More Pet Deaths Linked To Menu RecallApril 17, 2009 Fourteen animal deaths – one dog and 13 cats – are being attributed to the Menu Foods Inc. recall issued March 16, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Nine of those deaths were cats that fell ill during a routine, quarterly taste test Menu Foods conducted with 25 cats and 15 dogs to test the products’ palatability, the FDA said yesterday. The taste tests, which began Feb. 27, were unrelated to consumer complaints the company received a week earlier, beginning Feb. 20, of pets becoming sick after eating the products, according to Stephen Sundlof, DVM, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. A contaminated shipment of wheat gluten used to thicken the gravy in 95 wet-style foods made by the private-label Streetsville, Ontario, pet food manufacturer, is the suspected source of illness, the FDA said. The investigation, however, is ongoing, the FDA said, and other sources are not being ruled out. Because wheat gluten is not usually a problematic source, the FDA is looking at the possibility that a mold or chemical toxin contaminated the wheat gluten, which was used by both a Kansas and New Jersey plant of Menu. So far, the effected foods, produced …
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Vaccination And Parvovirus Testing In KittensApril 17, 2009 This column is based on abstracts presented at the 24th annual ACVIM Forum in Louisville (2006). It is a common practice to vaccinate a cat immediately upon its arrival to a shelter. This protocol is based on a resurgence of feline panleukopenia (FPV) cases. The vaccine is highly efficacious, with antibody titers appearing within a week. There is concern that the vaccine may cloud the diagnosis of panleukopenia. Practictioners rely on test kits to diagnose panleukopenia in cats with clinical signs. The vaccine is a modified-live virus and could result in the fecal shedding of virus, which would cross-react with the commonly used canine parvovirus test kits. In dogs it was shown that using an MLV vaccine resulted in positive fecal parvovirus testing for four to five days after vaccination.1 Researchers from the University of Florida looked at the effects of MLV vaccine on parvovirus shedding in kittens.2 A total of 64 SPF kittens (8 to 10 weeks old) were included in the study. The kittens were divided into groups and eight different vaccines were given. These vaccines included six MLV and two inactivated vaccines. Seven vaccines were given subcutaneously, one intranasally. Antibody titers …
Clean Vs. Contaminated SurgeryApril 17, 2009 Confused by the amount of contamination to expect during your patient’s surgery? The table below is a good start to help you predict contamination and refine your antibiotherapy: • Which type (s) of antibiotics? • What dosage? • How often? • For how long? Granted, such antibiotics should be based on a culture and sensitivity, but until those results are in, empiric antibiotherapy is in order. This surgery classification is derived from the wound classification created by the National Research Council in humans. It is based on the level of expected bacterial contamination. Surgery Classification Description Examples Clean Typically an elective surgery in a non-contaminated, non-traumatic and non-inflamed surgical site -Neuter -"Routine" laparotomy -Elective orthopedic surgery Clean contaminated Here surgery involves the respiratory, GI or genitourinary system, ie often a hollow organ -Enterotomy -Enterectomy -Cystotomy Contaminated Similar surgeries, but with leakage or a major break in aseptic technique -Enterotomy -Enterectomy -Cholecystectomy -Cystotomy Dry A hollow organ is ruptured -Infected surgical site -Septic peritonitis -Abscess -Ruptured …
Radiosurgery Put To Use In Oral CareApril 17, 2009 The greatest advantage of radiosurgery in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery is the ability to incise tissue with minimal tissue damage and accelerated healing. General practitioners have used antiquated electrocautery units for coagulation purposes and to remove minor dermal growths for decades. The newer 4.0 MHz radiowave surgery technology (I use Ellman International's) is a high-frequency, low-temperature technology that minimizes heat dissipation and thus reduces cellular alteration. This allows for greater patient comfort post surgery, enhanced healing and excellent tissue sample "readability" by the histopathologist. This new radiosurgery modality gives the surgeon the ability to cut with simultaneous coagulation. Cutting can even occur in juxtaposition to bone in the fully-filtered, fully-rectified mode at 4.0 MHz frequency without any danger of bone necrosis. A major advantage of this technology in oral usage is the production of "clean, blood free" surgical fields not noted with the scalpel as a cutting tool (see photo enclosures). There is also the elimination of surgeon-induced secondary infection that has been shown to be directly related to the scalpel. Ellman 4.0 MHz radiosurgery allows precise carving, sculpting and recontouring of oral soft tissues with a pressureless incision that is consistent with …
City Scraps Plans For Mandatory Spay, Neuter OrdinanceApril 17, 2009 In a marathon city council session that began Monday afternoon and lasted until half-past midnight Tuesday morning, the Huntington Beach, Calif., City Council dropped its pursuit of a mandatory spay, neuter and microchip ordinance in favor of incentive-based licensing fees that reward those who alter and microchip their pets. After hearing spirited comments from a strongly divided audience in the packed auditorium, the council eventually decided to scrap the original legislation and direct the city attorney to draft a new resolution that would create a five-tier registration fee scale. The scale would reduce licensing fees for those whose pets are altered and microchipped in an effort to provide incentives for dog and cat owners. The highest fees would be reserved for those whose pets are not spayed, neutered or microchipped. Currently, cats are not required to be licensed in the city. The new ordinance would require cat licensing and the same tiered fee system would apply, however dog licensing fees will be higher. If it passes, the exact fees will be established at a future council meeting. “It’s a great compromise solution,” said Council member Don Hansen, who was opposed to the original ordinance. …
