Leaders and experts in the poultry industry are working with Alveo Technologies Inc to create an accurate, rapid, in-the-field multiplex panel that can test for all relevant strains of avian influenza. According to the organizational release,

 the panel will initially focus on Group A, H5, H7, and H9. 

Avian influenza is broken up into subtypes based on the protein combination found on the virus’s surface. Hemagglutinin (H) has 16 recognized types and neuraminidase (N), which has 9. This new test will target 2 of the most common highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI): H5 and H7.

Alveo is currently partnering up with x-Ovo, Royal GD, and Pharamsure International Ltd. and expects the product to be available in the poultry diagnostic space within the first half of 2024. This avian flu test will be the first product from Alvelo to launch into the agricultural sector since its open platform and partnering strategy was publicly revealed in 2023.

Wim Kieftenbeld, director of business development at Royal GD, noted that the development of the assays for avian influenza was the result of a deep collaboration. "It's a significant challenge, where 2 parties bring in their expertise. Alveo has a lot of knowledge in the field of [loop-mediated isothermal amplification] (LAMP) technology and human diagnostics and Royal GD brings in its expertise in the field of veterinary diseases and diagnostics. Together we've been able to achieve incredible results, with an assay that accurately and rapidly delivers highly specific results at the point of need," said Kieftenbeld, in the release.

Current testing for avian influenza typical is either a lab-based PCR or lateral flow test (LFT), also known as antigen tests. Lateral tests can produce rapid results but they are not as accurate as the PCR test option, according to Alveo. The PCR tests are accurate, but it requires sending samples to either a central or nationally approved laboratory for testing which can take days or even weeks to get results.

This can then create delays in decision-making on the farm level, increase infection risks from one flock to another, and extend the exposure time for humans.

When it comes to awareness, the earlier farmers and governing bodies can test and detect avian influenza, the better prepared to mitigate damages they'll be. Tracking avian influenza and collecting data is dangerous and tied to a limited number of central labs and it can be hazardous.

"Highly pathogenic avian flu is a major threat to the poultry industry," said Shaun Holt, CEO of Alveo Technologies, in the release.

 "Both WOAH (World Organization for Animal Health) and WHO recognize that accurate and rapid surveillance of disease is an integral part of One Health strategies. Developing innovative tools like Alveo's ruggedized testing platform can help fill the testing gap, empowering farmers and governments with the ability to take swift action to stop disease spread, contain the damage, and reduce economic loss. This is key to the future of One Health strategies."

Poultry or pet birds with HPAI may present with a lack of coordination, purple discoloration or swelling of body parts, low energy, or appetite, decreased egg production or soft-shelled/misshaped eggs, nasal discharge, coughing, or sneezing, diarrhea, or sudden death with no prior signs. Clinical signs that present in companion animals with HPAI have not been described extensively, but they could present with conjunctivitis, dyspnea, inappetence, lethargy, fever, neurologic signs, or death.

Alveo’s platform will include its mobile app Alveo Sense that pairs advanced molecular assay with cloud-enabled data analytics to provide accurate and sensitive real-time analysis, detection, and diagnosis of contaminants, diseases, and pathogens. The platform then invokes Alveo’s direct-electrical sensing approach to identifying pathogens and leveraging  LAMP technology. Rapid results can be delivered by the portable molecular lab at the point of need or out in the field. This platform can also provide geo-targeted results that can be added to the cloud to give a real-time view of any national outbreaks and inform the response.

"There's a desperate need in the market for this kind of solution, which is accurate, precise, and can be utilized at the point of need. When Alveo approached us about development and distribution, we were excited to be partners in delivering this innovative solution to farmers," said Howard Wilder Managing Director at Pharmsure International Ltd.

Alveo Technologies Is Developing Groundbreaking Avian Influenza Molecular Test for Poultry in Partnership with x-OvO, Royal GD, and Pharmsure. News release. Alveo Technologies. January 9, 2024. Accessed January 9, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alveo-technologies-is-developing-groundbreaking-avian-influenza-molecular-test-for-poultry-in-partnership-with-x-ovo-royal-gd-and-pharmsure-302027998.html

Avian influenza. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed January 9, 2024. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza

Articles

Alveo partnered with poultry industry leaders to launch a test to accurately diagnose and track avian flu outbreaks 

New avian influenza test could help protect poultry and public health

Purina shared the names of the finalists for its 8th annual Pet Care Innovation Prize. Each finalist represents innovation across a wide range of pet care products and services, including enrichment toys, alternative protein and allergy-friendly pet treats, a toothbrush designed for feline anatomy, and more.

