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Happy Holidays from the AAVN Board of Directors!

Check Out This List of Favorite Recipes from some of our AAVN Board Members

*The name of each recipe is a clickable link.*

24th Annual Clinical Nutrition & Research Symposium

Call for Abstracts

Submissions for both oral and poster abstract presentations will be accepted December 1, 2023 through February 9, 2024

at 11:59 pm EST.

Abstract submissions for the AAVN Symposium should be high-level, cutting-edge, new-to-the-field, technical topics that meet the education criteria of our members in any area related to basic, applied, or clinical nutrition in companion animals (dogs, cats, exotics), horses, livestock, or wildlife. Research studies, individual or population case reports, and novel investigations or findings are welcome. The program is open to all veterinarians, researchers, graduate students, residents, interns, and college students studying veterinary or animal sciences.

The Abstract Review Committee considers all completed applications received prior to the deadline of February 9, 2024. Applicants will be notified of the status of their submission via email in early March. Upon submission, please ensure you are available to participate in the conference in June.

Two types of research abstract communications will be available:

Oral Presentation: Strictly limited to 15 minutes (12 minutes to present, 3 minutes for questions)

Poster Presentation: Available for viewing throughout the meeting.

To review the full Call for Abstracts click here

Please note that active AAVN membership is required for presentation consideration. To join AAVN, click here

Member Spotlight:

Cailin Heinze, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Nutrition)

How long have you been a member of the AAVN? Since my residency in 2006.

What company or organization do you work at right now? Mark Morris Institute

What are 2 things that you really like about your current job?

I love being part of a team developing teaching materials and other nutrition education resources that are used by thousands of vet students and veterinarians. I also enjoy traveling to different veterinary schools and networking with colleagues, as well as teaching so many different students!

So far in your career, what has been the best animal nutrition related experience? I met a couple about 10 years ago when they brought their dog into the nutrition service at Tufts for a consultation for a home-cooked diet after he was diagnosed with IBD. That first meeting (and many more appointments over the years) led to a friendship which has only strengthened since I left the university. Now they take care of my dog every time I travel to teach (which is frequently!) and have been a great support system for me.

Who has made the biggest impact on your career in animal nutrition?

It’s a pretty safe bet that I would have never ended up in nutrition if it wasn’t for Kathy Michel, who was the first mentor to show me that nutrition could be a career within vet med. I have had other great mentors since then, but she’s definitely where the idea started!

What do you hope to see as part of the future for animal nutrition?

I would love to see more research to support common practices for dogs and cats and particularly more research into the basic nutritional needs of pets other than dogs and cats (i.e. ferrets, birds, reptiles, etc). I am often asked about exotic pet nutrition and every time I get involved, I’m always shocked again to realize how little we know about some pretty important topics (even things like calorie requirements for growth or reproduction).

If you could work with a nutrition colleague in your practice for a week, who would you invite to join you, and why?

I’ll never pass up a chance to work with (or hang out with) Laura Eirmann as she’s got to be one of the nicest people in the nutrition specialty.

Please share something about yourself that none of your nutrition colleagues already know.

Many of my “nutrition colleagues” are also my friends, so there’s probably nothing that at least a few colleagues don’t know about me, but something that’s a bit of a newer activity for me is competing in AKC obedience and doing pet therapy work with my Lab, Lucy (pictured above).

Member Research In the News

“I love that my research will help raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and weight management, for both pet owners and veterinary staff. By finding ways to improve weight care and the experiences that owners and veterinary professionals have, I am most excited that my work could have a positive impact for the wellbeing of pets.”

As a graduate student, Shawna Morrow is an AAVN student member who recently got her first manuscript published. Shawna completed her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at Trent University, and she’s closing in on her last semester as a MSc candidate in the Clinical Studies Department of the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph.

Shawna is planning to pursue a PhD to further build on her research skills and experience. Eventually, she would like to pursue a career where she can continue to promote the benefits of nutrition, weight management and veterinary communication in order to help determine best practices within the veterinary profession.

Title: Website Investigation of Pet Weight Management-Related Information and Services Offered by Ontario Veterinary Practices



Check it out at DOI: https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/10/12/674

Author/AAVN Member: Shawna Morrow, University of Guelph

We’re glad to recognize AAVN members who have successfully published an original research article, textbook chapter, case report, or review paper. If you have something in the works and soon to be published, please let us know!

Lauren Tseng, DVM

UGA Athens 

Richard R. Weiss Memorial Award Receipient

Lauren (second from left) poses with colleagues from the University of Georgia's nutrition group.

In June I had the opportunity to take a break from the clinic floor, fly to Philadelphia, and present my case series abstract, “Vitamin A toxicosis and Hypercalcemia in Dogs Receiving an Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplement” at AAVN 2023.

My 15 minute presentation focused on a case I saw on my internal medicine rotation in October 2022 where an 8 month old, female, dachshund puppy “Nikki” was presenting for elevated liver values, waxing and waning gastrointestinal signs, and hypercalcemia for 4 months. Additionally, within the household, four other, unrelated dachshunds (ages ranging from 7 months to 4 years old) had suddenly passed within the last year with similar clinical signs.

