Obesity: A threat that can be prevented easilyMay 7, 2019It would be interesting to see what a survey of equine horse owners and caregivers might think is the biggest threat to equine health. Colic might be high on the list, so would respiratory disease and arthritis. However, perhaps overlooked—at least in horse owner circles—is a very important and sometimes-even-thought-to-be desirable condition: obesity. Over the years, numerous studies on obesity in horses have been conducted in the U.S. and elsewhere. The problem, like the horses, appears to be growing. According to a recent report by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), obesity is the biggest threat to equine health. In the U.K., hundreds of horses are put down every year as a result of obesity-related health problems. The roots of the problem The causes of obesity are well understood. Feral horses thrive under conditions where they move continuously—25 to 50 mi. per day—while eating frequent, small meals of relatively poor-quality forage. (Wild horses are observed to eat virtually every hour, around the clock.) Domestication has changed almost everything about how horses live. For example: Most domesticated horses are confined, at least to some extent, limiting the distances they can travel. When they are exercised, often it is for short …
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Experts weigh in on ear examsMay 7, 2019Ears. They're the bane of veterinarians and clients alike, not to mention the dogs and cats who must contend with itchy or painful ear conditions caused by environmental and food allergies, bacteria and yeast overgrowth, mites, foreign bodies, trauma, tumors, or polyps. Ear problems can spring from many different sources. That makes it essential to conduct a thorough exam, be familiar with some of the other disorders that can lead to ear problems, and know what to ask owners to bring out clues to the cause. Itch triggers Allergies are probably the number one cause of ear inflammation. Once ears become inflamed, secondary infections caused by overgrowth of normal populations of bacteria or yeast in the ear typically follow. The result is exudate, pain, and worsening inflammation. Young animals in multipet households or hoarding situations may pass ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) back and forth, especially if they aren't on a monthly preventive, are fed a poor diet, or are sick. Demodex canis is another mite that can affect young or old animals who are immune-suppressed. Less commonly, endocrine diseases (e.g. Cushing's or hypothyroidism), as well as certain autoimmune disorders, can cause ear problems. Take hypothyroidism. "Those dogs commonly will have …
New CAPC study shows Lyme disease is spreadingMay 7, 2019Research from the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) indicates seroprevalence of Lyme disease in dogs is not only increasing in the Northeast, where it is considered endemic, but also spreading into areas that were previously thought to not be at risk for this serious, zoonotic tick-borne disease. ("Seroprevalence" in this case refers to the prevalence of dogs exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi, the pathogen responsible for causing Lyme disease in the U.S. based on serologic tests—hereafter referred to as "prevalence.") Study results were published in the December 2018 issue of Environmetrics, the official journal of The International Environmetrics Society (TIES). This milestone study, titled "A Large-scale Spatio-temporal Binomial Regression Model for Estimating Seroprevalence Trends," suggests canine prevalence rates for Lyme disease are rising and that those rates are increasing most in areas where the pathogen has recently encroached. Specifically, exposure in dogs to B. burgdorferi is rising in states not traditionally considered to be areas of high Lyme risk. Significant increases in the percentage of dogs testing positive for exposure have also been seen in areas that have not yet reported significant human incidence. These findings suggest canine Lyme prevalence could serve as an early warning system for changes in …
Getting to the root of pyodermaMay 7, 2019Scaling, hair loss, papules, pustules, and epidermal collarettes. All are clinical signs pointing toward canine pyoderma. The culprit may seem clear at first glance; however, veterinarians must look at the bigger picture to address the underlining issue. It's important to first understand the meaning of pyoderma, particularly regarding the depth of infection, says Elizabeth Layne, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, clinical instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine. The most common form of pyoderma is superficial bacterial folliculitis, a bacterial infection of the upper part of the hair follicle, caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Deep bacterial infections (presented as swelling, nodular lesions, and oozing draining tracts) can occur, but that is a different diagnostic and therapeutic approach, Dr. Layne adds. Superficial bacterial pyoderma is almost always secondary to some kind of skin abnormality, such as atopic dermatitis. Other skin diseases (e.g. flea allergy dermatitis, sebaceous adenitis, or primary seborrhea) can also result in superficial pyoderma, Layne notes. Systemic illness or immune compromise may lead to superficial bacterial pyoderma as well. Since pyoderma commonly masks another condition, a vicious treatment cycle can ensue if the underlining problem isn't identified. "Veterinarians often recognize the signs of infection and treat with antibiotics …
Walmart launches pet pharmacy, opening more in-store clinicsMay 7, 2019Walmart says it is launching its first pet pharmacy and opening more in-store veterinary clinics. "These clinics offer affordable, high quality, and convenient services to save customers as much as 40 to 60 percent on vaccines and minor illness packages and exams," the company wrote on its website. The news comes at a time when private practices are already competing with online pharmacy retailers that are digging into their revenue. According to Walmart, it will provide low-cost prescriptions for dogs, cats, horses, and livestock through WalmartPetRx.com. The website will offer more than 300 brands to treat conditions such as flea and tick, heartworm, allergy, and arthritis, which are main sources of income for veterinarians. Walmart will also offer home delivery. The option to pick up pet prescriptions in-store will be available later this month, as the retailer is stocking more than 4,500 of its pharmacies with the 30 most requested pet medications. Walmart says it will be opening nine new clinics in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Tex., in late May and June. It has plans to expand to more than 100 locations over the next 12 months.
