Strangles vaccine within reach for horsesFebruary 12, 2018Scientists from the Animal Health Trust (AHT), the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the Karolinska Institute, and Intervacc AB, have developed a new protein-based vaccine to protect horses from strangles. Strangles, caused by Streptococcus equi bacteria, leads to large pus-filled abscesses in horses' throat and neck. The research was recently published in Vaccine. " … Our Strangvac vaccine protected over 80 percent of horses from this dreadful disease," said Jan-Ingmar Flock, Ph.D., CEO of Intervacc AB, the company that produced the vaccine. "Strangles is a scourge of the equine world and the development of Strangvac has the potential to prevent many thousands of horses from falling ill each year." "Strangvac is an extremely exciting vaccine," said Dr. Andrew Waller, head of bacteriology at AHT. "The vaccine was designed using information from sequencing the DNA of Streptococcus equi and highlights the potential that the genome-era heralds for improving the health of animals and people. Improving the health of horses is a core aim of the Animal Health Trust and we are proud to have helped make this vaccine a reality towards finally breaking the hold this disease currently has on our …
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Pet food recall issued from Smokehouse, Raws for PawsFebruary 12, 2018Smokehouse Pet Products has issued a recall for limited lots of Beefy Munchies due to possible Salmonella contamination. The product is sold in 4-ounce bags with UPC number 78565857957, lot number 449294, and a best used by date of 10/25/19 stamped on the back of packaging. Beefy Munchies were sold in Washington, Michigan, North Carolina, and Colorado through distributors selling to various retailers. Routine sampling by the Colorado Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of the pathogenic bacteria in two packages of the product. No illnesses have been reported to date with this recall. Raws for Paws Ground Turkey Pet Food in Minnesota is recalling about 4,000 pounds of 1-pound and 5-pound chubs due to Salmonella contamination. The product was distributed through Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa directly to consumers and through online mail order. They are packaged into regular Turkey Pet Food cases and Pet Food Combo Pack cases, which contain a variety of pet foods. The recalled products have case codes of 9900008, 9900009, 9900014, and 9900015. The manufacture date of Turkey Pet Food cases is 10/12/2017, and the manufacture dates of Combo Pack cases are between 10/12/2017 and 2/2/2018. Two children in …
Human Animal Bond Certified now offered to veterinary professionalsFebruary 12, 2018 The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) have unveiled Human Animal Bond Certified—a new certification course for practicing veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and veterinary practice managers. Through a series of online modules assembled by experts in the field of human-animal interaction science, veterinarians, veterinary nurses and veterinary practice managers can now develop a formal understanding of the research demonstrating the health benefits of pet ownership and human-animal interaction, and learn how best to use that knowledge in the practice of veterinary medicine. "Human Animal Bond Certified will become the new gold standard for veterinarians looking to engage their clients in a meaningful and effective way," said Tom Bohn, NAVC CEO. "Through an easy online interface that can be completed at an individualized pace, the Certification will support every aspect of a veterinary practice, from better client dialogue and compliance to improved financial performance." According to a recent HABRI pet owner survey, veterinarians are a trusted resource for scientific information on the human health benefits of pets, and vets have an opportunity to further strengthen their relationships with pet owners. When 2,000 pet owners were educated about the human health …
Raw feeding trends continue to rack up risks for dogsFebruary 8, 2018In a new study, researchers at the University of Melbourne's U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital found that consuming raw chicken meat increases a dog's risk of developing acute polyradiculoneuritis (APN) by more than 70 times. The cause of APN in dogs has baffled the veterinary community for a long time, said Matthias le Chevoir, DVM, DECVN, chief investigator on the project. "It is a rare but very debilitating condition where the dog's hind legs first become weak," he said. "It can then progress to affect the front legs, neck, head and face. Some dogs may die from the disease if their chest becomes paralyzed. Most dogs eventually recover without treatment but it may take up to six months or more in some cases. "In our clinic alone we see around 30 cases per year and around three in ten cases would not recover," Dr. le Chevoir continued. "Watching your pet suffer is obviously very distressing and it can be difficult for owners to nurse their pet if the condition can gradually improve." Paralysis results from the dog's immune system becoming unregulated and attacking its own nerve roots, progressively worsening over several days. APN is the canine version …
AVMA seeks help with livestock, public health vet shortageFebruary 5, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is asking Congress to help with funding to reduce the number of regions across the nation that currently suffer from a shortage of livestock and public health veterinarians. The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has said that 187 regions are in need of staffing, and the AVMA points to threats to animal health and the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers as major reasons to fill the need. The solution is passage of the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act, according to the organization. High debt loads—which reached $143,758 on average for 2016 graduates of veterinary colleges—can make it cost-prohibitive for young veterinarians to practice in rural areas, as rural salaries are often lower than those in urban areas. The federally funded loan repayment program mitigates the educational burden new vets feel by offering loan forgiveness to those who commit to serving at least three years in underserved areas. However, the program does not receive enough funding to meet the demand, in part because each award is subject to an expensive income withholding tax that sends the program's funding back to the government. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program …
AAEP publishes updated infectious disease guidelinesFebruary 2, 2018The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has published its Updated Infectious Disease Control Guidelines, which includes newly created guidelines for Rhodoccocus equi. Most of the changes to the current guidelines pertain to updated sampling and control measures. The AAEP's Infectious Disease Committee also amended suspected case guidelines for respiratory, neurologic, and clostridial diarrhea to outline appropriate actions and steps for suspected cases, along with several resource documents for sampling and equine herpesvirus. Additionally, R. equi has been added to the existing list of available infectious disease guidelines. "Rhodococcus equi remains a significant disease of growing foals despite considerable research into its treatment and prevention," said Peter Morresey, BVSc, DACT, DACVIM, 2017 chair of the Disease Guidelines Subcommittee. "These new guidelines incorporate current thinking and a systematic approach balancing diagnostics, therapeutics, and economics." All of the guidelines have been reformatted for improved consistency and navigation. The guidelines documents are now available as PDFs, enabling practitioners to save the guidelines to their portable devices for access offline in the field. They also contain links to other resources on all disease conditions for those wanting additional reference material. Visit aaep.org/guidelines/infectious-disease-control/using-guidelines to view and/or download the new and updated guidelines.
