Animal Groups Launch First Criminal Dog Fighting DNA DatabaseJune 15, 2010The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Humane Society of Missouri and the Louisiana SPCA reported on June 15, 2010 that they have launched the nation’s first criminal dog fighting DNA database, known as the Canine CODIS (Combined DNA Index System). The database, which will be maintained at the University of California, Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, is designed to help the criminal justice system investigate and prosecute dog fighting cases. Dog fighting is a federal crime, as well as a felony offense in all 50 states. The Canine CODIS contains individual DNA profiles from dogs that have been seized during dog fighting investigations and from unidentified samples collected at suspected dog fighting venues. The ASPCA describes the database as that being similar to the FBI’s human CODIS, a computerized archive that stores DNA profiles from criminal offenders and crime scenes and is used in criminal and missing person investigations. DNA analysis and matching through the database will help law enforcement agencies to identify relationships between dogs, enabling investigators to establish connections between breeders, trainers and dog fighting operators, according to the ASPCA. Blood collected from the dog fighting sites will also be searched against the Canine …
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Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium Seeks Participants For New StudyJune 15, 2010 The National Institutes of Health recently awarded a “Grand Opportunities” grant to the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) of Grand Rapids, Mich. The grant will allow the institute to expand its canine cancer studies, which started with a project partially funded by the Canine Health Foundation focusing on hemangiosarcoma in Clumber Spaniels. As such, VARI, along with the Translational Genomics Research Institute, has launched the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium (CHCC), an alliance of veterinarians, scientists and physicians that will integrate genomic studies of dogs with phenotypic and pharmacologic tests to predict therapies for human disease. “This strategy leverages the low genetic diversity of purebred dogs coupled with their predisposition for particular cancers to identify the underlying genetic lesions and biochemical pathways that contribute to these diseases, and then translate these discoveries to humans,” according to CHCC. Over the course of the next two years, the CHCC will focus its efforts on investigating the genetic causes of several cancers, including but not limited to, hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, melanoma, malignant histiocytic sarcoma and lymphoma. In order to move forward, the CHCC and the Canine Health Foundation are asking veterinarians and pet owners for their help by submitting tumor …
Foal Birth Marks Cloning AdvancementJune 14, 2010 Mouse, a spindly, dark brown Lippizan colt cloned from a Florida resident’s stallion, was born early May at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. By mid June, Mouse was reportedly a “happy, healthy, bucking foal enjoying the good life at his home in Cocoa, Fla.” The journey began at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences where researchers used oocytes from a live mare to undergo what is called somatic cell nuclear transfer. The successful delivery of Mouse makes this the first clone of a horse using a live mare’s eggs cells, according to Texas A&M. Kit Knotts, Mouse’s owner, had been looking for a horse that had the same qualities as Marc, her 30-year-old Dressage champion, but when nothing turned up, she spoke to equine reproduction specialist Katrin Hinrichs, DVM, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology. Photo courtesy of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences on behalf of Kit Knotts, owner of Mouse. “We have worked on this clone for about two years,” said Dr. Hinrichs, whose lab is noted for achieving the first cloned foal in North …
Sound-Eklin To Sell Xoft Radiation Therapy UnitJune 11, 2010 Sound-Eklin of Carlsbad, Calif., a VCA-Antech company, has signed with Xoft Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., to exclusively supply the Axxent Veterinary Electronic Brachytherapy System to the veterinary industry. The intraoperative system delivers isotope-free electronic radiation therapy directly to cancer sites with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. This allows a higher treatment dose than is possible with traditional radiation therapy administered with a linear accelerator, the company reported. And, it means radiation therapy can be administered more easily and at far less cost than comes with a linear accelerator, the company reported. Greg Stoutenburgh, vice president of marketing for Sound-Eklin, made the announcement June 10 in a news conference at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in Anaheim, Calif. Because more radiation can be administered with reduced collateral damage, fewer fractions need to be given—an important convenience factor, he said. Traditional radiation therapy is often administered in daily doses over a number of weeks, which can be wearing for patients and clients. The system's low energy and rapid dose fall-off permit treatment in typical operating rooms with a clinician present. The lead-shielded bunkers required for using linear accelerators are not …
LSU Assists Animals Affected By Gulf Coast Oil SpillJune 10, 2010 The Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine reported June 10, 2010 that its faculty, staff, students and alumni are on the front lines caring for animals affected by the oil spill that began late April when the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. Specifically, the LSU group is providing medical care for animals directly affected by the oil spill along the Gulf coast and providing medical care for non-oiled injured animals brought to LSU by state and/or animal rescue groups. Recent graduate Charity Uman, DVM, and students Tristan Colonius and Margaret Jensen arrived along the Gulf coast in early May to provide support to the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART), the International Bird Rescue Center (IBRRC) and the Tri-State Bird Rescue. The LSART mobile unit is providing Internet access and a mobile command unit to the IBRRC and Tri-State personnel and volunteers at the rehabilitation center at Fort Jackson in Plaquemines Parish. As the disaster response continues, veterinary students are now taking the lead with Renee Poirrier, DVM, director of LSART, facilitating and communicating between Tri-State and LSART. The veterinary school volunteers, who underwent special hazardous materials training, are located …
