Minneapolis, MN " Revolutionary developments in veterinary medicine were discussed among an estimated 3,000 veterinary professionals at the 22nd Annual American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum in June.
Veterinary specialists from four disciplines gathered June 9-12 at the Minneapolis Convention Center to discuss the latest treatments and solutions for small animal health issues. These specialists — from cardiologists, oncologists, neurologists to small animal internists — showcased the latest advances in specialty veterinary care in such areas as dog genome research, cancer vaccines and treating obese pets.
The field of specialty veterinary medicine has flourished this past decade as more pet owners seek the best medical care available for their pets. In fact, the ACVIM has experienced close to a 45 percent increase in membership over the past four years, resulting in ACVIM being the nation’s largest organization of Board-certified veterinary specialists with nearly 1,450 members.
“Membership in our organization is a direct result of American pet owners becoming more aware of the specialty care options available and demanding the same level of treatment for their pets as they would for other members of their families,” said Dr. Joe Taboada, ACVIM President. “More people than ever are seeking referrals to veterinary specialists to evaluate and treat their pets’ health ailments.”
Nearly 275 sessions specifically devoted to small animal health care and treatment were presented during the ACVIM Forum. Some of these topics included:
- Obesity Prevalence and Risk Factors in Dogs and Cats
- Importing Pets from Other Nations
- Causes and Treatment of Decreased Mobility in Older Dogs
- Controlling Diabetes in Dogs and Cats
- Cardiac Defibrillators: A Viable Option for Pets?
- Using Nutrition to Manage the Effects of Aging
- Evolving Treatments for Lymphoma in Dogs
- The Latest in Using Chemotherapy in Veterinary Oncology
ACVIM is the national certifying organization for veterinary specialists in large and small animal internal medicine, cardiology, neurology and oncology. Established in 1973, ACVIM’s purpose is to advance the knowledge of animal health and diseases, and to foster the continued development of specialty veterinary care. A complete program of Forum sessions can be found on the ACVIM Web site at www.ACVIM.org. An online pressroom is available at http://www.acvim.org/wwwfp/PR/PRhome.htm.