StemCell Therapy

A committee in the U.S. Senate has finally set a nomination hearing to consider Jose Emilio Esteban for the U.S. Department of Agricultures top food safety job.

Nominated on Nov. 12, 2021, by President Joe Biden, Esteban is scheduled to go before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on Sept. 22. The committee has not offered any reason why the nomination hearing has been delayed so long, except for a comment from Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-MI. At one point she said there was paperwork needed from the White House.

Also set to testify before the Ag Committee are Alexis Taylor, the long-awaited nominee for undersecretary for trade and foreign agriculture affairs at USDA, and Vincent Garfield Logan who is nominated to serve on the Farm Credit Administrations board.

One nominee not scheduled for a confirmation hearing before the committee is Stacy Dean, who is nominated to be the undersecretary of food, nutrition and consumer services. Republicans have kept Dean under scrutiny for her handling of the Thrifty Food Plan reauthorization, which increased SNAP benefits, previously known as the food stamp program. Dean headed up that initiative after it was authorized in the 2018 farm bill.

As for Esteban, he has been waiting for confirmation while working at USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) as the agencys chief scientist. There he provides scientific advice to support agency policies, including microbiology, chemistry and pathology.

It is his fourth position at FSIS, all within the Office of Public Health Science. Before his current assignment, he was Executive Associate for Laboratory Services, the Scientific Advisor for Laboratory Services and Research Coordination, and the Laboratory Director for the Western Laboratory.

Before joining the USDA, Esteban worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, Staff Epidemiologist, and Assistant Director of the Food Safety Office.

Outside the U.S. federal government, Esteban is the Chair for the Codex Alimentarius Commission Committee on Food Hygiene. This committee sets definitions for international food hygiene standards for international trade.

Esteban was trained as a veterinarian in Mexico and supplemented his training with an MBA, a masters degree in preventive veterinary medicine, and a Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of California-Davis.

To fill the gap while Esteban has been waiting for his confirmation, the White House named Sandra Eskin on March 17 as Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety. Deputy jobs do not require Senate confirmation and Eskin went to work shortly after being named to the No. 2 food safety job.

Read this article:
Senate committee sets nomination hearing for top food safety official - Food Safety News

Experts offer advice on identifying and managing feline OA and discuss the latest treatments for this painful condition

As veterinary medicine improves and cats live longer, they experience more complications associated with old age, including osteoarthritis (OA), a progressive degenerative joint disease. The median age of cats with OA is 10.2 years,1 and approximately 90% of those over 12 have been found to have OA.2

In an interview with dvm360, Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, DABVP, medical director at Chico Hospital for Cats in Chico, California, offered veterinarians and clients tips for detecting and managing the disease in cats.

According to Colleran, identifying osteoarthritis can be more difficult in cats than in dogs. Cats are secretive, she says, because hiding their emotions is to their advantage. As solitary hunters, they dont have [a] great repertoire of emotional signs on their face...but they do show what they think and how they feel.

One should look for a cat whose lifestyle [has] changed, she explained; for instance, a cat that used to sleep with the owner... [but] isnt sleeping with the owner anymore, that used to climb up to a high point on a cat tree...[but] doesnt do that anymore, or even a cat that is sleeping more than usual.

At the April 2022 Fetch dvm360 conference, Colleran mentioned other signs of OA: avoidance of other household members, increased grumpiness, decreased grooming, restlessness, changes in elimination behavior, clumsiness, and reluctance to jump.3

Pet parents can also use the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index, a validated pain score, to check their pets more closely. The Index asks questions about specific indicators of OA that reveal the intensity of a cats pain.

A visual assessment of the cats gait is important, but the environment mustbe carefully controlled. According to Colleran, a quiet, low-stress atmosphere is essential, and the cat should be given time to acclimate to the room. The veterinarian should then gently palpate the joints, even though cats not experiencing joint pain will also be averse to this.

Because OA is complex and usually affects various joints, it can be challenging to stage. Staging is best accomplished by examining the overall impact on the cat. Based on activity and mobility, OA stages are as follows.

When it comes to addressing the disease, its important to tell clients that it cant be treated, only managed to improve mobility and quality of life. A multimodal approach is the most beneficial, Colleran pointed out, because it combines traditional medication, adjunctive therapies, and environmental modification.

On the pharmacological side, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used. There are also some really helpful adjunctive therapies, like laser therapy [and] acupuncture, she said. Assisi Loop is a favorite of mine because the cats dont mind it at all, she added, and then there are...supplements like omega-3 fatty acids.

Environmental modification includes making the cats space more comfortable so that it can get around more easily and providing it with a warm bed to soothe its joints.

Environmental modification means that were changing the environment to accommodate...something thats going on with the cat. For example...a lot of my clients will build stairs or ramps for the cats to get up to really high places where they like to sit and watch the world go by or watch the birds outside.

At the 2022 convention of the American Veterinary Medical Association,4 Alonso Guedes, DVM, PhD, an associate professor of anesthesia at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, talked about the newest kid[s] on the block: anti-nerve growth factor monoclonal antibodies.

Guedes explained that nerve growth factor (NGF) is synthesized and active on many types of cells: various cells secreteand are affected byit. NGF signaling is upregulated during the chronic inflammation associated with OA, which results in central and peripheral sensitization and hyperalgesia. In patients with OA, the secretion of NGF increases, sensitizing the periphery and central terminal of the neurons in the spinal cord.

The NGF also will activate immune cells, and these...cells will then secrete their mediators, [which]...will then amplify inflammation...so it seems like a good idea...[to use] a nerve growth factor neutralizing antibody to block NGF's many effects, and then the nervous system is able to return to its normal [state]. It is [a] pretty nice concept, Guedes added.

References

Read more here:
Helping osteoarthritic cats live their best lives - DVM 360

Progress made over decades to control overpopulation of dogs and cats through high-volume spay-neuter surgeries is at risk thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a team of UF researchers conclude in a new study.

The impact felt both at community shelters and veterinary clinics includes sharp declines in spay-neuter surgeries after the initial pandemic-triggered lockdowns, followed by staffing shortages in clinics and shelters, overcrowding and lagging pet adoption rates. All of these problems are compounded by a nationwide shortage of veterinarians, which has been felt even more acutely in shelters and spay-neuter clinics, the researchers say in a study that appears today (Sept. 13) in Frontiers of Veterinary Science.

Progress made over decades to control overpopulation of dogs and cats through high-volume spay-neuter surgeries is at risk thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a team of UF researchers conclude in a new study.

The study focused on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volume of surgical procedures performed by spay-neuter clinics, said Simone Guerios, D.V.M., Ph.D., a clinical assistant professor of shelter medicine at UF and the studys lead author.

The team drew its research from 212 clinics nationally, all of which make use of the cloud-based clinic management software program Clinic HQ, which is specifically designed for facilities that focus on spay-neuter and preventive health care services.

The high level of spay-neuter achieved over the past five decades is the single most important driver of reduced pet overpopulation and euthanasia in animal shelters, Guerios said. The rise in subsidized spay-neuter access helped drive the euthanasia of shelter pets in the United States from an estimated 13.5 million in 1973 to 1.5 million in 2019.

Using 2019 as a baseline, the UF team aimed to determine the impact of the pandemic on the volume of spay-neuter procedures performed in 2020-2021 at the 212 clinics, which collectively performed more than 1 million surgeries per year and were on track to increase surgeries by 5% over the previous year.

But in the 24 months from January 2020 through December 2021, 190,818 fewer surgeries were performed at the clinics studied than would be expected had 2019 levels been maintained, the researchers found.

If a similar pattern was experienced by other spay-neuter programs in the United States, it would suggest there is a deficit of more than 2.7 million spay-neuter surgeries that animal welfare organizations have yet to address, said co-author Julie Levy, D.V.M., Ph.D., the Fran Marino Endowed Distinguished Professor of Shelter Medicine Education at UFs College of Veterinary Medicine.

All the impacts of the pandemic combined have the potential to undermine progress made in controlling pet populations and euthanasia in shelters, Levy added.

Currently, shelters are in crisis mode, with overcrowding and lagging adoptions, Guerios said. Pet overpopulation seems to be increasing, leading to increased shelter euthanasia for the first time in many years.

The UF College of Veterinary Medicine is responding to societal needs by increasing class size and remodeling its surgical training facility to enhance surgical skills development. The college also offers four courses and clerkships specifically designed to provide students with real-world spay-neuter experience, Levy said.

