Owners of avian flocks and waterfowl in South Carolina are being warned by animal health officials at Clemson University to keep their pets out of contact with wild birds and waterways used by them in an effort to limit the spread of influenza. The Eurasian H5 strain concerning Clemson officials in South Carolina is a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that has been reported by pet bird owners in the state’s Horry and Orangeburg counties.

Avian influenza, which includes low pathogenicity virus strains, is highly contagious and affects chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl as well as wild birds. Especially affecting waterfowl, HPAI can spread quickly between flocks and is often fatal to domestic poultry, according to the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

“It is imperative that all owners of backyard poultry and pet waterfowl keep their birds from mingling with wild waterfowl or accessing waters that could be frequented by wild waterfowl,” said Michael Neault, DVM, South Carolina’s state veterinarian, and director of the Clemson University Livestock-Poultry Health program, in an organizational release.

 “These precautions not only protect their birds from contracting the virus, but also help keep the poultry industry (big and small) safe.”

HPAI requires a quick treatment response to contain it and mitigate transmission to other birds. Signs include sudden death, lethargy, lack of appetite, decreased egg production, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs, purple discoloration of wattles, comb and legs; runny nose, difficulty breather, coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, and swelling of the head, comb, eyelid, wattles and hocks. Incoordination such as stumbling, falling down, circling and tremors, and twisting of the head and neck are also signs of infection.

Birds in the reported South Carolina flocks died and these flocks were found to be infected with HPAI through testing by the Clemson Veterinary Diagnostics Center with confirmation by the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories. According to Clemson officials, the South Carolina commercial poultry industry has not been affected by the Eurasian strain of HPAI found in the cases of backyard flocks because of strict biosecurity protocols.

Twenty-one US states reported cases of avian influenza in 2023. HPAI is not considered a food safety threat and is not a high risk to human health.

Veit J. S.C. animal health officials remind backyard flock owners to isolate their birds. News release. Clemson University. January 25, 2024. Accessed January 25, 2024. 

2022-2023 detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza. USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Service. January 18, 2023. Accessed January 25, 2024. 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai#:~:text=With%20the%20recent%20detections%20of,pet%20birds%20from%20this%20disease

Defend the flock—signs of illness. April 25, 2021. Accessed January 25, 2024. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/outbreak-illness/outbreak-illness

Articles

Animal health officials at Clemson University issued the notification after backyard poultry flocks in 2 counties contracted the virus

Avian owners in South Carolina warned of Eurasian strain of influenza

International Cat Care (ICatCare), Cats Protection, the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), Battersea, Woodgreen, Blue Cross, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (RSPCA), the Animal Behavior and Training Council (ABTC), the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), and the Pet Industry Federation, all joined forces to express concerns over that the upcoming film ‘Argylle’, based on the book by Elly Conway. The concerns are over increasing popularity of the Scottish Fold cats and potentially harmful behaviors shown towards cats that can be seen in the trailer. 

“iCatCare and its veterinary division, the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), believe that it is simply unethical to continue to breed cats with a genetic mutation that is known to cause significant painful disease – the rationale for breeding these cats was purely for traits considered attractive to humans, as some people believe the folded ears look appealing. This is an unnatural appearance for a cat, and the underlying genetic defect has far-reaching and severe consequences for the health of the cat. Health should always be more important than looks,” expressed Nathalie Dowgray, PhD, head of ISFM, in the organizational release.

According to the release, the organizations find that the movie features a cat that resembles a Scottish Fold cat, which is known to have serious welfare and health issues, including their distinctive folded ears affecting their joints which can lead to the development of painful arthritis which could begin at a young age.

 The health issues these cats face have also led to countries across the world prohibiting breeding them.

Besides featuring a cat like the Scottish Fold, the film also includes clips of the cat being roughly handled such as picked up by the scruff and thrown from the building. Although the scenes showing the pet being roughly handled are created digitally, the organizations fear that showing these interactions will cause some viewers to believe this is acceptable or entertaining which can negatively impact a cat’s welfare. The film also portrays a cat being carried around and roughly handled.

