UF To Study Stem Cells’ Effect On DCMApril 12, 2010 Cardiologists at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine have started a pilot study using adult stem cells to repair the heart function in Doberman pinschers suffering from early stage dilated cardiomyopathy. They hope to explore the technique in other dog breeds. The plan is to regenerate and bring new muscle cells into the heart, said Amara Estrada, DVM, associate professor and chief of the UF Veterinary Medical Center’s cardiology service. The study is funded by a $72,000 donation from the Doberman Pinscher Club of America. Dogs are anesthetized and cells are injected via catheter into the coronary sinus. Follow-up examinations take place at one month, six months, 12 months and 18 months. <HOME>
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AVMA Seeks Member Input To Shape Strategic PlanApril 12, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Association is initiating a “Future Critical Issues Scan” as part of its effort to re-evaluate and revise its strategic plan. The plan most recently was approved in 2008 by the AVMA executive board. The new initiative intends to produce feedback from all segments of the group’s diverse membership, which encompasses more than 80,000 veterinarians in private practice, government, industry, academia, research and uniformed services. AVMA President Larry Corry, DVM, said the input and participation of members has grown the association to the position it holds today. “We need the continued input and participation of our members to get us to an even stronger position tomorrow,” he said. AVMA members may offer feedback online. They will be asked to describe the three most important issues facing the veterinary profession during the next five years. <HOME>
Making Nutrition Decisions IndividuallyApril 9, 2010 One point veterinary nutritionists agree on is the need to develop an effective diet plan for the individual patient instead of one for its breed, disease or age. The subject of nutrition can be complicated, and its less-than-sexy debut in veterinary school means students often prefer to focus their studies on drug therapies and surgical interventions. But trends to eat more naturally or holistically mean the newfangled approach to using food as part of disease prevention and overall good health and quality of life is getting a second look in universities and veterinary practices. “Raw diets for pets are growing in popularity as a direct response to owners investigating healthier lifestyles for themselves,” says Laura Duclos, Ph.D., the director of research and development at Nature’s Variety of Lincoln, Neb. “There’s a disagreement within the industry regarding the safety and benefit of raw diets, but like many dietary considerations, ask questions to ensure efficacy.” When inquiring about a manufacturer’s raw diet, Duclos suggests that veterinarians ask: • Whether the ingredients are natural or supplements. • About the sanitation, safety and storage of hte product. • Whether federal and state feed laws are followed. …
A Working Relationship: Anndrea And Eric KapkeApril 9, 2010 Anndrea Kapke, DVM, couldn’t be faulted for wondering why she had bothered opening the suburban Indianapolis veterinary clinic. The first day, she and her business partner turned on a water faucet and nothing happened; the water main had burst. The second day, the furnace conked out. Then, within weeks, as they struggled to build a clientele, she realized she was pregnant with her first child, meaning the two veterinarians would have to rethink their plan of holding down expenses by holding off on hiring staff members. “It was kind of overwhelming,” she says now. “I wouldn’t recommend it,” her husband and business partner, Eric Kapke, DVM, agrees drily. The Kapkes and their marriage successfully survived the trauma of launching Greenwood Animal Clinic, which will turn 13 years old this fall. “There were times, at least in the beginning, when it might have been less stressful if one of us had been doing something different to bring in another income,” admits Eric, 39. “But really, we have always complemented each other well.” Adds Anndrea, 39: “We really understand each other. If one of us comes home and says we had this client or that case …
Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act Wins House VoteApril 9, 2010 The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved a bill that allows equine dentists – also known as horse teeth floaters – to practice in the state without facing criminal charges and without veterinary supervision. House Bill 3202, the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act, is expected to go to Gov. Brad Henry next week. On April 8, the House voted 58-37 in favor of Senate amendments to H.B. 3202 that allow trained husbandry practitioners to perform teeth floating. The practice, as provided by a nonveterinary equine dental care provider, means the removal of enamel points and the smoothing, contouring and leveling of dental arcades and incisors of equine and other farm animals, the bill states. It excludes dental work on canines and felines. If signed into law, H.B. 3202, authored by Rep. Don Armes (R-Faxon), will require the Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to license any practitioner who provides proof of either 80 hours of hands-on training in horse teeth floating at a recognized dentistry school, or certification by the International Association of Equine Dentistry or similar private certification organization. These individuals must pay a certificate fee of $200 and have four hours of continued education to renew …
