Successful Allergy Management Hinges On Awareness, Proper ProtocolsApril 17, 2009 For veterinarians and pet owners alike, few conditions in pets are as frustrating as allergies. But as awareness of the challenges associated with allergies continues to increase—as do the number of treatment options available—veterinarians are finding greater success in diagnosing and managing allergic pets. The list of allergies most commonly seen in dogs and cats has remained relatively constant over the years. “These allergies are to things they come in direct contact with, such as pollens, mites, fleas and molds,” says Dena Ware, a marketing manager for Heska Corp. “Additionally, they can have adverse reactions to foods they eat, which causes them to exhibit the same signs as contact allergens. “Until fairly recently, it was commonly believed that atopic disease is caused by allergens inhaled by the animal, but now it is understood that the allergens are absorbed into the animal’s skin,” Ware says. Some emerging allergic trends are evident. For example, Ware notes that the incidence of adverse reactions to foods has increased as the number of pet food choices has grown. Lowell Ackerman, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, a clinical professor in the dermatology and allergy service at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary …
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Take Steps Toward Quality DentistryApril 17, 2009 A plethora of articles about feline dentistry have been written in the last 15 years. Unfortunately, the data have not been disseminated well to those in general, ER and strictly feline specialty practices throughout the United States. So this month's column will concentrate on basic products and equipment to perform excellent feline oral care. There is a major overlap, obviously, between feline and canine dentistry equipment. Equipment knowledge has been the No. 1 request from practitioners across the United States who write to me at DonDeForge@aol.com. The discussion initiated here will be continued on my website, www.TheVetDent.com, in the education center. There is no fee to become registered within this CE online, which is linked to the VPN columns. For the record, I am an independent clinical investigator and am not employed or contracted to any companies mentioned in this column. No practice can complete a detailed feline diagnostic exam without oral radiology. The general practice should put away the idea of using its whole body general X-ray unit for oral X-rays. Dental X-ray units are reasonably priced and should be in every veterinary hospital. Because …
MedVet To Build Cancer CenterApril 17, 2009MedVet Medical Center for Pets reported Dec. 24 that it is building a cancer center on its Worthington, Ohio, campus. MedVet Cancer Center for Pets, scheduled to open early 2009, will offer expanded surgical, medical and radiation oncology services. It will also feature an open waiting area with comfortable seating and a patio overlooking Paws Park, what the hospital says is the perfect place for clients to focus on their pets and share experiences with other cancer center clients. MedVet's board-certified anesthesiologists, cardiologists, criticalists, dermatologists, internists, neurologists, ophthalmologists and radiologists will provide support to the cancer center staff. The hospital's philosophy is, "They're not just pets, they're family." <HOME>
Washington State Pet Warranty Bill Covers BirdsApril 17, 2009 The Washington state House Committee on Commerce and Labor will hear a proposed pet warranty bill that was introduced today. Unlike many other pet warranty bills, the Washington proposal would cover birds as well as dogs and cats. The legislation would affect any pet dealer (store or breeder selling more than 20 animals or three litters within 12 months) selling dogs, cats or birds of any age, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. Among other things, the legislation prohibits pet dealers from selling animals with obvious signs of disease or abnormality or with known illnesses or conditions requiring hospitalization. The legislation would cover animals for 20 days from purchase for conditions or diseases that existed before or at delivery of animal and for two years from purchase for congenital or hereditary conditions. Moreover, it allows purchasers to get a full refund or exchange value for the purchase price and reimbursement of veterinary fees for the diagnosis and treatment of a covered animal or to retain the animal and receive reimbursement of veterinary fees for up to 150 percent of the animal’s original purchase price. Refunds and reimbursements would …
Merck To Acquire Schering-PloughApril 17, 2009 Merck & Co. Inc., of Whitehouse Station, N.J., has agreed to acquire Schering-Plough of Kenilworth, N.J. The $41.1 billion cash and stock deal, which needs regulatory approval, includes Schering-Plough’s animal health business. Merck owns 50 percent of Merial Ltd. as a joint venture with Sanofi-Aventis. Richard Clark, Merck's chairman, president and chief executive officer will, lead the combined company, which will operate under the Merck name and be headquartered in Whitehouse Station. The companies reported in a statement released March 9, that the transaction contains many strategic benefits. For example, the merger expands their global presence with a geographically diverse revenue base. Schering-Plough generates about 70 percent of its revenue outside the U.S., including more than $2 billion in annual revenue from emerging markets. This will dramatically accelerate Merck’s international growth efforts, including the goal of reaching top five market share in targeted emerging markets, according to the statement. The transaction also brings complementary product portfolios and pipelines in the human health market, increased manufacturing capabilities and a stronger commercial organization. Merck expects a substantial majority of Schering-Plough employees to remain with the combined company. Both companies …
