Maryland Publicizes Vet Disciplinary ActionsApril 17, 2009 The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is making the public aware of the agency’s routine regulatory activities. It recently sent out a media report naming six veterinary practice violations. In one case, the board found that a veterinarian in Montgomery County had violated the Veterinary Practice Act by failing to provide basic care to the pets under his care, providing false information to pet owners and failing to take appropriate and timely steps to return pets despite frequent owner attempts to retrieve their pet. The violator’s license was suspended for six months and he was prohibited indefinitely from boarding and hospitalizing animals and placed on three years of probation. “We want the public to be aware that state agencies want to protect consumers,” said Laura Downes, the board’s executive director. “Some people may feel that veterinarians look after their own, but we want people to know that yes, the board will take action [if a complaint is brought to its attention].” In 2007, the board investigated 77 complaints, filed 20 formal disciplinary actions and issued 26 letters of advice or admonishment. Although the number of complaints are less than the …
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Petsmart Recalls Dog Biscuits With Peanut PasteApril 17, 2009Phoenix-based pet store chain Petsmart is voluntarily recalling seven of its Grreat Choice Dog Biscuit products that contain peanut paste made by Peanut Corp. of America (PCA). PCA is the focus of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into potential salmonella contamination of peanut butter and paste made at its Blakely, Ga., facility. Although Petsmart is not aware of any cases of illness related to these products, it has removed them from its store shelves and website and is conducting the recall as a precautionary measure The recalled products include only the following types of Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits sold between Aug. 21, 2008, and Jan. 19, 2009: Small Assorted 32 oz., UPC 73725702900 Small/Medium Assorted 4 lb., UPC 73725700601 Small/Medium Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700605 Small/Medium Assorted 10 lb., UPC 73725702755 Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700638 Extra Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700779 Peanut Butter 4 lb., UPC 73725700766 Cu犀利士 stomers who purchased the recalled dog biscuit products should discontinue use immediately and may return the product to any Petsmart store for a complete refund or exchange. Customers can visit www.petsmartfacts.com …
Dr. Tracy Hanner Wins Bell AwardApril 17, 2009 The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges on March 13 presented Tracy Hanner, DVM, with the Iverson Bell Recognition Award for his leadership and contributions in promoting opportunities for underrepresented minorities in veterinary medical education. William Allen Hill, DVM, who submitted the nomination, described Dr. Hanner as “a tireless soldier (who) has labored intensely since 1986 to promote and extend diversity within the veterinary medical community.” Dr. Hill, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine, attributed his entrance into veterinary medicine to the enthusiasm and mentorship of Hanner. Hanner was the first black graduate of North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986. He is an adjunct assistant professor, the coordinator of lab animal science and a clinical associate veterinarian at North Carolina Agriculture & Technology State University. <HOME>
Morris Animal Foundation Awards Vet Students Funds For Research ProjectsApril 17, 2009 The Morris Animal Foundation recently named eight veterinary student winners in its annual research competition. They were among the more than 20 veterinary students who submitted posters on companion animal and wildlife studies as part of the foundation's Veterinary Student Scholars Program. The program aims to give students the opportunity to work on MAF-funded projects while they are in veterinary school and, in turn, encourage them to consider a career in research. “[The program] recognizes the critical need to train new scientists,” said Patricia Olson, DVM, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Morris Animal Foundation. “By giving students the opportunity to work on MAF-funded projects while they are in veterinary school, we hope to encourage them to consider a career in research.” Winners were: • Ballard Award for Companion Animals, $5,000 Aric Frantz at the University of Minnesota examined the use of stem cell therapy to repair a dog’s heart after a heart attack. • Ballard Award for Wildlife, $5,000 Scarlett Magda at the University of Guelph analyzed saddle-related injuries in elephants used for tourism in Thailand and developed recommendations to reduce injury. • 2nd Place for Companion Animals, $2,500 …
Radiosurgical Applications For Oral Surgery And OphthalmologyApril 17, 2009 Tom Tully, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (avian), ECAMS, a professor of zoological medicine at Louisiana State University, says his Ellman Surgitron 4.0 MHz dual-frequency radiosurgery unit is indispensable in his practice of avian and exotics medicine. “I can use the unit throughout a surgery,” he says. “I can make the initial incision using a needle electrode and, while using the same hand piece and pressing a different button, switch from a cutting to one of cut and coagulation. And when you’re working on patients as small as 20 grams, hemostasis is very important. “Depending on the size of the patient, I have different electrodes available,” he adds. “I like to switch out electrode tips to meet specific surgical needs.” One limitation to radiosurgical equipment arises when operating in a fluid environment. “Any time there is a pooling of blood, you will not get the optimum performance from the electrode,” Dr. Tully says. “The blood must be removed, and then the electrode can be applied for hemostasis.” In regard to hemostasis, Tully says that one of the greatest equipment enhancements to the 4.0 MHz radiosurgical unit has been the ability to transition between the hand piece …
