Clemson University in South Carolina broke ground on its’ future veterinary school on Friday, while also announcing its’ new name. The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine is poised to be the only school in the state that will award Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees, according to the university.

 by Clemson University’s Board of Trustees approval in June 2023.

Friday’s groundbreaking was held on the site of the new complex, which is located across the street from Clemson University’s Equine Center in Pendleton and is adjacent to the Clemson Experimental Forest. The complex is comprised of 6 buildings, which are designed to provide students with spaces for collaboration, hands-on learning and personal growth, according to the university.

“What an amazing time for this University and our state,” said Marks of the ground breaking. “Our goal is to create day-one-prepared veterinarians to serve communities around South Carolina. Animal and human health are directly connected, and we are so proud to be a part of creating the next generation of veterinarians,” he added.


The new doctorate program was named in honor of Harvey S. Peeler Jr., a 1970 Clemson University graduate, who has served as a senator in the South Carolina General Assembly since 1980. “Senator Peeler has passionately supported the development of a college of veterinary medicine for more than 20 years, and his efforts throughout the process have been instrumental in developing this new college at Clemson,” Kim Wilkerson, the board’s chair, said in a news release.

Peeler is chairman of the state’s Senate Finance Committee as well as a cattle farmer in Gaffney, South Carolina. According to the university, he has experienced firsthand the need for large and small animal veterinarians in the state. In a public statement, the senator noted the day’s ground breaking was a dream that has been a long time in the making. “This is not just about education—it is about taking care of our animals, supporting our farmers, growing our economy and filling the need for veterinarians in South Carolina,” said Peeler.

In addition to Peeler and Marks, speakers at the ground breaking ceremony included Clemson University President Jim Clements.

 “The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine will be an incredible asset not only for Clemson University but for the entire state of South Carolina, our region and beyond,” Clements said. “Today’s historic groundbreaking is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the South Carolina General Assembly, the Clemson University Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and champions like Senator Harvey Peeler. Together, we are further elevating our land-grant mission and continuing to meet the needs of our communities through education, research and service.”



The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine aims to prepare highly skilled and caring veterinarians to address a critical shortage in the state. It is designed to help address the shortage of veterinarians in the state. According to a university news release, a third of South Carolina counties have fewer than 5 veterinarians, and 48% of the state’s counties have fewer than 10 veterinarians. Although qualified candidates are applying to veterinary colleges, 500 to 1000 candidates are not admitted because of a capacity shortage at existing colleges.



The Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine is undergoing the process of earning accreditation in anticipation of welcoming its first class in the fall of 2026. The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and curriculum have been approved by the Board of Trustees, while the hiring of faculty and staff continues.

Clemson University joins other institutions with veterinary schools in development that are aiming to welcome their first students in 2026. These programs include those at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) in Princess Anne, which hired its’ first permanent dean, Stanley Robertson, DVM, this past July

; Hanover College in Indiana, which plans to launch a hybrid program

; and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, which recently saw funding approved by its’ Board of Trustees for building a home for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Pending accreditation, the UMES school is poised to become the first veterinary college in Maryland and the first of the nation’s public historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to offer a DVM degree, according to UMES news release. The UMES veterinary school is also poised to be only the second of all HBCUs to provide a doctorate-level veterinary education, followed by Tuskegee University in Alabama.

“Deeply rooted in our 1890 land-grant mission, this program will enable us to serve farmers, the food industry and the 50% of Marylanders who own a pet. It will also increase both the diversity of the profession and address the workforce needs of the industry,” said UMES President Heidi M. Anderson, PhD, MS, in the UMES release.

At Hanover College, the DVM program will feature a blend of online lectures and discussions, along with centralized laboratory and regional clinical experiences. The college aims to have students complete the curriculum in 3 years. This program will run year-round and is separated into 9 semesters, allowing students to complete the curriculum, including clinical rotations, in 3 years.

“Many qualified candidates who want to be veterinarians have to go abroad to seek a veterinary education,” Hanover president, Lake Lambert, said in a release.

 “This is a tremendous loss of talent for Indiana, so our program creates a great opportunity to attract and retain more talent to Indiana.”

Other Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree programs in development include the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at 

 in Harrison Township, New Jersey, which is 

accepting applications for its first class in the fall of 2025

; a college of veterinary medicine at Rocky Vista University in Billings, Montana

; and the Chamberlin University School of Veterinary Medicine in Stockbridge, Georgia.

