Complementary Medicine Footnotes September 2007 IssueApril 17, 2009 1 Peuker ET, White A, Ernst E, et al. Taumatic complications of acupuncture. Arch Fam Med. 1999;8:553-558. 2 MacPherson H. Fatal and adverse events from acupuncture: allegation, evidence, and the implications. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 1999;5(1):47-56. 3 MacPherson H. Fatal and adverse events from acupuncture: allegation, evidence, and the implications. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 1999;5(1):47-56. 4 Lectures on implants and gold bead therapy listed for the 2008 AAVA Annual Meeting - Nashville, Tennessee, March 7-9, 2008, obtained at http://www.aava.org/php/aava_blog/?p=40 on July 29, 2007. 5 Gerard PS. Images in Clinical Medicine: acupuncture-like fragments. NEJM. 1995;332(26):1792-1794. 6 Imray TJ and Hiramatsu Y. Radiographic manifestations of Japanese acupuncture. Radiology. 1975;115:625-626. 7 Durkes T. Gold bead implantation in small animals. The Medical Acupuncture Web Page. From the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) 25th Annual Congress. Obtained at http://users.med.auth.gr/~karanik/english/articles/durkgold.html on July 29, 2007. 8 Durkes TE. Gold bead implants. Problems in Veterinary Medicine. 1992; 4(1):207-211. 9 Durkes T. Gold bead implantation in small animals. The Medical Acupuncture Web Page. From the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) 25th Annual Congress. Obtained at http://users.med.auth.gr/~karanik/english/articles/durkgold.html on …
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The Pudding PrincipleApril 17, 2009 How do we know which chemotherapy drug works best in the treatment of cancer? I guess the "proof is in the pudding." Wait a minute! Where did that silly phrase come from? And what does pudding have to do with chemotherapy? After a bit of searching in a real library (rather than on Google), I found the quotation in the comic novel "Don Quixote" written by Miguel de Cervantes in 1615. The phrase is actually written as, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating." In the context of Don Quixote, it means that the true value or quality of something can only be judged when it's put to use. It's the result that counts. Nearly 300 years later, in 1890, the German physician Robert Koch applied the "pudding principle" in his microbiology laboratory. He devised four steps, now known as Koch's postulates, on how to prove a microbe was responsible for a particular illness. We refer to his postulates when proving cause and effect relationships. Modern day chemotherapy began near the start of World War II when Yale scientists were asked to study chemical warfare agents. Their research showed that a cause-and-effect …
Feds Seek Comments On Killing SkeetersApril 17, 2009 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reopened the public comment period on its draft mosquito and mosquito-borne disease management policy until Feb. 19. Existing policies do not address mosquito control. The new policy states, “We will allow populations of native mosquito species to function unimpeded unless they cause a human and/or wildlife health threat.” The policy then details how refuges should monitor and manage mosquito populations. Generally, the refuges have been set up to conserve natural habitats for wildlife, including insects. However, mosquitoes can present significant public health issues, serving as vectors for diseases such as West Nile virus. Through this past Dec. 11, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 3,400 cases, including 98 deaths, of human West Nile virus in 43 states, equine cases in at least 33 states and more than 2,000 bird deaths from the virus during the year. Click here for a copy of the draft policy. <HOME>
Partnership Brings New Pet Treats To Veterinary MarketApril 17, 2009 As part of a new licensing agreement, culinary technology company Gourmetceuticals LLC of Big Horn, Wyo., and Curamedics Pharmaceuticals Inc. of South Plainfield, N.J., will co-develop animal treats for canines and equines. Distribution channels have not been determined, but it’s likely the products will first be available through veterinary clinics and possibly move to pet stores sometime thereafter, a Gourmetceuticals spokeswoman said. The treats will include Gourmetceuticals’ ingredients, PPL-240, an antioxidant with photoprotective properties, and GLPH-1, an immune booster. Royalties will be paid to Gourmetceuticals upon the sale of products, which are expected to launch nationally in 2009. Further details of the agreement have not yet been disclosed. <HOME>
Mapping Future Of Cancer ResearchApril 17, 2009 Oncology and pet hospice have been the focus of my practice career since I completed the first-ever, though unofficial, oncology residency program under the guidance of Gordon H. Theilen, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (oncology), at the University of California, Davis. Veterinary oncology has grown rapidly over the past 15 years because of the amazing foundation set forth by our great forefathers, Dr. Robert Brody, Dr. Greg MacEwen, Dr. Amiya K. Patnaik, Dr. Edward Gillette and my mentor, Dr. Theilen. We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to celebrate Theilen’s 80th birthday with a first-of-its-kind cancer research symposium at UC Davis. The Theilen Tribute Symposium honored the visionary “One Medicine” career of Theilen. He is considered one of veterinary oncology’s most prolific and internationally appreciated forefathers. He contributed diverse pivotal research in cancer virology, initiated the first veterinary clinical oncology service, contributed the world’s first reference textbook, “Veterinary Cancer Medicine,” and mentored many who became leaders in their respective fields, touching millions of lives worldwide. Theilen based his research and teaching career at UC Davis, where he was influential in the growth of the veterinary and medical facilities. His research work and …
