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IDEXX: Contributing to something bigger

A novel vaccine (Circumvent CML; Merck Animal Health) against disease caused by Porcine Circovirus Types 2a (PCV2a) and 2d (PCV2d), 

is now commercially available.1 It was granted license approval from the USDA in June 2022.

The vaccine is indicated for the inoculation of healthy pigs, aged 3 weeks or older. It is the first ready-to-use, single-dose vaccine for use against disease caused by PCV2a and PCV2d, 

In one bottle, veterinarians and producers have the convenience of vaccinating for 3 of the most important swine disease concerns, with no mixing or reconstituting.

 “This vaccine complements the existing [Merck Animal Health] product portfolio, providing swine veterinarians and producers with the additional option of vaccinating against disease caused by PCV2a and PCV2d, 

,” said Jamie Lehman, DVM, swine technical services veterinarian, Merck Animal Health, in an organizational release.

The new vaccine isavailablein100-and500-mlvials.1 It is administered by intramuscular injection of 2 m per dose.

According to Merck, the duration of immunity for PCV2d is at least 16 weeks, the duration for immunity for 

 is at least 10 weeks, and the duration of immunity for ileitis caused by 

 is at least 20 weeks. The duration of immunity for PCV2a has not been established.

MerckAnimalHealthannouncesavailabilityofcircumventcmlvaccine. News release. Merck Animal Health. June 7, 2023. Accessed June 8, 2023. 

https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/uncategorized/merck-animal-health-announces-availability-of-circumvent-cml-vaccine

USDA grants license approval for Circumvent CML vaccine for pigs. 

®. June 8, 2022. Accessed June 8, 2023. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/usda-grants-license-approval-for-circumvent-cml-vaccine-for-pigs

Circumvent CML [package insert]. Madison, NJ; Merck Animal Health. Accessed June 8, 2023. 

https://merckusa.cvpservice.com/product/view/1047582

Articles

The single-dose injectable from Merck Animal Health protects against 3 swine diseases.

Novel vaccine on the market for viruses in pigs

Today is World Oceans Day! This occasion supports collaborative conservation for the creatures living in the sea.

That's why we selected 3 articles demonstrating the latest advances and conservation efforts in this realm. 

From a sea turtle rescue learning invaluable insights to a record number of manatees returned to the ocean—there's something for everyone. Happy reading! 

1. Saving sea turtles helps rescue see data insights

: Learn how new advances in reptile complete blood cell count (CBC) automation help this rescue obtain deeper insights into what's affecting sea turtles.

2. Record number of rehabilitated manatees returned to natural habitat in 1 day

: The Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership celebrated successfully returning 12 manatees back to Florida waters. 

3. Making waves in sea turtle conservation

: Dr Liz Barton, head of communications at VetCT, outlines the company's contributions to sea turtle conservation, including it's free teleradiology reports and specialist advice to those working with this sick and injured population.

World Ocean Day. Accessed June 8, 2023. https://worldoceanday.org/about

3 Must-reads for World Oceans Day

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has published research

 revealed that a single dose of Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) gene therapy can induce long-term contraception in female cats.

 this research was gathered with help from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) and collaborators from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Horae Gene Therapy Center recently published findings from a study funded by The Joanie Bernard Foundation and The Michelson Found Animals Foundation

Eighty percent of the estimated 600 million domestic cats worldwide are free-roaming.

Along with stressful lives, these cats confront potential euthanasia in animal shelters. Animal welfare experts have long identified sterilization as a key factor to humanely reduce free-roaming cat populations and currently, there are no contraceptives that produce permanent sterilization in companion animals, with spaying being the most widely used option.

“The trap, neuter [spay], return model is difficult to achieve on a large scale because surgery requires general anesthesia, an adequately equipped surgical facility, and more veterinarians than are currently available,” said senior author and CREW’s director of animal research, Bill Swanson, DVM, PhD.

Six female cats at CREW were treated with AMH gene therapy and 3 untreated females were in the control group. A single injection of the treatment caused the cats’ muscle cells to produce AMH (which is normally only produced in the ovaries) and increased the overall level of AMH about 100 times higher. Two 4-month-long breeding trials were performed 1 and 2 years post-treatment to test the efficacy of the AMH gene therapy.

 “Evidence for the effectiveness of this treatment is strong. All of the control (non-treated) cats produced kittens, but none of the cats treated with the gene therapy became pregnant,” shared Lindsey Vansandt, DVM, PhD, lead author on the paper and director of CREW’s Imperiled Cat Signature Project, in the release.