As part of these hands-on learning opportunities, UF veterinary students spay and neuter thousands of cats and dogs in their local communities, she added.

Through our recent expansion of class size to meet the increasing demand for veterinary graduates, along with unique certificate programs and shelter medicine internships, our college is taking proactive action to address these disturbing trends in animal healthcare and well-being, said Christopher Adin, D.V.M., chair of UFs department of small animal clinical sciences, which oversees the colleges shelter medicine program.

Read more:
Research shows what is driving shelter overpopulation - Vet Candy

Its been known for decades that astronauts immune systems become suppressed in space, leaving them vulnerable to disease, but the exact mechanisms of immune dysfunction have remained a mystery now a Cornell undergraduate has found a potential solution.

A biological and mechanical engineering double major in the College of Engineering, Rocky An 23 published his theory, MRTF May be the Missing Link in a Multiscale Mechanobiology Approach toward Macrophage Dysfunction in Space, Sept. 12 in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology.

An reviewed the last 20 years of literature on the behavior of macrophages key cells in the bodys immune response in space and recent research about how macrophages respond to forces in normal gravity, identifying a transcription factor that could prove to be the missing piece of the puzzle.

I just kept asking questions about how the data is presented, An said. There are these two really important papers, in particular, one a review of how macrophages are suppressed in microgravity, and another about the mechanobiology of macrophages. I was able to connect these two papers, and that's when the idea came to me. I was really excited, as it was kind of a eureka moment for me.

In space, the lack of gravity changes the shape of the immune cell, and scientists have suspected that changes to the cytoskeleton, the filamented infrastructure of the cell, were involved in immune dysfunction. Recent studies in normal gravity have shown that disturbing the cytoskeleton of macrophages reduces the transport of a particular protein, a transcription factor important for immune response, to the nucleus.

By comparing the studies of cells in microgravity and analyzing the modes of study and associated timescales whether macrophages were actually studied in space, or on a parabolic airplane, or in a simulation of microgravity in the lab An was able to point to this protein, Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor (MRTF), as a probable culprit in immune system dysfunction.

I think its a pretty convincing argument that MRTF is a big part of the problem, An said. I hope it will inspire future studies that really focus on that one protein and the cytoskeleton, and maybe it could be the first step towards a spaceflight immune treatment.

The paper suggests that MRTF could be implicated in the stress on the cardiovascular health of astronauts as well. An also points to other factors that may play a role in immune dysfunction and notes that further research is needed to understand how MRTF interacts with the macrophage nucleus in microgravity.

While An worked independently on the publication, he credits his Cornell professors (including Mingming Wu, professor, and Minglin Ma, associate professor, both of biological and environmental engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Brian J. Kirby, the Meinig Family Professor of Engineering; and Donna Cassidy Hanley, senior research associate in the College of Veterinary Medicine, among many other teachers) for modeling an interdisciplinary approach and encouraging inquiry.

Even before enrolling at Cornell, An had contact with the lab of Theodore Clark, professor of microbiology and immunology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, where An has engaged in research since his freshman year. He also credits his experience on the Cornell iGEM (Genetically Engineered Machines) Project Team, with advising from Jan Lammerding, professor in the Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, as helping him develop as a scientist.

The biggest help has been the professors and the way theyve taught my classes, An said. And then with research in the lab and my project team, there have been a lot of opportunities to learn independently and ask our own questions.

An also gained valuable experience in summer internships. In 2021, he was chosen as a research associate for NASAs Space Life Sciences Training Program, where he studied the impact of microgravity on cells and co-authored his first paper, an optimization of a modeling framework for studying cells in microgravity.

An then spent the summer of 2022 as an Amgen Scholar at Harvard Universitys Wyss Institute, where he worked in the area of mechanical immunotherapy, exploring therapies that work by manipulating cells structure.

Ive always been interested in cells, but also the mechanics, how cells react to forces, An said. I like this approach because its somewhat new, and I think it's very different from what you generally learn in biology, where everything's a series of chemical reactions. I really enjoy the interaction between the two fields.

Support for Ans publication came from the Cornell Open Access Publication Fund.

The rest is here:
Undergrad publishes theory on immune dysfunction in space | Cornell Chronicle - Cornell Chronicle

September 19, 2022

Contact:Thonnia Lee, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing

TUSKEGEE, Alabama-- Tuskegee University has been named a Fulbright Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Institutional Leader for 2022.

For the third consecutive year, the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is recognizing selected HBCUs strong engagement with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders have demonstrated noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years and have promoted Fulbright program opportunities on campus. Tuskegee University is new to the list this year.

The announcement of the 19 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders was made by the State Department as HBCU leaders prepare to gather in Washington, D.C., and virtually for the White House Initiative on HBCUs National HBCU Week Conference, and Fulbright opportunities will be highlighted in events such as the career and recruitment fair during this week.

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield commended the HBCUs receiving the Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader designation this year, noting that HBCUs are an important part of the American and global higher education communities, providing life-changing exchange opportunities for American and international students, faculty, and administrators alike. I hope that these institutions success encourages all HBCUs to engage further with Fulbright and with the State Department.

This is an exceptional note of distinction, said President Charlotte P. Morris. We have always known the caliber of students and faculty whose vigorous academic work influences our society in a variety of areas. This acknowledgment will help our students and the broader community see the enormous value our university brings.

On Nov. 3, a Fulbright HBCU Virtual Workshop will feature representatives of Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders sharing best practices for HBCUs to leverage Fulbright Program engagement to support students and faculty, increase campus internationalization, and build global networks. This event is open to the public and is specifically designed for HBCU faculty, staff, and stakeholders.

Our goals for academic excellence mapped out in our Strategic Plan are confirmed once again by this acknowledgment, said Provost Dr. S. Keith Hargrove. We are providing academic tools for scholars and researchers to develop and contribute their best work. By supporting this kind of academic brilliance, it confirms our commitment to remain an HBCU that attracts and maintains a strong community of global scholars.

The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program. Since its inception over 75 years ago, the Fulbright Program has given over 400,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists, and professionals of all backgrounds and fields the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research abroad, exchanging ideas, and contributing to finding solutions to important international problems.

Each year, the U.S. Congress appropriates funds to the U.S. Department of State to sponsor the Fulbright Program. Many foreign governments contribute substantially as well. Additional funding and in-kind funding is provided by U.S. and foreign host institutions, non-governmental organizations, private organizations, corporate partnerships, and individual donors.

Over the years, we have had faculty and student Fulbright awardees representing Tuskegee around the globe, said Dr. Rhonda Collier, director of the TU Global Office, Fulbright Faculty Liaison and Fulbright Program Advisor. Im so proud of the work were doing to support their study and research.

Over many years the Fulbright Program has designed and implemented a wide range of initiatives to increase participant diversity and inclusion. The program strives to ensure that its participants reflect the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. Fulbrighters come from all backgrounds and are selected through an open, merit-based competition, regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Information on the Fulbright Programs diversity and inclusion initiatives is detailed on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website.

For more information on the Fulbright Program, visit http://eca.state.gov/fulbright or contact the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Press Office by e-mail ECA-Press@state.gov.

Stories about the positive impact of the Fulbright Program over its first 75 years can be found at: https://fulbright75.org

Follow the Fulbright Programs social media accounts and websites for highlights on HBCUs and Fulbright:

2022 Tuskegee University

Continued here:
Tuskegee University is named HBCU Institutional Leader by Fulbright Program - Tuskegee University

After the unexpected deaths of three animals on campus a horse, a rabbit and a ferret multiple sources have accused NC State of gross negligence. According to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2022 Inspection Report, the University has committed multiple violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Furthermore, USDAs inspection at NC State in 2021 reported three specific violations pertaining to NC States mistreatment of animals. One of the violations, 3.127(a), mentioned that a pasture containing five horses had no shelter or shade of any type, despite the summer heat.

The violations of animal protection laws documented by federal inspectors at North Carolina State University (NCSU) are so severe that the school should lose its license to house and experiment on animals, said PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo in a statement.

NC State was inspected May 11, and it was found that three animals unexpectedly died one horse had urine scalding, and lack of quick action resulted in the horses euthanization. A veterinary student also improperly handled a rabbit, breaking its back, while another veterinary student prolonged surgery for a ferret. Both the rabbit and ferret were also euthanized.

Students are not being properly trained, and with all the animals dying and being hurt, it seems like a systematic problem, said PETA Vice President of Laboratory Investigations Dr. Alka Chandna.

