North Carolina Vet College Seeks Pets For Clinical TrialsApril 17, 2009 The North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine is looking for companion animals to take part in the following clinical trials: NOTE: Most of these studies offer medical treatments, diagnostics and other compensation for participation • Keppra (Levetiracetam) study in dogs with epilepsy: The college is recruiting dogs affected by idiopathic epilepsy for this double-blind, placebo controlled drug study. Dogs must be on therapeutic levels of anticonvulsants and still have four or more seizures per month. Recruitment ends March 1. For more information, e-mail animalepilepsy@ncsu.edu. • Multi-drug resistance in herding dogs: The college is recruiting collies, Australian shepherds and Shetland sheepdogs for this MDR-1 study. Dogs must have epilepsy and be on therapeutic levels of anticonvulsants. Recruitment ends May 1. For more information, e - mail animalepilepsy@ncsu.edu. • Cats with high grade gastrointestinal lymphoma: Cats diagnosed with high-grade lymphoma isolated to the gastrointestinal region are being recruited for a study to examine the effects of abdominal radiation therapy following induction chemotherapy. Recruitment ends March 1. For more information, e-mail julie_osborne@ncsu.edu. • Dogs with lymphoma for a study of cardiac function: The two-year study is being conducted to determine whether cardiac changes may be …
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Digital World Has Big Impact On Vet Professionals, Survey FindsApril 17, 2009 A new survey indicates that veterinary professionals—veterinarians, practice managers, veterinary technicians, veterinary students and veterinary technician students—believe that they are more productive because of computing and communications devices. Eighty-eight percent of veterinarians said the Internet enhances their ability to access the latest science and research, according to a Digital Clinic Study conducted by public relations company Fleishman-Hillard in cooperation with the American Veterinary Medical Assn. and the American Animal Hospital Assn. In addition, 64 percent said the Internet makes their practice more efficient, and 61 percent said the Internet helps them provide better care for animals. However, only 43 percent said the Internet helps them communicate with their clients and just 32 percent said the Internet makes their practice more profitable, according to the survey. Over the past six months, 86 percent of respondents had visited a veterinary association or organization website; 76 percent had visited a veterinary school or research organization website; and 70 percent had visited a veterinary clinic or animal hospital website. Other veterinary topics included online continuing education (68 percent), animal nutrition (64 percent), toxicology and poisoning (59 percent), zoonoses (58 percent), veterinary diagnostic databases (54 percent), animal behavior and …
Washington VMA Seeks Animal Hall Of Fame NominationsApril 17, 2009 The Washington State Veterinary Medical Assn. is seeking nominations for its 2007 Animal Hall of Fame Awards. Animals must be nominated by veterinarians practicing in Washington. The award process is open to any animal, including those no longer living. The Animal Hall of Fame categories include: Hero – given to a non-professional animal that has saved a human life; Companion – given to a non-professional animal that has provided extraordinary benefit to humans and society; Professional – given to an animal professionally trained to assist humans, such as police dogs, military dogs, search and rescue or guide dogs for the blind; and, Therapy – given to an animal beneficial to a hospice, nursing home, prisons or other facilities. Deadline is Aug. 1. Awards will be presented on Sept. 29, at the association’s annual meeting in Yakima. For more information, call 425-454-8381, email bjones@wsvma.org or visit www.wsvma.org.
Vick Sentenced To 23 Months For Dog FightingApril 17, 2009 Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison today for his role in a dog fighting ring that was run on property he owned in Surry, Va. Vick admitted killing pit bulls that underperformed, as well as financing the operation - Bad Newz Kennels - and bankrolling gambling on the dog fights. He also faces trial on similar dog fighting charges in Virginia, which carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison according to the New York Times. More than 50 pit bulls were seized from Vick’s property in June. Of those, four died shortly after they were discovered and two have been euthanized. The remaining dogs have been recommended for placement and possible future adoption. Vick has agreed to pay more than $920,000 for the care of those dogs. <HOME>
Hill’s First Quarter Revenue Grows 16.5%April 17, 2009 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. of Topeka, Kan., recently reported that revenue for its first quarter ended March 31 grew 16.5 percent. Revenue was $503.2 million, compared to $431.1 million in the year-ago period. The company's growth in the U.S. veterinary channel was driven by Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Feline, Lower Urinary Tract Disease, Prescription Diet j/d Canine and Prescription Diet d/d Canine. Market share gains in the U.S. specialty pet channel were driven by strong sales of Science Diet Canine Adult Large Breed and Science Diet Canine Adult Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Small Bites. Internationally, volume growth was led by Australia, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Colombia, Belgium and Romania. New pet food products contributing to the international growth include Prescription Diet j/d Light Canine, Science Plan Chunks in Gravy Feline pouches and Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Feline. Overall, Hill’s parent company Colgate-Palmolive Co. reported net income of $466.5 million on revenue of $3.71 billion for its first quarter, compared to net income of $486.6 million on revenue of $3.21 billion in the year-ago period. <HOME>
