Abbott, Merck, Purina Team Up on Diabetes CampaignNovember 18, 2014Cats and dogs diagnosed with diabetes during a visit to a participating veterinary clinic in March 2015 will receive a gift bag designed to help their owners manage the disease. The giveaway is part of the new Diabetes Pet Care Alliance, a campaign created by Abbott Animal Health, Merck Animal Health and Nestlé Purina PetCare to raise awareness about diabetes in pets and encourage more screenings. The sponsors say the incidence of diabetes—1 in 250 cats and 1 in 500 dogs—is rising and that pets are underdiagnosed. Veterinary hospitals that enroll in the program at www.usa.petdiabetesmonth.com will receive materials designed to educate clients and local pet owners about the clinical signs of diabetes. The hospitals—up to 1,000 can participate—are encouraged to dedicate time to diabetes screenings in March. Pets newly diagnosed with the disease will go home with a free diabetes management kit containing: An AlphaTrak blood glucose monitoring system from Abbott Animal Health. A 10 mL vial of Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension) from Merck Animal Health. A bag of Purina Veterinary Diets food—either DM Dietetic Management Feline Formula or DCO Dual Fiber Control Canine Formula. November is National Diabetes Month.
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Researchers Hope to Lick Canine Gum DiseaseNovember 17, 2014The American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation has awarded more than $25,000 for studies of two potential solutions to periodontal disease in dogs. Paola Massari, Ph.D., of Boston Medical Center will investigate a vaccine that would use a dog’s immune system to fight the bacteria responsible for gum disorders leading to tooth loss and pain. Django Martel, DVM, of the Animal Medical Center in New York will work with colleagues to determine whether antibiotic gel therapy can reduce periodontal disease, the Raleigh, N.C.-based foundation reported. Periodontal disease is a common condition in adult dogs. Most canines show evidence of periodontal disease and associated discomfort by age 3, the foundation noted. “Just like … in humans, periodontal disease in dogs is a painful condition that profoundly affects quality of life and can lead to a multitude of health problems,” said the foundation’s chief scientific officer, Shila Nordone, MS, Ph.D. “We have strategically funded research that will have immediate impact by supporting the evidence-based use of antibiotic gels to treat progressive disease, while also funding research that will provide a long-term solution by developing an effective vaccine to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place,” she said. Each …
Why You Should Keep Pulpitis in Mind When Treating A Discolored ToothNovember 14, 2014Originally published in the November 2014 issue of Veterinary Practice News Case Discussion Tasha, an 18- month-old female Labrador retriever, recently was presented to me for a discolored right maxillary canine tooth (Figure 1). The discoloration was intrinsic, imparting a gray color to the entire crown. The enamel of the crown was devoid of any defects, cracks or fractures. Differential Diagnoses A tooth may be discolored due to abnormal formation of enamel, such as enamel hypoplasia or hypomineralization. However, this tooth’s enamel was normal in thickness and texture. Exposure to the tetracycline family of antibiotics early in life can result in generalized discoloration of the teeth, but since only one tooth was discolored, a non-vital tooth secondary to pulpitis was most likely in Tasha’s case. What Causes Pulpitis? Pulpitis is inflammation of the pulp, which occurs most commonly due to blunt trauma to a tooth. This trauma may be caused by the patient bumping the tooth on something or biting down hard on something in a way that traumatizes the tooth without causing a fracture of the crown or root. The colors seen with pulpitis—pink, purple, gray, brown—are due to trauma to blood vessels within the tooth, which results in leakage …
