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Too much of a good thing: From contradiction to clarity
So which is it? Cancer researchers have been telling us lately that taking increased doses of the trace mineral selenium can reduce the risk of cancer, particularly prostate cancer in men. Then comes news that too much selenium might increase the risk of diabetes. Turns out these two findings might be more in sync than we thought. Experiments with elderly dogs have helped Dr. David J. Waters, a comparative oncologist at Purdue University and executive director of the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation, demonstrate that, when it comes to selenium, it is a U-shaped world. Too much is just as harmful as too little. From that research came SeleniumHealthTM, a toenail test that enables men to measure and adjust their selenium intake in order to reduce their prostate cancer risk. To learn more about how to get the SeleniumHealthTM toenail test, go to www.seleniumhealthtest.org. For more information about the research, contact Dr. Waters at 765-775-1009 or seleniumhealth@gpmcf.org.
Tackling neurological disease
Parkinson's disease and epilepsy don't play favorites - the neurological disorders are equally debilitating for both humans and dogs. People and their pets have veterinarians on their side, however. University of Missouri researcher, Dr. Dennis O'Brien, is working to find ways to treat these diseases in both species. O'Brien, professor of veterinary medicine and surgery and director of the Comparative Neurology Program in the College of Veterinary Medicine, is investigating the causes and potential treatments for a number of neurological diseases that can be fatal in both humans and animals. Much of the work centers on the genes responsible for the diseases and how they can be isolated and studied. For more information, contact Tracey Berry at 573-884-2215 or berryt@missouri.edu.
Exorcising Ebola
In an effort to develop an effective vaccine, a team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has figured out a way to genetically disarm the Ebola virus, making it safer to study. Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka, a professor at UW-Madison's School of Veterinary Medicine, was able to alter the Ebola virus so that it cannot grow and can be studied under less-stringent laboratory conditions than those currently required. Kawaoka says increased access to the altered virus makes it more available for study to a broader cross section of scientists, which could lead to a better understanding of its basic biology, vaccine development and screening for antiviral compounds. The virus causes hemorrhagic fever and kills anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of its human victims. For more information, contact Tanya Banak at 608-263-6914 or banakt@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu.
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Getting the lead out
Portly pets and their overweight owners can do each other a favor by eating right and exercising together. Sounds like common sense, right? Well sure. But there's also science behind the simplicity. In response to growing concerns about pet obesity in the United States, the American Veterinary Medical Association and Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. have joined together to help veterinarians educate clients about the health implications of obesity in cats and dogs - and people. The AVMA and Hill's are now partners in the Alliance of Healthier Pets - Obesity Awareness and Prevention Program. As pet owners get involved by playing with and exercising their pets, the effort will have an indirect benefit to the obesity epidemic we are seeing in our nation's human population. The program is detailed in the Feb. 1, 2008, issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. For more information, contact David Kirkpatrick at 847-285-6782 or dkirkpatrick@avma.org.
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A sampling of interesting upcoming events and pet-related campaigns ...
Western Veterinary Conference, Feb. 17, 2008 – Feb. 21, 2008: One of the largest veterinary conferences in the world, the WVC celebrates 80 years as it welcomes veterinarians from around the world to Las Vegas, Nevada. go to www.wvc.org for more information.
American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture Annual Meeting, March 7, 2008 -– March 9, 2008: This year's meeting, which will host veterinary acupuncturists from around the country, will be held in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information go to www.aava.org.
Veterinary Orthopedic Society Annual Conference, March 8, 2008 – March 15, 2008: This year's meeting of specialists in veterinary orthopedic medicine, from large animal practitioners to those in the exotic field, will be held in Big Sky, Montana. For more information go to www.vosdvm.org.
Professional Pet Sitters Week, March 2, 2008 – March 8, 2008: Pet Sitters International is honoring faithful pet sitters around the world during this year's event, which will involve more than 7,900 pet sitters from around the world. For more information go to www.petsit.com.
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