Latest news with #veterinarymedicine
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
A heart to care for all creatures, big and small — Malaika Watanabe
JUNE 25 — For most people, animal health only brings veterinarians to mind, in their role as animal doctors who treat our pets when they're sick. But what about bioveterinary sciences? To shed some light on this convergence of veterinary medicine and animal sciences, Prof Dr Malaika Watanabe, Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine at IMU University, explains that studies in this field is a gateway to many professions. 'The health and welfare of humans and animals are intertwined in many ways. Pets offer us companionship, livestock help to provide sustenance, and biodiversity protects entire ecosystems,' said Prof Watanabe. 'Quite simply, we need them, and we need to know how to care for them properly – even livestock that are destined for the slaughterhouse deserve to exist with as little suffering as possible. That's where bioveterinary science comes in.' What's the point of bioveterinary science? While well-established in many parts of the world, it is relatively new as a field of study in Malaysia and few universities offer this course of study, which involves a combination of medical knowledge such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology and pathology, as well as animal care and management. Students pursuing bioveterinary science also have the opportunity to learn basic clinical skills such as restraint, handling and nursing care. Broadly speaking, it focuses on key species namely dogs, cats, horses, cows, goats/sheep, poultry and pigs, which are primarily companion animals and livestock. Graduates in bioveterinary science may choose to continue their education and pursue professional qualifications as veterinarians – of which there are only approximately 3000 in Malaysia while the current demand requires at least 6,000– or seek opportunities in various animal-related fields, from livestock care and veterinary assistants to research and farm management. At its core, bioveterinary science supports the ethical and responsible treatment of animals. This also serves to protect public health by maintaining levels of hygiene and other standards that reduce environmental contamination and help prevent zoonotic diseases that can infect humans, explained Prof Watanabe. The scope of bioveterinary sciences, therefore, is much wider than most people are aware and offers a career pathway that may not be commonly considered. Bioveterinary science supports the ethical and responsible treatment of animals. — Picture courtesy of IMU University The bigger picture All life is intertwined, hence animal health and welfare is not just of concern to animal lovers. Much of the world continues to rely heavily on animals and animal-based products – global meat production has more than tripled over the past 50 years while the emotional connection humans have with companion animals contributes to a booming pet industry, which was valued at over USD246 billion worldwide in 2023 and projected to surpass USD427 billion by 2032. This growth is also reflected locally, with over 50% of Malaysians owning pets and contributing to a 25% growth in 2022 in the pet care sector that encompasses pet care services, sales of pets and veterinary services. 'When you work to ensure animal health, you are also working to ensure environmental health and, by extension, ensuring human health as well. Let me give you an example: I'm a small animal clinician, and when I talk to owners, I always emphasise that owners have the responsibility to deworm their dogs and cats – this is because infected animals can shed parasitic eggs in the environment. This can put humans at risk, especially children in playgrounds, who could get infected and become seriously ill. So being a responsible pet owner and being responsible for the health and wellbeing of your fellow human beings is a complete circle,' said Prof Watanabe. In another example, livestock management that prioritises animal health reduces the risk of disease and culling. Managing livestock efficiently and ethically is essential for food security, which is critical in many countries, so it is important to make it as sustainable as possible. In addition, keeping animals healthy also helps prevent unnecessary or indiscriminate use of antibiotics, which can have repercussions on humans, she explained further. Raising the bar on animal health and wellness 'Respect for this mutual wellness needs to be instilled from a young age so that we can work towards better standards for how animals are treated. Mindsets take a long time to change, and it all boils down to education and awareness, from families to schools and society at large so that we have compassion for all living things,' said Prof Watanabe. 'Working with animals, especially when you are working to ensure their health and wellness, can be gruelling. Even as students, you will be exposed to veterinary clinics, poultry farms, horse stables, and various other environments that might not seem pleasant – it's not just about playing with cute little pets! It's important to understand the reality of the situation. However, passion and genuine compassion for animals will help sustain you.' This can take you down many paths, she explained, and may lead you to discover your true calling, be it as a beloved neighbourhood veterinarian or a successful livestock manager, to more specialised pursuits such as conservation and zoology, in the footsteps of iconic conservationists like Jane Goodall and Steve Irwin did, by becoming outspoken advocates for animals, each in their own unique way. *Prof Dr Malaika Watanabe is the Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at IMU University. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
CTV News
10 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
A rare chance to gather data at the Calgary Stampede
Calgary Watch The Calgary Stampede is working with the University of Calgary's faculty of veterinary medicine on a few different studies.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
TCM offers alternative treatment for pets
