Canine Trio Snatched From Jaws of DeathMarch 18, 2015Three dogs that suffered horrific jaw injuries are recovering after UC Davis veterinary surgeons and the rescue group Marley’s Mutts teamed up to provide the animals with potentially lifesaving care. Jaws, Bear and Zena were admitted to the teaching hospital at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine over the past six months. Each was in danger of being euthanized because of the severity of their injuries, but veterinary intervention helped save them, the university reported. The first patient, Jaws, had been featured on the Marley’s Mutts Facebook page, where a UC Davis faculty member noticed his condition, thought the hospital could help and contacted the group. Diagnosed with a bilateral mandibular fracture and faced with amputation of his lower jaw, Jaws’ jaw was surgically repaired using interdental wiring and an intraoral composite splint. Called Jaws because of his injury, the dog was renamed Davis in honor of the university. “We were so impressed by the oral surgeons and everyone at UC Davis that we thought it was a fitting name,” group founder Zach Skow said. “Normally, a dog with that severe of an injury will probably be put down.” Marley’s Mutts unexpectedly took possession of …
SPONSORED CONTENTOne dose protects for 12 months.One ProHeart® 12 (moxidectin) injection puts compliance in your control. + Get started
Texas A&M Selects Next MascotMarch 17, 2015Texas A&M University has selected its next mascot, a female collie. The selection upholds a decades-old tradition, according to Texas A&M. The 16-month-old collie is scheduled to assume her role May 9 as Reveille IX. Selection of the next mascot involved a seven-month national search in which more than 15 applications were considered. The pool was eventually narrowed to four finalists, but in the end, a dog named Twix from Overland Collies in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, won. The owners donated Twix to the university. “I could not be more pleased that owners Mike and Marcy Fine provided Texas A&M University with their beloved dog Twix to serve as Reveille IX,” said Tom Reber, interim vice president for student affairs, who chaired the search committee. “They were very helpful in providing us information throughout the search and were confident that Twix would be an excellent Aggie.” Fine describes the future mascot as very outgoing. “When my husband Mike and I first became aware of the national search for a new Texas A&M mascot, we both agreed that our beloved ‘Twix’ was the perfect collie for such a highly public role,” Fine said. “She is beautiful, lovable and has the natural …
Business Better at Most Vet HospitalsMarch 16, 2015Revenue surged an average of 5.1 percent at U.S. veterinary practices in 2014 as the economy continued a post-recession rebound, the American Animal Hospital Association revealed Friday. AAHA’s 2015 State of the Industry report also showed that a sizable number of veterinary hospitals are doing very well. One-fourth of practices in 2014 grew revenue by more than 10 percent, and half of those so-called “Outgrowers” did so two years in a row. Furthermore, AAHA labeled 7 in every 100 hospitals as “Power Outgrowers” because revenue climbed by more than 10 percent three straight years. Financially successful clinics have more in common than just rising numbers. They also do well at strengthening the bond with clients, AAHA stated during the organization’s conference in Tampa, Fla. Flourishing hospitals: Explain things to pet owners in an understandable way. Share test results with clients and take the time to review a pet’s diagnostic history. Treat the pet owner as a partner and recommend online resources for additional health information. Promote preventive care by scheduling the next visit before the client leaves the office and offering preventive care payment plans. Minimize stress to pets during routine checkups. Ninety-three percent of the 1,001 pet owners surveyed …
Free Dairy Webinar on March 18March 16, 2015Advanced Animal Diagnostics (AAD) announces a free, educational webinar for those interested in improving milk quality, production and udder health through earlier detection and treatment of subclinical mastitis. Mitch Hockett, Ph.D., AAD director of external research and technical marketing, will share the company’s latest research and discuss the benefits of diagnosing and treating subclinical mastitis in early lactation. “Subclinical mastitis often goes undetected, yet it diminishes milk production, milk quality and reproductive performance in dairy herds,” Hockett says. “Our research reveals the true cost of subclinical mastitis and, more importantly, the significant gains producers can achieve as a result of early detection and intervention.” Dairy producers, herd managers, veterinarians and others interested in learning more about subclinical mastitis are invited to join the free webinar titled “How producers can benefit from early diagnosis of subclinical mastitis” on March 18, 2015 at 1 p.m. CST. To pre-register, go to http://bit.ly/early-detection-webinar.
