UC Davis Launches Disease Surveillance SystemDecember 4, 2009 The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine has launched a global early-warning system, called PREDICT, in an effort to find and control diseases that move between wildlife and people. The system, which will be developed with funding of up to $75 million over five years, is one of five new initiatives of the U.S. Agency for International Development known in combination as the Emerging Pandemic Threats Program. The USAID is developing these initiatives to help prepare the world for infectious diseases such as H1N1 flu, avian flu, SARS and Ebola. Davis’ primary PREDICT partners are the Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Trust, Global Viral Forecasting Inc. and Smithsonian Institution. The team will be active in global hotspots where important wildlife host species have significant interaction with domestic animals and high-density human populations. This may include South America’s Amazon Basin, Africa’s Congo Basin and neighboring Rift Valley, South Asia’s Gangetic Plain and Southeast Asia. As activities in targeted regions come online, the team will focus on detecting disease-causing organisms in wildlife before they spill over into people. Among the 1,461 pathogens recognized to cause diseases in humans, at least 60 percent are of animal origin, …
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‘Pets And Poisons’ Leaflet Focuses On Holiday SafetyDecember 4, 2009 In light of the upcoming holidays, the British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation has re-launched its “Pets and Poisons” leaflet to warn pet owners about common household and garden substances that may be dangerous to pets. Such hazards include raisins, chocolate, liquorice, antifreeze and electrical cables, among others. “Our message to pet owners is don’t ruin your Christmas through carelessness,” said Bill Reilly, president of the BVA. “The loss or illness of a family pet is devastating but poisoning in the home can be easily avoided. “Some substances may make your animal drool or vomit so they should always have access to clean drinking water. If there is any doubt or concern, owners should contact their vets for advice immediately.” Substances that can be poisonous to pets, as outlined by the BVA, include: Chocolate and liquorice (common Christmas gifts) Raisins and sultans (used in Christmas cake recipes) Certain nuts Xylitol-sweetened foods Sweets Other foods such as onions, avocados and grapes Plants such as lilies and daffodils Cleaning and do-it-yourself products Car anti-freeze Human medicines Substances with low toxicity that could cause drooling, vomiting or diarrhea include: Blu-Tack or other similar adhesives (used to put up …
Survey: Nonprofits Report Decreased Contributions In 2009December 4, 2009 A new survey of public charity and private foundation employees found that 51 percent of the organizations saw a decline in contributions over the first nine months of 2009, compared to 35 percent in the year-ago period. The major factors cited for a decline in contributions were fewer individuals giving (69 percent) and smaller gifts (also 69 percent). The online survey was conducted in October by GuideStar, which provides data on more than 1.8 million IRS-recognized organizations. About 2,565 organizations were surveyed, 133 of those were animal-related. About 46 percent of the respondents said that their organization receives the majority of donations between October and December, the period known as the giving season. Of this number, 45 percent anticipate that total contributions for the 2009 giving season will be lower than those for the 2008 giving season, according to the survey. On top of that, about 62 percent of respondents reported increased demand for their organization’s services. Still, only 31 percent said that their organization had reduced budgets for 2010. Another 36 percent reported increased budgets for 2010 and 29 percent said that next year’s budgets would be the same as this year’s, according to …
All’s Not Quiet On The Media FrontDecember 3, 2009I’ve been censored. My work in other media has been unceremoniously dumped on back pages at times. When I talk brands, industry niches and corporate responsibility, I get heavily edited. Sometimes the legal department gets called in for a consult. But I don’t resent it. After all, somebody’s got to keep the loudmouth in line. I’ve learned the hard way. Writing about certain topics means your editor gets a call from microchip companies, over-the-counter flea-product manufacturers, or once—inexplicably—the Taser brand stun gun people (when I suggested that their product might be less than safely employed as a puppy park accessory). Editors get all jumpy about these things. No one likes a bullying phone call from PetMeds’ legal peeps after they get their panties in a bunch over an online pharmacy smackdown in USA Today. Uneven Relationships Then there are the advertisers. A certain pet food company turns up its nose at advertising with any work I author at a large online pet portal (not that I ever wrote anything uncomplimentary about its products). Another, however, will happily do so, in spite of more than one bit of negative writing with respect to its product line. How to fathom the mind …
Discovery Could Lead To New Treatment Options For ‘Ich’ In Freshwater Fish, Scientists SayDecember 3, 2009 A team of researchers reported on Dec.3 that they have discovered the presence of two bacteria in Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, or “Ich,” a single-celled parasite that commonly attacks freshwater fish. They hope the discovery could open up new avenues for treating fish infected with the parasite. The discovery was made during an Ich genome mapping project conducted by five researchers from The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, two researchers from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and one researcher from the J. Craig Venter Institute. While working to sequence the genome, they found that the parasite harbors two apparently symbiotic intracellular bacteria: Bacteroides and Rickettsia. The scientists say the two bacteria represent new species. “It was unexpected; it was stunning to find bacteria in Ich. And, it came about due to the genome sequencing,” said Harry Dickerson, a co-author of the study, which is published in the December issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Now, the scientists plan to determine if Ich remains infective if the bacteria are removed. They say it could bring them a step closer to developing better treatment for Ich, also known as white spot disease. Ich bores into the …
