Weekly companion animal news: August 17, 2020

Cats born without eyelids get lids made from lip skin

Ophthalmologists at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine used the lip skin of two cats to form eyelids for the animals, who were born without lids. The cats were homeless and living at an animal shelter in Louisiana. While they were otherwise healthy and young, they were considered unadoptable due to the condition. They had chronic eye ulcers, infections and pain due to bilateral eyelid agenesis. Since the procedure, the cats are pain-free and no longer at risk of losing their sight, researchers say. They can blink normally and no longer have eye issues. They’ve also been adopted.

Dechra Veterinary Products announces new dermatology product

Dechra Veterinary Products announced the launch of Redonyl Ultra Feline, now available for immediate shipment. Redonyl Ultra Feline is a nutraceutical meant to support healthy skin function in cats with seasonal allergies. Dechra already offers a version of the product for dogs. Redonyl Ultra contains palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). The new product is available in powder form in a 3.5-ounce tub. The hypoallergenic formulation is flavorless and odorless. It will carry the Quality Seal from the National Animal Supplement Council.

Big dogs face more joint problems if neutered early: study

Heavier mixed-breed dogs have higher health risks if neutered or spayed early, according to new research from the University of California Davis. The study found mixed-breed dogs weighing more than 44 pounds as adults are at higher risk for one or more joint disorders if neutered before one year of age. Dogs weighing up to 43 pounds had no increased risk for joint problems. It’s standard practice in the United States and much of Europe to neuter dogs by six months of age. This study, which analyzed 15 years of data from thousands of dogs at the university’s teaching hospital, suggests dog owners should consider their options carefully, UC Davis reports.

WVC conference rescheduled

After receiving survey results, Viticus Group has decided to reschedule the next WVC Annual Conference from February to September 2021. This is meant to allow attendees and organizers to plan and adjust to post-pandemic circumstances, including vaccine distribution and travel safety. Viticus Group is also adding a virtual component to the 2021 conference, making it their first hybrid event. More details will be available in future months.

Unionized veterinary hospital makes history

Staff members at Columbia River Veterinary Specialists have ratified what is being called the first union contract at a private U.S. veterinary hospital, fellow NAVC publication Today’s Veterinary Business reports. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union reported that veterinary nurses, customer service representatives, housekeepers and veterinary assistants voted 53–1 to approve the three and a half year labor agreement. The contract, which had been in negotiations for more than a year, covers nearly 100 employees at the Vancouver, Washington, hospital. More information on the stipulations in the contract, which is retroactive to January 1, is included in the story in Today’s Veterinary Business.

Veterinarian discusses future of diversity in profession

JAVMA News spoke with Evan Morse, a Cleveland veterinary clinic owner and a former organizer of the annual AVMA Diversity Symposium. Morse discussed his experience as a Black veterinarian in the profession. “The veterinary profession is like a big ocean liner at a pivot point—about to turn, redirect, and reorient,” Morse said. He found in research that few minority students knew much about veterinary medicine as a profession. “We must do a better job of involving young minority students in our work so that it is on their radar when they decide on a profession,” he said.

North Carolina dog that died after ‘acute’ illness tests positive for coronavirus

A North Carolina dog that died after suffering an “acute illness” earlier this month has tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said. The death could mark a rare, potentially fatal case of COVID-19 in a pet, but it’s still unclear if there were other underlying conditions that contributed, NBC reports. Most dogs that have contracted the disease are asymptomatic or show only slight signs of infection, said AVMA spokesperson Michael San Filippo. While that seems to indicate the virus isn’t a major problem for dogs, “we have more to learn, like how it might combine with other conditions to cause more serious problems,” San Filippo said.

Merck announces Student Innovation Competition winners

A self-disinfecting, retractable non-slip mat for veterinary exam tables won the grand prize in this year’s The Idea Student Innovation Competition, presented by Merck. The mat, called AutoMat, was developed by students at the University of Georgia and the University of California Davis, who took home a $10,000 grand prize. Merck Animal Health partnered with the Veterinary Entrepreneurship Academy and VetPrep for the competition.