France Reports Second, Separate Rabies CaseApril 17, 2009 France yesterday reported its second canine rabies case of 2008, again attributing it to the illegal movement of animals into France from other countries. A female dog that was born in December 2007 in Gambia traveled from Gambia to Belgium on April 7, then was transported to France a week later. Despite a rabies vaccination on March 15 and a certificate of good health signed on April 5, the dog was in poor condition when she arrived in France, according to the French Ministry of Agriculture. She was examined by three veterinary clinics, with the third clinic suspecting rabies due to nervous system signs. The dog died—she was not euthanized--on April 21. Laboratory examination confirmed rabies. The only other animal known to have had contact with the dog was the dog owner’s 18-year-old cat. The cat was not vaccinated against rabies, did not have contact with other animals and was scheduled to be euthanized today. France reported that this case in not epidemiologically linked to the case of canine rabies it reported in February. Rabies is a reportable disease, meaning countries must report any outbreaks to other countries. The strain identified in …
Arnold Vetoes Ferret AmnestyApril 17, 2009 California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have provided amnesty for California’s estimated 500,000 pet ferrets while the state conducted environmental impact studies. Those studies would allow the state to make a final determination on whether or not ferrets posed a risk to the state’s environment. The governor said the bill was too bureaucratic and that the environmental studies should be conducted before ferrets’ legal status was changed. “I love ferrets,” Schwarzenegger wrote in his veto message to the California State Senate. “I co-starred with a ferret in Kindergarten Cop. However…I am concerned that there has not been proper study to determine whether ferrets are detrimental to the health and safety of California citizens and the environment.” The often-amended bill would have established a license fee for ferrets that would have funded the environmental studies. The governor did not offer any funding alternatives in his veto message. To receive amnesty, ferret owners would need to pay the registration fee and be able to prove their animals were vaccinated against rabies and spayed or neutered.
The Headache, Heartache ConundrumApril 17, 2009 Ever feel unduly applauded for the work you do? Here I refer to the clients who voice their admiration in fawning “I-don’t-know-how-you-do-its” and cloying “thanks-for-all-you-dos.” It’s great to hear and I accept it graciously, but sometimes the sentiment misses its mark. After all, these are the people who pay my mortgage and my kid’s pharmacy bills. What’s more, I count myself lucky to love my work. Sure, the ballerina deserves her applause—but all those roses, too? Then there’s always the flip side to consider, when we’re attacked for our money-grubbing, service-withholding ways. “You mean you need my credit card before you operate on Fluffy?” Being alternately admired and reviled, sometimes I wonder if this is what being Paris Hilton feels like. Not only is my own press suspect, I also get to feeling I should just make my money, have my fun and send everybody to hell at will. But that would defy the purpose of a thoughtful article. So instead, here’s my take on what I see as the truth and consequences of our clients’ conflicting views on our praise/blameworthiness. It’s a conundrum, indeed, this double-edged rapport with the public. …
NCVEI Releases Pet Health Insurance PaperApril 17, 2009 The National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) in Chicago released “A Veterinarian’s Guide to Pet Health Insurance,” an eight-page position paper written by the Brakke Veterinary Practice Management Group on Jan. 19. The NCVEI expects the paper to be the first in a series that will address business and economic issues facing the veterinary profession. Published for distribution at the 2009 North American Veterinary Conference, the paper contends that an insured clientele is economically beneficial to the profession. It also provides tips to practices for promoting the use of pet health insurance among clients. Those tips include appointing a staff member to be insurance coordinator for the practice, selecting and supporting a limited number of pet health insurers to support, educating the entire staff about pet health insurance, flagging medical records of insured clients so they can be informed of services covered by their insurance and submitting claims for clients, thereby bonding them to the practice. “Pet health insurance information, whether on the Internet or in a brochure, is often directed to the consumer and/or created to sell a particular policy,” said Karen Felsted, CPA, MS, …
How To Deal With An Adriamycin SpillApril 17, 2009 Adriamycin and vincristine, the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs in the battle against cancer in pets, are caustic vasosclerotics. If Adriamycin is extravasated into the perivascular tissues, the results may turn into one of your worst nightmares. We use the term “vasosclerotic” on our chemotherapy treatment forms to warn our staff that localized tissue injury will result if there is a spill. Most perivascular leaks are noticed right away as a “bleb” or swelling immediately adjacent to the venipuncture site. Occasionally a few spills go home undetected and untreated only to be noticed anywhere from one to10 days later. The pet owner calls into the office with complaints that the pet has pain, or is limping or has swelling or desquamation or is licking the venipuncture site. The most notorious vasoclerotic is Adriamycin and its anthracyline relatives, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin and idaruricin. Vincristine, vinblastine, cis-platin, mitoxantrone, mechlorethamine (Mustargen), mithramycin and etoposide are also vesicant, but they pale in their toxicity when compared to the irreversible indolent tissue damage inflicted by the Adriamycin group. In my opinion, there is no equal to the tissue necrosis that even small amounts of Adriamycin can cause to …
