AAVN Newsletter January 2022 |
|
A Message from the President
Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year! 2022 is going to be a great year for the AAVN. As you can see from this issue of the e-newsletter, we have lots to share and celebrate.
First off, I would like to thank Dr. Laurie Martin for establishing the Richard R. Weiss Memorial Student Research Award in memory of her brother. The AAVN is honored to be the recipient of these funds and worked closely with Laurie on the criteria for the selection process. All oral and poster abstracts submitted for the AAVN Symposium by primary authors in training programs will be considered for this $2,500 award ($500 for the student, $2,000 mentor) which will primarily promote future student research projects. See more details below.
Speaking of abstracts, the deadline for submission is coming up soon. Be sure to get your proposals in by February 14th!
We continue to work with ACVIM on a schedule for the 2022 Symposium in Austin. At this time, it looks like we will be offering educational programming and networking opportunities on Tuesday, June 21st and Wednesday, June 22nd. Look out for more information soon.
Finally, we have an excellent series of webinars scheduled for this year beginning with a program on Honeybee Nutrition on Tuesday, March 15th!
Stay safe, healthy and warm!
Angela Rollins, DVM, PhD,DACVIM (Nutrition)
AAVN Executive Board President 2021-2023
|
|
2022 New Year's Resolutions
I've been reading about resolutions and motivation lately and I came across a “Top 10” list of the most common New Year’s Resolutions. It probably won’t surprise anyone that goals such as exercising more, losing weight, getting organized, saving money (or spending less money), traveling, reading more, and quitting smoking are all on the list.
The $64,000 dollar question is: What does it take to get started on a goal AND see it all the way to the finish line? Well, I certainly don’t have the answer, but an opinion piece in the current issue of Scientific American features a new book written by behavioral scientist Ayelet Fishbach, Get it Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation. This is a quick read and it might just motivate some of you to try employing the lessons that Dr. Fishbach learned through her research.
A few AAVN members were brave enough to put their positive intentions out into the universe – we wish them the best as they renew their commitment to self-improvement!
|
|
|
|
I want to spend as many sunsets on the water with my favourite humans as possible. ~ Dr. Michelle Evason
My goal is to start mindfulness meditation on a regular basis to help better manage stress. ~ Dr. Mike Robbins
My goals for 2022 are to read a book a week and log 15,000 minutes on the Peloton bike or treadmill. I need to get some fitness back after having osteomyelitis in my foot and needing two surgeries. Fingers crossed for a healthier 2022! ~ Dr. Catherine Lenox
My resolution is to increase my involvement with veterinary nutrition related organizations such as AAVN, ACVIM- Nutrition, etc. ~Dr. Jonathan Stockman
|
|
Changing for the Better
The start of a new year seems like a great time to introduce a fresh feature for devoted readers of our AAVN Newsletter. Borrowing from the many internet sites that list music, movies and books that will "change your life", I thought it would be interesting to ask members to share their best nutritional resources (original research articles, review papers, etc.) that have influenced (or changed) how they practice their craft. Starting us off with this new series is Dr. Michelle Evason, who hails from Prince Edward Island in Canada.
~Sarah Abood, DVM, PhD, Newsletter Editor
|
|
How I Use Guidelines & Consensus Resources
Michelle Evason, DVM, BSc, DACVIM
Veterinary Internal Medicine & Nutrition Consultations N. America; IDEXX, UK
There are few things I use more often in my veterinary day-to-day toolkit than freely available online guidelines and consensus statements. In fact, my ‘courtesy of covid’ online schooled children are convinced (probably quite rightly), that they could execute my consultant work with ease by repeating their mom saying the following, “Yes, totally agree, it can be confusing and time-consuming, that’s why I defer to the ‘xxx’ guideline that is freely available online. Depending on your client, it can be SUPER helpful with communication and compliance, so I like to give them the link also.” This is a phrase I use multiple times each day (sometimes in an hour) when communicating with general practitioners and other specialist colleagues. It’s a phrase I modify slightly when speaking directly to clients: “I’m always happy to have access to evidence- and expert-based resources for ‘y’ condition, and it may be worth looking at ‘xxx’.” Below are two specific examples of how I use these types of resources.
When it comes to performing nutritional assessments, I am often considering nutrients of concern for patients and then selecting diets for the dog or cat’s various medical needs. On a regular basis, I coach colleagues and students to refer to the 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines, which has a variety of resources to assist in making dietary recommendations.
This resource provides expert level, easy-to-use information and acts as a time-saver for vets, clients, and students.
If you haven’t had a chance to review the tables, checklists or diagrams at this website, here are a couple of examples:
|
|
Urolithiasis is a common clinical concern, and I am frequently asked to assist with management (including dietary) recommendations for various ‘stone’ types and patients. It is helpful to be able to provide additional information (and expert backed support) from the ACVIM Consensus Recommendations on the treatment and prevention of urolithiasis in dogs and cats.
Over the past 20 years the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) has published between 1 and 5 consensus statements almost every year. These statements offer excellent reviews for students, interns, residents, practitioners, and specialists wanting a ‘deeper dive’ into the etiology, diagnostics, and treatments of certain conditions. The published papers range between 10 and 20 pages each and can be accessed at the ACVIM website .