Penn Vet Study Seeks Dogs with Chronic Gastrointestinal ProblemsMarch 14, 2015The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is recruiting dogs for a clinical trial evaluating the role of the intestinal microbiome in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal problems (eg. diarrhea and/or vomiting). The aim of the study is to determine the composition of the microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract before, during and after treatment. Understanding how these bacteria change in dogs being treated for canine chronic enteropathy (CCE) may lead to better diagnostics and treatments for chronic gastrointestinal diseases in pets, according to Mark Rondeau, DVM, staff veterinarian in internal medicine, and Daniel Beiting, Ph.D., research assistant professor. CCE is a common syndrome in dogs, resulting in diarrhea, vomiting and/or weight loss. The duration and severity of these symptoms vary, as does response to treatment, suggesting that there are multiple factors that contribute to this disease, according to Penn Vet. Common causes include food sensitivity and inflammatory bowel disease. The microbiome has been shown to play an important role in inflammatory bowel disease in humans, Penn Vet further noted. The researchers plan to enroll 50 dogs for the study. At press time, three dogs had been enrolled. The study is expected to conclude in February 2016 with …
AAHA, AAFP Revise Pain Management AdviceMarch 12, 2015Relieving pain in cats and dogs should not automatically start with drugs, two veterinary organizations are reminding practitioners in an update to an eight-year-old document. The American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners teamed up to produce the 2015 AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. The 18-page strategy was published in the March/April edition of the AAHA journal and is available online at http://bit.ly/1EDFcoa. The 2015 guidelines stress the need for an integrated approach to managing pain. In a section titled “It’s Not Just About Drugs,” the authors pointed out that pharmaceuticals may not be the best choice. “Examples of nonpharmacologic treatments supported by strong evidence include, but are not limited to, cold compression, weight optimization and therapeutic exercise,” the guidelines state. “Other treatment options gaining increasing acceptance include acupuncture, physical rehabilitation, myofascial trigger point therapy, therapeutic laser and other modalities.” Mark Epstein, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, CVPP, who practices at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital in Gastonia, N.C., served as co-chairman of the 2015 guidelines committee. “The management of pain is a crucial component in every veterinary practice,” Dr. Epstein said. “Practices should be committed to educating the entire health care …
AAHA Honors Practices of the YearMarch 12, 2015Ohio and Florida veterinary clinics were named AAHA-Accredited Practices of the Year today at the opening of the American Animal Hospital Association’s annual conference. North Royalton Animal Hospital in North Royalton, Ohio, won in the general practice category. Coral Springs Animal Hospital-Referral in Coral Springs, Fla., was chosen in the referral practice category. Three finalists for the general practice award also were honored: San Juan Veterinary Hospital in Farmington, N.M.; True Veterinary Care in Verona, Wis.; and Cleveland Park East Animal Hospital in Simpsonville, S.C. AAHA accreditation is voluntary and is held by about 12 percent of North American veterinary practices, according to the Lakewood, Colo., organization’s website. The AAHA Standards of Accreditation list more than 900 standards in areas ranging from pain management and surgery to recordkeeping and continuing education. The award winners were chosen based on their accreditation score, mission, practice design, practice team and other criteria. “AAHA believes that the success of a veterinary practice depends on the entire team working together to provide excellent care for pets and their people,” said AAHA’s CEO, Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, Dipl. ABVP. “All of these accredited practices are staffed by high-performing veterinary teams who demonstrate a passionate commitment to veterinary excellence.” …
Trupanion Donates Nearly $210,000 to Nonprofits in 2014March 12, 2015Trupanion today reported that through its TruGiving platform the company raised $209,885 for nonprofit animal welfare organizations across North America in 2014. The company is now calling on its supporters to help them decide the nonprofits to donate to next. Over the next two months voting will be open to the public to select the next animal welfare nonprofits Trupanion will support. The three nonprofits that receive the most votes will be added to its TruGiving program to receive donations from the company. The TruGiving platform—comprised of Trupanion’s Shelter Support Program, Volunteer Program, and Member Donation Program— facilitates charitable contributions from the corporate level and from their pet-passionate community of employees, members and veterinarians to promote the well-being of cats and dogs and foster responsible pet ownership. “Trupanion continues to blaze a trail in the pet medical insurance industry by setting high standards for animal welfare ethics and strong values,” said Darryl Rawlings, CEO of Trupanion. “Our passion for pets is the foundation of our company – our mission is to help the pets we all love receive the best care, even those who aren’t insured.”
U.K. Vets May Call Themselves ‘Doctor’March 12, 2015Veterinarians practicing in the United Kingdom are now doctors, but only if they want to be one. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) last week approved use of the courtesy title “doctor” in a move that brought the organization and its members in line with the international tradition. The regulatory agency updated its Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons to provide guidelines for when “Doctor” or “Dr.” may be used. Veterinarians who opt for “doctor” must not confuse the public into thinking they are doctors of human medicine or holders of a Ph.D., according to the code. The decision followed a survey of veterinary staff members, veterinary students, the public and more than 5,000 veterinarians. Four-fifths of the 11,202 respondents supported the title change. British Veterinary Association President John Blackwell, BVSc, MRCVS, welcomed the decision. “It is particularly heartening that one in five of the respondents to the consultation were animal-owning members of the public,” Dr. Blackwell said. “This is a testament to the high regard that clients hold their vets in. We know this respect has to be earned and that we cannot be complacent about this.” Reaction to the news on RCVS’s Facebook page was …
Ohio Vet College Seeks New DeanMarch 12, 2015The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine has put out an invitation to qualified individuals to apply for the position of dean. Lonnie King, DVM, Dipl. ACVPM, the college’s present dean, is set to retire Aug. 31. Dr. King’s original appointment as dean was for five years, from 2009 to -2014, but he agreed to stay an extra year to assist with President Michael Drake’s orientation to the university, according to a college spokeswoman. Ohio State welcomed Drake as its 15th president in January 2014. Although retiring, King will continue to participate in several national committees, such as leading the National Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance in Production Agriculture and participating in Institute of Medicine initiatives. The dean, as described by the university, is the chief academic and administrative officer of the college and is responsible for leading the education, research, service and outreach agenda, while also supporting fundraising efforts and building strategic internal and external relationships in order to support the mission. Qualifications and experience, as outlined by the college, should include the following: DVM, as well as an advanced degree and/or board certification and a distinguished record in research or scholarship that would qualify for rank …
