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DVM360 MAGAZINE, Nov 1, 2005

Small Animal Diagnosing IBD: Exclude known causes of chronic intestinal disease By Johnny D. Hoskins, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Diet modifications, antibiotic treatment, and specific antiinflammatories and immunosuppressives can treat IBD. Salmonella recruited to fight cancerous tumors By Jessica Tremayne Fort Collins, Colo.—Colorado State University (CSU) veterinarians are successfully using genetically modified Salmonella to treat soft-tissue sarcomas and melanoma in pet dogs. AAHA tackles dental protocols Denver — The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Dental Care Guidelines aim to change veterinarians' approach to dental cases — the first in many steps that will examine the way dentistry is practiced. Feline communication: Listen to the tail's tale By Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVB, CAAB The second column in this series on feline communication will focus on the information provided by cat tails. While no signaling system can be removed from the context of the entire animal and correctly interpreted, it can be very useful to look at what information can be communicated by each body part involved in signaling. Then, we can take these observations and look for congruence or lack of it between other signaling systems (e.g., the eyes, voice, body, etc.) The only system closed to our understanding, for now, is the olfactory. Tips for soft-tissue surgeries By Christopher Thacher, DVM, Dipl. ACVS , Rebecca M. Stanclift, DVM Unlike human medicine where surgery is the exclusive domain of the specialist, general practitioners in veterinary medicine are often called upon to perform a wide variety of surgical procedures. Cataracts: How to uncover the imposter lenticular sclerosis By Joan Capuzzi Giresi, VMD Diabetes mellitus leads to cataracts in dogs via the sorbitol pathway, which is activated in hyperglycemia. Cancer Registry The Vet Cancer Registry Food Animal Hygienically challenged Ms. Johnson and her mother were standing by, biting nails on both hands while they waited for the verdict. Equine Horse slaughter days numbered By David Frabotta Washington — Legislation to terminate federal funding of inspections for U.S. horse slaughter facilities made its way into both cameral versions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) appropriations bill. At presstime, Congress passed budget extensions for all U.S. agencies after missing the Oct. 1 deadline while House and Senate versions of federal spending bills are hammered out in conference, but observers expect the provision that would kill funding for inspection services at horse slaughter plants to make it into the final bill. Storms strand hundreds - Veterinarians merge at Lamar-Dixon to reunite 80-90 percent with owners By David Frabotta Baton Rouge, La.—Louisiana State University (LSU) wasn't part of the state veterinarian's hurricane response or contingency plan before Katrina was a household name. But shortly after the large Category 4 storm ravaged Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, it became clear that unsolicited veterinary help would be needed on an unprecedented scale to rescue and relieve thousands of animals. A day in the life of hurricane rescue teams The following is an excerpt from a press release issued by Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine and the Equine Health Studies Program. Staying safe amid mobile mayhem By Kenneth L. Marcella, DVM Donkeys and mules receive special note as they are responsible for many of the injuries to genitalia. Mobile practice comes with a price, precaution Automobile accidents are responsible for a significant amount of the deaths and injuries to veterinarians, especially large animal practitioners. This should come as no surprise because these road warriors commonly are rushing to stay on schedule and trying to negotiate roads, follow directions and return phone calls all at the same time. Long hours, especially during foaling and calving seasons, contribute to fatigue. Drowsiness and driving definitely do not mix. Obenski Cats age, but owners seldom mature By Michael A. Obenski, DVM She sent her friend, Lee Vinnahuff, to pick up the cat. She had a few words for me as well ... News Alarmed not panicked: Canine influenza incites media hype; experts raise cautionary flag By Jennifer Fiala Gainesville, Fla. — Media exposure and Internet rumors surrounding canine influenza have scientists and practitioners scrambling to clarify a sea of misinformation. AVMA frustrated by bureaucracy that hinders emergency response By Jennifer Fiala Schaumburg, Ill. — As the government faces accusations it was wildly out of touch on Katrina, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) joins the list of concerned parties seeking after-the-fact answers from federal officials. Bluestone appeal DOA Los Angeles, Calif. — Touted as the largest dog owner malpractice settlement in