The CS-Pro VET is a new extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) device designed for veterinary medicine by Curative Sound, a medical technology company specializing in precise, high-pressure acoustic shock wave products. The CS-Pro VET was recently debuted at the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Symposium in Naples, Florida, in April 2024 and according to the company, received positive interest in the device.

The CS-Pro VET is the world’s first ultra-portable focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (f-ESWT) device and will therefore help innovate the current treatment options for equine and companion animal patients. According to Curative Sound, the CS-Pro VET can be used for several conditions including orthopedic injuries or diseases and chronic pain.

The CS-Pro VET. (Photo courtesy of Curative Sound)

"We are excited to introduce the CS-Pro VET to the veterinary community," said Jeff McAteer, founder at Curative Sound, in a news release.

 "Our ultimate goal is to bring this transformational therapy to as many patients as possible. With the launch of the CS-Pro VET, f-ESWT is now more accessible than ever. With its compact design, powerful performance, and incredible longevity, we believe the CS-Pro VET will empower veterinarians to deliver superior care to their patients, ultimately improving outcomes and enhancing quality of life.”

In vitro and laboratory animal studies have demonstrated potential benefits to articular cartilage from ESWT. Additionally, clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) in humans have reportedly improved following ESWT treatment.

 However, data on the effectiveness of ESWT in dogs with OA are inconsistent.

Some key features of the CS-Pro VET include the following

The device weighs 14 ounces and is battery powered, making it easily portable around the clinic or from place to place.

The CS-Pro VET has focal depths of 2 mm, 5 mm, 10mm, 20 mm, and 30 mm and pressure up to 80 MPa.

The interface can be controlled and operated with touch screen capabilities.

The CS-Pro VET can produce up to 100,000 pulses on a single battery charge and is guaranteed to deliver more than 5,000,000 pulses over its lifetime.

Training videos of the CS-Pro Vet device and product protocols for canines and equines can be found on the Curative Sound website.

Curative Sound launches CS-Pro VET: The next generation ultra-portable focused ESWT device for veterinary practices. News release. Curative Sound. April 22, 2024. Accessed June 25, 2024. 

Shaw KK. Nonpharmacologic management of canine osteoarthritis: Part 2. 

. January 5, 2024. Accessed June 25, 2024. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/nonpharmacologic-management-of-canine-osteoarthritis-part-2

An S, Li J, Xie W, Yin N, Li Y, Hu Y. Extracorporeal shockwave treatment in knee osteoarthritis: therapeutic effects and possible mechanism. 

. 2020;40(11): BSR20200926. doi:10.1042/BSR2020096

Dahlberg J, Fitch G, Evans RB, McClure SR, Conzemius M. The evaluation of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in naturally occurring osteoarthritis of the stifle joint in dogs. 

Articles

Curative Sound launches its new product, CS-Pro VET

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy device comes to the veterinary market

The Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) is on track to build a new Clinical Veterinary Teaching and Research Complex (CVTRC). In its stride towards achieving the construction of this new facility, the Texas A&M VMBS is partnering with Page, an engineering and design architecture firm specializing in academic medicine design; and Vaughn Construction, a Texas-based commercial contractor and construction manager with a focus on intricate and time-sensitive projects for buildings in healthcare, higher education, and research.

“Our students, faculty, and staff are extremely passionate about what they do, but the building they work in is over 40 years old,” said Stacy Eckman, associate dean for hospital operations and chief executive officer of the school’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH).

“It’s much older than the hospital facilities at our peer institutions, and it no longer reflects the VMBS’ nationally ranked curriculum and exceptional patient care,” she continued.

The development of the new facility, a small animal teaching and research hospital, has been under development for a considerable amount of time. Since John R. August, the Carl B. King dean of veterinary medicine, stepped into the role of VMBS dean in mid 2020, the project has gained renewed impetus, according to a news release.

“We are delighted to be initiating the design phase for our long-awaited new Clinical Veterinary Teaching and Research Complex,” said August in a news release.

