BabelBark expands its global footprintDecember 13, 2017BabelBark pet-related software developer announced the expansion of its mobile app and software platform into English-speaking countries and territories, including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK. This expansion outside of the US and Canada will bring the emerging BabelBark platform to millions of pet parents, pet vendors, and veterinarians worldwide. BabelBark digital platform offers a mobile app that combines 24/7 activity monitoring, connection to primary care and emergency veterinary services, medical records and medication reminders, regional/local service providers, and products to prescriptively and proactively help pet parents monitor and manage their dog's individual needs. The app connects their dog's information and activity with their veterinarian, pet store, walker, pet sitter, boarding kennel, and more within their identified pet care community. The BabelBark connection is further enhanced when local pet businesses also use the BizBark or BabelVet vendor software platforms, which are designed to complete the BabelBark user experience. "No matter where the pet parent is located, in the US, UK, or another country, they can easily find pet-related services nearby with the swipe of a finger," said Bill Rebozo, founder, product and market strategist for BabelBark. "In addition, when pet owners travel abroad with their …
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MWI Animal Health acquires Northeast Veterinary Supply CompanyDecember 13, 2017MWI Animal Health, a part of AmerisourceBergen, has acquired Northeast Veterinary Supply Co. (NEVSCO), an independent, regional distributor of veterinary pharmaceuticals and medical supplies servicing primarily the northeast region of the US. The acquisition of NEVSCO continues to strengthen MWI's position to better support the viability of independent veterinary practices and provide even greater value and care to current and future animal health customers, according to the company. The acquisition of NEVSCO bolsters MWI's presence and capabilities in the northeast region of the US, as the increased scale enables the company to improve access, increase supply chain efficiency, and enhance care in the companion and production animal space, said the company in a statement. The move also better positions MWI to help independent veterinary practices navigate mounting industry challenges and thrive in today's healthcare environment, the company stated. NEVSCO customers will have access to an expanded product portfolio, as well as MWI's industry e-commerce platform and practice building programs, and customers' businesses will benefit from NEVSCO's enhanced high-touch, consultative service model, which now features expanded product access, MWI stated. Visti mwiah.com for more information.
Drug-resistant heartworm strain found in Louisiana LabradorDecember 12, 2017A drug-resistant strain of heartworm was discovered in a dog in Metairie, La., according to local veterinarian, Cynthia Benbow, DVM, CVA. Maddie, a yellow lab from Metairie, was a patient of Dr. Benbow. According to the news release issued by Benbow's office, Maddie contracted heartworm while on a monthly preventive. The heartworms had resurfaced in Benbow's long-time patient after a bout three years prior even though Maddie's owner had, as Benbow described, "religiously" stuck with the prescribed prevention regimen. Testing revealed the dog was infected with a drug-resistant strain of heartworm. A sample of Maddie's blood was sent to Ray Kaplan, DVM, at the Department of Infectious Diseases at University of Georgia (UGA) College of Veterinary Medicine, according to Benbow. Dr. Kaplan's lab confirmed that the heartworms were indeed drug-resistant, and established the strain for research purposes, naming it Metairie-2014. Louisiana hosts "by far the most cases" of suspected drug-resistant heartworm strains, according to Cassan Pulaski, a doctoral candidate at Louisiana State University (LSU). Southern states show higher incidences of likely drug-resistant strains, particularly those surrounding the Mississippi River Delta, he said. It's unknown how many drug-resistant heartworm strains exist because local veterinarians do not have the research tools to verify resistant strains, according to …
Zoetis launches Vanguard CIV H3N2/H3N8 vaccine for canine influenzaDecember 12, 2017Zoetis' Vanguard CIV H3N2/H3N8 is a new bivalent vaccine helps protect dogs against CIV H3N2 and CIV H3N8, which have caused serious disease outbreaks in 38 states across the US.1 In an efficacy study, dogs that received the Vanguard CIV H3N2/H3N8 vaccine were protected from disease after CIV H3N2 challenge.2,3,4 Vaccination also appeared to help decrease the number of days after challenge that dogs shed CIV H3N2 virus—from an average of 4.9 days in the placebo-vaccinated controls to an average of 1.3 days in Vanguard CIV H3N2/H3N8 vaccinates.2,5,6 During a safety study that involved 364 dogs, including 164 client-owned dogs and 200 dogs from commercial breeding facilities, 725 doses of vaccine were administered and no significant adverse events were observed.7 Dogs that frequently are in the company of others could benefit from the protection Vanguard CIV H3N2/H3N8 offers, said Stephan Carey, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, assistant professor, Small Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and past president of The Veterinary Comparative Respiratory Society, and Zoetis consultant. "Dogs that attend day care, visit the dog park, or stay at boarding facilities are all at risk for contracting either strain of CIV," he said. …
28,000 days of Vetrax data show what 'normal' behavior means for a dogDecember 12, 2017How long should a dog sleep during a 24 hour period? Is it normal for dogs to scratch? When is scratching so excessive that dog owners should seek veterinary care? These basic questions have not had a clear answer—until now, according to technology company AGL, which has published results from 28,000 dog days of data generated by the company's wearable sensor, Vetrax. The Vetrax wearable sensor, app, and online portal combine to provide accurate and detailed monitoring of a dog's specific behaviors to help pet owners and veterinarians to monitor, evaluate, and manage treatment plans, according to the company. AGL's results shows that dogs sleep less than previously thought but also live sedentary lives, walking for just over an hour a day and resting for nine hours on average. It means that veterinary professionals can now refer to statistics with an evidence base and take 'average' behavior into account when making recommendations, according to AGL. The Vetrax data has been gathered from dogs wearing the company's pet sensor. The monitor evaluates not just general activity but also more clinically relevant behaviors such as scratching or shaking. Vetrax found that, on average, dogs walk for just 68 …
