Between three and five percent of cats show signs of feline chronic gingivo-stomatitis (FCGS), according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. A recent study suggests relief.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) School of Veterinary Medicine recently completed a clinical trial that used a novel stem cell therapy treatment to counteract FCGS.
Our DNA contains genes that instruct the body’s functions. Those genes are passed from generation to generation along with inherited traits and diseases, according to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Now, a new study has mapped that landscape for canine patients.
Researchers from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University (Cornell) have completed the largest genetic study of dogs to date, comprising the genetic analysis of 4,200 dogs.
Quarantine Update for the UGA Large Animal Teaching Hospital
The large animal side of the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital is still under quarantine for the equine herpesvirus. Based on recommended protocols, the earliest the Large Animal Hospital would be able to reopen is Feb. 19. However, they will continue to accept ruminants (cows, sheep and goats) and pigs on an emergency only basis. At this time, none of the horses that are under quarantine at the Hospital are showing signs or have tested positive for equine herpesvirus. The only horse that has tested positive for EHV-1 at the Hospital is the original affected horse that came into the Hospital on the evening of Jan. 31 and was humanely euthanized on Feb. 1 due to progressive neurological disease. EHV-1 is a type of equine herpesvirus infection that is highly contagious to other horses and can cause abortion, respiratory disease and neurologic disease. The virus is species specific, so it does not affect humans, dogs, cats, etc.; however, alpacas and llamas can be affected. Hospital personnel are continuing to work closely with the State Veterinarian’s Office and other experts on equine herpesvirus and are following recommended quarantine protocols. For more information, please visit http://vet.uga.edu/news/view/temporary-closing-of-uga-large-animal-veterinary-teaching-hospital. The State Veterinarian’s Office also released a statement last week: http://agr.georgia.gov/equine-herpesvirus-myeloencephalopathy.aspx
The American Veterinary Medical Association does "not oppose" the consideration of euthanasia to manage some free-roaming and feral felines, according to a new policy on one of the most contentious animal welfare topics in veterinary medicine — the control and care of stray cats.
Veterinarians Can Receive Free BQA Certification
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) is offering free Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification online for veterinarians and beef and dairy producers through April 15. BIVI will pick up the $25-$50 online training fee for every person completing BQA training through April 15. That includes anyone who works with cattle – whether it is beef or dairy. Visit www.bqa.org to take advantage of the open certification period and complete your certification at your own convenience. The BQA program is funded by the Beef Checkoff.
2016 Legislative Session
Legislative Days 13 – 16
A new U.S. Department of Labor report projects relatively good growth in jobs for veterinarians during the next eight years, although analysts see fewer opportunities in companion animal practice, the single largest employment category in the profession.
The forecast by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 9 percent growth in jobs through 2024, somewhat faster than the 7 percent average growth anticipated for all occupations.
That puts the number of jobs for veterinarians, pegged at 78,300 this year, reaching 85,200 by 2024, an increase of 6,900 positions. The figures include jobs created through self-employment.
Under “job prospects,” the report states:
“Candidates can expect competition for most veterinarian positions. Job seekers with specialization and prior work experience should have the best job opportunities.”
It continues: “The number of new graduates from veterinary schools has increased to roughly 3,000 per year, resulting in greater competition for jobs than in recent years. Additionally, most veterinary graduates are attracted to companion animal care, so there will be fewer job opportunities in that field.”
American Veterinary Medical Association market statistics show that nearly 49,000 veterinarians worked in companion animal exclusive or companion animal predominant practices as of Dec. 31, 2014. The figure amounts to 45 percent of all positions held by veterinarians in the United States, by the AVMA’s count. (The AVMA and BLS calculate numbers of jobs differently.)
The BLS analysis notes that opportunities in large animal practice “will be better,” owing to less competition. Other areas where veterinarians may find better prospects than in companion animal care, the report states, are in the fields of public health, disease control, corporate sales and population studies.
The new forecast, posted Thursday, appears in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which is updated every two years.
Although job growth for veterinarians is anticipated to be better than average, the outlook is dimmer than in the previous update. Two years ago, labor economists projected a 12 percent increase over a decade in jobs for veterinarians, similar to the expected rate of growth for all jobs.
Four years ago, the Labor Department’s outlook for veterinarians was more optimistic still. At that time, the job of veterinarian landed on a list of the 30 fastest growing occupations in America.
This time around, the BLS has listed the 20 fastest growing occupations. Thirteen of the occupations are in the human medical field; none is in veterinary medicine. The No. 1 occupation on the list is wind turbine service technician.
originally posted on vin.com
The World Health Organization (WHO) has rejected the reclassification of ketamine for the fourth time since 2006. According to a release by the organization, the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence concluded after its most recent review that ketamine abuse does not pose a global public health threat and that increased control over the drug could limit access to the “only anesthetic and painkiller available in large areas of the developing world.” Veterinarians can also rest easy knowing access to ketamine will not be changed.
Ketamine was placed on the WHO Essential Medicines List in 1985 and was described in a letter to the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence by the World Society of Intravenous Anesthesia in 2014 as the most widely used agent for sedation in world.
