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A new cooperative between students and faculty of Texas A&Ms College of Veterinary Medicine is educating the community on the connection between domestic violence and pet abuse.

Aggies Fostering Hope has three goals: foster animals who are victims of abuse in domestic violence situations, teach veterinary professionals about the link between domestic violence and pet abuse, and educate the general public through community outreach to raise overall awareness of this issue.

The organizations outreach chair Alyssa Felton, a third-year veterinary medicine student, said the organization teaches students about the scientific connection between pet abuse and domestic violence.

Eighty-five percent of women entering shelters reported their partner had threatened, injured or killed a family pet, Felton said. They stay in the situation because the one positive relationship they have is with that animal, and if they left that animal, they know something bad would happen to it.

The vet school fosters the animals while Aggies Fostering Hope works to connect the pets owners with them through social workers and Phoebes Home, a shelter for female victims of domestic violence based in Bryan-College Station. Women can visit their pets in a secure environment at the vet school, and anonymity is kept to ensure the victims security. The animals medical assistance is taken care of by various donors.

The idea for Aggies Fostering Hope was formed last year between Hunter Greer, a fourth-year veterinary science student, and Dr. Karen Cornell, the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Melodie Raese and Jamie Foster, third-year veterinary science students, took Greer and Cornells idea further while taking a community outreach elective course offered by the college. Raese and Foster developed a plan to help those in domestic violence situations while also educating veterinary professionals.

Vets are the first who see potential situations where a dog keeps coming in with problems, or they have a client that jumps from vet to vet, Felton said. When veterinarians can identify and address pet abuse is possibly happening in a home, they can make available opportunities for clients because most of the time the victim is who is bringing the pet into the vet.

The organization created brochures to give to visiting veterinary professionals that include several Texas-based resources for those experiencing domestic violence. The idea is for vets to take these brochures back to their clinics to make these resources available to clients who may be exhibiting signs of pet abuse or domestic violence.

Felton said raising awareness and donations for this issue is something close to her heart because it offers victims the opportunity to start over.

I would never leave my dog behind somewhere, and I can just imagine how hard that can be on someone else, Felton said. Being able to help an animal and the person who loves them to start a better life, thats what a vet really means to me: helping the animal and their person.

The College of Veterinary Medicine is always accepting donations for the fostered animals. Aggies Fostering Hope encourages everyone to learn more about the link between pet abuse and domestic violence, and asks the campus community to spread awareness of this issue by liking their Facebook page.

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Finding the missing links | News - Texas A&M The Battalion

A cluster of horse racing deaths in 2019 has led to increased calls for safety-related reforms and standardization in the industry.

Conversations among racetrack organizations, horse owners, the public, and equine veterinarians across the U.S. led to the creation of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition as well as other efforts such as the Horse Integrity Act introduced in Congress.

The coalition comprises six racetrack organizations: The Breeders Cup, Churchill Downs, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Keeneland, the New York Racing Association, and The Stronach Group. The TSC, which launched Nov. 19, 2019, aims to make operational, medical, and organizational changes to the racing industry.

As doctors of veterinary medicine, the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) commends the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition for its wide-ranging initiatives to ensure the safety of the sports equine and human athletes, said 2019 AAEP President Dr. Jeff Berk in a statement. Everyone in the horse racing industry shares responsibility for safety, from veterinarians and trainers to breeders, owners, racetracks and state regulators. The focused and collaborative effort of the coalition promises meaningful safety reforms in the years ahead.

The AVMA endorses the AAEP policy on therapeutic medications in racehorses, which includes a recommendation that all racing jurisdictions adopt the uniform medication guidelines set forth by the Racing and Medication Testing Consortium Inc. The AVMA and AAEP work closely on horse racing and other issues. Read the full policy.

The coalition has proposed some of the following reforms:

Dr. William Farmer, equine medical director of Churchill Downs, said the creation of the coalition is a big milestone.

Track management and track owners are coming together to help push this through, which is something very different, he said. Traditionally, it has been regulators trying to push medication reform, not the tracks themselves.

Dr. Farmer, who is also a racetrack veterinarian, worked with the coalition on its medical reforms while he was under contract with the Breeders Cup.

Dr. Stuart E. Brown II, a partner at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, said there has always been an emphasis on the need to control the atmosphere on the racetrack for the safety of horses and riders.

A lot of effort goes into making sure, especially from an integrity standpoint, that we make the sport as safe as possible, he said. We never want to take a horse death lightly.

According to data from the Equine Injury Registry, which is maintained by the Jockey Club, the number of fatalities per 1,000 starts has decreased in the last 10 years (see chart). But despite the overall decrease, the recent cluster of injuries has led to questions about safety.

The Equine Injury Registry isnt expected to release official numbers on fatalities per starts for 2019 until this spring. According to media reports, however, there were more than 400 racing-related deaths of horses across the U.S. in 2019.

Specifically, Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, saw 40 deaths, including one during the Breeders Cup Classic. The majority of the fatalities at Santa Anita, a track operated by The Stronach Group, have been attributed to the weather in California. The state received an abnormally large amount of rain in early 2019.

In December, Santa Anita installed a positron emission tomography scanner to support diagnosis of preexisting conditions in horses that could contribute to breakdowns. It is the first to be installed in a horse racing facility.An official report from the California Horse Racing Board about the deaths at Santa Anita had yet to be released at press time in late December.

Dr. Farmer said the industry is united in its goal to make the sport safer, more open, and more transparent.

We have made a lot of changes, we still have a lot to make, and we are actively making them, in all tenses of the wordpast, present, and future, he said.

Horse racing dates back as far as 1665 in the U.S. and Canada, said Dr. Kathleen Anderson, AAEP past president. Historically, horse racing was seen as a local or state event, but it evolved into a national and international sport as transportation improved. Technology, more recently, has also changed the way the public can interact with the sport.

In an age where the individual matters, horse racing injuries have found increased scrutiny from a populace that sees the sport through a different lens, Dr. Anderson said. To address this, the racing industry has sought to improve the oversight of the sport. The implemented policies vary from state to state and from track to track, thus the conundrum we face with how to achieve uniformity of regulation and safety within the budgets of a wide spectrum of racing venues and racing ownership.

An earlier effort for self-regulation within horse racing came in 2013 from the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, the industrys scientific advisory organization, and the Association of Racing Commissioners International, the association of state racing regulators, which develops model rules it encourages its members to adopt. The hope was for pari-mutuel regulators for the 38 U.S. horse racing commissions to adopt these uniform national reforms involving medication regulation and enforcement. Now known as the National Uniform Medication Progress, it introduced a controlled therapeutic medication list, the Multiple Medication Violations Penalty System, restrictions on the use and administration of furosemide, and the RMTC code of laboratory accreditation and minimum standards. Adoption by states hasnt been consistent. A map showing the states that have adopted the four facets of the NUMP can be found at the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association website.

Race-day administration of medications is a key topic in horse racing safety conversations. Furosemide is the only medication that can be given on race day and is used to treat exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Although furosemide is widely used in the U.S., most countries have prohibited its use on race day because of its role as a potential performance enhancer.

Meanwhile, others in and out of the horse racing industry have proposed their preferred changes to the sport.

The Horseracing Integrity Act (HR 1754) was introduced in the 116th Congress. The legislation would establish the Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority as an independent, private, nonprofit organization that would develop and administer a program for Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and Quarter Horse racing. The Federal Trade Commission would have oversight. Similar bills have been introduced in previous Congresses over the past decade, but none have passed.

The Jockey Club, the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity, and others have come out in support of this most recent iteration of the bill.

The Jockey Club believes that horses should race only when free from the effects of medication, and the Horseracing Integrity Act would achieve that goal, said Shannon Luce, the director of communications at The Jockey Club. We can significantly improve equine health and reduce fatalities, but to do so, we need one set of anti-doping and medication rules across the country, a system that the Horseracing Integrity Act will create.

Another recent effort is the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Strategic Plan to Reduce Equine Fatalities. It is the result of a collaboration among racing jurisdiction stakeholders in the mid-Atlantic region. They have produced a strategic plan with five defined goals that could serve as a template for other jurisdictions going forward. The goals include developing regional safety best practices, increasing awareness and understanding of conditions associated with injury, and developing improved methods to identify horses at increased risk of injury.

States have also started making their own reforms.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and racetracks in the state adopted new medication rules in December intended to reduce the use of pre-race medication. The plan would also eliminate race-day use of furosemide in 2-year-old horses. As of late December, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had not approved the proposal.

