The Skinny On Herbs For The SkinJanuary 4, 2012 By Narda Robinson, DO, DVM A dizzying display of botanical products confronts shoppers scanning pet store aisles and natural pet magazines to find safe and effective alternatives for their dogs’ itchy, painful skin.1 The under-enforcement of federal regulations has given a green light to unfettered expansion of unproven cures. Consumers try their best to navigate the maze of claims and testimonials, left in the dark as to whether a product will help or harm their animals. The sheer number of botanical creams, ointments and lotions crammed on supplement shelves can cause canine caregivers to scratch their heads in confusion. Isn’t anyone minding the store when it comes to stocking herbal potions? Why do animal skin-care products still contain chaparral and comfrey when their well-publicized pyrrolizidine alkaloids are likely to end up ingested by an auto- or allo-groomer?2 How do companies reconcile the ethical issues involved in selling goldenseal and other endangered plants suffering from overharvesting and habitat elimination? Where is the appropriate labeling on potentially toxic essential oils?3 Even products for humans can be unsafe, as illustrated by …
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Legal Exposure Might Not Be Worth The SavingsNovember 3, 2011 Some veterinarians believe they are helping clients reduce costs by ordering compounded drugs instead of medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. But there’s a reason compounded drugs are cheaper than FDA-approved medications, pharmaceutical companies say. Compounding pharmacies’ quality-control procedures are rarely as stringent or comprehensive as the good manufacturing practices required by the FDA for approved products. Therefore, the safety and efficacy of compounded drugs are not guaranteed. In a case of therapeutic failure of a compounded product when an FDA-approved medication is available, the amount the veterinarian saves the client might turn a competitive advantage into a serious disadvantage. That prescription could leave the veterinarian exposed to legal liabilities because the FDA does not test or approve compounded drugs. Liability Dangers “Many times veterinarians don’t understand that they are the first in line in liability in the event that a compounded product goes bad,” says Denise E. Farris, Esq., owner of Farris Law Firm LLC in Kansas City, Mo. “If there is an adverse reaction, he or she is liable to the client for veterinary malpractice. The liability coverage may not cover that activity because most policies do not cover …
In Wake Of EHV-1 Outbreak, Some Say Better Biosecurity Measures Are NeededSeptember 19, 2011 The equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) outbreak traced to an April National Cutting Horse Association event in Ogden, Utah, is over, according to a June 23 U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) situation report. Ninety cases of EHV-1, or equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), were confirmed in nine states. Of the 90 cases, 54 were present at the Utah event. Thirteen horses linked to the incident died or were euthanized. “Financial losses from this outbreak go deep into six figures, maybe more,” said D. Paul Lunn, BvSc, MS, PhD, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVIM, a professor and head of the department of Clinical Sciences at the Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. “That takes into considering event cancellations, the economic effect felt by communities in which the events would have taken place and treating sick animals. The USDA is conducting additional research on the outbreak which will offer a new analysis of the effect the outbreak had on the industry.” Dr. Lunn said the NCHA behaved responsibly by acting quickly and effectively when the virus spread at its event. …
Physical Rehab, Integrative Medicine As Growth OpportunitiesJuly 18, 2011 These are difficult times for many small businesses, and veterinary practices are no exception. Prior to the recession, industry reports indicated a declining trend in several metrics, including patient visits, transactions and new clients. Confirmation of this decline came earlier this year with the release of the Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study. This study compiled industry data, extensively surveyed pet owners and presented it in a format that left little room for interpretation. The study also confirmed that declining veterinary metrics are not a result of a shrinking potential market base. From 1996-2006 the number of pets owned in the U.S. grew at a steady rate of approximately 10 million per year, but the number of veterinary visits, which had matched or exceeded this rate of growth until 2001, fell flat and began a slow decline. To reverse this trend, our profession needs to evaluate our ability to convert pet owners into active, educated clients. If there is a bright side, it is that the average per-transaction dollar amount has continued to grow, in most cases as a result of incremental fee increases. Yet even these increases have been unable to make up for the declining …
Supplements For Chronic ConditionsJune 9, 2011 Many people believe that supplements can help manage health issues and chronic conditions in their horses, leading to a more productive and better quality of life. Clinical and field experience has demonstrated that many health problems and disease conditions can be either prevented or effectively treated with proper nutrition and the use of specialty health products and supplements, says Roger V. Kendall, Ph.D., vice president of research and development at Vetri-Science Laboratories in Essex Junction, Vt. “[For example,] the use of antioxidants to reduce the damaging effects of free radicals in equines has found applications to deal with many metabolic issues,” he says. Though nutrients and other natural ingredients such as glucosamine and perna canaliculus (New Zealand green shell mussel) may work more slowly than selected drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Kendall says, in the long run they may enhance metabolic processes and help restore function and balance to the body. “Selected supplements and animal health products can contribute important metabolites for cellular regeneration, improve the flow of energy, enhance immune function, detoxify cellular toxins and improve enzyme activity,” he says. “Such supplements can contribute to the animal during times of stress and aid …
