Failed veterinarian accused of harming cat in castration attempt

Police in Green Bay, Wisconsin, arrested a woman who didn’t complete veterinary school and her future brother-in-law for trying to castrate the man’s cat at home to save money. Now the pair face up to nine months in jail and $11,000 in fines if convicted of mistreating an animal and practicing veterinary medicine without a license. Richard Krystof, 24, and Samantha Bruce, 27, were formally charged July 26. According to the criminal complaint, Krystof felt that taking the cat to a veterinarian to be neutered was too expensive. Bruce, his brother’s fiancée, said she went to veterinary school and would guide him through the process by wrapping a rubber band around the cat’s testicles. Krystof and Bruce each accuse the other of doing the procedure.

Columbian drug cartel puts hit on drug-sniffing dog

One of Colombia’s most powerful drug cartels has put a bounty on the head of an enemy who has cost them more than $100 million—a drug-sniffing police pooch who has swept 10 tons of cocaine off the streets. The Urabeños—also known as the Gulf Clan—is desperate to stop the crime-fighting German shepherd dog named Sombra from wrecking its lucrative business, and has offered as much as $70,000 to have her captured or killed. Sombra, whose name means Shadow, sniffed out roughly 10 tons of Urabeños cocaine this year, prompting the murderous gang to put out the hit on her. “The fact they want to hurt Sombra and offer such a high reward for her capture or death shows the impact she’s had on their profits,” a police spokesperson said.

Corporate veterinary group to build hospital on veterinary school campus

One of Great Britain’s largest corporate veterinary groups has announced plans to build a specialist referral hospital and clinical skills center in partnership with the UK’s newest joint veterinary school. The CVS Group said the novel linkup with Keele University and Harper Adams University would be “mutually beneficial,” but CVS Chief Executive Simon Innes stressed: “We haven’t set out to own a [veterinary] school as a company—that’s not our intention.” CVS will build the hospital—estimated to cost between $5 million and $7 million—on the Keele campus, along with key components for the delivery of the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree program delivered by the joint veterinary school. The facilities will be ready for the first student intake in autumn 2020.

FDA recommends drug option during Percorten-V shortage

Due to a shortage of Percorten-V, which is approved for use as replacement therapy for mineralocorticoid deficit in dogs with Addison’s disease, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding veterinarians that Zycortal Suspension is an alternative treatment option that is not currently in shortage. Elanco Animal Health, manufacturer of Percorten-V (desoxycorticosterone pivalate injectable suspension), reported a manufacturing issue with the product. “Elanco is experiencing a delay in production of Percorten-V due to the inability of our contract manufacturing facility to supply product,” according to the company’s website. The FDA considers desoxycorticosterone pivalate a medically necessary veterinary drug.

Man loses legs, hands to amputation after dog licks him

Greg Manteufel has loved dogs all his life, but a dog’s kiss nearly killed him in June. Because of an infection caused by contact with dog saliva, Manteufel’s legs and hands had to be amputated. More than a month later, he’s still hospitalized and awaiting more surgeries. It started with flu-like symptoms. The next day, bruises and blemishes appeared on his face, chest, legs, stomach, and back. Manteufel was taken to a hospital near his West Bend, Wisconsin, home. The hospital determined a life-threatening sepsis infection had set in and they didn’t have the equipment needed to handle his bacteria-packed blood. They sent Manteufel to another hospital about 30 miles away for antibiotics and surgery.