Urolith Center: 750,000 Stones & CountingAugust 21, 2013 Affected dogs can have one or many bladder stones that can be speck sized or up to four inches in diameter. The Minnesota Urolith Center has amassed the world’s largest database of more than 750,000 veterinary samples of uroliths removed from the urinary tracts of dogs and cats. Urolith Center: 750,000 Stones & Counting By Arden Moore For Veterinary Practice News The Minnesota Urolith Center recently reached a milestone. Since opening in 1981, this center has amassed the world’s largest database of more than 750,000 veterinary samples of uroliths removed from the urinary tracts of dogs and cats. But Director Carl Osborne, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, and Co-Director Jody Lulich, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, did not spend much time celebrating this record-setting total. This dedicated duo has been far too busy researching innovative and cost-saving alternatives to surgical removal of bladder stones, also known as urinary calculi, in canine (and feline) bladders on the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine campus in St. Paul. "We are definitely on a mission," says Dr. Lulich, a professor who is board-certified in internal medicine. "We are constantly looking into minimally invasive ways to diagnose, remove and …
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Compounding Pharmacies Play Vital Role In Today’s PracticesAugust 21, 2013 The American Veterinary Medical Association announced in June that it had modified its policies on compounded pharmaceuticals for use in veterinary medicine, partially in response to a recent Senate bill sponsored by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that would impose tighter federal restrictions on compounding pharmacies. "The bill would definitely make it more difficult for pets to receive the medication that their disease requires," said Jennifer Gimon, R.Ph., owner of BCP Veterinary Pharmacy in Houston, Texas. That's not good news for clinicians who believe compounded drugs play a vital role in their patient care. Ben Brown, DVM, owns The Travel Vet mobile veterinary practice in Davis County, Utah. He says that about 5 percent of the prescriptions he writes are for compounded drugs, and he uses a combination of veterinary-specific pharmacies and general pharmacies with veterinary-specific divisions. "Many of our patients are much more amenable to taking a compounded formulation of a medication, especially when a medication course is chronic," Dr. Brown said. "Some of our feline patients would be very difficult to medicate without a specific formulation." Cats are notoriously difficult to orally medicate, but they aren't the only creatures benefiting from …
Dogs Needed For Study Of New Cancer TreatmentAugust 21, 2013 Twenty dogs with high-grade B-cell lymphoma are being sought to participate in a field study of a vaccine-based cancer treatment that reportedly has no side effects. The developer, Morphogenesis Inc. of Tampa, Fla., and veterinarians at Florida-based Southeastern Veterinary Oncology and Medicine (SEVO-Med) are collaborating on the study. The new treatment is designed to defeat 17 types of cancers in dogs, cats and horses, Morphogenesis stated. "We educate the body’s immune system to fight its own tumor cells,” said Pat Lawman, Ph.D., the biotechnology firm's CEO. "Our process helps keep the cancer in check so that it doesn't progress, and we all think that’s a win.” Under the process, a dog’s lymphoma cells undergo a marking process that helps the immune system recognize the cells as foreign and kill them, Lawman said. Veterinarians and pet owners who believe a dog would qualify for the study are asked to call SEVO-Med at 904-278-3870 or 912-355-5791. Dogs enrolled in the study will receive free treatments and tests. "More and more, you are seeing companion animals present with all types of cancers,” …
Proposed Law Would Permit Pets On Amtrak TrainsAugust 20, 2013 Proposed Law Would Permit Pets on Amtrak Trains dog HR 2066 has the support of 18 congressional co-sponsors and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. A bill winding its way through Congress would allow Amtrak passengers to bring their caged cat or dog aboard. The legislation has the support of 18 congressional co-sponsors and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. "The Pets on Trains Act is a win-win,” said Mike Canning, president and CEO of the Washington, D.C., trade group. "Airlines have been permitting pets on flights for years. Fares for pets vary from airline to airline, as do regulations, but at least air travel has given pet owners an option.” The law would designate a "pet car” on each train and permit a fee to be charged for the service. In addition, all cats or dogs would have to travel in crates and no trip could exceed 750 miles. Amtrak operates more than 300 trains a day, reaching 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces. The railroad …
Veterinarians Working To Control PEDv Outbreak In 17 StatesAugust 20, 2013 Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv), a highly contagious disease that typically kills at least half of all infected piglets, has spread to 17 states and brought together industry and academia in pursuit of a rapid diagnostic test. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the first-ever U.S. case of PEDv in April. The disease has been present in Europe for decades as well as in China, Korea and Japan, the National Pork Board reported. PEDv is transmitted orally to pigs of all ages through feces and contaminated farm equipment and clothing. Acute watery diarrhea is a common sign of the disease, but confirmation requires laboratory testing. Zoetis Inc., an animal health company headquartered in Florham Park, N.J., reported today that it is working with researchers at the University of Minnesota to develop a rapid PEDv diagnostic test. "As a veterinarian, I am committed to finding a solution, including quick-yielding diagnostic tools and efficacious vaccines, that can control this devastating virus,” said Michael Senn, DVM, MS, manager of Pork Technical Services at Zoetis. "We are drawing upon our global research and development resources as well as working with health authorities and veterinary centers of excellence worldwide to …
