Weekly companion animal news: July 6, 2020

More conferences move to online format

More conferences are moving online this year amid pandemic concerns. In the latest announcements, the International Association of Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, as well as Petfood Forum 2020 will hold virtual conferences, Today’s Veterinary Business (also published by NAVC) reports. The hospice association meeting was set for October in Tampa but will take place online October 1 through 4. Registration opened July 1. Petfood Forum had been postponed from April to August, but now will be held online in September.

The pets left behind by COVID-19

Across New York City, animal specialists in full-body personal protective gear are entering homes to feed pets whose owners are hospitalized with the coronavirus, or to take custody of pets belonging to patients who have died, The New York Times reports. Pet owners who have died of the virus have left behind dogs, guinea pigs and cats, at least one of which starved to death before anyone had checked on the owner’s apartment, according to Animal Care Centers of NYC. The city in April introduced a hotline for people who were struggling to care for their pets because of the virus.

Researchers develop patient-specific canine osteosarcoma vaccines

University of Missouri researchers are working with Elias Animal Health to create patient-specific treatments for canine osteosarcoma, Veterinary Practice News reports. The researchers are using dogs’ own tumors to create vaccines. According to the university, the vaccine is injected into a patient to stimulate antitumor lymphocytes, which are collected and expanded outside the body to create a transfusion of the patient’s immune cells. “Essentially, the lymphocytes are exposed to chemicals that make them very angry and ready to attack the targeted cells,” said Jeffrey Bryan, a university oncology faculty member. “Then, we transfuse them back into the patient’s blood like we would a blood transfusion.”

More employers offer pet health insurance with employee benefits

More and more companies are offering pet health insurance as part of their employee benefits packages, IndeOnline reports. For example, more than 200 companies in Ohio offer Nationwide insurance, and the number of organizations offering Nationwide nearly doubled in the past six years, according to a company spokesperson. “According to a study done by Nationwide in conjunction with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), 90% of employees in pet friendly workplaces feel highly connected to their company’s mission; fully engaged with their work; and willing to recommend their employer to others,” the spokesperson said. As an optional benefit, some plans involve no employer contributions, so the pet owner pays for the plan.

The Bridge Club appoints Dr. Cheryl Good as chief veterinary officer

The Bridge Club, a video-based community created to connect veterinary professionals, announced the appointment of Cheryl Good as the company’s chief veterinary officer. As of this month, Good, a veterinarian, oversees all virtual interactions on both The Bridge Club and The Bridge Club Pets to ensure adherence to medical guidelines established by the AVMA and other governing bodies. “Accurate information is absolutely key as our world keeps changing daily,” said Catherine Haskins, founder of The Bridge Club. “It is essential for the profession and absolutely critical for pet owners as they care for their pets. Dr. Good’s insights and experience will ensure The Bridge Club and The Bridge Club Pets focus on providing accurate educational content and adhere to current veterinary medical guidelines.”

New Florida law includes pets in restraining orders

A new Florida law includes pets in domestic violence protective orders, the Pensacola News Journal reports. Florida residents fleeing households with domestic violence can now request restraining orders that protect both themselves and their animals from their abusers, since judges can now grant temporary-exclusive possession of a pet to the petitioner of a protective order. According to the ASPCA, 89% of female pet owners entering domestic violence shelters report that their abuser threatened, harmed or killed a family pet.

Vet students report increased depression, canceled study opportunities during pandemic: survey

Fifty percent of participating veterinary students in a new survey said they’ve experienced increased depression during the pandemic, while 68% reported isolation and 75% reported more anxiety. The nonprofit VIN Foundation released the results from the COVID-19 “Veterinary Student Impact Survey,” conducted with the Veterinary Business Management Association and the Veterinary Information Network. More than 1,000 students from the classes of 2020 and 2021 at U.S. and Caribbean veterinary schools responded. In this year’s graduating class, 88% said they’ve signed or verbally agreed to employment. In next year’s graduating class, 64% said externship experiences were postponed or canceled.

Summer program welcomes vet students to study climate change, health equity and COVID-19

Twelve veterinary students this summer will participate in a “One Health” program to study three important topics: climate change, inclusive health and COVID-19. The program is a partnership between Colorado State University and the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, with sponsorship from PetSmart Charities and the Veterinary Summer Scholars Program, according to Colorado State. The climate change team will evaluate the effects of climate change and related events on animal populations. The inclusive health team will participate in a collaborative supporting health care for people experiencing homelessness with their pets. And the COVID-19 team will investigate how the pandemic has affected veterinary medical education.