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IDEXX: Contributing to something bigger

, Claire Fellman, PhD, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVCP, discussed different methods for controlling diabetes in cats. Tight control focuses on aggressively monitoring to maintain ideal glucose levels. This may be the best way to achieve remission, but is not always realistic for cats or their owners.

View the video below for the entire discussion. The following is a partial transcript.

Claire Fellman, PhD, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVCP:

 "We have flexibility in how we approach diabetics; there's not one right way. Certainly tight control probably gives us the best chances for diabetic remission, but loose control can also be very successful."

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Claire Fellman, PhD, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVCP, explains the difference between tightly controlling glucose and focusing more on the clinical signs and other factors of diabetes in cats. 

Feline diabetes: tight control vs loose control

Kurt Williams, DVM, PhD, DACVP, the new director of OVDL (Photo courtesy of Oregon State University). 

Oregon State University (OSU) has named Kurt Williams, DVM, PhD, DACVP, a current veterinary pathologist at Michigan State University, director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL). His role at the OVDL will begin on March 1, 2022.

Williams received his veterinary degree at Michigan State University in 1990, then his PhD at the University of California, Davis in 2001. Currently, he is completing a master’s degree in journalism at Michigan State for environmental journalism.

“He comes from a program (Michigan State) with a very large and well-funded veterinary diagnostic laboratory and we look forward to using his expertise and experience to further our goals of expanding our OVDL facilities and services,” said Susan Tornquist, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVP, dean of OSU’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, in the release.

According to the release, the OVDL is state and federally funded with its main purpose of testing for and diagnosing animal diseases in agricultural animals and wildlife. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the facility began testing human samples when Oregon’s testing capacity was overwhelmingly limited.

Now, human testing is still ongoing and Williams anticipates partaking in the continual COVID-19 testing and assisting Oregon with preparing for future disease outbreaks.

“If you look at the arc of human history, this is not unprecedented,” Williams said, in the release. “Pandemics have swept through humans repeatedly, most of them coming directly from our relationships with animals. We need to be ready.”

Among Williams’ top priorities in the position will be to obtain funding for an updated facility for the laboratory, with enhanced testing capabilities for high-level biohazards to help make sure Oregon has the infrastructure and personnel to respond to major disease outbreaks. He also looks forward to continue working in diagnostic service as a pathologist, in addition to conducting research and teaching.

According to the release, he wants to focus on effective science communication with the public, sharing findings and stories that display the importance of veterinary diagnostic laboratories in managing public health and safety for animals, people, and the environment.

“If we’re ready for the next pandemic, that means we’re also ready for a potentially less catastrophic but still regionally important outbreak in Oregon’s agriculture or natural environment,” Williams said. “We need to be ready to rumble if something hits the ground in Oregon that could potentially ripple out to impact Washington or California or the rest of the nation.”

Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at OSU names new director. News release. Oregon State University. January 24, 2022. Accessed January 24, 2022. https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/oregon-veterinary-diagnostic-laboratory-osu-names-new-director

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Dr Kurt Williams fills this role at OSU during a time when COVID-19 has demonstrated the significance of laboratories and their testing capabilities. 

Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory appoints new director

Photo courtesy of Clarius Mobile Health. 

At the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), Clarius Mobile Health launched Clarius HD3 Vet, its third-generation product line of handheld wireless ultrasound scanners for veterinarians. The 3 new scanners are 30% lighter and smaller than the previous generation, making them about the size of a smartphone.

Clarius HD3 Vet wireless scanners feature AI-powered imaging with dedicated animal presets. According to the release, the devices are used in conjunction with iOS and Android devices and come with the “latest antenna technology” to maintain a consistent connection. The company also claims the scanners can deliver “up to 8 times faster frame rates and micron-level resolution” compared to other handheld ultrasound scanners. The 3 new Clarius HD3 Vet models are as follows:

Clarius C7 HD3 Vet for small and medium animals

Clarius L7 HD3 Vet for equine MSK imaging

Camilla Edwards, a veterinary surgeon from First Opinion Veterinary Ultrasound, was the first veterinarian to test the third-generation Clarius C7 HD Vet. 

"…It's much smaller than the previous scanners, weighs much less, and is much easier to control," said Edwards. "It's much more practical for carrying in your pocket and using in the practice setting where we often need to take the ultrasound to our furry patients."

"The new Clarius HD3 line is now so remarkably small that it's no bigger than my iPhone," said Laurent Pelissier, Clarius CEO. "Our world-class R&D team has miniaturized the high-performance of traditional, cart-based ultrasound systems into a new form factor that truly feels like a traditional ultrasound probe. By replacing complex knobs and buttons with artificial intelligence, it automatically optimizes imaging for ease of use."

In concert with the new products, a new version of the Clarius Ultrasound application is also being released to the iOS App Store and Google Play store with new AI and imaging tools that further advance image quality. Additionally, it includes a new Advanced Veterinarian Package that Clarius says will enable veterinarians to personalize their imaging experience.


