Connect with us

Arkansas

Shots advised for some dogs after canine flu reported in Central Arkansas

Published

on

Shots advised for some dogs after canine flu reported in Central Arkansas


Cases of the canine flu have been reported in Central Arkansas, and veterinarians recommend vaccinating dogs most at risk — those that are kenneled, left at doggie day care, brought to dog shows or groomed at facilities with other dogs.

Rene LaVergne, a Little Rock veterinarian who is the Central Arkansas District trustee for the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association, said there have been five canine flu cases reported in Conway, one in Benton and another in Little Rock during the past couple of weeks.

“If your dog has the canine flu, you won’t miss it,” LaVergne said. “The symptoms are coughing, lethargy, sneezing and fever. You may see some eye or nose discharge, and the fever could get up to 104 or 105 [degrees]. With the worst cases, you may even see a fever as high as 106.”

LaVergne said roughly 20% of dogs that get the canine flu are asymptomatic, while the other 80% show some or all of the aforementioned symptoms. He described the virus as a “highly contagious” strain and said even those dogs that are asymptomatic can spread it. Death can occur from canine flu, but those cases are very rare, he said.

Advertisement

Arkansas State Veterinarian John Nilz said canine influenza made its way to Northwest Arkansas in the spring and only recently spread to Central Arkansas.

“Canines have their own specific strains of the flu, and just like the human flu, it has its seasons and it can work its way through different regions,” Nilz said. “Before it moved into Arkansas, we were seeing it work through other states like Oklahoma.”

Ohio State University’s Veterinary Medical Center recently published several facts about the canine flu on its website. It states that there are two strains of the virus — H3N8 and H3N2.

The latter strain is the one that has been detected in Arkansas, LaVergne said.

LaVergne said Dallas had a canine flu outbreak that began in June 2022, and a similar outbreak started in Oklahoma City about six months later. Those outbreaks lasted for about six months, he said.

Advertisement

The Hounds Lounge Pet Resort and Spa, which offers boarding services for dogs in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Bryant and Fayetteville, announced in an email Thursday that the canine flu is present in Central Arkansas and advised dog owners to vaccinate their dogs.

LaVergne said veterinarian offices across Arkansas have the vaccine available. After the first dose is administered, pet owners are advised to return three weeks later for a follow-up shot. Full protection from the canine flu is reached about two or three weeks after the second shot, LaVergne said.

He described it as a “lifestyle vaccine for high-risk dogs.” Considering an outbreak can last six months after the first sign of outbreak, those who plan to kennel their dogs during the holiday season are encouraged to vaccinate their dogs as soon as possible.

The canine flu virus is persistent. LaVergne said it can live on countertops for up to 48 hours and on clothes for 24 hours.

LaVergne also advises that if a dog has a cough or any other symptoms consistent with the canine flu, it should not be boarded at a kennel or interact with other dogs. An owner who suspects a dog might have flu-like symptoms needs to let the veterinarian know ahead of time so that the dog can be examined outside, he said.

Advertisement

Dogs that have been diagnosed with the H3N2 strain should remain isolated from other dogs for 21 days, according to Ohio State University. Antibiotics are administered to those dogs that show signs of a secondary bacterial infection.

Humans aren’t infected by the canine flu, but they can contribute to its spread. They are advised to wash their hands if they come in contact with other dogs before coming in contact with their own pets.

Cats can be infected, but their symptoms generally are not as severe, LaVergne said.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Arkansas

Arkansas 1 of 2 states listed as having ‘comprehensive, coherent’ approach to elementary math instruction | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

on

Arkansas 1 of 2 states listed as having ‘comprehensive, coherent’ approach to elementary math instruction | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


While all states need to do a better job of preparing and supporting elementary school educators to teach math, Arkansas outperforms most in its efforts to ensure teacher effectiveness in the subject, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality.