CT Can Help Avoid Useless SurgeryApril 17, 2009 Sherman is a 10-year-old neutered male terrier mixed-breed dog who first came to see me last fall. The primary complaint was a multilobular soft tissue mass arising from the left chest wall. The reason for referral was to determine if Sherman's mass could be excised and, if not, what alternatives could be offered, such as radiation therapy. Diagnostic imaging remains one the most useful tools in the clinical staging and re-evaluation of animals with cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of the various modalities, such as survey radiography, ultrasonography (US) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) vary, and therefore, their abilities to distinguish tumor size, margins, and invasiveness differ. The value of various diagnostic imaging techniques in cancer detection is determined by four properties: spatial resolution, contrast discrimination, temporal resolution and distortion. These properties differ for each of the imaging techniques and Sherman is a classic example to illustrate the differences. Diagnosing Sherman Sherman presented with a freely movable left sided mid-chest wall mass. The mass was soft, non-ulcerated, not painful, and not appearing to be fixed to underlying costal muscles or rib. There was a complete lack of appreciable resolution of the mass by …
Should You OE Or Should You OHE?April 17, 2009 Spays are one of the most common surgeries performed in veterinary practices. However common it is, this procedure has the strange propensity to generate heated discussions between advocates of the ovariectomy (OE) and proponents of the ovariohysterectomy (OHE). So let’s try to stay away from the controversy and concentrate on the science. Why is OE vs. OHE even a debate? It is based on the assumption that diseases of the uterus are prevented by removing it—no uterus, no future disease? OE Preferred in Europe This argument doesn’t fly in Europe, where OE has been practiced for decades with reportedly no increased incidence of uterine disorders. The risk of uterine tumor in particular is extremely small (0.003 percent).1 In addition, the uterus atrophies after ovariectomy, which may further reduce the risk of disease. Elizabeth Arnold Stone, a board-certified surgeon at the Ontario Veterinary College in Canada, writes in the last edition of Slatter’s Textbook of Small Animal Surgery: “There is no definitive advantage for removing the uterus in addition to the ovaries during routine neutering. Ovariectomy is less invasive and takes less time than ovariohysterectomy.”2 This also means that anesthesia is …
David Little Named Director Of WVC's Oquendo CenterApril 17, 2009The Western Veterinary Conference has named David Little as chief executive director of the Oquendo Center for Clinical Education, which is scheduled to open later this month at WVC's 81st Annual Convention in Las Vegas held Feb. 15-19. Little's duties will be to help provide vision and leadership, hire and oversee staff, establish priorities, monitor performance, manage the operating budget and generate written and oral communications pertaining to the center's activities. He will also be responsible for business development and execution as well as delivering programs and services that comply with WVC Board of Directors' objectives for the facility. Prior to this position, Little served as director of the Convention and Meeting Planning Division of the American Veterinary Medical Association. "I am very excited to become a part of the Western Veterinary Conference team and have the opportunity to oversee and manage the Oquendo Center," Little said. "I believe this world class facility will set the standard for hands-on veterinary education and training, and it is a privilege and honor to have been invited to be a part of its growth, along with being associated with the quality individuals within the organization." <HOME>
Medical Inventor Launches $75 Million Competition To Sterilize PetsApril 17, 2009 In an effort to help control pet overpopulation, medical inventor Dr. Gary Michelson is offering $25 million for the first entity to develop a single dose, non-surgical sterilant for use in cats and dogs, and up to $50 million in grant funding to support research toward that end. Found Animals Foundation, Michelson’s nonprofit organization, made the announcement along with its partner Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs at the SPAY/USA Conference in Chicago on Oct. 16. The goal of the Michelson Prize and Grants in Reproductive Biology is to encourage researchers in the United States and other countries to take on the challenge of non-surgical pet sterilization. The foundation says that although surgical spay/neuter procedures are relatively safe and effective, it is not ideal. “Surgical spay/neuter procedures are just too expensive and inconvenient for many pet owners—we need a better solution,” said Aimee Gilbreath, executive director of Found Animals. The foundation said it would also help make sterilization accessible and affordable worldwide, and aid developing countries where pet overpopulation is even greater. Researchers have been on the verge of discovering pet contraceptives and non-surgical sterilants for …
Central Jersey Gets 24-Hour Animal Emergency FacilityApril 17, 2009 Central Jersey Gets 24-Hour Animal Emergency FacilityCentral Jersey Gets 24-Hour Animal Emergency Facility Animerge of Raritan, N.J., has completed its $1 million expansion and renovation project, transforming it to a 24-hour animal emergency facility. The animal hospital, which services also include specialty surgery and ophthalmology, increased its size from 2,400 square feet to 5,800 square feet and now includes two operating rooms, six exam rooms and an elevator for the second-floor patient area. Dean Newton, DVM, director of Animerge and one of the practice’s founders, said that he recognized the need for a larger facility but didn’t want to relocate, so the hospital began building up instead of out. The installation of the elevator allows for faster transport of patients to the operating room or special treatment areas than in a traditional one-story facility, he said. Animerge also increased its staff from four veterinarians to 10 veterinarians. There are 35 additional staff, including veterinary technicians, client services and reception staff. “We’re very excited about our new facility and our increased ability to provide emergency care for pets in the area,” Dr. Newton, DVM, said. “There was an urgent need for a medical …
