A Veterinarian With Write Stuff: James Rollins, DVMFebruary 11, 2010 In the new James Rollins thriller “Altar of Eden,” Dr. Lorna Polk is one smart, tough cookie: She stares down a mutant jaguar. She taps her knowledge of genetics and animal behavior to help crack a dangerous mystery. And she knows how to use the business end of a tranquilizer gun. No wonder Polk’s character is a veterinarian. And no wonder Rollins was able to convincingly render Polk and the exotic animals central to the plot of “Altar of Eden” (William Morrow, $27.99). Rollins is a veterinarian, too. Rollins—real name Jim Czajkowski, DVM—built a 20-year career as a successful California veterinarian. But it took a 10-year string of best sellers, including the Sigma Force series and the novelization of the script for “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” before he got around to writing what he knows best. Opening Chapter Like many veterinarians, Rollins was the kind of kid who collected strays and nursed injured birds back to health. He also loved to read, especially fantastic tales by writers such as Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. “I always wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t think I could make a living …
SPONSORED CONTENTItch Relief for Canine PatientsA treatment for both allergic and atopic dermatitis that’s given just once a day. Visibly improves itch fast. + Learn More Now
BioCurex To Commercialize OncoPet Recaf Test For Cancer Detection In DogsFebruary 11, 2010 BioCurex Inc., a biotechnology company developing products based on patented technology in the areas of cancer diagnostics, on Feb. 11 said it has commercialized its OncoPet Recaf test for cancer detection in dogs. The test finds 85 percent of a variety of cancers in dogs, the company said, at the standard 95 percent specificity level in pre-market studies. This release marks the first commercialization of a blood-based test for the universal detection of cancer in companion animals, according to the company. The test identifies the presence of Recaf, a universal sign for malignant cell growth in humans and animals. BioCurex developed and patented the Recaf technology for cancer applications. The new testing service is available to veterinarians and animal clinical laboratories through BioCurex’s new wholly owned subsidiary OncoPet Diagnostics Inc. OncoPet Diagnostics assumes responsibility for marketing and commercialization of the testing service on a global basis, directly and through local and international distributorships. Based on location, veterinarians must send samples either to OncoPet’s testing facility or to regional collection centers. Denis Burger, Ph.D., BioCurex executive chairman, said that initially, OncoPet Diagnostics will offer services in a similar manner to traditional clinical laboratories. “One notable …
UGA College Of Veterinary Medicine To Host Student Diversity SymposiumFebruary 10, 2010 The University of Georgia (UGA) College of Veterinary Medicine plans its second Southeastern Veterinary Student Diversity Matters Symposium, Friday, Feb. 26 through Sunday, Feb. 28. The symposium aims to promote greater diversity in veterinary medicine and related fields. The theme for 2010 is “Diversity and Veterinary Medical Education: Building on Our Individual and Collective Strengths.” Speakers include Cheryl Dozier, University of Georgia associate provost for institutional diversity; Warwick Arden, interim provost and executive vice chancellor of North Carolina State University; and Lisa Greenhill, associate executive director for institutional research and diversity, American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. Dr. Paige Carmichael, the college’s associate dean for academic affairs, said that while veterinary medicine continues to be the most non-diverse medical profession, UGA is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a diverse student body and faculty. “This symposium is just one example of that commitment,” Carmichael said. A meet and greet social event kicks off the symposium Friday evening. Saturday sessions begin at 7:30 with breakfast, and Sunday sessions end at noon with tours of the UGA veterinary medicine college. The event is part of a collaboration with the AAVMC’s “Diversity Matters” initiative. Click here to …
Western Veterinary Conference To Feature WVC-Connect Mobile TechnologyFebruary 9, 2010 Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) and EventKaddy have partnered to offer expanded mobile access at the 82nd annual conference through WVC-Connect. A suite of mobile and web-based applications provides users with multimedia access to WVC 2010. More than 13,000 veterinarians and related medical professionals are expected to attend the annual event, Feb. 14-18 in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay and the Oquendo Center for Clinical Education. WVC-Connect benefits include: Eliminating the need to tote conference programs as detailed session, speaker and exhibitor information is available on mobile phones. . Customization tools to tailor individual schedules and “favorite exhibitor” lists. . Real-time information with continuous announcements and updates. . Reduced paper waste with electronically stored exhibitor brochures and other literature. . Widespread accessibility on the web, mobile phones and touchscreens throughout the conference venue. . Social media access including Twitter and Facebook. For the first time, attendees will access smartphones to view video streams of conference proceedings and get real-time news updates regarding the conference. Dr. Guy Pidgeon, WVC chief executive officer, said WVC-Connect …
Bayer Animal Health To Sell Advantage And K9 Advantix To Pet Specialty RetailersFebruary 9, 2010 Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division plans to start selling Advantage Topical Solution for cats and dogs as well as K9 Advantix directly to pet specialty retailers and pet specialty Internet sites in March 2010 in order to compete in a rapidly changing business climate, the company said Feb. 9. Bayer also plans to launch a multimillion-dollar national, consumer print advertising campaign to promote veterinary visits as well as a “March Back In” $20 pet owner rebate program to encourage return visits to veterinary clinics. Pet owners are increasingly demanding easier access to flea and tick products such as Advantage and K9 Advantix, the company said, and the diversion of these products from the veterinary channel remains a growing issue as consumers continue to change shopping habits. The company said it continues to view veterinarians as “our most important partner in caring for pets” and remains committed to supporting veterinarians and their practices. However, market research shows how pet owners intend to increase their purchases of flea and tick treatments at pet specialty stores and websites. Bayer’s upcoming national campaign includes print ads set to appear in magazines targeted to pet owners. Point-of purchase materials for …