New bill allows Florida veterinarians to report suspected abuseMay 7, 2019The Florida Senate has passed a criminal justice bill allowing veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty to authorities without notice to or authorization from the client. Bill 7125 would permit veterinarians to notify law enforcement officers; animal control officers who are trained in animal cruelty investigations, search and seizure, animal handling, courtroom demeanor, and civil citations; or agents dedicated to protecting animals and preventing any act of cruelty, of signs of mistreatment. Currently, veterinarians are required to inform an owner if they are suspicious of animal abuse before going to law enforcement. Under the new bill, the only time veterinarians would be required to inform the client first is if suspected cruelty occurred at a commercial food-producing animal operation on land classified as agricultural. The next step is for the bill to be signed or vetoed by Florida governor, Ron DeSantis.
Surgical endodontics: When all else fails...May 6, 2019In my previous two columns, we looked at conventional (orthograde) root canal therapy, along with vital pulp therapy. This time, we will discuss surgical (retrograde) endodontics. In instances where orthograde root canal therapy has failed, a decision needs to be made to either perform a second orthograde root canal therapy or to proceed to the next step: surgical endodontics. Extraction would be a third option for a failed root canal procedure if the owner no longer chooses to salvage the endodontically diseased tooth. Besides its use as a treatment when orthograde root canal therapy fails, retrograde root canal therapy may be the chosen course of action when an instrument breaks off while performing an orthograde procedure. Instruments most likely to break off in the canal include Lentulo spiral paste fillers, barbed broaches, and rotary files. Sometimes the detached instrument portion can be entombed in endodontic filling material during orthograde obturation, but if not, a retrograde procedure may be warranted. The procedure What is surgical root canal therapy? A surgical approach is made over the apical portion of the root, and bone is carefully removed to expose the root area (Figure 1). The apical 4 mm of the root is surgically …
How to improve your surgical skillsMay 6, 2019What can you do to improve your surgical skills? Assuming your career path does not include a surgery internship or a residency and board certification, here are some tips to raise the surgical bar. Prerequisites Some traits are self-understanding. In order to perform surgery, you need to have dexterity and think in 3D. You'll also need the following: "Good hands"—no shaking allowed. A keen sense of observation. Observe the patient. Observe the tissue. Observe others perform surgery. Some will teach you what to do, while others will teach you what not to do. Use the correct suture material, the correct needle, and the correct size. Know and apply the seven principles of William Stewart Halsted, MD, our 19th-century forefather (see The basics of surgery). Speaking of forefathers… believe the sayings they crafted: "Measure twice, cut once." "If it's worth taking out, it's worth turning in" (i.e. masses belong in the lab, not the trash). "There are routine surgeries, but there is no routine anesthesia." "Dilution is the solution to pollution." It is critical to thoroughly understand anatomy, indications, and surgical approaches. Reading books to acquire a good understanding of anatomy and a great knowledge of approaches is a must. But …
WSU receives accreditation for veterinary simulation programMay 6, 2019Washington State University (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine's (CVM's) veterinary-only simulation program is the first to be accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). The simulation-based education program offers hands-on simulated training, from administering anesthesia to performing surgery to client interaction. "We are delighted to see simulation-based education being practiced in veterinary medicine at WSU in an effort to improve the quality of care delivered to the patients we often consider family, our pets," says SSH's Kristyn Gadlage. "We applaud WSU for its dedication to educational excellence in its training of future veterinarians." WSU introduced integrated simulation into its curriculum through the clinical communication program 11 years ago. An elective course for anesthesia simulation was also created, allowing students to gain more experience and receive feedback from experts. "We understand simulation is a key component to training some of the most prepared and competent veterinary graduates in the country," says program director, Julie Cary. "We use simulation to enhance student exposure and experience while building their confidence, which adds to patient safety."
Human-animal bond the focus of National Pet WeekMay 6, 2019In honor of National Pet Week, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) is reminding veterinarians to advise their clients to cherish the human-animal bond and to embrace responsible pet ownership. National Pet Week runs from May 6 to May 12 and this year's theme is a "Lifetime of Love—The basics: Seven days to a happier, healthier pet." Each day is dedicated to a specific pet-related topic: May 6 emphasizes the importance of selecting pets that mesh well with people's lifestyles and making a firm commitment to caring for pets May 7 encourages pet owners to socialize their companion animals early and prep them for various interactions with places, activities, animals, and people May 8 urges pet owners and their pets to engage in regular exercise May 9 recommends regular visits to the veterinarian May 10 celebrates the human-animal bond May 11 provides tips for developing emergency kits for unexpected incidents, such as natural disasters May 12 summarizes the week's advice TVMA says its goal for this week is to remind pet owners to give pets' a lifetime of love and improve their quality and length of life by taking them in for regular veterinary exams and by providing regular …
