Nature’s Phenomenally Cruel SideApril 17, 2009 On April 25, a great white shark attacked David Martin, DVM, UC Davis class of ’76, around 7 a.m. Dave was swimming 150 yards off shore with nine friends in wet suits. They were triathlon training in Solano Beach, Calif., not far from Dave’s house. Experts think the shark mistook him for a seal. Dave yelled, “Shark!” before he was pulled under. The shark did not stay around. Dave’s friends brought his lifeless body to shore. Dave’s legs had deep bite wounds that severed his femoral arteries and veins. He most likely bled to death within a few minutes. This shocking attack was covered extensively in news outlets. It made me think of other animal attacks that hit the news: the sting ray that killed Steve Irwin; the tiger shark that bit the arm off young Bethany Hamilton while she was surfing; the alligator that attacked a golfer and dislocated his shoulder; the chimp that attacked a visitor at a primate shelter; the tiger bite that ended the Siegfried & Roy show; the bear that killed one of its trainers; the zoo tiger that killed a taunting boy; and the captive orca that attacked its handler at …
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Mapping Future Of Cancer ResearchApril 17, 2009 Oncology and pet hospice have been the focus of my practice career since I completed the first-ever, though unofficial, oncology residency program under the guidance of Gordon H. Theilen, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (oncology), at the University of California, Davis. Veterinary oncology has grown rapidly over the past 15 years because of the amazing foundation set forth by our great forefathers, Dr. Robert Brody, Dr. Greg MacEwen, Dr. Amiya K. Patnaik, Dr. Edward Gillette and my mentor, Dr. Theilen. We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to celebrate Theilen’s 80th birthday with a first-of-its-kind cancer research symposium at UC Davis. The Theilen Tribute Symposium honored the visionary “One Medicine” career of Theilen. He is considered one of veterinary oncology’s most prolific and internationally appreciated forefathers. He contributed diverse pivotal research in cancer virology, initiated the first veterinary clinical oncology service, contributed the world’s first reference textbook, “Veterinary Cancer Medicine,” and mentored many who became leaders in their respective fields, touching millions of lives worldwide. Theilen based his research and teaching career at UC Davis, where he was influential in the growth of the veterinary and medical facilities. His research work and …
Calif. Vets Face Off On Farm Cruelty MeasureApril 17, 2009California veterinarians are in conflict with one another again. This time, it's over Proposition 2, also known as "The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act." Proponents are trying to regulate the housing and care of farm animals, especially egg-laying hens. Other efforts are ongoing to provide more humane husbandry for pigs, veal calves and livestock. Most of the general population does not even think about the issues involved in intense food animal production. However, when people are asked how they would vote, they want to be kind. Our profession is being taken to task over this issue because opponents feel that Prop. 2 will force egg production out of California, while proponents feel that eliminating battery cages for egg-laying hens is the right thing to do and that industry can make the adjustment over time. Prop. 2 is supported by the California Veterinary Medical Assn. (based upon the "8 Basic Freedoms" adopted by the CVMA during Dr. Jon Klingborg's presidency) and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assn. HSVMA is a well-funded national organization with thousands of members, including the members of the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, who were merged into the group at …
Bringing Pawspice To Your PracticeApril 17, 2009 This article answers requests about how to set up "pawspice" (hospice services) following the article, "Helping Clients With the Long Goodbye" (November 2006). It featured a thoughtful letter from Kimberly Fox sharing her feelings about Rennie, her Golden Retriever with terminal cancer. Rennie entered our pawspice program, which provides comfort care for both the family and the patient. Pawspice provides clients with end-of-life care and staff with a protocol that validates a mutual willingness to endure its special purpose. Pawspice is actually a philosophy which can be personalized to fit into your own practice. The human-animal bond is a celebrated, life-enriching relationship that an increasing number of pet caregivers want to nurture and cherish at home to the end. Our clients need and want us to facilitate and lengthen the process so they can spend as much quality time as possible with their beloved pets before the inevitable loss. A well-conceptualized, creative and palliative pawspice plan is often the very best medicine that our profession can offer a terminal patient. When pets approach their final days, their caregivers can be very emotional. They suffer from anticipatory grief, interruption of routine and financial outlay. …
Compounding Concerns For Animals Near And DearApril 17, 2009 Competitive pricing, counterfeit drugs, unreliable sources for drugs and the honesty that our profession must maintain present an everyday dilemma. How can veterinarians avoid being tarnished by scandals of adulterated and contaminated food and drugs and still maintain the public’s trust? Dawn Merton Boothe, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM and ACVCP, director of pharmacology at Auburn University, asked veterinarians to combat the adulteration of products in her letter to the editor in the Dec. 1 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Assn. Compounded drugs are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. When approved drugs are not available or not suitable as packaged by the manufacturer for a doctor’s intended use in a particular patient, compounding of that drug is allowed. The compounding industry is growing fast and is not yet well regulated. Veterinary compounding is regulated by 50 state boards of pharmacy that use vague federal laws that are interpreted inconsistently. Most compounding pharmacies are run by pharmacists of variable expertise who oversee the preparation of the ingredients. Veterinarians must realize that compounded drugs offer no guarantee of potency, stability, bioavailability, safety or efficacy. We have become comfortable using FDA-approved products, with guaranteed analysis, …