Clarius introduces three new ultra-portable wireless smartphone ultrasound scanners for veterinarians at the VMX Expo. News release. Clarius Mobile Health. Accessed January 24, 2022. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clarius-introduces-three-new-ultra-portable-wireless-smartphone-ultrasound-scanners-for-veterinarians-at-the-vmx-expo-301462683.html

The new line of wireless ultrasound scanners are roughly the size of an iPhone.

Clarius introduces 3 new ultra-portable wireless smartphone ultrasound scanners

Bubba successfully receives Synovetin OA treatment for his arthritis (Photo courtesy of San Antonio Zoo).

San Antonio Zoo recently transported a 27-year-old Komodo dragon, Bubba, to Sage Veterinary Imaging in Austin, Texas to receive 

—a product used to reduce inflammation in joints and inhibit the cycle of pain and inflammation for up to 1 year.

“Bubba has severe arthritis,” said Jaime Sage, DVM, MS, DACVR, following the procedure, in an organizational release. “We’re happy to know Synovetin was successful in improving his mobility and making him more comfortable in his environment. He has more spring in his step these days.”

Over the past few years, Bubba, who weighs 175 lbs and measures 8 ½ feet, developed joint stiffness and tried other treatments including acupuncture to improve his range of motions. However, according to Tim Murrow, president, and CEO of San Antonio Zoo, his mobility gradually decreased even with his regular acupuncture treatments. Now with Synovetin, Murrow and the team at San Antonio Zoo have witnessed increased movements in Bubba who ventures across more areas in his habitat, plus they no longer hear his sounds of discomfort.

“We are excited to collaborate with the San Antonio Zoo on this exciting procedure–the first exotic animal to be treated with Synovetin,” John Donecker, VMD, MS, chief veterinary officer at Exubrion, maker of Synovetin, expressed in the release. 

“For dogs—or Komodo dragons—with chronic elbow pain, Synovetin OA is a new, convenient, long-lasting and safe option. It treats the pain right where it happens and doesn’t go through the animal-like pills that can have side effects," he added. 

San Antonio Zoo® Leverages New Therapy to Treat Arthritis in Komodo Dragon. News release. San Antonio Zoo. January 7, 2022. Accessed January 24, 2022. 

https://sanantoniozoo.app.box.com/s/opemqdwlj1bi0i6qvigskptyu9p786l

A Komodo dragon at the San Antonio Zoo was the first exotic animal in the world to receive this innovative treatment that reduces inflammation in arthritic joints. 

San Antonio Zoo treats first exotic animal with Synovetin OA 

The Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) in Amarillo welcomed a new assistant professor of epidemiology—Gizem Levent, DVM, PhD—to its faculty earlier this month. Before joining SVM, Levent served as a visiting scientist in 2014 at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Services, where she worked on alternatives to antibiotics to help reduce pathogen carriage in food animals. 

“I am very excited to start my new academic journey in such a diverse and rapidly growing community at the SVM at Texas Tech,” Levent said, in the release, “I am fully committed to contributing to the core values-based, friendly, and stimulating academic environment with the faculty, staff, and first-generation RaiderVets.”

In 2012, Levent received her veterinary medical degree from Ankara University, Turkey, and went on to complete her Doctor of Philosophy in biomedical sciences from Texas A&M, with an emphasis on epidemiology, in 2019. During her career, Levent explored epidemiology while keeping One Health in mind. She wanted to dive deeper and study the interaction between foodborne pathogens and food animals with a concentration on applied and molecular epidemiology.

“Dr Levent is such a wonderful person and scholar,” said Guy Loneragan, BVSc, PhD, dean of SVM, in the release, “She will strengthen our community, enrich our school, and she will expand the breadth of our research activities. She is a fantastic addition to Texas Tech in general and our School in particular. I am looking forward to working with Dr Levent on a number of One Health projects.”

Through her new position, Levent is excited to continue her research and help mentor the next future generation of veterinarians.

Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine Welcomes Epidemiologist to Faculty. News release. Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. January 13, 2022. Accessed January 24, 2022. https://today.ttu.edu/posts/2022/01/Stories/Texas-Tech-School-of-Veterinary-Medicine-Welcomes-Epidemiologist-to-Faculty

The Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine faculty hires a former visiting USDA scientist to join its ranks. 

Texas Tech welcomes new assistant professor of epidemiology 

In an interview with dvm360®, Tasha McNerney, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia), emphasized how advocating for yourself financially as a veterinary technician can foster a sustainable, fulfilling career. 

Tasha McNerney, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia):

 I think that it's time that we can, as a professional organization, as veterinary technicians that [we] take ownership of that and stop shying away from financial discussions. I think that is going to be a big component going forward. If we make this into a lifelong career, you have to be able to advocate for yourself financially. You have to be able to negotiate job opportunities when they come up. And you have to look at this not from just, 'What am I getting paid base per hour?' But also if you want to make this a long-lasting career, [you have to also consider], 'What are the benefits [going to] be?'

During an interview with dvm360®, Tasha McNerney, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia), broke down the importance of ensuring your career as a veterinary technician is both emotionally and financially rewarding. 