Clemson breaks ground on Harvey S Peeler Jr College of Veterinary Medicine. News release. Clemson University. November 22, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. 

https://news.clemson.edu/clemson-breaks-ground-on-harvey-s-peeler-jr-college-of-veterinary-medicine/

Clemson University’s Board of Trustees officially approve the development of new College of Veterinary Medicine. 

. June 26, 2023. Accessed November 22, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/clemson-university-s-board-of-trustees-officially-approve-the-development-of-new-college-of-veterinary-medicine

McCafferty C. Clemson University College of Veterinary Medicine welcomes inaugural dean. 

. September 21, 2023. Accessed November 22, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/clemson-university-college-of-veterinary-medicine-welcomes-inaugural-dean

Coppock K. University of Maryland Eastern Shore plans to admit first veterinary students in 2026. 

. February 26, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/university-of-maryland-eastern-shore-plans-to-admit-first-veterinary-students-in-2026

UMES hires first permanent dean for School of Veterinary Medicine. News release. University of Maryland Eastern Shore. July 12, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. 

https://wwwcp.umes.edu/pr/umes-hires-first-permanent-dean-for-school-of-veterinary-medicine/

Yankowicz S. Hanover College helps alleviate veterinary shortage by offering a DVM program. 

. January 30, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/hanover-college-helps-alleviate-veterinary-shortage-by-offering-a-dvm-program

ASU trustees approve $48 million in capital projects at A-State, highlighted by new veterinary school facility. News release. Arkansas State University. September 14, 2024. Accessed November 23, 2024. https://www.astate.edu/news/asu-trustees-approve-48-million-in-capital-projects-at-a-state-highlighted-by-new-veterinary-school-facility

Bautista-Alejandre A. First veterinary school in New Jersey is now accepting applications. 

. October 28, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/first-veterinary-school-in-new-jersey-now-accepting-applications

Rocky Vista announces plans for college of veterinary medicine amid growing vet shortage. KTVQ. January 12, 2024. Accessed November 23, 2024. 

https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/rocky-vista-announces-plans-for-college-of-veterinary-medicine-amid-growing-vet-shortage#google_vignette

Bautista-Alejandre A. AVMA Council on Education site visits for 2024. 

. July 10, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/avma-council-on-education-site-visits-for-2024

Articles

The Harvey S. Peeler Jr College of Veterinary Medicine is one of several institutions that plans to welcome an inaugural class of veterinary students in 2026.

Clemson University breaks ground on South Carolina’s first veterinary school

 investigated how alterations in the social environment and diet of primates could lead to changes in their gut microbiota, and found that the diversity of these animals’ gut microbiome was influenced by both factors. However, different types of bacteria were affected by changes in the primates’ diet compared to changes in their living conditions. According to the authors, these findings highlight how social dynamics can affect microbiota composition and potentially impact the health and sociality of primates.

“While diet profoundly shapes gut microbial community composition, our findings demonstrate that an individual’s social environment also plays a unique role,” wrote the authors in the study.

The study was a 15-month longitudinal investigation on 13 captive male cynomolgus macaques. Participants were placed in single housing for the first 3 months of the study and were fed a variable diet for baseline data collection. Thereafter, these macaques were put on a controlled diet consisting of fruit, foraging mix, and additional food rewards that were provided equally to all animals daily for the rest of the study. Once the diet change was implemented, the primates were housed in pairs for 6 months to promote increased social interaction. On month 9, these animals were returned to “single living” housing.

To assess the impact of social changes on gut microbiota, researchers used a combination of observational methods and microbiome sequencing techniques. They collected fecal samples from the primates before and after changes in their social environment. These samples were then analyzed using sequencing technology to identify and characterize the microbial communities present in their gut.

The study revealed that dietary changes significantly influenced the alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiome. “These findings were to be expected, as diet is a well-established modulator of [gut microbiota] composition,” wrote the authors in the study.

However, changes in the amounts of certain bacteria as a result of the diet change were also seen in bacteria that previous literature has linked to sociality, such as 

. “This finding emphasizes the need to disentangle dietary and social effects on the [gut microbiota]. Where prior studies have claimed certain bacteria to be influenced by sociality, our findings suggest that in fact such changes may be diet related,” the authors wrote.

