Avivagen Explores Possible Breakthrough in Female SterilizationJuly 30, 2014 A Canadian animal health company wants to do for female dogs and cats what Ark Sciences Inc. is doing for male dogs. Ark Sciences this year began shipping to veterinarians an FDA-approved nonsurgical sterilization drug, Zeuterin Injectable Solution, that is formulated to permanently cease canine sperm production. Seizing an opportunity on the female side, Avivagen Inc. of Ottawa, Ontario, is partnering with University of Saskatchewan veterinarian Duncan Hockley, DVM, who invented what the company calls a drug-based alternative to surgical spaying. The agreement puts Avivagen first in line for an exclusive license to a technology designed for the permanent sterilization of female mammals, starting with dogs and cats and potentially extending to livestock, wild animals and even humans. The technology, which for now goes by the name “Sterilis Project,” is a long way from hitting the veterinary market. Avivagen hopes to finish proof-of-concept work by year’s end and at some point launch trial studies. “We estimate that a nonresource-constrained project could attain registration in about five years, absent technical hurdles and delays in reviews,” said Avivagen’s CEO and president, Cameron Groome. How the “Sterilis Project” drug would work on females is …
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Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter School ExpandsJuly 30, 2014 A clinic designed to teach spay and neuter procedures to hundreds of veterinarians and fourth-year veterinary students each year opened Tuesday in Asheville, N.C. The Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Training Center, which was funded through a $1.5 million grant from PetSmart Charities, features six surgical bays and enough kennels to accommodate 140 feline and canine patients. The host, Humane Alliance, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching high-volume, low-cost sterilization techniques. “The support of PetSmart Charities allows us to increase the number of veterinarians who will take back new skills to their community to save more pets and make an impact nationwide,” said Quita Mazzina, executive director of Humane Alliance. The 12,400-square-foot training center includes office space for 16 staff members. A separate, 2,200-square-foot dormitory houses up to 20 students. PetSmart Charities, the charitable arm of the Phoenix-based PetSmart chain, has given more than $4.5 million to Humane Alliance since 2010. “When organizations come together and collaborate as we’ve done with Humane Alliance, the results can be transformational,” said Julie White, the charity’s senior director of programs, grants and field initiatives. Humane Alliance has helped create a network of 137 low-cost
How Pain Management In Small Animals Has GrownJuly 29, 2014For Duncan X. Lascelles, a professor of small animal surgery at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, understanding pain is the cornerstone to building a better foundation for treating it in small animals. And Lascelles, BVSc, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS and ECVS, is encouraged by the improvements in recognizing pain being made in veterinary medicine and at institutions like NC State. "I think the first breakthrough I see is the increasing amount of information regarding pain assessment," Lascelles said. "We're seeing more tools for practitioners and also for clinical researchers." Better assessment tools enable practitioners to know whether non-drug therapies are working, and they enable practitioners dealing with pain management to better monitor the efficacy of their treatments Lascelles suggested that practitioners dealing with perioperative pain in dogs use the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale Short Form. The same group that came out with the scale is soon to publish the feline version, Lascelles noted. For chronic pain in dogs, Lascelles likes the University of Pennsylvania's Canine Brief Pain Inventory and the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index. There are also a number of new tools that can help pet owners measure chronic pain, or can assist veterinary technicians with measuring …
Apoquel Shortage Should End by April 2015July 27, 2014Update, January 2016: More Apoquel on Way for Dogs, Zoetis Says Dog owners desperate to put their pets on the new anti-itch drug Apoquel will have to wait nine more months as the manufacturer ramps up production. Zoetis Inc. of Florham Park, N.J., had expected the Apoquel shortage to last until mid-2015, but the company recently reported that the distribution clampdown should loosen sooner―by April 2015. Apoquel (oclacitinib tablet) received an enthusiastic response from dog owners and veterinarians after the drug hit the U.S. market Jan. 20. Often effective within 24 hours of initial use, the prescription-only drug is indicated for the control of itching associated with allergic dermatitis and the control of clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis. The tablets, which work by blocking a dog’s urge to scratch, are given twice a day for the first two weeks and daily thereafter. The drug’s success combined with growing demand and a complicated manufacturing process quickly left Apoquel in short supply. Zoetis responded by giving priority to pets already on the drug and by rejecting new orders from veterinarians. In some cases, veterinarians who were able to get Apoquel were suddenly cut off. Steven …
Drug Makers, Compounders at Odds Over FDA OversightJuly 17, 2014 The Animal Health Institute, a trade group representing pharmaceutical manufacturers, is demanding that the Food and Drug Administration crack down on the illegal compounding of veterinary drugs, saying the practice puts animals at risk and jeopardizes the development of new medications. The appeal was made during a media conference call Wednesday and at a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., involving stakeholders and organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Animal Hospital Association. The Animal Health Institute is not asking for the elimination of all drug compounding. The group supports a pharmacist’s manipulation of FDA-approved drugs to meet individual patients’ needs and the occasional compounding of bulk, active ingredients under FDA’s discretionary powers. “The third type of compounded drugs … is dangerous and illegal,” said Richard Carnevale, VMD, the Animal Health Institute’s vice president for regulatory, scientific and international affairs. “These are dangerous drugs crafted by pharmacies acting as manufacturers and often promoted to veterinarians as a way to increase profits. “They are not looking to help Mrs. Jones’ cat,” Dr. Carnevale said of such companies. “They even offer disclaimers that they are not responsible for …
New Heartgard Made for Dogs With Food AllergiesJuly 17, 2014 The oral heartworm preventive Heartgard now comes in tablet form for dogs that have food allergies. The new medication, Heartgard Tablet (ivermectin), does not contain food ingredients that may trigger an allergic reaction, according to the manufacturer, Merial Ltd. of Duluth, Ga. “Many dogs suffer from food allergies, and most oral heartworm preventives have meat components in their formulation,” said Michael Murray, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, a Merial technical marketing director. Merial is offering Heartgard Tablet in addition to the longtime preventive Heartgard Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel), a beef-flavored chewable. Both formulations are administered monthly for the prevention of heartworm disease. Heartgard Tablet is available in three dosages based on a dog’s weight: up to 25 pounds, 26 to 50 pounds and 51 to 100 pounds.
