Advancements & research
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August 27, 2014
Study identifies motivating factors to get owners walking their dogs regularly
Researchers from the University of Liverpool in the U.K. pored over 31 scientific papers from both human and veterinary literature and learned something that is already widely known – a large segment of the dog population does not get walked enough. But then they took the next step by using the prior studies to develop ideas for motivating owners to walk their dogs more often, which could one day lower the obesity rates of both dogs and their owners. -
August 14, 2014
Purdue developing standards to ensure better nationwide commercial dog breeding practices
As the nation's commercial dog breeders face mounting pressure over concerns about their breeding practices, Purdue University is moving to develop a blueprint that can ensure more consistent standards of care by breeders across the country. -
August 6, 2014
Study highlights need for improved awareness of Facebook risks among veterinarians
Do you know what your veterinary colleagues are up to on Facebook? According to a study in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, you might be surprised. The study surveyed 1,594 AAHA members to learn about veterinarians' personal use of Facebook, their knowledge of privacy settings, beliefs about professionalism and accountability online, and factors that contribute to their disclosure of information on Facebook. -
August 5, 2014
AVMA speaker tells veterinary practices how to quickly boost revisit numbers
Many animal hospitals are missing out on substantial revenue by not encouraging enough clients to bring their pets in for revisits. Veterinary business consultant Diederik Gelderman, BVSc, told his audience how to quickly boost their revisit numbers during his presentation at the 2014 AVMA Annual Convention. -
August 5, 2014
Researchers examine present, future usage of electronic veterinary medical records
A study published in the Aug. 1 edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association looked at a small sampling of veterinary hospitals' use of electronic veterinary medical record (EVMR) systems. Despite the small sample size, the researchers came away with some big ideas about how the veterinary profession can better use EVMRs to improve animal health care. -
July 17, 2014
UC Davis study compares long-term health effects of neutering on golden retrievers, Labradors
In 2013, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine published a study revealing that neutered golden retrievers are seemingly at a higher risk of joint disorders and cancers compared to sexually intact dogs of the same breed. The university has now followed that research effort up with a study comparing the long-term health effects of neutering in golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers. -
July 10, 2014
Scientists modify cancer immunotherapy for use in dogs
Human patients have benefited from cancer immunotherapy for around 20 years, but it is just now being adapted for veterinary use. A team of researchers from several research organizations in Vienna, Italy, reported that they are the first to develop antibodies capable of targeting canine cancer. -
June 26, 2014
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy a promising treatment for dogs with enlarged prostates
Researchers from the University of Bari, Italy have reportedly discovered an effective method of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in dogs that doesn't involve surgery or drugs. Their study, published online in The Prostate and scheduled to appear in print in August, details their use of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) to treat dogs with enlarge prostates. -
June 25, 2014
Cornell launches website to help phase out genetic hip and elbow problems in dogs
Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine is going online to try to prevent future generations of dogs from suffering from hip and elbow dysplasia. The university recently launched the Cornell Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) website, featuring a database where the public can search through records of more than a million registered purebred and designer dogs to gauge the likelihood of hip and elbow dysplasia in their offspring. -
June 18, 2014
UGA improving feline kidney transplant outcomes with adult stem cells
As stem cell therapy continues to gain traction in veterinary medicine, the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital is finding success using stem cells in an innovative new way: helping cats' bodies accept kidney transplants.