UC Davis veterinarians warn of poisonous Amanita phalloides mushroomsDecember 11, 2017Veterinarians at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine are warning pet owners to be aware of Amanita mushroom intoxication. The Amanita phalloides version, commonly known as the death cap mushroom, is extremely toxic to animals. Found throughout Northern California and many other locations, A. phalloides can be potentially fatal to animals with ingestion of only a small amount. One of the most poisonous of all known mushrooms, its toxins cause acute liver failure and can also damage other organs such as the kidneys and the intestinal tract. "We've had several calls from local pet owners concerned about Amanita mushrooms," said Kate Hopper, BVSc, Ph.D., DAVECC, director of the small animal clinic at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. "They report these mushrooms growing in the Sacramento area currently, but it may grow in all areas of Northern California." On Dec. 4, the UC Davis veterinary hospital admitted an 8-week-old male Alaskan Klee Kai puppy that ingested the mushrooms over the weekend. "The dog's owner reported that they have hundreds of these mushrooms on their lawn in Loomis, and they think there are a lot more in the local area," said Dr. Hopper. According to Dr. Hopper, …
KSU study demonstrates loss of compounded drug potencyDecember 11, 2017A new Kansas State University (KSU) study funded by Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) shows a commonly compounded antimicrobial drug used in veterinary medicine may be losing potency over time. The study recently was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The KSU research team showed that compounded formulations of doxycycline lost potency within three weeks of receipt, with many dropping to sub-therapeutic content in that time, as defined by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards. The findings could have a significant impact for practicing veterinarians who rely on this antimicrobial to treat various infectious diseases in animals, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever and leptospirosis, and as an adjunct therapy for heartworm disease. "These study results have important ramifications for practicing veterinarians," said John Reddington, DVM, Ph.D., president and CEO for MAF. "The study helped fill in a knowledge gap about compounded medications, and may lead to additional studies on this important but often overlooked topic." The research team at KSU included Tanner Slead, a MAF Veterinary Student Scholar, and his mentor, Kate KuKanich, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM. The team compared FDA-approved formulations of doxycycline with compounded doxycycline obtained from …
Veterinary Mental Health Practitioners forms as part of AAVMCDecember 11, 2017The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is addressing mental health issues within the profession through its newly established Veterinary Mental Health Practitioners (VMHP) group. The group, which includes all licensed mental health practitioners working within colleges of veterinary medicine, is designed to protect and enhance the health and wellness of veterinary students as they conduct their studies and prepare for professional practice. "Veterinary medical students and doctors grapple with mental health and wellness issues, as do practitioners in other health professions," said Chandra Grabill, Ph.D., VMHP chair, assistant dean for student wellness and engagement at Michigan State University, noting that some of the challenges include depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, interpersonal challenges, and the struggle of balancing professional and personal responsibilities. "By combining our resources, the VMHP group will be in a stronger position to focus on these important issues." The group's goal is to enable all veterinary students to thrive during their education and flourish as veterinary professionals by: Addressing the personal, social, educational, mental health, and career needs of veterinary students; Cultivating a culture that values a healthy, diverse and inclusive veterinary community; Graduating students with competencies necessary to be healthy, successful professionals …
US Compounding develops compound to manage equine ulcersDecember 8, 2017Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corp. announced that its subsidiary, US Compounding, has developed a compound to manage ulcers in horses. A study, utilizing US Compounding's drug formulation, was conducted in approximately 50 racehorses. Gastric endoscopy was performed at Day 0 and any time between Days 14 and 21. The drug was administered after the first endoscopy as a paste given orally for 30 days. Endoscopic improvement was seen as early as 14 days. In more than 95 percent of the horses, the ulcers were shown to be clinically healed, as confirmed by endoscopy, with a reduction in gastric ulcer recovery times. The company has filed a patent application covering the compounded product; a manuscript is in preparation.
American Humane Hero Veterinarian, Veterinary Nurse 2018 nominations openDecember 8, 2017American Humane has announced that nominations are open for the fifth annual American Humane Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Nurse Awards, sponsored by Zoetis. For millions of Americans, animals are not just their best friends, but also their heroes. Whether they are lending eyes to the blind or ears to the deaf, protecting the sleeping family or the soldier, or providing a welcoming kiss at the end of a hard day, animals affect us in many ways. Behind almost every hero pet (and millions more animals) is a hero veterinarian or hero veterinary nurse or technician. These benefactors save and improve the lives of our two- and four-legged best friends in many ways, and for the past four years, American Humane's awards ceremony has honored their tremendous achievements. Pet owners and animal lovers alike are invited to visit herovetawards.org between now and Feb. 8 to nominate their favorite veterinary professionals. The awards are not limited to companion animal veterinarians. Professionals from all fields of veterinary medicine are eligible for entry including, but not limited to, those who work in research, emergency services, shelters, and those who work with large and exotic animals. The …
