What conditions might benefit from PRP treatment?June 25, 2020Platelet-rich plasma therapy could help pets with arthritis, connective tissue and muscle injuries, and other conditions, but more research is needed.
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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 …
Why do some greyhounds bleed and others clot excessively?June 24, 2020Sighthounds in general, and greyhounds in particular, have evolved over the past 6,000 to 7,000 years to follow their prey by sight. Hence, they have developed numerous physiologic and hematologic adaptations specific to the breeds.
Preventing serotonin syndrome: Factors you need to knowJune 15, 2020The concept of “individualized medicine” needs to be emphasized when treating anxiety or behavior disorders. While one animal may tolerate a drug at a certain dose, another may show severe clinical signs or die.
Is combining dentistry with other surgical procedures a good idea?June 15, 2020There is much debate regarding the clinical significance of bacteremia and what role it plays, if any, in development of adverse events.
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 …
How to do surgery in a world with no PPEJune 10, 2020With dwindling supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), it is becoming more and more difficult to do surgery by the book.
13 open-wound management mistakes to avoidJune 2, 2020If you follow these 13 basic principles, healing will be faster, costs will be lower, and both your client and your patient will be happier.
Another zebra diagnosis: Granulomatosis with polyangiitisJune 2, 2020Wegener’s granulomatosis may appear to be an aggressive cancerous lesion, and if mistakenly identified as a malignant process, improper treatment may ensue.
A closer look at popular pet food myths… and why they are just thatJune 2, 2020The perfect food for dogs and cats is unknown and probably doesn’t exist, and the pressure to find this diet can easily lead to extreme and unhealthy choices.