Deerfield, Ill. - Baxter International Inc. announced today it is voluntarily recalling two lots of intravenous (IV) solutions to the hospital/end user level due to the potential presence of particulate matter. The particulate matter in each case was determined to be an insect and was identified as a result of a customer complaint. The matter was identified prior to patient administration and there have been no adverse events associated with this issue reported to Baxter to date.
Injecting a product containing particulate matter, in the absence of in-line filtration, may result in blockage of blood vessels, which can result in stroke, heart attack or damage to other organs such as the kidney or liver. There is also the possibility of allergic reactions, local irritation and inflammation in tissues and organs.
USDA Continues to Prepare for Any Possible Findings of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Published: Dec 4, 2015
With help from Darius Tahir (@DariusTahir) and Arthur Allen (@ArthurAllen202 )
Texas Tech University System officials announced Friday plans to develop a veterinary school and veterinary medicine doctoral program, possibly in Amarillo, that Tech officials say is in response to student demand and industry needs.
It’s a proposal that triggered a quick and critical response late Friday from Texas A&M — the only veterinary school in the state — but that Tech officials said would help meet the state’s growing needs.
To prevent and treat feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), a veterinary visit, some TLC, and supplementing cat food with the amino acid lysine is often recommended. But a new study suggests that may not be such a good idea.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside conducted a literature review of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) PubMed database to identify the efficacy of using lysine supplementation to prevent and treat FHV-1. They concluded that not only is lysine ineffective; it may, in fact, increase the frequency and severity of FHV-1.
It's not often that you find a plethora of feline and canine studies in one place. But one nonprofit has done just that.
The Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) published its species reports, including one for canines and felines, in October. The reports share MAF-funded studies currently published or with publication pending, as well as a list of future projects.
Do you have 4 stars or less on Yelp? What about Google reviews? Do you even know? And is it really a problem?
ABSOLUTELY!
Google and Yelp are the primary sources that consumers are going to for reviews of businesses – and people pay attention. Because new clients are the lifeblood of all veterinary practices, low star ratings can really damage your bottom line.
Discover the secret to getting amazing reviews in this upcoming GVMA FREE webinar titled: “The Negative Reviews Playbook” from Dr. Michael Warren – a world renowned practice growth guru.
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[If you need help with registration please email [email protected]]
In this jam-packed FREE webinar, you will discover:
● How to repair your practice’s reputation for low-star reviews...
● How to be proactive in getting positive reviews moving forward
● Methods of coaching your staff to elicit positive reviews from your clients...
● Systems of contacting your clients after positive visits to elicit the best feedback
● The biggest opportunity your practice is missing out on for positive feedback...
● and much more…
But don’t delay – unfortunately we can only fit 99 registrations in each session. Sessions like this often go for as much as $197, but due to YOUR GVMA membership, you get this webinar absolutely FREE!
Nationwide has recently launched a pet insurance program that reimburses policyholders for 90 percent of their pets’ eligible veterinary expenses.
The Whole Pet with Wellness plan was designed to reduce pet owners’ confusion about what is covered underneath their plan, say officials from Nationwide (formerly Veterinary Pet Insurance). The plan includes coverage for these services, according to a Nationwide release:
> Diagnostic testing
> Prescriptions (including therapeutic diets and supplements, as long as they’re prescribed by the veterinarian and included in the medical record)
> Wellness care, including vaccinations and parasite control products
> Hospitalization
> Dental work
> Hereditary and congenital conditions
> Surgeries
> Behavioral exams and treatments
> Orthopedic conditions.
Brea, Calif. (Oct. 7, 2015) Curtis, a Boxer from Princeton, W. Va., has won the 2015 Hambone Award honoring the most unusual pet insurance claim of the year. Curtis earned the nomination after he swallowed a wooden barbeque skewer, which disappeared in his body and nearly ended his life more than a year later. The 7th annual Hambone Award is presented by Nationwide, the nation’s first and largest provider of pet health insurance. After selecting 12 nominees for the most unusual claim of the year, Nationwide opened voting to the public at www.HamboneAward.com to decide the winner, where Curtis received the most votes.
Curtis was treated by the veterinary team at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine where they performed a lifesaving surgery to remove the skewer and the large mass it had caused. For their outstanding work, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine will receive a $10,000 Nationwide-funded award through the Veterinary Care Foundation (VCF) to treat pets whose owners could otherwise not afford treatment. One hundred percent of all donations to the VCF are used to treat pets, with no contributions used for administration, fundraising or overhead.
If your pet is displaying any of these common signs, he or she may have diabetes.
If you didn’t know your dog or cat could develop diabetes, you’re not alone. Many owners don’t realize diabetes can affect pets too, so learning that your dog or cat has the condition can leave you with many questions.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Nov. 5 awarded more than $4.5 million to 49 U.S. veterinarians to help repay a portion of their veterinary school loans in return for serving in areas lacking sufficient veterinary resources. The awards, made through the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), will help fill shortages in 26 states.
“Rural America is challenged with recruiting veterinarians,” says John Clifford, DVM, chief veterinary officer for the USDA, in an agency release. “These professionals often face high student loan debt, leading them to work in locations with larger populations and higher pay. This program offers loan-repayment assistance to veterinarians, allowing them to fill shortages and work in rural areas, ultimately improving the well-being of livestock and providing an abundant and safe food supply for America.”
