A systematic approach to designing weight loss plans for cats and dogsAugust 2, 2019Obesity is defined as excess body weight that may contribute to impaired health and body function. Survey data suggest more than half of the cats and dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese, making obesity the most common nutritional disease in companion animals.
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Sterilization preferred method for controlling feral felinesAugust 1, 2019High-intensity trap-neuter-return (TNR) practices may be the safest and most effective way to control free-roaming cat populations.
Cats' weight on the riseJuly 19, 2019Cats are, indeed, getting chunkier. This is according to a new study out of the University of Guelph’s (U of G’s) Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) in Canada, which analyzed the data of more than 19 million cats in North America to demonstrate the typical weight gain and loss of the animals over their lifetimes.
Trupanion names America's 25 most cat-friendly citiesJune 24, 2019Cat-lovers planning a move may want to consider a recent report from Trupanion and real estate brokerage Redfin.
Purina develops diet to reduce allergies to catsJune 17, 2019Purina researchers have established a proactive method to decrease active levels of the allergen Fel d1 in cats’ saliva through diet.
Aratana Therapeutics' Nocita 10 ml gets FDA approvalJune 13, 2019Aratana Therapeutics announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has approved an additional vial size (10 ml) of Nocita. "Since its launch in 2016, Nocita has drastically changed veterinary multimodal pain management protocols because it safely and effectively controls pain in patients for up to 72 hours following certain canine and feline surgeries," says Aratana Therapeutics chief development officer, Ernst Heinen, DVM, PhD. "Ultimately, we believe a smaller vial size may allow for expanded use and improve the level of care veterinarians provide for certain painful surgeries." Nocita, which is currently available in a 20-ml vial size, is a local postoperative analgesia for cranial cruciate ligament surgery in dogs and a peripheral nerve block following owner-elected onychectomy (declawing) in cats. The smaller vial size is expected to be made commercially available in fall 2019.
Midmark acquires Mason CompanyJune 5, 2019Midmark has acquired animal boarding and containment solutions, Mason Company. Located in Ohio and founded in 1892, Mason utilizes designs and materials to ensure its products are Fear Free certified, promoting quiet and calming environments through consideration of workflow and the acute senses of animal patients. "We are extremely excited to welcome Mason to the Midmark family," says the company's president and chief executive officer, John Baumann. "The expertise Mason brings to Midmark enhances our position to design better care environments for our customers. It also strengthens Midmark's position as a leader of the animal health space that continues to bring our customers innovative solutions and new ideas as they strive to improve the quality of care." The acquisition allows Midmark to be in on early discussions of new construction, pairing its stainless steel and proprietary offerings with Mason's designs to help create comfortable accommodations for long-term boarding of companion animals. "Being involved in the early stages of a project gives us the ideal platform to deliver solutions to our customers by bringing clinical spaces, comprehensive technologies, and workflows into harmony," adds Midmark chief commercial officer, Jon Wells.
Court rejects cat-killing veterinarian's appealJune 4, 2019A Texas veterinarian's request to appeal her suspension and probation for shooting a cat through the head with an arrow has been rejected by that state's Supreme Court. In 2015, Kristen Lindsey shot a feral cat and then bragged about it on social media. In a Facebook post accompanying the photo, Lindsey wrote, "My first bow kill, lol. The only good feral tomcat is one with an arrow through it's [sic] head. Vet of the year award … gladly accepted." A state board in 2016 suspended her veterinary license for one year and placed her on probation for four years. Since her one-year suspension ended in October 2017, Lindsey has been permitted to practice veterinary medicine on a probationary basis. Following that, she attempted to get her sentence overturned in district court and the Texas Third Court of Appeals. Another appeal to challenge the rules dictating her disciplinary action also was pending. In April 2018, she lost both cases and was ordered to pay all costs related to the trial court and the court of appeals. "The Texas Supreme Court now becomes the highest authority in the state to confirm what we've known all along—that Kristen Lindsey is wholly deserving …
Norbrook Laboratories voluntarily recalls veterinary injectable drug productsMay 30, 2019Norbrook Laboratories is recalling 34 lots of veterinary injectable drug products over concerns related to sterility assurance. The U.K.-based company says products tested, released, and distributed within the U.S. were manufactured on an aseptic line, which did not pass process simulation tests. The recall was made as a precautionary measure, as according to Norbrook, no batches of product have been identified to contain microorganisms. The following products have been recalled: Carprieve Injection, CarproJect Injection, Levafen Injection, and OstiFen Injection (carprofen; 50 mg/mL). They are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the pain and inflammation relief associated with osteoarthritis and control of postoperative pain associated with soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries in dogs Loxicom Injection, EloxiJect Injection, and OstiLox Injection (meloxicam; 5 mg/mL) are NSAIDs used for the relief of pain and inflammation connected with orthopedic surgery, ovariohysterectomy, and castration in dogs and cats Enroflox Injection for Dogs 2.27% and EnroSite Injection for Dogs 2.27% (enrofloxacin; 22.7 mg/mL) are used for the management of diseases in dogs associated with bacteria susceptible to enrofloxacin Enroflox 100 Injection (enrofloxacin; 100 mg/mL) is an antimicrobial used for the treatment and control of bovine respiratory disease, for the treatment and control of swine respiratory disease, …
Is fear driving the anti-vaccine movement?May 22, 2019Vaccines are one of the most effective means for preventing disease ever developed and one of the great triumphs of scientific medicine. Widespread vaccination of children has dramatically reduced—and in some cases eliminated—infectious diseases that have plagued humanity for thousands of years. There is less research evidence for the impact of vaccination in companion animals, but there is ample reason to believe vaccines have been equally successful in dogs and cats.3–7 Any veterinarian old enough to remember the emergence of canine parvovirus (CPV) in the U.S. in the late 1970s, for example, would probably testify to the efficacy of vaccination in reducing the incidence of this disease.5–7 There also is compelling evidence showing the reduction of both canine and human rabies cases due to vaccination programs aimed at dogs.8–12 And similar to smallpox, the veterinary disease rinderpest was eradicated largely due to the use of an effective vaccine.13 Vaccines and autism Despite the evident success of vaccination in reducing morbidity and mortality, there has always been controversy about the practice.14 The introduction of widespread vaccination in children was initially met with resistance and legal challenges. There was fear about the safety of vaccines, as well as resistance rooted in …