In a report released by the Washington, D.C.,-based research organization Tuesday, the Natural State and Alabama were listed as the only two states in the U.S. taking a comprehensive, coherent approach to preparing teachers for math instruction in the classroom.

“We’re kind of looking at the arc of a teacher’s career from before they get into the classroom to once they’re in the classroom, all focused on this question of, ‘How can we ensure that teachers are well prepared and well supported to be effective in teaching math in elementary school,’” said council President Heather Peske.

Advertisement

The group’s goal was to analyze state laws, regulations, policies and tactics that either aid or hinder the strengthening of teachers’ ability to teach math well, Peske added.

Each state was rated based on how their policies aligned with five policy levers — carried out through 16 associated actions — most important for improving math instruction, and consequently, math understanding for students, according to the report.

The policy levers identified were setting specific, detailed math standards for teacher preparation programs offered by colleges and universities; adequately reviewing the preparation programs; requiring all elementary teacher candidates to pass a strong math licensure test; requiring districts to select high-quality math curricula aligned to state standards; and professional development and ongoing support for teachers.

The key actions supporting these policies ranged from whether the state requires elementary teacher preparation programs to address math-specific teaching methods to whether states are publishing data on how many teacher candidates are passing math licensure exams.

Arkansas ranked above the national average across most of the policy levers, earning a “strong” rating for setting clear and detailed math standards and for adopting a strong math licensure test that all teacher candidates must pass. The state’s review of its teacher preparation programs was initially given a “moderate” rating, but that was increased to a strong one after the council discovered Arkansas maintains full authority over program approval, a spokesperson for the council told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette last week.

Advertisement

This change in policy lever rating resulted in Arkansas’ overall rating shifting from “moderate” to “strong.”

A main finding of the council in its report was that just two states utilize a comprehensive approach to math instruction, Peske said, adding that “it’s really critical that” teachers are getting content knowledge which aligns with the four key math topics: numbers and operations; algebraic thinking; geometry and measurement; and data analysis and probability.

Arkansas “is specific and detailed in telling teacher preparation programs what they need to do in terms of these four key math content topics, and the state also requires elementary teacher prep programs to address the methods of teaching math — or what we call math pedagogy,” Peske said.

Not only does Arkansas provide detailed standards, but the state also “follows through” by requiring a review of preparation programs, syllabi and coursework to ensure math standards are reflected in what aspiring teachers are learning, Peske said.

COUNCIL’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Advertisement

When it comes to requiring districts to select high-quality instructional materials for math as well as providing professional learning and coaching once teachers are in the classroom, Arkansas has some room for improvement, the council said in its report.

“High quality math curriculum along with supporting implementation can help to increase the effectiveness of a teacher,” Peske said, noting that the council is “urging” states to require school districts to utilize materials considered high quality.

Peske added that “Arkansas is missing an opportunity to really support teachers” by failing to collect and publish data on the curriculum that districts are using as well.

Support around the implementation of high-quality instructional materials as well as math coaches and specialists in schools would also improve the state’s overall approach to educator effectiveness in math, Peske said.

Arkansas Education Secretary Jacob Oliva said that while districts are given leeway to select their own curriculum for math, the state Department of Education does provide a recommended list of high-quality materials school districts are encouraged to choose from.

Advertisement

Arkansas has taken some of the steps recommended by the national council’s report on math instruction in its approach to literacy education, and Oliva said similar strategies could be implemented for math instruction in the future.

For instance the state requires districts to choose from a list high-quality literacy materials and publishes information what materials districts are using.

Arkansas has been moving toward the “science of reading,” or a research-based strategy designed to teach students how to read, Oliva said, adding that the state’s efforts include “making sure that all of our professional development and instruction materials are aligned” with the national method of teaching literacy.

“It’s almost like we are getting to this point on a national educational landscape around the need to do a big push around the science of math, like there was a big push around the science of reading,” he said. “A lot of people are realizing that it’s a balanced approach between the core content areas.

