Animal Health Companies Increase R&D SpendingNovember 19, 2007Animal health companies spent $663 million in 2006 to research and develop potential new products and to maintain the longevity of existing products, according to the Animal Health Institute’s Research and Development Survey. This constitutes a 7 percent increase over 2005 spending. Innovative research represented 86 percent of total research and development spending, the same as in 2005. The remaining 14 percent went toward research to ensure the longevity of existing products. In 2006, 26.4 million pounds of antibiotics were sold for use in farm and companion animals, an increase from 24.4 million pounds sold in 2005. Data represent answers from Animal Health Institute member companies, which include Abbott Animal Health, Bayer Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., Elanco Animal Health, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Intervet Inc., Merial Ltd., Novartis Animal Health U.S. Inc., Pfizer Animal Health and Schering-Plough Animal Health Corp. <HOME>
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Amphibian Disease Conference To Meet In ArizonaOctober 16, 2007Almost 300 people, including veterinarians, scientists and fish and wildlife managers, will meet Nov. 5-7 in Tempe, Ariz., at a conference on stopping the spread of a fungal-based amphibian disease. Hosted by the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)–a multilateral organization with members from the federal and state governments, zoos, the pet industry, conservation groups and others–the conference will include panels to discuss amphibian deaths related to the so-called Bd fungal disease, know as chytridiomycosis and caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidi. Speakers will review case studies and identify actions needed to limit its spread in both captive and wild situations. Sponsors of the event include the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fish and Wildlife Service and other government groups as well as the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, the Phoenix Zoo/Arizona Zoological Society, the Turner Foundation, Conservation Intl., Defenders of Wildlife, the Houston Zoo and the Herpetologists’ League. For more information click here. <HOME>
Chip Claim Gets Under Oncologists’ SkinOctober 2, 2007 Last month’s Associated Press news reports of microchips causing cancer in pets led to widespread media coverage. But veterinary experts say there is no evidence that cancer is a problem in microchipped pets. A series of veterinary and toxicology studies dating from the mid-1990s purportedly showed that microchip implants had induced malignant tumors in some laboratory mice and rats. This, coupled with a case report documenting the death of a 9-year-old French bulldog due to a subcutaneous cancerous mass, was fuel for a denouncement of microchips, which were recently given the nod by the Food and Drug Administration for use in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Cheryl London, DVM, oncologist at The Ohio State University, says she is enraged at the inaccuracies passed off as fact in the media reports. She says she was misquoted in the national report, and says the record needs to be set straight based on fact. “In the 15 years I’ve been practicing, I have not seen one sarcoma in the neck area of a dog,” London says. “Millions of implanted microchips resulting in four cases is not evidence. Even if the four potential cases were scientifically determined to be linked to …
A Comparison Of Veterinary Practices In The United States And HollandJuly 18, 2007In the August 2007 issue, Dennis M. McCurnin, DVM, wrote on an article titled, “A Comparison of Veterinary Practices in the United States and Holland.” The article discussed single practitioners, diagnostic fees, cat services and client education. Here is the continuation of the article that appeared in print: Several issues could be considered by both U.S. and Dutch veterinarians to increase and improve efficiency. First, we all must learn to do more multitasking; that is to handle more cases per day, by using more than one exam room at a time per DVM. Many practices have only one consultation or exam room per DVM. This limits the number of cases that can be seen each day. If two consultation rooms were available per FTE DVM receiving cases, then larger numbers of cases could be serviced. To make full use of two consultation rooms per DVM, the art of delegation must be perfected. Delegation also requires a well-trained staff to be able to delegate to. We must develop quality staff to allow delegation to improve efficiency. We also need to develop more consultation rooms in most practices by converting office space, storage space or other areas that could be developed into …
An Education In Feline DentistryJune 26, 2007When studying feline dentistry, advanced education is the key. The understanding of feline periodontal pathology, feline resorptive lesions, feline oral radiology diagnostics, feline oncology and feline oral inflammatory pathology are all essential in correct diagnosis and creating a proper treatment plan. This is not a comprehensive listing but it is the most commonly confronted pathology that you will note in the feline. If the wellness exam at your hospital does not include a complete oral examination, add it to your assessment today. Mastering the Normal The feline dental formula, eruption times, root numbers, and the modified Triadan numbering system must be mastered. Good sources for studying these topics are "Veterinary Dentistry Principles and Practice," Wiggs/Lobprise Editors; Lippincott-Raven;1987, and "An Atlas of Veterinary Dental Radiology," DeForge/Colmery, Editors; Iowa State University Press/Blackwell Publishing; 2000. These texts are an important starting point. Drs. Wiggs and Lobprise discuss the intricacies of the normal and the abnormal of the feline oral condition. "An Atlas of Veterinary Dental Radiology" gives a radiographic visualization of oral structures in the feline and the canine Quick Study of Terms Feline gingivitis: The gingiva tissue overlies the bony alveolar processes of the maxilla and mandible and surrounds the …
