Western University President to RetireApril 7, 2015Philip Pumerantz, PhD, the founding and sole president of Western University of Health Sciences, will retire Sept. 8. Dr. Pumerantz made the announcement April 3 in a letter to WesternU Board of Trustees Chair Richard Bond, DO. “The time has come for me to move to a new role, and in the process allow for an orderly transition and wise leadership succession for the University,” Pumerantz wrote in his letter. Pumerantz is the second-longest currently serving university president in the United States, having officially taken office on September 6, 1977, the day after Labor Day. His tenure as a university president is currently exceeded only by Dr. Norman Francis of Xavier University (45 years), the university noted. Pumerantz’s retirement date also is the day after Labor Day. “Having known the president for 37 years of his 38-year term, it is hard for me to imagine the University going on without him, as I’m sure it is for all of you,” Bond told WesternU board members in a message. “But go on it must. We will have many opportunities to celebrate Dr. Pumerantz’s legacy. Our first order of business must be to establish a committee and a process for selecting our …
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AVBEC Thursday: Enter Our A Veterinary Book for Every Clinic SweepstakesApril 2, 2015Fill out the form below for the chance to win a copy of “Canine and Feline Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease,” courtesy of Wiley Blackwell. According to the publisher, "'Canine and Feline Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease' is the first book to draw together clinically relevant information on the anesthetic management of dogs and cats with existing disease conditions. Providing a detailed reference on avoiding and managing complications resulting from concurrent disease, the book offers a ready reference for handling anesthesia in patients with common presenting diseases. Organized by body system, 'Canine and Feline Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease' is designed to allow the reader to quickly find and apply advice for anesthetizing patients with specific conditions. "Each chapter presents in-depth, practical information on the special considerations before, during and after sedation and anesthesia of a patient with a given disease. 'Canine and Feline Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease' is a useful reference for general practitioners, veterinary students, specialists in a variety of areas and veterinary anesthesiologists alike." Entries close at 11:59 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. One entry per household. Loading... RULES & GUIDELINES NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of International Giveaway who are Age of majority in your Country of residence or …
Cornell’s Farm Animal Hospital Gets New NameApril 2, 2015Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has renamed its farm animal hospital to Nemo Farm Animal Hospital. The college made the announcement in late March after receiving a gift from George Goldner and Nancy Krieg, owners of pig named Nemo. Nemo was the first of his species to undergo a multidrug chemotherapy protocol for lymphoma, according to Cornell University. The veterinary college’s oncologists treated Nemo in 2013 with the chemotherapy protocol used to treat lymphoma in dogs, cats and humans, modifying the delivery method for a 730-pound pig. The treatment put Nemo’s disease into remission for more than a year and markedly advanced comparative cancer therapy knowledge, the university noted. Nemo died in May 2014. “We are deeply grateful to George and Nancy for their generous gift in memory of Nemo,” said Michael Kotlikoff, VMD, Ph.D., the Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “It will help us to remain at the forefront of cancer research, to purchase the necessary technology and to recruit the very best talent to carry out this vital work.”
AVMA Reacts to Indiana ‘Religious Freedom’ LawMarch 31, 2015The American Veterinary Medical Association’s 2017 convention is more than two years away, but the organization issued a statement today about the get-together in Indianapolis and an expanding controversy. At issue is a new Indiana law called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which opponents say sanctions discrimination and the potential denial of services to gays and lesbians. Gov. Mike Pence has asked the state legislature to quickly clarify the law and forbid business owners from discriminating against customers. AVMA acknowledged the outcry and said the issue “has raised concerns for us regarding our 2017 annual convention.” The AVMA statement reads: “The law poses many unsettling questions and leaves us facing a disturbing problem: We and our members are concerned that not all of our attendees will be welcomed in Indiana and that some may face discrimination. In addition, we are concerned that access to quality animal health care to some groups of the Indiana public may be compromised by this law. Neither is acceptable to the AVMA. We join the growing number of companies who encourage the state of Indiana to revisit this law and take additional measures to prevent its interpretation as enabling discrimination, and we’re encouraged by …
Georgia’s New Teaching Hospital Now OpenMarch 31, 2015The University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital reopened on March 25 at its new location on College Station Road. The facility is expected to allow the hospital to better meet its current patient care demands and the educational needs of the college. The hospital is part of the new Veterinary Medical Center, which also includes a covered equine performance arena; a building dedicated to field services, production medicine and theriogenology; and an education building for teaching and continuing education courses. The previous hospital, which opened in 1979, handled more than 24,500 visits per year in one of the smallest veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States. Now, the hospital will operate out of a building more than double the size of the old facility, the university noted. Other highlights include: flexible design to meet current needs and to allow for future expansion; numerous teaching spaces, including a dedicated rounds room for each service; expanded imaging capabilities and radiation therapy for all species; open lobbies and corridors with picturesque windows to let in natural light; an outdoor courtyard and green space around the buildings; dining area for clients, faculty, staff and students; and a physical address that can be found …