“Those third-grade benchmarks on if students can read at or above grade level are grade-level predictors for future success. It’s going to be the same way for math.”

Advertisement

THE LEARNS ACT

Beyond the policy areas mentioned in the national council report, the Arkansas LEARNS Act of 2023 established several programs aimed at improving student achievement in both math and literacy.

The law established the High-Impact Tutoring Pilot Program, which tasks the Education Department’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education providing competitive grant funding to school districts to cover costs for K-12 math or literacy tutoring.

The education secretary added that levels of support needed vary across classrooms, grade levels and schools, meaning that a “unified, coordinated system” to address student-specific needs from kindergarten through 12th grade is needed.

Once teachers are in the classroom, Oliva noted that educators have access to myriad professional learning opportunities and resources geared toward state student and educator standards.

Advertisement

He also noted that the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program established through the LEARNS Act awards up to $10,000 in annual bonuses to educators who demonstrate a substantial impact on student growth, mentor aspiring teachers, teach a subject within a critical teacher shortage area or teach in a geographical area with a teacher shortage.

Oliva said the state asks recipients to share best strategies with the department and other educators.

“The more you can build out a teacher’s toolbox, the better off they’re going to be to support all the different needs of the students,” Oliva said.

Arkansas provided more than 120 literacy coaches to K-3 teachers in D- and F-rated schools across the state during the 2024-25 school year — another provision of the state’s K-12 education overhaul act from 2023. Oliva noted that, depending on whether literacy coaches prove to have a positive impact on student assessment scores, the state “might” consider implementing similar measures for math.

MATH ACHIEVEMENT

Advertisement

“Right now, in Arkansas and across the nation, our students are not achieving well in math,” Peske said. “And if we want students to be successful, we need to better prepare and better support elementary teachers in their math instruction.”

Beyond improving students’ assessment scores, stronger math skills lead to better reading scores and college readiness, which positions students to achieve higher earnings later on, she added.

Between 2019 and 2024, average math scores from a representative sample of Arkansas fourth-graders showed no significant change despite a nationwide trend showing an average overall decrease in math scores during the same time, according to results from the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress.

The state’s scores also remained relatively unchanged between 2022 and 2024 when the national trend showed an increase.

According to the 2024 results, Arkansas fourth-graders performed, on average, 7 points below the national average, the largest gap between math scores of Arkansas test takers and the national average since 2000.

Advertisement

Nationally, students showed small gains, particularly in math and among higher-performing students, between 2022 and 2024, with Alabama being the only state to see fourth-grade math scores last year exceed pre-pandemic scores.

“We know there are opportunities to improve” on state standardized assessments and national assessments, Oliva said.

“So when we look at those recommended actions for steps to take, we want to be reflective and be diligent, make sure we’re able to implement what we know is going to be effective for our students,” he added.

As for states’ educator preparedness policies for related to math instruction, a majority of states do not provide clear and detailed standards for teacher preparation programs, use a strong or acceptable math licensure test or require districts to select high-quality math curricula, according to the national council’s report released Tuesday.

Seven states — Arizona, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska and New Hampshire — were rated unacceptable by the council for their “lack of math policy action” across all five policy levers, the report stated.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Arkansas

Show Calendar: Concerts happening in Arkansas in June

Published

on

Show Calendar: Concerts happening in Arkansas in June


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – This June, artists from a variety of genres spanning from death metal, hip hop and country to hair metal, pop and alternative rock will be hitting stages across the Natural State.

Here is a list of shows happening at venues around the state this month. To stay on top of more events happening in Arkansas, visit our Local Events page.

Arkansas doom legends Rwake return with first new album in 13 years

Mutants Fest

Little Rock band Pallbearer playing at Mutants Fest 2023 at the Argenta Contemporary Theatre

Advertisement

During the first weekend of June, Little Rock’s River Market will be home to the 10th addition of Mutants Fest, a heavy metal festival featuring headliner’s like Exhorder, The Body, Rwake, Pallbearer and many more. The festival takes place at Stickyz, the CALS Ron Robinson Theater and Rev Room from June 5-7.