Why You Should Manage Expectations When it Comes to Feline DiabetesNovember 4, 2014Originally published in the November 2014 issue of Veterinary Practice News Fourteen diplomates from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (feline practice category) met at the American Association of Feline Practitioners meeting in Indianapolis to discuss the clinical management of diabetes in the cat. Elaine Wexler-Mitchell, DVM, of The Cat Care Clinic in Orange, Calif., invited all ABVP feline diplomates to participate and to discuss the apparent disparity in the results of academic recommendations for managing diabetic cats and the clinical outcome that we, as in-the-trenches practitioners, have experienced. The main expectation in question is that most, if not all, diabetic cats will go into remission if treated properly and that home glucose testing and the use of glargine insulin are essential parts of this. Those answering Dr. Wexler-Mitchell’s call responded with the following statements: “I, too, do not see the same percentage of well-regulated diabetics as is reported. And I do not see the percent of remissions that they say we should in the first six months. I thought perhaps it was just me.” “A good number of my patients aren’t showing that degree of control or remission, nor are many of my clients as motivated as the ‘ideal.’” …
How to Diagnose and Treat Uroabdomen CasesNovember 3, 2014Tucker, a 3-year-old border collie, was rushed to your hospital after getting hit by a car at 9 a.m. He is lucky, as he escaped without any fracture or major laceration. He only seems to have a few skin scrapes. You stabilize Tucker throughout the day, and he looks much better by that evening. He is kept overnight for IV fluids and pain medications. By the next morning, you are disappointed to see that Tucker’s condition has worsened overnight. Blood work and abdominal X-rays make you strongly suspect a bladder rupture. Ultrasound confirms it without a doubt. Fortunately, Dr. Jennifer Stafford, a double-boarded colleague in critical care and internal medicine at VCA Veterinary Referral Associates in Gaithersburg, Md., comes to the rescue with a full write-up on uroabdomen (JR Stafford, et al. “A clinical review of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of uroabdomen in the dog and cat.” J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2013, Vol 23, N 2, p. 216-229). As in Tucker’s case, most uroabdomen cases are caused by blunt trauma to the abdomen, such as getting hit by a car. The chances of this happening depend on the degree of bladder distention at the time of the trauma. Uroabdomen …
Sentinel Heartworm Drugs Moving to VirbacOctober 31, 2014Eli Lilly and Co. has found a buyer for the U.S. rights to Sentinel Flavor Tabs and Sentinel Spectrum as part of its acquisition of Novartis Animal Health. The Novartis trademarks, patents and customer lists for the two canine antiparasitics will be transferred to Virbac Animal Health of Fort Worth, Texas, upon Federal Trade Commission approval and the completion of the takeover. Eli Lilly agreed to divest U.S. Sentinel assets when purchasing Novartis Animal Health. The financial terms for the Sentinel purchase were not disclosed. U.S. sales of Sentinel Flavor Tabs and Sentinel Spectrum, which protect dogs from heartworms and fleas, are expected to reach up to $100 million in 2014. Virbac already sells a heartworm preventive, Iverhart, and offers dozens of other products in the parasitic, behavioral, dental, dermatologic, urologic and nutritional categories. “Adding these strong brands and commercial franchise to the current Virbac portfolio of products offered to veterinary clinics and pet owners in the United States will substantially strengthen Virbac’s presence and penetration in the U.S. companion animal veterinary market and leverage its growth potential,” the company reported in a statement issued Monday. Parent company Novartis AG agreed in April to sell Novartis Animal …
Purina Launches Made-to-Order Dog FoodOctober 31, 2014Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. has put a twist on homemade pet food by allowing dog owners to formulate a recipe online for shipment to their door. The St. Louis-based manufacturer this week entered one of the smallest segments of the $28 billion U.S. pet food market: customized diets. The American Pet Products Association’s most recent survey found that just 3 percent of dog owners purchased specialty food, such as raw or frozen diets, in 2012. The new line, Just Right by Purina, is neither raw nor frozen. Instead, pet owners go to JustRightPetfood.com, answer questions about the animal’s age, breed, weight and other characteristics, choose whether to include soy and grain, and pick a protein source: chicken, lamb or salmon. What emerges through a proprietary algorithm is a customized kibble diet, complete with the dog’s photo and a recipe name printed on the bag. “Every dog is unique and that’s why we believe the best solutions are personalized,” said Brian Lester, the brand’s director of marketing. “By combining a dog owner’s firsthand knowledge of their pet with Purina’s expertise, we can work together to help keep dogs happy and healthy throughout their lives.” Just Right by Purina …
