VPN Plus+ ExclusiveIs immunotherapy the key to wiping out canine cancer?June 24, 2020An intact and functional immune system is essential to protect an organism against invading pathogens and infectious disease. However, the immune system also plays a pivotal role in identifying and eliminating transformed cells that, if left unchecked, would progress to cancer. Clinical evidence of the immune system's ability to control cancer comes from a number of observations in both the veterinary and medical settings. Consider the following examples: Cats receiving chronic immunosuppression following renal transplant have a higher incidence of lymphoma compared with the general feline population1,2 Spontaneous regression of transmissible venereal tumor is associated with an increased proportion of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic CD8+ T cells3 Canine osteosarcoma patients that develop bacterial infections after limb-sparing surgery experience significantly prolonged survival times.4 The presence of tumor-specific, cytotoxic T cells within tumors, such as ovarian carcinoma, confers a favorable prognosis,5 whereas infiltration with regulatory or suppressor T cells confers a worse prognosis6 These observations, coupled with two decades of experimentation in murine cancer models, indicate that finding ways to initiate, augment, and broaden a patient's antitumor immune response holds promise for the treatment and possible prevention of cancer. Indeed, this is the aim of cancer immunotherapy, and recent advances in this field have …
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Creature comforts: Designing a facility with patient care in mindJune 12, 2020As veterinarians, we know a visit to a veterinary clinic can often be a stressful event for clients and their pets. In designing our new Pet Wellness and Urgent Care Center in Marion, Ill., we placed a special focus on providing not only a high standard of medical care, but also a comfortable environment that is as anxiety-free as possible for animals and their human companions. Offering treatment for dogs, cats, birds and reptiles, the clinic opened last year and consists of approximately 10,000 sf of hospital space in addition to 7,000 sf for grooming, training, and lodging. The goal was to create a stress-free space through the clinic's physical appearance, textures, and other design elements. Everything about the new facility was planned with patients and clients in mind, beginning with the clinic's exterior, which does not look like a medical facility, but rather a mountain lodge where one would expect rest and relaxation. The interior is spacious and features high ceilings that incorporate reclaimed wood and sheet metal from buildings in southern Illinois. The same materials were used in the waiting areas, offering a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. Separation and isolation Design elements that provide separation and isolation …
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveCBD or CBD and THC combined?May 29, 2020While cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are both phytocannabinoids derived from cannabis plants, differences in their chemical structures allow each to interact with unique receptors, resulting in distinct molecular targets and physiological effects. Namely, THC shows high affinity toward CB1 receptors, which are present in central and peripheral neurons, resulting in the euphoric effect commonly attributed to cannabis intoxication. In contrast, CBD does not bind CB1 at relevant concentrations and is nonintoxicating. Instead, CBD interacts, to various degrees, with other receptors (agonism at TRPV1 and 5-HT1A, antagonism at TNFα, GPR55, and GPR18), which may be relevant for its suggested therapeutic effects. Practical considerations Recently, CBD- and THC-containing products for people and pets have become more widely available, especially in jurisdictions that have passed legislation allowing the sale of such items intended for human use. Evolving regulatory frameworks and social perceptions have also renewed interest in the potential therapeutic properties of cannabinoids for animals. Importantly, there are no authorized veterinary drugs containing cannabinoids in the U.S., and any state laws permitting the use of medical cannabis do not apply to use in animals. Increasingly, the veterinary profession is being asked to weigh in on the potential roles of CBD and …
Is a heartworm vaccine on the horizon?May 21, 2020Protecting dogs from deadly parasites and combating drug resistance to heartworm medications are the central goals behind a new Morris Animal Foundation-funded study.
Fecal microbiome testing: Is the research reliable to ensure a healthy pet?May 7, 2020While enthusiasm for new discoveries and hypotheses is a necessary part of scientific progress, the premature application of these to clinical patients can be harmful.
Generic equine sedative OKed by FDAMay 1, 2020Detomidine hydrochloride is used to manage pain in both mature horses and yearlings when undergoing minor surgical procedures, such as the repairing of skin lacerations, as well as diagnostics.
Southeast U.S. "hotbed" for heartworms, warns AHSApril 21, 2020While the COVID-19 pandemic remains top of mind in the U.S. and beyond, the American Heartworm Society (AHS) is reminding veterinarians to stay mindful of heartworm prevention.
New guidelines help ensure heartworm safety, prevention amid COVID-19April 7, 2020Conditions under which a veterinarian can delay annual heartworm tests during the COVID crisis is just one of the topics covered in new recommendations released by AHS.
Recalled human anti-ulcer drug used in veterinary medicineApril 2, 2020A human anti-ulcer drug also used in veterinary medicine has been recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after the agency discovered it might contain unsafe levels of a probable human carcinogen.
Cannabis and its role in the endocannabinoid biomeMarch 31, 2020With the recent interest and rapid growth of the cannabis industry, an understanding of the ECB is the first step toward developing a foundation in cannabis science.