Common Cause Of Chronic UTI Has A Surgical SolutionApril 17, 2009 The solution to some chronic urinary tract infections is not always antibiotics. When female dogs present excessive or redundant skin folds dorsally and laterally to the vulva, a cascade of events often follows. Common complaints from the owner include excessive licking of the vulvar area, scooting, malodor, hematuria and sometimes urinary incontinence. How can a simple skin fold cause urinary incontinence? The redundant skin fold acts like a dam and enables urine retention. Moisture, body heat, darkness and accumulation of skin debris create an ideal environment within the skin folds for bacteria to proliferate and cause local infection. The two main challenges are assessing precisely how much skin to remove, and closing the surgical site in a cosmetic manner. After vulvoplasty, the vulva becomes visible.(Courtesy of Dr. Zelztman) Friction between the two skin surfaces causes microtrauma, which adds to self-trauma via licking and scooting. This leads to skin fold dermatitis or pyoderma. In turn, secondary vestibulitis, vaginitis or ascending UTIs have been reported. At worst, urinary incontinence can occur. The poster child for this condition is an overweight female dog with a hypoplastic or recessed vulva. The mean weight was 71 pounds …
Humane Society Opens ‘Green’ Animal Community CenterApril 17, 2009 Humane Society Silicon Valley in Milpitas, Calif., held an open house March 28 to celebrate the opening of what it says is California’s first regional Animal Community Center. The $25 million center, funded through donations, is expected to be the first Animal Community Center in the U.S. to earn Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Planning for the 48,000-square-foot center, which is situated on nearly five acres, began about 12 years ago. The building is designed to be much more than an animal shelter. It’s a destination for the community, said Christine Benninger, president of the HSSV. “Those words—Animal Community Center—were chosen specifically (to reflect that),” Benninger said. For example, the center incorporates: • An animal adoption program. • A community dog park and training center. • A spay/neuter medical center. • A veterinary hospital and public viewing room. • Doggie day care, boarding and grooming. • A pet store. • An education center offering programs for children, teens and families. • A community events room. • A pet-friendly café. The cage-less habitats for dogs, cats and rabbits simulate home …
Carolina Prime Pet And Salix Add Peanut Butter Dog Treats To Recall ListApril 17, 2009 More dog treats containing peanut butter have been voluntarily pulled from the market, this time by Carolina Prime Pet and Salix. The companies said their recalls are a precaution following a U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into potential salmonella contamination of peanut butter and paste made by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). Carolina Prime Pet is voluntarily recalling four of its dog treats that contain peanut butter made by PCA in Blakely, Ga. The products bear lot date codes of between 081508 and 010909 and are sold at various retailers in the U.S. and Canada. The products are: • 6-inch Beef Shank Peanut Butter, UPC 063725542007. (Also packaged as 6-inch Healthy Hide Beef Shank Peanut Butter, UPC 09109333479.) • 2-pack Hooves Peanut Butter, UPC 063725542000. • 4-inch Rawhide Bone Peanut Butter, UPC 063725542003. • 6-inch Rawhide Bone Peanut Butter, UPC 063725542005. Salix is voluntarily recalling its three-count, Healthy Hide Deli-Wrap 5-inch Peanut Butter-Filled Rawhide dog treats that contain peanut butter made by PCA. The rawhide treats are sold at PetSmart, Target and Wegmans Food Stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. The UPC of the …
North Carolina Vet College Receives Grant For Clinical Trials ProgramApril 17, 2009 North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine recently received a $625,000 grant from Novartis Animal Health U.S. Inc. of Greensboro, N.C., to support its Clinical Trials Program. The grant, which will be presented over a five-year period, will fund a clinical trial veterinarian, a veterinary research technician, laboratory space and equipment for studies involving patients in the college’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. “Clinical studies advance veterinary medicine by investigating risk factors for disease as well as methods to prevent, treat or cure illnesses that affect both animals and humans,” said Gregg Dean, DVM, Ph.D., director of the college’s Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, which administers the program. “The Novartis grant will fund resources that are critical to helping the research center ensure an effective Clinical Trials Program.” <HOME>
President Bush Endorses FDA Recall PowerApril 17, 2009 After meeting with a Cabinet-level working group assigned to review the country’s safety measures for imports, President Bush endorsed the Food and Drug Administration’s right to recall all food products. “Specifically, the FDA would be empowered to order a recall when a company refuses to recall their product voluntarily or moves too slowly in removing the unsafe product from the market,” he said. “With this authority, the FDA will be in a better position to act quickly if any problem occurs.” The Interagency Working Group on Import Safety presented its 14-point action plan to the president today and the FDA released its Food Protection Plan simultaneously. Both reports recommend granting the FDA new authority to recall food products in the event a voluntary recall is ineffective. The new mandate would, however, “provide for appropriate due process rights for any firm subject to a recall order,” according to the working group’s report. "We need to do more to ensure that American families have confidence in what they find on our store shelves. They have the right to expect the …