 “We look forward to working with Page, Vaughn Construction, and the outstanding faculty and staff in our current Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH) to create a new small animal hospital that will meet not only our needs and the needs for clinical instruction and advanced training, but also the needs of the patients and clients who depend on the SATH for state-of-the-art care for their beloved companion animals.”

For the new VMBS facility, Page will be partnering with Foil Wyatt Architects, a firm specializing in veterinary medicine design to ensure the new building meets the requirements of patients, clinical faculty, staff, and students at the hospital. Page has played a role in more than 18 million square feet of space in the Texas Medical center, including the Paula and Joseph C. (Rusty) Walter III Tower and Centennial Tower at Houston Methodist; the Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine; the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Medicine; and the Surgical Hospital at The University of North Carolina.

Vaughn Construction also has a history with Texas A&M, having worked on Texas A&M’s Global Health Research Building, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in College Station, Nursing Education and Research Building at the Higher Education Center at McAllen, the Zachry Engineering Education Complex, Instructional Laboratory and Innovative Learning Building, and Texas Medical Center’s TMC3 Collaborative Building.

The new VMBS facility will replace Texas A&M’s current 40-year-old small animal hospital, which has been around since August joined the VMBS as head of the department of small animal medicine and surgery in the 1980s.

Stacy Eckman, associate dean for hospital operations and chief executive officer of the school’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) spoke on the limited capacity of the current hospital. “In the 80s, our operating rooms weren’t built for all of the scope towers and monitors,” she said in a news release.

 “By the time you add equipment, the room has shrunk considerably; we have just far exceeded our capacity.”

In 2022, the VMBS secured funding from Texas A&M University and the Texas legislature that enabled the school to move forward with its plans for a new small animal hospital. The following year, in March 2023, the VMBS received a $20 million donation from Linda and Dennis Clark, alumni of Texas A&M and entrepreneurs who hold a deep affection for animals and their flagship university.

The donation raised the total fundraising efforts beyond $30 million, marking substantial progress toward the $60 million goal. According to the VMBS, this funding will have a profound impact on their faculty, clinicians, students, and programs.

The CVTRC is planned to be located at the intersection of Raymond Stotzer Parkway and Agronomy Road, adjacent to the existing SATH building, according to the Texas A&M VMBS.

Texas A&M University system selects architect, construction manager for clinical veterinary teaching and research complex. News release. Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. June 18, 2024. Accessed June 25, 2024. 

https://today.tamu.edu/2024/06/18/clinical-veterinary-teaching-and-research-complex/

Gauntt J. VMBS envisioning new, nest-generation small animal teaching, research hospital. News release. Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. March 8, 2023. Accessed June 25, 2024. 

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/press-releases/new-next-gen-small-animal-hospital/

The new Clinical Veterinary Teaching and Research Complex will replace the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences' 1980’s facility

A new Texas A&M small animal teaching hospital is underway

Advanced imaging techniques are increasingly being utilized in veterinary practice and to support demand for Computed Tomography (CT) scans, Clint Yudelman, BVSc (Hons), FANZCVS (Small Animal Internal Medicine), recently launched the Insight Mobile Veterinary Diagnostics website, Australia’s first mobile CT scanner in a truck that can travel to animal patients across the state of Victoria.

Yudelman with the mobile CT scanner (Images courtesy of Insight Mobile Veterinary Diagnostics) 

“To allow general practice veterinarians to retain more cases, investigate more conditions, and allow margin for profitability, we wanted to provide an affordable and convenient advanced imaging option, so we’ve expanded Insight Mobile Veterinary Diagnostics to include a mobile CT scanner,” explained Yudelman to 

“This is the first of its kind in Australia. There is nothing else like it. At the heart of Insight Mobile Veterinary Diagnostics’ innovative approach is the Samsung Neurologica scanner, a state-of-the-art, human-quality CT scanner. It is fixed inside a small truck, about the size of a human ambulance.”

