Animal Behavior College Launches Grooming ProgramJanuary 13, 2010Animal Behavior College (ABC), a private vocational school specializing in animal-related career training, is now offering a certified grooming instruction program. The certified grooming instruction program combines in-home study with hands-on training. During the first stages of the curriculum, students study dog grooming and cat grooming techniques as well as the responsibilities involved in running a professional pet grooming business. The second part of the curriculum requires students to work with an ABC mentor groomer in either a grooming shop or mobile grooming environment. “In a time where ingenuity for new businesses is of the essence, I am proud to contribute a program that grants graduates the opportunity to develop an expertise in the ever-growing pet industry,” said Steven Applebaum, college president. According to the college, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics expects a 19 percent growth in the employment of animal care and service workers over the 2006-2016 decade. ABC’s grooming program is available to students in the U.S. and Canada. Tuition for U.S. students ranges from $3,670 to $4,425, depending on payment arrangements and available discounts. Tuition for Canadian students ranges from $3,725 to $4,480 Canadian Dollars. In addition to the grooming program, Animal Behavior College, which is …
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‘Best Vet’ Contest Honors Five VeterinariansJanuary 13, 2010 Veterinarians from California, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Florida are the winners of the “Thank Your Vet for a Healthy Pet” 2009 award, a nationwide short-essay contest conducted by Morris Animal Foundation that lets clients honor veterinarians for their dedication to helping pets. The third annual contest’s grand-prize National and Southwest award goes to Kirk Weicht, DVM, of Brown Trail Animal Hospital in Bedford, Texas. In an essay submitted by Gina DeGennaro of Arlington, Texas, Dr. Weicht’s client describes the veterinarian as “truly the heartbeat of his clinic because he goes above and beyond for his clients and his community.” Dr. Weicht enjoys all aspects of small animal practice but is especially fond of internal medicine cases, reconstructive knee surgery and endocrine diseases, his profile states. Continuing education has always been important to him, and he works to keep abreast of advances in medicine and technology. Hundreds of pet owners throughout the United States submitted essays. The Southeast regional award goes to Amara Estrada, DVM, of the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla. “It is a great honor and helps me to feel fulfilled in my job to know that my passion for veterinary …
New Hampshire Bill Prohibits Debarking, Tail Docking, Surgical BirthJanuary 12, 2010 Proposed legislation introduced in New Hampshire seeks to alter the standards of care and treatment of dogs within the state. Specifically, House Bill 1624 includes a ban on debarking, tail docking and surgical birth unless performed under general anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian. Under the bill, set to be considered by the House Environment and Agriculture Committee on Thursday, Jan. 21, “debarking” means the cutting or procuring of the cutting of a dog’s vocal cords or the altering, causing or procuring the alteration of any part of a dog’s resonance chamber. In addition, the act defines “surgical birth” as birth by cutting through the abdomen and uterus in order to deliver the dog. Violators would be found guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person or owner in violation of provisions in the bill may be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 for each violation. The bill also includes the following prohibitions: • Limits any person from having custody of more than 50 intact dogs over 4 months of age. • Requires any person having more than 10 intact dogs over 4 months of age to provide regular exercise, proper caging and adequate rest between breeding …
FDA Approves Drug For CattleJanuary 11, 2010 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Roseland, N.J.-based Intervet's Resflor Gold (florfenicol and flunixin meglumine) for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. Effective Jan. 11, 2010, the final rule made by the FDA’s Department of Health and Human Services approved Resflor Gold (florfenicol and flunixin meglumine), a combination injectable solution. The drug provides for treatment of BRD associated with Mannheima haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni, as well as control of BRD-associated pyrexia in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. Under federal law, the drug is restricted for use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. In addition, animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 38 days of treatment. The FDA also approved a label change for Woburn, Mass.-based Anika Therapeutics Inc.’s Hyaluronate sodium injectable solution, revising a human food safety warning on the product for the treatment of joint dysfunction in horses, which states, “Do not use in horses intended for human consumption.” In related news, Elanco Animal Health, A Division of Eli Lilly & Co. of Indianapolis, Ind., got FDA approval for ractopamine hydrochloride Type C to be used for medicated feeds …
Buckeye Nutrition And Waltham Foundation Offer $20,000 Equine Research GrantJanuary 8, 2010 A new research grant from Buckeye Nutrition and the Waltham Foundation awards $20,000 to help fund original research in equine nutrition, health behavior or welfare, the companies said. Buckeye Nutrition, manufacturers of animal feed, and the Waltham Foundation, a supporter of research to benefit the health and welfare of companion animals, teamed up to offer the first Waltham-Buckeye Equine Research Grant. The grant totals up to $20,000, and the funds may be awarded to one project or split between two or more projects, according to Dr. John Sylvester, Ph.D, director of Research and Quality for Buckeye Nutrition. “Buckeye Nutrition and the Waltham Foundation intend to publish the results in a peer-reviewed scientific journal,” Dr. Sylvester said, “which will benefit horses around the world.” Applications from scientists, veterinarians and nutritionists will be considered based on scientific merit and compliance with ethical standards. Preference will be given to applications from the United States. Grant applications must be submitted by February 1. Applications and grant details are available at www.BuckeyeNutrition.com or www.Waltham.com. Grant funds are solely for research purposes and cannot be used for expenses such as student travel, …
