Horse Genome Sequence Made PublicApril 17, 2009 The first draft of the horse genome sequence has been placed in public databases, a tool that will help veterinary researchers better understand the diseases that affect equines. The $15 million project to sequence about 2.7 billion DNA base pairs in the genome of the horse began a year ago, building upon a 10-year collaborative effort among an international group of scientists, known as the Horse Genome Project. The researchers used DNA from Twilight, a Thoroughbred mare from Cornell University, for the sequencing project. Researchers have also produced a map of horse genetic variation using DNA samples from a variety of modern and ancestral breeds, including the Akel Teke, Andalusian, Arabian, Icelandic, Quarter, Standardbred and Thoroughbred. The map will provide scientists with a genome-wide view of genetic variability in horses and help them identify the genetic contributions to physical and behavioral differences, as well as to disease susceptibility. There are more than 80 known genetic conditions in horses that are genetically similar to disorders seen in humans, including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Comparing the horse and human genomes will also help medical researchers learn more about the human genome. The project …
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LSU To Host Symposium On Infectious DiseasesApril 17, 2009The Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine is hosting a Small Animal Medicine Symposium on April 27. The event, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, will focus on infectious diseases of dogs and cats. Edward Breitschwerdt, DVM, professor of internal medicine at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, will speak. He will discuss the molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases, persistent blood-borne infection, vector-borne infections and canine bartonellosis. Other topics will include canine ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, methicillin-resistant staphylococci, mycoses, canine leptospirosis, endocarditis, American trypanosomiasis and challenging infectious disease cases. Eight hours of continuing education credit are available. Registrations received by April 23 will be complimentary. Thereafter, the administrative fee will be $25. For details, call 225-578-9900 or visit www.vetmed.lsu.edu. <HOME>
Complete List Of Recalled ProductsApril 17, 2009 Menu Foods Inc. recalled 95 brands of "cuts and gravy" pet food products on March 17. The complete list of affected products is listed here. Although the initial recall focused on products made during a specified period, the recall has since been expanded to all affected products regardless of date of manufacture. For further recall product information, call Menu Foods at (866) 895-2708. Cat Foods 1. Americas Choice, Preferred Pets 2. Authority 3. Best Choice 4. Companion 5. Compliments 6. Demoulas Market Basket 7. Eukanuba 8. Fine Feline Cat 9. Food Lion 10. Foodtown 11. Giant Companion 12. Hannaford 13. Hill Country Fare 14. Hy-Vee 15. Iams 16. Laura Lynn 17. Li'l Red 18. Loving Meals 19. Meijer's Main Choice 20. Nutriplan 21. Nutro Max Gourmet Classics 22. Nutro Natural Choice 23. Paws 24. Pet Pride 25. Presidents Choice 26. Price Chopper 27. Priority US 28. Save-A-Lot Special Blend 29. Schnucks 30. Science Diet Feline Savory Cuts Cans 31. Sophistacat 32. Special Kitty Canada 33. Special …
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 …
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>