The California Horse Racing Board also approved a series of reforms to be presented to Gov. Gavin Newsom in December.

Dr. Gregory Ferraro, the new CHRB chairman, said in a board meeting in November that there will be changes under his leadership.The days of permissive medication are over, he said during the meeting. We will gradually eliminate medications and keep them away from racing and training.

Dr. Anderson said that the loss of any horse in competition is of great concern to the racing industry and equine veterinarians.

The visionary goal is zero catastrophic injuries, hence the reforms that move us closer to the goal. Both the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition and the Horseracing Integrity Act are tackling this from different camps but using the same bottom line: Uniformity is paramount. It is the key to national safety and the general welfare of the horses.

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Once more around the track | American Veterinary Medical Association - American Veterinary Medical Association

The Calving Corner is a popular attraction at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Dairy cows on the verge of giving birth rest in a spacious pen while an audience seated on surrounding bleachers eagerly awaits. On a Saturday earlier this month, Karen, a cow from Meadow Spring Farm in Lititz, had been showing signs of readiness for hours: changing position frequently, nesting" in the bedding straw, and breathing rapidly, with occasional pauses for contractions.

While cows in the Corner are expected to deliver unassisted, as they would on their farms, Mike Pesato, a board-certified food animal veterinarian from Penns School of Veterinary Medicines Field Service, was on hand as a volunteer in case any of the moms needed help.

As Karens labor failed to advance, Pesato stepped in.

I was preparing to end my shift but I talked with the farmers and said, before I go, why dont we just check her, assess the situation, says Pesato. What he found was a large calf on the brink of birth, but stuck upside down, with its nose butting up against Karens pelvic bone. With the help of farmers Tom and Andy Bollinger, Pesato guided and pulled bull calf Sherman out into the world.

Veterinary expertise like Pesatos is a crucial aspect of Pennsylvanias thriving agriculture industry, and Penn Vets presence at the 104th Farm Show, held Jan. 4-11 in Harrisburg, highlighted that fact in many dimensions of the festivities, which attract half a million people annually.

Penn Vet has been a participant at the Farm Show for nearly half a century, and dozens of members of the school community took part this year. Whether offering formal veterinary assistance like Pesato, providing engaging informal education at the Penn Vet booth, or advocating for the school with legislators and other leaders in agriculture, as Penn Vet Dean Andrew Hoffman and other faculty did on multiple occasions through the week-long celebration, their involvement highlighted the fact that the school is not just part of the showits a true partner in the $135 billion agricultural industry statewide.

The numbers make it plain: About three-quarters of Pennsylvania veterinarians are Penn Vet graduates, practicing in 66 of the states 67 counties. The New Bolton Centers Field Service team cares for 23,000 large animal patients in the counties surrounding the Kennett Square facility, while New Boltons hospital sees thousands more patients annually. New Bolton Center is home to one of the three labs that compose the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, or PADLS, which conduct disease surveillance and testing to rapidly detect potential threats. And research programs at both New Bolton and the main campus in Philadelphia work to enhance science that can make farms safer, more productive, and more sustainable, both environmentally and economically.

The show kicked off the morning of Jan. 4 with opening ceremonies, including remarks from Governor Tom Wolf, Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, and U.S. Rep. Glenn G.T. Thompson, interspersed with the occasional emphatic moo from a cow in the arena. Its essential that we support our farms for today, but also for the future that we want to have in Pennsylvania, said Wolf.

Afterward, Hoffman, joined by Associate Dean Gary Althouse and Office of Government and Community Affairss Michael Smith, connected with the governor, secretary, and legislators including Thompson and State Sen. Judy Schwank, to discuss mutual priorities. During a tour of the facilitywhich includes a 1930s-era main hall, three arenas, conference facilities and more, totaling more than a million square feet, punctuated by the aroma of maple syrup and potato donuts in the food hallsthey also found opportunities to talk with representatives from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Farm Bureau, PennAg Industries, as well as members of the public.

My job is to connect with people in agriculture, and share what were doing to support the industry, said Hoffman, whose clinical veterinary background includes work in equine respiratory medicine. Were educating people here about the profession and the necessity of veterinarians in sustainable agriculture.

Hoffmans ambitions for the school mirror what hes been hearing from industry and government leaders, farmers, clients, and members of the public: They want to know about accesshow are we going to make sure they can get the care their animals need, he says. But theyre also asking about infectious disease spread, zoonotic diseases that are being transmitted between domestic population and wildlife and vice versa or are even being brought in from different countries. Theres interest in every aspect of what we do.

With a growing number of dual-degree programs, and new ventures like the Pennsylvania Wildlife Futures Program, a partnership between the Vet School and the states Game Commission to address diseases that threaten wildlife as well as pets, livestock, and humans, Hoffman aims to train new veterinarians to meet the increasing demands placed on them, while anticipating and planning for new challanges that are coming down the pike.

Back at the Penn Vet booth in the Expo Hall, veterinary students lured in passersby with animal-themed hats and a yucky stuff table, which included a manatee skull, a horses hoof in a jar, and massive intestinal deposits that formed around a tiny stone ingested incidentally.

Second-year veterinary students Julia Weeder, Katie Newcamp, and Meagan Rodriguez were among two dozen students who volunteered part of their weekend to staff the booth.

Rodriguez, who worked an afternoon shift, said attending the Farm Show is a good learning experience, as coming from New York City she lacked the familiarity that some of her rural-dwelling peers had with livestock and farms. Newcamp enjoyed talking with the many children who approached the booth, including one little guy who was about 7 who was very clear that he wanted to be a vet when he grows up.

The students spoke to several older veterinarian-hopefuls as well, including Sophia Sigel, a middle schooler from Media, Pennsylvania, who was attending with her dad, Matt. A member of the Delaware Country 4H, Sigel breeds and shows sheep and has her eye on vet school.

On Monday, Jan. 6, at the Farm Show, members of the FFA, a leadership organization for young people interested in careers in agriculture, were invited to come by the Penn Vet booth to discuss opportunities in veterinary medicine. Roughly 75 came by, talking with representatives from the school, including several students interested in pursuing large animal medicine. The Pennsylvania FFA state officers, prestigious elected positions in the organization, joined Hoffman on Wednesday, Jan. 8, for a dynamic hour-long conversation covering everything from the academic requirements of a veterinary education, to issues in agribusiness, which veterinary students graduating from Penn Vet are increasing well-positioned to address.

Penn Vet offers an extraordinary training program for studentsparticularly those looking to pursue a career at the cross-section of agriculture and veterinary medicine, said Althouse, associate dean of sustainable agriculture and veterinary practices at the school. With 100 percent of our students being trained in large and food animal medicine, were preparing them to not only be exceptional clinicians in the field, but to also be visionary thinkers capable of providing solutions to some of the industrys most pressing challenges.

Fury and Ugo, two puppies in training for scent detection at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, were among the attractions at the Show on Wednesday, prompting many visitors to stop to engage in discussions of how such working dogs may one day be deployed to detect odors such as chronic wasting disease, an insidious infection of deer, or spotted lanternfly, an emerging and highly destructive invasive insect in Pennsylvania.

Wednesday was also the Farm Shows Public Officials Day. More than a dozen legislators visited the Penn Vet booth that day, including House Speaker Mike Turzai and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa.

The theme that carried through each such interaction, whether with students or legislators, was that agriculture and world-class veterinary medicine must be inextricably linked. Speaking amid Saturdays crowds by the main entrance to the show, Joel Rotz, manager of government affairs and communications for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, had no trouble ticking off a number of reasons he and his organization deeply value Penn Vets expertise, noting in particular the schools efforts on food safety assurance and animal disease surveillance. Thats a real badge of honor, he says. Chris Herr, executive vice president of PennAg Industries echoed that point, saying, Pennsylvania is an animal agriculture state, and the work Penn Vet does is a real strength for us.

For Pesato, who enjoyed his third year volunteering in Calving Corner, bringing Sherman into the worldand sharing that with an audience of more than 100 peoplewas an honor in and of itself. For the public to get the chance to see the camaraderie between farmer and veterinarian, the communication there, he says, I think people really came away informed and pleased.

Homepage photo: Crowds gathered to watch cows give birth at Calving Corner, one of many popular attractions in the one million square foot facility in Harrisburg.

