Second-Guessing A Valuable ExerciseApril 17, 2009oncologyoutlookSecond-Guessing a Valuable ExerciseSecond-Guessing a Valuable ExerciseDuring the midst of the long day of personal and professional choices, we hear from our client the "What would you do if it were your pet?" question in the examination room.During the midst of the long day of personal and professional choices, we hear from our client the "What would you do if it were your pet?" question in the examination room.Second-Guessing a Valuable ExerciseBy Kevin A. Hahn, DVM, Ph.D. Remember the days when there was just Coke or Pepsi? Can you believe the number of choices we face every moment during the day? From what color scrubs to wear, to which way to drive to avoid traffic jams, to what type of suture to use? Then, during the midst of the long day of personal and professional choices, we hear from our client the "What would you do if it were your pet?" question in the examination room. Some people enjoy the experience of choice. They learn about the condition, Web search diagnostic and treatment approaches, and delight in learning as much as they can about their pet's condition. In the end, they find the experience of choice quite …
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The Balancing Act: Response And ToxicityApril 17, 2009oncologyoutlookThe Balancing Act: Response and ToxicityThe Balancing Act: Response and ToxicityThe Balancing Act: Response and ToxicityBy Kevin A. Hahn, DVM, Ph.D.I was asked the other day why no chemotherapy drugs are currently approved for use in veterinary medicine.I was asked the other day why no chemotherapy drugs are currently approved for use in veterinary medicine. I was asked the other day why no chemotherapy drugs are currently approved for use in veterinary medicine. It seems inconceivable that chemotherapy drugs such as vincristine, cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin could reach widespread application in veterinary medicine over the past 20 years without a thorough understanding of the pharmacology in various animal species. Why do we use the dosages that we use? Would the dosage be the same in a Chihuahua and a bull mastiff, different in a ferret or a fish? If you have had cancer or know someone with cancer, you have seen how clinical pharmacokinetics has been successfully applied to improve the safety and efficacy of chemotherapy administration. One Size Does Not Fit AllBut unlike many other classes of drugs (antibiotics, anti-arrhythmics), the anti-cancer agents vary greatly in their physical composition, reactivity, stability, subcellular sites of action …
Rethinking The Cancer Diagnosis Gold StandardApril 17, 2009oncologyoutlookRethinking the Cancer Diagnosis Gold StandardRethinking the Cancer Diagnosis Gold StandardRethinking the Cancer Diagnosis Gold StandardBy Kevin A. Hahn, DVM, Ph.D.Histopathology is a valued commodity in obtaining a diagnosis. Like gold, it is an elegant discipline left to the visual acuity and interpretation of the pathologist.Histopathology is a valued commodity in obtaining a diagnosis. Like gold, it is an elegant discipline left to the visual acuity and interpretation of the pathologist. Why does histopathology continue to be considered the gold standard for a diagnosis? While pathology's roots are closely associated with the history and progress of medicine, in particular the detection, understanding and classification of diseases, why is it still considered the gold standard despite technological advances in our understanding of the subcellular and genetic levels of the body? What is a "gold standard"? The term comes from the monetary system of many modern countries. Gold is considered the true value of a country's currency. If a country will redeem any of its money in gold, it is said to be using the gold standard. Why Gold?Gold is one of the oldest, most scarce known metals. It is considered an elegant and metal. It has a …
Schering-Plough To Acquire IntervetApril 17, 2009newslineSchering-Plough to Acquire IntervetSchering-Plough to Acquire IntervetSchering-Plough to Acquire IntervetSchering-Plough Corp. has agreed to acquire Organon BioSciences N.V.Schering-Plough Corp. has agreed to acquire Organon BioSciences N.V. Schering-Plough Corp. has agreed to acquire Organon BioSciences N.V., which includes the animal health company Intervet, from Akzo Nobel N.V. for about $14.4 billion. On the animal health side, the acquisition creates a leading animal health business based on 2006 sales, according to Schering-Plough. Intervet, which had sales of about $1.5 billion in 2006, includes the products Nobivac, a range of canine vaccines; Panacur, a de-wormer; Bovilis, a bovine biological for disease control and eradication; and Nobilis, a poultry vaccine to keep flocks free from infectious disease. Schering-Plough said that it expects to achieve annual synergies of $500 million within three years. It will finance the acquisition through a mix of cash, debt and equity. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2007. 03-12-2007
Short-Term Study Released On Pet Food RecallApril 17, 2009newslineShort-Term Study Released on Pet Food RecallShort-Term Study Released on Pet Food RecallShort-Term Study Released on Pet Food RecallThe Animal Medical Center of New York has compiled data on pets that may have been affected by the recent Menu Foods pet food recall.The Animal Medical Center of New York has compiled data on pets that may have been affected by the recent Menu Foods pet food recall. The Animal Medical Center of New York has compiled data on pets that may have been affected by the recent Menu Foods pet food recall. AMC's Renal Medicine Service has reviewed all chemistry profiles obtained at AMC between March 17-20. Owners of pets with azotemia have been contacted to determine if the pets had eaten the recalled foods. During this time period, 143 chemistry profiles were performed. Five percent of pets have been determined to have food-related acute renal failure. Twelve cases have been identified, 8 cats and 4 dogs. Age range was 2-14 years with a mean age of 7.4 years. All pets had at least one clinical sign of acute renal failure: 75 percent had anorexia, 50 percent had polyuria and polydipsia, 50 percent had vomiting and 50 percent had lethargy. …