MVS Pet Care becomes nation's first house call veterinarian franchiseFebruary 2, 2018A business team and a house call veterinarian have partnered to launch Mobile Veterinary Services (MVS) Pet Care, the nation's first professional franchise network of house call veterinarians. MVS Pet Care offers general wellness care, vaccinations, and illness and injury care, as well as hospice care and in-home euthanasia. In addition to solving the longstanding problem for some owners of rustling up reluctant pets for the journey to the veterinary clinic, MVS Pet Care also provides veterinarians with new business opportunities. "Previously, upon earning their degrees, veterinarians' options were limited to either working in a vet's office or animal hospital, or starting their own brick-and-mortar practice, which is tough," said Todd Giatrelis, co-founder and CEO. "They're typically overworked and underpaid. With MVS Pet Care, they can get into business with significantly lower entry costs than a brick-and-mortar practice. They'll receive training and support, scheduling software and access to unmatched pricing for equipment and supplies through partnerships we've cemented with national pharmaceutical, diagnostic labs and supply companies." The mobile pet care franchise was developed by Giatrelis, Sarah Towne (president), and Ashley Shimabukuro (COO), whose previous franchises include Flip Flop Shops and Sugar Plum Parties, a themed children's party concept. Partnering …
First WSAVA CEO charged with attracting sponsorship revenueFebruary 2, 2018Arpita Bhose has been named CEO of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). She will work with WSAVA President Elect Shane Ryan, BVSc (Hons) (Qld), MVS (Murdoch), CVA (IVAS), GradDipAnimChiro (RMIT), MChiroSc (RMIT), MRCVS. Bhose's responsibilities include generating sponsorship revenue to support the organization's activities, including the development of global guidelines in key areas of veterinary practice, including vaccination, nutrition, and pain management; developing information, tools, and other educational resources to veterinarians; providing continuing education, including its flagship annual WSAVA World Congress; and campaigning on key issues to veterinarians globally, such as access to veterinary medicines and animal welfare.
Midmark extends its 'TOTALLY!' animal health promotionFebruary 1, 2018Midmark Corp. animal health solutions provider has extended its "TOTALLY!" 2017 promotion, meaning veterinarians and veterinary facilities can receive cash incentives and free onsite training with the purchase of select veterinary equipment now through March 10. "This is an ideal opportunity for veterinarians to make 2018 a banner year for their practices," said Jamie Renner, senior market manager, animal health, for the Dayton, Ohio, company. "We know how easy it is to neglect staff training when things get busy. These valuable promotions offer deep discounts on staff training along with valuable product promotions to help keep veterinary clinics running at peak efficiency in the year ahead." During the promotion, rebates and incentives valued at up to $3,500 are available with the purchase of eligible animal health products through an authorized Midmark dealer. Rebates and incentives include: VetPro 1000 Dental Delivery Systems ($350 rebate) VetPro OptiMax Digital Dental X-ray Sensor (free on-site X-ray Positioning Training, a $1,150 value) VetPro CR Digital Dental Radiography Reader (free on-site X-ray Positioning Training) VetPro Complete Digital Dental X-ray System with CR or OptiMax (free on-site X-ray Positioning Training plus free Midmark installation—a $2,000 value) Matrx VMS / VMS Plus Anesthesia Machines ($200 / $200 …
Walkin' Pets opens veterinarian, vet tech scholarship submission periodFebruary 1, 2018Walkin' Pets by HandicappedPets.com, an online pet product company serving the needs of aging, disabled, and injured pets and their pet caretakers, is offering veterinary students the opportunity to earn scholarships. A $1,000 veterinarian scholarship is being offered for doctoral veterinary students, and a $500 rehab/vet tech scholarship is being offered for canine rehabilitation or veterinary tech students. The application period for these two scholarships is open now through July 31. Scholarship recipients will be notified by Oct. 1. Applicants are asked to respond to an essay topic and submit a short online application that can be found here. Full-time doctoral students entering their senior year in 2018 at an accredited veterinary school are eligible to apply for the veterinarian scholarship. The rehab/vet tech scholarship is open to full-time canine rehabilitation or veterinary tech students entering their graduation year in 2018 at an accredited canine rehabilitation or veterinary tech program.
