Uptick In TicksApril 5, 2012 An unseasonably warm U.S. winter not only has meant non-stop tick-sightings, it could mean a boom in the parasite population this spring—or sooner, parasitologists say. This correlates with a higher prevalence of tick-borne diseases in dogs and humans. While dogs present with different symptoms based on the type of tick-borne disease they’ve contracted, one common presentation is fever. Experts say the variety of symptoms makes a diagnosis difficult, especially because co-infections are the norm in dogs. “When dogs are exposed to more than one tick-borne pathogen, they’re at an increased risk of clinical disease,” says Melissa Beall, DVM, Ph.D., medical affairs manager at Idexx in Westbrook, Maine. “We conducted research in Minnesota that showed dogs with co-infections had more severe disease presentations. Having more than one condition impacts the animals’ ability to manage disease.” Edward Breitschwerdt, DVM, a professor at North Carolina State University and adjunct professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center, played a major role in orchestrating the seventh International Conference on Bartonella as Animal and Human Pathogens (April 25-28). He warns that ticks carry at least 15 known pathogens that can be transmitted to a dog. “We’re finding more and more …
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Elevated Heartworm Prevalence Expected This SpringApril 5, 2012 The United States will experience high populations of heartworm due to anticipated above-normal temperatures and precipitation levels, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council's spring 2012 parasite forecast released today. The forecast is based on National Weather Service data, weather trends, parasite prevalence statistics from veterinary clinics and animal shelters, and the collective expert opinion of parasitologists. Through April 2012, the forecast calls for the following levels of heartworm populations in five U.S. regions: “extremely high” in the South; “high” in the Northeast and Midwest; “moderate to higher-than-normal” in the Northwest; and “persistent spikes” in parts of the West. “We want everyone to be especially vigilant in protecting themselves and their pets from the risks that parasites pose in every state in the country,” said CAPC board member and former president Byron Blagburn, M.S., Ph.D., a distinguished professor at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. “It’s important to remember that almost all parasites are completely preventable.” The Companion Animal Parasite Council will issue another parasite forecast this fall that covers heartworm and ticks. In related news, the American Heartworm Society recently
Feline Infectious Peritonitis Study Headlines $174K Round Of Winn GrantsApril 4, 2012 Investigations into potential treatments for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and chronic kidney disease were among ten projects selected by the Winn Feline Foundation from a field of 44 proposals to receive $174,018 in funding, the Hillsborough, N.J.-based nonprofit reported today. The investigation by Belgium researchers to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment for feline infectious peritonitis received the largest chunk of funding at $24,962. Veterinary faculty from Ghent University’s Laboratory of Virology will attempt to determine if a specific blocking agent can inhibit the FIP virus from evading a host’s immune system, allowing the system to recognize and destroy infected cells. A study led by Kathryn Meurs, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, of the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine received $24,674 and will focus on identifying the gene responsible for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the Sphynx cat. Identification of the gene could lead to a reduction in the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the Sphynx cat and provide information on the disease in other breeds, as well. The foundation granted $24,513 to an investigation led by Dorothy Brown, DVM, …
BIVI To Launch Oral Bordetella VaccineApril 3, 2012 Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for an oral vaccine that aids in the protection against the primary pathogen of canine infectious respiratory disease in dogs. The vaccine, called Bronchi-Shield Oral, is the first live, avirulent Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine licensed to be administered orally to dogs, the St. Joseph, Mo.-based company said. “Doctors told us they like intranasal vaccines because they provide optimal immune responses, but doctors and their patients dislike having these vaccines given in the nose,” said Arne Zislin, VMD, technical manager veterinarian for BIVI. “So we’ve developed an easy-to-administer oral vaccine that is mucosally absorbed.” The vaccine proved to provide protection against B. bronchiseptica in a challenge study, according to Zislin. Administration requires veterinarians to instill a 1.0 mL dose into the buccal cavity of healthy dogs eight weeks of age or older, and the company recommends annual revaccination. B. bronchiseptica vaccines are considered noncore by the American Animal Hospital Association 2011 Vaccination Guidelines, but BIVI says many dogs are at risk of infection. <HOME>
FHS May Have Underlying Schizophrenic LinkApril 3, 2012 Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS) is an enigmatic and controversial behavioral and medical condition that most often affects Oriental cat breeds. I saw my first case many years ago in a Siamese cat that displayed the three cardinal signs: excessive skin rippling or twitching (hence the alternative designation “rolling skin disease”), bouts of manic self-grooming, often initiated by stroking the cat along its back (”hyperesthesia”), and widely dilated pupils during bouts of the behavior. The cat had just bitten one of our students, who was trying to restrain him, sending the student to the hospital for intravenous antibiotic treatment. Mercurial aggression, while being restrained, is another feature of FHS in some cats. Other odd behaviors associated with the syndrome include periods of freezing in position while staring vacuously into space, sudden bouts of running away from what appears to be some unseen enemy and apparent hallucinations (visually following things that aren’t there). Learning More In the early days, feline hyperesthesia syndrome was described as a compulsive disorder or stereotypy, but over time I became skeptical of the label to the point where I now consider it incorrect. The first seeds of doubt regarding the compulsive disorder …