Unlike the effects from diet change, the study’s findings revealed that changes in social living arrangements, such as living alone vs pairwise living, only affected beta diversity. The study’s authors noted that certain bacterial families previously associated with social behavior, like 

—which were influenced by diet—did not show significant changes when the social living conditions of the primates were changed. 

 were the bacterial families “involved in driving this social living effect,” with 

 increasing when the primates were moved into pairwise housing and remaining constant thereafter, but decreasing when the diet was controlled. 

 on the other hand, showed low abundance during the period of uncontrolled diet, increasing when the diet was altered, and then decreasing again thereafter.

“These findings uncover the separate impacts of diet and social factors on [gut microbiota] composition, highlighting a complex interaction between social environments and gut health,” concluded the authors of the study.

Pearce CS, Bukovsky D, Douchant K, et al. Changes in social environment impact primate Gut Microbiota composition. 

https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-024-00355-y

New research revealed that Lactobacillaceae abundance increased when male cynomolgus macaques were housed in pairs compared to living alone

Study shows changes in social living conditions affect the gut microbiome of primates

Philip Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM, talks about his lecture “Lymphoma – What’s New?”, presented at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey

A veterinary oncologist discusses his lecture on recent lymphoma findings

 delivers expert-led veterinary continuing education on your schedule. With 

, you can access top-tier sessions anytime, anywhere—whether at home, in the clinic, or on the go. Ready to earn CE credits? Watch this session and more on 

 at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), discussed his lecture “Lymphoma – What’s New?” Bergman explained that the session focuses on what recent literature identifies as risk factors, new therapies, and rescue protocols for lymphoma in canine patients. In his lecture, Bergman also talks about the novel drug Laverdia-CA1 (verdinexor tablets)—the first oral tablet FDA-conditionally approved to treat lymphoma in dogs.

Philip Bergman, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVIM (Oncology):

 In that lecture, what I try to do is stay very, very clinically relevant. I do everything I can to not get very molecular. I know a lot of people worry when they see the PhD or piled higher and deeper degree that, ‘Oh my god. He's going to talk about molecular this, molecular that’—[the lecture is] nothing about that at all.

It's really sitting down and talking about some of the newer literature related to, what are some of the risk aspects with that disease, what are some of the new therapies that are coming out? And also, spend a little time talking about a new drug called Laverdia-CA1, which is a drug that I think is very targeted for the general practice setting, that is an easy twice a week oral medication. So pretty easy for clients, pretty easy on pets. We do see occasional side effects, but most of the time it's self-limiting.

And then we spend a lot of time in the lecture talking about what are some of the rescue protocols, because that's one of the most common questions that I get asked of the primary care doctors that are around me.

Laverdia-CA1 (verdinexor tablets). Dechra. Accessed November 22, 2024. 

https://www.dechra-us.com/our-products/us/companion-animal/dog/prescription/laverdia-ca1-verdinexor-tablets

Videos

Philip Bergman, DVM, PhD, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), talks about his lecture “Lymphoma – What’s New?”, presented at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey

A new drug for the management of signs of congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs has been approved by FDA officials. The drug, pimobendan oral solution (Vetmedin Solution; Boehringer Ingelheim [BI]), is indicated for treatment of CHF caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and is the first oral solution approved by the FDA for this use, according to a news release.

Heart disease affects approximately 10% of dogs in their lifetime, and MMVD accounts for about 75% of these cases presented at veterinary practices in North America.

 Both MMVD and DCM may progress to CHF, according to BI. 

The Vetmedin brand of pimobendan therapies has been on the market for 25 years. The product line includes Vetmedin Chewable Tablets for management of signs of mild, moderate or severe canine CHF caused by MMVD or DCM. These tablets and Vetmedin Solution are indicated for concurrent therapy use in treating CHF, on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, Vetmedin-CA1 may delay the onset of heart failure symptoms in dogs and is conditionally approved by the FDA for canines with stage B2 preclinical MMVD.

"We continue to deliver new innovations rooted in robust clinical evidence to help more pets," Daniel Watkins, vice president of US Pet Business for Boehringer Ingelheim, said in the release.

 "We know some dogs and pet owners may prefer a liquid medication, especially for smaller dogs. With Vetmedin Solution, an easy-to-use liquid formulation, we can help more dogs with heart disease have longer survival and live better lives."

The safety and effectiveness of pimobendan oral solution for its indicated use was established by demonstrating the bioequivalence of Vetmedin Chewable Tablets.

 In dogs with MMVD or DCM, previous studies have demonstrated that pimobendan could help increase the survival time and quality of life.

In a 2013 study comparing pimobendan vs benazepril hydrochloride on quality of life variables, 124 dogs were randomized to receive treatment. Although the incidence of arrhythmia was similar in both treatment groups, dogs administered pimobendan were shown to have smaller heart size, higher body temperature and less water retention.