Insane Clown Posse

This July 29, 2013 photo shows Joseph Utsler, also known as Shaggy 2 Dope, left, and Joseph Bruce, also known as Violent J, from Insane Clown Posse, in New York. On their FUSE TV weekly show, the Detroit-area rappers critique all things pop culture, claiming to bring an outsiders perspective. A good part of the show has the guys critiquing music videos, much like Beavis and Butthead from a generation ago. (AP Photo/John Carucci)

This July 29, 2013 photo shows Joseph Utsler, also known as Shaggy 2 Dope, left, and Joseph Bruce, also known as Violent J, from Insane Clown Posse, in New York. On their FUSE TV weekly show, the Detroit-area rappers critique all things pop culture, claiming to bring an outsiders perspective. A good part of the show has the guys critiquing music videos, much like Beavis and Butthead from a generation ago. (AP Photo/John Carucci)

On June 14, one of the most notorious and controversial rap duos of all time, Insane Clown Posse, will bring their 2025 tour to The Hall. When the group last performed at The Hall, the show was sold out weeks in advance and featured countless bottles of Faygo spewing on the audience.

Rock the Country festival coming to Little Rock next summer

Rock The Country Fest

  1. Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger, and Daniel Adair of Nickelback perform at the Juno Awards on Sunday, April 1, 2012, in Ottawa, Ontario. (AP Photo/Arthur Mola)

    Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger, and Daniel Adair of Nickelback perform at the Juno Awards on Sunday, April 1, 2012, in Ottawa, Ontario. (AP Photo/Arthur Mola)

  2. Travis Tritt performs in concert at Chastain Amphitheater, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

    Travis Tritt performs in concert at Chastain Amphitheater, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

  3. Kid Rock performs before President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at the Capital One Arena in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

    Kid Rock performs before President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at the Capital One Arena in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

On June 20 and 21, the Arkansas State Fairgrounds will be home to the inaugural touring spectacle known as Rock The Country. Over two days, the event will feature artists like Kid Rock, Nickelback, Hank Williams Jr., Travis Tritt, Deana Carter, Afroman and Ying Yang Twins.

Jesse McCartney

Singer Jesse McCartney performs at Z100 Jingle Ball 2008 at Madison Square Garden on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Singer Jesse McCartney performs at Z100 Jingle Ball 2008 at Madison Square Garden on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

In June, Magic Springs Theme and Water Park kicks off their 2025 Summer Concert Series with a variety of artists including 2000s pop sensation Jesse McCartney. Other artists performing at Magic Springs in June include Phil Wickham, Clay Walker and Tauren Wells.

Advertisement

Magic Springs announces 2025 summer concert lineup

SHOW CALENDAR:

Arkansas State Fairgrounds

  • 6/20-21 – Rock the Country Festival featuring Kid Rock, Nickelback, Hank Williams Jr., Travis Tritt, Gavin Adcock, Shenandoah, Mark Chesnutt, Lee Greenwood, Deana Carter, Little Texas, Hudson Westbrook, Logan Crosby, Afroman, Ying Yang Twins and DJ Slim McGraw

Birdies Cabaret Theater and Lounge

  • 6/12 – Argenta Jazz Series w/ Joe Locke

  • 6/19 – Argenta Acoustic Guitar Series w/ Eric Lugosch

  • 6/20 – Bulla w/ Jupiter’s Flytrap and The Gumdrops

  • 6/21 – Direwolf and Mammoth Caravan

The Hall

  • 6/10 – Lil Poppa w/ Joot Breezy

  • 6/14 – Insane Clown Posse

  • 6/15 – An evening with Punch Brothers

  • 6/22 – The Wiz Revisited

Magic Springs

Rev Room

  • 6/6 – The Ultimate Prince Birthday Party featuring Drummerboy Infinity

  • 6/7 – Mutants Fest featuring Pallbearer, Cinder Well, Slowhole, Medicine Horse, Whether and Mammoth Caravan