U.S. history, the Bluestone case didn't survive the appellate process, but the staggering $39,000 verdict against two veterinarians stands. AVMA, CDC develop disease control strategy for shelters Establishing routine feeding, exercise and bathing times might ease adjustment efforts. Coping with Catastrophe: LSU dean says planning would have helped initial recovery from the most costly hurricanes By Daniel R. Verdon Baton Rouge, La. — When the last of an estimated 2,000 displaced pets are finally reunited with owners or adopted from Louisiana State University (LSU), Dr. Michael Groves will be signing off on this tab. Internet rumors pose misinformation drain Baton Rouge, La. — In dealing with a crisis, Ginger Gunter, public information officer for the Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine was not only trying communicate the college's efforts in helping victims of the U.S.' largest natural disaster, but also correct a lot of misinformation. The importance of a five-part differential leukocyte count By Dennis DeNicola, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP Advancements in hematology have aided veterinarians greatly. Today's equipment for inclinic hematology analysis can provide accurate white blood cell (WBC) counts and partial or complete differential leukocyte counts. When considering leukocyte differentials, practitioners may ask whether a five-part differential is necessary. In a word, yes. To interpret leukocyte changes in a patient accurately, practitioners must obtain a WBC count and a complete fivepart differential. They should also obtain a peripheral blood film to assess the leukocytes for any morphologic changes. In some cases, practitioners may need to do serial complete blood counts (CBCs) to understand the changes in the different leukocyte forms during various disease states. Heeding the call to care By Daniel R. Verdon When Senior Editor Jennifer Fiala and I boarded the flight for Baton Rouge, La., following the most destructive hurricanes on record, I had no idea what to expect. Beyond Katrina By Jennifer Fiala Looking numb and weary, Dr. Gary Levy stands emotionless in what appears to have been a waiting room. His co-owners fled to higher ground, staff relocated and all that's left is the seemingly insurmountable task of reviving a practice disaster covered in mold, rotting in water and radiating a noxious stench. Army of 1,200 DVMs, technicians converge on Gulf Coast in rescue campaign By Jessica Tremayne Jackson, La. — Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS), a branch of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), deployed more than 1,200 veterinarians and technicians to aid distressed animals in Louisiana and Mississippi in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. NAVC expands national presence Orlando, Fla. — The 23rd North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) scheduled for Jan. 7-11 in Orlando, Fla. promises a wide range of informative programs for practitioners. Stakeholders seek role in Plum Island solution By Jennifer Fiala Plum Island, N.Y. — The fate of Plum Island's aging research facility hangs in the balance as the government mulls scrapping the laboratories and DVM leaders argue the nation needs higher-level biocontainment capabilities. Crawford resigns FDA's top post Washington — Lester M. Crawford, DVM, PhD, resigned as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Crawford was considered the highest ranking veterinarian serving in public office. Andrew von Eschenbach, director of the National Cancer Institute, was named FDA interim director. Storm Stories - Veterinarians share their trials following back-to-back hurricanes By Jessica Tremayne "I never felt so helpless in my life," says Dr. Dennis Selig, a Gulfport, Miss., veterinarian, recalling his emotion during Hurricane Katrina. "I couldn't stop anything from being ruined. I thought about how family and friends were holding up and before the storm was over, I was thinking about what I would need to do to fix everything. What Hurricane Katrina didn't finish off, Rita did." Practice Management How to cut legal fees when starting or selling a practice By Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD A retainer agreement should include a statement of hourly billing rates. Back to basics: Create checklist for monitoring valuable stock By Marsha L. Heinke DVM, EA, CPA, CVPM Higher percentages of gross income for any line-item expense should immediately drive management's closer inspection. Philosophical battles can compromise care By Gerald Snyder, VMD Clashing practitioners who stay together too long compromise toward a central level of mediocrity. Feature Articles Power outages most pressing concern for Texas DVMs By Jessica Tremayne An estimated 100 Texas veterinary practices were located in the area hardest hit by Hurricane Rita, according to the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA); long-term economic damage to practices had not been estimated at presstime.