AHS Revises Heartworm GuidelinesApril 2, 2012The American Heartworm Society has updated its canine and feline heartworm guidelines and unveiled an initiative to help practices implement the guidelines’ recommendations. The American Heartworm Society added the following new points: Diagnostics: AHS recommends annual antigen testing for all dogs. Antigen-positive dogs should be tested for microfilariae presence. Year-round prevention: AHS recommends that all dogs and cats receive chemoprophylactic drugs throughout the year to prevent heartworm disease, enhance compliance and control pathogenic and/or zoonotic parasites. Veterinary care providers must work together to increase the number of dogs receiving chemoprophylaxis and provide reminder systems to help pet owners purchase and administer products on time all year. Lack of efficacy: The vast majority of suspected heartworm preventive failures result from inadequate prevention and testing. Macrocyclic lactones are still the best and only option for preventing heartworm infection. Adulticide therapy: AHS recommends a multi-modal approach for heartworm treatment. Pretreat dogs with a monthly preventive in combination with doxycycline prior to melarsomine administration. Use a three-dose regimen of melarsomine (2.5 mg/kg body weight) for either symptomatic or asymptomatic dogs. The regimen should include an initial dose, followed at least one month later by two injections 24 hours apart. Methods using only macrocyclic as …
Merial Acquires Vaccine Manufacturer Newport LabsApril 2, 2012 Animal health company Merial has acquired biologics manufacturer Newport Laboratories of Worthington, Minn., Merial reported today. Newport Laboratories uses molecular diagnostic technology to identify pathogens and produces autogenous vaccines with a focus on swine and bovine production markets, according to Duluth, Ga.-based Merial, a subsidiary of Paris-based Sanofi. “Newport has demonstrated over time the ability to screen field samples and produce autogenous vaccines from large integrated producers with remarkable efficiency,” said Jose Barella, CEO of Merial. “The combination of Newport’s expertise and Merial’s strength in technology and geographic footprint will reinforce our exposure to the swine market segment and illustrates our strategy to expand our position in treatments for production animals.” Autogenous vaccines are developed and produced from a virus or bacteria strain that has been isolated from the tissue samples submitted from a particular farm, according to Newport Laboratories, which in 2010 launched its first commercial swine vaccine for Haemophilus parasuis called ParaSail. Newport Laboratories will continue to operate from its Worthington offices. <HOME>
Bayer Plans Heartworm Marketing Campaign For AprilMarch 29, 2012 Bayer Healthcare LLC’s Animal Health Division is launching a consumer marketing campaign to encourage pet owners to visit their veterinarian next month as part of National Heartworm Awareness Month. Bayer Animal Health will contact owners through a direct mail and email campaign in April that will reach nearly three million pet owners in the U.S., the Shawnee, Kan.-based company said. Bayer is the manufacturer of the heartworm preventive Advantage Multi for Dogs (imidacloprid and moxidectin) Topical Solution. “Veterinarians are a dog’s best friend when it comes to preventing heartworm and other pathogenic internal parasites, like hookworms and whipworms,” said Cristiano von Simson, DVM, M.B.A., director of veterinary technical services at Bayer Animal Health. “Veterinarians are experts on dog parasites, such as heartworm, and their ability to both prescribe and dispense preventives increases compliance. When pet owners leave their veterinarian’s office, it is essential that they leave with a medicine they need to protect their dogs from this serious disease.” <HOME>
FDA Answers Questions On Chicken Jerky TreatsMarch 29, 2012 Continued complaints of dogs becoming ill from consuming chicken jerky treats from China prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to release a “frequently asked questions”-style document today. In Sept. 2007, the FDA issued a cautionary warning about the products to consumers, followed by a “Preliminary Animal Health Notification” in Dec. of 2008. The number of complaints curtailed in the latter part of 2009 and for most of 2010, the agency said, but in 2011, the number of complaints rose again, and the agency issued another cautionary warning. The FDA released the “Questions and Answers Regarding Chicken Jerky Treats from China” document today amid continued complaints about the jerky products, which are also sold as tenders, strips or treats. The cause of the illnesses is still a mystery, according to the FDA. Product samples are being tested by FDA laboratories, the Veterinary Laboratory Response Network and other animal health diagnostic laboratories for multiple chemical and microbiological contaminants. Samples tested in March for toxic metals, including heavy metals, came back negative. No products have been recalled to date, and because no contaminate has been detected, the FDA said it is “limited” …
Humane Society For Shelter Pets Introduces Grant Program For Local SheltersMarch 28, 2012 The Humane Society for Shelter Pets launched a grant program to help animal shelters reduce their overhead costs through a series of free services, the organization reported today. Through the Assistance Grants Program, the HSSP will provide non-profit animal shelters with services including fundraising ads through Google Ad Words, credit card processing and website design and hosting. “We are trying to get the message out about giving locally, and this is a way for us to walk the walk ourselves and give back to local shelters,” said Amy Engle, director of communications for the HSSP. The HSSP did not set a floor or ceiling for the number of grants it will provide to shelters, but will determine the number of grants it will issue month by month on a rolling basis, according to Engle. The HSSP formed in November 2011 and announced its presence through a series of ads that disparaged the Humane Society of the United States and encouraged readers to donate to local animal shelters. Since the HSSP launched, more than 800 shelters, rescues and humane societies have pledged support for the organization through …