America’s Spending On Pets Continues To Increase, APPA SaysFebruary 9, 2010The U.S. pet market continues to grow despite the economic recession, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Overall spending in the pet industry, which includes food, supplies, veterinary care, live animal purchases and other pet care services, increased 5.4 percent to $45.5 billion in 2009, compared to $43.2 billion in 2008. No declines were experienced in any category since 2007. Moreover, the trade group projects U.S. spending on pets to increase 4.9 percent to $47.74 billion in 2010. “While the pet industry has appeared resilient during the recession, I believe the industry will get a boost even above its current performance as the economy recovers and pet owners become among the first to return to previous spending patterns in an effort to make up for the times that they have not been able to buy all of the items they wanted for their pets,” APPA president Bob Vetere said. Veterinary care continues to lead as the category experiencing the most growth. Spending on veterinary care increased 8.5 percent to $12.04 billion in 2009, compared to $11.1 billion in 2008. According to APPA, medical advances have helped pets live longer and made for a much broader and more elaborate …
ChemNutra Owners Sentenced In Tainted Pet Food CaseFebruary 8, 2010 A federal judge has sentenced the owners of a Las Vegas-based ingredients broker to three years probation for distributing a tainted ingredient to pet food companies that led to the mass pet food recall in 2007. U.S. Magistrate Judge John Maughmer ordered the probation for Stephen and Sally Miller, owners of ChemNutra Inc., on Feb. 5. In addition, the judge fined the Millers and ChemNutra a total of $35,000. The court ruled that no further restitution would be imposed in light of a federal class action lawsuit in New Jersey that calls for a $24 million settlement. ChemNutra and the Millers are alleged to have imported more than 800 metric tons of melamine-tainted wheat gluten from China between Nov. 6, 2006 and Feb. 21, 2007. The gluten was sold to various pet food manufacturers, according to an indictment filed in February 2008 in Missouri. Two Chinese companies — Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. and Suzhou Textiles, Silk, Light Industrial Products Arts and Crafts I/E Co. — were also indicted. The indictment alleges Xuzhou intentionally added the melamine to make the wheat gluten’s protein level appear higher. Suzhou Textiles, an export broker, is alleged to …
Veterinary Cardiologists Pump Out Progressive Treatments For Common DiseasesFebruary 7, 2010 Veterinary cardiology research projects are gaining interest and funding from human medical associations and animal alike. Morris Animal Foundation lists 17 cardiac grants it has awarded for canine and feline cardiac research in the last two years alone. All colleges of veterinary medicine dedicate time and resources to carrying out the research, allowing the specialty of cardiac medicine to reach new heights. Mitral valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are the most common canine heart diseases, while hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and restrictive cardiomyopathy are the most common heart diseases found in cats, says Mark A. Oyama, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (cardiology). Researchers are investigating these and other cardiac diseases to identify the cause of disease–whether a genetic role exists, how to diagnose earlier and how to most effectively treat the diseases. “For many diseases we suspect or have shown a congenital or heritable predilection such as feline HCM, Boxer DCM, but many other causes of disease is largely unknown,” says Dr. Oyama, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Because genetics plays such a large role in breed-specific cardiac disease, Washington State University created the canine cardiac genetic lab and is …
It’s Time To Cure What Ails New GradsFebruary 7, 2010 Second of two parts “Something’s got to give,” I wrote at the close of my last column on the trials that new veterinary graduates face. Given the conspiracy of conditions detailed there, a newly minted veterinarian’s nest-leaving step can feel like a perilous fall. Here’s a recap: Yes, the trials of the cold, cruel world come on fast and furiously when no internship or residency cushions the divide between it and the warm embrace of academia. More so when new grad debt load averages over $130K—an undeniably high load, especially when comparably few resources are made available to help us manage it. The psychological isolation of the often solo-esque clinical environment that accompanies this scenario means high anxiety, especially when our hands-on skills are woefully at odds with our employers’ expectations, especially when we’re asked to learn on the job with a “mentor” who has no understanding that she or he has taken on a new job description along with a new hire. Which is bad for us. Which is bad for our bosses. Which is undeniably bad for our patients. Which bodes ill for our long-term degree of job satisfaction. Which …
‘Person’-alities In Veterinary PatientsFebruary 7, 2010 2. Draper TW. Canine analogs of human personality factors. The Journal of General Psychology. 1995;122(3):241-252. 3. Lee CM, Ryan JJ, and Kreiner. Personality in domestic cats. Pscyhological Reports. 2007;100:27-29. 4. Morris PH, Gale A, and Howe S. The factor structure of horse personality. Anthrozoos. 2002;15(4):300-322. 5. Lloyd AS, Martin JE, Bornett-Gauci HLI, et al. Horse personality: variation between breeds. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2008;112:369-383. 6. Gosling SD, Kwan VSY, and John OP. A dog’s got personality: a cross-species comparative approach to personality judgments in dogs and humans. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2003;85(6):1161-1169. 7. Visser EK, Van Reenen CG, Rundgren M, et al. Responses of horses in behavioural tests correlate with temperament assessed by riders. Equine Veterinary Journal. 2003;35(2):176-183. 8. Draper TW. Canine analogs of human personality factors. The Journal of General Psychology. 1995;122(3):241-252. 9. Glickman LT, Glickman NW, Schellenberg DB, et al. Multiple risk factors for the gastric dilatation-volvulus syndrome in dogs: a practitioner/owner case-control study. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1997;33:197-204. 10. Herbold JR, Moore GE, Gosch TL, et al. Relationship between incidence of gastric dilatation-volvulus and biometeorologic events in a population of military working dogs. Am J …