"At Purina, our purpose and passion revolve around enriching the lives of pets and the people who love them. Collaborating with startups that share our enthusiasm for pets and are dedicated to continuous innovation enables us to mutually inspire and learn from each other," said Blair Morgan, co-lead of Purina's 9 Square ventures group and vice president of strategy and innovation for Purina, in an organizational release.

: Based in Florida, the company is creating playful enrichment products to exercise and keep pets entertained.

: Based in Missouri, BestyBnB joins forces between human social services and animal welfare organizations by securing safe and temporary housing for clients when they are in a situation where they cannot care for their pets. The company has created and enhanced crisis care and safety net pet programs helping people in crisis to let clients know their pets are safe.

: Based in Chicago, Arch Pet Food Company is offering alternative protein pet treats and food that are highly nutritious, food-allergen friendly, and sustainable by utilizing microalgae, insect proteins, and invasive fish.

: Based in Canada, RYERCAT is a toothbrush designed specifically for feline anatomy to redefine oral health. Because the founders struggled to brush their cats’ teeth, they launched RYERCAT to improve the experience for both owners and cats.

: Based in Australia, VetChip is a biotechnology company working to improve animal health and welfare through an implant that analyzes, monitors, and detects health issues in pets. The implant gathers information through an app and alerts pet owners of any issues or signs of illness or injury.

"This year's group of winners exemplifies the diverse range of possibilities in pet care, and we look forward to working with each of these companies to help accelerate their success in an incredibly competitive and rewarding industry," she continued.

 the finalists will receive $25,000, support as their business grows from Purina, and an invitation to participate in an accelerated boot camp located at Purina’s headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. At the boot camp, the 5 finalists will present their businesses to Purina executives, investors, and industry influencers before a grand prize winner is selected. The grand prize winner will then receive an additional $25,000.

Purina announces 2024 Pet Care Innovation prize winners. News release. Nestle Purina Petcare. January 8, 2023. Accessed January 9, 2023. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/purina-announces-2024-pet-care-innovation-prize-winners-302027723.html

Each winning startup will be awarded a cash prize as well as support from Purina 

2024 Pet Care Innovation Prize finalists announced

Veterinarians, technicians, and staff face many challenges in their profession, such as long hours, emotional stress, and high expectations from clients. These factors can contribute to burnout, which affects not only their well-being, but also their performance and quality of care Intent on tackling this issue, Papaya Veterinary Care sponsored a dinner CE session titled “Rooted in Resilience” at Piñas, a restaurant in Encinitas, California. The session featured Gen Borso, the CEO of Papaya Veterinary Care, who shared her insights and tips on how to develop resilience and cope with adversity in the field of veterinary medicine.

Borso, who has over 20 years of experience in the industry, compared the challenges faced by veterinarians to those of human health care nurses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She explained that resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficulties and adapt to changing situations. She also pointed out that resilience is not a fixed trait, but a skill that can be learned and improved.

Borso discussed the role of leadership and culture in creating a resilient and supportive work environment. She emphasized that leaders, including doctors, have a significant influence on the behavior and morale of their teams. She warned, “Your employees or your kids do what you do, not what you say,” implying that leaders need to lead by example and model the values and behaviors they want to see in their teams.

Borso also shared her personal story of how she became a veterinarian and how she found her purpose in her work through discovering her “why.” She said, “For me, the journey to where I am now was marked by pivotal choices.” She encouraged the attendees to reflect on their own “why” and how it can guide them through the complexities of their profession. She said, “When you know your why, your what becomes more clear and impactful,” meaning that having a clear sense of purpose can make work more meaningful and effective. This is a surefire way to combat burnout and help build long-term resilience to the challenges veterinary professionals face every day.

Using a realistic case scenario of a medication dosage error, Borso demonstrated how a responsibility-centric approach vs playing the blame game can help veterinarians better deal with mistakes and challenges in a positive way. Instead of immediately concerning yourself with assigning blame to whomever may have made the mistake, it’s important to remember that the patient comes first in this situation. “If we start pointing fingers, we're actually taking our eye off the prize here, which is knowing know how much was given to this pet so we know what to do to treat them properly,” she said, adding, “When we come back later, we can talk about how what could we do differently to prevent this next time. That's a position of responsibility that everybody can take.” By shifting the staff’s mindset in this way, you can help foster a culture of accountability and trust within the practice.

