VCA extends to emergency care
VCA Animal Hospitals has opened its first urgent care clinic and is planning additional locations across the United States. The new Los Angeles clinic is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily for pets with non-life-threatening conditions such as allergic reactions, urinary problems, loss of appetite and ear infections. Euthanasia services, vaccinations and wellness exams are not provided. Clients can engage in free teletriage conversations with veterinary technicians to assess an animal’s condition prior to a visit. The Los Angeles location is “intentionally designed with no reception or telephones”, VCA reported. “Friendly customer service representatives help customers get comfortable and check in via mobile device.”
Veterinary Forensic Pathology program begins in 2023
Florida International University will launch a 16-month online master’s program in veterinary forensic science beginning in the fall of 2023 to oversee animal cruelty cases,” the university said. Student applications and more information are available at bit.ly/3KncaPg. Virtual Open Houses are scheduled for September 21 and October 26, 2022.
Michigan Parvo outbreak confirmed
Canine parvovirus has killed at least 20 dogs and sickened others in northern Michigan, the state veterinarian said. Tests performed at the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the diagnosis. “This situation is complex because although dogs have shown clinical signs suggestive of parvovirus, they are consistently testing negative through point-of-care testing performed in clinics and shelters,” said lab director Kim Dodd, DVM. The affected dogs were not fully vaccinated, the state reported.
The Dinbest harness is a SuperZoo winner
The Dinbeat UNO Multi-Parameter Harness won the Judges Award for New to Market Pet Product at the SuperZoo conference in Las Vegas. The device, designed for veterinary patients, measures ECG, heart and respiratory rate, temperature, activity, position and vocalizations. Dinbeat is headquartered in Barcelona.
3 Indiana hospitals change names
Emergency Veterinary Care Centers is the new name for three Indiana hospitals formerly known as the North Central Veterinary Emergency Center. Facilities, all accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association, are located in Highland, Mishawaka and Westville. The new website is EVCC.com.
95 years and it counts for WVC
Registration opens Sept. 5 for WVC’s 95th Annual Conference. The event will take place February 19-22 in Las Vegas. The organizers invite participants to design the official conference t-shirt. Learn more at bit.ly/3ThHoeK.
New pain guidelines are coming
The World Association of Small Animal Veterinarians will release updated global pain guidelines at the 2022 World Congress. moral and ethical to alleviate suffering to the best of their abilities,” said Dr. Bea Monteiro, member of the WSAVA Global Pain Council. “We hope that the latest version of our guidelines will become a key point of reference.” Details of the conference, scheduled for October 29-31 in Lima, Peru, are available at bit.ly/3AQE7vD.
HABRI honors pet peace of mind
Pet Peace of Mind, an Oregon nonprofit group, won the Human Animal Bond Innovation Award for public service. “Pet Peace of Mind is the only national program providing a model of care for pets of critically ill hospice patients, including helping pets find loving new homes, if needed,” the presenter reported. award, the Human Animal Bond Research Institute.
