Appeals Court Upholds West Hollywood’s Ban On Cat DeclawingApril 17, 2009 The California Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of upholding West Hollywood’s ban on cat declawing. In a 2-1 vote, the Court of Appeals determined that cities can legally prohibit cat declawing without violating state law. The West Hollywood ordinance, which was passed in 2003, makes it a crime to perform declawing within city limits, except for therapeutic purposes, such as removal of infected or injured tissue. The ordinance declares that the procedure causes “unnecessary pain, anguish and permanent disability.” The California Veterinary Medical Assn. filed suit against West Hollywood in 2005, stating that the city had no authority to regulate the medical practices of veterinarians. Shortly after, the ordinance was overturned, which CVMA said confirmed its “assertion that local ordinances may not infringe on licensed professionals’ state-granted rights to practice within the scope of their licenses." However, this recent ruling by the Court of Appeals determines that the city’s ordinance is not preempted by state law, thus making the ban legal and enforceable. It finds that a city may regulate actions that it considers inhumane, as long as it does not prohibit veterinary procedures that state law expressly allows. The declawing of wild …
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Cancer Surgery Never As Good As First TimeApril 17, 2009 Music critics claim that Sade’s song “Never as Good as the First Time” applies to personal relationships. We beg to differ. She was clearly referring to cancer surgery. The best time to obtain clean margins during surgical excision of a malignant tumor is the first time. The most aggressive, i.e. mitotically active, cells are not located in the main, visible or palpable mass, but within its “legs” or tentacles. This is why it is so important to obtain clean margins the first time around. Dirty margins will require radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a more aggressive excision to prevent a recurrence. Re-excision is always more complicated because it is difficult, if not impossible, to know how invasive we should be. The original tumor may have seeded cells in multiple tissue planes during the first attempt. Mast cell tumor on the hock of a 6-year-old boxer. One easy way to think of the cancerous mass during the first excision is to consider it as grossly infected (read: covered in pus). Therefore, it shouldn’t come in contact with healthy tissues. Gloves, instruments and drapes should be changed before closing the surgical site. It also is …
When Herbs And Surgery Don’t MixApril 17, 2009 Failing to ask clients about any herbs their pet has received before surgery could lead to bleeding disasters during surgery. Specifically, botanicals that interfere with clotting could transform an otherwise routine surgery into a frustrating and lengthy exercise.1 False Sense of Security While the true clinical impact remains clouded by lack of controlled research in both veterinary and human patients,2 this paucity of safety information may be creating a self-perpetuating cycle of false-negative information.3 The unregulated and untested nature of veterinary plant-based products amplifies uncertainties over product strength, potential misidentification, adulteration and species-specific or idiosyncratic variations in drug metabolism or effects.4 In particular, products with a multiplicity of ingredients, such as Chinese herbal formulations, especially when administered chronically, exhibit a disproportionately greater percentage and severity of side effects, compared to single-herb supplements.5,6,7 Harmful drug-herb interactions involving mixtures of herbs heighten the hurdles of identifying the source of the interaction. Mechanisms by which herbs may influence bleeding include direct pharmacologic actions and indirect interactions.8 Indirect (namely, herb-drug) interactions involve either pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic influences. Antiplatelet Effects From top to botton, garic, ginger, ginko and ginseng. Veterinary …
Pet Food Company Creates Vet Support ProgramsApril 17, 2009 Natura Pet Products has created the new position of director of Veterinary Support Programs, a move that the company said will continue its efforts in making information on holistic solutions and healthy diets readily available to veterinarians. As the new director, Antonette Ginochio, who previously served as territory sales manager for Natura, will develop and manage marketing support programs within the veterinary community nationwide and in Canada, manage and expand the Natura Veterinary Intern Program and represent Natura Pet Products at veterinary conferences and events. The intern program, which began three years ago, provides pet nutritional education for veterinary students at University of California, Davis, University of Florida, Colorado State University, North Carolina State University, Cornell, Washington State University, Texas A&M, Ohio State University, Atlantic Veterinary College (PEI-Canada), Iowa State University and Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. <HOME>
Imulan Expands Vet Oncology ProgramsApril 17, 2009 Imulan BioTherapeutics LLC has formed a company called Veterinary Cancer Therapeutics, located at the Imulan headquarters within the Christopher S. “Kit” Bond Science and Technology Incubator in St. Joseph, Mo. The goal is to advance the company’s comparative veterinary oncology programs and commercialize several new immune activating technologies for treatment of cancer in dogs, cats and horses. Veterinary Cancer Therapeutics will focus on the power of the immune system to fight cancer, according to the recently launched website. “Mother Nature designed the most powerful tool against cancer in the form of the immune system,” said Craig Woods, DVM, chief executive officer of Imulan and Veterinary Cancer Therapeutics. “Many forms of cancer trick the immune system by producing factors that create a chemical camouflage and thus evade immune detection. Imulan is currently working on cutting-edge ways of making cancer visible to immune cells, giving the patient the upper hand.” Veterinary Cancer Therapeutics will provide veterinarians with access to technology platforms by creating a treatment network. A new laboratory to advance the company’s tumor biology and comparative oncology science programs is in the works.