Supplements For Health And Well-BeingJune 9, 2011 While often used in horses suffering from chronic problems, supplements also can assist in the general health and well-being of the equine patient, many veterinarians believe. Still, a veterinarian needs to emphasize to the client that supplements must be used wisely and chosen carefully to reap the benefits, nutritionists say. Filling Nutritional Gaps General health and well-being begins with good nutrition, which goes a long way toward boosting the immune system and providing physiological functions that allow the body’s organ systems to work properly. But a diet deficient in a nutrient—or with an excess of certain nutrients—can affect a horse’s health, says Dr. Gary D. Potter, Ph.D., PAS, Dipl. ACAN. “There are hundreds of examples,” he notes. “Too little calcium leads to osteoporosis. Too much phosphorous leads to osteoporosis. Too little protein results in low milk production in mares. Too much protein results in excess metabolic heat in athletic horses. Too little zinc compromises the immune system. Too much zinc causes secondary copper deficiency. “And diets consisting of only hay and cereal grains are not balanced nutritionally for some horses, such as mares in late gestation, lactating mares, immature growing horses and juvenile athletic horses. …
12 Herbs For Problems Commonly Seen In The PracticeMarch 28, 2011One reason for using herbs in veterinary practice is to help with conditions for which conventional medicines offer insufficient control, or high incidence of side effects. This is especially true for chronic inflammatory conditions and conditions involving aged animals. A number of herbs can help, both for specifically targeting a disease or organ, and because they are high in antioxidants, which reduce inflammation.1 A number of herbs have promise for dermatological problems.2 For instance, aloe vera has been found to help psoriasis and wound healing when applied topically.3 A review article found it efficacious for both first- and second-degree burns in humans.4 In a randomized, controlled study comparing it to silver sulfadiazene, patients healed significantly faster when treated with aloe vera than with sulfadiazene.5 When taken internally, some evidence suggests that it can lower blood glucose and blood lipid levels, so it may also have a place treating diabetes.6 Calendula (Calendula officinalis) helps in both the prevention7 and the treatment of radiation burns when applied locally. Although one would think aloe vera could also help, a study comparing the two found no effect with aloe vera, but marked effect with calendula.8 Topical …
Make Sound Commitment To SonographyJanuary 18, 2011 Ultrasound services aren’t necessarily reserved for high-volume practices, experts say. Although many veterinarians determine that their client bases might not validate the expense, some sonographers work independently and will travel to a veterinarian’s office. Depending on the quality, a new ultrasound machine can cost from $10,000 to $100,000, but the price tag isn’t the only potential obstacle. A veterinarian sometimes invests in the equipment but is unprepared for the learning curve. Some say that even seasoned practitioners need a year to feel comfortable interpreting ultrasound images. “A lot of practices buy ultrasound equipment with the intent of using it more,” says Gretchen Rowe, DVM, of Animal Diagnostic Imaging LLC and president of the International Veterinary Ultrasound Society. “In reality, it takes a pretty dedicated person within a practice to use ultrasound to its fullest potential as a diagnostic tool. It takes thousands of cases to be really good at it, but it depends on what your goal is and how you intend to use it.” Bear, 14-year-old MN Siamese cat with a spontaneous diaphragmatic hernia. The anechoic gall bladder (left) and spleen (near field top) residing with the heart (bottom right) within the thorax. …
25 Q-and-A’s For Cutting Edge’s First AnniversaryNovember 15, 2010 One year … this little blog started one year ago. My commitment at the time was: “The blog, published on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, will deal with a variety of topics, surgical or not, scientific or philosophical, deeply profound (let’s even say earth-shattering) or ever-so-slightly impertinent.” I continued: “We will discuss surgical principles, new products and emerging concepts, current techniques, oncology, anesthesia and pain management, relevant articles and recent professional meetings.” I guess almost all of these topics were discussed, but I think we can do even better next year. Just to check if you are ready to embark on this mind-boggling journey, let’s test your knowledge of past blogs—and beyond—and your medical and surgical knowledge. 1. Fill in the blank: “Moderate obesity in humans (about one third are overweight, or 50 to 60 pounds over the ideal) reduces human lifespan by about X years.” 2. Fill in the blank: “Severe obesity in humans (double the ideal weight), reduces lifespan by Y years, or about as much as smoking.” 3. Fill in the blank: “One author guesstimates that it takes Z hours to become competent at any worthwhile skill.” …
Treating Arthritis With Integrative MedicineSeptember 2, 2010 Arthritis generally is treated using NSAIDs, especially the newer COX-2 inhibitors, and often with the addition of tramadol if pain control is incomplete. But what can a practitioner do if liver and kidney function are compromised and tramadol is not enough? Glycosaminoglycans have become part of mainstream medicine, and the effectiveness of acupuncture is widely recognized. But these two treatments are just the beginning as far as other integrative methods are concerned. In addition, some clients are mistrustful of any drug, no matter how widely used, but for them there are options as well. Because complementary medicine acts in many different ways, rather than being various versions of the same basic action (as opposed to COX-2 inhibitors), practitioners often will find that using a number of different items works better than trying a single method. The use of supplements that decrease cartilage degradation, reduce inflammation and help with muscle spasms—rather than just looking to decrease joint pain—often give the best long-term effects. Add physical therapy to increase flexibility and muscle strength, and the maximum benefit will be given. Uneven Results Some studies of glucosamine and chondroitin in humans have cast doubt on their benefits …
