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News you need to know  Top
Pigs, poultry and the fight against hepatitis E
Although hepatitis E is a major public health problem in developing countries in Asia and Africa, up until recently, scientists trying to develop a vaccine have been stymied by the lack of a practical animal model that will give them better insight into the hepatitis E virus. Researchers at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine have announced that they have discovered two HEV-related animal viruses – one in pigs and one in chickens – that allowed them to develop animal models of the disease to study the hepatitis E virus. By doing so, researchers have taken a major step toward their ultimate goal of developing a vaccine to protect both people and animals from hepatitis E. For more information, contact Jeff Douglas at 540-231-7911 or jdouglas@vt.edu.
Horses helping solve the HIV riddle
Research into a virus that, once acquired, forces horse owners to quarantine their animal for life or euthanize it, may one day benefit humans. The study, being conducted at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, focuses on the equine infectious anemia virus, a blood-borne disease transmitted primarily by horseflies and deerflies. The researchers are hunting for clues as to how the virus escapes detection by the immune system, leading to life-long infection in its host. The equine infectious anemia virus is a lentivirus, just like the human immunodeficiency virus. Understanding the equine virus could one day help in the fight against HIV and similar infections. For more information, contact Charlie Powell at 509-335-7073 or Charlie_powell@wsu.edu.
Dogs may provide clues to human eye diseases
The discovery of a new eye disease in dogs may eventually lead to better treatment of human eye diseases. Sinisa Grozdanic, an assistant professor of veterinary medicine at Iowa State University, discovered the disease, known as immune-mediated retinopathy (IMR), and was able to draw a distinction between IMR and a previously known eye disease in dogs. Being able to identify the original source of the disease in the body is a critical step in treating the disease appropriately. Grozdanic calls the discovery "a giant leap" in understanding the disease, which may lead to modifications and improvements in treatment for both dog and human patients. For more information, contact Tracy Raef at 515-294-4602 or traef@iastate.edu.
News you might not know Top
Is tap water safe for our dogs?
With all the concerns about what's in our food and our water, many of us are paying even more attention these days to what we are giving our pets. You can't blame pet owners for taking a few precautions. After all, pet food recalls raised concerns about chemical contamination; even treats have been scrutinized. So, should we resort to bottled water for our canine companions? According to a study in the June 1, 2008, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, that won't be necessary. Tap water, the study suggests, doesn't cause bladder cancer in dogs. Long-term consumption of disinfected tap water has been associated with bladder cancer in people. But the study, which was led by Dr. Lorraine Backer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says there is no such association in dogs. For more information, contact David Kirkpatrick at 847-285-6782.
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A sampling of interesting upcoming events and pet-related campaigns ...
American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Convention, July 19, 2008 - July 22, 2008: Thousands of veterinary leaders in food safety, public health, comparative medicine, research and companion animal medicine will attend the AVMA's 145th annual convention in New Orleans, La. Some of the timely topics include protecting the public against emerging and zoonotic diseases, safeguarding our nation's food supply and providing the best possible care for pets of all sizes and types. For more on the convention and its roster of speakers, go to http://avmaconvention.org.
5th International Symposium on Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy in Veterinary Medicine, Aug. 13, 2008 - Aug. 16, 2008: The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy hosts the symposium in Minneapolis, Minn. The gathering highlights the rapidly growing area of animal rehabilitation and how veterinary professionals and physical therapists are working together to develop treatment programs. For more information, go to http://www.cvm.umn.edu/outreach/events/rehab/home.html.
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