New Scrutiny On Early Neutering After UC Davis Study On GoldensMay 7, 2013 For Veterinary Practice News With a raft of publicity, a recent and widely read retrospective study that identified increased risk of certain joint disorders and cancers in neutered golden retrievers has sparked discussion within the veterinary community. Reaction illustrates how entrenched neutering is within the U.S. veterinary profession. Many were quick to point out the study’s limitations, including that it was retrospective; that it was conducted at a tertiary site; that the authors did not include any veterinary oncologists; that the sample size was limited; and that the intact animals may have been intact because they were likely breeding stock and therefore screened for health. "Retrospective studies seldom look at line breeding and other statistically significant impacts of the ‘n’ being studied,” said Thomas Catanzaro, DVM, MHA, LFACHE, 2012 Bustad award winner and a practice management consultant in Australia. "This study does not qualify the breeding lines of the animals being reported, and therefore is not as significant as it is made to seem.” The paper’s lead author, Ben Hart, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVB, a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of California, Davis, said the study is significant and should prompt immediate changes in …
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Cats With Kidney Disease Sought For Clinical TrialMay 6, 2013 Researchers hope to screen thousands of cats as part of a clinical trial involving a new liquid medication formulated for feline hypertension. More than 35 study sites in the United States and Canada will test cats previously diagnosed with kidney disease, a condition often associated with hypertension, or high blood pressure. Cats that meet all the criteria, including a diagnosis of both kidney disease and hypertension, may be eligible to receive free medical care in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study sponsored by an undisclosed drug maker. The manufacturer may seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the medication, according to Visionaire Research & Education, a Raleigh, N.C., company behind the recruitment effort. Irreversible organ damage may be prevented when feline hypertension is diagnosed and treated early, said Scott Brown, VMD, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM. "This is an important study because feline hypertension is increasingly being recognized in veterinary medicine as a disease process that causes significant morbidity and mortality,” added Dr. Brown, a professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. "Unfortunately, we don’t yet have any FDA-approved medications …
$300,000 Available For Human-Animal Bond ResearchMay 3, 2013The organizations are accepting preliminary proposals through June 28 before awarding up to 10 research grants totaling $300,000. "This is a great opportunity for students, researchers and various industry professionals,” said Bob Vetere, president of HABRI. Besides autism and cancer, the medical conditions selected for research into the human-animal bond include heart disease, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and childhood allergies and immunity. The seven conditions "to date have seen the most promising scientific evidence in terms of the positive impacts of the bond but could still benefit from a greater understanding,” Vetere said. The research will investigate the health benefits and therapeutic outcomes arising from pet ownership or animal-assisted therapy, both among people and animals. The preliminary proposals will be evaluated by an independent review board. Full proposals will be requested from selected applicants. Morris Animal Foundation, based in Denver, will review and oversee the research awards on behalf of HABRI. HABRI is a coalition of companies, organizations and individuals. It was founded by Petco, Zoetis (formerly Pfizer …
Pet Cancer Registry Grows NationallyMay 3, 2013 The not-for-profit Texas Veterinary Cancer Registry is creating an additional service, the National Veterinary Cancer Registry, said group founder Theresa W. Fossum, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS. Just like the Texas program, the new database is designed to identify and register pets diagnosed with cancer in order to facilitate treatments that lead to medical advances, higher success rates and cures for cancer in pets and people. "Since the development of the Texas Veterinary Cancer Registry, we have received overwhelming support from pet owners, researchers, oncologists and stakeholders for our work,” Dr. Fossum said Thursday. "As a result, we have accepted the call to expand our efforts nationally.” The network starts with veterinarian oncologists working on drug therapies for dogs and humans. The registry compiles information about pets diagnosed with cancer and matches potential candidates with clinical trials. "There are already successful cases throughout Texas from the registry where, even without a cure for cancer, we have been able to drastically improve the quality of life for pets diagnosed with cancer while also advancing medical treatments," …
CAPC Tracks Lyme, Other Diseases Afflicting U.S. PetsMay 2, 2013 Lyme disease, the tick-borne bane of people and pets, is predicted to pose a higher than normal threat this year in parts of the United States, according to Clemson University and the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). Disease hot spots are expected to occur along the Oregon and Washington state coastlines, the Great Lakes region, New England and the Mid-Atlantic, researchers reported this week. As a service to dog and cat owners, CAPC will issue regular email updates and alerts about Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, intestinal parasites and heartworm. Registration is available at PetsAndParasites.org. The CAPC website also offers parasite prevalence maps clickable by county and broken down by the number of diagnosed cases of each disease. The map data is provided by Idexx Laboratories of Westbrook, Maine, and Antech Diagnostics of Irvine, Calif. In developing the forecast tool, the Clemson team relied on some of the methods used in severe weather forecasting. "The ever-evolving CAPC Parasite Forecast model combines historical data such as parasitic disease test results from veterinary clinics across the …
