My Vet Candy: New images of canine parvovirus may help predict how virus may jump to new species

My Vet Candy, August 9, 2021

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a highly infectious pathogen that causes severe diseases in unvaccinated dogs, including inflammation of the heart and acute gastrointestinal illness. Originating in cats, the virus is a rare example of a DNA-based virus that can jump between species, and a team of researchers' discovery may help in predicting this and the virus's ability to evolve, which could have implications for current vaccines used in dogs. 

In a new study, researchers discovered that a location on CPV where dog antibodies bind -- called an antibody binding site -- overlaps with a location on CPV where the virus attaches to cells -- called a receptor binding site -- in a fashion that is similar to SARS CoV-2 and influenza viruses. As a result, when antibodies attach to this antibody binding site on the virus, they prevent the virus from then attaching to and infecting cells. 

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Vet Candy: Mindfulness with paced breathing and lowering blood pressure

According to the American Stroke Association (ASA) and the American Heart Association (AHA), more than 100 million Americans have high blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure is a major avoidable cause of premature morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide due primarily to increased risks of stroke and heart attacks. Elevated blood pressure is the most important major and modifiable risk factor to reduce stroke. In fact, small but sustained reductions in blood pressure reduce risks of stroke and heart attacks. Therapeutic lifestyle changes of weight loss and salt reduction as well as adjunctive drug therapies are beneficial to treat and prevent high blood pressure. 

Mindfulness is increasingly practiced as a technique to reduce stress through mind and body interactions. In some instances, mindfulness includes paced breathing defined as deep and diaphragmatic with slow rates typically about five to seven per minute compared with the usual rate of 12 to 14. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Schmidt College of Medicine and collaborators have published a paper in the journal Medical Hypotheses, exploring the possibility that mindfulness with paced breathing reduces blood pressure.

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Veterinary student influencers to host new Vet Candy Podcast

Vet Candy IRL is an innovative podcast hosted by veterinary students, for veterinary students.

Vet Candy’s new podcast, IRL (In Real Life), is an exciting new podcast from the hearts, minds, and mouths of three veterinary students, Shannon Gregoire, Tatiana Rogers, and Lexi Rodriguez. Vet Candy IRL celebrates inspirational role-models and focuses on empowerment and equality, including disruptive leaders who have broken boundaries to get where they are today.

Veterinary students and Insta-friends, Shannon Gregoire from Western University, Tatiana Rogers from Colorado State, and Lexi Rodriguez from Texas A & M host Vet Candy IRL. In the pilot episode, the trio can be heard laughing and talking about some of the stories they’ll be featuring on the show, including how to make time for self-care between classes and how to enjoy life on a student budget.

In their announcement posts, Shannon, 24, Tatiana, 28, and Lexi, 24, displayed their charisma and chemistry that is evident on the podcast.

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Finding Balance

The unique way Jamie Nakatani finds balance

My Vet Candy

Jamie Nakatani has a level of education that would impress almost anyone. She has a Bachelors degree in Animal Biology with a minor in Entomology, an Associates degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management, and plans to complete a PhD in animal behavior after finishing her Doctorate in Veterinary medicine at UC Davis in 2021.

Jamie has been a zookeeper in the past, but one of the most amazing things she has done for animals and the planet we call home is to find a way to tackle the plastic epidemic swelling in our oceans.

She became aware of the problem in a prerequisite microbiology class for veterinary school. In it, the teacher challenged them to track their plastic waste for the week, and to find ways to combat the waste.

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Vet Candy launches new lifestyle show for the veterinary audience

“Vet Candy Life,” featuring well-being gurus Dr. Quincy Hawley and Renee Machel, hopes to relieve stress in the profession with its innovative lifestyle format.

Montclair, NJ: Today marks the launch of Vet Candy Life, a show that focuses on physical, emotional, and financial wellness for veterinary professionals and students.

Veterinary medicine is a stressful profession, and veterinarians experience a high rate of burnout and compassion fatigue. According to a recent wellness study, even those who were mentally healthy and had high levels of well-being overall experienced feelings of depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, or burnout with some frequency.  

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