Ethics, Pay, Research And Animal WelfareApril 17, 2009 The ethics sessions at the American Veterinary Medical Assn. conference in New Orleans tackled some controversial issues. It was the most exciting day that I have spent at a veterinary meeting since driving a NASCAR vehicle at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Racing to Save Pets) and organizing the “think tank” wrap-up session at the University of California davis, Theilen Tribute Symposium. Why were the ethics discussions so exciting? The speakers were asked by Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics President Dr. Gary Block to present information on “hot issues” near and dear to the profession. The first speaker, Dr. Dennis McCurnin, described various incentive pay plans. He set the stage for Dr. Clayton MacKay to discuss and debate the ethics of using incentive pay to reward veterinarians for performance and productivity. Many viewpoints regarding money for medicine were aired during these two sessions. Stem Cell Debate The sparks started flying when Bernie Rollin, Ph.D., took the floor for two hours. He discussed the ethics involved in cloning and stem cell research. Rollin, a bioethicist at Colorado State University, helped attendees distinguish the difference between religious belief systems and secular government systems and how the two often …
SPONSORED CONTENTOne dose protects for 12 months.One ProHeart® 12 (moxidectin) injection puts compliance in your control. + Get started
Recessionary Relationships And RevivalApril 17, 2009 Recessionary Relationships and RevivalRecessionary Relationships and Revival03-10-2009bondbeyond, smlanimalBy Alice Villalobos, DVM After attending the North American Veterinary Conference, listening to the wildlife update at the Morris Animal Foundation luncheon and witnessing the global approval of America’s 44th president, it is plain to see that our profession, its allies and the world at large are concerned, yet hopeful. International veterinary meetings such as NAVC, the American Veterinary Medical Assn., the Purina Nutrition Symposium and the Veterinary Cancer Society allow us to mingle with colleagues from all over the world. Meetings serve as a forum to meld thoughts and opinions from colleagues of varied interests and locales. Veterinarians who work in communities afflicted with high foreclosure rates and job loss are experiencing the deepest financial difficulties. Since veterinarians and their staffs are among the most generous professionals on the planet, this brutal recession pits our caregiving nature against our business survival. One young veterinarian literally found herself in bankruptcy. She became insolvent by continuing to perform charitable work for individuals and groups who rescued dogs and cats from shelters. Personal Experience This same predicament nearly happened to me …
UGA Schedules Animal Disease Diagnostic System LectureApril 17, 2009 The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine will present a lecture on “The Challenges and Opportunities Facing the National Animal Disease Diagnostic System” at noon Nov. 2. Veterinarians, scientists, students, farmers, consumers and government officials involved in food production are invited. Beth Lautner, DVM, director of the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, will focus on the preparedness of veterinary diagnostic and research laboratories that respond to emerging and/or zoonotic diseases and animal health emergencies. The lecture will be held in room 363 of the College of Veterinary Medicine. A reception follows in room 222. Click here for details. <HOME>
We Didn’t Go To Vet School To Sell ProductsApril 17, 2009Yeah, I'll admit it. I like to write about saving money on pet care. Pet owners eat this stuff up—and so do my editors. They love the insider's guide to saving money, especially in a roller-coaster economy. And I have to admit, I enjoy offering value to my readers, my clients and my employers. Am I betraying my profession? Maybe, if you look at it through the lens of conventional wisdom, which says veterinarians need to compete on service prices and make up losses on drug, food and product sales. If I'd betrayed my own, however, I'd be taking money out of my pocket, too. I do have an obligation to my patients and, by extension, to their owners. I have an obligation to provide a valuable service. Which brings up the aforementioned word, one whose meaning I hold dear: val-ue (noun) An amount expressed in money or another medium of exchange that is thought to be a fair exchange for something. The adequate or satisfactory return or recompense for something. Expressed in personal terms as it applies to my patients, "value" means I offer a service I have been well-educated to provide at a fair market price. When it …
Scientists Trace Toxoplasma Parasite’s Family TreeApril 17, 2009 Agricultural Research Service scientist Ben Rosenthal and his team made a recent discovery in the diversity in parasites related to Toxoplasma gondii, one of the most widespread parasites of warm-blooded vertebrates. Understanding how T. gondii has evolved and spread will help parasitologists and public health officials improve methods for controlling the parasite in humans and animals. Rosenthal, a zoologist at the ARS Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., partnered with ARS microbiologist Jitender Dubey and biologist David Sibley at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine to analyze DNA snippets from 46 existing T. gondii strains found around the planet. The team’s research pinpoints evolutionary changes in one parasite chromosome which have been especially widespread, he said, and which may be contributing to the parasite’s transmission success. Although he said that pet owners cannot yet “do anything” with the discovery, these findings have narrowed the search for a gene, or suite of genes, which may be especially important for the parasite. “Further study may find an ‘Achilles heel,’ leading to new strategies for better control,” he said. <HOME>
