Notebook: February 2021
News briefs from across the industry and beyond. This month’s articles include: Hernia surgery on parakeet, veterinary superhero league, veterinary college scientist named Beau Biden Scholar, cat genome updated, Banfield creates coalition to diversify veterinary medicine, osteosarcoma clinical trials, Vetster telehealth service, Sioux Center veterinarian awarded, dogs show less fear at veterinarian when owner present, $10 million financing helps marry canine and human cancer techniques, burnout in the veterinary profession, Corrie Brown recognized.
Parakeet Undergoes Hernia Surgery
A pet parakeet weighing only 37 grams was recently referred to the exotic animal services at the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center by her veterinarian following unsuccessful pharmaceutical treatment for a mass under the bird’s tail.
After closer examination, it was determined surgery would be necessary to remove the mass, which turned out to be caused by an unusual body wall hernia. The hernia was successfully surgically treated by Neta Ambar, former K-State zoological medicine intern, and David Eshar, DVM, DABVP, DECZM, associate professor of exotic and zoological medicine.
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“Apart from the challenges of performing a delicate surgery on such a small bird, it was realized that the oviduct was the organ involved in that hernia, and she also needed to be spayed at the same time,” Eshar said. “So far, the bird is doing well at home.”
Veterinary student Daria Hagan and Eshar wrote a report about the case, which was recently published in the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. The case is believed to be the first to describe surgery on this kind of herniation.
College Forms Veterinary
Superhero League
“Every child should be able to see themselves” among veterinarians, said Sandra San Miguel, DVM, PhD, founder and leader of the League of VetaHumanz from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. The League of VetaHumanz program defines a VetaHuman as “a human being with superpowers who protects animal and public health; synonym: veterinarian.”
The program will focus on expanding role models to reach children who may not have veterinarians in their lives by creating a global and inclusive Veterinary Superhero League. VetaHumanz in academia, practice, research, government, and industry engage K–12 students by creating and delivering resources focused on science, technology, engineering, and math.
VetaHumanz builds on the This Is How We Role program, which started 11 years ago. Some of the resources include the SuperPower Packs—which are in development and will contain a game focused on veterinary medicine—collectible cards of role models, a cape, and a shield.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you . . . never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
—Harriet Beecher Stowe, American abolitionist and author
Irene Sumbele, PhD
Veterinary College Scientist Named Beau Biden Scholar
Irene Sumbele, PhD, a medical parasitologist from Cameroon and visiting scientist at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named the 2020 Beau Biden Scholar by the Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF). The award is given to an IIE-SRF fellow who embodies the legacy of the late Beau Biden, former attorney general of the state of Delaware, in pursuing justice and safeguarding vulnerable populations. Sumbele is the third IIE-SRF Beau Biden Scholar, and the first woman recipient.
“Participating in the Scholar Rescue Fund and working with scholars like Irene is core to Cornell’s mission of teaching and research excellence,” said Provost Michael Kotlikoff. “We are proud to work with SRF and IIE to support researchers whose vital work is threatened by conditions around them, and whose work has made such a difference in improving people’s lives.”
New Cat Genome Assembly Uncovers Mutation Links
The first whole genome sequence for cats was published in 2007, with DNA from an Abyssinian cat named Cinnamon. Now, a new cat genome, developed by researchers at the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri and Texas A&M University and funded in part by Purina, may help improve feline health by uncovering new links between DNA mutations and feline disease. The research was recently published in the journal PLOS Genetics.
In the study, researchers used the new genome as a reference guide to identify variations in DNA sequences from 54 cats that might explain the underlying cause of some diseases in domestic cats. Among the novel variants, they discovered one mutation that linked feline dwarfism with a gene (UGDH) never before associated with dwarfism in any species.
Researchers stated that they hope the new genome will be a resource that helps extend the use of precision medicine in feline veterinary care.
Banfield Creates Diversify
Medicine Coalition
During its virtual Pet Healthcare Industry Summit, Banfield Pet Hospital announced the creation of the Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition and the launch of a $125,000 gift to Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine for the Banfield and Royal Canin Student Support Fund.
The coalition will focus on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion among veterinary professionals. The scholarship will support Tuskegee veterinary students who have financial need. Tuskegee is a historically Black university and, according to the veterinary college, has educated more than 70% of the nation’s African American veterinarians.
Members of the coalition include Boehringer Ingelheim, Mars Veterinary Health, Royal Canin, Antech Diagnostics, the National Association for Black Veterinarians, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), and the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association. The coalition will complement the work of the commission being established by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the AAVMC, the Veterinary Medical Association Executives, and others that will aim to drive equity, diversity, and inclusion across the profession.
Banfield is also pledging to make a $1 million investment in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to increase representation, training, and support to improve the diversity pipeline.
“We are the least diverse of the healthcare professions,” said Molly McAllister, DVM, MPH, chief medical officer at Banfield. “There is no way to sugarcoat this. We are at a tipping point.”
Individualized Care Central to Trial Canine Osteosarcoma Treatment Method
Ten investigation sites across the United States are now testing a new therapy, created by ELIAS Animal Health, for dogs afflicted with osteosarcoma. Designed as an alternative to chemotherapy, the patented treatment, dubbed ELIAS cancer immunotherapy (ECI), involves the postsurgical administration of an individualized vaccine created using a patient’s own cancer-specific “killer” T cells. The trial’s objective, ELIAS says, is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ECI compared with the current standard of care, carboplatin chemotherapy.