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Safeguarding farms and food - Penn: Office of University Communications

Dear Tabby,

We are planning to do some camping this winter with our dog. What should we consider before taking the dog camping with us?Craving a Campfire in The Heights

While camping with your furry friends can be fun, its not without some risk and better enjoyed if youve prepared well. Our friends at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine have some advice on making the most out of camping with your canine.

Make sure campground allows pets

First of all, make sure that you choose a campground that will work for you and your dog.

Many campgrounds allow pets, with certain rules and regulations, said Dr. Mark Stickney, clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

Often, the rules regarding pets can be seen posted on their website or answered over the phone.

Most rules will include things such as having your pet on a leash, making sure they are supervised at all times and requiring proof of vaccinations, Stickney said. Even if they dont require health records or vaccination certificates, its a good idea to bring them along just in case.

Pack essentials for your pup

Just as you need to pack food and other essentials for yourself, dont forget to pack necessities for your pets as well. Some items youll need to bring are plenty of food, a pet first-aid kit, a harness and a leash. Even if the campsite has natural water resources, such as streams or lakes, you must still bring plenty of water for your pet to drink throughout your stay.

Your pets will want to drink out of any pond and lake in sight, but there are many different diseases they can catch by doing that, Stickney said. So you dont want that to be their primary source of water.

Keep your pet close to camp and on leash

Coming into contact with wild animals is a definite risk when you are out in a national forest or grassland. Although most of the wildlife you run into want to keep away from you as well, you should have a way of containing your pet just in case.

If your pet does get into a tussle with a wild animal, you do not want to get into the middle of it, Stickney said. There is a very good chance you will be bitten or harmed.

Your best method of action is calling off your pet or to try scaring away the wild animal.

In order to prevent such situations in the first place, it is a good idea to keep your pets close to you throughout your camping expedition and to have a leash or harness available at all times.

Before setting off on your camping adventure, make sure your pets are up-to-date on all of their vaccinations, especially rabies. Depending on the campsites location, you may consult with your veterinarian about any other vaccinations that your pet may need as well as discuss appropriate flea and tick control.

Do you have a question for Tabby? If so, email her at deartabbyquestions@gmail.com.

Meet Carli. Much like Mary Poppins, this 2-year-old terrier/Black Mouth Cur mix is practically perfect in every way! Carli is about 43 pounds and gets along well with humans and other dogs. She knows commands, is crate trained, social and loves to cuddle. Seriously, though, Carli is the best girl! If youre looking to add a dog to your family, Carli would fit seamlessly into your home. To learn more, go to http://www.k-9angelsrescue.org.

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Resolving to camp more in 2020? Should you take your dog along? - The Leader

Jan. 15, 2020

Christmas Eve 2019 brought a special gift to the world when a rare baby black rhino was born at 5:40 a.m. at Lansing's Potter Park Zoo.

Doppsee, the calfs mother, had been closely monitored during her 15-monthlong pregnancy by a dedicated team of animal scientists that included MSU veterinarians and students.

The baby calf a boy named Jaali, pronounced Jolly stood within the first few hours of being born and has since stayed close beside Mom in the protected pen at the zoo.

Caregivers report that Doppsee, unlike most of her breed, has a docile and gentle disposition that allows zookeepers to work closely with her, providing opportunities for MSUs veterinary medical students to observe physical exams, blood draws and ultrasound skills.

Collaborating with Potter Park Zoo is a wonderful educational experience, not only for our veterinarians, but also for our veterinary medical students, says Julie Strachota, clinical instructor for MSUs Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and resident for the Large Animal Theriogenology Service. I never would have expected that I would be doing transrectal and transabdominal ultrasounds on a black rhino.

The veterinarians and zookeepers monitored Doppsee and her fetus weekly, providing opportunities for MSUs veterinary medical students to observe physical exams, blood draws and ultrasound skills. Most importantly, they ensured that she and her baby calf were kept safe, happy and healthy.

Being able to get this hands-on experience is invaluable to me, as Doppsee is a species I am not able to work with often, so this experience continues to help me learn more about what it means to be a veterinarian, says Bridget Walker, a third-year veterinary medical student.

Ronan Eustace, adjunct professor at MSUs School of Veterinary Medicine and director of animal health at Potter Park Zoo, mentored veterinary students during summer sessions and oversaw the regular visits.

Dr. Eustace always welcomes us to bring as many students as we can to work with the animals at Potter Park Zoo, says Strachota. During one of our ultrasound examinations, one of the senior students commented that it was the best day of veterinary school. What the zoo is doing for our veterinary curriculum is invaluable.

While important to the pregnancy, the ultrasounds and blood tests on Doppsee provided more than imaging of her baby. Black rhinoceroses are critically endangered with only 5,000 remaining in the wild and 60 in protected environments.

Doppsee carries valuable genetics in the captive population of eastern black rhinos. The more these genetics spread, the greater chance there is of preserving the global population of black rhinos.

With the help of Monica Stoops, lead scientist of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, zookeepers and veterinary staff were able to develop an understanding of Doppsees hormone levels, estrus cycle and behavior. Doppsee, and the valuable data gathered about her cycle and pregnancy, contributed to several research studies. These studies will provide valuable information on black rhino reproduction information that cannot be obtained from wildlife populations.

If we can maximize reproductive success in these captive populations, then they may become sustainable and thats the goal, says Eustace.

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Rare baby rhino born after MSU vets assist with pregnancy - MSUToday

I didnt stay awake until midnight to watch the ball drop in Times Square. Nonetheless, I was still in my jammies when clients called late morning New Years Day. One good thing about being in practice so long on our little Island is that I know my clients pretty well. I know their names, their kids names, their pets names and histories, so when the owner told me Sandy wasnt feeling well I immediately knew several pertinent facts. Sandy was a middle-aged large breed female dog and she was not spayed.

It started around Christmas, her owner said. She was drinking more than usual, and was incontinent once or twice. I understood why they hadnt been too concerned initially. Once before Sandy had experienced increased drinking and urine leaking that had turned out to be a minor urinary tract infection, nothing worrisome. But last night her appetite was off, he continued, and this morning she vomited.

Often with such symptoms, I might be comfortable giving telephone advice, making an appointment for the following day, and staying happily lounging in my jammies. But I knew those pertinent facts. Sandy was an unspayed, middle-aged, large breed, female dog. Better come right down, I said.

Pyometra. A potentially life-threatening bacterial infection in which the uterus fills with pus and can actually rupture if treatment is delayed. The signs can be notoriously subtle for such a serious condition, initially consisting of nothing more than increased drinking and urination, but then progress to depression, loss of appetite, fever, abdominal distention, and vomiting. It occurs most frequently in dogs greater than seven years old with one study reporting almost one-fourth of all intact bitches may develop pyometra by the age of ten. Predisposed breeds include Bernese mountain dog, rottweiler, rough-coated collie, golden retriever, Leonberger, and Airedale terrier. A few smaller breeds also seem prone, including Cavalier King Charles, miniature Schnauzers, and Irish terriers, but any intact female dog is at risk.

The exact reason these severe uterine infections occur is incompletely understood. There are likely multiple factors involved. Most cases present within eight to 12 weeks after the dog has been in heat. Heres why. When Sandys body gets ready for breeding, her cervix relaxes. This lets semen pass into her reproductive tract. It also can let bacteria in. Her body then suppresses white blood cell activity so as not to attack any incoming sperm, but this also reduces her resistance to infection. Finally, during this time, elevated progesterone levels lessen uterine contractions so as not to expel developing fetuses, but this also lessens her ability to expel other material. These changes are all designed to facilitate pregnancy, but when pregnancy does not occur, also create circumstances in which bacteria can invade the uterus and flourish. Eventually Sandys immune system recognizes that there is a problem and kicks in, sending legions of white blood cells (a.k.a. leukocytes) to try to fight off the infection. The uterus then fills with purulent material. In other words, pus.

So shouldnt we see discharge from Sandys nether regions? Not always. In an open cervix pyometra, pus may indeed drain out, creating visible external discharge. These dogs are often not as sick as dogs with closed cervix pyometra. In closed cervix pyometra, after the heat is over, the cervix closes down tightly, shutting off any exit route for the purulent material, which then just collects inside the uterus. Dogs have a bicornuate uterus, meaning there are two long horns, each of which may become distended with copious amounts of pus.

When Sandy walked in the door, I immediately saw her belly was distended. Many diseases can cause a swollen tummy in a dog her size and age. I checked her gums. Nice and pink. Probably not a bleeding tumor of the spleen. I gingerly palpated her abdomen. She was not tense or distended in the manner typical of bloat. Pushing very gently, I could feel a mass consistent with an enlarged uterus. I dared not squeeze too hard for fear of rupturing it. The treatment of choice in most cases of pyometra is immediate ovariohysterectomy, i.e. get her spayed. There are medical techniques one can use to try to relax the cervix and contract the uterus to expel all that junk, thus saving reproductive potential, but there was no valid reason to consider this for Sandy. There were no plans to breed her, and there is a high risk of recurrence in cases treated medically.

I explained a definitive diagnosis would require radiographs and blood tests, but that would take time. The longer we waited to get her to a surgeon, and the more we manipulated her, the greater the risk of that pus-filled uterus rupturing, which is likely fatal. Many years ago when the standard of care in veterinary medicine was different, I did pyometra surgery on a golden retriever, removing a uterus with each horn swollen as big as my forearm. It is a tense event, trying to remove such an organ without disaster, and a long list of possible complications that can occur before, during, and after surgery, including peritonitis, uterine rupture, aspiration pneumonia, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and kidney failure, to name a few. Nowadays it is really the best medicine to refer these cases to board-certified surgeons with 24-hour care facilities and all the state-of-the-art bells and whistles. I suggested Sandys owners head immediately to Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists.

It felt odd, transferring Sandy so quickly without hard evidence such as x-rays confirming my diagnosis. I spent the day hoping I hadnt sent them on a wild goose chase. But it walked like a duck and it quacked like a duck. Later that evening, the fax arrived confirming that, yup, it was a duck. She survived surgery to remove her infected uterus, and after a few days hospitalization, came home. A tough way for Sandy and her family to start the New Year, but a happy outcome.

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Visiting Vet: A rough start to the new year - Martha's Vineyard Times

Dr. Jan Pol can definitively say that the reality show based on the ins and outs of his veterinary service has been an overwhelming success. In fact, his animal clinic, Pol Veterinary Services, is his communitys dependable place to take any creature for any medical needs, seeing over 20,000 clients in his 40-plus-year career.

But, as the saying goes, behind every good man is a great woman. In this case, an incredible woman, Dr. Pols wife, Diane Pol.

Find out more about this extraordinary couples love story and how they met and came to build the little veterinary hospital that could.

Born in the Netherlands, Dr. Pol attended Utrecht University Veterinary College in the 1970s and studied hard to become an animal practitioner.

I was the youngest of six children on a dairy farm in the Netherlands during World War II. When I was 12 years old, the local veterinarian had me come along to my brothers farm to help with some small sows that were farrowing.

That was the beginning of my interest in veterinary practice and I subsequently worked toward pursuing a veterinary medicine degree.

In 1954, my youngest sister moved to Ontario, Canada, and I became an exchange student in Michigan during 1961 to 1962, which allowed my parents to visit my sister in Canada. When I began studies . . . , we were told that it would be impossible to practice in that country. As it turned out, of a dozen classmates, I am one of two that actually went into veterinary practice.

Diane is a 100% partner at the animal clinic and although she does not help to treat the animals, it is her administrative know-how and organization that keeps the busy clinic moving smoothly.

My first experience after graduating was working for a veterinarian in Harbor Beach, Michigan, Dr. Pol told Todays Veterinary Practice in 2012. However, my wife, Diane, and I were eager to start our own practice here in Weidman, Michigan. When the practice opened in 1981, 80% of our practice was dairy, with the remaining 20% equine and small animals.

We worked out of a room built in the corner of the garage until the practice outgrew that small space. Diane and I managed to buy more property next door and build a clinica double-wide trailer, which was all we could afford with interest rates close to 20%.

Before marrying his wife Diane, Dr. Pol considered moving to New Zealand to open up a veterinary practice. But his plans changed after meeting his life partner.

Diane and Jan Pol met when he was a foreign exchange student at MayvilleHigh School in 1961 during her senior year. They kept up a correspondence after he returned to the Netherlands. After a while, Dr. Pol asked Diane to come and meet his parents. At that point, they knew their relationship was beyond pen pals and that they wanted to marry.

Eventually, the couple married in 1967, continued living in the Netherlands for a few years more, and finally moved back to Michigan.

Diane earned a Special Reading masters degree wand was a reading teacher until 1981 when she left teaching to help Dr. Pol run his business and care for their children.

She really is an incredible partner!

Read more: The Incredible Dr. Pol: The Real Reason Dr. Emily Left

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'The Incredible Dr. Pol': The Romantic Way the Vet and His Wife Met and Fell In Love - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Osteoarthritis affects 240 million people worldwide and is one of the most common causes of disability in both humans and animals.

Currently, no therapeutics exist to prevent this disease, but recent multidisciplinary research at Cornell reveals that the application of a proprietary peptide known as SS-31 may protect cartilage from the injury that leads to arthritis.

Dr. Michelle Delco 98, D.V.M. 02, Ph.D. 16, is senior author of Mitoprotective Therapy Prevents Rapid, StrainDependent Mitochondrial Dysfunction After Articular Cartilage Injury, which published Dec. 16 in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research.

Delco is a board-certified large-animal surgeon and assistant research professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Her time spent in clinical practice treating equine athletes for sports injuries motivated her to search for ways to treat and prevent osteoarthritis.

Just like human athletes, horses are particularly prone to injury-related arthritis, Delco said. In human athletes, the disease is often career-ending. In our patients, it can be life-threatening.

While the prevalence of osteoarthritis continues to rise, current drugs target only the symptoms, not the underlying disease itself. Forget preventing osteoarthritis, she said, right now we dont have a single drug that even slows down progression of the disease.

In younger individuals and athletes, arthritis typically develops following joint trauma. But how injury to the cartilage surface is translated into an ongoing degenerative process has been unclear. Delco believes mitochondria, the battery pack of the cell, are key mediators of this injury-to-disease cascade, but there was no direct evidence for that role.

Now, Delco and colleagues in biomedical engineering and physics have found that mitochondria are a linchpin in the bodys response to injury. Theyve also found a drug that can interrupt the injury response.

That drug, SS-31, was developed by Dr. Hazel Szeto, Ph.D. 77, former professor of pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medicine and a co-author of the paper. SS-31 is known to protect and heal mitochondria in other parts of the body.

Delco and her CVM colleagues were the first to explore its effects in cartilage, and revealed in an earlier study that SS-31 helped protect injured chondrocytes days after an injury. Delco wanted to further understand how mitochondria respond to injury, and how SS-31 might protect cells.

Since osteoarthritis is caused by both biological and mechanical factors, she said, we need to evaluate them simultaneously to understand what is happening during injury.

To do this, the team developed a novel experimental setup, one that allowed them to observe and compare huge numbers of cartilage cells and their mitochondria during and immediately after injury.

Typically, to study mitochondria, researchers crush up the tissue and isolate the cells or individual mitochondria, Delco said. But to study the effects of tissue injury, we needed to monitor mitochondrial function in cells within the dense cartilage matrix during a rapid impact. We also had to track the fate of thousands of individual cells over time.

To do this, Delco used a custom-made, spring-loaded piston that was developed with Lawrence Bonassar, the Daljit S. and Elaine Sarkaria Professor in Biomedical Engineering, and Itai Cohen, professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences. The device delivers a single, high-speed impact to cartilage samples. To visualize the physiological effect of injury on cells and their mitochondria, the team used special dyes that indicate if mitochondria are healthy or dysfunctional, and if cells are alive or dead.

Next, the team needed to observe the real-time effects of injury on cartilage which presented an experimental challenge. We needed to collect data at rates of roughly 1,000 points per second and with micron-scale spatial resolution, Delco said.

Delco and her collaborators captured and analyzed these myriad digital images and videos during impact with the help of Lena Bartell, Ph.D. 18, a former member of Cohens lab and first author on the paper.

Lenas expertise in image analysis, statistical modeling and machine learning was instrumental in this study, Delco said. Thats the power of our collaboration every contributor to this study brought a completely different skill set and perspective. Together, we got new insights into these very early events that initiate disease.

Cohen agreed.

Thats the whole point of radical collaboration, he said. It takes the expertise that ranges across the campus and brings it together to do something that neither group could do on their own.

Using their newly developed injury-imaging system, the experiment yielded insights into the fate of individual cells during impact.

We discovered that in control samples, mitochondrial dysfunction is immediate after injury, Delco said. The organelles are responding to the mechanical forces of the impact. They become depolarized like a discharged battery, they can no longer drive energy production. They also become swollen and lose their tightly folded inner membrane structure.

In contrast, the mitochondria in SS-31-treated cartilage maintained their normal, healthy form; dramatically fewer cells died compared with the control samples. Treated samples looked very similar to those that hadnt been injured at all, Delco said.

While SS-31s mechanism of action is not completely known, scientists do know that the peptide enables mitochondria to maintain membrane structure and function during various types of cellular injury referred to as mitoprotection.

Our finding that SS-31 has this protective effect after mechanical injury is exciting, says Delco. It suggests mitoprotection may be a new strategy for preventing arthritis after joint trauma.

Dr. Lisa Fortier, Ph.D. 98, the James Law Professor of Large Animal Surgery, also contributed to this work, which was supported by the NIH, by Weill Cornell Medical College Clinical and Translational Science Center Award Seed Grant, and the Harry M. Zweig Fund for Equine Research.

Lauren Cahoon Roberts is assistant director of communications at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

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Collaboration reveals potential new therapy for osteoarthritis - Cornell Chronicle

Why are Irish Setters so red? Geneticists at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine now have an answer for why some dogs have more intense coat colors than others.

While their wolf ancestors are muted in color, domestic dogs have been bred into a variety of hues from white and golden through brown to black. Similarly to other mammals, canine coat color comes from two pigments: yellow (pheomelanin) and black (eumelanin). These pigments are controlled through pigment-switching genes MC1R (melanocortin 1 receptor) and agouti signaling protein (ASIP). For example, solid yellow or red dogs have a mutation in MC1R so they only make pheomelanin.

Much is known about canine coat colors but one thing that was unclear is why dogs with the same variants in the MC1R gene have different shades of red, said Danika Bannasch, professor in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and senior author.

Graduate student Kalie Weich, Bannasch and colleagues carried out a genome-wide association study with samples from Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. Tollers as a breed vary in color from bright golden red to a dark coppery color.

Copy number variant influences color gene

The researchers found a region of DNA on the dog chromosome 15 that can have multiple copies related to coat color. This copy number variant doesnt encode a gene itself, but it does influence the gene KITLG, which is related to hair color (a single change near the KITLG region in humans is associated with blonde hair).

When they looked across a range of breeds, dogs with a higher number of copies of this region had more intense coat colors.

The interesting thing is that variation in the domestic dog is to darker pigment, Bannasch said. Wolves have just a single copy on each chromosome 15.

Copy number appears to affect color intensity through the distribution of pigment along the hair. Animals with a low copy number have hair that is light at the root and darkens towards the tip, while animals with a high number of copies have pigment evenly distributed all the way along the hair.

There is still more to learn about dog coat color. For example, copy number does not seem to correlate with coat color in Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, so there must be other genetic elements involved.

Reference

Weich et al. (2020) Pigment Intensity in Dogs is Associated with a Copy Number Variant Upstream of KITLG. Genes. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11010075

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Why Some Dogs Have More Intense Coats Than Others - Technology Networks

The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a huge threat to both human and animal health, hence the establishment of antibiotic stewardship campaigns to encourage responsible and limited use of antibiotics in order to maintain their effectiveness in treating critical infections.

It is therefore unsurprising that with the drastic rise in treatment-resistant superbugs hitting headlines, worrying consumers, and mounting pressure on health services globally, the volume of antibiotics used in food and farming sectors has come under scrutiny.

Though the primary cause of AMR in human infections is a result of medical use of antibiotics, research indicates that farming is playing a significant role in the propagation of resistant pathogens that will enter the food chain.

It is estimated that around 73 percent of all antibiotics are used in farm animals, with a significant proportion being used routinely and for prevention rather than treatment. Overuse of antimicrobials in farming, sometimes blanket application of an entire herd, is believed to be one of the primary causes of resistance to some of the most critical antibiotics, antifungals and antiparasitics.

It is apparent that antibiotics used on farms also have the capacity to spill over into the environment, through run off of slurry and medicated water into crop systems and drinking water. This can lead to a build-up of antibiotic residues and resistant pathogens in nature.

Routine application of antibiotics in feed and water to prevent disease and enhance growth is a major contributor to AMR. These practices also allow animal welfare and on-farm hygiene to fall well below acceptable standards.

The use of antimicrobials for growth promotion in pig and poultry production is banned in the UK and eliminating routine and unnecessary use of antibiotics in UK food and farming is being addressed through the 20-year vision and 5-year national action plan on AMR.

Recent figures published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) indicate that in just four years (2014-2018) it has been possible to achieve a 68 percent reduction in sales of the highest priority critically important antibiotics for food producing species.

Through voluntary changes in practice, producers have managed to achieve enormous reductions in antibiotic use but it has been speculated that this could only increase dependence on other medications if on-farm practices to improve welfare and biosecurity are not continuously improved.

When it comes to making major changes on farm, collaboration is key. Discussing your on-farm practice with fellow producers and sharing your experiences can highlight areas for development and provide inspiration for achieving production goals. Equally, this provides an opportunity to benchmark your business on key measures, such as antibiotic use.

Speaking at the 2020 Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC), Kate Still, Soil Association, emphasised the importance of peer-to-peer learning when it comes to developing more effective disease detection and treatment.

Unlike in arable farming, developing and trialling on-farm solutions in commercial livestock herds can be almost impossible primarily due to costs, Still explained.

We wanted to develop a programme to match farmers and researchers together, which provides funding, coordination, strong science and practical solutions for the farmer long-term. This is where Innovative Farmers comes in.

With the target of reducing antibiotic use to treat mastitis in dairy herds, one Innovative Farmers group tested a new on-farm test which rapidly identifies and differentiates the presence of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in mastitis infections. Gram-negative bacteria are known to cause mild cases of mastitis which have a much higher spontaneous cure rate, so antibiotics used to treat these cases are less effective. Farmers, vets and researchers in the group trialled this test on farm to determine when antibiotics were required to treat cases. The results from the trial indicated that on-farm antibiotic use for treating mastitis was cut significantly.

Having the vets on farm has enabled the farmers to confidently interpret the results of the test so that they feel happy to make the right choices for their cows, Still said.

The farmers are seeing economic results because fewer antibiotics are being used and less milk has to be siphoned off with antibiotic contamination.

And its been a great opportunity for farmers to compare what theyre doing on farm and how changes have helped or hindered production.

Claire Howlett, an organic dairy farmer from Herefordshire, achieved organic certification for the Wicton Farm herd in 1998. In 2015, Claire made the move to zero use of antibiotics on farm, and the rest is history.

Achieving zero antibiotics status is no mean feat but Claire says it has been a simple formula of consistent attention to basic detail and a proactive, not reactive, approach that has allowed her herd to go from strength to strength.

We started from scratch with new units built in 2012 and weve been trialling new methods for higher welfare and better biosecurity since then.

Weve developed our on-farm practices to give every animal the best chance by treating them as individuals and continuously testing our methods to make sure were doing things the most effective and efficient way, Claire added.

Understanding each individual on-farm and having this information to hand is paramount for maintaining good health and reducing costs. Equally as important is training all staff to perform routine clinical tests, such as ketone analysis, so that most procedures can be done in house, without waiting for a vet or nutritionist or other specialist to come to the farm. This allows a much faster response to any emerging issues that, if left for longer, could be costlier to sort out.

Weve developed our on-farm practices to give every animal the best chance by treating them as individuals and continuously testing our methods to make sure were doing things the most effective and efficient way

Not using antibiotics when necessary can seriously impact an animals well-being and can also result in increased antibiotic usage due to recurrence and spread of infection. It is therefore essential to take a moment to properly assess the clinical scenario you are presented with. Imagine you find a sick animal on farm. Do you:

Ed Bailey, clinical director at The George Farm Vets, says that to reduce antibiotic use and provide that animal with the right treatment as fast as possible, taking a moment to properly assess each case is crucial.

This applies to whole herd health too. Ed says that trying to lower antibiotic use on farm can be an overwhelming prospect and its difficult to know where to begin, but he advocates starting with a whole-herd health review with a veterinary advisor.

This review should include an antibiotic use audit of which antibiotics youve used to treat what disease, what class of antibiotics they are and through which routes they have been administered (oral, injectable, intra-mammary, foot bath etc). AHDB and The University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science Herd Health Group have teamed up to provide an antibiotic calculator which could be valuable to your audit.

Analysing how you use antibiotics will help you to identify scenarios where use is higher or unnecessary and from there you can develop manageable solutions to reduce application of antibiotics in that particular area of production.

Ed uses the leaky bucket analogy to describe his approach to antibiotic use: its easier to turn off the tap than try to patch up each of the holes in the bucket to stop the leak.

If you can establish on your farm what the primary causes of disease, mortality and antibiotic use are, you can systematically address those causes to maximise natural immunity and minimise stress then you wont be spending all of your time patching up the holes with antibiotics, he concludes.

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Real farming solutions to reducing antibiotic use 15 Jan 2020 Decreasing antibiotic use on farm is - The Pig Site

Dr. Schwartz found that full range of motion was established within two weeks of CCL surgery using Rebound PRP by Enso Discoveries

MANHATTAN, Kan. (PRWEB) January 17, 2020

Enso Discoveries, LLC is proud to recognize Tom Schwartz, DVM, owner of Harvester Animal Clinic in St. Peters, Missouri for his recent and remarkable results when utilizing the new Enso Discoveries Rebound PRP kit (patent-pending) in 10 canine cranial cruciate surgeries. Observed benefits of adding Rebound PRP include decreased pain, reduced pain medications, improved range of motion and faster return to activity.

Any pets injury can be scary for an owner, especially when your pet is facing surgery, said Trey Pittman, VP of Sales for Enso Discoveries, Veterinarians can now offer a low-cost procedure adjunct to surgery that can improve the overall outcome of your pets recovery.

Dr. Schwartz, formerly Hospital Director of the Veterinary Health Center Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, was able to achieve these astounding outcomes recently with nine canine patients (10 knees total) suffering from cranial cruciate injuries and facing surgery. All 10 procedures had similar positive results, suggesting Rebound PRP is a must-have added assurance to this type of surgery.

Results included but were not limited to:1. All 10 incisions healing without incident. No infection occurred in any patient.2. Virtually full-range of motion was established within two weeks of surgery.3. Nearly all patients were bearing some weight on the limb at the first recheck which occurred most commonly one week postoperatively. Several patients were using the limb regularly at their first recheck.4. No clients requested additional pain medications due to uncontrolled pain.5. No clients reported an inability to perform physical therapy because of pain.

"Patients had returned to full function much faster than was my experience with the same procedure prior to using Enso Discoveries Rebound PRP, exclaimed Dr. Schwartz. Pain appeared to be well controlled allowing owners to perform physical therapy on patients with minimal issues. Pets were able to return to slow walks just two weeks after the procedure, with several patients beginning to run on their own within 30 days of the procedure and requiring a leash for restraint. By simply closing the surgery with Rebound PRP, my patients experienced significantly less postoperative pain.

Rebound PRP is a medical device that utilizes the patient's own blood to make a growth-factor-rich, therapeutic injection. Rebound PRP can be used for acute and chronic conditions, as an adjunct to surgery, or as a stand-alone procedure. Because Rebound PRP is derived from the patients own healing cells, there is no risk of rejection and very often patients do not require retreatment.

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Enso Discoveries, LLC is a biotech company focused on enhancing the lives of animals through the development of relevant, cost-effective, novel technology that allows our valued customer, the veterinarian, to keep their hard-earned business in house. We support our products and services with scientific proof, national distribution partners, and a worldwide network of industry experienced contacts. Ask your veterinarian or veterinary products distributor about Enso Discoveries products such as Rebound PRP and Rebound PRF, or learn more at http://www.ensodiscoveries.com.

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Enso Discoveries, LLC Sponsors Study with Tom Schwartz, DVM of St. Peters, Missouri, Cracking the Code on Canine Pain Management and Surgical Recovery...

Recently, Pets Wellness Direct, which is an online company dedicated to developing pets wellness products, has worked with American Veterinary Medical Association and revealed that cancer is the number one cause of death in household pets at the moment.

Statistically, cancer is one of the top causes of death in humans around the globe. There is a lot of medical literature and ongoing research on the development, treatment, and control of the disease.

However, when it comes to cancer in animals, research and knowledge are limited. While it has been established that the formation of cancerous tumors in humans can be due to many different factors including lifestyle, exposure to chemicals, and genetics, researchers are not sure about the importance of these factors in pets.

Till now, a number of studies in veterinary oncology have identified a number of contributors in the development of cancer in pets, which includes hormonal changes, pathogens such as viruses, and exposure to carcinogens from a canned dog or cat food along with from pollution.

The CEO of Paws & Claws Animal Hospital in Plano and a renowned Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Shawn Messonnier, states that cancer is as common in pets as it is in humans specifically in dogs. He adds that nearly thirty percent of the cats and fifty percent of the dogs are diagnosed with any different type of cancer after crossing the age of ten.

RELATED:Social CBD Now Offers Drops For Pets

The American Veterinary Medical Association and Pet Wellness Direct suggest early treatment to effectively control and treat cancer in dogs and cats. This can only be done if the symptoms of cancer are diagnosed on time.

The signs of cancer in pets can vary in accordance with the stage and type of cancerous tumor but there are also some symptoms are common in all forms of the disease. For instance, the first and most well-known sign of cancerous formation is a lump on any part of the body.

If a cat or a dog develops a lump that does not go away after some time and instead increases in size or gets painful, it is better to get immediate medical attention. In addition, another popular symptom associated with most cancers is sudden weight loss along with changes in eating habits.

Usually, a pet with cancer tends to experience loss of appetite, which, in turn, causes weight loss. Secondly, the pet may even become extremely inactive and may not be as playful due to fatigue and weakness from not eating. It may also lead to the pet having difficulting in excreting and urinating.

Some cancers also cause pets to constantly vomit and have diarrhea. Most of the owners confuse this behavior of their pets with unsuitable pet food but it is typically because of tumors in the digestive tract.

The sooner a pet starts treatment, the higher are the chances of survival and successful treatment but according to the majority of the vets, it is better to prevent the disease altogether by providing nutritional food and additional supplements recommended by a vet as the pet grows older.

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Cancer Is Now the Leading Cause Of Death In Pets - TheHealthMania

The Ellwood City Area Public Library offers a variety of weekly activities. Information is available by calling the library at 724-758-6458.

Activities taking place this week include

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15

10:00 a.m. Coloring for Adults, a weekly program that is free and open to the public. It is designed to help reduce stresses of everyday life. All adults are welcome.

6:00 p.m. Program on a Career in Veterinary Medicine, a program with discussion on Veterinary Medicine with S.T.E.M. activities. Please call the library to register.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16

3:00 p.m. Just for Girls Book Group, they will be discussing the book 180 Seconds by Jessica Park

6:00 p.m. Adult Knitting Group, which meets weekly to work on individual projects. New members are welcome.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18

10:00 a.m. Reading Dogs, are returning to the library for their monthly visits. This program is designed for early elementary aged children as well as preschoolers. Youngsters get an opportunity to read to the licensed therapy dogs and practice their reading-aloud skills. No registration is required.

MEMORIALS

The following are memorial contributions received by the library during the month of December/January. Memorials are published on a weekly basis in this column and represent a portion of the contributions received.

In memory of Ruth Baker from Georgie Nagel

In memory of Samuel A. and Frances C. Kena (Costa) Battaglia from Georgie Nagel

In memory of Dr. Mary Ann DiBiagio-Suppa from Ellwood City Community Health Foundation

In memory of Frank J. Geniviva from Marci Minteer Jewett, Mindi Minteer Radaz, Vinnie Minteer

In memory of Raymond Sankey from Rhonda Norman

In memory of Virginia Jean Scott from The Paul Eonta Family

In memory of John C. Shepherd from Sharlene Veres

In memory of Shirley J. (Hazen) Teck from Dave and Chris Ringer

In memory of Jimmy M. Yargo from Georgie Nagel

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Library Activities For The Week Of January 13 Ellwood City, PA news - EllwoodCity.org

Though goats are often associated with an agricultural lifestyle, these animals are being kept as pets more and more frequently. The owner of a pet goat benefits from companionship, the potential for milk production, land management by grazing, and more.

Dr. Evelyn Mackay, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, discusses the ins and outs of goat ownership that every potential owner should know.

Goats are fun, social, and playful animals, Mackay said. They make great companions and are often very interactive and bonded to their owners.

This social nature means that potential owners should commit to getting multiple animals, so their goat has a companion.

Although goats can be companions for other animals, such as racehorses, they are happiest when with another member of their species. However, owners of multiple goats must ensure that their goats are treating each other kindly.

Goats have a social structure and sometimes dominant goats may bully and steal food from less dominant goats, Mackay said. This can cause problems in large groups if there are disagreements between goats. Generally, they work out their issues and exist harmoniously, but groups of goats should be similarly sized, and goats with horns should not be housed with goats without horns.

Potential owners living in suburban areas should consider adopting smaller breeds of goats, like Pygmy goats or Nigerian Dwarves, which can be kept in large yards.

Full-sized pet goats, such as dairy goats and Boer goats, need plenty of room for grazing and exercise; therefore, Mackay does not recommend those breeds for potential owners living in suburban environments. In addition, parasites can become an issue if goats are too crowded or housed in an area that is too small.

Ultimately, Mackay recommends consulting with a veterinarian to determine the best type of goat for your family and living situation.

Regardless of goat size and location, it is essential that their environment provides proper nutrition; an improper diet, including human food, treats, or excessive amounts of grain, can cause gastrointestinal issues and make goats very sick.

Pet goats should always have access to some type of forage, like hay or grass, Mackay said. Their diet can be supplemented with a little bit of concentrate (grain or pellets), but the foundation of a healthy diet should always be high-quality hay or grass. They should only be fed grain formulated for goats, since grain for other species, like cattle and horses, can cause toxicities. If they want to feed treats, consider small amounts of fruit or vegetables, but avoid kale and broccoli, which can also be toxic.

Like any animal, a goat requires annual vaccines and wellness exams with a veterinarian.

As outdoor pets, goats must also be protected from predators; Mackay says owners should ensure their pet goats are kept where they cannot be chased by dogs.

One final aspect potential owners should consider is that, as with any pet, a full-grown goat will be considerably larger than the baby they adopt.

Everyone thinks baby goats are very cute but people should be prepared for even the smallest breeds of goats to be a minimum of 60 pounds at maturity, Mackay said.

By The Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

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Pet Talk: Chew on this goats as pets - Marshall News Messenger

The health and well-being of pets should be part of resolution process for their owners.

The health and well-being of pets should be part of resolution process for their owners.

Photo: Texas A&M University

The health and well-being of pets should be part of resolution process for their owners.

The health and well-being of pets should be part of resolution process for their owners.

PET TALK: Resolutions for a paw-some New Year

The new year is an exciting milestone during which we often check in on our wellbeing and set goals for self-improvement. This year, consider using the holiday as an opportunity to evaluate and improve the health of your furry friend, as well, by including them in your new years resolutions.

Dr. Christine Rutter, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, offers some resolutions owners can set to improve their pets wellness in 2020.

Just as owners may reflect on their physical health every January, the start of the new year is a wonderful time to take stock of your pets health. For example, how are their activity levels and weight? If you are unsure, Rutter advises that owners ask their veterinarian those questions.

I think a resolution to spend more time with your pet is a great one. If your dog can tolerate walking, this is a great way to improve your own mental and physical health, as well as strengthen the bond between pet and owner, Rutter said. For cats, enrichment such as a laser pointer, feather wands, and crinkle toys can really get them moving and they are delightful to watch!

On a similar note, Rutter recommends that pet owners establish a dental care routine for their pet in the new year. A great way to begin this is to bring your pet in for an evaluation and cleaning. Because February is Pet Dental Health Month, Rutter advises that pet owners schedule an appointment early to take advantage of discounts that many veterinarians may offer on their dentistry services.

This can also be a time to check up on your pets check-ups.

Make sure your pet has an annual wellness visit scheduled for routine vaccinations. Knowing which immunizations will be expiring allows owners time to schedule appointments for them to be renewed. Owners should also consider updating their pets heartworm testing and medication, as well as parasite prevention plans with your veterinarian.

There are a lot of new parasite and heartworm prevention products out there, and its a great time to check and see what is right for your pet(s), Rutter said.

Owners may also want to take a second look at the snacks they feed their pets. Many dog treats and rawhides are high in calories, sodium, and fat. Dogs, especially smaller breeds, require far fewer calories than humans do and are easy to overfeed.

Because the little snacks owners feed their pets really add up, Rutter suggests owners consider healthier options.

Dogs typically love baby carrots, apples, green beans, cauliflower, and melon. Just stay away from onions, peppers, grapes, raisins, and garlic, Rutter said. Each dog is different, and if youve been giving them delicious stinky dog treats (or even worse, table food), they may turn their nose at these offerings initially. They will come around once the table food and tasty treats decrease in frequency.

The new year marks the beginning of many commitments to health and personal improvement. In 2020, why not extend your goals to improve the lives of the furry friends who love you the most?

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvm.tamu.edu.

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PET TALK: Resolutions for a paw-some New Year - Laredo Morning Times

A Portland biotech startup with an unusual line of products for pets has taken a step forward in the companys development with the creation of a 15-member scientific advisory board.

ElleVet Sciences has named prominent veterinary clinicians, researchers and industry experts to the new group, which will oversee scientific development of ElleVets cannabis-based therapeutic products, according to a news release Monday.

"It's an honor to co-chair this groundbreaking advisory board with some of the leading veterinarians of our generation," said Joseph Wakshlag, professor at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and ElleVets chief medical officer. "With so many great minds in the room, it is fantastic to be able to share the science behind the product, which has already fostered great discussions with the group."

Another member of the board, Michael Petty, commented: It is a pleasure to join the ElleVet advisory board. Their unique cannabinoid products seem to have significant potential in managing discomfort in pets and impacting other modalities, a true original in the industry.

Petty is a veterinarian and researcher who has served as lead investigator in 12 U.S. Food and Drug Administration studies of pain management products.

ElleVet was formed in 2017 by Michael J. Williams and Christian Kjaer, both formerly senior executives at Westbrook-based IDEXX Laboratories (Nasdaq: IDXX). The companys products currently include chews and oils that treat arthritis in dogs, using cannabinoids derived from hemp, a form of cannabis.

The formation of a scientific advisory board is a typical step for maturing companies in the biotechnology industry. The creation of the ElleVet board follows the appointment of Wakshlag as chief medical officer in August.

The ElleVet board comprises the following members.

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With board creation, Portland biotech startup takes the next step in growth - Mainebiz

Catastrophic fires across the globe are increasing in both frequency and magnitude. The bushfires in Australia, fuelled by heatwaves and drought, have burned more than 10.7 million hectares, an area larger than Iceland.

Over one billion animals are estimated to have died in the Australian bushfires so far. This loss of life is devastating. Horses, dogs and other domestic animals are also being affected by the smoke generated by the wildfires.

As veterinarians who have cared for small animals following the California wildfires and researched the impacts of wildfires on horses in Canada, we have some perspective on how smoke can harm companion animals and what people can do to protect the animals in their care.

What is smoke?

The composition of smoke depends on what is being burned. The smoke from a house fire or a barn fire will contain different compounds than the smoke from wildfires or bushfires.

When an animal inhales smoke, it brings a combination of toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, and particulate matter, a mixture of small liquid and solid particles, into its throat, nose and lungs.

Smoke inhalation can damage the respiratory tract in multiple ways; it can cause burns and lead to physical irritation, causing the airway to swell and become blocked.

Toxic gases can impair oxygen delivery and lead to death. Animals with immediate and close exposure to fires, such as barn or house fires, face this risk.

Exposure to bushfires or wildfires results in a sustained, lower-dose exposure to smoke. The major concern here is particulate matter. Very small particulate matter (less than four microns in diametre) can bypass the bodys natural filters and reach the lower airways.

Smoke inhalation in horses

Our relationship with horses is unique in that they bridge the gap between livestock and companion animals. As athletic animals, air quality impacts horses capacity to perform. The financial ramifications of impaired performance is not insignificant, given the economic impact of the horse industry in multiple countries.

Horses have a huge lung capacity. A horse moves more than 2,000 litres of air through its lungs every minute during strenuous exercise. With this air, horses also inhale a large number of pollutants, which is drastically increased during fires.

In 2018, Calgary was smothered in wildfire smoke for more than six weeks, with poor air quality warnings issued daily. During this period, we studied the impact of poor air quality on exercise performance in polo horses that were at a maintenance level of fitness at the end of the competition season. They continued the same training program throughout the trial, so all results are due to the improved conditions and not a conditioning effect.

Every horse involved in the study exhibited coughing at rest and during exercise, with owners complaining of decreased performance.

