Vets And Engineers Model First Simulated Virtual-Reality DogApril 17, 2009Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences lays claim to the only simulated canine with a virtual reality interface. The simulated canine, dubbed SimPooch, is in its early stages, but its creators say their project will revolutionize teaching in veterinary medicine. Narda Robinson, DO, DVM, MS, director of CSU's Center for Comparative and Integrative Pain Medicine, initiated the SimPooch project in spring 2006, with Regina Schoenfeld-Tacher, Ph.D., coordinator of the college's instructional design. They worked with a group of mechanical engineering students, who then constructed a physical model of a dog's head that reproduced bone, muscle, skin and fat density to provide students real-life physical force feedback. The colleges of veterinary medicine and engineering then worked to create a 3-D dog model and software that will be rigorously tested for its effectiveness in teaching students proper acupuncture techniques. Dr. Robinson says the project was first met with skepticism. Since the concept involved merging two colleges, one of which knew nothing of medicine or acupuncture, success seemed unlikely. But the veil of uncertainty surrounding the project lifted when SimPooch won fourth place in CSU's annual E-Days competition in which more than 100 displays vie for design recognition. "When …
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Idexx Unveils Online Feline Disease MapApril 17, 2009As part of its new campaign to promote feline wellness, Idexx Laboratories Inc. of Westbrook, Maine, yesterday launched an interactive feline disease prevalence map at www.kittytest.com. As the centerpiece of its campaign, the map will allow cat owners and veterinarians to determine the prevalence of three common diseases - feline heartworm, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) - on a state and county basis. Idexx believes the map will help cat owners better understand their cats' risk levels for the diseases while providing veterinarians local and national perspective on how many cases had been confirmed. That information might change a veterinarian's disease testing practices, the company said. The results shown are compiled from Idexx Reference Laboratories test results, test results from its in-clinic Idexx VetLab Station systems from thousands of veterinary practices, and other prevalence studies, the company reported. <HOME>
Vets Asked To Participate In Pet Food Recall SurveyApril 17, 2009 Veterinarians who suspect they have treated animals affected by the Menu Foods Inc. pet food recall can take part in a survey to help pathologists conduct further research on the recalled foods. The American Assn. of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians will be gathering the data on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and will use it to define what constitutes a confirmed case of food-induced kidney toxicity, identify common elements among the cases and establish a clearer understanding and description of the illness. The survey, which can be found at www.aavld.org, asks for information about the brands and lot numbers of pet food ingested, the speed of illness following consumption, the clinical signs of the sick or deceased animals and other information such as chemical markers. Pathologists plan to develop a verified list of animals affected by the recall and the common symptoms and aspects of the illness. They also hope to establish valid estimates of the number of animals affected, their ages, breeds and species. The American Veterinary Medical Assn., which has already informed its members who specifically treat companion animals (about 30,000 veterinarians) about the survey, has a comprehensive …
Hill’s Aims For 1 Million Pet AdoptionsApril 17, 2009 Hill’s Pet Nutrition of Topeka, Kan., has launched its 2008 Second Chance for Love program, with the hope that the program will lead to more than 1 million pet adoptions this year. “Hill’s has been actively supporting shelter adoptions through our shelter nutrition partnership program since 2002 , and we believe that precisely balanced nutrition leads to a healthier, happier lifestyle and can strengthen the bond between people and their adopted pets,” said Dianne Perkins, Hill’s shelter partnership manager. Hill’s said it has donated more than 60 million pounds of food valued at more than $78 million to more than 1,302 participating shelters, which have in turn adopted out 2,928,195 animals. Last year saw Hill’s donate more than $30 million worth of pet food to shelters that adopted out more than 931,000 cats and dogs, the company reported. Under the program, Hill’s provides free pet food for the dogs and cats cared for by the participating shelters. This year’s program will include a tour to participating shelters in various cities to raise awareness for the program and an online contest. Hill’s will underwrite the first 25 adoptions at each shelter event and provide new …
Supervalu Recalls Dog BiscuitsApril 17, 2009 Supervalu Inc., a grocery chain operator headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn., has voluntarily recalled Happy Tails and Shoppers Value multi-flavored dog biscuit products, because the items may contain peanut butter contaminated with Salmonella. According to the company, the move is a precautionary measure following a nationwide recall of peanut butter and peanut paste issued by Peanut Corp. of America. The recalled dog biscuits were sold at some of Supervalu’s banner stores, including Acme, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco and Shaw’s/Star Market. They include: Happy Tails Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits, 26-ounce package UPC No. 41163-42406 Sold at Acme, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco and Shaw’s/Star Market . Happy Tails Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits, 4-pound package UPC No. 41163-42403 Sold at Acme, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco and Shaw’s/Star Market . Shoppers Value Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits, 4-pound package UPC No. 41130-30507 Sold at Acme and Shaw’s/Star Market Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may have a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pains. Well animals can be carriers and infect other animals or humans, according to the U.S. Food and …
