Photo courtesy of the Veterinary Innovation Council. 

Formed in 2015 by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), the Veterinary Innovation Council (VIC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the field of veterinary medicine through innovation, education, and advocacy. Aligned with this mission, the VIC has launched new resources to address the nationwide problem of access to veterinary care by aiding underserved communities. The Access to Care Resource Hub offers veterinary teams valuable information curated from over 100 experts and organizations.

 the Access to Care Resource Hub includes the following:

: Veterinary practices can compare financial options with more than 15 different options that will help clients afford necessary care for their pets.

 Get updated information from experts on how to improve a clinic’s spectrum of care impacts for the community.

: Step-by-step guides for veterinary clinics to implement best practices for improving access to care in their practice.

 Discover examples of real cases facing a similar challenge and how a particular case study overcame it.

 Access to trusted resources from leading industry partners to stay informed on the latest access to care strategies.

"Approximately 17 million pets in underserved communities across the U.S. have never seen a veterinarian," said Jennifer Welser, DVM, DACVO, president of Arista Advanced Petcare and Chair of the VIC Board of Directors in the release.

 "This is a crisis in many communities where people either cannot afford veterinary care for their pets or lack physical access to veterinary clinics. The program we are announcing today will open the doors to veterinary care to millions of animals nationwide, providing financial and other resources to pet owners so they can help provide the veterinary care they wish for these beloved family members."

The resource platform was made possible by a grant from Mars Veterinary Health and Banfield Pet Hospital and includes input from practitioners, academics, and animal welfare advocates.

 The VIC encourages veterinary professionals share their feedback on the Access to Care Resource Hub and contribute their own insights to help grow the platform and its tools.

"We are thrilled to introduce this game-changing resource to the veterinary community," said Aaron Massecar, VIC executive director. "By equipping veterinary teams with the knowledge and tools they need to serve a wider range of clients, we can make a real difference in the lives of countless animals and the people who love them."

Veterinary Innovation Council launches new resources to help provide access to veterinary care to millions of pet owners in underserved communities. News release. North American Veterinary Community. April 24, 2024. Accessed April 30, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/veterinary-innovation-council-launches-new-resources-to-help-provide-access-to-veterinary-care-to-millions-of-pet-owners-in-underserved-communities-302126175.html

Articles

The Veterinary Innovation Council aims to address the nationwide problem of access to veterinary care

New resources for veterinary professionals improves access to care



Osteoarthritis (or degenerative joint disease) is the most common cause of chronic (maladaptive) pain in cats but is underrecognized by owners and therefore many cats go untreated. Up to 92% of all cats have radiographic changes (radiographic disease) in the axial and appendicular skeleton and these changes are more common in cats over the age of 10. There is often a mismatch between radiographic changes and clinical findings (painful joints, mobility impairment) but the relationship between radiographic changes and clinical disease increases with age. Screening and assessment tools have been developed and validated for cats and should be used to help diagnose the disease and monitor the response to treatment. Treatment is multimodal and includes drug and non-drug therapies in combination with environmental changes to ensure that stress in the affected cat’s household is addressed. Pain related to osteoarthritis is responsive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the feline specific anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibody, Frunevetmab (Solensia™). Non-drug therapies include Omega-3 fish oil, physical therapy, and acupuncture. Ensuring cats have a safe place to hide, have help with accessing “high” places, and easy-entry litter boxes are important for improving the cat’s quality of life.





Sheilah Robertson, BVMS (Hons), PhD, DACVAA, DECVAA, DACAW, DECAWBM (WSEL), CVA, FRCVS, Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, discusses diagnosis and treatment options for osteoarthritis in cats.



Recognize the changes in behavior that suggest chronic pain in cats

Know which assessment tools can be used to document disability and monitor response to treatment

Know what treatment options are available for cats with osteoarthritis

Podcasts

Sheilah Robertson, BVMS (Hons), PhD, DACVAA, DECVAA, DACAW, DECAWBM (WSEL), CVA, FRCVS, joins Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, to discuss the management and treatment of osteoarthritis in cats.