These health problems are not being properly addressed, and the University has now received a complaint filed by a National Research Watchdog, SAEN, a non-profit watchdog that monitors U.S. research facilities.

A rabbit died of a broken back, a horse was euthanized after failure to receive veterinary care and a ferret died in connection to a botched surgery, said co-founder and executive director of SAEN, Animal Health Technician Michael Budkie in a press release. These deaths are made worse by NC States failure to investigate these deaths. This attempted cover-up by research administration is criminal.

Any research facility must have an animal care committee, also known as the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). IACUC is responsible for evaluating and approving every research protocol, experiment or procedure that use live animals and making sure animals are taken care of in correspondence with the Animal Welfare Act.

The IACUC failed to investigate what was going on with injured animals, such as with the rabbit, horse and ferret recently, Chandna said.

The complaint from SAEN was written to Dr. Robert Gibbens, director of Animal Welfare Operations, USDA/APHIS/AC, discussing the violations that NC State has committed. In this complaint, Gibbens is urged to penalize the University $10,000 per infraction/per animal.

Most of the time, the fines are considered part of the cost of doing business, Budkie said in an interview. My opinion is that they are more concerned about the negative media intention that can come out of things like this than the fines.

In a statement, Mike Charbonneau, the director of communications and marketing at NC States College of Veterinary Medicine, said the euthanization of the horse was an isolated incident, and after this incident, the University is working with the USDA to ensure care of animals.

In an unfortunate, and isolated, incident, a team caring for a horse that was on campus to provide life-saving blood donations for sick horses didnt immediately recognize medical symptoms of a bladder stone, and when the condition was discovered and diagnosed, the decision was made to humanely euthanize the horse, Charbonneau said. Following this incident, we strengthened our procedures and requirements for daily health monitoring of all teaching and support animals.

While the statement Charbonneau offered referred to the horses euthanization, it failed to provide clarity on the unexpected deaths of the rabbit and ferret mentioned in the original inspection notes. When asked about the same, Charbonneau declined to give any further information.

According to Budkie, NC States first citation was for not performing investigations on animals after they were hurt or mishandled, leading to the death of the animals.

When the injuries occur, it is not being reported so the animals cant receive veterinary care, and the IACUC is not looking into it to find out what the problem is so procedures can be changed to keep injuries or mistakes from happening again, Budkie said.

Budkie also voiced his concerns that the University may have committed more violations than just those the inspections revealed.

There is no reason to assume that more things have not occured and just were not discovered by the inspector, Budkie said. When the inspector comes through, they only have one or two days to inspect everything.

According to Budkie, critical citations are rare, yet NC State has received several. One of these critical violations found after an inspection in August 2021, showed that five employees did not know who to call if there was a hurt or mishandled animal, revealing a lack of knowledge on what to do in a veterinary emergency.

We are talking about the workers, the animal technicians and the students, and they have not been trained that they need to inform a veterinarian if there is a problem, Chandna said. Students are not only injuring animals, but are handling them so poorly that they require euthanization. There's an issue in the classroom, and with the IACUC.

According to Charbonneau, the necessary changes have been made to ensure that animals are properly taken care of.

We continue to work with our partners at the USDA to ensure that all animals at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine have the recommended level of shelter, food, water and medications as well as exceptional medical care, Charbonneau said. The compassionate treatment of all animals is at the heart of all we do, and its something clinicians, faculty, staff and students at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine carefully train for and prioritize every day.

SAEN and PETA are urging NC State to make a change. Animals are suffering, hurting and dying due to the lack of care from the University, and if concrete change doesnt happen soon, its possible more animals will be mishandled and mistreated at the hands of faculty, staff and students.

View original post here:
NC State commits multiple Animal Welfare Act violations, animals suffering and dying - N.C. State University Technician Online

The bacteriumStaphylococcus aureushas long been known to cause infections in humans, ranging from mild skin infections to pneumonia to more serious infections of the heart. In high-income countries, its the leading cause of a sometimes-fatal condition known as infective endocarditis, involving inflammation of the hearts valves or lining.

Now, in a new study, researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine describe another way the bacterium can cause harm: by undermining the bodys ability to heal from those infections.

The findings may point the way toward improving treatment of infections withS. aureus, more commonly called a staph infection.

TheS. aureusbacteria produce small toxins, called superantigens, that bind to white blood cells and over-activate the immune system, which can cause complications for the circulatory system. Thestudy in rabbits, published recently in Science Advances, found that a superantigen called SEC (superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin C) prevents injured blood vessels from healing. It also stops the formation of new branching blood vessels crucial to the wound repair process.

The role of many immune system molecules is to make the vessels around the infection more permeable, so they can enter and heal the infection, explains senior author Wilmara Salgado-Pabn, professor of pathobiological sciences. But when superantigens hyperactivate the immune system, your blood vessels can become leaky, leading to low blood pressure and organ dysfunction.

When an area of the body has suffered injury, it will form tiny branching blood vessels called capillaries, which send nutrients and oxygen to the damaged area. Using whats called the aortic root model, researchers sliced small sections of a rabbits aortic artery to imitate an injury. These ring slices were unable to form new capillaries in the presence of SEC, hindering the vascular system from healing the injury.

The model works well, says Salgado-Pabn, because it allows us to test capillary formation which can be complex in a laboratory environment, with all of the elements you would expect in the body.

Infective endocarditis disproportionately affects Black and Indigenous populations, as well as people predisposed to infection such as the elderly, people with diabetes and people who smoke.

The condition is responsible for high rates of in-hospital mortality, as it progresses very quickly and can go on to cause complications in other organs throughout the body, Salgado-Pabn says.

Over the last 50 years, treatment for infective endocarditis has remained largely unchanged, currently consisting of a six-week course of antibiotics or heart surgery to clear the infection. The new findings offer potential for developing new and better approaches.

You could not only neutralize the toxins vascular effects, but you could possibly treat patients to improve their vascular health, says Salgado-Pabn, whose work is supported by the National Institutes of Health. By strengthening a patients vascular health, you could proactively prevent the complications that lead to fatality.

Now that the lab has identified this new biological function, it is working to define the structures and molecules that are critical to the process, including identifying the molecules SEC interacts with and defining the cellular receptors that react to the toxins presence.

Maddie Arthur

See original here:
New understanding of 'superantigens' could lead to improved staph infection treatments - University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarian Dr. Rebecca Jackson was working in an Alberta mountain town a few summers ago when a patient came in showing signs of heatstroke.

The dog had just had a long day of hiking and was disoriented, vomiting, panting heavily, and "very, very weak," she recalled. "He had a high elevated heart rate, he had low blood pressure. His body temperature was elevated."

He was immediately put on intravenous fluids and wrapped in cool towels. Isopropyl alcohol was applied to his paw pads for an evaporative cooling effect. He was also given an anti-nausea injection to prevent any further dehydration through vomiting.

The story has a happy ending: The dog's body temperature came down and he made a full recovery, Jackson said.

But it's a reminder during these hazy, humid days of summerthat humans aren't the only ones feeling the heat pets are, too. And with even hotter days projected to come, veterinarians say it's important to take precautions and watch for signs of trouble in your furry family members.

Heatstroke may be top of mind for pet owners since it's something that humans can also suffer from. But burnt paws are actually a more common summertime injury and one that can be easy to overlook, said Jackson, an instructor at the University of Calgary's faculty of veterinary medicine.

Imagine walking barefoot across a sidewalk or beach on a hot summer day, and you get some idea of what our four-legged friends go through.

"We forget that they're very unique in that their paw pads are touching the ground as they walk," she said. "Black pavement in particular can attract a lot of heat and can cause burn injuries to those paw pads."

Severe burns on paw pads can be tough to heal because the surface of the pads is relatively avascular, meaning that it's lacking in blood supply. On very hot days, consider keeping your pet inside and walking them only in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler, Jackson said.

If you're unsure, the American Kennel Club suggests placing the back of your hand on the asphalt on hot days; if you can't comfortably hold it there for 10 seconds, it's too hot for your pup's paws.

If you do take your pet out on a hot day, watch for signs of heatstroke, which happens when the body is unable to cope with external heat.

As humans, we regulate our body temperature in part through sweating: the evaporation of sweat from our skin's surface removes excess heat and cools us down. But our pets don't have sweat glands distributed throughout their body in the same way.

In dogs and cats, the sweat glands are mostly located in the paw pads. It's such a small surface area that it doesn't help much with temperature regulation, according to Dr. Sarah Machell, a licensed veterinarian and medical director of Vetster, a telehealth app that connects pet owners to veterinarians for virtual consults.