Top 10 Human Medications Poisonous To Pets RevealedJanuary 7, 2010 The Pet Poison Helpline offers tips for the prevention of pet poisoning caused by human medications. Justine A. Lee, DVM, DACVECC, associate director of veterinary services at the helpline, said as far as animal poisonings go, “they are unfortunately very, very common.” The 24-hour helpline is available throughout North America for veterinary professionals and pet owners who need help treating a potentially poisoned pet. Tens of thousands of phone calls are fielded on human prescription drugs, rat poisons and environmental/home toxins, Lee said. Nearly half the calls involve over-the-counter and prescription medications for humans. At the Pet Poison Helpline, they have numerous veterinary professionals on staff, including board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialists, board-certified veterinary emergency critical care specialists, veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians specifically trained in the field of toxicology. “We also have the added benefit of pharmacologists (PharmD) on staff; this multi-disciplinary approach is very important for us,” Lee said, as more than half the calls are about human drugs. Below are the top 10 human medications most frequently ingested by pets. NSAIDs (e.g. Advil, Aleve and Motrin) Common household medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) top the list. The names include ibuprofen …
New Treatment For Otitis Externa IntroducedJanuary 7, 2010 Surolan, an effective treatment for common and recurring cases of otitis externa in canines, has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, according to Vetoquinol USA and Janssen Animal Health. The companies teamed up to offer Surolan as a unique treatment for the inflammation of the external ear canal or common aural infection. The condition impacts up to 20 percent of dogs in the United States. The most unique aspect of the Surolan formula, according to the companies, is its distinctive combination of antibiotic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory agents, including polymyxin B, miconazole and prednisolone. Studies show there is a synergistic effect between polymyxin B and miconazole. There is a 100 percent decrease in the concentration of medication needed to treat certain bacteria when these are used together. This synergy gives Surolan broad effectiveness against the pathogens that cause otitis externa and make it less likely to develop resistance issues. “U.S. veterinarians can prescribe Surolan as first line treatment for canine otitis externa with great confidence because of its novel formulation featuring the trial-proven synergistic action of miconazole and polymyxin B,” said Eddy Thomas, director trade worldwide for Janssen Animal Health. Surolan, formulated …
AVMA: Presence Of H1N1 Identified In Turkey FlockJanuary 6, 2010 The presence of the H1N1 flu virus has been identified in a turkey breeding flock in California’s Central Valley, the American Veterinary Medical Association said Jan. 6. According to the AVMA, this H1N1 flu infection was confirmed Dec. 28, 2009 by the California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory after tests of samples taken from the infected flock. The flock did not show any clinical signs of illness other than a decrease in egg production. The state has not officially quarantined the site, however, the producer has imposed a self quarantine pending the completion of further testing, the AVMA said. In addition, samples were forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, for more confirmatory testing. Turkeys in the United States have previously tested positive for the H1N1 virus in the state of Virginia. They also have tested positive in Canada and Chile, according to the AVMA. The virus, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates has infected from 14 million to 34 million people in the United States, also has been identified in pigs, cats, ferrets and a dog. Click here to view updates …
Small Mammal Practitioner Wins Clinical Case Report ContestJanuary 6, 2010 Vittorio Capello, DVM, Dipl. ECZM (Small Mammal), a practitioner from Milan, Italy, has been named winner of the Harrisons’ Pet Products 2009 Clinical Case of the Year Award, according to the Lake Worth, Fla.-based company. Dr. Capello’s entry, titled, “Use of HEALx Soother Plus for Postoperative Management of Extensive Osteomyelitis of the Mandible Following Periapical Infection in a Mini Lop Rabbit,” consists of a photographic essay featuring 11 snapshots, said Richard Larson, the company’s creative director. The award includes a $1,000 cash prize and a plaque. The company’s medical review team selected Dr. Capello’s project out of 24 other submissions from veterinarians around the world. This was the first contest in what the company plans to turn into an annual event, Larson said. The contest involves documentation of an animal case in which one of the Harrisons’ Pet Products is used alone or with other products to successfully resolve a disorder. Each case includes an introductory paragraph,犀利士 with a case history and presumptive diagnosis as well as multiple images, and is rated according to the following: Medical relevance. . Case completeness. . Photo …
Service Dogs Qualify For Free Eye Exams In The U.S. And CanadaJanuary 5, 2010 The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, or ACVO, plans to launch the 3rd Annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam event. Thousands of guide dogs, assistance dogs, detection dogs and search and rescue dogs receive free sight-saving eye exams in the United States and Canada during the month of May. As part of the event, more than 150 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists participate in providing free eye exams to service dogs. The goal is to make sure that these animals are being represented so they are able to keep working, according to event organizers. Dr. Robert Peiffer says these ocular exams offer an opportunity to identify any health issues before major complications develop. “Early detection and treatment are keys to fast recovery,” he adds. During an exam, doctors look for any retinal disease or early cataracts. They also check for things that will limit a dog’s vision down the road, such as an ingrown hair or anything that can result in a scratch of the cornea. Registration for the event begins April 1. To qualify, dogs must be active “working dogs” that were certified by a formal training program or organization, or are enrolled in …