AVMA Uses Video Game To Reach Next GenerationAugust 19, 2013 Rather than focusing on marauding zombies, the American Veterinary Medical Association is targeting future veterinarians through its brand-new video game, AVMA Animal Hospital. The new game, a combination of "Beat the Clock” and Operation, takes place in a virtual veterinarian clinic. Kids as well as grown-ups can test their veterinary mettle by diagnosing and treating animals, including dogs, cats, birds, turtles and guinea pigs, suffering from a variety of conditions before time elapses. The audience the AVMA had in mind for the game is fourth through eighth graders but anyone who enjoys animals is encouraged to play. "We wanted to make a fun game that players would come back to again and again, but more importantly, we wanted there to be a strong educational component to it as well,” said Ron DeHaven, DVM, CEO of the Schaumburg, Ill.-based AVMA. The game is available free through Apple’s AppStore, Google Play and AVMA. "Games are a great way to learn, and we hope AVMA Animal Hospital helps educate and inspire the next generation of …
Petplan Looking For Best Veterinary Clinic, EmployeesAugust 19, 2013 Petplan pet health insurance is accepting nominations in a contest designed to identify the year’s top veterinarian, veterinary technician, practice manager and veterinary practice. Pet owners, veterinarians and veterinary staff members may nominate a worthy individual or practice at GoPetplan.com/VetAwards. The deadline is Nov. 15. Three finalists in each category will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas for the announcement of the winners. The presentation will take place during a dinner Feb. 16 at the Four Seasons Hotel. The Veterinary Awards honor professionals who provide an exceptional level of pet health care and exemplary customer service, Petplan reported. Veterinary Practice of the Year, a new category, recognizes that "keeping our pets healthy and happy is often a true team effort,” said Natasha Ashton, Petplan’s co-founder and co-CEO. "With this award, we hope to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the efforts of the entire clinic, from veterinarians and technicians to practice managers and support staff,” Ashton said. Anyone who submits a nomination will be entered into a weekly …
Some Eukanuba, Iams Dry Foods RecalledAugust 15, 2013 P&GSelected lots of Eukanuba and Iams dry dog food and Iams dry cat food are being voluntarily recalled because of potential salmonella contamination.The recall of some lots of Eukanuba and Iams pet foods represents about one-tenth of 1 percent of annual production.newsline, pet-health-news, recall Selected lots of Eukanuba and Iams dry dog food and Iams dry cat food are being voluntarily recalled because of potential salmonella contamination. The manufacturer, Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble Co., reported Wednesday that no salmonella-related illnesses had been linked to any of the lots. The recall, limited to the United States, represents a small amount, about one-tenth of 1 percent, of annual production of the foods. "These products were made during a 10-day window at a single manufacturing site,” the company stated. "P&G’s routine testing determined that some products made during this time frame have the potential for salmonella contamination. "As a precautionary measure,” the company added, "P&G is recalling the potentially impacted products made during this time frame. No other dry dog food, dry cat food, dog or cat canned wet food, biscuits/treats or …
New Mammal Species Hiding In Plain SightAugust 15, 2013Olinguito Facts Background: Smallest member of raccoon family and with thick, woolly orange or reddish brown fur. Size: Head and body length of 14 inches, plus 13- to 17-inch tail. Adults weigh 2 pounds. Diet: Mostly fruit, but also insects and nectar. Behavior: Solitary, mostly nocturnal and adept at leaping from tree to tree. Range: Cloud forests of Ecuador and Colombia at elevations of 5,000 to 9,000 feet in northern Andes Mountains. Smithsonian Institution scientists today reported that they identified the Western Hemisphere’s first new carnivorous mammal in 35 years. Oddly enough, the finding was not a complete surprise because the animal, the olinguito, has been displayed in museums and zoos worldwide for more than a century and misidentified as a close relative, the olingo. The olinguito’s looks are described as a cross between a house cat and a teddy bear. The 2-pound animal goes by the scientific name Bassaricyon neblina and lives in the cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador. It is a member of the Procyonidae family, which includes raccoons, coatis, kinkajous and olingos. "The discovery of the olinguito shows us that the world is not yet completely explored, …
UC Davis Vet School Hires 6th CardiologistAugust 15, 2013 A sixth veterinary cardiologist has been hired for the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. Joshua Stern, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, will serve the university’s veterinary school as an assistant professor. Rob Warren, communication and marketing officer for the teaching hospital, acknowledged that most private veterinary practices probably don’t have one cardiac specialist on their payroll. "I’m not sure of all other hospitals in the country, but I would think that it is probably rare for a hospital to have six veterinarians specializing in cardiology,” Warren said. "Our overall caseload of 45,000 patients a year warrants this number and Dr. Stern’s addition.” Dr. Stern joins two full-time cardiologists and three cardiology residents at UC Davis. Stern, who earned his undergraduate and DVM degrees from Ohio State University, brings a raft of cardiac research experience with him. "We are excited by the addition of Dr. Stern to our faculty,” said David Wilson, BVMS, director of the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. "His achievements to date are impressive for an individual in the early …