Sterilization Effects Worse for Golden Retrievers Than LabsJuly 15, 2014 Golden retrievers are more likely than Labrador retrievers to be diagnosed with joint disorders or cancer after the animals have been spayed or neutered, according to the results of a study published Monday in the online journal PLOS ONE. Intact members of both breeds enjoy lower rates of joint disorders and cancer, researchers at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine added. The researchers did not take a stand on spaying and neutering, which is done to an estimated 83 percent of all U.S. dogs to control the pet population and prevent unwanted behaviors. Instead, they stated that the study served to measure the long-term health effects of sterilization and to educate breeders and dog owners who are deciding when, and if, to spay or neuter their animals. When a golden or Labrador retriever is sterilized can play a role in the onset of joint disorders and cancer, the researchers stated. A connection was found between early sterilization—before the animal is 6 months old—and the appearance of joint disorders. About 5 percent of intact golden and Labrador retrievers of both genders suffer from a joint disorder, the researchers determined. The rate in dogs …
What to Tell Your Clients About the Rumor of Ice Water & DogsJuly 9, 2014Have you been getting a lot of questions from clients and friends asking if ice water is lethal to dogs? It’s a rumor that’s circulating the Internet and worrying dog owners. The cautionary tale (titled "NO ICE WATER FOR DOGS...PLEASE READ ASAP”) was written in 2010, but the rumor has been circulating since 2007. It centers on a dog named Baran, and his owner who unthinkingly added ice cubes to the dog’s water bowl to help him cool off on a hot day. Shortly after, Baran appears to be in distress and is rushed to the animal hospital. The veterinarian tells the owner that the ice water caused the dog to experience violent muscle spasms in his stomach, which led to bloating. Bloat — also known as gastric dilation-volvulus—is a life-threatening condition in dogs. If worried clients come to you about this myth, take the time to educate them about the dangers of ice, heat stroke and bloating. What To Tell Your Clients About Ice Although eating ice technically is safe for dogs, ensure owners are aware that eating ice can pose a few dangers. Dogs that munch on ice can potentially damage or break their teeth, …
Step-by-Step Dental ImplantsJune 9, 2014Before one embarks on surgically placing and restoring a dental endosseous implant, a thorough and rigorous treatment planning process has to be performed. A detailed history should be taken especially looking for the etiology of the tooth fracture or loss. Pets that have habits that can lead to tooth abrasion and tooth fracture, or pets with underlying malocclusions, including tooth attrition, may not be suitable candidates for implants unless the underlying problem or habit can be modified or rectified. Pets with periodontitis may not be candidates for implants unless the periodontal disease is mild and is well controlled. The monetary outlay for an implant motor and surgical kits can be prohibitive for practitioners interested in placing and restoring implants. Other treatment options should be offered that may be more suitable or practical for the patient and the owner. PHOTO COURTESY OF DRS. CAIAFA AND MELE Placement of implant. A prognosis should be given for each option. Other treatment options may include root canal therapy, extraction and possible bridging of the edentulous space or simply extraction and no further treatment. Ethical considerations when dealing with hypodontia in breeding or show animals also need to be considered. Owners need …
New Thoughts on Gallbladder MucocelesJune 2, 2014 Gallbladder mucoceles are diagnosed with increasing frequency, most likely because of better clinical awareness and easier access to ultrasound. A mucocele is a surgical disease, and sometimes a surgical emergency. Let’s go over some recent discoveries that will improve your care of patients with mucoceles. Phil Mayhew,* a board-certified surgeon at the University of California, Davis, studied 10 dogs with extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction. Coagulation profiles revealed that all 10 patients were hypercoagulable due to high levels of plasma d-dimers and fibrinogen levels. Conclusion: Not all dogs with biliary obstruction need a routine injection of vitamin K. A coagulation profile should be performed before pre-treating blindly or out of habit. Mary Lauren Mesich,** a board-certified surgeon in Minnesota, investigated the association between endocrinopathies and mucocele risk in dogs. Dogs diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism are about 30 times more likely to develop a gallbladder mucocele than dogs without the disease. Conclusion: Dogs with a gallbladder mucocele should be tested for concurrent hyperadrenocorticism. Diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism did not increase the risk of mucocele. Eric Lindquist,*** a board-certified veterinary practitioner in New Jersey, owner of www.SonoPath.com and Pennsylvania Mobile Ultrasound, launched an interesting …