“Scruffing a cat is an unacceptable form of restraint that can cause a cat considerable discomfort, fear, and even pain, as the weight of its body is completely unsupported, and the cat cannot escape the pressure from its skin being grasped,” said Sarah Ellis, head of cat mental wellbeing and behavior at ICatCare.

“Backpacks are not a cat-friendly way to transport a cat; they can leave a cat cramped, without enough ventilation, struggling to control body temperature, and uncomfortable due to the unpredictable movement from being worn on a person’s back. Backpacks are simply not cat friendly – they do not respect the cat as a species and run the risk of psychological and physical suffering to the cat.”

The movie is set to be released on February 2, 2024, and the organizations hope that their concerns will create a more open conversation with the media industry and help educate them on the health and well-being of cats regarding their depiction in films. The organizations reached out to Universal Pictures outlining their concerns and encouraging them to consider and adopt Cat Friendly Principles in future films.

‘Argylle’: Leading animal charities and welfare organizations share concerns for cat wellbeing in new Hollywood movie. News release. January 25, 2024. Accessed January 25, 2024. https://icatcare.org/argylle-movie/

Over 10 United Kingdom organizations are sharing concerns over possibly harmful behaviors shown towards cats in the movie’s trailer 

Animal welfare and charity organizations voice concerns about upcoming movie ‘Argylle’

The FDA recently announced that a draft guidance for industry (GFI) #286 (VICH GL0) titled “Good Manufacturing Practice for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Used in Veterinary Medicinal Products” is now available. The draft was developed by the International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH).

According to the release, VICH is a trilateral program that launched in April 1996 and aims to harmonize technical requirements for approval of veterinary medical products within the European Union, Japan, and the United States with input from both regulatory and industry representatives included.

GFI #286 VICH aims to create the opportunity for international compatibility of regulatory requirements, and they will be available for other countries to use.

Like ICH Q7: Good Manufacturing Practices for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, which is intended to cover human drugs from the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH), GF1 #286 guides recommendations regarding good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for veterinary medicinal products.

It facilitates the harmonization of a single set of international standards for GMP inspections of facility manufacturing APIs and starting materials to be used in these products. GFI #286 VICH GL60 will also allow manufacturers and regulators a framework to ensure that the APIs meet the quality and purity characteristics that it is intended to possess.

The FDA has previously participated in efforts to increase harmonization internationally and committed to seeking scientifically based technical procedures for pharmaceutical development.

 The FDA’s goal of harmonization is to identify and reduce differences in technical requirements for drug development among regulatory agencies across the globe.

Through its work with VICH, the FDA aims to help guarantee regulatory certainty for veterinary products such as predictable and uniform requirements across the European Union, Japan, and the US. The collective efforts also help reduce animal testing, facilitate trade, and ensure product safety and consumer confidence with regulated products.

The FDA is encouraging the public to submit any comments on the draft guidance within 60 days to make sure the FDA considers comments before starting the final version of the guidance document, but the FDA also wants the public to know it will accept comments at any time.

 Comments can be submitted electronically on https://www.regulations.gov and use docket number FDA-2023-D-4761 in the search bar. Comments may also be submitted via mailing them to this address: 

Dockets Management Staff
HFA-305
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852.

FDA Announces Draft Guidance on Good Manufacturing Practice for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Used in Veterinary Drug Products. News release. January 24, 2024. Accessed January 25, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-announces-draft-guidance-good-manufacturing-practice-active-pharmaceutical-ingredients-used?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

GFI #286 VICH GL60 is now seeking public comments 

FDA drafts guidance on veterinary drug ingredients manufacturing

National practice networks BluePearl Pet Hospital and Banfield Pet Hospital, both part of the global Mars Veterinary Health division of Mars Petcare, recently announced a pair of veterinarian promotions to the position of chief medical officer (CMO).

 Additionally, a third CMO appointment was named to Mars Science & Diagnostics, another division of Mars Petcare.

Alea Harrison, DVM, was named CMO for Banfield, based in Vancouver, Washington, and is overseeing more than 3600 veterinarians in over 1000 hospitals across the United States, its territories, and Mexico.