4 Vets Accused of Drugging RacehorsesMarch 30, 2015Four equine veterinarians are cooperating with federal prosecutors after the practitioners were charged with illegally administering drugs to thoroughbred racehorses at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pa. Their cases are part of a continuing investigation that also has ensnared three trainers and even the track’s official clocker. The FBI reported that charges were filed March 26 against veterinarians Kevin Brophy, DVM, the owner of Abba Vet Supply in Wellington, Fla.; Chris Korte, DVM, of Pueblo, Colo.; Fernando Motta, DVM, of Lancaster, Pa.; and Renee Nodine, DVM, of Annville, Pa. All four veterinarians agreed to plead guilty to charges that include administering drugs within 24 hours of races in which the horses were entered. The drugs were not under a valid prescription and were part of a race-rigging conspiracy, prosecutors said. According to the FBI: The veterinarians took drug orders from trainers, administered the medications and backdated billing records to avoid detection. The four defendants submitted false veterinary treatment reports to the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission. The false reports and backdated documents were designed “to further the conspiracy by concealing the illegal activity.” The conspiracy defrauded other horse owners, trainers and race bettors, authorities stated. The alleged lawbreaking …
Texas Web Vet Loses Court AppealMarch 30, 2015Internet veterinarian Ronald Hines, DVM, Ph.D., isn’t ready to surrender after an appeals court ruled Friday that his constitutional rights were not violated when Texas regulators ordered him to shut down his online practice. The nonprofit law firm Institute for Justice reported today that Dr. Hines intends to take his case to the U.S. Supreme Court and has until late June to file a petition. The case centers on Hines’ now-suspended business of providing email and telephone advice to pet owners without seeing the animal. Laws in Texas, Mississippi and Utah forbid establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship through telephone or electronic means. Hines’ website, www.2ndchance.info, no longer promotes veterinary advice for a $58 fee, but for the same price he offers to “explain and walk you through the information and the treatment options I give in my [online] articles, and I can give you emotional support in difficult times and with difficult decisions.” Hines, 71, could not be reached to comment on his legal loss, but his attorney, Jeff Rowes, said the case “stands at the crossroads of Internet freedom, free speech and economic liberty.” “Dr. Hines gives advice for a living, and advice is speech protected …
Water Additive Found to Reduce Dental TartarMarch 30, 2015An independent study of Kane Biotech’s StrixNB documented slower growth of dental calculus in dogs given the water additive. The calculus score in a group of 30 dogs was 25.4 percent lower than in the control group at the end of the study, the Canadian company reported Thursday. “Our oral care water additive significantly reduces calculus with daily use,” said Gord Froehlich, president and CEO of Kane Biotech. “This is especially significant as a water additive is the first step in a good oral care program.” The study has not been submitted for publication but “we are currently exploring opportunities,” business development manager Robert Vinet said. The efficacy study was controlled, randomized and masked, the Winnipeg, Manitoba, company reported. Each group was fed a normal diet and given either tap water or water containing StrixNB at the recommended dosage. Teeth cleanings were done on all the dogs at the start, and dental exams were graded on days 28, 56 and 84 using a modified Warrick-Gorrel method. The calculus scores in the StrixNB group were 14.2, 23.5 and 25.4 percent lower at each stage compared with the control group. A separate safety study found no issues when dogs …
Found Animals Saving Pets Challenge Aims to Reduce EuthanasiaMarch 28, 2015Michelson Found Animals, a nonprofit organization, has announced its second annual fundraising campaign designed to help reduce euthanasia in shelters. Last year, the Saving Pets Challenge raised more than $1 million. That money went toward programs whose goal it is to decrease the number of pets euthanized at shelters. This year, Found Animals is offering more incentives in the hopes that the amount raised this year will be higher. “Due to the overwhelming success of last year’s Michelson Found Animals Saving Pets Challenge, we wanted to bring back the campaign with bigger and better prizes to continue to make strides in reducing the number of pets euthanized each year,” Michelson Found Animals Executive Director Aimee Gilbreath said. “We understand that saving pets takes money, so we’re here to help organizations large and small make an even larger impact in their local communities.” This fundraising campaign offers animal welfare organizations the chance to win weekly prizes worth a total of $25,000. The organization that raises the most money to help at-risk animals will receive a grant of $50,000. The second place organization will receive a $20,000 grant. Third, fourth and fifth place organizations will each get grants of …
UT Helps Get Steer Back on His FeetMarch 27, 2015Dudley’s done all right since a rescue group, a prosthesis manufacturer and University of Tennessee veterinarians teamed up to provide the young steer with a new foot. The 800-pound Hereford was moved from a Nashville, Tenn., farm to the university in Knoxville after losing his left rear hoof in a tangle with baling twine. More of his lower limb was amputated at the UT veterinary hospital, a cast was applied and about a month later, in February, a prosthetic limb was installed. By late March, Dudley was still learning to walk normally again. “We are pleased to announce that Dudley is now safe and recovering,” said David Anderson, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, the university’s director of large animal clinical services, who performed the amputation. “The next stage of recovery is crucial as Dudley adjusts to walking and improves his balance and strengthens his muscles with his prosthetic foot.” Stepping in to rescue Dudley was The Gentle Barn, a nonprofit group based in Santa Clarita, Calif. The organization took possession of Dudley after learning that his owner couldn’t afford his care, and co-founder Ellie Laks arranged for his move to the University of Tennessee. Dudley was an outstanding patient after …