California Pet Owners Spend Most On Care EmergenciesApril 17, 2009 California pet owners who insured their animals with VPI spent more on non-routine veterinary care in 2007 than owners in any other state, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance of Brea, Calif. VPI recently analyzed its claims data to find the average amount policyholders spent state by state on pet emergencies. California topped the list at $500 per pet. Next were New York at $499, the District of Columbia at $474 and New Jersey at $437. States where pet owners spent the least on non-routine medical expenses were Mississippi at $207 per pet, North Dakota at $213 and Missouri at $246. The number of claims submitted per pet did not vary significantly by state, indicating that spending discrepancies are due to regional differences in the cost of veterinary care, according to VPI. For example, veterinarians in California or New York may charge more than veterinarians in Mississippi or North Dakota to offset higher property costs and employee salaries. Most Spent Per Pet State Medical Expense Per Pet 1. California $500 2. New York $499 3. District of Columbia $474 4. New Jersey $437 5. Colorado $428 6. Connecticut $420 7. Massachusetts $416 8. …
FDA Rescinds Monkeypox-based Trade RestrictionsApril 17, 2009The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday removed its regulation that established restrictions on the capture, transport, sale and distribution of African rodents, prairie dogs and certain other animals within the United States. The restrictions were lifted because the FDA believes they are no longer necessary to prevent the further introduction, transmission and spread on monkeypox, a zoonotic and potentially fatal disease, in the U.S. The restrictions originally went into effect in 2003, following the spread of monkeypox to humans through prairie dogs and Gambian giant pouched rats that were sold through the pet specialty channel. The FDA reports 72 human cases, none fatal, occurred in that outbreak. On June 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA jointly banned the sale, transportation and distribution of the suspect animals, which also included tree and rope squirrels, dormice, brush-tailed procupines and striped mice. The CDC also banned all importation of African rodents and other animals that can carry monkeypox into the U.S. That embargo remains in effect. <HOME>
Winn Awards Grants For Feline Health StudiesApril 17, 2009 The Winn Feline Foundation has awarded $99,909 in grants for studies on feline herpesvirus, adverse effects of vaccinations, interstitial cystitis, a new form of retinal disease, feline calicivirus and chronic renal failure. A $15,000 grant was awarded to the continuing study “RNA interference of feline herpesvirus by synthetic siRNAs in corneal epithelial cells,” by Rebecca Wilkes, DVM, and Stephen Kania, Ph.D., of the University of Tennessee. The purpose of this study is to evaluate RNA interference for FHV-1 in cat corneal cells, cells which naturally are infected by the virus. It has already been shown that RNA interference can be used to reduce the production of FHV-1 in cat kidney cell cultures. “Association of vaccine administration with systemic disease in cats,” by Michael Lappin, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, and Jacqueline Whittemore, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, of Colorado State University, received a $25,000 grant. The researchers maintain that it is possible that kidney disease and other common feline disease syndromes may develop as a result of over vaccinating cats. The study will evaluate the adverse effects of vaccinations. “Adrenocortical function in cats with feline interstitial cystitis,” by C.A. Tony Buffington, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. …
Proposed Alabama Bill Requires Pet SterilizationApril 17, 2009 Privately owned dogs and cats within the state of Alabama would need to be spayed or neutered under a bill introduced by Senator Del Marsh. Senate Bill 554 relates to dogs and cats that are 6 months of age and older. It provides for civil fines as well as certain exceptions. If enacted, SB 554 will provide that an owner of an unsterilized dog 6 months of age or older who is the subject of a complaint may be cited and, in addition to any fine, pay civil penalties as follows: $50 on the first occurrence; . $100 on the second occurrence; . Require sterilization of the dog on the third occurrence; . For cat owners, sterilization will be required on second occurrence. The bill defines "complaint" as any oral or written complaint to a local animal control agency that “alleges that the dog, cat or owner of the dog or cat has violated this act, any other provision of state law that relates to dogs or cats, or a local animal control ordinance.” "Complaint" also means the observation by an employee or officer of a …
World Rabies Day Observance Sept 28April 17, 2009World Rabies Day will be observed Sept. 28 to mobilize awareness and resources in support of human rabies prevention and animal rabies control. Seventy-four countries participated in last year's inaugural World Rabies Day, educating more than 54.3 million people, according to the Alliance for Rabies Control, a United Kingdom charity that helped spearhead the effort with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rabies is still a killer—55,000 people around the world die from rabies in a year, and one person dies from rabies every 10 minutes, according to the Alliance for Rabies Control. In recognition of World Rabies Day, a variety of events are scheduled, including vaccination clinics, lectures and educational seminars, festivals and dog walks. Among them: In Atlanta on Sept. 28, World Rabies Day Run will take place 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the historic district at Inman Park. Click here for details. Sept. 28–Oct. 3: The 19th International Conference on Rabies in the Americas will be held at the CDC in Atlanta. Researchers, directors of national and municipal programs, laboratory workers and others get together to discuss successes and challenges with rabies prevention.