Finally, I am acutely aware of how much time, expertise, and collaboration these resources take to compile. I am grateful to those who have committed their energies to the often-daunting task of creating succinct, evidence-based guidelines and consensuses. A shout out to all those colleagues involved in this work and thanks!
|
|
Thank You to
Drs. Cailin Heinze (below) and
Tammy Owens (right)
for speaking at VMX this year
|
|
Topics included: Nutritional Approach to Chronic Gastrointestinal Disease in Dogs and Cats; Good Bugs, Bad Bugs, What You Gonna Do? Evidence-Based Use of Probiotics; When Food Goes Bad: Pet Food Associated Illness; Pet Food Math for Everyday Practice; Fiber 101: What Every Practitioner Should Know; Cats vs. Dogs! Selected Nutritional Idiosyncrasies and Concerns; The Wrong Feeding Plan is Fatal: A Case Based Approach to Refeeding Syndrome
|
|
Congratulations to Dr. Jackie Parr and the University of Georgia Nutrition Support Service" on their "foodie award", part of the hospital-wide door decorating contest. Were there any other nutrition services that participated in something fun over the holidays? Let us know!
|
|
Call for Abstracts: 22nd Annual AAVN Symposium
The American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition (AAVN) will accept abstract proposals for the 22nd Annual Clinical Nutrition and Research Symposium between January 3rd and February 14th, 11:59 pm (EST), 2022.
The Symposium will take place in conjunction with the ACVIM Forum in Austin in June. It is anticipated that AAVN's programs will be scheduled on Wednesday, June 22nd and/or Thursday, June 23rd.
Richard R. Weiss Memorial- Student Research Award
Amount: $500 (student), $2,000 (mentor)
Criteria: All oral and poster abstracts submitted to the AAVN Clinical Nutrition & Research Symposium by primary authors in training programs will be considered for this award. Research projects with a focus on companion animal product testing are preferred. Priority will be given to 1st- 4th year veterinary student submissions, although graduate student and resident submissions are also eligible. A professor affiliated with an academic institution must be identified as mentor to the project, and agree to all terms and conditions for use of the mentor portion of the award, which should be used to promote future student research projects.
The abstract review committee will decide the recipient for the Richard R. Weiss Memorial Award. The award will be announced in advance of the Symposium so that the recipient may opt to use the student portion of the funding to cover the cost of travel and/or accommodations to the Symposium.
The Richard R Weiss Memorial Student Research Award was established by Laurie Martin, DVM in honor of her brother who pursued truth and honesty in all things. Their last conversation together was about inaccurate pet food product labeling claims.
|
|
Thank you for Your Responses!
The Outreach Committee is grateful to all who completed the social media survey last month. We received 74 responses!
|
|
2022 AAVN Companion Animal Nutrition
Blog Writing Competition
Deadline: March 9, 2022
Sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition
Submissions are now being accepted for the 2022 AAVN Companion Animal Nutrition blog writing competition! For more details click here
The competition is open to:
- Students currently enrolled in DVM/ VMD programs, registered veterinary technician (RVT) programs or animal science programs.
- Veterinary interns currently practicing at an academic institution or in private practice.
- Graduate students (Masters and PhD) pursuing an advanced degree in veterinary or animal nutrition.
Please note that the competition is not open to nutrition residents training to become board certified by either the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Nutrition) (ACVIM-Nutrition) or the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN).
1st Place: The 1st Place winner will receive a $500 USD travel award to the AAVN Clinical Nutrition & Research Symposium, to be used in the two years following the award. In addition, the winning blog will be featured in the AAVN E-newsletter. The 1st Place recipient will also receive a certificate, presented at the Symposium.
2nd & 3rd Place: The runners up will receive award certificates at the Symposium. The 2nd and 3rd place recipients’ blogs will also be featured in the AAVN E-newsletter.
Blogs should be submitted via email to Dr. Martha Cline, AAVN Student Chapter Co-Chair, at marthagcline@gmail.com with the subject line “AAVN Companion Animal Nutrition Blog Writing Competition” by 11:59 pm ET on March 9, 2022.
|
|
Attention Student Members!
The AAVN has updated our website to include a list of externship opportunities.
Thank you to everyone who sent along information to include. If you offer an externship and would like it added to this list, send details to aavnexecutive@gmail.com
|
|
Classified Ads
ZOO NUTRITION MANAGER: This position develops guidelines and makes recommendations for the nutrition program in collaboration with veterinarians, and reports to General Curator. The manager also oversees efficient operation of and increases efficiencies in Nutrition Center operations, including warehouse operations and food supply chain. The manager participates in research, publishes in scientific journals and presents at professional and donor meetings.
A minimum of a Master’s degree in nutrition or a related science field is required. Professional experience in a nutrition related field, including research, laboratory, diet formulation, nutrition center operations and zoo experience desirable. A comparable combination of education, experience, or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skills, and ability required may qualify individuals.
Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. We are committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values, and experiences of all people. For Wildlife. For All.
|
|
Are you planning on publishing an article or making a nutrition presentation some time in 2022? We'd love to announce it for you! Please send to the Executive Directors at aavnexecutive@gmail.com or the E-newsletter editor aboodsarah@gmail.com
|
|
Place your ad here!
The AAVN offers both display and classified advertising in the monthly e-newsletter. To learn more about space limitations and fees, please contact aavnexecutive@gmail.com
|
|
Job notices received from an AAVN member will then be posted in the following places as a service to our membership:
1) AAVN Listserv
3) The following AAVN monthly newsletter
Members are also welcome to send relevant events, surveys intended for scientific research, training programs or courses to aavnexecutive@gmail.com for notice through our listserv and/or newsletter.
|
|
Guidelines for FOR-profit Industry Content in the AAVN E-Newsletter |
|
- Content can be up to 150 words (approximately three paragraphs) and can include a weblink or link to PDF
- Content will be labeled clearly: PAID FOR AND CREATED BY (company name)
- Content must be approved by the AAVN Outreach Committee
- Once content is approved, the AAVN will contact you to coordinate payment.
- The cost is $300 per issue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