Podcast CE: Osteoarthritis in cats: diagnosis and treatment options

At the 39th World Veterinary Association Congress 2024 in South Africa, Mitzi Klein, BVSc, MANZCVS, senior veterinary scientist for the Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL), at the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organization’s (ANSTO) Synchrotron in Melbourne, presented a poster showcasing the use of Synchrotron advanced imaging techniques to improve anatomical and physiological knowledge of endangered wildlife species. External researchers gain free access to this state-of-the-art research facility through a merit-based process, and Klein’s role is to support the researchers using the IMBL.

Mitzi Klein, BVSc, MANZCVS, senior veterinary scientist for the Imaging and Medical Beamline, at the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organization’s Synchrotron in Melbourne assisting with research at the synchrotron ( Image courtesy of Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organization)

“The Australian Synchrotron is a world-class national research facility that uses accelerator technology to produce laser-like beams of light, ranging from infra-red to hard x-rays, that are a million times brighter than the sun. It is one of Australia's most significant pieces of scientific infrastructure, and welcomes more than 1500 national and international researchers every year,” Klein explained exclusively to 

“The IMBL and the Micro Computed Tomography (MCT) Beamline form the Imaging Group at the Australian Synchrotron. In a nutshell—we do high resolution x-ray/CT imaging and radiation therapy research. The IMBL is a research tool applicable to a wide range of fields from engineering, materials science, paleontology, cultural heritage to life sciences and more,” continued Klein.

Synchrotrons around the world have different specifications, meaning they have their particular specialties. The IMBL is 150m long and the fixed x-ray beam can be up to 50cm wide and 10cm high. Objects being imaged are moved with robots and other positioning equipment, and rotated in the x-ray beam, whilst collecting very high resolution, high sensitivity images.

“As beamtime is very precious, I am responsible for working with external researchers to refine their project and make it happen. So it involves thinking laterally, and being involved in the research design and knowing what is ‘out there’ to determine what equipment, techniques and procedures could be used, adapted or re-appropriated to best suit the project,” said Klein.

“One exciting project is to do with wildlife imaging, developing a synchrotron imaging repository that is open access for researchers to use. This project has so far imaged fresh cadaver and museum specimens – such as bandiocoots, antechinus, shark head, rhino skull, honey possum and others. There is also research focused on teeth, gastrointestinal contents, bone/muscle/tendon interfaces, osteoporosis, respiratory and circulatory anatomy and physiology – all of which is helping greater understanding about these wildlife species,” she continued.

Klein with a rhinoceros (Image courtesy of Klein)

Klein is also collaborating with researchers in South Africa and the United States, on the Rhisotope Project, which is looking at using radioisotopes to make the Rhinoceros horn radioactive without any harm to the animal—to aid prevention of wildlife trafficking.

“ANSTO is a major producer of medical grade radionucleotides, and as radioactivity is easily picked up at ports throughout the world, it could be an effective way of detecting smuggling of rhino horn – and as a potential deterrent to poachers and end users. More needs to be known about rhino anatomy and physiology - hence the importance of imaging, such as we need images of the skull for dose modeling,” explained Klein.

“Our synchrotron research also has other veterinary applications -with projects on canine osteosarcoma - looking at the irradiation of the tumor using micro-beams of x-rays, and its effects on the vasculature and drug uptake within the tumor, as well as the effects on the surrounding tissues. There is also research planned into canine soft tissue sarcoma – looking at the response to adjuvant treatment, before and after surgical excision.”

With an early career in mixed-animal veterinary practice, Klein then worked at Monash University as a clinical veterinarian looking after research animals, from where she was introduced to her current role at the Synchrotron. “I love discovering new things, learning new things, and every project is different - usually wanting to do something that has never been done before. We are also working on some amazing imaging projects to do with human breast cancer, and dynamic lung imaging, both of which may also have transferable application in veterinary patients,” Klein said.

“Collaboration and networking are so important—to be able to point people to other people who are doing similar amazing things but maybe in a slightly different field, and seeing the incredible things that can come of such sharing of ideas and implementation of new techniques really is the most rewarding part of my job. We are so underutilized by the veterinary profession, mainly as I don't think many know about us, but also because it is often seen as out of reach, and as vets, we don't have the time or expertise to be able to utilize such a facility. I would like to emphasis that you can get teams together to help and that is part of my role. Our research is driven by users and if there are veterinarians out there who want to drive a project, we are here to help them succeed.”

