COVID-19

Veterinary Virtual Care Summit Offers Free CE and Telemedicine Training
VVCA executive director Alison McIntyre discusses the importance of telemedicine in serving modern clients and how the Aug. 18 event will elevate best practices.
The Veterinary Virtual Care Summit offers free CE for veterinary professionals and resources for improving telemedicine care.

Pets in Need Project Reaches Homeless Pet Owners During Trying Times
ElleVet Sciences staff members embarked on a 2-month journey through California to provide free veterinary services and supplies for pet owners experiencing homelessness.
ElleVet Sciences staff members embarked on a 2-month journey through California to provide free veterinary services and supplies for pet owners experiencing homelessness.

Study Shows Shifting Views on Pet Healthcare, Human-Animal Bond During Pandemic
A Banfield Pet Hospital study found that 84% of pet owners surveyed feel more attuned to their pet's health during quarantine and 67% plan to make changes to how they care for their pet.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on how pet owners view pet healthcare and the human-animal bond, according to findings from a recent Banfield Pet Hospital survey. The online survey included 1,000 dog and cat owners in the United States, and was conducted by Wakefield Research from May 11-15. The range of questions …

Coronavirus Pandemic Continues to Hurt Veterinary Business, While Some Bright Spots Persist
The latest VetWatch report shows large metropolitan areas are generally struggling, while some interior regions post year-over-year growth.
The coronavirus pandemic has hurt veterinary business in much of the country, but some areas are seeing growth, according to VetWatch.

Can Dogs Identify COVID-19 via Scent Detection? Penn Vet Aims to Find Out.
A new training program aims to determine if dogs can identify COVID-19 infected humans via scent detection.
A new University of Pennsylvania training program aims to determine if dogs can identify COVID-19 infected humans via scent detection.

Merck Animal Health Offers up to $1,000 per Sick Pet That Missed Vaccinations
The COVID-19 Nobivac Relief Plan is designed to support veterinary practices in the wake of a pandemic that forced many pet owners to push back preventative care.
The COVID-19 crisis has changed consumer behavior in many ways, but one particularly troubling trend for veterinary professionals is a decline in pet vaccinations and preventative care. Merck Animal Health designed its COVID-19 Nobivac Relief Plan as a safety net of sorts for its partner practices and pet owners. The program will cover the cost …

AVMA Cancels 2020 Convention Due to COVID-19 Concerns
The AVMA Convention 2020 was scheduled to take place July 31-August 4 in San Diego.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) announced that it has canceled the AVMA Convention 2020 scheduled to start July 31 in San Diego.

AVMA: Prepare COVID-19 Stimulus Loan Applications Quickly
Funds are expected to deplete quickly; here are the key provisions and practical resources
Veterinary practices applying for government assistance loans offered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic should move quickly before funds dry up, the AVMA says.

Q&A: Dr. Jennifer Ogeer Discusses Antech’s SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Program
Antech Diagnostics discovered the first two pets in the US to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 as part of its surveillance program. We spoke with Dr. Jennifer Ogeer about the testing program.
The first two pets to test positive for the coronavirus in the US were discovered by Antech Diagnostics’ surveillance program. We discuss with an expert from Antech.