Butler Animal Health To Distribute Generex’s Glucose RapidSprayApril 17, 2009 In a new agreement, Butler Animal Health Supply of Dublin, Ohio, will distribute Generex Biotechnology Corp.’s Glucose RapidSpray within the United States. Under the terms of the five-year deal, Butler has agreed to a minimum purchase of 20,000 units during the first year, such minimum purchase increasing each year culminating in 100,000 units during the fifth year. Glucose RapidSpray, a liquid spray that is absorbed by the inner lining of the mouth without any chewing or swallowing, is designed to provide additional dietary glucose to dogs and cats with diabetes mellitus. The product may also be used to combat lethargy or first signs of low blood sugar, according to Generex Biotechnology. “Although originally designed for people seeking additional glucose in their diets, we are pleased that the product has additional applications in the animal health industry,” said Rose Perri, chief operating officer of the Ontario-based company. “We extend credit to our business development and marketing team for their ingenuity in seeking other viable markets for our product pipeline.” <HOME>
Informing Clients About Quality Of Life And DeathApril 17, 2009 Small animal veterinary practice today parallels the pediatrician model. But veterinary personnel deal with five times more patient illness and death than most health professionals. Despite the predictable frequency of terminal illness and death, many veterinary hospital personnel lack the skill to properly interact with bereft pet caregivers. In addition, the intense exposure to end-of-life care issues and death causes some staff members to develop compassion fatigue, a type of burnout that may not be recognized or understood. The human animal bond is now acknowledged and celebrated as an important part of people's lives and, at times, may be the best relationship a person has. The role of veterinarians is to facilitate that relationship by keeping animals healthy. Veterinarians have an increasing obligation to serve the committed pet owner with improved medical techniques and improved communication regarding quality of life and end-of-life care issues. We also have an increasing obligation to provide support and reverence when a pet dies, and even reach out to comfort the client in the days following the pet's death. But where and how do clinics become proficient grief management? Tools for Staff Some hospitals …
Bucking The Fashion PoliceApril 17, 2009 This past year has seen articles and letters in several notable vet publications (including this one last month) extolling the virtue of dressing just right in a veterinary practice setting. They’ve uniformly (excuse the pun) decried the lack of professionalism among younger vets and staff and pushed for standards in dress befitting the greater professionalism that attends our emerging status as “family doctors.” No jeans. No scrubs for vets. No long nails. No “bizarre” or dangly jewelry. Ties for guys. Flats for girls. And white lab coats all around! For the record, I think I’ve broken at least one of the “rules” recently printed on this subject on every single day of my veterinary practice career. And I have no regrets—and few complaints, for that matter. While I can understand the desire for standards that meet the goal of every individual practice, don’t expect me to work in a hospital that prohibits my own personal uniform: open-toed platform shoes, expensive jeans, simple scrub tops, sparkle-painted toenails, two-tone hair, designer frames and a stethoscope fashionably entwined ’round my neck. Don’t like it? You’re free to decline my services… and I’m free to go elsewhere. And …
University Of Florida Launches ASPCA Forensics ProgramApril 17, 2009 The University of Florida has partnered with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to develop a Veterinary Forensic Sciences Program dedicated to the teaching, research and application of forensic science in the investigation and prosecution against animals. The university reported that this is the first such program within an educational institution. “This is a newly emerging field,” said Bruce Goldberger, Ph.D., director of the William R. Maples Center for Forensic Medicine at the university. “We are translating our knowledge of forensic science to a new field devoted to solving crimes against animals.” The program will also be directly involved in forensic work on animal cruelty cases investigated by the ASPCA, as well as acting as a resource to assist other agencies with such investigations. The ASPCA will provide an initial gift of $150,000 to sponsor a clinical professorship at the rank of associate professor and work with the university to develop the educational plan, research mission and define the areas of applied casework for the program. In addition to the undergraduate and graduate programs, continuing education programs will be available through workshops …
Clinics, Careers Look For Little ReliefApril 17, 2009 Economic challenges and shifting attitudes among younger veterinarians are contributing to a steady evolution in the supply and demand equation surrounding relief veterinary work. Ivette Nessim, DVM, manager of DC Relief Vets LLC, a relief services firm in the Washington, D.C., area, says she’s seen a general upward trend in demand despite the economic downturn. She says demand is driven by a shortage of veterinarians nationwide and an increase in female veterinarians who work part time in order to raise families. She also notes that many full-time veterinarians frequently lament being overworked and underpaid, further driving demand for relief services. Tiffany Lewis, DVM, a relief veterinarian operating in central Florida, agrees. Finding a Relief Veterinarian Relief veterinarians serve as high-profile team members while delivering care to patients. Thus, practices need to look for the same qualities in these employees as they would in a full-time veterinarian. Christine Merle, DVM, a consultant with the Brakke Veterinary Practice Management Group and past president of the Association of Veterinary Practice Management Consultants & Advisors, says a good relief veterinarian comes prepared and ready to work. “A good …
