Top 10 Human Medications Poisonous To Pets RevealedJanuary 7, 2010 The Pet Poison Helpline offers tips for the prevention of pet poisoning caused by human medications. Justine A. Lee, DVM, DACVECC, associate director of veterinary services at the helpline, said as far as animal poisonings go, “they are unfortunately very, very common.” The 24-hour helpline is available throughout North America for veterinary professionals and pet owners who need help treating a potentially poisoned pet. Tens of thousands of phone calls are fielded on human prescription drugs, rat poisons and environmental/home toxins, Lee said. Nearly half the calls involve over-the-counter and prescription medications for humans. At the Pet Poison Helpline, they have numerous veterinary professionals on staff, including board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialists, board-certified veterinary emergency critical care specialists, veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians specifically trained in the field of toxicology. “We also have the added benefit of pharmacologists (PharmD) on staff; this multi-disciplinary approach is very important for us,” Lee said, as more than half the calls are about human drugs. Below are the top 10 human medications most frequently ingested by pets. NSAIDs (e.g. Advil, Aleve and Motrin) Common household medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) top the list. The names include ibuprofen …
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New Treatment For Otitis Externa IntroducedJanuary 7, 2010 Surolan, an effective treatment for common and recurring cases of otitis externa in canines, has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, according to Vetoquinol USA and Janssen Animal Health. The companies teamed up to offer Surolan as a unique treatment for the inflammation of the external ear canal or common aural infection. The condition impacts up to 20 percent of dogs in the United States. The most unique aspect of the Surolan formula, according to the companies, is its distinctive combination of antibiotic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory agents, including polymyxin B, miconazole and prednisolone. Studies show there is a synergistic effect between polymyxin B and miconazole. There is a 100 percent decrease in the concentration of medication needed to treat certain bacteria when these are used together. This synergy gives Surolan broad effectiveness against the pathogens that cause otitis externa and make it less likely to develop resistance issues. “U.S. veterinarians can prescribe Surolan as first line treatment for canine otitis externa with great confidence because of its novel formulation featuring the trial-proven synergistic action of miconazole and polymyxin B,” said Eddy Thomas, director trade worldwide for Janssen Animal Health. Surolan, formulated …
AVMA: Presence Of H1N1 Identified In Turkey FlockJanuary 6, 2010 The presence of the H1N1 flu virus has been identified in a turkey breeding flock in California’s Central Valley, the American Veterinary Medical Association said Jan. 6. According to the AVMA, this H1N1 flu infection was confirmed Dec. 28, 2009 by the California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory after tests of samples taken from the infected flock. The flock did not show any clinical signs of illness other than a decrease in egg production. The state has not officially quarantined the site, however, the producer has imposed a self quarantine pending the completion of further testing, the AVMA said. In addition, samples were forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, for more confirmatory testing. Turkeys in the United States have previously tested positive for the H1N1 virus in the state of Virginia. They also have tested positive in Canada and Chile, according to the AVMA. The virus, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates has infected from 14 million to 34 million people in the United States, also has been identified in pigs, cats, ferrets and a dog. Click here to view updates …
Small Mammal Practitioner Wins Clinical Case Report ContestJanuary 6, 2010 Vittorio Capello, DVM, Dipl. ECZM (Small Mammal), a practitioner from Milan, Italy, has been named winner of the Harrisons’ Pet Products 2009 Clinical Case of the Year Award, according to the Lake Worth, Fla.-based company. Dr. Capello’s entry, titled, “Use of HEALx Soother Plus for Postoperative Management of Extensive Osteomyelitis of the Mandible Following Periapical Infection in a Mini Lop Rabbit,” consists of a photographic essay featuring 11 snapshots, said Richard Larson, the company’s creative director. The award includes a $1,000 cash prize and a plaque. The company’s medical review team selected Dr. Capello’s project out of 24 other submissions from veterinarians around the world. This was the first contest in what the company plans to turn into an annual event, Larson said. The contest involves documentation of an animal case in which one of the Harrisons’ Pet Products is used alone or with other products to successfully resolve a disorder. Each case includes an introductory paragraph,犀利士 with a case history and presumptive diagnosis as well as multiple images, and is rated according to the following: Medical relevance. . Case completeness. . Photo …
Service Dogs Qualify For Free Eye Exams In The U.S. And CanadaJanuary 5, 2010 The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, or ACVO, plans to launch the 3rd Annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam event. Thousands of guide dogs, assistance dogs, detection dogs and search and rescue dogs receive free sight-saving eye exams in the United States and Canada during the month of May. As part of the event, more than 150 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists participate in providing free eye exams to service dogs. The goal is to make sure that these animals are being represented so they are able to keep working, according to event organizers. Dr. Robert Peiffer says these ocular exams offer an opportunity to identify any health issues before major complications develop. “Early detection and treatment are keys to fast recovery,” he adds. During an exam, doctors look for any retinal disease or early cataracts. They also check for things that will limit a dog’s vision down the road, such as an ingrown hair or anything that can result in a scratch of the cornea. Registration for the event begins April 1. To qualify, dogs must be active “working dogs” that were certified by a formal training program or organization, or are enrolled in …