Another study, published in 2006, compared the clinical efficacy of pimobendan vs benazepril hydrochloride for acquired atrioventricular valvular disease in dogs. This randomized, positive-controlled, multicenter investigation enrolled 76 canines with clinical acquired atrioventricular valvular disease. The study found that dogs receiving pimobendan had a long-term median survival of 415 days vs 128 days for dogs that did not receive pimobendan.

Adverse effects of pimobendan were reported in a clinical study prior to the approval of Vetmedin Chewable Tablets. In the 56-day study, common adverse effects in 175 dogs with CHF and MMVD or DCM receiving the Vetmedin tablets included poor appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and dyspnea. Additionally, azotemia, weakness and atxia, pleural effusion, syncope, and cough were reported. In 6% of these studied dogs, sudden death was reported. The prevalence of adverse effects was similar in the study’s active control group of 180 dogs receiving enalapril maleate.

The safety of the pimobendan oral solution product has not been established in dogs with asymptomatic heart disease and heart failure caused by conditions other than MMVD or DCM. This product has also not been evaluated in dogs young than 6 months with congenital heart defects, those with diabetes or other serious metabolic diseases, or in dogs used for breeding, or are pregnant or lactating.

Boehringer Ingelheim launches Vetmedin Solution (pimobendane oral solution), first oral solution approved by the FDA for congestive heart failure in dogs. News release. Boehringer Ingelheim. November 22, 2024. Accessed November 22, 2024. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boehringer-ingelheim-launches-vetmedin-solution-pimobendan-oral-solution-first-oral-solution-approved-by-the-fda-for-congestive-heart-failure-in-dogs-302314386.html?tc=eml_cleartime

Keene BW, Atkins, CE, Bonagura JD, et al. ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. 

. 2019;33(3):1127-1140. doi:10.1111/jvim.15488

Vetmedin Solution. Product label. Boehringer Ingelheim. 2023. Accessed November 22, 2024. 

https://docs.boehringer-ingelheim.com/VetmedinSolutionPI_2024.pdf

Häggström J, Boswood A, O’Grady M, et al. Longitudinal analysis of quality of life, clinical, radiographic, echocardiographic, and laboratory variables in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease receiving pimobendan or benazepril: the QUEST study. 

. 2013;27(6):1441-1451. doi:10.1111/jvim.12181

Lombard, Christophe W et al. Clinical efficacy of pimobendan versus benazepril for the treatment of acquired atrioventricular valvular disease in dogs. 

Vetmedin Solution from Boehringer Ingelheim is indicated for treatment of cases caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease or dilated cardiomyopathy and is the first oral solution approved by the FDA for this use in dogs

Oral solution approved by the FDA for canine heart failure

 will head to Long Beach, California for our final conference of 2024. Even though we are officially 2 weeks away, there is still time for veterinary professionals secure their spot! Join our amazing faculty, including keynote addresses by Kwane Stewart, DVM; Mary Gardner, DVM; Eric Garcia; and Kris Otteman, DVM, ABVP, CAWA, following veterinary professionals, and the 

 team for a weekend packed with learning opportunities, networking, and fun! You can learn more and register 

Here is what was popular this week on dvm360:

Police canine Kane, a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois, was 

 at Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital’s after an incision site from a removed cyst was exposed to the bacteria that causes necrotizing fasciitis.

 of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Boas Man, DVM, and Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chat about his work with canine patients with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, and the role veterinary professionals play in improving the lives of breeds they treat.

, Marc Rosenberg, VMD, tackles the issue of title clarification why it may be needed for veterinary professionals assisting veterinarians and providing care to patients at the veterinary clinic.

, Mark J. Acierno, DVM, MBA, DACVIM, provides an inside look into the lecture he presented at this year’s Fetch Coastal conference where he lectured attendees about idiopathic hypertension vs secondary hypertension, and more.

 they are opening now or will be open soon through the United States, take a look at these 3 recent openings or expansions to see what could be coming to an area near you soon.

When it comes to clients, facilitating the process of booking appointments, refilling medication, and other client needs can help ensure they come back to your clinic. To help, 

 provided tips to make the processes smoother for clients and veterinary teams.

Wrap up: How to make your clinic more convenient for clients, and other veterinary news 

Let’s be honest: No one made it rich by getting 3% back from a credit card. I doubt any millionaire out there is saying that using their credit cards is the reason for their fortune. No one can say they’ve made their wealth primarily because they learned how to max out all the benefits from their credit card.