 As the new CMO for BluePearl, based in Tampa, Florida, Richard Stone, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), is leading more than 110 hospitals in 30 US states with over 8000 associates including veterinarians, veterinary technicians and other professionals. Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, the former CMO for BluePearl, is the same role for Mars Science & Diagnostics.

All photos courtesy of Mars Veterinary Health

A graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts and Nevis, Harrison is a board member of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association. She has been employed by Banfield for more than 17 years, starting as a practicing veterinarian and progressing through leadership roles to her current position, according to Banfield's release.

 She recently served as acting CMO, following the March 2023 appointment of former Banfield CMO, Molly McAllister, DVM, MPH, to CMO of Mars Veterinary Health.

Harrison is credited by Banfield as instrumental in advancing the company’s priorities to support staff pets with quality care initiatives such as improving anesthesia standards and protocols. “As CMO, I look forward to leading with a strong hospital-centric focus, helping veterinary teams partner with clients to make informed, best-in-class treatment decisions that are rooted in the latest medical research,” Harrison said in the release.

A campus liaison for Ross University, Harrison serves as a coach for the profession. Her support for doctors includes promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity in veterinary medicine, and serving as a board member for the charitable Banfield Foundation and a member of the company’s POWER Diversity Resource Group that works to “attract, retain and elevate Black talent” in the profession, according to the release.

Stone graduated from Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences in College Station and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens. He began his work with BluePearl in 2011 as an internal medicine specialist and previously held the role of vice president of medicine for the network.

“During my 12 years at BluePearl, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a number of roles and it’s a great honor to continue my journey as chief medical officer,” said Stone, in a BluePearl release.

 “I am thankful for Dr Barr’s leadership, and I am excited to build on his legacy of providing the highest quality of care to the pets and communities that we serve, while in pursuit of sustainable medical excellence.”

Barr graduated from Louisiana State University and joined Texas A&M as a faculty member. He initially joined BluePearl in 2007 and, following service as a Texas A&M as a faculty member, returned to the company a decade later. He was then promoted to CMO in 2018.

In a statement, Barr said he was "honored and grateful” for the role as CMO at Mars Science and Diagnostics, which will allow him to help lead animal health innovation. “Veterinary Medicine is the best field there is and our commitment to pets has never been stronger. I’ve been lucky to experience that commitment during my time with BluePearl and have seen the unwavering dedication BluePearl associates have to pets they care for. I wish Dr. Stone the best of luck in his new role and look forward to his continued success,” said Barr, in the BluePearl release.

BluePearl announces Dr. Richard Stone as chief medical officer. News release. Blue Pearl Pet Hospital. January 16, 2024. Accessed January 25, 2024.

Banfield Pet Hospital appoints Dr. Alea Harrison as chief medical officer. News release. Banfield Pet Hospital. January 16, 2024. Accessed January 25, 2024.

Mars Veterinary Health appoints Dr. Molly McAllister as chief medical officer. Mars Veterinary Health. March 24, 2023. Accessed January 25, 2024. 

https://www.marsveterinary.com/mars-veterinary-health-appoints-dr-molly-mcallister-as-chief-medical-officer/

BluePearl, Banfield Pet Hospital, and Mars Science & Diagnostics made internal appointments to the leadership roles

Global company names 3 chief medical officers to veterinary care businesses

Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) has selected 8 new grant recipients who will receive funding for canine cancer research and progress the foundation's commitment to improve the lives of dogs suffering from cancer.

 Cancer is the leading cause of death in adult dogs

 with 50% of canines over age 10 dying from this disease.

"We are pleased to fund this diverse set of research proposals addressing aspects of canine cancer," said Kathy Tietje, PhD, MBA, chief program officer at MAF, in the release. "The knowledge gained by these studies will advance the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of cancers in both dogs and their humans."

Hiroyuki Mochizuki, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine

; "Assessing Residual Cancer Cells in Aggressive T-Cell Lymphoma." This study aims to develop a novel molecular tool to assess residual cancer cell levels in dogs with aggressive T-cell lymphoma, improving treatment and disease monitoring.

