To Avoid Culture Shock, Master The ArtAugust 10, 2010 Cultures can be very valuable tests in a surgical or medical patient as long as the specimens are collected and submitted correctly. We spoke with Shelley C. Rankin, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and chief of clinical microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, about the art of performing reliable cultures. When and how do you recommend performing a culture? Whenever an infectious process is suspected, appropriate tests must be ordered. The proper collection and transport to the laboratory of a specimen are critical to confirm that a microorganism is involved and determine which one. The site of the infection and clinical signs should determine what to submit for culture—aerobic, anaerobic, fungal—but it is important that the material collected be obtained from the actual site of infection with a minimum of contamination from adjacent tissues, organs or secretions. Do you have any tips to improve the yield of the culture? Here are my top five: A sufficient quantity of specimen should be submitted to the lab. Specimens should be maintained in as close to native conditions as possible. Transport to the lab in a timely manner. Submit specimens in …
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Purebreds, Clients And Good Old DaysAugust 10, 2010 I grew up on purebreds. My parents raised backyard black Labs in loving, not-for-money conditions for a total of three litters in three years. All 33 puppies got their shots and vet visits and found great homes (or so we like to believe) for a mere $150 a pup, “papers” included. But then, this was the ’70s, when pet breeding was considered a family-friendly endeavor, neutering male dogs was not a “done” thing, and the spay was considered more a convenience measure than the near-moral imperative it is today. Meanwhile, puppy shots could be had for $5 a pop and the issue of genetic health—never mind hip and eye screening—was never raised by the veterinarian who made all those well-puppy house calls. Dr. Khuly Responds to AVMA President Larry Corry American Veterinary Medical Association President Larry R. Corry explicitly chastises me in the July issue of Veterinary Practice News for a variety of statements I did not make in June’s column on the role of veterinary medicine in antimicrobial resistance: My definition of industry-oriented veterinarians, for example, is called …
New Drs. Foster And Smith Initiative Aims To Curb Unvaccinated PetsAugust 9, 2010 Drs. Foster and Smith today launched an initiative to help educate pet owners on the necessity of vaccinations. Only 50 percent of dogs and 40 percent of cats are vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis and feline leukemia, according to the catalog and online seller of pet supplies and pharmaceuticals. The Drs. Foster and Smith National Pet Vaccination Initiative aims to increase the number of vaccinated pets by lowering prices on all its vaccine products. The company noted that it offers a full selection of dog and cat vaccines and offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Drs. Foster and Smith has also posted free online videos on how to vaccinate pets at home. “I’m not sure that the average pet owner realizes both the importance of having their pets vaccinated and also the fact that they can do this at home,” said Race Foster, DVM. “Of course, veterinarians need to provide rabies vaccinations, but with most other vaccinations, people can do the vaccinating at home and much more economically. No prescription is required. We are working with manufacturers right now to get them onboard with even …
Man Just An Oddity To Some AnimalsAugust 9, 2010 Our Seminars in the Sun group experienced a rare aspect of the human-animal bond as we walked and swam past wildlife that had no fear. Every veterinarian is really an environmentalist and a naturalist and would revel in this feeling. Experiencing animals without fear is a big treat awaiting those who venture to the Galapagos Islands. Having no fear is an interesting behavioral trait. It is almost magical yet is natural for the animals living in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands to lack the flight reaction when they see humans. What is this behavior all about? Is it genetic? Is it cultural or instinct or learned? Do the endemic species not know danger? Did the animals learn they are safe and hand that information down for generations? The sea lions and marine iguanas resting on land don’t move out of the way as people walk past them. In fact, some of the land iguanas approach people and seem to pose for pictures. The blue-footed and red-footed boobies (Spanish for “clowns”) are content to stand on rocks and preen and socialize and not fly away as boats approach their rocky dwellings. On the Water …
Teaching Behavior Is Good For Pets, VetsAugust 9, 2010 Veterinary behaviorist Nicho-las Dodman, BVMS, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVB, is touring the U.S. to teach veterinarians, vet techs and trainers about animal behavior. “When clients lose their patience, vets lose their patients,” he said at a recent event. Dr. Dodman isn’t just talking about his fellow professionals losing business, either. For him, getting the word out on the importance of veterinarians being knowledgeable about behavior is a matter of life or death. As director of Animal Behavior Clinic and a professor of clinical sciences at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Dodman is guided by empirical data, and he doesn’t hesitate to cite facts in support of his argument. He noted that 20 percent of a veterinarian’s time is devoted to behavioral issues, whether or not she is educated about them. Sadly, he said, 25 percent of all dogs and cats are euthanized or abandoned within the first year of their lives because of unwanted behavior. Among animals in shelters, 50 to 70 percent are there because of behavioral issues, he said, and many of them are ultimately euthanized. So incorporating behavior into one’s practice can not only save a client and that …