When Fubao's owner approached Guo Mengxuan, a veterinarian in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, to help treat her paralysed tabby cat, she had already been told by several experts that her beloved furry feline friend would never walk again. That's when Guo turned to a traditional treatment that has been used in China to treat animals for thousands of years and that is little known elsewhere — traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, or TCVM. 'The cat had been diagnosed with a severe spinal cord injury and had missed the optimal window for surgery. Other clinics said it would never walk again and would require lifelong assistance when relieving itself,' Guo said. But Guo, trained in both veterinary pharmaceuticals and TCVM, decided to treat Fubao with acupuncture. 'For about three months, the cat received acupuncture three times a week,' she said. 'Gradually, it regained the ability to stand, walk and even partially control its bladder and bowel functions.' Guo, who practises at Loving Care International Pet Hospital, said a growing number of pet owners in China are turning to TCVM when regular treatments fail. Similar to traditional Chinese medicine for humans, the use of TCVM as a medical regimen for animals has been practised in China for over 2,000 years, and focuses on balancing the body's qi, or life energy. Fubao's case represents the potential of acupuncture and other TCVM therapies in treating a host of animal ailments. In China, the number of pet dogs and cats has risen steadily since 2017, reaching 124 million in 2023 — a 2.1 per cent increase from the year before, according to a report released by in December. Guo said Loving Care International Pet Hospital treats an average of 70 pets per day, and sometimes as many as 100. 'About one-tenth of them visit the hospital's TCVM department,' she said. 'On my busiest day, I handled 17 acupuncture cases.' Guo said that TCVM consultations begin with observation — examining the pet's skin, fur, tongue and breath. 'Pets with late-stage kidney disease often exhale a distinct urine-like odor, which is an indicator of kidney failure,' she said. 'We also conduct a comprehensive evaluation that includes questioning owners about the pet's daily habits — appetite, water consumption, urinary and bowel patterns, and behavioural changes,' she added. 'Additionally, we can check the pulse of the pets through the femoral artery in their hind legs.' Hu Yusheng, an associate professor at China Agricultural University's college of veterinary medicine, said common TCVM treatments involve acupuncture, herbal medicines and massages. 'TCVM has a long history of treating trauma-induced paralysis and other external injuries. But these days, we are seeing an increasing number of paralysis cases related to congenital abnormalities caused by selective breeding,' Hu said. Take French bulldogs — well-beloved for their adorable appearance — as an example, Hu said. 'The breed is predisposed to intervertebral disc disease, which often leads to paralysis. Such cases might seem hopeless from a conventional veterinary perspective. But through TCVM, we can regulate qi, blood flow and organ function to help these animals recover mobility,' he said. 'We've successfully treated many such cases — with results that have surprised us and delighted pet owners,' he added. Thanks to advancements in lifestyle, diets and veterinary medicine, dogs are living longer and TCVM offers valuable solutions for maintaining their quality of life in their senior years, according to Hu. 'Many cats and dogs live into their teens or even 20s. The oldest dog I've treated was 24 years old,' he said. 'In their final days, many pet owners want to give their companions the best possible quality of life.' Hu said that the most outstanding and valuable characteristic of TCVM is its philosophy regarding life and disease. 'It seeks harmony between the animal's body and its environment, and pursues a win-win solution rather than an approach of suppression and resistance,' he said. 'It is a booming and promising sector that is gaining recognition not only in China, but also overseas.'
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AB Science announces EMA approval of Masivet shelf-life extension to 4 years
PRESS RELEASE AB SCIENCE ANNOUNCES EMA APPROVAL OF MASIVET® SHELF-LIFE EXTENSION TO 4 YEARS Paris, June 9, 2025, 8am CET AB Science SA (Euronext - FR0010557264 - AB) today announced that the European Medicine Agency (EMA) has approved the extension of the shelf-life of its veterinary medicine MASIVET® from 36 months to 48 months. This shelf-life extension applies to the 50mg tablet strength of MASIVET® currently available in the EU. MASIVET® is currently approved for the treatment of non-resectable dog mast cell tumours (Grade 2 or 3) with confirmed mutated c-kit tyrosine kinase receptor. It is marketed by AB Science and currently available in all EU countries. This extension of the shelf life gives patients, caregivers, and AB Science more flexibility to adjust inventory levels to current and future demand while reducing the risk of product expiration. At the same time, it ensures the continuity of current and future therapies and continues to enable veterinarians to provide their patients with the best available treatment. About AB ScienceFounded in 2001, AB Science is a pharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development and commercialization of protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs), a class of targeted proteins whose action are key in signaling pathways within cells. Our programs target only diseases with high unmet medical needs, often lethal with short term survival or rare or refractory to previous line of treatment. AB Science has developed a proprietary portfolio of molecules and the Company's lead compound, masitinib, has already been registered for veterinary medicine and is developed in human medicine in oncology, neurological diseases, inflammatory diseases and viral diseases. The company is headquartered in Paris, France, and listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: AB). Further information is available on AB Science's website: Forward-looking Statements - AB ScienceThis press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates as well as the assumptions on which they are based, statements based on projects, objectives, intentions and expectations regarding financial results, events, operations, future services, product development and their potential or future performance. These forward-looking statements can often be identified by the words "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate" or "plan" as well as other similar terms. While AB Science believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of AB Science and which may imply that results and actual events significantly differ from those expressed, induced or anticipated in the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include the uncertainties related to product development of the Company which may not be successful or to the marketing authorizations granted by competent authorities or, more generally, any factors that may affect marketing capacity of the products developed by AB Science, as well as those developed or identified in the public documents published by AB Science. AB Science disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update the forward-looking information and statements, subject to the applicable regulations, in particular articles 223-1 et seq. of the AMF General Regulations. For additional information, please contact: AB Science Financial Communication & Media Relations investors@ Attachment Masivet Shelf Life VENG VFError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBC
23-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Western vet college gets $194m to keep going, but no extra training spots
Amid a veterinarian shortage, the University of Saskatchewan's vet college says it doesn't have space for more students. Three provinces are renewing their agreement to fund the Western College of Veterinian Medicine for five more years at the current student level.