The truck containing the mobile CT scanner will be garaged in metropolitan Melbourne but will be available for travel anywhere in Victoria, with regional clinics encouraged to batch imaging patients together to make best use of the service.

“Our truck has an inverter and alternator onboard to utilize it’s own battery power, which supplies the CT scanner and accompanying electrical equipment, and we can also utilize onshore power from a nearby building,” said Yudelman.

“The truck has digital leveling jacks to create a flat, level surface required for scanning. It has a rear tailgate lift platform to move patients onto and off the truck who are stretcher-bound. On board, there is a contrast warmer, general anesthesia and monitoring equipment, fluid pumps, and a work bench making it function like a veterinary clinic on wheels,” he continued.

Practices wanting to utilize the mobile CT scanner service can book via the Insight Mobile Veterinary Diagnostics website or contact the team via phone or email.

“I’m very excited that we’re finally able to offer a mobile CT scanner service, and I think both animal patients and their veterinarians will reap the many benefits from gaining access to this innovative service,” concluded Yudelman.

Innovative U-light device simplifies urinary catheter placement in female dogs

During her 30 year veterinary nursing career, Anita Parkin, AVN, RVN, Dip (Surgery & ECC), VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia), CVPP, TAE, nurse manager and hospital operations manager at veterinary specialist services in Queensland, had seen first-hand how difficult it was for veterinary staff to place urinary catheters in female dogs, so she came up with a device to make the process easier.

“The initial design was very much made in-house, and it was not until I was helping out as lab support for a conference overseas, that the attendees wanted to learn an easy way of placing urinary catheters in female dogs, so I quickly made up a device and showed them how easy it was to use,” explained Parkin. “It was at that lab that MILA International approached me to see if they could manufacture the product for use. We have conducted a study with final year veterinary students to see which technique they found the easiest and we had great feedback with the device. Since then, we have had 4 different prototypes to get it how we wanted it and now it is available for everyone.”

The MILA U-Light device makes placement of urinary catheters simpler due to enhanced visibility by providing clear illumination of the papilla within the female dogs reproductive tract. The MILA U-light device comes with a handle that can be cold sterilized for ongoing use, and 3 different size attachments that can be cold sterilized for ongoing use, with the attachment choice depending on the size of the patient.

“With the attachment, the longer edge of the attachment is for blocking off the vaginal opening so the catheter goes directly into the papilla - and then into the bladder. The attachment is also there to separate the tissues of the vestibule, therefore making it very easy to visualize the papilla. In addition the bright light facilitates visualization of the papilla,” said Parkin.

The MILA U-light device (Images MILA International)

The technique for using the MILA U-light involves having the patient placed in the recumbency that is most comfortable for them, then aseptically preparing the patient and choosing the device correct attachment for the size of the patient – ensuring that the MILA U-light has been cold sterilized prior.

The veterinary team member then advances the MILA U-light through the vulva past the clitoral bone, in a dorsal direction. Once the device is partially inserted, it is then tilted with the handle so that the attachment is now parallel to the spine. The papilla can be visualized through the device whilst the vaginal opening is blocked off with the longer edge of the device.

A small amount of pressure is then applied directly over the papilla with the end of the device to expose the papilla clearly. A urinary catheter is then advanced through the device, directly into the papilla – before the MILA U-light device is then removed from the patient.

“To my knowledge it is the first device of its kind in the world – and MILA International has the design patent pending. When designing the product, we had many subject matter experts in the field assess the design of the product – then we realized there would be so many more uses for the product, than what we first intended it for, such as intubation in a variety of species, and for artificial insemination in a variety of species,” shared Parkin.

“I really hope that it will help improve veterinary care for female dogs, as the feedback I was receiving was that urinary catheter placement in female dogs was too difficult, and so clinicians were not attempting to do it. Now with the MILA U-light device, its made the process very easy, which benefits our patients so much,” she concluded.