FDA Approves Drug To Manage Canine ObesityApril 17, 2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Pfizer Animal Health’s Slentrol (dirlotapide) for the management of canine obesity. This is the first veterinary-approved obesity drug for dogs in the United States, according to the company. Pfizer said that it developed Slentrol in response to the unmet need for a medication to help veterinarians and pet owners manage canine obesity in a comprehensive program that includes healthy diet and appropriate exercise. “Veterinarians will now have the additional option of using Slentrol in conjunction with diet and exercise,” said S. Kristina Wahlstrom, VMD, Pfizer Animal Health. Slentrol, which decreases a dog’s appetite, is given once daily as an oral solution. It will be available to veterinarians this spring. Slentrol should not be used in cats, dogs receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy or dogs with liver disease. <HOME>
FDA Bans Extralabel Use Of Cephalosporins In Food AnimalsApril 17, 2009Citing a risk to public health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today prohibited the extralabel use of cephalosporin antimicrobial drugs in food producing animals. The prohibition will take effect Oct. 1; the agency will accept comments on the rule through Sept. 2 at www.regulations.gov (search for Docket No. FDA-2008-N-0326). The FDA reports it has gathered evidence showing that "the extralabel use of cephalosporins in food-producing animals is likely to contribute to the emergence of resistance and compromise human therapies." Of particular concern to the FDA are expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, notably ceftriaxone and cefotaxime, which are the drugs of choice for invasive Salmonella infections in pediatric patients. The FDA believes that some cephalosporin use in animals is contributing to an increase in cephalosporin-resistant human pathogens. Although the FDA reported that there was only limited information regarding the extent of extralabel use of the antimicrobials in food-producing animals, it said it is evident that such use is occurring. The rule affects only the extralabel use of the antimicrobials. Certain cephalosporins, including Ceftiofur, are approved for use in animals. Some of the uses approved for some of these compounds include respiratory disease in cattle, swine, sheep and goats, respiratory tract …
Why A Relationship With A Pet Shop Is Like A Pact With The DevilApril 17, 2009I live in an area less heralded for its animal welfare record than for its legions of pretty people who (inexplicably) made the word "chic" synonymous with something as dubiously glamorous as a teacup Chihuahua. In fact, last year the Humane Society of the United States ranked south Florida's animal welfare record almost rock bottom on a list of 25 major metropolitan areas. Dragging us way down was Miami's apparent penchant for purebred pets purchased through puppy peddlers. It's no secret there's no love lost between the HSUS and the live-pet retail industry, just as it's no shock to learn that its anti-pet-shop bias stems from poor regulation of this industry's living inventory when it comes to health care—our purview. After all, everyone knows where most of these pets come from (sort of rhymes with "run-of-the-mill"). And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to decipher the code for "high-quality breeder" when applied to the vast range of designer pedigree pooch producers flooding the retail pet market with their wares. In my experience the so-touted "high-quality breeder" that pet shops claim as their source is about as rare as a bulldog without brachycephalic syndrome. Puppy mills and their backyard breeding cousins …
Tackling Equine FluApril 17, 2009Influenza is not seasonal in horses in the same way winter seems to be "flu season" for humans. But there are similarities and differences in the human and equine flu viruses: Both are highly contagious. Clinical signs are similar: coughing, nasal shedding, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. The risk increases with exposure to other animals or people. Vaccinations for horses as well as humans are an important part of preventing disease. Rest is an important component of recovery for both species. "The incidence of horses being affected varies from year to year," says D. Craig Barnett, DVM, senior equine technical services specialist for Intervet Inc/Schering-Plough Animal Health of Paola, Kan. "Suffice it to say that equine influenza is the leading cause of infectious upper respiratory disease in the horse. "Like in humans, the potential for exposure, or risk, to our horses increases as the horse population grows," he says. Also increasing exposure: more frequent and extensive traveling in today's equine world. If a horse's immunity is built up, he will usually get over the flu quicker, says Robert Holland, DVM, senior technical services veterinarian for Pfizer Health's equine business unit. "Every day a horse has a fever will take …
Banfield Mobile Unit To Aid In Southern California FiresApril 17, 2009 Banfield’s mobile emergency pet hospital is getting ready to assist with pet emergencies related to the fires taking place in Southern California. An exact location where the mobile unit will be set up has not yet been released. The 32-foot-long hospital trailer will be staffed by two veterinarians and three veterinary technicians and will contain a surgical suite, treatment area and 10 kennels. As of Wednesday, all of Banfield’s hospital team in the greater San Diego area had been accounted for. Although some Banfield pet hospitals are closed temporarily due to weather conditions, including smoke and ash, the hospitals are currently safe from immediate paths of the fires, according to a Banfield spokesman. Should Banfield hospitals have to close, answering machines will indicate area emergency pet hospitals where clients can seek immediate assistance. All Banfield California team members have received preparedness and evacuation procedures in the event that evacuation should become necessary. Banfield of San Diego is currently housing several cats from the Helen Woodward Animal Center, a nonprofit organization that provides care and adoption for animals as well as educational programs for people. In related news, PetSmart …