Merrick Expands Recall Of Beef Treats For DogsAugust 4, 2010 Merrick Pet Care Inc. of Amarillo, Texas, has expanded the recall of its Beef Filet Squares dog treats to include Texas Hold’ems treats because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. This marks the third recall issued by Merrick this year. On Aug. 3, the company recalled 83 cases of 10-ounce packages of Texas Hold’ems beef treats for dogs, item number 60016, lot number 10127, with a “Best By” date of May 6, 2012. A sample of the product has tested positive for salmonella, according to the company. Merrick recalled 10-ounce packages of its Beef Filet Squares for Dogs for the same reason in July and January. The recalled Texas Hold’ems treats were shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the United States. Those companies have been notified and have activated their recall procedures, according to Merrick. No illnesses related to the recalled product have been reported. Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans, according to the company. Dog owners are urged …
Feline Stem Cell Research Gets Boost With New ‘Frankie’s Fund’August 3, 2010 Colorado State University today launched Frankie’s Fund, a fund devoted to feline stem cell research. Specifically, it will support research and future clinical trials for stem cell therapy targeting acute and chronic kidney failure, inflammatory bowel disease and possibly asthma, according to the university. The fund was initiated through an unspecified monetary gift by Deborah Felin Magaldi, a client whose Siamese cat, Frankie, became ill with acute kidney failure as a result of medication she received for an inflammatory mouth condition. Frankie participated in a CSU stem cell therapy clinical trial for cats with kidney failure in 2009. “The establishment of Frankie’s Fund allows Colorado State University to continue to pursue stem cell therapy research and treatments for cats — something that is not widely available for cats,” said Jessica Quimby, DVM, Frankie’s veterinarian at CSU. “While such veterinary studies and treatments are available for dogs and horses at veterinary hospitals and clinics, including CSU’s equine stem cell programs, feline-focused programs are much rarer. “This fund allows us to develop our program and research to gain a better understanding of the biology of stem cells, how they function and what treatments they may offer for various …
Gulf Coast Pet Relief Program To Help Veterinarians Support Pet Owners Affected By Oil SpillAugust 2, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Foundation, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Merial have partnered on an initiative to help veterinarians support struggling pet owners affected by the oil spill that began late April when the BP Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. AVMF and the two companies made the announcement yesterday at a press conference during the American Veterinary Medical Association’s annual convention in Atlanta. The Gulf Coast Pet Relief Program is part of AVMF’s Animal Disaster Relief and Response Fund, a fund that is designated to support state and national disaster relief efforts. The program will provide a total of $145,000 in funding and pet food products to help reimburse 90 veterinary clinics and five shelters that have provided free services and goods to the affected clients. “Pet-related issues in the Gulf continue to escalate, which is why we called upon our partners to come together to provide relief,” said Michael Cathey, executive director of AVMF. “Our hope is to ease the pet care challenges families and shelters in the Gulf are facing by providing funding and resources for food and medical care.” The number of pets being surrendered by families …
P&G Expands Dry Pet Food RecallAugust 2, 2010 The Procter & Gamble Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio has expanded its voluntary recall of certain Iams brand prescription cat food to include additional Iams veterinary formulas and some specialized dog food due to salmonella concerns. The recalled products include: Product Name Version "Best-By" Dates UPC Codes Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas (cat & dog) All dry sizes and varieties 01Jul10 – 01Dec11 All UPC Codes Eukanuba Naturally Wild (dog) All dry sizes and varieties 01Jul10 – 01Dec11 All UPC Codes Eukanuba Pure (dog) All dry sizes and varieties 01Jul10 – 01Dec11 All UPC Codes Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin (dog) All dry sizes 01Jul10 – 01Dec11 All UPC Codes In late July, P&G issued a voluntary recall of two lots of its Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal, which are sold through veterinarians only. The products included in the expanded recall, …
AVMA House Of Delegates Elects Officers, Council MembersJuly 30, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Association’s House of Delegates today elected Rene Carlson, DVM, as its president-elect and Jan Strother, DVM, as vice president. Both Dr. Carlson and Dr. Strother ran unopposed. The body also elected several new members to various AVMA councils (list below). In addition, John de Jong of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association was elected to the AVMA’s executive board, representing District I. In other action, the house shot down a resolution offered by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association to conduct a risk/benefit analysis of the AVMA’s Council on Education’s accreditation of foreign veterinary schools. The house approved a bylaws amendment to give the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges liaison a vote on the council. The house also approved two antimicrobial-related resolutions: one that affirmed the veterinarian should be involved in the decision-making process of antimicrobial use in animals, regardless of the distribution channel, and another that affirmed the AVMA should take part in discussions, especially regulatory ones, regarding antimicrobial use. In related news, the house defeated a resolution, held over from the 2009 session, that would have amended the AVMA’s “Judicious Therapeutic Use of Antimicrobials” policy. The veterinarians elected to AVMA councils …