  • 6/13 – Dexter and the Moonrocks w/ Cigarettes @ Sunset

  • 6/22 – The Antlers & Okkervil River

  • 6/25 – Suffocation w/ Severe Headwound, Death Rattle and Penalty

Robinson Center

Advertisement
  • 6/20 – Sir Charles Jones and Jay Morris Group

Ron Robinson Theater

  • 6/5 – Mutants Fest featuring The Body, Rwake, Royal Thunder, The Atlas Moth and LRM

Stickyz Rock ‘N’ Roll Chicken Shack

  • 6/5 – Mutants Fest featuring Exhorder, Sunrot, Morbid Visionz, Madman Morgan and Dieoxide

  • 6/6 – Mutants Fest featuring Oriska, Mr. Phylzzz, Adam Faucett and the Spectral Class and B.L.A.S.T.

  • 6/8 – Liam St. John w/ Cam Davis

  • 6/13 – The Dead Deads with Valley of the Sun and Mammoth Caravan

  • 6/20 – Darkness Resurrected Dance Night

  • 6/21 – Cole Chaney w/ Abby Hamilton

  • 6/22 – LadyCouch w/ The Frontier Circus

  • 6/26 – Seth Van Dover w/ Jack Lindsey

Vinos

  • 6/4 – Agonize w/ Dryer Fire and Pitlock

  • 6/7 – New Wave Dance Party benefiting Arkansas community advocates

  • 6/17 – Revocation w/ Vore, Morbid Visionz and LRM

  • 6/22 – Green Jelly w/ From This Day Forward, Zilla and Riot Dogs

  • 6/26 – Primitive Rage w/ Emaciated, B.L.A.S.T. and Dreggs

Walmart AMP

  • 6/4 – Simple Minds w/ Soft Cell and Modern English

  • 6/5 – Thomas Rhett w/ Tucker Wetmore and The Castellows

  • 6/8 – The Black Keys w/ The Heavy Heavy

  • 6/14 – Bailey Zimmerman w/ Dylan Marlowe and Drew Baldridge

  • 6/19 – Luke Bryan w/ Adrien Nunez, Ashland Craft, Cole Goodwin and DJ Rock

  • 6/20 – TobyMac w/ Zach Williams and We The Kingdom

  • 6/23 – Def Leppard w/ Bret Michaels

  • 6/28 – Old Dominion w/ ERNEST and Redferrin

Whitewater Tavern

  • 6/6 – Rodney Block Collective

  • 6/8 – Trevor Bates w/ Revenge Bodies and Blanket of M

  • 6/12 – Esme Patterson w/ Adam Faucett

  • 6/20 – Seanfresh w/ Cece Simmons and DJ P. Smooth

  • 6/25 – Sweet Meggs w/ Annie Ford

  • 6/26 – Those Pretty Wrongs

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Advertisement

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.



Source link

Continue Reading

Arkansas

Razorbacks hosted eight 2026 prospects over the weekend

Published

on

Razorbacks hosted eight 2026 prospects over the weekend


With the dead period just a month away, the Arkansas Razorbacks will be conducting multiple official visits over the next few weeks.

The past weekend, head coach Sam Pittman and his staff hosted eight 2026 prospects that included current commitments Jayvon Gilmore, a three-star quarterback from South Carolina, and Hot Springs Lakeside three-star offensive lineman Tucker Young.

The other six are also names to watch who could possibly be the next to give their pledge to Arkansas for the 2026 class.

The Razorbacks plan to host prospects over the next three weekends (June 6-8, June 13-15, June 20-22) until the dead period kicks in on June 23 and it will not conclude until July 31.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending