Reflections Of A Modern DinosaurApril 1, 2010I was very disappointed by the disappearance of the print edition of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. Remember? That was in December 2003! Since then, several other journals have disappeared from mail boxes. The good news? Fewer unread journals gathering dust in our offices. And fewer killed trees. The bad news? Probably less circulation, obviously less sharing within clinics, possibly less readership. I suspect that many people read a journal whenever they have a break, between consultations, before bedtime or maybe even on the (ahem) throne. The same feeling of disappointment was recently expressed by Colin F. Burrows, an internist at the University of Florida vet school and Editor in Chief of the excellent Clinician's Brief journal (January 2010 editorial). Our colleague wondered if that feeling makes him a dinosaur. Many of his readers say they are proud to be dinosaurs, too: .A vet in NewYork: "I find reading off a computer screen difficult and tiring. … Half of my journal reading is done spur of the moment." A vet in Pennsylvania: "Most of my reading is done late at night or during short, slow spells at the office." A vet in New Jersey: "It is so …
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Homotoxicology–Homeopathy With A ‘Twist’March 31, 2010 Since controlling animal pain and suffering is a cornerstone to practicing good medicine, questions naturally arise about which interventions will offer optimal analgesia with the fewest side effects. Physical medicine treatments such as acupuncture and massage offer clear benefits for musculoskeletal pain. Biochemical alternatives based on herbs and supplements are gaining recognition because of their safety, effectiveness and overall tolerability. A third approach, homeopathy, maintains a loyal following. In terms of homeopathy’s cousin, homotoxicology, one product can boast a growing evidential foothold. This star player carries the trade name Traumeel. Traumeel, developed by Heel Inc. in Germany about 80 years ago, ranks among the most popular alternative medicines in Germany, bought by millions.1 It comes in tablet, ointment, gel and oral solution formulations. Each contains low levels of twelve botanical substances (such as marigold, witch hazel, chamomile, comfrey, echinacea and St. John’s wort) and even lower amounts of two minerals (Hahnemann’s soluble mercury and calcium sulfide). Each preparation has reportedly been studied in at least one randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, although independent replications lack extensive research.2 The box plainly displays the terms “anti-inflammatory” and “analgesic” on the front panel. The package insert resembles …
American Association Of Equine Practitioners’ Foundation Sets Funding DeadlineMarch 30, 2010The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Foundation said it will accept funding applications until May 1. Applications are reviewed by the AAEP Foundation’s advisory committee and board in July. Consideration for funding is given to those requests that are dedicated to the mission and objectives of the foundation, with priority emphasis given to applications that have the most impact on the health and welfare of horses on a national and international level, or where emergency funding is needed. “For-profit” groups or individuals will not receive funds. The foundation said it takes requests for emergency or equine disaster relief support at any time. Application instructions, requirements and selection criteria are available on the foundation’s website. <HOME>
Bella Moss Foundation To Spread Word About MRSA Threat In U.S.March 30, 2010 The Bella Moss Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in the United Kingdom dedicated to helping veterinarians and pet owners with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), plans an April U.S. tour to spread the word about the growing threat of MRSA in pets, as well as ways that the veterinary industry can increase early detection and prevention. The foundation will present three sessions to raise awareness about MRSA - mainly that it is preventable and treatable if detected early. Presentations by Jill Moss, foundation president, and Mark Dosher, co-founder, are scheduled at the American Animal Medical Center, the University of South Florida and Cornell University. MRSA is an emerging problem with pets in North America, according to Dr. J. Scott Weese, adviser to the foundation. “Well over 1,000 infections occur each year, and it is likely that a large number of infections go undiagnosed. The strains of MRSA that cause infections in pets are the same as those that cause disease in people, demonstrating the close relationship between people and their pets, and the impact that people and pets can have on each others’ health,” Dr. Weese said. The foundation’s strategy is to raise awareness of MRSA among …
FDA Seeks Comments On Veterinary Feed Directive DrugsMarch 29, 2010 The Food and Drug Administration is seeking public comments on potential changes to its regulation of veterinary feed directive (VFD) drugs. The regulation, which went into effect in 2001, sets requirements for the distribution and use of VFD drugs and animal feeds containing such drugs. The FDA reaffirmed that certain new animal drugs should get approved for use in animal feed only if these medicated feeds are administered under a veterinarian’s supervision. While a few VFD animal drug products are approved, informal comments sent to the FDA characterized the VFD process as burdensome. In addition, concern was raised that the current process will face problems as the number of approved VFD animal drugs grows. When veterinary oversight of a medicated feed is deemed necessary, it is important that such supervision be facilitated through an efficient VFD process, the FDA said. The agency is conducting the review to determine whether changes are warranted to improve the program’s efficiency. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6872.pdf. <HOME>