Updates on the launch of the first mobile CT scanner available for Australian pets; and learn about the innovative device which simplifies placement of urinary catheters in female dogs

Veterinary scene down under: Australia welcomes first mobile CT scanner, and more news

Sponsored by VCA. To watch the full video and earn 0.5 CE credits, click 

It is important for veterinarians to deliver care without judgment and incorporate inclusive language throughout their practice. This extends to a communication style that meets the needs of every client, regardless of their background and knowledge. Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, of 

, spoke with Marie E. Kerl, DVM, MPH, MBA, about ways to encourage community and inclusivity in the veterinary community.

What does cultural competency mean to us?

 In its broadest sense, cultural competency means we need to provide consistent, excellent veterinary care to all clients and pet owners, no matter where they’re from, what they look like, or their sexual orientation. We need to provide the same level of care for every pet. We also recognize in veterinary medicine that our profession does not reflect society in general right now and we’re working hard to try to correct that.

What is your team and network doing in the hospitals to help promote inclusive behavior?

: There is space for everyone to belong and show up as their authentic selves, which is the environment we are working toward across our 1000 locations. The first way we are doing so is associate resource groups. These are helping to build community, provide learning opportunities, and raise awareness around several issues impacting our associates. We currently have 5 of these groups: Pride for the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, asexual or allied, intersex community; the WISE (Women’s Initiative for Self-Empowerment) group for women; AAmbition, which represents Black and African American people; Latinx, which is for the Latino/Latina/Hispanic community; and Asian Community Empowerment, which includes (the Asian American and Pacific Islander populations).

These are led by associates, which is what makes them special. They have executive sponsors that focus on making sure the groups are moving forward. It’s also not just about being a member of that community; rather, we always welcome allies into these groups to support their colleagues and our associates. The associates in our hospitals continue to drive this change.

Christman: Do you feel it is important for pet owners to see that representation matters?

 It is important for clients, but even more so for our associates. Veterinary medicine is a team sport. You can’t be a full member of the team if you don’t feel like you are seen and heard as your authentic self, and your contributions are those that you can come in and provide.

Christman: What is inclusive language, and how do we incorporate it into our day-to-day activities and interactions?

 Inclusive language is very important. A small example is using pronouns, having pronouns displayed on name badges, and asking when someone comes in, “What do they want to use?” I think of inclusive language as aiming to provide the best care for our patients, including the clients in that conversation about what’s best for them, and providing the same care to every client. This means the same recommendations, no matter what that person across from you or next to you looks like or your perception of them. You must approach everyone as an individual.

Christman: Share some examples of microaggressions you have seen or heard about in veterinary medicine.

 These have been around for as long as society has existed and can be divided into different types: verbal, behavioral, and environmental. If I think about a verbal microaggression, an example might be, “Oh, you’re so smart for a woman.”

Behavioral microaggressions can occur if somebody is behaving in a way that is discriminatory or hurtful to a certain group of people. That might be a customer service representative who, if they have 2 clients in front of them, may always serve the client who is the cisgender person instead of the transgender person. Another example is them serving someone who looks like me as a boomer, as opposed to somebody who’s heavily tattooed or has piercings. It is an individual’s behavior, and they may not necessarily even know they do that. Rather, it is a pattern of what they do.

Environmental microaggressions are discriminations within society. One is a failure to provide language interpretation services or American Sign Language services. I think also about wheelchair users not being able to enter a facility easily to take care of their pet. Finally, there are several deserts across the United States where people don’t even have access to care.

Christman: Can you recommend additional resources to better educate our profession?

 All of us should seek out educational opportunities throughout our careers. The Journey for Teams resources from the American Veterinary Medical Association (offer) accessible inclusion training free of charge. Within the VCA, we have equity, inclusion, and diversity training included in all new associate onboarding modules, as well as for current associates. When I’ve gone through training for things like microaggressions, it points out errors I may not know I’m making. Having accessible, good-quality education is a great way to do that.

Just talking to one another is also crucial. While working in a practice, you can ask different people how they feel about things and what you can do to better support them. When I’ve had people reach out to me specifically with those asks, it’s been a bit surprising because I grew up in an era where that wouldn’t happen, but it is very touching that somebody cares enough that they want to know what my experience has been and if things are OK.