For over 3 years, the treated cats have been monitored to examine the safety of the treatment, including regular physical exams, abdominal ultrasounds, and bloodwork. There were no adverse effects shown in any of the treated cats, displaying that at the doses tested, the gene therapy was safe and well tolerated.

“A non-surgical sterilant for community and companion animals is long overdue and will transform animal welfare,” said Gary K. Michelson (MD), founder and co-chair of the Michelson Found Animals Foundation, which helped fund the study. “This breakthrough discovery is a major milestone in our quest to provide pet owners with an alternative to surgical spay and neuter.”

After the study was over, all of the study cats became available for adoption. Several of them have already found their forever homes with Cincinnati Zoo staff members and volunteers, including 3 cats that were adopted by Bill Swanson, DVM, PhD. “We are cat lovers, which is one of the reasons we’re excited about what this new technology can do to improve the lives of domestic cats,” said Swanson.

What’s more, this therapy doesn’t only benefit cats. Cats' outdoor hunting habits have had negative repercussions for wildlife populations, including North American Songbirds. “Cat predation is a major source of mortality in wild birds. Outdoor cats also contribute indirectly through fear, resource competition, and disease transmission,” said Jenny Gainer, curator of birds & African animals at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, in the release. “Controlling and reducing the population of free-roaming cats will make a major difference for declining songbird populations.”

“I’m both a domestic cat advocate and a wildlife advocate. Our technology has the potential to significantly improve the welfare of both,” said Vansandt. “This safe and effective non-surgical solution has tremendous potential to win the fight against pet overpopulation and end shelter euthanasia of healthy animals.”

Vansandt LM, Meinsohn MC, Godin P, et al. Durable contraception in the female domestic cat using viral-vectored delivery of a feline anti-Müllerian hormone transgene. 

. 2023 Jun 6;14(1):3140. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-38721-0.

Cincinnati Zoo scientists advance non-surgical contraceptive alternative for cats. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. June 6, 2023. Accessed June 8, 2023. https://cincinnatizoo.org/news-releases/cincinnati-zoo-scientists-advance-non-surgical-contraceptive-alternative-for-cats

Marks key milestone toward humanely reducing free-roaming cat populations and reducing shelter euthanasia of healthy cats 

Research reveals efficacy of non-surgical contraceptive alternative for cats

Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, Massachusetts recently announced that Dinari, a 14-year-old male lion, is to undergo a medical procedure to potentially help his brother Kamaia, also age 14, who is suffering from serious health issues.

 the zoo veterinary team is going to draw blood from Dinari to see if it is a match with Kamaia, who is severely anemic, so they can perform a blood transfusion. Though there is always risk when anesthesia is administered, Dinari is in good health and the team feels his risk is minimal for this brief procedure, which could give his brother the best chance of survival.

“We remain very concerned about Kamaia and his ongoing serious health issues. These procedures are approached with great thought and consideration, and while there is risk and many unknowns as to what we could find, this is the best course of action to try and treat Kamaia,” said Chris Bonar, VMD, AB, Zoo New England director of animal health, in the release.

The veterinary team is also planning to further perform exploratory surgery on Kamaia to try to find the cause of his ongoing health issues. Kamaia underwent a medical exam last week including collection of blood, urine, spleen, and bone marrow samples, as well as X-rays of his chest and abdomen, to try and discover what is going on. He was successfully treated for severe pneumonia earlier this spring, but at the time it seemed he also had some chronic underlying health issues, although comprehensive diagnostic tests were inconclusive.

the exam did uncover that Kamaia’s spleen is greatly enlarged, which could be the cause of the anemia he is experiencing, however, it is still unclear whether he has something more systemic affecting his health.

“Dinari and Kamaia were born in the same litter, and are an incredibly close, tightly-bonded pair. These decisions are being carefully considered with both of their best interests in mind,” said John Linehan, Zoo New England president and CEO, in the release. “The Animal Care and veterinary teams have been working extraordinarily hard to care for Kamaia, and I would like to commend them for their dedication, care and professionalism during this challenging time.”

Dinari and Kamaia have lived at Franklin Park Zoo since 2015. Updates on the health of the lions will be available after Friday.

Medical procedures planned for lions at Franklin Park Zoo. News release. Zoo New England. June 7, 2023. Accessed June 8, 2023. https://www.zoonewengland.org/zoo-news/2023/june/medical-procedures-planned-for-lions-at-franklin-park-zoo

14-year-old lion suffering from health issues may get blood transfusion from his brother if they’re a match 

Potential blood transfusion may offer lion chance of survival 

As smoke from active wildfires contineus to compromise air quality in the parts of the United States and Canada, veterinary professionals can help pets safe. The animal welfare group American Humane and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) are providing tips that can be shared with clients.