PetMed Express Quarterly Sales Increase 15 PercentApril 17, 2009 PetMed Express Inc. of Pompano Beach, Fla., reported a net income of $1.8 million on sales of $28.8 million for its second quarter, which ended Sept. 30, compared to income of $1.8 million on sales of $25 million for the year-ago period. Year-to-date, the company reported a net income of $3.6 million on sales of $64 million, compared to an income of $3.3 million on sales of $55.4 million in the year-ago period. Year-over-year reorder sales growth outpaced overall sales growth by 34 percent for the quarter (from $12.9 million to $17.2 million) and 46 percent for the six months (from $25.4 million to $37.2 million). "We also acquired approximately 154,000 new customers in the quarter and appoximately 345,000 new customers for the six month period," said Mendo Akdag, chief executive officer. "Approximately 52 percent of all orders were placed on our Web site for the quarter." <HOME>
Purdue To Hold Symposium On Respiratory DiseasesApril 17, 2009 The 25th Symposium of the Veterinary Comparative Respiratory Society, in cooperation with the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, will be held Oct. 11-13 at Purdue. “Proteomics and Genomics for Complex Respiratory Diseases” will include lectures on the mechanics of breathing and measurement of mechanical dysfunction in small and large animals, as well as a hands-on laboratory. Other topics include anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the respiratory system and the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease in animals. For more information, call 765-494-6808 or visit VCRS. <HOME> 9/28/2007
Natural Aids For Treating IBDApril 17, 2009 Treating any species conventionally for inflammatory bowel disease involves risks from medications that often fail to resolve the problem. Those caring for animals with chronic diarrhea, vomiting and malnutrition continue to seek alternatives. Fortunately, many methods offer reasonable safety and potential effectiveness. IBD takes place on the intestinal battleground, where pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species overwhelm colonic antioxidant defenses.1 Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins may enter the fray by inducing transcription of proinflammatory genes that encode for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) or adhesion molecules.2 Putting an end to the crisis without medications requires that natural healing methods can, in some way, successfully interfere with the inflammatory cascade. Acupuncture makes this happen neurophysiologically; herbs and supplements achieve this biochemically. Acupuncture Offsetting inflammation with acupuncture occurs through neuromodulation of the autonomic nervous system. With a neuroanatomically directed needling protocol, acupuncture treatments augment parasympathetic function and reduce inflammation.3,4 Herbs and Supplements New research points to several supplements that may benefit IBD patients. This list includes food components and spices, such as omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils, the amino acid glutamine, curcumin from turmeric, licorice, plantain …
Pet Food Company Issues Voluntary RecallApril 17, 2009 Raw pet food company, Bravo!, issued a voluntary recall of several brands of its dog and cat food products due to Salmonella and Listeria contamination. The Food and Drug Administration detected these contaminants in product samples during a review. The company stated it has not received any reports of illness due to the recalled products. Salmonella and Listeria can cause serious infections in pets. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite and sluggishness. Pets exhibiting these symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. If cross-contamination occurs, humans can be affected by these bacteria as well, and may exhibit similar symptoms. All of the recalled products are frozen raw food items for dogs and cats. They are: Name: Bravo Original Formula Chicken Blend Product Numbers: 21-102, 21-105, 21-110 Sizes: 2, 5 and 10 pound tubes Batch ID Code (on hang tag): 236 (Salmonella and Listeria were found in this product) Name: Bravo Original Formula Turkey Blend Product Numbers: 31-102, 31-105, 31-110 Sizes: 2, 5 and 10 pound tubes Batch ID Code (on hang tag): 236 (Listeria was found in this product) Name: Bravo Basic …
Inconclusive BSE Test Found NegativeApril 17, 2009 The USDA Veterinary Services Laboratories announced that the inconclusive screening test sample for bovine spongiform encephalopathy reported on November 18 has tested negative upon confirmatory testing. The November 18 sample was the first to test inconclusive under an August U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service protocol that requires public reporting of screening results after two reactive screens. Since the November 18 sample was found reactive in both screenings, two confirmatory tests were performed. Both tests came back negative. "APHIS began an enhanced surveillance program on June 1 and to date has tested over 121,000 samples for BSE," said John Clifford, deputy administrator of APHIS. "Screening tests are designed to be extremely sensitive and false positives are not unexpected. APHIS has reported three inconclusives including the November 18 sample, and all have tested negative on confirmatory testing." <HOME>
