Pet Food Recall
VIN COMMUNITY UPDATE Last week the FDA announced that the
"Suspect Wheat Gluten" contains Melamine. Whether this is THE toxic agent or simply a marker that will help identify affected foods and patients is still unclear. One issue to consider is what is our responsibility as veterinarians. How do you document that your patients' signs were a result of the affected pet foods? It is possible that documenting melamine in urine, kidney tissues, and foods will be key. Save and preserve what you can. Share your ideas on this with your colleagues. Another important clue is the presence of crystals in urine and renal histopathology samples. For now the best advice is to save samples, foods, and, as always, keep complete records. How many pets were affected by the recalled pet foods??
You can help collect information that may help answer this question by responding to a VIN Community survey whether you HAVE or HAVE NOT seen one or more cases of renal failure associated with consumption of the implicated pet foods. Many VINners have posted suspected cases, but we need more information from ALL VINners to get a feel for the true scope of the problem. Results from both the message boards data collation and survey responses will be merged and analyzed. The results will be shared with the profession. If you are interested and have time, we need volunteers to help collate the message board information. If interested, please email Paul@vin.com Keep Current on the Recall
The number of companies recalling foods expanded over the weekend. Links to list of recalled foods are kept up-to-date in the VIN COMMUNITY UPDATE. We will continue to compile what we know up to the moment: Also available is a new VIN summary about monitoring renal function in exposed pets. There are also several ongoing message boards discussions for VIN Members. The main discussion is here.
Mark your Calendar!
Join your colleagues in New Orleans, September 26-30 for the 13th International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium. Want an idea of the scope of CE available? Check out the proceedings from IVECCS 2006. Veterinary Hospital Manager's Association
Just what is the difference between Hospital Office Manager, Hospital Practice Manager, and Hospital Administrator? These job descriptions from the Veterinary Hospital Manager's Association will help!
Featured Book:
Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 2nd Edition, Papich, 2007
New in VeterinaryPartner:
Texas Farm Radio:
Prevalence of bacterial species in cats with clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease: Recognition of Staphylococcus felis as a possible feline urinary tract pathogen
This study investigated the prevalence of bacterial pathogens of the urinary tract in Australian cats. Urine was collected by cystocentesis and subjected to urinalysis, bacterial culture and susceptibility testing. A total of 126 isolates were obtained from 107 culture-positive cats.
Effect of meniscal release on rate of subsequent meniscal tears and owner-assessed outcome in dogs with cruciate disease treated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy
Rates of meniscal tears after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy were compared among 3 groups of dogs based on treatment method: arthrotomy with meniscal release, arthrotomy without meniscal release, arthroscopy without meniscal release. The low rates of subsequent meniscal tears in conjunction with the relatively high and equivocal levels of owner-assessed outcome and time to peak function for all 3 treatment groups suggest that any of these surgical management strategies can be considered acceptable.
Ivermectin: uses and impact 20 years on
The success of ivermectin in reducing Onchocerca volvulus and Wuchereria bancrofti transmission through universal treatment in disease control programs continues to be well documented, but recent epidemiologic data describe suboptimal response to ivermectin by O. volvulus in a minority of individuals, the molecular markers for which are currently under investigation.
Preoperative immunosuppressive therapy and surgery as a treatment for anal furunculosis
Preoperative immunosuppressive therapy, combined with bilateral surgical resection of affected tissue, consistently resulted in resolution of anal furunculosis. These preliminary results suggest that immunosuppressive therapy before surgical excision minimizes recurrence in dogs.
Tibial Crest Vanished After Surgery To Repair Tibial Crest Avulsion
I don't know why the tibial tuberosity went skinny, but they commonly do this after a pin/tension band repair of an avulsion. It may be a blood supply problem (a study of tibial tuberosity transposition showed that after the osteotomy, the blood supply within the tuberosity drops to zero, even if soft tissue attachments have been left distally).
Dye Study Confirms Mass Obstructing The Cranial Vena Cava
This study confirms that there is an obstruction of the cranial vena cava. Notice that the flow is diverted into the internal thoracic vein and into the thoracoabdominal veins (in the chest wall).
Carpal Flexural Deformity In a Pit Bull Puppy
This is a fairly common problem with Pit Bulls, Boxers, and a few other breeds. The good news is that most puppies will outgrow the problem and not require orthopedic repair.
