Off Label Veterinary News

This week veterinarian Dr Ernie Ward reviews a recent published study from Nigeria on Human-Cat Relationships and the current state of cat ownership and attitudes toward cats in this African nation. A new study is published evaluating feasibility of using sorghum as an ingredient in dry dog foods, and Dr Ward shares his thoughts on the announcement that Lilly is divesting from Elanco and the upcoming limited IPO.Nigerian Cat Study:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ikechukwu_Igbokwe/publication/326493579_The_Human-Cat_Relationship_MythsSuperstitions_and_its_Consequences_on_Cat_Ownership_in_Maiduguri_Northeastern_Nigeria/links/5b50f92545851507a7b1f10b/The-Human-Cat-Relationship-Myths-Superstitions-and-its-Consequences-on-Cat-Ownership-in-Maiduguri-Northeastern-Nigeria.pdf

At this year's American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) annual conference, the Board of Directors and Future Leaders Group unanimously approved our Global Pet Obesity Position Statement declaring: 1) uniform definition of canine and feline obesity, 2) universal Body Condition Score (BCS) system, and 3) obesity as a disease.

On June 25, 2018, the US FDA announced approval for the first CBD drug to treat epilepsy in humans. What does this mean for veterinarians and pets? Read the FDA announcement here: https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm611046.htm

Is the traditional pet boarding facility or kennel doomed? I think so, and I believe technology created by Rover.com and Wag.com (and others) will not only lead to the extinction of many boarding kennels, but potentially provide better care for more pets. But that's not all; I believe it's only a matter of time before these companies take on the veterinary profession. Check out my thoughts...Music by: https://soundcloud.com/wearestereofox/sweeps-aint-gonna-give-it-up-charles-bradley-tribute

Amazon acquired the innovative pharmacy company PillPack today for an estimated $1 billion. How will this impact veterinarians, veterinary drug distributors, online pharmacies, and pets?

The Australian Senate announced a Parliamentary Investigation into the Pet Food Industry after journalistic investigations and persistent public outcry over contaminated pet food and lack of proper protections and oversight.

Mars Petcare Buys 200 European Veterinary Clinics in Massive Deal, Pathway Vet Alliance Partners with Heska Diagnostics, FreshPet Petfood Tricks Diners and Kids into Eating Dog Food, Antibiotic Overuse by Human Doctors & the American Medical Association Takes a Strong Stand for Gun Control!

Recent reports revealed the 2016-2017 FDA investigation of the Columbus, Ohio Mars Petcare pet food facility uncovered numerous pet food safety violations, including reports of "one instance described as 'millions of roaches.'”"Employees also reported birds, spider webs, beetles, multiple flies, maggots and larvae on several occasions."Read the Food Safety News report here: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2018/06/millions-of-roaches-plagued-maker-of-pedigree-iams-ceasar-other-pet-foods/#.Wx1_bjNKjUICool music by: @dcuttermusic / www.davidcuttermusic.com

A New York Gynecologist Sues a Patient He Saw Once for $1Mil Over Her Posting Bad Reviews and Online Comments! Dog Flu Outbreak (H3N2) in NYC & UK Merger Madness and Incredibly Complicated Partnerships - Is this future of veterinary medicine in the U.S?

Mars Petcare Buys 87 UK Vet Clinics, a Universal K9 Cancer Vaccine is Starting Clinical Trials at three US veterinary schools, Maternity Pay for Pet Parents at a Nordic Company, and a CRAZY CAT LITTER MACHINE from Taiwan (where else?).

Here are 5 Facebook default privacy settings that potentially expose your personal data and weaken your online privacy. Dr. Ernie Ward takes you through five important settings you need to change today to ensure maximum online privacy when using Facebook.

Corgis Conquer the Internet in a recent #SoCalCorgiNationals! race held in California! Was there really a Werewolf in Montana? A NY Times article asks if Are Antibiotics in Meat are Killing Our Microbiome?

Merrick Pet Food Recalled for Elevated Thyroid Hormone Levels. Heska Announces New Partnership with M-Bio and is a Possible Merger or Acquisition in its Future? Doberman Bitten by Cobra & then a Viper Survives in India!

Bear mistaken as a dog, the U.K. opens another veterinary school, pet leasing back in the news (and it’s bad), Zoetis buys Abaxis (who wins and loses?), Petco an dJust Food For Dogs, Amazon launches Wag dog food, and tips to avoid Memorial Day drama in veterinary clinics.

