If your veterinarian or favorite veterinary technician was out and about a few weeks ago, they traveled to North America to learn about advances in veterinary medicine, see new products, and learn new skills from top speakers in their fields. He may have been attending a veterinary conference. . Veterinarian specialties that treat all species, including innovations in oncology, pain management, obesity in pets, treatments for neurological and behavioral problems in pets, new medicines developed specifically for pets, and the use of AI in the clinic. Contains hundreds of sessions delivered to the house. From cats, dogs and horses to pythons, bearded dragons, otters and sea turtles.
For Dana Varble, DVM, CAE, NAVC's chief veterinary officer, what stood out was the advances in veterinary medicines. In 2022, Solensia (uexpress.com/pets/pet-connection/2022/07/04), a monoclonal antibody injection developed specifically for cats with painful osteoarthritis, will be available. (fearfreehappyhomes.com/osteoarthritis-in-cats), followed suit last year. Librera is the same type of medication for dogs with joint pain.
While all drugs have the potential for side effects, Varble says monoclonal antibodies appear to be safer and have a more predictable side effect profile. They are less likely to cause liver or kidney problems, such as those seen with long-term use of NSAIDs, but should be used with caution in pets with neurological disorders.
“What's interesting is that before we developed it for humans, we developed it for dogs and cats,” Varble said.
Usually the opposite is true, with human drugs being modified for pets, but companies are now working on developing drugs specifically to treat dogs and cats. These include a new class of oral hypoglycemic drugs (one tablet and one liquid) for diabetic cats that provide an alternative to insulin injections to manage blood sugar levels. When used in conjunction with a proper diet, it may make life easier for people with diabetic cats.
Is there artificial intelligence in veterinary hospitals? Robots aren't diagnosing pets yet, but it exists. Potential uses for AI include examining X-rays, diagnostic tests, and ear swabs to obtain faster results or to open up further areas of investigation.
A company has developed an app that uses AI to assess a cat's facial expressions to help determine the level of pain the cat is experiencing. Veterinarians and owners can use the so-called grimace scale to assess pain in cats, but it takes some training to recognize certain cat behaviors and facial expressions and learn how to read them. . To make that information more accessible, the company has come up with a way to use AI to “teach” a phone to look at a photo of a cat's face and determine an accurate score on the grimace scale, Varble said. It is said that
AI is also being used to create medical records, reducing some of the workload for veterinarians and veterinarians, allowing them more time to spend directly caring for pets.
One of the hopes at the 2023 conference was that a Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for feline infectious peritonitis would soon be available. That hasn't happened yet – unfortunately for Varble – but she's confident it will happen this year. “It's used pretty extensively in Canada and we have good data on it,” she says.
What's important for pet caregivers on both sides of the exam table is that there are a growing number of treatment options of all kinds that are designed specifically to be effective for animals. It's even more convenient. For busy people, it may be easier to go to the veterinarian once a month for an injection rather than having to give medicine once or twice a day at a set time.
“It's the same with diabetes medications for cats,” says Varble. “We have options to fit busy schedules and challenging budgets. Not only do we have more drug routes and ingenuity, but we also have options to meet the needs of pet owners in terms of convenience, reliability, and even cost.” There is a growing need to respond.”
How long in advance should I spay my kitten?
question: When should my new kitten be spayed? My vet wants to do it now, but she's only 4 months old. Is it safe?
answer: Your veterinarian is up to date on the latest recommendations for spaying and neutering your kitten. Your question is timely because February is Feline Fix By Five Awareness Month. It is a “correction” similar to spaying or neutering before 5 months of age.
Kittens are precocious, and females may go into heat at four months of age. Spaying your cat before sexual maturity not only prevents kittens from being born, but also suppresses certain health and behavioral problems. Spaying greatly reduces your cat's risk of breast cancer, and spaying/neutering also reduces the incidence of aggression, territorial marking, and loud vocalizations from females in heat.
People are often surprised to hear that kittens as young as 6 weeks old can be spayed or neutered as long as they weigh at least 2 pounds. And there are advantages to performing surgery at a young age. Kittens are resilient and can recover from surgeries that may be more physically stressful for older or adult cats. For younger kittens, the procedure takes less time and requires less anesthesia.
Studies have shown that kittens spayed at a young age have no negative differences in skeletal, physical, or behavioral development. Shelters with early kitten spay/neuter programs can place kittens at a young age when they are still very cute and don't have to worry about not being able to modify the kittens in time to prevent an “oops” litter. there is no. This practice is supported by the American Feline Medical Association, the Association of Conservation Veterinarians, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Hospital Association, so veterinarians can feel at ease. — Dr. Marty Becker
Have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.
Mutts are the best farm dogs
— Skippy, a 4-year-old sheepdog whose main job is moving beef cattle on Donald and Laura Adams' farm in Georgia, has been named the 2024 Farm Dog of the Year. The Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, and Catahoula mix came to live with the Adams family after Donald was paralyzed from the neck down in an accident. Although he regained the ability to walk using his two canes, Skippy's contributions to the farm operations during and after recovery were essential. “Being able to have a cow and giving me something to live for every day…she contributed so much to that,” he said in a press release. Skippy is a gift from his PHARM Dog USA, which supports farmers and farmer families with physical, cognitive, or disease-related disabilities. The $5,000 prize and a year's supply of Pro Plan dog food was provided by Nestlé Purina Petcare. Three regional runners-up and one People's Choice foal were Cinco from Utah. Meg, from West Virginia. Originally from Fancy, Missouri. and Casper from Georgia.
–Are you a birdie beginner? Don't jump right into parroting. Finch is a better choice for beginners. They are flashy, fast-moving, and fun to watch, but they prefer to be looked at, not handled. Finches are social, so buy two or more and make sure they have a large cage with enough space for flight. Look for zebras, socilla finches and zebra finches, known for their attractive colors and patterns.
— Those facing the loss of a pet may wonder how best to dispose of their pet's remains. Options include burial in a pet cemetery or at home (if local ordinances allow), or cremation with return of the remains. The International Pet Cemetery and Crematorium Association has information to help you decide: iaopc.com/page/faq. — Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton, Dr. Mikkel Becker
About Pet Connection
Pet Connection is created by a team of pet care experts. Veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker is the founder of the Fear Free organization, co-founder of VetScoop.com, and author of many best-selling pet care books. Kim Campbell Thornton is an award-winning journalist and author who has been writing about animals since 1985. Mikkel Becker is a behavioral consultant and lead animal trainer at Fear Free Pets. You can find Dr. Becker on Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at his DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is on his Facebook.com/Kim.CampbellThornton and on Bluesky at kimthornton.bsky.social. Mikkel Becker can be found on Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at his MikkelBecker.
