Weekly companion animal news: February 15, 2021

AVMA spreads the word on the value of pet dental health

This month is National Pet Dental Health Month, sponsored by the AVMA. “Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for our pets,” said AVMA President Dr. Douglas Kratt. “In addition to causing receding gums, tooth loss and often significant pain, bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting the heart, liver and kidneys, which can be life threatening.” According to the American Veterinary Dental College, most dogs and cats have some evidence of periodontal disease by the age of three, often indicated by bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face and mouth, and depression. Daily tooth brushing is advised for dogs and cats, but data has shown that only 2% of dog owners follow that guidance.

NAVC launches VMX Rewind for CE credit

NAVC has launched VMX Rewind, a virtual offering of the most popular sessions featured at VMX, providing veterinary professionals the opportunity to meet their ongoing continuing education requirements. Through February, VMX Rewind will launch a new session each weekend, providing a total of 10 CE credit hours. The sessions are available on demand for 30 days, beginning February 6. Select sessions will feature a live and interactive Q&A component with presenters to meet interactive CE requirements. VMX Rewind is offered free for all VMX 2021 registered attendees and is available for purchase too.

AVMA and VetSuccess partner to offer industry economic data

The AVMA will now offer VetSuccess’ Veterinary Industry Tracker, featuring industry economic data, on the AVMA website. The association will also begin publishing a new monthly newsletter, “AVMA Practice Pulse,” with benchmarks and metrics made available to the AVMA by VetSuccess. According to the AVMA, the newsletter will provide a digest of key practice data and expert insight to help veterinary professionals strengthen their business strategy and position their practices for greater success.

Petco pays employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19

Petco employees who get vaccinated against COVID-19 will receive a $75 payment. For each employee who gets vaccinated, Petco will also contribute $25 to the Petco Partner Assistance Fund, which provides assistance to employees experiencing financial hardship. Employees who have already been vaccinated will be eligible for the payment and donation, and the company says it will continue to support scheduling flexibility to accommodate vaccination appointments. Officials are also considering vaccine clinic offerings to further support vaccination efforts.

Chemotherapy-free canine osteosarcoma treatment sees early success

After a decade working on a new immunotherapy treatment for osteosarcoma in dogs, a team of researchers is seeing the first sign of success. The research team, which includes scientists at the University of Missouri and Elias Animal Health, developed an alternative to chemotherapy. The treatment prompts the immune system to recognize and kill the cancer cells. The first clinical trial has just been completed, and the 10 dogs involved had successful treatment rounds. Five of the 10 survived for more than two years. The average survival rate from the study was 415 days, the Missourian reports.

Nassau County could get ‘dangerous dog registry’

A Nassau County, New York, legislator has proposed a county-wide law that would establish a public database of court-determined dangerous dogs, CBS New York reports. While the “dangerous dog” legal designation includes rules about how the dog can be let out, that information isn’t shared publicly. The registry wouldn’t list owners’ names, but they’d be required to mail notifications to all homes within a 1,000-foot radius.

Seoul launches COVID tests for pets

Pet cats and dogs with a fever, cough or breathing difficulties will be offered coronavirus tests if they have been exposed to carriers, the Seoul metropolitan government announced. The program in the South Korean capital comes weeks after the country reported its first case of COVID-19 infection in an animal, involving a kitten. Tests will be limited to pets that show symptoms after coming into contact with humans who have tested positive. The test will be conducted near the animal’s home by a team of health workers including a veterinarian, a city official said. Animals that test positive will be required to be kept isolated at home for 14 days, but where owners have the virus, their pets will be sent to separate kennels or catteries. Agence France-Presse reports.

Hill’s aims to settle vitamin D case for $12.5 million

Hill’s Pet Nutrition has agreed to pay $12.5 million to settle a consolidated class action lawsuit brought by owners of animals affected by canned dog foods recalled in 2018 and 2019 for containing toxic amounts of vitamin D. The preliminary settlement, approved February 2, is set for a final approval and fairness hearing on July 27, the VIN News Service reports. Lawyers on both sides of the case say $12.5 million (minus legal and administrative expenses, fees and taxes) should be enough to fully reimburse hundreds of claimants for their out-of-pocket expenses, whether for veterinary care or reimbursement for the food.