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March 2023
Notebook: March 2023
News briefs from across the industry and beyond. This month’s articles include: Dog’s Behavior is a Product of Their Genes; Six New Studies Will Focus on Health Issues in Cats; PrideVMC Announces Leadership Award Winners; and more!
Dog’s Behavior is a Product of Their Genes
By analyzing DNA samples from over 200 dog breeds along with nearly 50,000 pet-owner surveys, researchers at the National Institutes of Health have pinpointed many of the genes associated with the behaviors of specific dog breeds. Their work appears in the journal Cell.
“The largest, most successful genetic experiment that humans have ever done is the creation of 350 dog breeds,” said senior author Elaine Ostrander, founder of the Dog Genome Project at the National Human Genome Research Institute. “We needed dogs to herd, we needed them to guard, we needed them to help us hunt, and our survival was intimately dependent on that.”
“Identification of the genes behind dog behavior has historically been challenging,” said first author Emily Dutrow, postdoctoral fellow at the National Human Genome Research Institute. “The inherent complexity of canine population dynamics features varying degrees of selective pressure for aesthetic and morphological traits, some of which may be linked to behavioral traits, so pinpointing the genetics of canine behavior can be complicated.”
Photo credit: peterschreiber.media, GlobalP/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Six New Studies Will Focus on Health Issues in Cats
Morris Animal Foundation has announced grants for veterinary researchers at Colorado State University (CSU), University of Wisconsin–Madison, and others. The projects, which are slated to begin in 2023, will focus specifically on feline health issues. “Cats are an important part of so many people’s lives,” said the foundation’s vice president of scientific operations, Kathy Tietje, PhD, MBA. “Investment in research advancing their health and well-being continues to be a priority for the foundation. We’re proud to contribute to the science of feline health everywhere by providing financial support for these innovative studies.”
Recipients are
- Anne Avery, VMD, PhD, of CSU, who will investigate the origin and pathogenesis of feline intestinal lymphoma.
Susannah Sample, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVS, of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, who will investigate the genetic foundation of tooth resorption in cats. - Maciej Parys, PhD, of the UK’s University of Edinburgh, who will look at genome-wide CRISPR knockout screening to identify novel therapeutic targets of feline oral squamous cell carcinoma.
- Gillian McLellan, BVMS, PhD, DACVO, DECVO, DVOphthal, MRCVS, FARVO, of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, who will investigate delineating age-related neuropathology and correlations with behavioral abnormalities in feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
- Terza Brostoff, DVM, PhD, of the University of California, Davis, who will explore foundational steps toward a novel feline infectious peritonitis mRNA vaccine.
- Shirley Chu, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, of the University of Missouri, who will begin phase one (of two) of a clinical trial evaluating tolerability, efficacy, and immune modulation with spatially fractionated lattice stereotactic radiation therapy in feline oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Photo credit: cunfek/iStock via Getty Images Plus
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know that, so it goes on flying anyway.”
—Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics
PrideVMC Announces Leadership Award Winners
Left: Pride VMC award winner Dane Whitaker.
Right: Pride VMC award winner Ewan Wolff
PrideVMC announced two 2022 annual leadership award recipients: Dane Whitaker, DVM, MPVM, and Ewan Wolff, PhD, DVM, DACVIM.
PrideVMC says this award recognizes individuals who actively support PrideVMC’s mission to create a better world for the LGBTQ+ veterinary community and vision of an empowered LGBTQ+ veterinary community that is embraced by society as their authentic selves. PrideVMC President Abby McElroy, DVM, MS, shared, “We received many nominations for talented and inspiring individuals that are working steadfast in support of LGBTQ+ people and their rights. While all the nominees are deserving of accolades, the ultimate decision was clear. In gratitude for the energy, time, and work they have invested in bringing PrideVMC’s mission to life, both Dr. Dane Whitaker and Dr. Ewan Wolff are extremely deserving of this leadership award.”
Photos courtesy of PrideVMC
American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Announces 2023 Award Winners
The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) recently announced 2023 award winners, representing significant professional achievement in veterinary medicine through research, diversity, leadership, and teaching.
The award winners are
- John Pascoe—University of California, Davis
Billy E. Hooper Award for Distinguished Service - Elizabeth Alvarez—University of Wisconsin–Madison
Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award, presented by Zoetis - Pamela Lein—University of California, Davis
Excellence in Research Award - Rustin Moore—Ohio State University
Iverson Bell Award
Photo credit: aavmc.org
Webinar Outlines FDA Final Guidance #256
In April 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released Guidance for Industry #256 (GFI #256), Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug Substances, which explained the parameters within which veterinarians may use compounded drugs that are prepared from bulk drug substances.
The FDA plans to begin enforcing through routine inspections in April 2023. In preparation for this, the AVMA is offering a webinar that provides an overview of this guidance. In Compounding: Understanding FDA Final Guidance #256, FDA veterinarian Amber McCoig, DVM, MPH, examines the policies included in the guidance and what they mean for veterinarians and our teams. The AVMA reports that the course is available to all veterinary team members free of charge and offers 0.5 hours of continuing education (CE) credit. A link to the webinar is available on the AVMA website.