Canine Health Foundation Plans Two EventsJanuary 5, 2010 Canine health research stands to gain a financial boost thanks to a pair of special events set to take place in Florida and New York. The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation hosts the Charity Golf Tournament and Party on Tuesday, Jan. 19. The event takes place at the Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville, Fla. Guests are invited to take a break from the Florida Classic Cluster Dog Shows - the state’s version of the Westminster Dog Show - to play a round of golf for canine health. The tournament starts at 1 p.m. and features a party after the event for golfers and non-golfers, including a buffet dinner. In addition, Friends of the Canine Health Foundation will host a Charity Cocktail Party on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Affinia Manhattan Hotel. All proceeds help fund canine health research. Click here for more information or call 888.682.9696. <HOME>
The 10 Commandments Of Referral BlissJanuary 4, 2010 Most referred surgery cases lead to a healthy patient, a happy client and a pleased referring veterinarian. Little is learned from a well-oiled referral process, but we can all learn from the rare mishap, occasional slip-up and infrequent diplomatic fiasco. I asked several general practitioners and surgeons from across the U.S. to share stories of surgical cases that should have been routine but turned into a difficult situation. From these discussions come our ever-so-slightly tongue-in-cheek 10 commandments of referral bliss. 1. Thou shalt not use aspirin in vain Photo courtesy of Dr. Phil Zeltzman. This cat, with bilateral sacroiliac luxations, was referred as a paralyzed patient. Aspirin may be an acceptable drug in specific cases, but because of its effect on platelets, it rarely is a surgeon’s best friend. In a perfect world, a seven-day wash-out period should be respected before surgery. This is annoying but doable with an elective procedure such as a ruptured cruciate ligament. But it becomes tricky when the client lives two hours away and needs to drive back one week later. And it is plain risky in …
Freedom From FolkloreJanuary 4, 2010 The aggressive marketing of Chinese veterinary herbs in the U.S. clouds the longstanding tradition of Western veterinary herbal medicine. As authors in an integrative medicine journal acknowledged, “The rise in popularity of complementary and alternative medicine over the past few decades has placed greater demands on medical practitioners to explain and justify their own systems of knowledge and practice.”1 Their research further illuminated the disparity in objectivity and reliability between Western medical and Eastern diagnostic approaches. Why should we turn over our patients’ health and well-being to a primitive and poorly understood system of Chinese medicine when we can reclaim our heritage of herbal prescribing and still provide quality health care? By first establishing a clear-cut diagnosis, we can determine whether plant-based compounds will offer safe and appropriate treatment. We may even introduce Asian herbs if they meet muster, or decide that no herbs can replace the benefits of medication for a given illness. The following list provides a sampling of evidence pertaining to both Western and Asian herbs administered to dogs. Boswellia Veterinarians will find bos-wellia in canine products designed to treat arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Its anti-inflammatory effects are well characterized. …
New Guidelines Published To Promote Appropriate Wellness Care For CatsJanuary 4, 2010 The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the American Animal Hospital Association have released the AAFP/AAHA Feline Life Stage Guidelines, developed to promote appropriate wellness care for cats. These guidelines recommend cats be seen by a veterinarian at least once a year, regardless of the cat's age. The need for such guidelines was identified by the CATalyst Council, a national initiative to champion the cat, in light of "alarming" statistics reported in the 2007 American Veterinary Medical Association U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook. For instance, the sourcebook revealed that the number of cats kept as pets outnumber dogs, yet receive significantly less veterinary care. Further studies have indicated that an inability to recognize signs of illness of injury is a key factor as to why cat owners are unaware of their cat’s medical needs, according to AAFP and AAHA. In addition, the associations note that the concern of a stressful veterinary visit for both cat and owner is a contributing deterrent to veterinary visits for cats. The aim of the guidelines is to help veterinarians act in partnership with cat owners which will in turn enhance the client-veterinary bond, according to AAFP and AAHA. Specifically, …
Down With Live-Plucked DownJanuary 4, 2010 Many of us like to sleep under down-stuffed comforters and on soft down-filled pillows. When it’s cold, there is something special about the lightweight warmth and breathability of down-filled jackets and coats. Down fills bedding, clothing, gloves, furniture and other heat-preserving items for people. Most high-quality down for commercial use comes from the soft layer of smaller feathers that cover the skin of geese and ducks. The sourcing and production of down goes back hundreds of years. While at the American Veterinary Medical Association conference in Seattle last July, I stopped by the Animal Welfare Institute booth and picked up its fall quarterly magazine, which included an article titled “Down on the Goose and Duck Farm.” It reported on a 2009 Swedish TV documentary that estimated today’s down is provided to manufacturers either as a byproduct from ducks and geese slaughtered for meat or by live plucking. Defining the Term What is live plucking? I had to clarify this question for myself. It seemed offensive to me from the start to learn that down feathers might be plucked or harvested from live geese and ducks. Live plucking is the rapid pulling off of feathers from …