That's why our pets pant in the heat it's their way of cooling off.

"[Panting is] the only way that pets dogs, in particular, we see this in can really evaporate water from any surface to help lower body temperature," Machellsaid.

"So their capacity and their tolerance for heat is much, much less than humans."

To help your pets stay cool, make sure they have lots of access to shade and that any exercise taken on is very moderate and at a slow pace, Machellsaid. Keep them hydrated by carrying water bottles, taking frequent breaks and encouraging them to drink.

Specialized cooling bandanas and cooling vests can also keep your pets from getting overheated, Machellsaid.

Most pet owners know to never leave their pets alone in a car because of how fast temperatures can rise in the enclosed space. Machellrecommends planning ahead and taking a second person with you who can walk the dog while you pop into the store.

As with humans, it only takes a few degrees of difference in your pet's body temperature for the situation to tip intodangerous territory.

A normal body temperature for a dog is in the range of 37.5 C to 39.2 C. When it gets above 41 C, the possibility of heatstroke starts to be a significantconcern, and there is risk of multiple organ failure and death, said Dr. Matthew Richardson, a veterinarian at The Animal Clinic in Toronto and president-elect for the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).

The higher above that level it goes and the longer it is elevated, the more serious the consequences, he said.

According to the OVMA, the signs of heatstroke in pets can include:

While symptomsare fairly similar across pet species, there are some minor differences.

"In dogs, we will see vomiting and diarrhea as symptoms of heatstroke. In birds andreptiles, ittends to be a reduction in the production of fecal matter and a reduction in the amount that they want to eat," Richardson said.

If you think your pet is suffering from heatstroke, you should move them to a cooler setting and use cool not cold water and damp towels to try to lower their body temperature, according to the OVMA. If they are able, allow them to drink.Bring any pets suffering from heatstroke to aveterinarian as soon as possible, the OVMA says.

Pet owners should also be aware that some animals are more vulnerable to heatstroke than others. The Toronto Humane Society says these include animals with flat faces, such as pugs and Persian cats, as they can't pant as effectively; elderly pets; overweight pets; and those with heart or lung diseases.

A puppy would also be more prone to heatstroke than an adult dog, Richardson said.

Heat stress can also be an issue for indoor pets if there is a lack of air conditioning.

Machellsuggests having multiple locations for access to fresh water and adding ice cubes to water or even using a water fountain, since running water can sometimes be more appealing for pets.

For pets like birds and guinea pigs, make sure the cage is out of direct sunlight, and you could place a fan on them, Richardson said.

For small mammals, you can also try to create a special spot for them in their cage that will retain a cooler temperature for longer than regular bedding.

"If you can find a piece of stone, tile, granite, something like that that's cool and can stay in the shade so it stays cool you can put that in their cages," he said. "You can have this sort of cold area where they can go to try to find that cooler spot."

Have you ever had a dispute over ownership or custody of a pet? We want to hear from you for an upcoming story. Send an email to ask@cbc.ca.

Read more:
Pets are also feeling the heat this summer. Here's how you can protect them - CBC.ca

Rep. Kurt Schrader would have to apply for a new license from state board led by wife of candidate who defeated him.

Oregon is a small state, prone to odd intersections of political lives. To wit:

U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Canby, would have to apply for a new veterinarian's license from a state board led by the wife of the candidate who defeated him in the May primary.

State records show that Walter Schrader the congressman goes by his middle name, Kurt received a state veterinary license in 1977. Elected to Congress in 2008, Schrader has served as chair of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus.

But state records show that after 42 years, Schrader allowed his license to lapse in December 2019.

Schrader lost the May 17 Democratic primary to Terrebonne attorney Jamie McLeod-Skinner.

If Schrader wanted to resume his practice after he leaves office in January, he'd apply for a new license from the Oregon Veterinary Medicine Examining Board.

The board's interim executive director since December 2020 is Cass McLeod-Skinner. She's Jamie's wife.

Cass McLeod-Skinner is also the executive director of the Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners. She stepped into the additional work of leading the veterinary board after the previous executive director, Lori Maakinen, retired in December 2020.

State records show Cass McLeod-Skinner has a base pay of $119,899 and earned total compensation in the 2021 fiscal year of $120,109.

Gov. Kate Brown announced she plans to fill the veterinary board commission job and was accepting applications until the end of June. No announcement has been made on an appointment.

Schrader is paid $174,000 per year as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Starting next year, the paycheck will go to either Jamie McLeod-Skinner or Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, depending on the outcome of the November election.

You count on us to stay informed and we depend on you to fund our efforts.Quality local journalism takes time and money. Please support us to protect the future of community journalism.

See the original post:
Oregon's a small world: Politics and vetting veterinarians - Portland Tribune

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - With temperatures as hot as they are, veterinarians say it's important to keep your pets inside to avoid heat stroke and other emergencies.

"Recently, we actually saved a police dog. He was working outside and his temperature went up to 107 degrees and we were very lucky...they brought him in immediately," said Dr. Julie Nelson, an emergency veterinarian at Bay Beach Veterinary Emergency Hospital in Virginia Beach.

The dog and its handler were also lucky because they were able to find a clinic to take the case.

Bay Beach's schedule for emergency doctors currently has numerous openings, particularly during overnight shifts No doctor on staff means pets could be turned away. It nearly happened on Monday of this week, the clinic tells News 3.

We did not have an emergency doctor overnight and most of the veterinary emergency hospitals in our community did not have emergency doctors overnight either so we did not have anywhere to send the patient. We did end up getting him taken care of, but, at the same time, its a really tough situation for people to be in," said Allison Rye, the Hospital Administrator at Bay Beach.

According to Blue Pearl an emergency veterinary hospital that operates across the country, with two locations in Hampton Roads the problem is nationwide due to a shortage of veterinarians and support staff.

A statement to News 3, from company spokesperson Laura Fourniotis, reads, "Over the past decade, there has been an increased generational interest in pet ownership, which was accelerated by a historic influx of pandemic pets. Adding to this, the industry is facing a national veterinary professional shortage. COVID-19 only exacerbated pre-existing issues in veterinary medicine, including burnout. Loss of qualified/experienced para-staff, clinicians, and leadership is notable across all aspects of the veterinary business. However, emergency and critical care medicine has seen the greatest attrition or movement of Associates. Many determined to take a break, to move to another role or another team/practice, or to leave the profession altogether. This trend is not yet slowing in 2022."

Fourniotis pointed News 3 to a study by Mars Veterinary Health that breaks down the numbers.

Rye says the staffing situation at Bay Beach and across the region is the worst she's seen since joining the clinic as a veterinary assistant in 2001.

"I think we had five or six 24-hour facilities locally. Now we have two," she said. "We do our best to cover the holes (in our schedule) that we can, but our doctors can only work so many hours in a week."

If the hospital is unable to take on a new patient, Dr. Nelson says her staff may refer the owner to another clinic outside the region.

It hurts us immensely to have to send them somewhere else, like all the way to Richmond. That is a two-hour drive to do in the middle of the night when their pet is having an emergency but when you dont have the doctor to take care of them, we have to do whats best for them," she told News 3.

But sometimes even those locations are already full too.

Dr. Nelson says the best thing for someone having an emergency with their dog, cat or another pet is to call ahead to make sure a hospital is accepting patients to avoid a wasted trip.

Also, if you think your pet might be sick, try to get in to see your regular veterinarian before it becomes an emergency.

And keep in mind if you do have to visit the ER, be patient and prepared to wait several hours in the event the doctor is working on another, higher priority case.

More here:
Heat emergency with your pet? Don't be surprised if your ER visit requires a drive - News 3 WTKR Norfolk

A cat treated for care at UC Davis Veterinary Hospital after the 2018 Camp Fire. (UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine)

Discovery Could Change the Way Veterinarians Treat Wildfire-Injured Cats

Quick Summary

July 24, 2022 - By Trina Wood - Cats who suffered burns and smoke inhalation in urban California wildfires are at risk of forming deadly blood clots, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.The study, recently published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, follows up ona previous discoverythat showed cats injured in urban wildfires had a high incidence of heart problems.

Prior to these two papers, we didnt realize that cats impacted by urban wildfires were prone to forming clots, which can lead to sudden death, said lead co-author Ronald Li, associate professor of small animal emergency and critical care at UC Davis. This study will change the standard of care for rescued cats from these wildfires and hopefully save more lives.

Cats treated for their injuries from the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, were some of the models for this study. Researchers examined their platelets, the cells that circulate in blood and help stop bleeding or form blood clots. They found that cats with wildfire injuries had increased overactive platelets compared to healthy cats or cats with heart disease, in this case subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM. HCM is the most common cardiac disease in cats and causes a thickening of the heart muscle.

Cats with HCM are hypercoagulable, meaning they are more likely to form clots, explained lead co-author Ava Tan, a veterinary research fellow currently working in Lis laboratory. Thats why we used them as a control group to compare with cats in the wildfire group.

The platelets of wildfire-injured cats also released high amounts of microvesicles, microscopic membranous bubble-like structures filled with proteins, which are associated with cardiovascular disease and an elevated risk of clotting.

We found cats exposed to wildfire smoke and injuries are even more prone to throwing clots, showing a direct association between wildfire injuries, platelet response and clot formation, Tan said.

In addition to clot formation, platelets have a lot to do with overall cardiovascular health and disease. The study also led to the discovery of a novel receptor on cat platelets, Toll-Like-Receptor-4, that may play a role in clotting and could be the target for treatments developed in the future.

These results could lead to bigger health implications for our feline patients and highlight the important role that platelets play in linking inflammation with the coagulation system, Li said.

Wildfires pose a major risk for humans as well. Emergency room visits increase due to heart attack and strokes after wildlife exposure. Although the underlying mechanism isnt known in humans, this study in cats may shed light on systemic platelet activation, which plays a crucial role in mediating the likelihood of developing clots as a result of wildfire injuries.

This study opens a new door to looking at how wildfires impact cardiovascular health in humans, Li said.

The researchers were able to use blood samples collected from cats brought in for treatment from the Camp Fire, which have been used in these two studies to date. This study has also led to a third study, which is underway, to discover new cellular processes that may explain why feline platelets are so sensitive and prone to clotting, especially in cats with heart conditions or wildfire injuries. The data collected is critical to developing early treatment plans, Li said.

Other authors include veterinary cardiologists Joshua Stern, Catherine Gunther-Harrington and Ashley Sharpe; veterinary critical care specialists Yu Ueda, Steven Epstein and Satoshi Haginoya; and research associates Nghi Nguyen and Mehrab Hussain in the Li Comparative Platelet and Neutrophil Physiology Laboratory. The diagnostics and therapeutic management of feline burn victims reported in this study were funded through the UC Davis Veterinary Catastrophic Need Fund.This study also received funding through the Center for Companion Animal Health.Source: UC Davis

Follow this link:
Cats Injured in Wildfires at Risk of Deadly Blood Clots - Sierra Sun Times

By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times

We seldom think of the home or medicine cabinet as a storehouse of poisons, but that is what they are. From the very food we eat, the sprays we clean with, to the drugs we take, the chemical activity of um, chemicals can have diabolical effects upon biological systems. In this article, I will explore a few of the drugs we use to keep ourselves healthy, and how drugs can become poisons.

That drugs can be dangerous is the reason why so many are regulated, and available only by prescription by a licensed physician or psychiatrist. Most drugs are derived from other living organisms which use the chemicals to ward off predators, and they do this by messing with the biochemistry of the attacker, sometimes lethally. However, some drugs are from inanimate sources. Elements such as lithium, iron, potassium, iodine, zinc, and sodium, and compounds such as bicarbonate of soda and calcium carbonate, are used as part of the spectrum of pharmacological interventions to manage health. But the questions arise: What distinguishes a poison from a drug? Is the difference due merely to a dosage effect? What interactions can drugs have with each other that singly they are okay, but together will send you six feet under? Why are there so many potential side effects for each drug?

Drugs act through a physiological intermediary, through which they activate or shut down a pathway. Dosage matters here to modulate the pathway correctly. Consider a problem of acid overproduction in the stomach. There are two ways to manage this problem: 1. turning down acid production levels or, 2. absorbing the excess; both will have the desired outcome of less acid. But other problems may arise from the reduction of acid levels. If most or all the acid is absorbed, there may not be enough left to digest protein, or potential pathogens or their eggs, and will have the undesired side-effects of malnutrition or parasitic infestation. But if not enough absorption of acid occurs, the remaining acid may cause other problems such as possible ulceration, reflux, or heartburn. Therefore, the dose must be achieved that sponges up just the right amount of acid not too little, and not too much.

A second consideration for drugs is their interactions with other drugs or the body itself, if it changes the drugs persistence or activity. As a simple example, a drug that requires acid in the stomach to be activated, such as a supplementary digestive enzyme, will be modulated by the levels of acid. Agonistic, or similar actions, will be amplified. For example, barbiturates and alcohol are both nerve depressants and, taken together, can be lethal. So also aspirin and warfarin, both of which act to thin blood, will have lethal additive effects. Antagonistic drugs, such as morphine and naloxone, have opposite effects at the same receptor. Thus, a morphine overdose can be reversed by administering naloxone. Drugs whose actions involve the brain are particularly complicated in this respect their outcomes are affected regionally by agonistic and antagonistic effects, but they can even have systemic effects because of their regulation of the secretion of neurotransmitters and hormones.

Drug action is further modulated by whether the drug is rapidly or slowly broken down, and the organs involved in its removal from the body. Drugs metabolized through biochemical pathways in the liver or the kidney can place excess stress on those organs if used in conjunction with other drugs metabolized via the same organ. For example alcohol and acetaminophen a popular analgesic are both metabolized in the liver using similar oxidative enzymes. Taking them together may place such a large load on the liver that it can cause liver failure and death. Some foods may interfere with drug metabolism as well. Grapefruit juice is known to interfere with some liver enzymes that break down drugs like cholesterol-lowering statins, leading to a drug buildup which can then lead to muscle pain or damage. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can affect kidney function, impeding the removal of drugs from the body. So be sure to list these in your medication lists when you see your physician for your annual checkup! Illegal or street drugs can also interact with prescription drugs in the body. The list is long! Here is a place where you can check prescription drug interactions: https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html#. Stay safe by checking with your doctor, especially if you are required to take multiple medications. Keep your medications away from children. Expired and no-longer-needed medications can be disposed at the Police Station and through Controlled Substance Public Disposal Locations (search for your closest location at Controlled Substance Public Disposal Locations Search Utility (usdoj.gov)).

It is not usual practice to praise federal governmental institutions, but the Food and Drug Administration has been the bulwark against ineffective treatments marketed as panaceas, and against food and drug adulteration in the United States. The first part of its mission statement reads as follows: The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nations food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA requires data on two key requirements prior to licensing a drug: safety and efficacy. These data are gathered through clinical trials (at levels I, II, and III, as you may know from the testing of the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19), and bolstered by the Vaccine Adverse Effects Reporting System (VAERS) where side effects of vaccines are reported to the FDA for safety follow up. But the FDA also demands that any negative drug interactions that are found are publicized by the drug company this is the reason for drug labeling and the laundry list of side-effects that accompany any over-the-counter or prescribed drug. The FDA is so trusted that many other countries have adopted the practices they pioneered, such as Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) with stringent record-keeping and trackable supply chains.

To stay safe, read the small print, and be honest with your physician when they ask you which other drugs you take.

Read the rest here:
Inner Nature: The medicine/poison cabinet | The Unionville Times - The Unionville Times

There are a few actors in Hollywood who start acting as children and continue in their acting careers through adulthood. There are far more who appear in one or a few movies and then move on to completely different careers. Peter Ostrum is one interesting example of an actor who left the big screen behind.

Ostrum was born November 1, 1957, in Dallas, Texas but spent most of his childhood in Cleveland, Ohio, according to IMDb. While in Cleveland, he enjoyed acting for the local childrens theater. It is from those productions that he got discovered for his only film appearance. He starred as Charlie Bucket in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Ostrum was an instant hit in his role as the lovable Charlie. Ostrum, however, did not love acting in the film enough to want to return. He even turned down a three-movie deal he received as soon he finished Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. He said, When it was over, I was anxious to become just another kid again.

Ostrum didnt enjoy talking about his time as a child actor for a long time. Now that a lot of time has passed, Ostrum can look back with fondness. He said,

For a long time, I hated talking about the movie. When anyone brought it up, I wanted to change the topic. I didnt want to be known as the former child actor. Now, since Ive been out of the industry for so long and have grown up, I look on the whole experience with fond memories and see it as a wonderful part of my life. Its fun to reflect now with the maturity that I didnt have at one point when I was younger.