Michigan State’s James Lloyd Named Dean Of UF Veterinary CollegeMay 1, 2013 UF Chooses James Lloyd as Veterinary College DeanJames Lloyd, Florida, veterinary, college, dean, Michigan State, university, Guzick, economist, agricultureA nationwide search for a new dean in the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine has ended with the appointment of veterinarian and agricultural economist James W. Lloyd, DVM, Ph.D., college officials announced today.Michigan State associate dean James Lloyd will take over as dean of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.newslineMichigan State’s James Lloyd Named Dean of UF Veterinary CollegePosted: May 1, 2013, 5:35 p.m. EDTA nationwide search for a new dean in the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine has ended with the appointment of veterinarian and agricultural economist James W. Lloyd, DVM, Ph.D., college officials announced today. Dr. Lloyd most recently served as associate dean for budget, planning and institutional research at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He replaces Glen Hoffsis, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, who is retiring. Dr. James Lloyd will be the sixth permanent dean of the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. "I am confident that our internationally recognized veterinary college, hospitals …
Vetsulin Diabetes Drug Back On U.S. MarketMay 1, 2013 Vetsulin, the only FDA-approved insulin for both dogs and cats with diabetes mellitus, is available again more than three years after concerns were raised about the drug’s stability. Merck Animal Health’s reintroduction of Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension) to the U.S. veterinary market comes as the number of dogs diagnosed with diabetes mellitus has risen sharply over the past 30 years. The prevalence in dogs and cats ranges from 1 in 100 to 1 in 500, Merck stated. Vetsulin is administered twice a day in cats and most dogs. Up to one-third of dogs may be controlled with once-a-day administration. Marketed outside the United States under the brand name Caninsulin, Vetsulin has been used to manage pet diabetes for more than 20 years. It was introduced to the U.S. market in 2004 for canine use and in 2008 for cats. The drug was gradually withdrawn from the U.S. market starting in November 2009 because of inconsistencies in one of Vetsulin’s components, raising fears that the product could have unpredictable onset and duration of action. The issues have been resolved, leading to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of Vetsulin’s reintroduction, the …
Veterinary Social Work Summit?April 30, 2013 You haven’t heard of the Veterinary Social Work Summit? Well, you’re not alone. Even though 2013 marks the third such Summit (although they skipped 2012), it is still an event that is not widely known among veterinary professionals. Perhaps this blog is the first step to changing that! In short, the University of Tennessee has combined the College of Veterinary Medicine with the College of Social Work, and created a master’s program called Veterinary Social Work. Still confused? Then let me explain the four basic cornerstones of this program. They focus on: Animal-assisted therapy (for humans) The link between animal and human abuse Pet loss and grief Compassion fatigue As you can see, a few of these topics are really focused on the social workers’ areas of expertise: animal-assisted therapy for humans, and the link of the two types of abuse. The other two are topics that we veterinary professionals are intimately involved in, helping ourselves and our pet families deal with grief and pet loss, while at the same time trying to avoid the throes of compassion fatigue. Although I was one of only about three people from veterinary …
UC Davis Veterinarians Nurse Disfigured Dog Back To HealthApril 29, 2013 If all goes according to plan, a Filipino dog that was gravely injured when she rushed to save two girls from an oncoming motorcycle should be back home in May. Kabang, whose upper snout and jaw were severed when she lunged at the motorcycle, arrived in October at the University of California, Davis, William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. She was later diagnosed with cancer and heartworm disease. The first of Kabang’s two reconstructive surgeries took place March 5, when oral surgeons Boaz Arzi, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, and Frank Verstraete, DrMedVet, Dipl. AVDC, Dipl. ECVS, Dipl. EVDC, removed two upper fourth premolars, repaired a cracked front tooth and rebuilt her missing left eyelid. "Her vets describe her as the ideal patient,” said Rob Warren, the hospital’s communications and marketing officer. "She’s receptive to everyone, and no matter we put her through, she wags her tail.” Kabang’s second surgical hurdle, scheduled for around April 1, is expected to close the large wound where her upper snout and jaw used to be and create an artificial nasal passage, making breathing easier. She then will be evaluated for about a month and returned to her owner, Rudy …
Nearly Half Of Young Adults Prefer To Buy Pet Rather Than AdoptApril 26, 2013 A survey conducted by Best Friends Animal Society of Kanab, Utah, identified what the organization called a disconnect in how young Americans approach pet adoption. The survey results, released Wednesday, found that 46 percent of people ages 18 to 34 were more likely to purchase a pet from a breeder or store rather than consider adoption. In addition, the same percentage believed that shelter animals were less desirable than those obtained from breeders. "We were sad to learn that to some extent animals in shelters are stereotyped by young adults as damaged goods,” said Gregory Castle, the society’s CEO and co-founder. "The fact is that every day in this country perfectly wonderful family pets land in shelters through no fault of their own, all of whom need and deserve a home of their own.” Nearly 40 percent of the young adults surveyed thought homeless animals were not necessarily at risk and would remain in a shelter until adoption. About 4 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year in city shelters, Best Friends reported. Out of the 1,000 adults of all ages surveyed by telephone in November 2012, 90 percent considered themselves pet lovers and …