Is Euthanasia Common For Addison's Dogs?
I believe I have euthanized almost every Addison's dog I've ever seen. Not necessarily right away, but at some point. Money definitely comes into play. Note that these patients, at least in my practice, tend to be large dogs needing large amounts of expensive medications -- not to mention relatively frequent blood testing.
|
|
 Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, April 3, 9:30 pm ET
Tax day is almost here! Have you done yours yet? Stop by and tell us!
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the Coffeehouse link to join the discussion.
How to Use VIN: Part 1
Wednesday, April 4, 9:30 pm ET
Learn how to use VIN. Email Nate@VIN.com for more information about this three-session course.
Sunday Rounds
Sunday, April 8 - No Rounds
Spend some time with your offline family.
Weekday Rounds
Monday, April 9, 9 pm ET
Join Lester Mandelker, DVM, DABVP, for Medicine From The Inside Out: General Disease/Aging And Novel Therapies. This is part 4 of a 4 part series on oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and novel therapies.
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the Rounds link to join the discussion. Recent Rounds
 Abstract Of The Week:
Anesthetic Management of the Head Trauma Patient
What's Your Diagnosis?
* Ophthalmology Case: 13
* Case Archives
Associate - Updated and New:
* Dancing Doberman disease is probably a peripheral neuropathy! Explore the rest of the Associate!
Website Of The Week:
The Compendium of Veterinary Vaccines for Transboundary Diseases, and more ...
Book Review of the Week:
Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants
You may purchase this book in the VIN store. Get More From VIN!
* How Do I...Email Another VINner?
* Read The "How to Use VIN" Tutorial
* How Can I ... Learn Associate?
* How Can I ... Become a Super-Duper VIN User?
* How Can I ... Post an Image on the Message Boards?
eVetsites Tip of the Week:
Add a Pet Food Recall Linked Page
Upcoming Conferences
Looking to attend -- or contribute a paper to -- a veterinary conference? Check out the On The Road With VIN folder, or the Press Releases folder, to see what conferences are coming up and to visit their web sites! Links to information about upcoming conferences include: BSAVA, NAVDF, ABVP, VOOJAARSDAGEN and CVC East.
From the Boards:
* How Can I Slow My Practice's Growth?
* Mast Cell Tumors In Swine
* Controlled Drug Questions
* Advice To New Grads
Feline House Soiling
Early bird deadline for registration is April 9!
The treatment of feline elimination disorders requires a basic understanding of why cats might begin to soil on surfaces and locations other than their designated litter area. Marking problems, for example, may respond to drug and pheromone therapy, but may not be significantly improved until the cause of the marking can be identified and treated. On the other hand, cats may begin to soil in inappropriate locations if there are medical or behavioral problems that lead to avoidance of their litter area, or if they develop preferences for other surfaces or sites in the home. This seminar will review the causes of inappropriate elimination, in order to develop appropriate and effective treatment protocols. Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to: - Understand why cats might eliminate in inappropriate locations
- Differentiate marking from other forms of inappropriate elimination
- Develop treatment plans that work to improve or resolve the underlying cause
Instructors:
Debbie J. Calnon, BSc, BVMS, MACVSc(Behavior)
Kersti Seksel, BVSc(Hons), MRCVS, MA (Hons), FACVSc. (Animal Behaviour), Dipl. ACVB, CMAVA Dates:
April 23 - May 7, 2007 Real-time sessions: Monday evenings, April 23 and 30; 9:30 - 11:30 pm ET CE Hours: 4 Tuition:
Member/$67, Non-Member/$120 by April 9, 2007;
Member/$74, Non-Member/$133 after April 9, 2007
Course registration open to veterinarians and VSPN members. Required Textbook: None Recommended Textbooks: Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, 2nd Edition
Landsberg, Hunthausen, Ackerman, 2003.
Available in the VIN bookstore. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioral Medicine
Horwitz, Mills, Heath, 2002
Available in the VIN bookstore. Clinical Behavioral Medicine For Small Animals - Overall
1997
Available in the VIN bookstore. Training Your Cat
Seksel, 2001 - Hyland House Publishing Pty Ltd
May be available from online retailers. Client Handouts, Behavior, CD-ROM
Landsberg, Horwitz.
Available in the VIN bookstore. To find out more about this course:
Visit the Feline House Soiling page. To register, scroll to the bottom of the course information page and choose the Enroll Now link.
|