OWN reports that Ostrum and his fellow child actors (a.k.a the Wonka Kids) maintain a close relationship to this day. They often come together at celebrity signing events around the country.

Ostrum used the earnings he got from starring in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory to buy his first horse, according to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He started working at the stable where his horse was kept. It was his horses veterinarian that left a strong impression on him.

About the veterinarian, Ostrum said,

I can remember the veterinarian coming out and taking care of the horses, and it made a huge impression on me. This person really enjoyed what he did for a living. My father was a lawyer, and I really didnt have a clue what he did all day. But I knew exactly what the veterinarian did. Someone making a living from something he enjoyed so much really sparked my interest.

Ostrum took time off between high school and college to work as a groom at a few stables, and then he worked at the Delaware Equine Center in Pennsylvania. He ultimately ended up at Cornell University, where he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 1984.

Ostrum now works as a veterinarian at a small veterinary clinic in Lowville, NY. He is a senior partner and primarily works on dairy farms. For over 25 years, Ostrum has found great satisfaction in working closely with dairy farm owners and their families.

On top of his veterinary practice, Ostrum has also been featured on the reality series called Vets on Call, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health. The show sought to raise awareness about the unique bond between rural veterinarians and their dairy farmer clients and to hopefully inspire young people to enter the food animal medicine career.

Ostrum enjoys visiting public schools in his area to talk about his movie role and his work as a veterinarian. He seeks to teach about how our life can change based on our decisions. He said, Acting was fine, but I wanted something more steady. The key is to find something you love doing, and thats what I got.

RELATED: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: None of the Actors Were Informed About the Tunnel Scene

Read more:
'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' Star Peter Ostrum Pursued an Ivy League Education After He Left Acting - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Friday, February 12, 2021

As the date for opening the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicines new hospital facilities draws closer, the Purdue Board of Trustees has approved a new name for the complex in recognition of a $10 million leadership commitment from PVM alumnus David Brunner and his wife, Bonnie. The board took the action at its meeting Friday, February 5, honoring the Brunners for their gift that will be meaningful to students, staff, faculty, clients, and alumni alike for years ahead.

Encompassing 162,500 square feet, the new veterinary hospital facilities will be known as the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex, and will include three components located just east of the existing Lynn Hall of Veterinary Medicine:

As the pandemic has underscored, a state-of-the-art veterinary medicine program now not only benefits our animal population, but is an integral element in protecting human health, said Purdue President Mitch Daniels. Thanks to David and Bonnie, Indiana and the nation will now have such an invaluable asset.

Dr. Brunner earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Purdue in 1979, and then began his career as a practitioner in what he calls the most enjoyable profession in the world. I go to work and play with puppies and kittens. He credits his time as a student at Purdue for fueling his passion.

Dr. Brunner is the owner of the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic (BRAC), a business he founded on the north side of Indianapolis in 1981 with one employee. BRAC now has nine full-time veterinarians and is one of the 15% of hospitals in the U.S. accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. Dr. Brunner retired as a practicing clinical veterinarian in 2012 but continues to be involved with the clinic as chief visionary and staff cheerleader.

Dr. Brunner has been a member of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association. He is a past president of the Indianapolis Humane Society, having previously served on the board for ten years. In addition, Dr. Brunner has authored two books, The Dog Owners Manual and The Cat Owners Manual, currently published in 12 languages worldwide.

Bonnie (MacLeod) Brunner holds degrees in economics and comparative politics and an MBA in finance from UCLA. She retired from trading at Morgan Stanley and owns Lupo Design & Build, a luxury contemporary residential home building company in Hermosa Beach, Calif. She balances this business with her role as chief financial officer of the veterinary practice and managing the couples personal and commercial properties. Bonnie was actively involved in animal rescue organizations in Los Angeles before meeting David. The Brunners split their time between Indianapolis; Southern California; and St. Barths, French West Indies.

My years at Purdue were life-changing, Dr. Brunner said. It took me a while to appreciate the incredible education I received from Purdues vet school. To this day, I reflect with sincere appreciation on the many professors and clinical instructors who helped shape me into the veterinarian I became.

Bonnie and I have been presented with an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to the construction of the new veterinary medical complex. It is our hope that this contribution will aid and inspire veterinary students, now and for years to come. I am passionate about companion animal practice and have a special interest in inspiring the entrepreneurial spirit in veterinary students and teaching them the art of veterinary practice and the business of veterinary medicine.

The couple is looking forward to having an active role in the Purdue Alumni Association and to finally attending some Boilermaker football games, as they joke, We did not have time to do things like that when we were in school because we were always studying.

The design of the new David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex optimizes hands-on learning for students and creates dedicated space for community engagement opportunities. In addition, the complexs larger footprint and updated equipment will increase clinical research and allow faculty researchers to respond to more clinical trial opportunities, thus expanding the College of Veterinary Medicines reputation as a world-renowned research institute.

Due to the generosity of David and Bonnie Brunner, our vision of constructing a true state-of-the-art hospital is becoming a reality, said Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed. The new hospital will provide a wonderful learning environment for our students, enable our faculty to advance their clinical research programs that involve clinical trials and greatly enhance our capability to deliver the highest quality care to our animal patients. I am especially grateful to have an alumnus of the college and his wife make such an impactful contribution to the colleges future success.

Slated to be completed by December and open by spring 2022, the new complex will provide for the varied needs of clients while also maximizing efficiency. For the first time, horses will have their own equine hospital rather than being treated at the same facility as farm animals like cows, pigs, and sheep, which will be attended to at the new farm animal hospital. Efficiencies in the existing hospital facility also will be incorporated into the new structures. For example, expensive imaging technology will be located centrally so it can be accessed from both the small animal and equine hospitals, which mirrors current practice in the existing facilities.

Some small animal services will remain at the current small animal hospital. In addition to treating animals, the hospital complex will serve as a catalyst for interdisciplinary research, including cancer drug discovery and the development of treatments for paralysis.

The total cost of the project is $108 million. Purdue has committed $35 million, which includes ongoing fundraising by the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the state of Indiana approved a $73 million appropriation.

Writer(s): Purdue News Service and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Go here to read the rest:
New Veterinary Hospital Gets New Name Thanks to Generosity of PVM Alumnus and His Wife - Purdue Veterinary News

AMARILO and LUBBOCK, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) The following is a news release from Texas Tech University:

Community, integrity, kindheartedness, grit, inspiration. These are the values that embody the purpose and vision of theTexas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo. Theyre among the characteristics that make West Texas what it is today.

Those also are values that veterinarian Pedro Melendez shares and holds deeply. As a worldwide expert in beef and dairy cattle production medicine and nutrition, Melendez has spent the last 30 years imparting his wisdom and knowledge to veterinarians and veterinary students around the globe. Now, he will bring that experience, wisdom and knowledge to Texas.

Melendez is the newest faculty member of the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine, joining a diverse collection of experts as an associate professor. He began his duties on Monday (Feb. 8).

I am very excited to begin my academic adventure at Texas Tech, Melendez said. Like any new veterinary school, the challenge is huge, but at the same time rewarding, because it will give me the opportunity to leave a legacy that can be remembered forever. In this sense, I am committed to thoroughly following the core values of Texas Tech, not because it is an obligation but because it is my lifestyle. These are the values that I inherited from my parents, and I will put them into practice day by day with the students, my colleagues, the staff and the entire community with which I will live.

Melendez comes to Texas Tech after spending the last three years as a clinical associate professor at the University of Georgia where he taught courses in population health, discussing published veterinary research and new research developments as well as management approaches and current issues in the diagnosis of disease and health maintenance on domestic and wild animal populations.

While at Georgia he also served in a graduate appointment in animal and dairy sciences at the universitys College of Veterinary Medicine as well as a graduate appointment in animal sciences at Colorado State University.

Prior to his time in Georgia, Melendez served on the faculty at the University of Missouri in Columbia, focusing on dairy production and food animal medicine. Dairy production medicine and cattle nutrition have also been his focus in teaching stops at the University of Florida and the University Santo Tomas in Chile.

I hope I can bring new ideas to Texas Tech that can help me interact positively with everybody, because I have a gregarious personality, Melendez said, Teamwork is my slogan, and I am sure it is the spirit of all at Texas Tech.

His goal at Texas Tech is to connect with the practitioners as well as owners and managers of local dairies to help teach students and collaborate on applied research. Melendez also hopes to establish a service laboratory for the diagnosis of metabolic diseases, metabolic profiling and nutritional monitoring to support the labor of bovine practitioners and nutritionists.