Farm Accident Couldn’t Keep Indiana Dog DownOctober 24, 2014A run-in with farm equipment nearly cost Charlie her life, but her survival brought national recognition. The Labrador retriever this month won the sixth annual VPI Hambone Award, which Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. hands out for the most unusual insurance claim of the year. After falling under equipment being towed on the family farm, the Indianapolis canine appeared to have suffered no more than cuts to her tail. The next day, when Charlie couldn’t stand, owner Jessica Parsons figured the injuries were much worse. “I was so worried about Charlie, I knew she was in pain,” Parsons said. A veterinarian referred Charlie to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in West Lafayette, Ind., where specialists diagnosed a fractured spine and internal bleeding from a damaged kidney. What followed were surgeries to stabilize her spine and remove the kidney. The medical care and expenses ran into five figures, but Parsons was reimbursed more than $10,400 through her insurance policy with Brea, Calif.-based VPI. Charlie, whose rehabilitation included learning to walk again, was presented with a bronze trophy and a gift bag filled with toys, treats and pet supplies. “I’m incredibly proud of how hard Charlie has fought to recover,” …
Why Teeth Removal is Best When Your Patient Has Feline StomatitisOctober 24, 2014Originally published in the September 2014 issue of Veterinary Practice News Feline stomatitis is an exquisitely painful condition, and it can be a frustrating condition for pet owners and feline caregivers. When I see a stomatitis patient for the first time, I try to set pet owners’ expectations early: stomatitis is a disease that we sometimes control rather than cure. However, with aggressive treatment, cures can be achieved. Gingivitis or Stomatitis? Sometimes it is difficult to discern whether a cat has stomatitis or merely gingivitis. Clinical signs will often be a good indicator, even before you take a look in the mouth. Gingivitis is generally well tolerated by cats. However, cats with stomatitis will show signs of hyporexia progressing to anorexia, preference for canned vs. dry food, crying when yawning or eating, ptyalism and occasionally bloody oral discharge. When trying to distinguish gingivitis from stomatitis, the key is the mucogingival line. Routine gingivitis never extends beyond the gingiva, whereas stomatitis always extends beyond the mucogingival line into the alveolar and buccal mucosa. Inflammation extending beyond the gingiva to the alveolar mucosa is referred to as rostral stomatitis or alveolar mucositis. Cats with stomatitis also often show inflammation lateral to the …
Feline Stomatitis: Medical Therapy for Refractory CasesOctober 22, 2014Originally published in the October 2014 issue of Veterinary Practice News In a previous article, we discussed extractions as the gold standard treatment of feline stomatitis. Even after undergoing extractions, approximately 20 percent of patients will continue to experience clinically relevant signs of oral inflammation. We call these “refractory” cases. The goal of treatment is to reduce or eliminate oral discomfort to a degree where appetite is consistently good and patient body weight is maintained. Attack Plaque Recall that feline stomatitis is often an immune-mediated disease, due to an aberrant response of the immune system toward component(s) of dental plaque, likely bacterial antigens.1 If the patient still has teeth and the owner does not want them extracted, frequent professional dental cleanings (supra- and subgingival) will help to decrease plaque accumulation and inflammation. Daily tooth brushing would help decrease plaque accumulation, but brushing is difficult in stomatitis cats—an understatement!—due to oral pain. Application of plaque retardant substances during professional dental cleanings might be considered to slow the rate of plaque accumulation. Perioperative Medications for Oral Surgery Cases Multimodal pain medication regimens are necessary when embarking on surgical extractions. Premedication with an injectable opioid is a good place to start. Once the …