The session concluded with a Q&A session, where Borso answered questions from the audience and provided more practical advice on how to build resilience and prevent burnout.

Papaya Veterinary Care is a full-service veterinary hospital for dogs and cats with multiple locations in California. Papaya Veterinary Care’s mission is to create a holistic veterinary care experience, with a focus on the pet’s perspective and a culture of authenticity, challenge, resilience, courage, and joy. 

To learn more about Papaya Veterinary Care, visit their website

How to adapt, cope, and maintain well-being in the face of high-pressure professional demands

Nurturing strength through resilience in veterinary practice

The Veterinary Hospital Manager Association (VHMA) announced it is now accepting applications or nominations for the VHMA Practice Manager of the Year Award. Practice owners and colleagues are encouraged to nominate a veterinary management professional that they feel has changed their practice for the better.

This award honors a practice manager who uses their experience, expertise, and overall knowledge to make their practice the best it can be and improve business operations. According to the release,

 the ideal Practice Manager of the Year uses their position and works to make their clinic a better workplace for staff, improve the care of patients, and create a better return for ownership.

The nomination requires an essay of up to 750 words explaining why the nominee should be the winner and how they transformed the clinic such as financially, through staff and team, practice organization, culture, marketing, and more.

 For anyone either nominating or self-nominating, the VHMA wants qualitative and/or quantitative terms of how exactly you transformed the practice.

Candidates will be then judged on the impact on staff, pets and ownership, action or impact correlation, the significance of impact, and then ingenuity of innovation. The winner will receive a complimentary registration for the VHMA Annual Meeting and Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina from September 5-7, 2023, as well as $1,250 for travel, lodging, and meals.

Last year, the VHMA Practice Manager of the Year Award received over 150 applications before declaring Suzanna Berry, a practice manager at Pets R Us in St Johns, Florida, as the winner. Berry was honored for her work to improve the culture at the clinic such as hosting a monthly “Coffee Talk” where employees could have access to her attention for an hour in an open forum-style meeting as well as helping the clinic become the first veterinary practice to be accepted into the SkillBridge program.

The deadline for submissions will be March 15, 2024. To learn more about the award and nominate or apply for the award, visit the VHMA website.

VHMA is Accepting Nominations for the 2024 Practice Manager of the Year Award! Deadline to Apply is March 15. News release. The Veterinary Hospital Manager Association. January 2, 2023. Accessed January 8, 2023. 

https://www.vhma.org/resources/practicemanageroftheyear

Yanowicz S. VHMA’s 2023 Practice Manager of the Year. DVM 360. Published June 15, 2023. Accessed January 8, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/vhma-s-2023-practice-manager-of-the-year

The Veterinary Hospital Manager Association is now accepting nominations and applications from members and nonmembers


2024 Practice Manager of the Year award now accepting applications 

Happy Monday dvm360 readers! We hope you all had a great weekend and are ready and refreshed to kick off another week. As we enter another week, we will have a plethora of news available to our readers this week, including live coverage of the Veterinary Meeting & Expo. Be sure to check in for our coverage and we look forward to seeing everyone in Orlando this weekend!

In the meantime, here is what you can find this week on dvm360.com:

Purina shared the 8 companies, located in the United States, Canada, and Australia, that were named the finalists for the its annual Pet Care Innovation Prize, receiving $25,000 and support from Purina.

Zomedica announced an article, “Use of a novel shockwave trode results in better patient acceptance in awake canine patients treated for musculoskeletal disease," published in the 

 that validated the ability to better utilize PulseVet electro-hydraulic shock wave therapy in canines that are not sedated.

The American Veterinary Medical Association hosted an event in Chicago where over 30 young adults could participate in an immersive experience in a veterinary clinic to help promote diversity equity and inclusion within the veterinary industry.

On this week’s episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, sat down with Rand S. Wachsstock, DVM, founder of the Compassion Animal Project to learn more about its mission.

IGNITE— a veterinary learning company – introduced its now IGNITE Veterinary Assistant Program, a skills-based learning program designed to uplift veterinary teams and provide a higher level of veterinary care.