“As we continue expanding the trial, we are excited to evaluate our personalized approach to treating canine osteosarcoma in a larger population of dogs,” says ELIAS Animal Health’s CEO, Tammie Wahaus. The geographical areas now served by the investigation sites span from Southern California through the desert Southwest, the Carolinas, and the Mid-Atlantic region.
Visit ELIAS Animal Health for more information.
Online Service Matches Pet Owners
with Veterinarians
More than 1,800 veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the United States and Canada have signed on to participate in a new telehealth platform from Vetster. The Toronto-based company’s service allows pet owners to schedule an online consultation with a nearby veterinary professional, including 24/7 video, chat, and voice-enabled appointments.
“The platform’s filters allow consumers to sort through vets and technicians that are in their area with availability that fits their needs and budget, including 24/7 appointment access,” Vetster reported.
The cost of an appointment made in the United States starts at $40 for access to a veterinary technician and $50 to a veterinarian, according to the Vetster website. The company’s cofounders are entrepreneurs Mark Bordo and Regan Johnson. The medical director is former Ontario practice owner Sarah Machell, DVM.
Sioux Center Veterinarian Awarded
Fred Sick, DVM, of Sioux Center, Iowa, was recently awarded the 2020 Outstanding Service Award from the Veterinary Medical Alumni Association at Iowa State University (ISU) for his work to help young vets get their start in the profession. The award is given each year “to an individual who has provided exceptional service while supporting the best interests of the alumni of the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine and the members of the Veterinary Medical Alumni Association.”
According to the association, Sick has been instrumental in initiating and supporting the White Coat Ceremony at the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine, is a past president of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and the Northwest Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and advises preveterinary students through a club at Dordt University in Sioux Center and Northwestern College in Orange City. His nominator wrote, “Dr. Sick has perhaps advised more prevets who have been accepted to the ISU veterinary college than any other veterinarian.”
Dogs Show Less Fear at Vet Exams When Owner Present
In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, researchers evaluated the influence of owner presence on behavioral and physiologic indicators of fear in dogs during routine physical examinations.
For the study, dogs underwent a six-phase examination consisting of examination of the head, lymph node palpation, body palpation, axillary temperature measurement, heart rate assessment, and respiratory rate assessment with or without their owner present. Behaviors reported to be indicative of fear, including reduced posture, avoidance, escape, lip licking, body shaking, yawning, and vocalizing, were assessed during each phase.
Dogs in the owner-present group had a lower rate of vocalizations, lower mean axillary temperature, and higher rate of yawning than dogs in the owner-absent group. Female dogs in the owner-absent group had a higher heart rate than females and males in the owner-present group and males in the owner-absent group, and the rate of lip licking decreased as age increased in the owner-present group. The presence of reduced body posture and rates of lip licking, avoidance behavior, and escape behavior were associated with examination phase.
Researchers said that the results suggested that, when practical, owners should be encouraged to remain with their dog during routine veterinary examinations. They noted that the effects of owner presence during procedures require further investigation.
$10 Million Financing Secured to Finance Cancer Research
California-based One Health Company has secured $10 million in new financing to help accelerate the expansion of its flagship product, FidoCure. According to the company, the next-generation sequencing technology aims to “bridge the gap” between canine and human cancer therapeutics by making precision medicine accessible for dogs.
The additional series-A funding, contributed by Polaris Partners and Borealis Ventures, will help the company expand its research to better understand human cancers and how therapies used can be applied to canine medicine, One Health Company says. Approximately 1 in 4 of the 90 million dogs living in American households will develop cancer at some point in their lives, according to the company.
“Cancer care for dogs has not changed much in the last 30 years, but human cancer care has tremendously advanced, especially in the field of precision medicine,” says One Health Company’s cofounder and CEO, Christina Lopes. “Using the same advanced cancer diagnostics and precision medicine currently on the market and approved by FDA for people, we are bringing cancer care for dogs. And, when we open access to precision cancer treatments for our furry friends, we build data that helps advance human oncology research and treatment.”
Veterinary Profession Burnout
Ivan “Zak” Zakharenkov, DVM, MBA, is a veterinarian and cofounder of Veterinary Integration Solutions. He surveyed 1,457 veterinary professionals to create his dissertation, “Burnout 2020 Survey Report.” Key findings he reports are that the burnout level in the veterinary profession remains high and presents a serious problem. Zakharenkov says, “While most vet professionals find their work meaningful and their job satisfaction is generally high, the degree of burnout due to work demands is increasing.”
Other findings include the information that younger professionals, those under the age of 30, are more vulnerable to burnout; that veterinary technicians are more burnt out than employees in other roles; and that implementation of lean thinking can help address the problem of burnout, especially in consolidated practices. For more information, visit vetintegrations.com.
College of Veterinary Medicine Professor
Recognized by American College of
Veterinary Pathologists
Corrie Brown, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor and University Professor of pathology at the University of Georgia, was recognized as a Distinguished Member by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists at its 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting.
According to the university, Brown is a well-loved member of the faculty and has guided numerous students and visiting scientists through her research program. She is the author or coauthor of 170 publications, 6 books, and 23 book chapters, and she is active in international outreach projects across the globe.
Corrie Brown, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Photo credits: Photos courtesy of David Eshar, DVM, DABVP, DECZM, VasjaKoman/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images, photo courtesy of Cornell University, anobis/iStock via Getty Images Plus, Prostock-Studio/iStock via Getty Images Plus, dotana/iStock via Getty Images Plus, vadimguzhva/iStock via Getty Images Plus, photo courtesey of Andrew Davis Tucker/University of Georgia Marketing and Communications, Ivan-balvan/iStock via Getty Images Plus