Learn How To Improve Practice ComplianceApril 8, 2010 Denver-based Communications Solutions for Veterinarians, a consulting firm that helps practice owners improve compliance, client service and hospital management, will offer a compliance summit in nine cities, starting April 27 in Worcester, Mass. The “How You Can Dramatically Improve Compliance” one-day program teaches ways to quickly increase compliance in veterinary hospitals. Designed as a team-training event, participants have an opportunity to exchange ideas with other practice leaders during breakout sessions. By having a veterinarian, practice manger, lead technician and lead receptionist participate, veterinary practices are able to hone in on compliance challenges and find solutions, organizers said. Ideally, the goal is to maximize compliance every patient visit, and to achieve this, the summit covers seven key topics. First, how to conduct a compliance audit and understand industry benchmarks. In addition, participants learn to set standards of care that encourage compliance; coach a team on how they can influence compliance, assess client compliance in the exam room through medical records, track codes in veterinary software, and take thorough patient histories; set prices for wellness services and drugs, including competing with internet pharmacies; promote 12 packs of preventatives and encouraging year-round dosing; and strengthen reminder and callback systems …
Trephination: Get More Cells And Less BloodApril 8, 2010 Sure it’s an old article1, but it explains a very practical and simple way to increase the yield of fine needle aspirates. Once supplies are gathered (see box), the needle is connected to the IV extension set, which is connected to the air-filled syringe. Cool people place the IV extension set around their neck rather than letting it dangle or be in the way. Supplies Needed: Glass slides. 22 G needles, short for superficial masses, long for deeper masses. IV extension set (14 inches are enough). 12 ml syringe containing at least 5 ml of air. Note: The IV extension set and the syringe can be reused multiple times since they should not become contaminated. The patient is sedated if needed, and the biopsy site is scrubbed aseptically. The needle is held like a pen in one hand, and the mass is held in the other hand. The needle is placed inside the mass and moved quickly …
Webinar To Raise Awareness Of Anaplasmosis Risk Among Cattle ProducersApril 7, 2010 This spring, Alpharma Animal Health of Bridgewater, N.J., a global animal health company, will offer an online webinar that discusses the status of anaplasmosis in the United States. The webinar is based on an expert panel that convened in 2009 featuring Dr. Hans Coetzee and Dr. Denny Hausmann, experts with vast experience managing the disease and incorporating new strategies for diagnosis and control. Each case of this tick-borne disease is estimated to cost about $400 per animal, and the total cost to the industry is estimated at $300 million in the United States, according to Alpharma. Awareness of anaplasmosis is becoming increasingly important as the disease now appears well beyond the areas that are considered endemic; anaplasmosis now has been diagnosed in all of the contiguous 48 states. New research shows that anaplasmosis is more complicated and multi-faceted than many veterinarians and producers may have believed. While producers in the southern U.S. – where anaplasmosis is considered endemic – are familiar with the disease, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest cow-calf survey (USDA-NAHMS Beef Study) reports that, overall, 14 percent of producers know some basics about the disease; 16 percent are “fairly knowledgeable” about it; …
Animal Health And Wellness Forum In Las VegasApril 2, 2010Health and Wellness for Companion Animals, a three-day conference in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Luxor Hotel and Casino, will cover a range of topics from food, treats and supplements to veterinary and OTC pharmaceuticals for pets. The event kicks off June 14 as part of the Pet Industry Advisory National Forum Series. Day one revolves around business innovations in drugs, supplements and therapies. Scheduled to speak are the following: Todd Brodersen, president of Same Page Consulting, on how to market and sell to the veterinary market; Chris Ragland, president and CEO of Axxiom LLC, on key product and usage trends in the pet health market; Travis Meredith, DVM, MBA, Dipl. ACT, president of Alliance Veterinary Centers, on meeting the evolving need of the aging pet population; Steve Malone, global director for prescription diet marketing, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, on the Hill’s-Novartis osteoarthritis marketing partnership: case study; Tom Schwarzer, professional services veterinarian, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., on novel approaches to disease management; Julia Stephanus, Summit Vetpharm president and CEO, on pet product packaging and tracking innovation; Jerome Gainer, Virbac AH Inc., senior manager regulatory affairs, on how to establish and keep a good working relationship with regulatory agencies; and finally, Ted …
FDA Approves Drug For DogsApril 1, 2010 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Roseland, N.J.-based Intervet’s new animal drug application for the veterinary prescription use of Posatex (orbifloxacin, mometasone furoate monohydrate, and posaconazole) Otic Suspension for the treatment of otitis externa in dogs. Effective as of April 1, 2010, this drug is for treatment of otitis externa associated with susceptible strains of yeast (Malassezia pachydermatis) and bacteria (coagulase-positive staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis). The conditions of use in dogs include specific dosage amounts according to weight. For dogs less than 30 pounds, the required dosage is four drops once daily into the ear canal. For dogs weighing more than 30 pounds, the dosage should be increased to eight drops into the ear canal, according to the FDA. Federal law restricts this drug solely for use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. <HOME>