Our diagnostic work-up and post-mortem review of the previous puppies’ records helped to rule out major causes of hypercalcemia. This led us to suspect a potential toxicity, such as hypervitaminosis A. After obtaining a thorough nutritional history, the major commonality found amongst all pets was consistent consumption of dietary pet supplements that included an omega-3 fatty acid capsule product, a vitamin/mineral mix, and probiotic chews. All pets were on a complete and balanced diet throughout their lives. Blinded testing of the products in question were sent to a 3rd party independent laboratory and revealed the omega-3 fatty acid capsules contained 360,180 IU retinol/capsule. This calculated to approximately 14 and 28 times more than the National Research Council’s Safe Upper Limit (SUL) for adult maintenance and growth, respectively.

Nikki’s serum and hepatic retinol levels indicated the hypervitaminosis A was likely due to chronic exposure and was far above what is considered toxic in livestock. Unfortunately given the prolonged half life of retinol with persistent use and no treatment beyond supportive care, Nikki succumbed to her ailments.

With our evidence, the product was reported to the FDA and the omega-3 fatty acid supplement company. This resulted in a recall that affected 60 privately labeled products that were pulled from production. While this transpired to an unfortunate outcome, it emphasizes the importance of obtaining a thorough nutritional history in every patient. We would have never figured out the cause of Nikki and her housemates’ deaths without performing a complete nutritional assessment.

I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to attend my first in-person AAVN by presenting on a case series that is near and dear to me. This experience was so much fun and was a great way to meet and discuss with other members of the veterinary nutrition community. I was fortunate and thankful to receive the Richard R. Weiss Award for my presentation and the Purina Institute travel grant that allowed me this opportunity. I’m looking forward to seeing y’all in June 2024 in Minnesota!

AAVN Student Chapter Activity Funds In Action:

Colorado State University

From Colorado State University AAVN Chapter Treasurer, Rayann Eaves:

Student members of the AAVN at Colorado State University rented the CSU culinary lab on a recent evening and hosted an event where participants could make dog treats.

Everyone had a great time! Since finals week and the holidays were fast approaching, organizers thought it would be fun to host a unique workshop to help fellow students unwind.

The group used a recipe from CSU's veterinarians to make a pumpkin bacon dog treat. Multiple stations were set up so everyone had plenty of space to mix together all of the ingredients, roll out the dough, and use cookie cutters to make fun holiday-themed shapes for the treats. Treats were baked in the oven and then cooled on cookie trays. Everyone wrapped up their treats to take home for their dogs to test out. All had a great time and were happy to make a holiday treat for their pet!

Dog Treat Recipe

Ingredients

2-3 slices bacon

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

2 eggs

1 cup whole oats

2 ½ cups whole wheat flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat; set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Crumble bacon and reserve excess fat

In a large bowl, using a mixer or wooden spoon, mix pumpkin puree, eggs, and bacon fat. Add oats and 2 cups flour, and mix until well-blended. Add the remaining flour a little at a time just until the dough is no longer sticky. Blend in the bacon

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it a few times until it becomes pliable. Roll out to about ¼ inch thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters or a knife and place onto prepared baking sheet.

Bake until the edges are golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely.

Recipe from Colorado State University veterinarians.

AAVN Student chapters may request up to $500 annually to support chapter activities.

Only active student chapters may apply. Active student chapters are those who have submitted a list of current officers and faculty advisors with contact information by October 15 of this calendar year.

New student chapters who have submitted their draft constitution to the AAVN Student Committee for review are also eligible for funds if a list of officers and faculty advisors with contact information has been sent to AAVN. 

Requests for funding must include: 

• Date of the fund request
• Name of the student chapter
• Primary student contact and faculty advisor, with email and phone information
• Date(s) of the activity/event
• Amount requested and budgeted expenses
• Description of the activity including goal(s) and anticipated outcome(s)

There is no deadline for funding requests. Please submit to aavnexecutive@gmail.com. 

Student Chapters receiving funds will be required to: 

• Submit a write-up (250 words MAX) of the event or activity, including photos, for the AAVN e-newsletter. This summary is due within 1 week after the event/activity and can be sent via email to aavnexecutive@gmail.com

• Create a social media post that includes photos. This post must be shared within 1 week of the event/activity. This event can be shared on Instagram or Facebook pages by the student chapter or sent via email aavnexecutive@gmail.com.

• Provide receipts to the AAVN Executive Director following the event.

Ideas for Student Chapter Activities

Feeding Tube Lab, (this could be small or large animal depending on what the chapter has access to and what they think would be best for their students) 

Body Condition Score Lab, (can be large or small animal focused) 

Homemade Diet Lab, practice using software for clinical cases

Food Slurry Lab, Practice making food slurries and calculating kcals and/or other nutrients from the slurries for practice clinical cases

Forage Analysis Lab, a great way to focus on equine nutrition

Case Example Lab, practice figuring out which commercial diets [over-the-counter or therapeutic] would be best for different clinical cases

Treat Baking Night, gather members of the club together to make healthy, pet safe treats

Give the gift of AAVN swag this season!

Click on the pup below to start shopping at our Spreadshop.

CGS Monthly Virtual Rounds

Comparative Gastroenterology Society Webinars offers monthly webinars the First Thursday of each month 4-5PM ET (excluding February, July & August)

For more details click here

Save the Date!

European Workshop on Equine Nutrition

July 1-4, 2024

Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway

Look out for information on abstract submission, conference schedule and registration in Autumn 2023 on the EWEN website.