We performed a procedure called a lung wash on these horses to retrieve cells and particulate matter from their lungs. Every horse in the study showed inflammation of the respiratory tract. We also found large amounts of microscopic pollens and other debris trapped in the cells. These findings are diagnostic of asthma in horses, and were also commonly seen by veterinarians working in the affected area.

We also wanted to know how much the performance of these horses improved after prolonged smoke exposure. The gold standard technique to evaluate athletic performance is the measurement of maximum oxygen consumption, also known as VO2max.

After 2.5 weeks of improved air quality, horses had a 15 per cent increase in speed, as well as a 13.2 per cent increase in VO2max, compared to those measures on the first day of improved air quality. To put this into context, training two-year-old racehorses for eight weeks has been reported to result in a 6.7 per cent improvement in VO2max.

How to keep animals safe

There are many guidelines available for people when air quality is poor, but very little information for pet owners.

The air quality index (AQI) is used in Australia and the United States. The AQI is a single number presented on a scale of 0-500, ranging from excellent air quality to the most hazardous air pollution. Canada uses the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), using a scale from 1 to 10.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported several regions where AQIs had surpassed 500 in December 2019. Wildfires in northern Alberta in 2018 sent AQHI index past 11 in Calgary in May 2019.

Stay indoors

Where possible, animals should be kept indoors when the AQI is greater than 150 or AQHI is 10+ for multiple days in a row to reduce exposure to small particulate matter. The environment matters, however. For example, a dog in a tightly sealed home will have less exposure to airborne irritants than a horse in a stable.

Like human asthmatics, staying indoors might not prevent symptoms in animals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, especially when smoke persists for greater than five days. In addition, brachycephalic breeds such as pugs and bulldogs are likely to have a reduced tolerance to smoke.

Reduce outdoor physical activity

When animals exercise, they increase the amount of air they inhale, which increases the deposition of particles deep in the lungs.

Based on guidelines from multiple regulatory bodies and associations, we recommend limiting outdoor exercise in animals when smoke is visible. Moderate to intense exercise should be reduced when there is a high or very high risk rating (AQI exceeding 100; AQHI greater than 7). We recommend cancelling events (such as a Thoroughbred race) when there is a very high risk rating (AQI greater than 150 or an AQHI of 10+).

Theres every indication that fire seasons are going to become longer and more frequent. When smoke starts to blanket the land, remember there are simple things you can do to protect the respiratory health of both you and your pets.

This is a corrected version of a story originally published on Jan. 8, 2020. The earlier story included a photo that showed the breakdown of blood components instead of the inflammatory cells, debris and pollens in a horses lungs after exposure to bushfire smoke.

Stephanie Laura Bond, Postdoctoral Associate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary; Laura Osborne, Adjunct associate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, and Renaud Leguillette, Professor, Calgary Chair in Equine Sports Medicine, DVM, PhD, Dipl.ACVIM, Dipl. ACVSMR, University of Calgary

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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How wildfire smoke affects pets and other animals - Salon

BostonPact will improve care of popular parks

The city and the Friends of the Public Garden entered an agreement to enhance the care of the Public Garden, Boston Common, and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Mayor Martin J. Walsh said. Bostons Parks and Recreation Department and the advocacy group signed an agreement Friday that strengthens the 50-year partnership between the Parks Department and the Friends at the strategic and operational level, committing to a shared objective of preserving, restoring, and caring for these historic parks, Walsh said. The pact will allow for more efficient and effective stewardship, and will improve the quality of life for downtown residents while increasing the resilience of these parks. The three spaces draw more than 7 million people each year, and hold Bostons largest collection of public art. They hold our history, they bring people together, and they bring the beauty of nature into our city, Walsh said.

State and local police are investigating the death of a man found stabbed in the parking lot of a housing complex Saturday morning, according to the Bristol district attorneys office. Jorge Vieira, 25, of Fall River died at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, where he was transferred after first being taken to Saint Annes Hospital in Fall River, prosecutors said. Shortly before 7:30 a.m., emergency crews responded to a 911 call at the housing complex at 2000 Bay Road. Vieiras death is being investigated as a homicide. No further information was available Saturday evening.

Police on Friday arrested the second of two brothers from Clinton suspected of stealing $700 in cash from the Concord Cheese Shop two days before Christmas. Jason Faieta, 36, was apprehended one week after his brother, Brandon Faieta, 33, a former employee of the shop, Concord Police Chief Joseph OConnor said. Both brothers were charged with intent to commit a felony, larceny under $1,200, larceny from a building, and receiving stolen property under $1,200, OConnor said. At his arraignment Friday, Jason Faieta was released on personal recognizance and ordered to stay away from the shop and any witnesses. Brandon Faieta was arraigned last Monday. He was released on $200 bail and ordered to stay away from the business and to have no contact with witnesses, OConnor said. Both are due back in court on March 4.

Fiona, the pet falcon that went missing for two days and whose 78-year-old owner got stuck in a swamp in Westborough looking for her, was found Saturday by an off-duty firefighter. Mark Boyer tracked down the bird by using a GPS device attached to her, according to a Westborough Fire Department Facebook post. The falcon, which is valued at $20,000, was taken to Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton for treatment, the statement said. Boyer was also one of the firefighters who helped rescue Fionas owner, Bill Johnston, who fell through ice at Cedar Swamp while looking for her Thursday, the department said.

Education Commissioner Anglica Infante-Green said Friday that the nonprofit Rhode Island Foundation established the Fund for Rhode Island Public Education to accept donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations interested in improving public education statewide. The foundation will manage and distribute the money according to the education departments priorities and the donors intent. Donors could invest in professional learning opportunities for educators, advanced coursework for students, and upgrades to school facilities, for example, the department said. The fund launched with a $20,000 commitment from the Rhode Island Commodores, a nonprofit. (AP)

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New England news in brief - The Boston Globe

The Auburn area is expected to experience severe weather on Saturday between 2 and 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Lee County is an "enhanced risk" area, meaning severe thunderstorms, damaging winds up to 70 mph and tornadoes are all possible Saturday, according to the NWS.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency is expecting storms to enter Alabama around 9 a.m. and leave the state around 9 p.m.

A more exact timing of the storm is expected to become clearer as Saturday approaches.

Forecasters and experts are advising Alabamians to prepare now for severe weather and have a plan in place for taking shelter.

Greene Hall located in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Ralph Draughon Library are opened whenever a tornado watch is issued for Auburn University, day or night, for those who do not have a suitable place to shelter.

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Enhanced risk for severe weather in Auburn on Saturday - The Auburn Plainsman

So, you want to be a veterinary ophthalmologist? Of course you do, its the best job on the planet earth! Who wouldnt want to be a veterinary ophthalmologist? After all, you get to help a variety of animals, their associated owners, practice at the highest level of veterinary medicine, help animals maintain vision, improve their comfort, and you get to perform eye saving procedures and help blind animals see again! So what does it take to get there?

Once enrolled in veterinary college, you must maintain a good grade average, obtain a four-year veterinary degree, and pass a national examination to be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States. Most students at this point have also spent time helping with research, writing scientific papers, and shadowing an ophthalmologist to gain experience.

After the student has graduated from veterinary college, they then obtain a one-year rotating internship working with various specialists in disciplines such as ophthalmology, neurology, emergency/critical care, internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, radiology, surgery, dermatology, and others. At this time, they are eligible to apply to residencies in ophthalmology or a one-year specialty internship in ophthalmology. If one is not selected for a residency at this point, there are a few ophthalmology specialty internships where the candidate can continue to hone their ophthalmology skills and bolster their curriculum vitae for a residency position.

During an ophthalmology residency, which are typically three or four years, the resident works intently on only ophthalmic cases with specialized equipment under the direct supervision of an ABVO board certified veterinary ophthalmologist. The resident is learning current therapeutic measures to treat ophthalmic diseases and learning how to perform complicated surgical procedures.

At the completion of the residency, the residents mentor must acknowledge completion and the resident must pass a national board examination consisting of a three day test consisting of a written portion, an image recognition portion, and perform successful surgeries in front of ophthalmologists that are members of the ABVO Exam Committee. Whew! Talk about a long road!

As you can see, your veterinary ophthalmologist has been down a long road to make sure that your pet is receiving the best care for ophthalmic disease. If you are interested in a career in veterinary ophthalmology, a student should get started early and know that the road is not only longbut well worth it!

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So, you want to be a veterinary ophthalmologist? - Jill Lopez