People spend 12% to 15% more when they use a credit card vs using their debit card or cash.

 A few years ago, when paying for things in cash was more common, transactions felt different. When you handed a clerk $300 in cash, you felt much more energy drain from your body than if you handed them $3. Because swiping a credit card feels the same whether the transaction is $300 or $3, it’s no wonder how people spend more money when they use a credit card instead of cash. I’ve seen people who learn this fact, go extreme, and give up using credit cards altogether, but I am not sure that’s the answer. Because we live in an ever increasingly digitized world, it’s hard to imagine that we will even have the option of using cash in the decades to come. So, my thought is: We might as well try to use them in the healthiest way possible and see whether we can use them as a tool without allowing them to push spending habits in the wrong direction.

I find there are 2 extremes: people who are deathly scared of credit cards and people who feel as though credit cards are as essential to life as having air to breathe. Many still feel this need to play the FICO score game and believe that if they have bad credit or no credit, their lives will surely end. Most of you probably sit somewhere in between—I hope—working to use them with a healthy fear of making sure they don’t get out of control in their balances or only using them for rare occasions or select expenses. A FICO score is a 3-digit number based on the information in your credit reports. It helps lenders determine how likely you are to repay a loan, and this affects how much you can borrow, how many months you have to repay, and how much it will cost (the interest rate).

For those who are drowning in credit card debt, if your credit cards are already out of hand and you need some help figuring out how to eliminate them, it might be the time to consider contacting a company that can consolidate them. This is where a company will pay off your credit cards and consolidate them into 1 single debt that will have a lower interest rate and a specified amortization length for the loan to be paid off, thus, most likely providing you a manageable monthly payment and eliminating your credit cards entirely.

Be careful with these, though! Once your credit cards are freed up, there is always the chance that your behavior could cause you to rack them back up if you’re not careful. I’ve seen many people get into trouble multiple times with credit cards after they used a debt consolidation company, so please don’t fall prey to this!

We’ve found a few different ways to use credit cards where the chances of accidental overspending or the natural result of spending more by using credit cards can be reduced or eliminated. Points are great. Credit cards offer protection. They’re easy to use and have nearly zero downside if they are lost. This is very different than cash where once it’s lost, it’s gone! Using points to go on vacations or pay for Amazon purchases is clearly a win in the direction of using credit cards.

So, let’s run through some resources that we have used ourselves and have heard other people use.

: If you haven’t signed up, consider it. This is a great resource for people who want to get an inventory of all the loans in their name. It also will help you select loans (not just credit cards) that may be helpful for you to refinance current loans that you have, help you select credit cards, and a few other fun tools.

: If you’re unsure as to which credit cards are out there that would give you the most bang for your buck based on where you spend money and the lifestyle you live, check out this website! The danger is that you find credit cards that offer points on purchases that you aren’t already making, thus causing you to spend more. Be careful with that! If you don’t go out to eat much but get a credit card that is going to cause you to want to go out and eat more, it might be something to consider staying away from!

Pay off your credit cards every week—preferably right before the part of the week that you spend the most money. For me, it’s the weekend. I work Monday through Friday and don’t have much opportunity to spend money, but the weekends can be a time where my spending increases dramatically. When people are off from work, they typically want to spend their time doing something that costs money—hobbies included!

When you pay off your credit card every week, the balance never gets out of control, and it will bring your cash positions in your checking accounts down to a more realistic representation of how much cash you have. Credit card balances get high when people think they have the money, and then when the monthly bill comes in, they realize it’s outgrown their cash positions and now they’re in real trouble!

There’s no definitive answer on credit cards being good or bad; it’s all about how you use them and how responsible you are with your spending. Sometimes, it takes us a while to learn this lesson, and that’s OK. If you’ve found yourself with high credit card debt, there are tools you can utilize to get yourself out of the hole. With patience, dedication, and newfound money wisdom, you’ll figure out the right balance for yourself and your wallet.

Traffis C. Leveling up: why customers spend more when paying with credit cards. SumUp. Accessed November 18, 2024. 

https://www.sumup.com/en-us/business-guide/why-customers-spend-more-with-credit-cards/

What is a FICO score? myFICO. Accessed November 18, 2024. https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/what-is-a-fico-score

How to navigate the fine line between smart credit use and financial pitfalls, plus discover practical tips for maintaining control without sacrificing the benefits 