An important component of our mission is to support the sustainability our nations livestock industries, saidGuy Loneragan, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. Animal agriculture has been at the heart of Texas since its inception. The two are interwoven in the fabric of what and who we are. Animal agriculture helps drive the states economy, and the School of Veterinary Medicine is located at the epicenter of this industry. The insights and expertise Dr. Melendez brings adds to the vibrancy of our school and the region. He also brings a worldview that makes us all better.

Melendez is a member of the American Board of Veterinary Medicine, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and the American Dairy Science Association.

He earned his bachelors degree in veterinary science and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Chile, and his masters and doctoral degrees in veterinary science from the University of Florida. He also served his residency in food animal reproduction and medicine from Florida. He earned his board certification in dairy practice from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2019 and served seven years in general bovine medical practice upon earning his veterinary degree in 1990.

Dr. Melendez brings a national and international background in dairy production medicine to our school, saidJohn Dascanio, senior associate dean for academic and student affairs. He has years of experience and a passion to help the dairy industry. He is not only committed to helping the region but also will incorporate international continuing education and engagement. I look forward to his work with our dairy community, with it being one of the largest milksheds in the country.

Thanks to the generosity of Amarillo and communities across Texas, and the commitment of legislators from around the state, the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo was established in 2018. In September 2020, the school was granted a Letter of Reasonable Assurance, from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education and has begun the admissions process in preparation for classes to begin in August.

The School of Veterinary Medicine will recruit and select students with a passion to serve rural and regional communities. Its curriculum is focused on the competencies and skills necessary for success in practice types that support these communities. Texas Techs innovative and cost-efficient model partners with the wider community of veterinary practices across the state to provide clinical, real-world experiential learning.

(News release from Texas Tech University)

Continued here:
Bovine production-medicine expert joins TTU School of Veterinary Medicine Faculty - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

by: Roushell Hamilton Jr.

via Texas Tech

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) Texas Tech University named Pedro Melendez the newest faculty member of the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. Melendez has 30 years of experience in beef and dairy cattle production, medicine, and nutrition.

Melendez spent the last three years as a clinical associate professor at the University of Georgia where he taught courses in population health, veterinary research and health maintenance of domestic and wild animal populations, Texas Tech said.

I am very excited to begin my academic adventure at Texas Tech, Melendez said. Like any new veterinary school, the challenge is huge, but at the same time rewarding, because it will give me the opportunity to leave a legacy that can be remembered forever. In this sense, I am committed to thoroughly following the core values of Texas Tech, not because it is an obligation but because it is my lifestyle.

Melendez said his goal is to establish a lab for the diagnosis of metabolic diseases, metabolic profiling and nutritional monitoring to support bovine practitioners and nutritionists.

More from MyHighPlains.com:

Read the original:
Bovine production-medicine expert joins Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine faculty - KAMR - MyHighPlains.com

Photo Submitted

Top from left, students Davina D'Angelo and Sam Stephens; bottom, professors Morten Jensen and Lauren Thomas.

An interdisciplinary team of University of Arkansas researchers has come together to develop a surgical spoon that is currently in clinical testing to make a common veterinary procedure safer and more effective.

Faculty and students from the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences are working alongside researchers in the College of Engineering to develop a novel spoon that will allow veterinarians to more effectively remove bladder stones from companion animals a common procedure in the veterinary industry.

The collaboration includes Lauren Thomas, a doctor of veterinary medicine and clinical assistant professor of animal science;Davina D'Angelo, her student;Morten Jensen, associate professor of biomedical engineering;and Sam Stephens, a research engineer and graduate student in Jensen's lab.

The project combines the expertise and experience of Thomas and D'Angelo in veterinary medicine with Jensen and Stephens' expertise in medical device design and manufacturing. The team created a series of 3-D printed spoons that are currently in clinical testing by local veterinary clinics to better remove bladder stones in animals. The spoons were optimized with computational simulations and mechanical testing and the team is currently evaluating feedback from the clinics.

D'Angelo, an honors student who is in the final year of her studies, approached Thomas about the idea as a sophomore after spending a number of hours shadowing at a local veterinary hospital and observing a number of cystotomy surgeries. Thomas then contacted Jensen to add engineering design expertise to the team.

"For many local veterinarians, the methods available for stone extraction are often limited to the use of a traditional tablespoon, teaspoon, or flushing the stones out by inserting a urinary catheter through the urinary tract," D'Angelo said. "Many times, these methods still make it difficult to remove all of the stones, especially the small ones that can be down to a few millimeters in size."

Left-behind stones can cause a variety of issues in animals, including infections and recurrence of future stones.

Thomas said the research addresses a real-world need for veterinarians.

"Bladder stones are a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect a variety of domestic animal species," she said. "There are a few different methods for removal of the stones, but depending on the type of animal we are dealing with, as well as the location and nature of the stone, it can be difficult to remove all of them safely. These spoons will give veterinarians a customized tool that has been made with veterinary patient safety, stone removal efficacy and anesthetic efficiency in mind. If we can decrease the amount of time that veterinary surgeons spend performing this procedure, that decreases the amount of time the animal spends under anesthesia, which is safer for the animal, saves the client money, and improves the odds of getting all of the unwanted stones out of the urinary bladder.It's a win on all fronts."

Jensen said the project was an excellent opportunity for creating a fruitful interdisciplinary collaboration. "We have used our experience in working withclinicianson device design, simulation, prototyping and testingto extend that to participate in this unique partnership betweenfaculty andstudents of the two colleges."

D'Angelo, credited her mentors at Faithful Friends Animal Clinic in Rogers, and said the entire experience helped her take a big step toward her goals.

"I am thankful for the faculty at the University of Arkansas for their eagerness to collaborate and forge innovation in the name of veterinary medicine," she said. "I have been afforded exposure to biomedical engineering and laboratory skills that will propel me through my educational journey of becoming a veterinarian. My aspiration is to create an impact in the standard of health care for our companion animals."

Original post:
Animal Science and Engineering Researchers Partner to Improve Veterinary Procedure - University of Arkansas Newswire

February is Dental Health Care Month. That applies to both dogs and humans.

My first experience with veterinary dentistry was 20 about years ago. Other than learning that brushing our dog's teeth was important, our dogs never had dental problems. Then Bourbon, our Doberman/German shepherd mix, snatched a frozen homemade dog cookie from the table where it was defrosting and broke a tooth.

Bourbon didn't need a root canal, but in an attempt to save the tooth, our veterinarian suggested looking into a crown for it. At that time, the availability of veterinary specialty dental practices was limited in our area, so we traveled a distance to find one.

According to the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, there was an upsurge in veterinary dentistry in the 1980s. .

In addition to fractured or broken teeth, dogs (and cats) can have a variety of dental problems. The American Veterinary Dental Society reports more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats develop some signs of gum disease by age 3.

The Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the American Veterinary Dental Society describe periodontal disease and its warning signs.

Periodontal disease may have a serious affect on a pet's health. In addition to receding gums, loosening and eventual loss of teeth, studies have shown the kidneys, liver and even the heart can be affected.

Gum disease is an infection and inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria present in plaque and tartar. The problem begins when plaque and tartar build up on the pet's teeth, especially below the gum line.

The warning signs of gum disease include bad breath, a yellow brown crust of tartar around the gum line, pain or bleeding when the pet eats or when you touch his teeth.

The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends prevention as the key to helping pets maintain good oral health. They recommend three steps:

Visit your veterinarian. A veterinarian will conduct a physical examination as part of the dental examination.

Start a dental care routine at home. The dental health of your dog starts with regular brushing. Ideally, you should start when they are young, between 8-12 weeks. But it is never too late to start.

Petmaster.com suggests instructions on how to gently and effectively brush your dog's teeth:

To introduce the process, dip your hands in peanut butter or something your dog loves to eat and allow him to lick it off your fingers. As he does this, slowly and gently rub your finger along his teeth and gums. After several days of practice, teach him to open his mouth using treats as rewards.

Use a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Human toothpaste contains fluoride, which is toxic to dogs.

Scratch you dog's muzzle and gently pet him while lifting his lip for about 30 seconds. Then, as you do the above, gently rub your fingers through his teeth for 20-30 seconds.

Put a small amount of dog-friendly toothpaste on a toothbrush, allowing your dog to lick it off. (I have found I could encourage my dog by first having him lick the toothpaste off my finger and then have him lick it off the toothbrush.) This step allows your dog to get used to the taste. If he doesn't seem to like it, try another flavor.