Allergy Diagnosis ChallengesJune 20, 2007Allergies present many diagnostic and treatment challenges, whether using conventional or alternative measures or both. Several papers published in peer-reviewed publications have uniformly concluded that unconventional allergy tests fail to correctly identify and distinguish between allergic and non-allergic individuals.1 However, even results from conventional testing methods frequently fail to correlate with one another. In one study, the sensitivities of ELISA testing compared to intradermal tests varied between 19.3% and 77.1%, while their specificities varied between 64.2% and 96.6%. 2 Over the past several decades, consumer acceptance of alternative procedures to diagnose allergy has grown, although the mainstream medical community often offers resistance. Even in the mid-1900s, the founder and first editor of the Journal of Immunology, Arthur F. Coca, MD, faced rejection from his peers after he disclosed to the medical community his own alternative means of allergy diagnosis identifying increased heart rates in allergic patients following offending allergen exposure. Ignorance in Power In his lay publication "The Pulse Test," Coca retorts to his colleagues, "History teaches that a revolutionary idea is apt to find its most difficult resistance in a static ignorance ensconced in the seats of power. And it is there that outmoded opinions and practices with …
Tale Of Two LymphomasJune 20, 2007Last week I examined two patients for their one-year treatment anniversary. The first is a 16-year-old male neutered domestic short hair named Scooter, the other a 7-year-old female spayed Doberman named Emma. Both had been diagnosed with lymphoma. Scooter's Case Scooter presented originally with a two-month history of lethargy, intermittent anorexia, and progressive weight loss. He was FeLV/FIV and hyperthyroid negative. He had a palpable intestinal mass in the mid-abdomen. Laboratory findings were nonspecific and included a nonregenerative anemia, moderate neutropenia and unremarkable serum chemistry. Abdominal ultrasonography confirmed a circumferential mass affecting the small intestine without nodal enlargement. Cytological examination of cells obtained by ultrasonographic-guided needle biopsy of the intestinal mass showed numerous pleomorphic lymphocytes with occasional mitotic figures. Survey radiographs of the chest were normal. He went to surgery that same day to have the segment of bowel removed. Biopsies were obtained from the liver, other areas of bowel and from two mesenteric nodes not previously observed on ultrasound. Later histopathology confirmed the lymphoma diagnosis with only intestinal involvement. Emma's Case Emma presented originally with generalized enlargement of lymph nodes noted earlier that day by a groomer. Emma had no prior symptoms or problems. Cytological examination of …
Agreement To Facilitate International Collaboration On Avian Influenza Is SignedJune 18, 2007A Framework Agreement to facilitate greater collaboration between the United States Department of Agriculture and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization was signed Wednesday. The agreement, which was signed by Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf, will help address animal diseases, including avian influenza. “This agreement will facilitate greater international coordination and collaboration on a broad range of agricultural issues and help to protect our agricultural systems,” Johanns said. “I believe the benefits will be immediate by enhancing the worldwide response to highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.” The agreement will also bolster the effectiveness of the Crisis Management Center in Rome, Johanns said. The center, operated by FAO and the World Organization for Animal Health, provides animal disease analysis and deploys international resources to prevent and contain animal diseases. The center is currently focusing on avian influenza. Three USDA specialists are assigned to the center. Johanns also provided an update on USDA’s efforts concerning avian influenza. The USDA has focused on international efforts, wild bird monitoring, domestic poultry monitoring and avian influenza research. As part of its international efforts, the USDA is hosting a workshop this week in Washington to prepare 50 volunteers from more than …
Acetaminophen Found In Dog, Cat FoodJune 7, 2007Pet food from multiple brands tested positive for acetaminophen, a common pain-reliever drug found in Tylenol, according to a Texas laboratory. Both wet and dry dog and cat food samples contained a low concentration of acetaminophen, Donna Coneley, a spokesperson for ExperTox of Deer Park, Texas, told Pet Product News International via e-mail correspondence. Calls to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding this new development were not immediately returned. The agency has not confirmed or denied the finding. In business since 1995, ExperTox was asked by “individuals or manufacturers” to analyze the pet food samples, Coneley said. The company declined to name which pet foods had positive tests for acetaminophen, saying only that there were “multiple” brands involved. ExperTox also found cyanuric acid and/or melamine in some of the samples, Coneley added. Pets that ingest acetaminophen might show signs of depression, weakness or difficulty breathing, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Cats might also have swollen paws or faces, the nonprofit agency said.
Admininstering ZubrinMay 24, 2007Zubrin (tepoxalin) tablets are a veterinarian-prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in dogs to reduce pain and inflammation due to osteoarthritis. Zubrin tablets are available as seemingly tasteless, rapidly disintegrating tablets that can easily be hidden in food or in a moist treat. Zubrin is approved only for oral use in dogs. It is not approved or intended for injection or intravenous use, and veterinarians are advised not to use it in that manner. A quote in a story about NSAIDs in the May issue of Veterinary Practice News indicated otherwise. Zubrin is manufactured by Schering-Plough Animal Health Corporation. More information about Zubrin is available at www.zubrin.com.