Radiation Therapy In Cancer ManagementApril 17, 2009oncologyoutlook By Alice Villalobos, DVM For Veterinary Practice News Radiation therapy is used to manage 50 percent of human cancers. Approximately 7,500 radiation therapy machines are in use worldwide. Thin skin and hair loss are effects of radia-tion therapy for mast cell cancer.Courtesy of Dr. Villalobos The industry's technology went from orthovoltage in the 1950s to cobalt in the 60s and now to linear accelerators, or linacs. Four hundred older units will be replaced this year and an additional 300 new units will be installed. The cost of a new linac is $2.3 million. The new Hi-Art TomoTherapy unit was developed by researchers in Wisconsin and is considered the biggest innovation in RTx since the 1950s. It combines a linac and a CT scanner. Its price tag is $3.2 million. In the past, a lack of facilities limited radiation therapy as an option for pets. The need for heavy sedation or anesthesia for each treatment was another deterrent. Cost and logistics are additional factors for the pet owner to deal with. Short- and Long-term Risks of Radiation Therapy Radioation therapy Field (Tumor Bed) Short-term side effects Long-term …
Vaccine To Treat Dogs With Oral Melanoma ApprovedApril 17, 2009newslineVaccine to Treat Dogs with Oral Melanoma ApprovedVaccine to Treat Dogs with Oral Melanoma ApprovedVaccine to Treat Dogs with Oral Melanoma ApprovedThe U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a conditionally-licensed vaccine from Merial to treat oral melanoma.The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a conditionally-licensed vaccine from Merial to treat oral melanoma. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a conditionally-licensed vaccine from Merial to treat oral melanoma—the first approved therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of cancer in either animals or humans, according to the company. The canine melanoma vaccine, which was made possible through a partnership among Merial, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and The Animal Medical Center of New York, will be available for use by specialists practicing veterinary oncology. Clinical studies of therapeutic vaccines for oral melanoma conducted by Philip Bergman, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM (Oncology), at the Animal Medical Center of New York from 2000 to present, have included dogs with oral melanoma that ranged from World Health Organization stage II to stage IV. The enrolled dogs had an estimated life expectancy of one to five months, even after establishing local tumor control with surgery and/or radiation therapy. Dogs who received this type of vaccine showed …
Second Iams Imaging Center Opens At NCSUApril 17, 2009newsline September 15, 2004 The Iams Co. has opened its second Pet Imaging Center, located on the campus of North Carolina State University and adjacent to the College of Veterinary Medicine's Teaching Hospital. The center is equipped with magnetic resonance imaging technology, provided by ProScan International, for diagnosing disease in companion animals. According to Iams, the new center will serve a dual purpose by allowing practicing veterinarians in the Raleigh and North Carolina region to refer patients for diagnostic purposes, as well as giving veterinary students at the college an opportunity to see MRI in action early in their careers. The first Iams Pet Imaging Center, opened near Washington, D.C., in 2002, has received nearly 3,000 case referrals, according to Iams. 9-15-2004Second Iams Imaging Center Opens at NCSUSecond Iams Imaging Center Opens at NCSUSecond Iams Imaging Center Opens at NCSUSecond Iams Imaging Center Opens at NCSUSecond Iams Imaging Center Opens at NCSUThe Iams Co. has opened its second Pet Imaging Center, located on the campus of North Carolina State University and adjacent to the College of Veterinary Medicine's Teaching Hospital.
VCA Antech To Acquire Healthy PetApril 17, 2009newslineVCA Antech to Acquire Healthy PetVCA Antech to Acquire Healthy PetVCA Antech to Acquire Healthy PetLos Angeles-based VCA Antech Inc. has agreed to buy Healthy Pet Corp. for $152.9 million in cash.Los Angeles-based VCA Antech Inc. has agreed to buy Healthy Pet Corp. for $152.9 million in cash. Los Angeles-based VCA Antech Inc. has agreed to buy Healthy Pet Corp. for $152.9 million in cash. Healthy Pet, based in Fairfield, Conn., operates 44 animal hospitals with annual revenue of about $80 million. On completion of the merger, which is expected in June, the combined companies will operate more than 430 animal hospitals in 38 states. "We believe that the combination of VCA Antech and Healthy Pet provides a great strategic fit and an opportunity to expand in certain states, particularly Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia and Georgia," said Bob Antin, chairman and chief executive officer of VCA Antech. "Healthy Pet also operates several specialty and teaching facilities that will help support our focus on continuing education in the Northeast. "In addition, we believe the opportunity to continue to acquire individual animal hospitals remains strong. We currently anticipate that animal hospital acquired revenue for 2007 (exclusive of our acquisition of Healthy Pet) …
U.S. Bans Wheat Gluten Imports From Chinese CompanyApril 17, 2009newslineU.S. Bans Wheat Gluten Imports from Chinese CompanyU.S. Bans Wheat Gluten Imports from Chinese CompanyU.S. Bans Wheat Gluten Imports from Chinese CompanyAfter finding contaminated wheat gluten in pet food, the U.S. banned imports of the item from one Chinese company on Friday and suggested further scrutiny of other wheat imports.After finding contaminated wheat gluten in pet food, the U.S. banned imports of the item from one Chinese company on Friday and suggested further scrutiny of other wheat imports. After finding contaminated wheat gluten in pet food, the U.S. banned imports of the item from one Chinese company on Friday and suggested further scrutiny of other wheat imports. In an import alert issued March 30, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that wheat gluten imported from Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Company Ltd. of the Wangdian Industrial Zone in China, contained melamine, a synthetic plastic that may be implicated in recent pet deaths and illnesses that may have occurred after the animals ate pet food containing the toxin. The FDA is still actively tracing the path of the contaminated wheat gluten, it said last week, but it does not believe the ingredient has made its way into human food. …
