November 15, 2020

AVMA launches video resource channel

The AVMA has launched AVMA Telecast, a feature on Boehringer Ingelheim’s PetPro Tele+, a telemedicine app. The AVMA Telecast will allow AVMA members to access the Association’s educational videos through the app.

“This exciting addition to the PetPro Tele+ app gives us an additional user-friendly way to keep our members informed and connected,” said Dr. Douglas Kratt, AVMA president, in a press release. “To help our members stay abreast in today’s very dynamic environment, we regularly produce videos on a wide range of important topics—animal welfare, COVID-19, veterinarian and staff well-being, and diversity, equity and inclusion, to name but a few—and share them via our website, social media channels and member emails. Now, thanks to AVMA Telecast, we’ll have another way to provide these resources directly to our members on their cell phones, tablets, or laptops.”

The PetPro Tele+ service was launched in May. Boehringer Ingelheim expanded its telemedicine offerings to help veterinarians and pet owners during the COVID-19 pandemic and related social distancing measures. The app is a free resource.

A video with information about AVMA Telecast is at the PetPro Connect website.

Past AVMA president elected to WSAVA board

Dr. John de Jong, a past president of the AVMA, was elected to a two-year term as honorary treasurer of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. The honorary treasurer oversees and is responsible for WSAVA accounts, budget, and investments.

Voting for the position happened during the Sept. 22 WSAVA Assembly Meeting, which was held virtually. Dr. de Jong ran against Dr. Jerzy Gawor of Poland.

Dr. de Jong is a small animal practitioner in Boston. He served as 2018-19 AVMA president, and he chaired the AVMA Board of Directors from 2015-16. He was District I Board representative from 2010-16. Dr. de Jong also served in the AVMA House of Delegates, and he chaired the House Advisory Committee, the AVMA Governance Performance Review Committee, and the AVMA Political Action Committee Policy Board.

He is on the board of trustees at Tufts University and serves on the board of advisers for the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

The WSAVA executive board is composed of volunteer veterinarians and is responsible for the oversight and strategy of the association. The executive board answers to the WSAVA Assembly, which is the ultimate decision-making body of the association.

The 2020 WSAVA Congress has been rescheduled for March 2021 in Poland. The 2021 WSAVA Assembly meeting will be held in November next year in conjunction with the WSAVA Congress in India.

Ontario Veterinary College launches website on pet nutrition

A website launched in mid-June from the University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College focuses on science-based and practical information on pet nutrition for veterinarians and pet owners.

The content and website were developed by the pet nutrition team at the veterinary college during the spring, while people were working remotely.

“This website is truly a team effort,” said Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, associate professor in canine and feline clinical nutrition at the college, in a press release. “All graduate students and summer students provided extensive leg work in gathering and preparing content for this new website. ... We want to pass along the knowledge that our team is learning through various research and clinical activities and make that relevant for all the readers of our website, members of the veterinary community at OVC, veterinary health care teams, pet owners, and other pet nutrition enthusiasts.”

The website has a blog that provides tips on pet nutrition, including information on topics such as raw diets and keeping food bowls clean, among others.

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