Here is a sneak peek at this week’s headlines 

This week on dvm360.com: Pet Care Innovation prize winners announced, and other veterinary news 

At its heart, your practice’s culture encapsulates its values, team behaviors, and work environment, and should be derived from the practice’s mission. Its culture is embodied in the 1001 actions each employee takes daily–positive and negative. Even though culture is manifested through every employee, a great culture must start from the top. As the practice owner, you play a pivotal role in defining the mission and culture, and modeling the behaviors you want to see in your team.

When you have a well-defined culture, every employee knows what to expect when they come to work. They see everyone is aligned as a team, that there is cohesiveness among the leadership that flows down to all levels of employees.

The attitude is palpable when you walk in the door of a practice that has a strong culture. Clients and employees can feel it is a positive place, and that all team members are unified by a common mission.

I’ve sat through any number of culture speeches by consultants and gurus, but I’ve found most recommendations are complex, which can keep people from getting started on changing their practice’s culture. I believe the best solution is the simplest.

Take yourself out for coffee and bring a notepad. Think about why you became a practice owner:

• What type of practice did you want to create?

• How would people act there?
• How would they treat each other?
• How would they approach patient care?

Write these things down along with any other ideas that come to mind. Share this with your key leadership; let them help you fine-tune it and get their buy-in. Then bring your full team together and present what you’ve created. Ask for their agreement that this is the kind of place where they want to work. You’ll need their agreement because every team member is responsible for implementing and protecting your culture.

We’ve all been there. Two potential new hires apply for a job at the clinic, the first with the certifications we’ve been told are vital (RVT, CVPM, and so on) and another with palpable passion, lots of energy, and a love of animals, but fewer credentials. I’ve found it best to hire for culture fit first, skills second. After all, while skills can be learned, it’s nearly impossible to change someone’s core values and attitudes. By prioritizing culture fit, you will not only have a harmonious team, but you’ll also find that over time you’ll build a bench of resumes from people who want to work in your practice due to your remarkable culture.

It’s not enough to hire and train for your culture, you need to be willing to let go of team members who are not aligned. While I’m proud to say my hospital has an amazing culture, and my team of 55 employees are almost all excellent, we hired over 20 staff during the pandemic, and not every new hire has worked out.

Recently a new employee yelled a inappropriate word at a coworker in front of other employees and clients. That was a major violation of our culture, so while I wasn’t in the building, other team members immediately let me know what happened. I terminated that person the next day. This sent a powerful message to my team that disrespectful and unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated—and it makes the other team members feel safe knowing management has their back. Deal with toxic employees right away, before they poison the culture. In doing so, avoid getting sucked into the drama. Deal with it swiftly and move on.

Achievements, big and small, deserve recognition. Whether your team has navigated a particularly grueling day or gone above and beyond for a patient, it’s crucial to celebrate the win. Simple gestures like a high five or acknowledging individual efforts can go a long way. This reinforces the culture and its shared mission, and it reminds everyone that their hard work and dedication are being noticed.

Many practice owners dream of the day when they can step away and trust that their practice will run smoothly in their absence. This dream is achievable, but it’s rooted in the strength of the practice’s culture. When you have nurtured and established a robust culture, the team upholds the culture even when the owner is not there. The lifestyle benefit to the practice owner cannot be overstated. This is the difference between 

Establishing a thriving culture in your veterinary practice is about creating a space where both team members and patients can flourish. As a practice owner, you’re in a unique position to guide this culture’s growth, from hiring decisions to setting expectations. Start from the top, prioritize culture fit, deal swiftly with toxicity, and celebrate every win, and soon, you’ll have a practice where the culture remains strong and intact even when you’re not in the building. By prioritizing these principles, you are setting up your practice—and everyone involved— for long-term success and well-being.

 is the owner of The Drake Center for Veterinary Care in Encinitas, California, a 10-doctor, 55-employee hospital that consistently outperforms competitors and industry averages because of Drake’s passion for embracing change and new technologies. She has served on committees and advisory boards for the University of California, American Animal Hospital Association, Novartis, and more. Drake completed her DVM at the University of Missouri and founded The Drake Center in 1992. She also serves as the chief veterinary officer for GeniusVets. Michele can be reached via email at michele@geniusvets.com.

A strong, positive culture is critical for recruitment, retention, teamwork, and patient care. We deal with extremely stressful situations, and having an aligned team makes all the difference