How examining judgments can lead to a better quality of care for clients and pets.

Culturally Competent Care

Tannetje Crocker, DVM, discussed parvovirus prevention therapy in a dvm360 interview at the 2024 AVMA Convention. 

Generating awareness for parvovirus vaccination

Emergency veterinarian, practice owner, and social media personality Tannetje Crocker, DVM, had an opportunity to publicly discuss parvovirus (parvo) and canine vaccination during an event at the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association Convention in Austin, Texas. Known as “Dr Crocker-Pet Vet,” she also informs the veterinary community and pet owners through social media platforms that include TikTok, where she has more than 150,000 followers.

, Crocker—the owner of Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas; and an emergency practitioner with Veterinary Emergency Group—emphasized the importance of client education about this infectious disease and the need for more awareness about how vaccination can lower the risk of transmission. 

The following is a transcript of the video:

Being a veterinarian, especially in the south, in Texas, and an emergency veterinarian, I see a ton of dogs come in that are unvaccinated. Puppies are not fully vaccinated, and they have parvo, and it's highly infectious, it's deadly, and we know that we can prevent them from getting that sick if they're vaccinated. So the recommendation is simple, and it's something that I feel like people should know. But then the more I talk to pet owners, and I talk to them about what parvo is, they just don't know. So we want to make sure we get the word out about how important vaccination is and knowing the early signs of parvo.

Videos

Generating awareness about parvovirus vaccination

Our veterinarians are given the freedom to pursue individual practice areas that set them apart and also continue to fuel their passion for pet care. A few examples of our exceptional DVMs and their specialty areas of practice include:

Wang, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, is a certified animal chiropractor by Parker University and certified in acupuncture and herbal medicine by the Chi Institute in Florida. Born in Beijing, China, Wang grew up with Chinese medicine and wanted to share her knowledge through her practice. She specializes in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) which focuses on balancing the body and diagnosing by identifying an excess of certain traits vs a deficiency of certain traits and pushing the body in the opposite direction. If one approach may not work, Wang will have an alternative that may!

You can learn more about Wang and her services through the following link: https://www.cityvet.com/cityvet/lovers-lane/

CityVet's Veterinarians are top-of-class practitioners commissioned to deliver the highest quality medical care. Our DVMs are passionate and trained in various practices to give your pet the best care possible!

Tate has been with CityVet for over 20 years and has seen our company flourish as we continue to grow. Tate is one of our few DMVs trained to treat exotic pets; she is the type of doctor who loves to be challenged, and treating exotic pets brings a new challenge for her to conquer daily. Growing up with her father being a professor, she has a deep love for teaching and showing people the greatness of her profession; this love has led her to be very involved in our mentorship program. Tate has had six employees leave to go to med school and come back to work for her after graduating! She is also on the University of North Texas Board of Advancement. We are so proud of Tate and couldn't be happier to have her as a part of our family!

You can learn more about Tate's practices through the following here:

https://www.cityvet.com/cityvet/preston-forest/

https://www.cityvet.com/cityvet/preston-hollow/

Murphy has known he wanted to be a veterinarian since years old. He started his journey to veterinarian medicine by working at a vet clinic when he was only 16 years old, later attending Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and now practicing as a soft palate surgery specialist with CityVet for the past 18 years.

Murphy believes being a veterinarian is his calling rather than just a job - it is his passion. Murphy is grateful to be a part of the CityVet family because it allows him to focus on his practice and do what he loves, while CityVet helps manage all the details of owning his own practice seamlessly. He has a strong drive to provide the best medicine for his patients and to exceed his client’s expectations while including them as an integral part of their companion’s care.

You can learn more about Murphy’s practice through the following link: https://www.cityvet.com/cityvet/uptown/

One of the many benefits of working at CityVet or owning your own practice with CityVet is the autonomy offered to our owner/partners. 