Living Well – the upcoming AVA veterinary conference

The Australian Veterinary Association’s (AVA) annual national veterinary conference will get underway May 27-31 at the Melbourne Convention Center and the theme is ‘Living Well,’ reflecting the aims veterinarians have for patients and themselves. The conference will present a range of topics focused on improving the quality of life for animals with chronic conditions and enhancing veterinary practice to help veterinary professionals achieve longevity and satisfaction in their careers and life.

Australia’s premier veterinary networking conference, this year the AVA are collaborating with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) for the inaugural AVA Conference Research Day showcasing recent veterinary research. The conference also features a full day THRIVE Veterinary Wellness Symposium with thought-provoking wellness topics. Diana Barker,BVSc, MBA, MANZCVS (Small Animal Surgery), AVA president, invited all members of the veterinary community to attend the event.

“I have attended a few conferences over the years, and I can unreservedly say the AVA Conference is an absolute highlight of my year. The annual AVA conference provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas and be motivated by inspiring speakers, it has certainly helped shaped my ideas and career growth over the years,” said Barker.

“The breadth and depth of face-to-face learning on offer is impressive and the opportunity to have thought-provoking conversations with colleagues about the future of our profession is enormously rewarding,” she concluded.

Updates on the veterinarian working at the Australian Synchrotron; and living well at the upcoming Australian Veterinary Association national veterinary conference

Veterinary scene down under: Veterinary and wildlife research at Synchrotron, and more news

Photo courtesy of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets.

A survey conducted on behalf of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, analyzed 301 companion animal and mixed animal veterinarians practicing in the United States with 20 or more hours worked per week. Data were collected by Relevation Research through an online survey, March 5 to 12, 2024.

Overall, the data showed that most veterinarians still have a profound dedication for the profession, but factors like extended work hours, student debt, staffing shortages, fatigue, and more are creating challenges. Some pros of the veterinary profession include the following based on survey results:

57% of respondents said their desire to become veterinarians began in elementary school or earlier, which mostly came from the goal to make pets' lives better.

87% chose “saving and improving the lives of pets” as a fulfilling attribute of being a veterinarian.

60% chose “improving the lives of pet owners.”

53% chose “contributing to society and playing an important role in the community.”

Some cons of the veterinary profession include the following based on survey results:

More than 80% of participants said they encounter clients, at least once a month, who are unable to pay for treatment of a pet's life-threatening health issue.

37% said they are faced with such situations once a week or more.

95% of participants reported that having clients who cannot afford appropriate veterinary care is one of the challenges they currently face.

95% said they have experienced an instance in which a client made the decision to euthanize a pet because the of client’s financial situation.

As a solution to this, 78% said they limit the care they provide, while 23% provide the veterinary care and absorb the cost with their practice budget.

Both of these solutions require sacrifices from veterinarians, whether it’s emotional or financial.

45% of veterinarians feel they are not fully upholding the oath they took to care for animals when financial situations like these happen.

"These results reflect the sense of disillusionment we know is felt by so many practitioners in the veterinary profession today," Callie Harris, DVM, senior veterinary communications manager for Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, said in a release.

 "Veterinarians enter the profession because of our call to care for pets, but economic realities frequently force us to make painful choices about the care we can provide to certain patients."

To help support veterinarians facing these challenges and other barriers, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets launched the Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission program. So far, the brand has donated $1.2 million to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation REACH (Reaching Every Animal with Charitable Healthcare) Program, which provides grants for veterinarians who have clients experiencing financial difficulties. The program is available to all members of the American Veterinary Medical Association and can provide financial grants of up to $2000 per calendar year for each veterinarian in a practice to reimburse the cost for owners unable to pay for care.

