construction of your new veterinary clinic underway as quickly as possible: Establish a budget. Going to your lender with a comprehensive budget will save time and help curb potential …
Laser therapy technology: Voodoo or valid?June 26, 2018To help overcome the obstacles veterinarians face when deciding to adopt laser therapy technology into their practices, Companion Animal Health has announced the launch of a limited-time trial program that enables veterinarians to see the impact of laser therapy first-hand, with no financial commitment. Companion Animal Health's program allows veterinarians to try laser technology free for 30 days to evaluate its success in their practice. "[I] thought it was voodoo. … I wasn't even going to take the thing for free," said Vernard Hodges, DVM, from Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospital in Bonaire, Ga. "I've paid for [laser] I'm sure twice now and I haven't even had it for six months … it works." "I pretty much thought it was voodoo medicine until I tried it on my own knee," said Kimberly Daffner, DVM, from Family Pet Clinic in Redondo Beach, Calif. "I play tennis five days a week and this laser machine keeps me mobile on the tennis court, so that sold the machine. The interesting part about that is it paid for itself with my patients within the first six months." Veterinary professionals who participate in the trial program before Aug. 31 can earn exclusive access to 11 …