Photo credit: fda.gov
FDA Approves Oral Treatment for Cats with Diabetes
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the agency has approved the first oral animal drug to improve glycemic control in otherwise healthy cats with diabetes mellitus not previously treated with insulin. Bexacat is an inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2, the first SGLT2 inhibitor approved by the FDA for any nonhuman animal species. Bexagliflozin, the active ingredient in Bexacat, prevents a cat’s kidneys from reabsorbing glucose into the blood, causing excess glucose to be passed out in the urine and resulting in lowered blood glucose.
Photo credit: Iva Vagnerova/iStock via Getty Images Plus
IAVRPT Veterinary Rehabilitation Professional of the Year Announced
Amie Hesbach, PT, DPT, MS,
CCRP, CCRT, NCPT
Boston-based Amie Lamoreaux Hesbach, physical therapist and certified canine rehabilitation therapist and practitioner, was named the 2022 International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy (IAVRPT) veterinary rehabilitation professional of the year.
Hesbach owns EmpowerPhysio and has provided workshops and lectures in Belgium, Finland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, and the United Kingdom, focusing on the application of practical manual therapy and therapeutic exercise techniques to small animals. She is a member of IAVRPT and the former president of the Animal Rehabilitation Special Interest Group of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Photo credit: IAVRPT
North American Veterinary Consolidators Market Analysis Released
Animal healthcare services management consulting firm Veterinary Integration Solutions recently published an updated report on the state of corporate consolidation in North America.
The analysis collected open data on 49 corporate groups buying or building veterinary hospitals. It provides a breakdown by their source of financing, number of locations and geographical area of operations, practice acquisition eligibility criteria and type of partnership agreement, and other information.
Based on the open-access data, at least 661 veterinary hospitals were consolidated during 2022, including acquisitions of corporately owned practices by other consolidators. Access the free list at https://links.vetintegrations.com/vetgroups.
Understanding Obesity and Weight Loss in Dogs and Cats
The Morris Animal Foundation reports that recent statistics classify most pets in the United States—about 56% of dogs and 60% of cats—as overweight or obese. They state that a variety of factors play a role in the development and maintenance of obese or overweight body condition in dogs. These include genetics, as a tendency toward obesity might be inherited. Studies suggest that Labrador retrievers have the highest obesity prevalence. Recent research conducted in the United Kingdom found that a genetic mutation was associated with overweight or obese Labrador retrievers as well as flat-coated retrievers. They stated that, interestingly, the mutation was more common in dogs from service dog lineages. Additional studies from the Netherlands showed a strong breed predisposition in both dogs and cats toward being overweight. Researchers proposed that not only genetics but breed standards (ideal characteristics and appearance of a breed) could explain why certain breeds tend to be overweight.
They relate that several studies have linked increased body weight to changes in the gut microbiome, saying that veterinary researchers have documented a difference between the microbiome composition of obese and overweight dogs and their leaner counterparts. Studies on the cat microbiome also indicate differences between the microbiomes of obese and lean individuals. The question remains as to whether the gut bacteria change occurs before or after a dog or cat gains weight.
Morris reports that researchers found that increasing owner age, decreased weekly exercise hours, and lower owner income levels were all associated with a higher risk for companion animal obesity. The researchers concluded that in their study, owner-related factors were more important in the development of obesity than dog-related factors such as breed, age, or reproductive status.
The report cites a recent review on how to effectively talk to owners about weight loss, which noted that veterinarians feel that they will “offend, upset, anger, or even lose a client” if they bring up the subject of a companion animal’s weight. If the owner or the veterinarian is overweight, the situation is even more strained. The review suggested enlisting the entire veterinary team to deliver consistent and clear messaging regarding weight loss.
Photo credit: Lightspruch/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Veterinarians Remove 38 Hair Ties from Cat’s Stomach
Veterinarians at the Charleston Animal Society in South Carolina removed 38 hair ties from the stomach of a cat named Juliet.
The Charleston Animal Society in South Carolina reported that a cat named Juliet was brought in by a member of the public who said the feline had been left outside a home when the former residents moved out of state. After caregivers noticed the cat was becoming lethargic and not eating, a radiograph revealed she had an unusual blockage in her stomach. Leigh Jamison, associate director of veterinary care for the Charleston Animal Society, said the surgical team was stunned to discover the blockage was 38 hair ties swallowed by the cat. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Jamison said in a news release. Jamison said Juliet is now recovering, but the blockage led to a liver condition that is now being treated. “We have to make sure that as we feed her, we keep her electrolytes in balance,” Jamison said.
Photo credit: Charleston Animal Society
Clinical Trial Places Cat’s FIP in Remission
Krystle Reagan, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, examines Lily at UC Davis.
Lily, a nine-month-old female Bengal cat, is now in remission from feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) after clinical trials at the University of California (UC), Davis veterinary hospital. Currently enrolling cats, these new clinical trials are focused on improving treatments for FIP. UC Davis reports that Lily’s remission shows the great promise these new therapies hold for cats with FIP. All clinical signs related to her previously diagnosed FIP have resolved.
Previous research conducted by UC Davis professor emeritus Niels Pedersen, DVM, PhD, uncovered several promising treatments for this disease, including an antiviral drug, GS-441524, that was found to be safe and efficacious in treating cats with naturally occurring FIP. However, the drug is not readily available in the United States. The current trials expand on Pedersen’s research to further improve FIP treatment. The trial Lily participated in investigates the safety and efficacy of remdesivir, which is similar to GS-441524. This study is enrolling two treatment groups: one will receive oral GS-441524 and the other will receive oral remdesivir for comparison.
Photo credit: UC Davis Veterinary Hospital