Now you can start brushing. The outer surface of the dog's teeth is the most important, so brush each side for 20-30 seconds. Remember, this is a new experience for your dog, so take it slow and be gentle. If your dog is resistant, stop ad try again another day. It may take several weeks for your dog to get used to having his teeth brushed.

Brush your dog's teeth when he is tired, after a lengthy walk or a playtime session.

If a toothbrush isn't working, you may want to use dental wipes or a dog finger toothbrush. If at any time your dog shows signs of discomfort or aggression, stop brushing immediately. He may be uncomfortable, fearful or in pain.

For information, you can download the e-book "Tooth Brushing Basics" from the American Kennel Club, or go to webmed.com and/or other sites that offer video demonstrations.

The third step the American Veterinary Dental Society recommends is to get regular veterinary dental checkups. Your veterinarian needs to monitor the progress of your pet's preventive dental care routine much the same way a dentist monitors your dental health.

Oral health is important to the health of our dogs. They depend on us to do it right.

The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit http://www.thebuddyfoundation.org.

Excerpt from:
Brushing your dog's teeth helps with overall health - Chicago Daily Herald

(ZooMontana Press Release)

BILLINGS - During the late summer of 2020, ZooMontana took in a young, abandoned, 7-week-old Grey Wolf pup. The wolf was found, fed, and briefly housed by families in Condon MT, and then turned over to Montanas Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Kalispell.

After unsuccessful attempts to relocate the pups pack, the wolf was transferred to ZooMontana, and aptly named Simpson. During his first few months at the Zoo, officials say he was doing great, with a few oddities attributed to puppyhood. However, as he grew older, his clumsiness and poor eyesight led caregivers to believe something more was going on. After an altercation with one of the Zoos adult wolves, his condition deteriorated significantly, ultimately leading the Zoos veterinarian team to take him in for a CT scan of his brain. The scan unfortunately showed some bad news; Simpson has Congenital Hydrocephalus.

RELATED: ZooMontana welcomes orphaned wolf pup

This condition causes an increased production of cerebrospinal fluid, or "water on the brain", that increases intracranial pressure, said Dr. Haynes Werner, one of the Zoos lead veterinarians. In Simpson's case, his condition is likely to worsen as he gets older, and while he is currently on several medications, long term medical management is not his best option. We got to work to find solutions, and rested on surgery as his best option, Werner added.

Being this is a unique, highly specialized case, ZooMontanas veterinary team contacted specialists in the field to tackle the delicate surgery. After an exhaustive search, Washington State Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine agreed to take on the case. Simpson will travel with his local veterinary team to the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital in March to have a shunt placed in his brain to drain the excess fluid and relieve pressure on his brain. ZooMontana Executive Director, Jeff Ewelt, said that everyone agrees that this surgery is the best option available to Simpson, but wants everyone to know that there are many risks are involved.

RELATED: Orphaned wolf pup at ZooMontana adjusting to his new home

The Zoo stated that surgery is expected to cost about $10,000, with another $10,000 in expected habitat changes to make the Simpsons life more comfortable. ZooMontana has setup up a donation link on their website, http://www.zoomontana.org/support-simpson [zoomontana.org], if you would like to help contribute to Simpsons surgery.

Continue reading here:
ZooMontana's wolf Simpson diagnosed with rare condition, to be sent out of state for surgery - KTVQ Billings News

Veterinarians are keenly aware that many patients present with signs of pain that may be unrecognized or misinterpreted by the owner as normal aging. During a recent Fetch dvm360 virtual conference, Michael Petty, DVM, owner of Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital and Animal Pain Centerin Canton, Michigan, discussed how veterinarians could better detect pain in their canine patients and communicate this pain to owners. Owners see their dog every single day, and many painful behaviors can become the norm for that owner to observe, he said.

There are many reasons why owners may not realize their dog is in pain, and it is the veterinarians responsibility to show them what we are seeing. Petty started by dispelling common myths surrounding pain in dogs.

Many veterinarians have heard owners say that their older dog can no longer do a particular activity, such as jump on the couch, followed by, Well, at least theyre not in pain because the dog is not vocalizing. But, as we watch the dog walk around our exam room with a stiff gait or struggle to rise, we know the truth. Silence does not signify the absence of pain. Although dogs will vocalize in an acutely painful situation, they rarely convey when pain is chronic.

Another common misconception is that the dog is just getting old. Petty noted that old dogs can still do the same activities as younger ones. They lose muscle mass over time, just like humans, so they must do these activities at a lower level, but many older dogs still want to run and jump and go for walks. Chronic pain is what keeps many of these dogs from doing activities they previously enjoyed.

In some cases, owners are aware that their pet is in pain, but worry that medications arent safe for older pets. This is our chance to educate clients that many medications are, in fact, safe but that alternative therapies exist as well, such as physical therapy and acupuncture, Petty said.

Finally, some owners are concerned about their budget and whether they can afford to treat their dogs pain. According to Petty, there are 4 budgets that we deal with in each case: emotional, physical, time, and money. One of the great things about veterinary medicine is that we can often do something for the pet to help ease its pain and stay within the owners financial constraints.

Before we can show an owner that their pet is in pain, we must find it. Detecting pain starts as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic, and all members of the veterinary team play a role. When patients enter the clinic, team members should observe how they walk. Do their hind feet scuff on the floor? Do they lag behind the owner? How do they take a step, such as over a curb in the parking lot? Team members can pass this information on to the veterinarian prior to the exam.

The next step is to screen for pain using chronic pain scales. It is always important because pain might not be obvious to the client or to you, said Petty. It is always obvious to the dog or cat in pain, but they may not care to show it.

Several validated pain scales exist. Veterinarians should select a scale that is easy to use and designed specifically for dogs in chronic pain situations, such as the Canine Brief Pain Inventory1 or Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs.2 The client questionnaire portions of these scales can be used to screen for signs of pain that may not be observed in the clinic. Veterinarians can use pain scales along with the examination as a part of the new Canine OsteoArthritis Staging Tool,3 which allows them to assess for early risk factors and monitor patients throughout their life for the advancement of disease and assessment of therapy.

Once initial observations and screening questionnaires are completed, the veterinarian can perform a thorough pain examination. Once the veterinarian becomes skilled at this exam, it can usually be performed in a matter of minutes as part of a thorough physical. Petty offered several tips for how to perform a pain exam on canine patients:

Except in the case of very small dogs, pain examinations are best performed with the patient on the floor.

Observe the patients stance and how they rise from the floor. A nonpainful dog will jump up with all 4 limbs nearly simultaneously. A dog with hind end pain will stand with front limbs first, then pull the rest of the body to a standing position.

Many dogs will shake their body after rising. A normal dog will shake from nose to tail, whereas a dog in pain will stop shaking their body at the painful location.

Start by petting the dog to help it relax and to generally feel for areas of heat or sensitivity.

Assess passive range of motion in each limb. Multiple joints can be assessed together by moving the limb, and placing a hand or finger over the joint can allow you to feel for the presence of crepitus.

Dont forget to check the toes and look for signs of scuffing in the hindlimbs. This will be most notable on the nails of the middle digits, which may be worn down.

Check for spine and neck pain. An easy way to assess neck pain is to hold a treat, move it around, and watch how the patient moves its neck and head to follow the treat.

If a patient is too aggressive to examine, reschedule for a day when an oral premedication can be given. It is also okay to perform the exam and radiographs under full sedation, but there are some pain responses you wont be able to assess in these cases.

The final step in confirming pain in canine patients is diagnostics.

Radiographs are the number one diagnostic tool we have to find a problem, confirm our clinical impression, and convince the owner that their pet is painful, Petty said. He encouraged veterinarians to show the client the radiographs, point out abnormalities, and even consider sending them a copy of the image with markings on it to show concerning areas along with a written explanation of the findings.

It is in our patients best interest that we identify pain early so we can intervene and improve quality and quantity of life. By building confidence in our skills to detect pain and communicate it clearly with owners, we can discuss treatment options. By treating our painful patients, we will not only improve the quality of their life but also the strength of the bond they share with their owners.

Kate Boatright, VMD, a 2013 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, is a practicing veterinarian and freelance speaker and author in western Pennsylvania. She is passionate about mentorship, education, and addressing common sources of stress for veterinary teams and recent graduates. Outside of clinical practice, Boatright is actively involved in organized veterinary medicine at the local, state, and national levels.

References

Read the original here:
Speaking for our canine patients: How to find and communicate signs of chronic pain - DVM 360