"If you ask any member of a veterinary team why they started in this industry, they will tell you it's for their love of animals, but you quickly realize, you are taking care of the people, just as much as you are the animals. There is nothing more heartbreaking than having an animal come in need of life-saving care and having to explain to the family their beloved pet will not survive without the emergency services they need but cannot afford,” Kerry Wagoner, CVT, hospital director of FloridaWild Integrative Veterinary Center & Urgent Care in DeLand, Florida, said in the release.

Upholding their oath: Veterinarians balance purpose with practicality. News release. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. April 25, 2024. April 30, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/upholding-their-oath-veterinarians-balance-purpose-with-practicality-302127644.html

New data reveals how veterinarians feel about the industry and the challenges they face

Survey results show the current state of the veterinary profession

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced it will soon be requiring dairy cattle to be tested for highly pathogenic avian influenzas (HPAIs), more specifically avian influenza type A H5N1. As of April 29, 2024, laboratories and state veterinarians are required to report positive test results for Influenza A in livestock.

The test will initially apply to lactating dairy cattle depending on the evolving understanding of the disease and the risks associated with it. Recently,

 the FDA confirmed the presence of HPAI virus remnants in milk that is commercially available coming from areas with a higher number of positive test results for infected herds.

“The FDA has received additional results from an initial limited set of geographically targeted samples as part of its national commercial milk sampling study underway in coordination with USDA. The FDA continues to analyze this information; however, preliminary results of egg inoculation tests on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-positive retail milk samples show that pasteurization is effective in inactivating HPAI. This additional testing did not detect any live, infectious virus. These results reaffirm our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe,” the FDA disclosed in a public statement.

At this time, researchers are continuing to try and get a better understanding of the transmission of the disease and its origins in cattle, cats, and other mammals through federal agencies and partners. On April 24, 2024, the USDA APHIS announced a federal order to prevent the spread of HPAI after 22 states implemented their restrictions on dairy cattle traveling from different states or premises when the virus is known to have infected dairy cattle.

 Now, dairy cattle that are lactating will be required to have a negative test result for influenza type A virus performed by an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory.

If a herd owner has a positive test, they will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing. The positive lactating cattle will also not be permitted for interstate movement for 30 days from the most recent sample collection that was the source of the positive test.

 Once the 30 days is complete the cattle must be tested again if they still wish to be transported.

APHIS also disclosed it will reimburse for testing at NAHLN laboratories, including samples submitted for the following:

Dairy cattle suspected of the disease because of clinical signs

Samples from other animals on dairy farms that are associated with the current disease event

Producers curious about the disease status of asymptomatic animals

Results from the testing should be returned within 1-3 days and any non-negative samples will undergo confirmation testing at the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories and should be returned within a day or 2.

USDA requires HPAI testing for lactating dairy cattle before movement, reporting for all livestock. News release. American Veterinary Medicial Association. April 26, 2024. Accessed April 29, 2024.

Updates on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). News release. US Food and Drug Administration. April 26, 2024. Accessed April 29, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/updates-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai

McCafferty C. Multiple states announce cattle import restrictions. April 10, 2024. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/multiple-states-announce-cattle-import-restrictions

Despite avian influenza found in the milk supply of dairy cows, the FDA has determined that commercial milk is safe

HPAI testing to be required for lactating dairy cattle before transportation 

Megan Chadwick, CVT, shares her goal of growing the partnership between schools and externship sites for veterinary students

A hopeful future for veterinary externships

In an interview with Megan Chadwick, CVT, academic director of the Veterinary Academy for Penn Foster Group, she shared her hopes for the future of veterinary education and how to improve externship opportunities for students. 

 I would like to see continuing to grow and more of a partnership between schools and externship sites. I think with how busy veterinary medicine is, right now, it's hard to find the time to help somebody that maybe is new to the profession. And again, we all started somewhere, and sometimes it can be frustrating or cumbersome, it would take up a lot of time to train or guide, somebody that's green. But that's part of how we solve the problem that we're in; coming together as a profession. We all are essential to everything. I mean, like [with] animals, there's food animals, their pets. It's so vital to life, I would say. We just need to take a minute and remember that we wouldn't be where we're at unless we had somebody to help and support us. So let's give back and be open to supporting others.