Amazon, PetSmart, VIP Pet Care, Thrive, and now Petco Partners with Just Food For Dogs! What does all this mean for veterinary professionals, what impact will it have on veterinary clinics worldwide, and why is all of this happening now? Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward shares his thoughts in the latest edition of Off label Veterinary News!Off label Veterinary News Podcast:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/off-label-veterinary-news/id1337770280?mt=2New Veterinary Viewfinder podcast every Wednesday:Online: http://bit.ly/2HnJ9lfiTunes: http://bit.ly/VetViewGoogle Play for Android: http://bit.ly/GVetViewStitcher: http://bit.ly/StVetViewTuneIn Radio: http://bit.ly/TIVetView

Zomedica Brings Human Hi-tech Diagnostics to veterinary Profession, Pathway vet Alliance Grows and Partners with Petco to provide Retail Clinics with Thrive Veterinary, Millennial Flea and Tick Misperceptions Compared to Boomers in New Study

Amazon launches dog food! What are the implications for the pet and veterinary industry?

Henry Schein Sells Off Veterinary Division to merge with Vets First Choice , Nestle Purina Purchases UK online personalized pet food maker Tails.com, Approximately 2 million North American pets have Pet Insurance in 2017 according to North American Pet Health Insurance State of the Industry Report.

Pet obesity in the U.S. increased in 2017, affecting 60% of cats and 56% of dogs, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). APOP’s tenth annual survey revealed opinions of pet owners and veterinary professionals on several pet food issues such as the benefits of corn, dry versus canned foods, whether or not pet food has improved, and the best sources of pet dietary recommendations.

A new article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) asks if U.S. veterinary technician programs are measuring up to standards and Dr. Ernie Ward discusses the Veterinary Nurse Initiative (VNI); the Michigan State Senate votes to eliminate breed-specific legislation (BSL) statewide; a new study evaluates canine artificial intelligence (A.I.) and may bring us one step closer to realistic robot dogs.

A new publication from India examines the future of Veterinary Nanotechnology; Walmart is interested in buying Humana Insurance & its associated Healthcare, providers, signaling an uptick in the pharmacy:insurance;healthcare provider integration. Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward speculates on future veterinary effects, including the expansion of Amazon. Elanco partners to create the Canine Osteoarthritis Staging Tool (COAST) Arthritis Tool.Nanotechnology article: http://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2018/vol6issue2/PartC/6-1-85-412.pdf

Big Box Veterinary Telemedicine and Expansion into In-Store Veterinary Clinics Continues, Smucker Buys Ainsworth and Rachael Ray Nutrish Pet Foods for $1.7 Billion USD, NIH Asks for Help With Lab Animal Protections 

Social Media Safety for Veterinary Professionals: What Facebook Knows about Veterinary Professionals and Our Clients. Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward reviews the current Facebook/Cambridge Analytica controversy, how veterinarians and veterinary technicians (vet techs) can determine what personal information Facebook is selling advertisers, whether or not you should be Facebook friends with clients and coworkers, concerns about Facebook Secret Groups, the importance of creating website blogs and owning and controlling your online content, and simple steps everyone should take to protect their personal and business social media.

Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward discusses how to evaluate and edit your Facebook privacy settings for ads and applications. What personal information does Facebook collect, how can you select what personal data is shared with others, and what will result from the Cambridge Analytica controversy? Should veterinarians, veterinary clinics, and veterinary technicians continue to post on Facebook? These issues and more are covered in this edition of Off Label Veterinary News?

In veterinary news, Walmart announces it will open 20 VetIQ clinics in 20 U.S. stores over the next 90 days; USA Today reports that veterinarians are now the top female dominated profession in terms of growth from 2000 to 2016; American Pet Products Association (AAPA) releases its 2017 pet spending report, and it far exceeds expectations.

This week in veterinary news, United Airlines almost loses another dog, Mission Rabies publishes study evaluating impact rabies awareness classes have in Malawi, and the USDA withdraws organic animal welfare rule despite overwhelming support from consumer and organic farm groups.

The recent death of a dog traveling on United Airlines has prompted closer scrutiny on pet travel in the United States by veterinary professionals. Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward shares his thoughts on some potential changes that may occur as a result of the recent airline accidents and mishaps and how veterinarians can better help pets when traveling.

Virginia Bill Aims to Prevent Veterinary Prescription Opioid Abuse, Functional Pet Treats Battle Brushing, WeatherTech Launches New Dog and Cat Bowls Promising Safety and Ergonomics

Do Free Cat Adoptions Work? A New Study Evaluates, Dog Eats 21 Pacifiers and Survives! More Pet Facial Recognition Software and Hardware Announced, "Cats" Musical Goes to Dogs...Literally! 

A popular Twitch gamer brags that she once killed a client's dog when working as a "vet tech," Canadian dog owner who had to sign over her dog because she couldn't afford $8,000 emergency surgery after a spay complication gets her dog back, Barbra Streisand opens up about having her dog cloned, New Mexico governor vetoes bipartisan spay-neuter assistance bill, Express Scripts set their sights on pet medications, Salmonella confirmed cause of kitten death prompts raw food recall, and more!

Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward hosts the 2018 New York Pet Fashion Show "Vet Carpet," receives an unexpected award, and shares a unique experience that truly celebrates the love we share for animals (including chickens in chaps and a bearded dragon wearing a homecoming dress). You don't want to miss a single second of this special episode! To watch the entire one-hour broadcast with co-host veterinarian Dr. Yasmin Mortsakis, visit http://facebook.com/NYPetFashionShow Thank you to everyone who participated, and our sponsors DogFlu.com and the New York Pet Fashion Show!FULL VIDEOS of the 2018 New York Pet Fashion Show Vet Carpet here:Part 1 of 2 - https://youtu.be/hXnV6HYvjqsPart 2 of 2 - https://youtu.be/DbsxTxtfapw

Some of the top veterinary topics we’ll be covering in 2018 for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary industry professionals on Off Label Veterinary News.  

A Dutch study evaluates dog parenting styles compared to human parenting and finds some interesting results, Dr. Claire Simeone is chosen as the first veterinarian TED Fellow, and German researchers prove canine inflammatory bowel disease is distinctly different than human or mice IBD when it comes to macrophage populations - and this could have significant implications for future tests and treatments in this latest veterinary news episode.

Adopted Pet Pig Eaten by New Owners in Canada, Blue Buffalo Bought for $8 Billion by General Mills in Another Pet Food Company Acquisition, Puppies Infected with Parvovirus Treated Using Fecal Transplantation Study Published by Brazilian Veterinary Researchers in Journal of Internal Veterinary Medicine, Dog Housebreaking "Smart Vest" Patent Granted in U.S, Veterinary Professionals Need to Clean Up Their Medication Disposal Practices According to New Study Published in JAVMA

Feline Panleukopenia Outbreak spreads in Australia, alarming veterinarians, a Pet Bitcoin is announced named Petcoin, Mars Petcare quietly launches a Facebook Messenger Chatbot in UK, and a Death Star Pet Cave will be the envy of all sci-fi pet fans!

Tramadol Fails in New Veterinary Pain Research from Dr. Steven Budsberg and University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Amazon Wins Pet Food Sales in 2017 and Announces Big Plans for 2018 in Pet Products and Online Services, and Petco Purchases PetInsuranceQuotes.com!

How Did a Euthanasia Drug Get into Pet Foods? Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward reviews the current pentobarbital pet food recall, the history of euthanasia solution present in pet foods, and the most likely source of pentobarbital contamination in dog foods.

Dr. Ernie Ward shares the latest update on the current canine influenza virus (CIV or "dog flu") outbreak spreading in California, Midwest, South, and from Washington DC to New York. Dr. Ward reviews the current science of H3N2 and H3N8 viruses, clinical signs of infected dogs, disinfectant protocols, and preventive measures in the Facebook Live recording from January 30, 2018.For the complete recording, visit http://facebook.com/DrErnieWard and for information and resources, go to http://www.dogflu.com

his episode features an incredibly crazy (and stupid and dangerous) story from Sandy, Oregon about a man who allows his cat to ride on the hood of his car -- and why authorities can't stop him! We also look at an amazing case of a bear burned in the recent California wildfires healed by using fish skin bandages from University of California, Davis Veterinary school, and VIP Petcare releases its 2017 survey on pet care expenditures and attitudes in the U.S.

Grumpy Cat Gets Paid in Huge Lawsuit Settlement, Pet food store sales vs online and internet sales in 2017, Dog Flu Spreads across Northern and Central California and Veterinarians and Dog Owners are worried, What exactly is a "Real Egg?" The FDA doesn't have an answer to Panera Bread's simple question -- and that's a problem for anyone who eats eggs.

Dog Flu (Canine Influenza Virus - CIV) cases on the rise, Petco Expands its in-store veterinary clinics, Mars Petcare Buys Finland-based Gene Testing company Genoscoper, Pet Food Recall Leads to Human Food Recall

What Physicians Don't Understand about Obesity, Canine Cancer Liquid Biopsy, Intestinal Organoids

Some of the top veterinary topics we’ll be covering in 2018 for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary industry professionals.

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop, Barriers to Rabies Vaccination in Malawi, Do Dogs or other pets help reduce Weight Bias in people with obesity or overweight?

Will Robot Pets Replace Real Dogs and Cats? Will advances in artificial intelligence and robotics lead to a decrease in pet ownership? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of AI or robotic pets? I went to the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas to find out.

“Why don't we just treat an animal for free?” is a question many pet owners have for veterinarians, especially in cases where the pet owner can’t afford treatment.

I'm veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward, and I'd like to talk to you about an important topic today.A few years ago, I became very concerned about animals being left in hot cars. And so, I made a video to raise awareness. I'm happy to report that the topic of leaving animals or children in hot cars during summer months has become an important one in our society.

Cold Weather Pet Deaths, Dog Pooping Punishment in Wales, VIP Petcare Expands and Services