Suicide Rate High Among VeterinariansMarch 26, 2010 Veterinarians are four times as likely as the general public, and twice as likely as other health care professionals, to die by suicide, according to a 10-page report in Britain's Veterinary Record. Possible reasons for the high rate include the characteristics of individuals entering the field, negative effects during undergraduate training, work-related stress, stigma associated with mental illness, professional and social isolation, and alcohol or drug misuse, according to the authors, David Bartram and D.S. Baldwin. Drug misuse was mostly tried to prescription drugs to which the profession has ready access, the authors said. Bill Reilly, president of the British Veterinary Association, which publishes the Veterinary Record, said professional groups like his can help as more is learned about the higher suicide rate among veterinarians. “As part of the Vetlife Steering Group, the BVA supports fantastic initiatives such as the 24-hour Vet Helpline for vets, vet nurses and veterinary students, and the Veterinary Benevolent Fund,” he said. The BVA’s Member Services Group looks at practical initiatives to improve the day-to day lives of veterinarians. The recent introduction of services to resolve issues between veterinary employees and employers is an example of how the BVA supports …
Vet Tech Specialty Wins OKMarch 24, 2010 The Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties has granted the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice provisional recognition as a veterinary technician specialty. The academy is the ninth officially recognized veterinary technician specialty and is modeled after the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Following the ABVP model, the academy has developed three initial species-specific categories: canine/feline, avian/exotic and production animal. The academy's credentialed veterinary technicians provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. Candidates are expected to demonstrate expertise in a range of clinical disciplines within their species specialty. Candidates eligible for admission to the academy's examinations are evaluated in areas such as anesthesia/analgesia, behavior, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, general medicine, general nursing, laboratory testing, pharmacology, practice management and surgical nursing. To learn more about VTS certification in clinical practice, contact academy chairwoman Liza Rudolph, LVT, CVT, at lwrlvt@aol.com. The Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties is a subcommittee of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America.
Scientist To Lead Product Development At PutneyMarch 23, 2010Scientist to Lead Product Development at PutneyScientist to Lead Product Development at PutneynewslinePosted: Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 4:54 p.m., EST Anthony Lucas, BVMS (Hons), Ph.D. Pet pharmaceutical company Putney Inc., of Portland, Maine, has named Anthony Lucas, BVMS (Hons), Ph.D., as director of product development. As the head of development efforts, Dr. Lucas will oversee the technical evaluation of product opportunities, formulation development with outside partners, Putney's clinical program, and work closely with Regulatory Affairs to ensure the quality of scientific submissions needed for approval from the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine. His previous experience includes a position as the Group Leader Companion Animal Acquisitions for Elanco, a division of Eli Lilly, where he developed the strategy to deliver growth through targeted product acquisitions. Dr. Lucas has also held positions as senior research scientist, practicing veterinarian, and is an officer of the American Association of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. The addition of Dr. Lucas marks a milestone in Putney's plans for growth, said Jean Hoffman, president and CEO. "With Dr. Lucas leading development efforts, Putney has increased our scientific capabilities to overcome the challenges of developing drugs for dogs and …
Mars Veterinary Conducts 2010 National Mutt CensusMarch 22, 2010 McLean, Va.-based Mars Veterinary, a global company specializing in pet care and canine genetic breed identification, is conducting an inaugural National Mutt Census. The goal is to provide insights into the background of the nation’s estimated 38 million mixed-breed dogs. The company hopes that a portrait of the makeup of the nation’s mixed-breed dogs will lead to a better understanding of the prevalence of genetic traits and conditions among this population, said Dr. Angela Hughes, veterinary genetics research manager at Mars Veterinary. “Understanding an individual dog’s breed makeup is like understanding its family history – this information can provide an owner with valuable insights that strengthen the pet-owner relationship,” she said. Mars Veterinary urges dog owners to participate by logging on to www.muttcensus.com where they can take a five-minute survey, which asks them questions about the dog’s size and weight, its feeding and exercise habits, whether it was adopted from a shelter – as well as questions about the dog’s health. The findings will offer the most comprehensive analysis of the nation’s mixed-breed dog population ever conducted, the company said. The results may also provide researchers a better understanding of the types …
ProHeart 6 Meeting Material AvailableMarch 19, 2010 The Food and Drug Administration has posted background information in advance of a meeting on the Risk Minimization Act Plan (RiskMAP) for Pfizer’s ProHeart 6. The Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee will meet March 24 to recommend modifications, if any, to the risk minimization and restricted distribution program for the injectable heartworm treatment. The panel will present FDA analysis of 18 months of data collected under the RiskMAP and will seek feedback from a panel of experts. A voluntary recall was issued for ProHeart 6 in September 2004 to address federal safety concerns. The background material is available here. The committee will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, at the Rockville Hilton in Rockville, Md. Oral presentations from the public are set for 1 to 2 p.m.