Krit Ritthipichai, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

; "Generating T Cells for Canine Cancer Cell Therapies." This study will create a new method to expand immune cell production for cancer cell therapies for dogs.

Alison Masyr, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine

; "Studying the Role of a Hormone in Pancreatic Tumors." This research will evaluate how the hormone ghrelin influences the development of canine pancreatic cancer to identify early disease biomarkers.

Christina Pacholec, Virginia Tech, Virigina-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

; "Using Novel Computer Tools to Detect and Monitor Lymphoma – Fellowship Training Grant." This study explores using computer imaging tools to improve post-treatment detection of cancer cells in dogs with lymphoma.

; “Exploring Comparative Oncology Approaches to Bone Cancer.” This study will collect and analyze lung tissue from dogs enrolled in a clinical trial for bone cancer that has spread to the lungs in hopes of discovering new ways to treat this common and aggressive canine cancer.

; "Understanding Cellular Changes Driving Soft-tissue Sarcomas." This research will analyze the cellular landscape of soft-tissue sarcomas in dogs to identify novel therapy targets.

Karin Allenspach, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

; "Predicting Immunotherapy Response in Dogs with Bladder Cancer." This study works toward developing a test to predict treatment response to immunotherapies in dogs with bladder cancer.

Jenny Harris, University of Surrey School of Health Sciences

; "Validating Assessment Tool for Chemotherapy Outcomes." This study will validate a new questionnaire tool to help monitor symptoms and quality of life in dogs undergoing chemotherapy.

"Our study will address this huge gap of knowledge by yielding detailed insight into soft-tissue sarcoma tumors by analyzing the exact molecular fingerprint of individual cells," said Enni Markkanen, principal investigator for one of the studies approved for funding. "Such knowledge is key to enabling the development of better therapies for patients. We are highly excited about the support by Morris Animal Foundation that makes this study possible!"

Morris Animal Foundation funds 8 canine cancer-focused projects. News release. Morris Animal Foundation. January 24, 2024. Accessed January 25, 2024. https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/morris-animal-foundation-funds-8-canine-cancer-focused-projects

Fleming JM, Creevy KE, Promislow DE. Mortality in North American dogs from 1984 to 2004: an investigation into age-, size-, and breed-related causes of death. 

. 2011;25(2):187-98. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0695.x

Beltrán Hernández I, Kromhout JZ, Teske E, Hennink WE, van Nimwegen SA, Oliveira S. Molecular targets for anticancer therapies in companion animals and humans: what can we learn from each other? 

. 2021;11(8):3882-3897. doi: 10.7150/thno.55760

Morris Animal Foundation gave 8 grants to find ways of improving the lives of dogs suffering from cancer

Funding received for 8 canine cancer research studies

As we inch closer and closer to February, Super Bowl parties with family and friends and Valentine's, or Galentine's, Day dates and events are beginning to be planned. However, there are risks on these occasions to pets that clients might not even be aware of. From Xylitol to THC, how can veterinary teams keep pet parents informed and clients safe from the toxins lurking on coffee tables and in suitcases?

On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior toxicologist for the Pet Poison Helpline, sat down with Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, host of The Vet Blast Podcast, to go over top toxins and how veterinary teams can educate their clients on keeping pets safe and healthy. 

Xylitol truly is everywhere. We say it's everywhere and it really kind of is. We think about it a lot with our sugar-free gums and candies and that's enough to bring a lot of light to it and make people kind of perk their ears and really look at the back of those ingredient labels to see if xylitol is there, but that's just really only one component, one piece of the puzzle with xylitol. There are a lot of products that don't state that they're sugar-free that still contain xylitol. There's products that contain sugar and xylitol in them as well. And so they can be really kind of sneaky as to where they get in there. 

It's a great product for weight loss and weight loss products because of its sweetness and it has a low glycemic index. So you might see it in protein bars, different granola bars, [and] different weight loss products. It has a humectant effect, which means it helps to retain moisture so you might see it in skin lotions and gels, and just kind of all over the place.  

Podcasts

Drs Renee Schmid and Adam Christman dive into the potential dangers that Super Bowl festivities and Valentine's Day celebrations may pose to your patients