Thiamine Deficient Cat Food Recall Notice UpdatedDecember 2, 2009 Diamond Pet Foods of Meta, Mo., recently reported that 21 cases of thiamine deficiency in cats have been confirmed since the company’s September voluntary recall of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball products. The cases have been confined to the New York and Pennsylvania areas and no other reports have been received since Oct. 19, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company first announced the recall on Sept. 23, stating that the products were deficient in thiamine, an essential ingredient for cats, according to the FDA. Symptoms of deficiency can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. In the first stage, cats may show decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. Neurologic signs can develop later, including ventriflexion of the neck, wobbly walking, circling, falling and seizures. If left untreated, it may lead to death, according to the FDA. Cat owners are urged to contact their veterinarian if their pet has consumed the recalled product and have any of these symptoms. The affected products were distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and …
Nominations For Feline Research Award Being AcceptedDecember 1, 2009 Winn Feline Foundation and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation are inviting nominations for the 2010 Excellence in Feline Research award. The award recognizes the veterinary research scientist whose work mirrors Winn’s efforts to improve the lives of “Every Cat, Every Day.” The winner, who will be announced at the annual American Veterinary Medical Association convention in Atlanta July 31-Aug. 3, will receive $2,500 in cash, $1,000 to offset round trip airfare and other travel expenses to the conference and a crystal cat sculpture. A scholarship award will also be awarded to a veterinary student interested in feline medicine. Nominations are due Feb. 1. Click here for details or e - mail smonahan@avma.org.
Spay A Pet, Save A LifeDecember 1, 2009Ever have a hard time convincing pet owners to spay their cat or dog? You might want to share some compelling numbers with them. It actually might help you save your patient's life. The risk of a dog having mammary tumors is 0.05 percent if she is spayed before the first heat. Then it shoots up to an 8 percent risk after the first heat, and 26 percent after the second heat. If the dog is spayed after 2 years of age, then there is no more protection. . Over 25 percent of non-spayed female dogs will develop mammary tumors! . Being obese or having received some hormones (estrogens, progesterone) can increase that risk. . In dogs, approximately 50 percent of mammary tumors are benign and 50 percent are malignant. . In cats, 90 percent of mammary tumors are malignant, so spaying is even more important. . Size does matter. In dogs, if a malignant tumor is smaller than 2 inches in diameter, we hope for a survival of one to two years. If the tumor measures more than 2 inches in diameter, survival could be 6 months. . In cats, the cutoff is …
Dogs In China Reportedly Test Positive For H1N1November 30, 2009 Two dogs in Beijing have tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, which cited the Xinhua News Agency on Nov. 28. To date, there have not been any confirmed cases of dogs infected with the virus. The Chinese press reported that the virus found in the dogs was a 99 percent match for the flu currently infecting humans. The breed of the dogs has not been released. The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus has also been detected in cats, ferrets, pigs, birds and humans. The AVMA urges pet owners to monitor their pets’ health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness. The AVMA is tracking all instances of H1N1 in animals and posting updates on its website. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association is also posting updated information on H1N1 as it becomes available. Click here for veterinarians looking for information on how and when to submit samples to Oregon State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Related news: Oregon Cat with H1N1 Dies …
Butler Schein Animal Health To Form Under New AgreementNovember 30, 2009 Henry Schein Inc.’s U.S. animal health business and Butler Animal Health Supply have agreed to form Butler Schein Animal Health. The new company, to be headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, will be 50.1 percent owned by Henry Schein and 49.9 percent owned by Butler Animal Health Supply, including Oak Hill Partners and The Ashkin Family Group. Kevin Vasquez, Butler Animal Health Supply chairman, president and chief executive officer, will lead the new company as chief executive officer. “The creation of Butler Schein Animal Health is great news for veterinarians nationwide,” Vasquez said. “We intend to offer our current and future customers the broadest selection of veterinary products and value-added services in the industry. In addition to the efficiency and convenience of ordering from one primary supplier for nearly all veterinary practice needs, our customers also can rely on us to continue providing the highest level of service.” Vasquez’s team will include senior animal health executives from Butler Animal Health Supply and Henry Schein Animal Health. Senior sales and marketing leaders at Henry Schein will continue in senior roles at Butler Schein Animal Health. About 900 Butler Schein Animal Health team members, including about 300 field …