“Smoky conditions triggered by wildfires can affect cats and dogs just like humans, and pet owners should act accordingly,” said Thomas Edling, DVM, MSpVM, MPH, the chief veterinary officer of American Humane, in an organizational release. He suggested taking pets on shorter walks to avoid strained breathing.

According to American Humane and the AVMA the following precautions are also recommended

Limit the time dogs and cats spent outdoors.

Keep birds indoors at all times when smoke or particulate matter is present.

Avoid strenuous activity and exercise for all animals. This includes playing fetch, going for a jog, or taking a long walk.

Take your pet outside for short bathroom breaks and come immediately back inside.

Bring outdoor water bowls inside so it doesn’t collect airborne particles associated with the smoke.

If pets have to be outside, mornings are preferred, as the weather is cooler.

Livestock need a 4-to-6-week period to recuperate after the air quality returns to normal is needed. Attempting to handle, move, or transport livestock may delay healing and compromise your animals’ performance.

Recognizing signs of respiratory distress is also important for keeping pets safe. “Monitoring your animal for coughing, sneezing, and general respiratory issues is recommended,” said Edling, in the release.

Signs may also include “difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, sneezing or runny nose, eye irritation or discharge, lethargy or decreased activity level, loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea,” according to Rachel Hinder, RVT, with Embrace Pet Insurance, in an email.

 , Kenichiro Yagi, RVT, VTS (ECC), VTS (SAIM), MS, chief veterinary nursing officer with the Veterinary Emergency Group in White Plains, New York, emphasized the importance of noting both visual and auditory cues to help determine if a pet is experiencing a respiratory emergency. “What does their breathing pattern look like? What color are their gums? [There are] different kinds of things that we can tell just by visibly looking at [the pet],” he said.

“We probably hear animals breathing with a loud noise…if it’s really bad. [Diagnosis] gets better when we start using our stethoscopes,” Yagi added. He noted that an examination can help determine the source of the respiratory problem,

 which could also be attributed to a medical condition.

Animals with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, inherent breathing problems—including French bulldogs and pugs—or older animals should be under even closer observation during periods of poor air quality. Clients should consult with a veterinarian if their pets are showing signs of smoke irritation or distress.

“Americans should take precautions to keep all members of their family safe—even the furry ones,” Edling added.

As Americans grapple with hazy skies and poor air quality, animal welfare group says don’t forget pets. News release. American Humane. June 7, 2023.

Wildfire smoke and animals. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed June 8, 2023. 

https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/emergencycare/wildfire-smoke-and-animals

Burke J. Assessing respiratory emergency patients. 

®. May 12, 2022. Accessed June 8, 2023. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/assessing-respiratory-emergency-patients

The poor air quality being seen in some areas of the United States and Canada can affect the health of animals.

Keeping pets safe from wildfire smoke

A new economic report commissioned by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) examined the health care cost savings associated with pet ownership in the United States. Overall, the report found that pet ownership could save the United States health care system $22.7 billion annually.

The report, made possible by a grant from Banfield Pet Hospital, was co-authored by Terry L. Clower, PhD and Tonya E. Thornton, PhD, MPPA, both of whom have extensive expertise in economic and public policy research, according to a release from HABRI.

 The conclusion that pet ownership can save humans money on their own health care comes from a connection of pet owners having better overall health in the form of fewer doctor visits per year and also specific savings for key public health issues affecting millions of Americans, including reduced obesity, reduced infections, and better mental health for children, seniors, and US veterans.

“The results of this analysis are conservative and likely underestimate the positive health care savings connected to pet ownership,” said Clower in the release. “Presently, there is not yet sufficient data available to calculate the direct heath care cost savings for some of the known beneficial health effects of pet ownership and we believe that future analyses will show even greater economic benefits.”

“By commissioning this economic report, we are documenting the important role of pets as valued contributors to public health,” said Steven Feldman, president of HABRI, in the release. “This data suggests that there should be stronger societal support for keeping pets and people healthy together.”

To conduct their research the authors first reviewed relevant, peer-reviewed academic and professional literature regarding the health benefits of pet ownership. Then, they looked at the most recent cost estimates for health services and treatments related to the health conditions identified in the literature review based on an examination of publicly available health care cost data. Pet ownership data was also identified from publicly available sources. The estimated savings to the U.S. healthcare system associated with pet ownership were calculated using these inputs.

New report shows major economic benefits associated with pet ownership. News release. Human Animal Bond Research Institute. Published May 23, 2023. Accessed June 8, 2023. https://habri.org/pressroom/20230523

Pet ownership saves the US health care system $22.7 billion annually, according to report commissioned by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute

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