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.
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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.
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.
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 …
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 …
AAFP releases educational toolkit for feline diabetesMay 22, 2019Managing and treating feline diabetes mellitus can be complicated, which is why the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) is releasing a Diabetes Educational Toolkit. A digital information source, the online toolkit provides veterinarians with the most relevant diagnostic and treatment information for diabetes mellitus, which is not always easy to diagnose. Further, veterinary professionals can access and gather information quickly via navigation tabs. Users can move directly to information focusing on diagnosis, treatment, remission strategy, troubleshooting, frequently asked questions, and client resources. According to AAFP, cats with diabetes mellitus require a customized treatment plan, including frequent reassessment and adjustments. The association notes that patient goals, finances, implementation of the treatment plan, and the patient's response are all aspects of effective treatment. "We are excited to release this digital resource to the veterinary community in hopes we can help veterinary professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of their diabetic feline patients through providing easy-to-access information that can be implemented for each cat," says Apryl Steele, DVM, president of AAFP's board of directors. "The purpose is to create more informed veterinary teams, as well as cat caregivers. This Diabetes Educational Toolkit is intended to be an on-the-ground tool for veterinary professionals …
Declawing cats may soon be illegal in New YorkMay 3, 2019Legislation is currently moving through New York's state assembly in an effort to ban the declawing of cats. Declawing is already banned in several cities in California, as well as many countries around the world, including Switzerland, Israel, and the U.K. If Bill A01303 is passed, it would make New York the first state to ban the practice. "Claws play an important role in various aspects of cats' lives. They use their nails to assist in climbing and maintaining balance, to help them fully stretch, to relieve stress through kneading, and to escape danger," reads a state assembly memorandum memo. The memo goes on to say, "When the claws are removed, the animal tends to shift its gait and where it places most of its weight, causing strain on its leg joints and spine, which can lead to early onset arthritis and prolonged back and joint pain." Should the bill pass, anyone who performs an onychectomy, a partial/complete phlangectomy, or a tendonectomy procedure on a cat faces a fine of up to $1,000. Declawing will be permitted when it is necessary for therapeutic purposes, including: an existing or recurring illness; infection; disease; injury; or an abnormal condition in the …
Blue Buffalo and Petco Foundation award cancer research grant to Morris Animal FoundationMay 1, 2019Blue Buffalo and Petco Foundation have joined forces to award a $250,000-grant to Morris Animal Foundation to fund its feline cancer studies. "Blue Buffalo is thrilled to partner once again with Petco Foundation to support Morris Animal Foundation in its fight against cancer, a terrible disease causing 50 percent of health-related pet deaths," says company vice-president, David Petrie. "Research is expensive, and we are proud to help fund studies that will lead to better health outcomes for dogs and cats." Cancer is the second leading cause of death in cats. In the U.S., more than 12 million pets are diagnosed with the disease every year. Since 1962, Morris Animal Foundation has funded more than 300 cancer studies and invested approximately $40 million. "We are deeply grateful for this meaningful gift, which will help us continue to advance cancer care," says Morris Animal Foundation president and chief executive officer, Tiffany Grunert. "It is through support like this that we're able to fund the best, most impactful studies, forging a path to a world where all cancers are treatable and more cures possible." Funding for Morris Animal Foundation has led to multiple breakthroughs and advancements in cancer care animals everywhere. This …
IDEXX CEO launches wild cat conservation foundationApril 23, 2019IDEXX's chief executive officer, Jonathan Ayers, and his wife, Helaine, have created a foundation to support the funding of global wild cat species conservation initiatives and organizations. "We lionize cats such as jaguars, leopards, and cheetahs in popular culture, yet felid species in the wild are threatened with declining populations and, in time, extinction," Ayers says. "We need to do more to preserve their populations in their natural habitat." "Helaine and I believe in the importance of dedicated species conservation efforts, and we hope our foundation will help to support the vitality of wild cats, their natural habitats, and the professionals dedicated to them in a meaningful way for years to come." The Ayers Wild Cat Conservation Trust will focus on 33 species of small cats, as they currently only receive a small fraction of all wild cat conservation funding. A lot of these wild cats are endangered or vulnerable with declining populations, including the clouded leopard, the black-footed cat, the sand cat, and the fishing cat. Funds will be given to initiatives such as the Panthera Small Cats Program, which the Ayers family helped establish. The program is dedicated to the conservation of the world's 40 wild cat …
New website pinpoints whether cats are picky eaters or sickApril 16, 2019A new website launched by KindredBio will inform owners about their cat's eating and drinking habits and as a result will lead to more visits to the veterinary clinic. PickyOrSick.com will help owners identify a problematic change in their cat's eating and drinking behavior and will direct them to a veterinarian should there a problem. "The best resource will always be the veterinarian. Yet, the society we live in today is technologically capable of providing answers at the stroke of a keyboard," says Christina Fernandez, DVM, DACVECC, MRCVS, KindredBio senior manager, veterinary affairs. "What's not often mentioned online is cats do not tolerate even short periods of inadequate nutrition. It can be critical to seek veterinary care immediately if an adult cat refuses food for even just a day." The science-based resource directs owners to make an appointment with their local veterinarian. The website features: • a five-question quiz to encourage owners to seek veterinary advice concerning changes in their cat's eating and drinking habits; • suggestions for determining whether their cat's behavior is a sign of illness or just picky eating; • a downloadable log to help monitor their cat's behavior, which can be shared …