Racing To Save Pets At WVCApril 17, 2009 The human-animal bond went way beyond our expectations this year at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas. Many thanks to WVC’s tireless staff, President Dr. Jim Furman, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steve Crane; and Executive Director Dr. Guy Pidgeon. WVC celebrated its 80th anniversary this year. The very first meeting was held in Utah in 1928 as the Western States Sanitation Conference. Then it morphed into Western States Veterinary Conference and moved to Las Vegas. Since 1985 it has been known as WVC. At more than 6,300, veterinarian attendance once again exceeded the North American Veterinary Conference, making WVC the largest veterinary professional meeting in the world with an amazing international attendance. During the conference, WVC introduced the Oquendo Center for Clinical Education. This 66,000-square-foot facility is the new headquarters for WVC, home of the College of Southern Nevada Veterinary Technician Program, and dedicated to “hands on” continuing education through courses and seminar packages all year long. This WVC was a meeting shall never forget. It began with the usual CE and networking with friends at meals. My Monday was devoted to CE, looking up favorite vendors in the extensive exhibit hall, and book signings …
In ‘08, Change Is Brewing On Many FrontsApril 17, 2009 When a new year begins, we often think about change. At times, change challenges our comfort zone and goes beyond expectations. An accepted concept can get turned upside down when new information unveils the truth. Look at the old Food Triangle, for example. It had carbohydrates as the base and meats at the pinnacle. With epidemic obesity-associated diabetes, in people and pets, a new word has evolved, “diabesity.” Now, the Food Triangle is turned upside down. We should embrace that change for our pets, as well. We know not to eat doughnuts, pastries, soft drinks and pasta all day long as sustenance. We now know that a strict dry-food diet for cats may cause “diabesity” and other illness. Cats are obligate carnivores. Despite the convenience of dry food, cats need and thrive on meaty food. People are reading the book, Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life, by Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, Esq. People want to feed their pets properly, even though they might not be feeding themselves properly. Try this change: For one month, ask your staff to eat fresh fruit and a protein, such as low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, nuts, or a veggie omelet …
Decision Making And Old CatsApril 17, 2009 I am frequently pulled into the decision-making process for old pets. One of our elderly feline patients named PP had successful brain surgery twice over the past five years. At both surgeries the neurologist removed a large meningioma. PP was 18 years old when the tumor recurred. Her family declined further diagnostic work up (MRI) because they did not want her to undergo a third surgery at her advanced age. PP was circling, blind, very tense, unable to use her litter box and in a two-month decline. The family was ready to euthanize PP but they met Dr. Katalin Grant, who referred them to me for an end-of-life care consultation. Six months have passed since then and PP is nearly back to normal. She responded to our Pawspice program's palliative brain tumor and immunonutrition protocols. The family could not be more pleased. Their other family cat is PP's 17-year-old offspring. He is on subcutaneous fluids for chronic renal failure. The decision-making process is alive and well for these families. But for many pet owners, their decisions can be greatly influenced or practically dictated by paternalistic doctors. Paternalism is abused when the attending doctor …
Helping Clients With The Long GoodbyeApril 17, 2009 I want to share some insightful notes from Kimberly Fox, a pet caregiver who is providing pet hospice care for Rennie, her 12-year-old, 90-pound golden retriever. Rennie developed a rapidly growing mass involving his entire right pelvis. His case was considered inoperable bone cancer after a surgical consult. Kimberly was shocked. The Golden Retriever Club of America reports that 67 percent of large males and 57 percent of large females die of cancer. The scenario for Rennie is not unusual. What is very special about Rennie's case is that we are being given a most personal perspective by a devoted pet caregiver. She is making comments on needed and wanted professional service, which is evolving in veterinary medicine as a viable option for pet caregivers who feel inclined to care for their best friend until the end. Dr. Rachel Jones of Marina Pet Clinic referred Kimberly and Rennie to our new Pawspice care service at the Crossroads Emergency Care Clinic in Norwalk, Calif. Kimberly felt the need for expertise in management of the end of life care issues that were facing Rennie. She came in for consultation, pain management and palliative care. We were …
Human-Animal Bond Alive And Well At AVMA New OrleansApril 17, 2009 The American Assn. of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians (AAH-ABV) hosted the informative human-animal bond sessions at the American Veterinary Medical Assn. conference in New Orleans in July. Dr. Sam Costello, the 2007 Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian Award recipient, gave the annual Leo Bustad Memorial Lecture. Dr. Costello’s topic, “The Healing Power of Therapy Animals,” was a wonderful presentation showing how community service with therapy animals has enriched his career. Dr. Martha Littlefield, president of the AAH-ABV, organized the sessions for the meeting. Her topic, “Public Awareness Programs for the Human-Animal Bond” promoted the value of education and information to help people take advantage of existing programs when they need help. Dr. Littlefield, Louisiana state veterinarian, was very involved in the Katrina Hurricane aftermath. She is particularly optimistic for the future of disaster preparedness for animal health and safety. She hopes that lessons learned at Katrina will help offset the suffering that occurred during the fumbled Katrina rescue efforts. Hilton Cole, who has a career in shelter care, addressed a touchy topic involving the media, “Being Ready for Media: Breed-Specific Bond Problems in a Community – Pit Bulls.” Some of the questions he addressed were: What do you …