P&G Issues Limited Recall Of Iams ProActive Health Cat FoodJune 10, 2010 The Procter & Gamble Co. has issued a voluntary recall of certain lots of its Iams canned cat food due to concerns of low thiamine levels. The Cincinnati-based company is recalling all varieties of its Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten food in 3- and 5.5-ounce cans with “Best if Fed By” dates ranging from 09/2011 to 06/2012 printed on the bottom. The recall is limited to North America. P&G called the voluntary recall a precautionary measure. Diagnostic testing indicated that the food may contain insufficient levels of thiamine (vitamin B1), P&G reported. Cats that were fed these canned products as their only food are at greater risk for developing signs of thiamine deficiency, according to the company. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, signs may include ventroflexion (downward curving) of the neck, wobbly gait, falling, circling and seizures. Cat owners are advised to contact their veterinarian immediately if their pet is displaying any of these signs. Consumers who have purchased the recalled cat food should discard it. For further information or a product refund, call P&G at 877-340-8826, Monday through Friday, …
USDA Grants Full License To Canine Influenza Virus VaccineJune 9, 2010 The United States Department of Agriculture has granted a full license to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s Nobivac Canine Flu H3N8. This is the first vaccine against canine influenza virus (CIV), according to the company, which announced the approval June 9, 2010. The full license means that the USDA confirms the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. Nobivac Canine Flu “has been shown to significantly decrease the signs, severity and spread of CIV infection. The vaccine has also been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of lung lesions,” the company reported, adding that field experience data shows that the vaccine is well-tolerated. The licensure follows the evaluation of the vaccine’s use by veterinarians since May 27, 2009, when a conditional license was awarded. Nearly one million doses of the vaccine have been sold to veterinary clinics and shelters throughout the United States during the past year. “We are pleased the USDA has confirmed the value of this important vaccine for canine health,” said Steve Shell, head of Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s Companion Animal Business Unit. “Animal care practitioners have welcomed its availability. More than 9,000 small animal practices across the U.S. have the vaccine in clinic. “Though …
Spay/Neuter License Plate Program Aims To Curb Homeless Animals In CaliforniaJune 7, 2010 The California Spay and Neuter License Plate Fund and the California Veterinary Medical Board are kicking off the California Spay and Neuter Specialty License Plate Program 11 a.m. tomorrow at the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter. The program aims to provide funding for free and low-cost spay and neuter surgery programs throughout the state. The license plates will feature original artwork created and donated by actor Pierce Brosnan. Brosnan will be joined by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other guests at the launch. “The Spay and Neuter License Plate Program is unprecedented in California and a brilliant initiative,” said Stephanie Ferguson, DVM, vice president of the California Veterinary Medical Board. “The proceeds from this program will tremendously benefit animal shelters and help curtail the number of homeless animals throughout the state. We’re also extremely fortunate to have the generosity and crucial support of Pierce Brosnan and other well-known celebrities. Specifically, the program will fund spay and neuter surgeries through local animal care and control agency voucher programs and through in-house or local veterinary clinics. Net proceeds from the sale and annual renewal of the license plates will fund spay and neuter surgeries, not shelter overhead costs, the …
APHIS Seeks Public Comment On Information CollectionJune 4, 2010 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking public comment on its request for information collection on three separate matters. All comments are due Aug. 3. In the first, APHIS is requesting approval of an information collection associated with the National Veterinary Services Laboratories animal health diagnostic system. APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories provides a variety of information and services, centered around diagnosis of domestic and foreign animal diseases, support of disease control and eradication programs, reagents for diagnostic testing, training and laboratory certification. Such activities involve information collection, including the VS Form 4-9, Request for Reagents or Supplies; VS Form 4-10, NVSL Customer Contact Update; and VS Form 4-11, Request for NVSL Laboratory Training. APHIS is asking that the approval on its use of the information collection be for 3 years. Click here to submit a comment. APHIS is also requesting an extension of approval of an information collection associated with regulations for the importation of horses, ruminants, swine and dogs from regions of the world where screwworm is considered to exist. APHIS, among other things, regulates the importation and interstate movement of certain …
FDA Launches Animal Food Pilot ProgramJune 4, 2010 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine launched on June 4, 2010 the beginning of a pilot program to accept and review GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) notices for substances used in animal food. Through the program, individuals, also referred to as the “notifier” by the FDA, can submit “notices of claims that a particular use of a substance in food for animals is exempt from the statutory premarket approval requirements based on the individual’s determination that such use is GRAS.” In short, the notifier can inform the FDA of their determination that the use of a substance is GRAS, rather than petition FDA to affirm that the use of a substance is GRAS, as in the case of food additives. GRAS status is an exemption to the food additive definition. Under the 1958 Food Additives Amendment to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, food additive includes any substance that is intentionally added to food and is subject to premarket review and approval by the FDA. However, if the substance is generally recognized, among qualified experts, as having been adequately shown to be safe under the conditions of its intended use, …