Schubot Center To Develop PDD Diagnaostic TestApril 17, 2009Texas A&M's Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center is developing a new diagnostic blood test for proventricular dilatation disease (PDD), a wasting disease that affects many psittacine species. PDD is currently diagnosed clinically or by a crop biopsy. Clinical diagnoses are not always accurate and studies indicate that crop biopsies are only 40 percent to 70 percent accurate, says Ian Tizard, BVMS, Ph.D., director of the center. And then there's post mortem, when diagnosis comes too late, he adds. The diagnostic test is still in the early stages. "We need to test it on a lot more samples before we are able to offer it," he says. PDD is an important disease to diagnose and control because it is the most significant killer of large psittacines in captivity, according to Dr. Tizard. "It is also a major problem in some aviaries and in some of the parrot recovery programs where endangered species are dying from it," he says. It is generally assumed that PDD is a viral disease, but that has yet to be proven, Tizard says. PDD is quite erratic, he says. Some birds get sick quickly and die, while others may recover. Some birds exposed to the same thing …
How Fatty Acids Fight InflammationApril 17, 2009Conventional wisdom dictates that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs constitute the best first-line pharmacologic approach to arthritis pain. They work rapidly and provide substantive relief. New research on pre-emptive nutrition for pro-inflammatory states has revealed startling discoveries on ways through which the body fights pain and inflammation on its own, given the proper circumstances. Insights into the mechanisms of action of omega-3 fatty acids are revolutionizing our approach to the multimodal management of arthritis pain. Acute inflammation, a defensive response mounted by the host, serves to rid afflicted tissues of the causes and consequences of injury. Chronic inflammation, however, keeps the body locked in a state of perpetuating pain and biochemical unrest. The omega-3 polyunsatruated fatty acids (PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) facilitate the return of a homeostatic tissue environment. The mechanisms underlying these changes is catapulting the field of nutritional pharmacology and nutrigenomics to the forefront by providing nutritional approaches to help thwart the inflammatory march toward cancer, Alzheimer's disease, colitis and periodontal and heart disease. When healthy individuals suffer trauma, inflammation ensues, but usually eventually disappears. Until recently, how redness, pain, heat and swelling leave the site of injury received little scientific scrutiny; most assumed that once …
Equine Disaster Teams Reach Out In Hurricane Ike AftermathApril 17, 2009 Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike’s massive storm, animal welfare organizations continue to lead rescue efforts, with many focusing on the equine population. To help these efforts, the American Assn. of Equine Practitioners Foundation’s Equine Disaster Relief Fund is accepting aid to help horses in Louisiana and Texas. Donations, which can be made at their website, will go to programs and organizations that are helping with recovery and rebuilding efforts as well as any future disasters that may occur. “The AAEP, AAEP Foundation and the equine veterinary community are saddened by the tragic loss of life and incredible destruction and flooding caused by Hurricane Ike,” said Eleanor Green, DVM, president of AAEP. “We are compelled to reach out, together with our members, horse owners and industry leaders, as part of the effort to support the human and equine victims of this disaster.” The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has already pledged more than $25,000 in pre-assessment grants following Hurricane Ike, in addition to $50,000 in grant funding in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. The ASPCA, among other animal organizations, provide hay and water …
Labrador Retriever Once Again Top Dog In U.S.April 17, 2009 The Labrador retriever’s reign as the most popular purebred dog in the nation continues for the 18th year in a row, according to the American Kennel Club. The AKC unveiled the top 10 most popular dogs in America on Jan. 21 during an event in New York to kick off the organization’s 125th anniversary. Other top dogs include the Yorkshire terrier, German shepherd, golden retriever and the beagle. The complete list for 2008: Labrador retriever Yorkshire terrier German shepherd Golden retriever Beagle Boxer Dachshund Bulldog Poodle Shih tzu Each year, the AKC also looks at the most popular breeds in each of the 50 largest cities in the U.S. Some highlights: • The Bulldog continues to climb the national list. It’s really marking its territory in a number of western cities -- Las Vegas, Nev., Long Beach, Calif., Los Angeles, Calif., and San Diego, Calif. -- where it ranked second. • Detroit, Mich., and Miami, Fla., are the only cities that do not have the Labrador retriever in the top spot, both favoring the German shepherd dog. • The boxer is muscling its way to the top in a few cities, ranking second in Baltimore, Md., Cincinnati, Ohio, Des Moines, Iowa, Louisville, Ky., Omaha, Neb., and Kansas City, Mo. …
AVMA Revises Policy On Antimicrobials In Livestock FeedsApril 17, 2009 The American Veterinary Medical Association’s House of Delegates has revised its policy on Antimicrobials in Livestock Feeds. The approval of Resolution 6, one of the resolutions to receive the most attention from delegates at the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference on Jan. 10 in Chicago, was reported in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Proponents of Resolution 6, submitted by the American Association of Avian Pathologists, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, American Association of Swine Veterinarians and the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, explained that it amends the AVMA policy to stress the need to proactively address antimicrobial resistance through science-based risk analysis. The revised policy, available here reads in part: “The AVMA supports a transparent FDA drug approval process that is rigorous and based on substantial scientific evidence supported by data and that includes an assessment of food safety. The AVMA believes FDA must continue to rely on robust antimicrobial resistance surveillance (e.g., National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System) and on science to evaluate possible public health impacts. Because of the national interest in ensuring food safety and public …
