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Dogs, humans have something in common
A collaborative effort between veterinarians and physicians has led to the discovery that benign mammary lesions in dogs and humans are similar in many ways, which could lead to a better understanding of breast cancer progression and prevention in people and pets. Led by Dr. Sulma Mohammed from the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, the study shows that dogs serve as an ideal model for studying the progression of breast cancer while it is still treatable. The ability to use the dog as a model for breast cancer will help researchers compare breast lesions that progress to cancer and those that do not, allowing for the customization of treatment and prevention strategies. For more information, contact Maggie Morris at 765-494-2432 or maggiemorris@purdue.edu.

Taking a shot at neurological disease
The "unprecedented" improvements seen after a single injection of a beneficial gene into the diseased brain of a mouse may go a long way in treating a host of rare, but devastating, human neurological disorders, according to a team of scientists from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Veterinarian John Wolfe and other researchers succeeded in correcting diseased areas throughout a mouse's brain by administering only one injection of gene therapy. If these results in animals can be realized in people, researchers may have found a method to treat mental retardation and other severe disabilities. For more information, contact Gail Luciani at 215-898-1475 or Luciani@vet.upenn.edu.

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Helping the people of Iraq
It takes more than military might to rebuild a nation. Teams of civilian and military specialists are working with Iraqi leaders on a daily basis to meet the needs of citizens. Veterinarians are part of that group. As detailed in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, veterinarians are revitalizing the country's agriculture, working with local producers to rebuild their feed mills and animal houses, and helping establish farmers markets that include veterinary clinics, greenhouses, butcher shops and food storage facilities. For more information, contact David Kirkpatrick at 847-285-6782 or at dkirkpatrick@avma.org.

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A sampling of interesting upcoming events and pet-related campaigns ...

North American Veterinary Conference, Jan. 19, 2008 – Jan. 23, 2008: The NAVC Conference, held each January in Orlando, Fla., continues to be one of the largest gatherings of veterinarians in the nation. For more information, go to the NAVC Web site.