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News you need to know  Top
Rolling away the stones
Scientists have known for a century that all Dalmatians are susceptible to bladder stones, but it took researchers at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California-Davis to figure out why. Their discovery of a gene mutation that causes high levels of uric acid in the breed also yields clues to the cause of similarly high levels in people, which can result in kidney stones, hypertension and gout. Identifying the gene equips breeders with the tools to eliminate the trait from the breed, and may help scientists identify the reasons why people have elevated uric acid levels. For more information, contact Lynn Narlesky at 530-752-5257 or lnarlesky@ucdavis.edu.
Tailor-made tumor fighter
Its name may conjure up thoughts of science fiction, but the Varian Trilogy Linear Accelerator now in use at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University is opening up new frontiers in cancer research. The first of its kind in any animal clinic or veterinary teaching college in the world, the accelerator targets bone cancer in dogs with a radiation dose tailored specifically to the unique depth, shape and size of the tumor. Since no two tumors are identical, researchers say that the accelerator's unequaled ability to deliver precision radiation could save lives and reduce the need for amputation in both humans and animals with bone cancer. For more information, contact Dell Rae Moellenberg at 970-491-6009 or DellRae.Moellenberg@colostate.edu.
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A valuable piece of the puzzle
Researchers at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine have developed a vaccine component that can be used to immunize both birds and mammals from dangerous forms of influenza, including the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain. By isolating the essential genes of a less-virulent form of avian influenza, the researchers have created a vaccine "backbone" that can be used as a platform to quickly create other flu vaccines for animals that may help prevent or delay another human flu pandemic. For more information, contact Jeffrey Douglas at 540-231-7911 or jdouglas@vt.edu.
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A sampling of interesting upcoming events and pet-related campaigns ...
North American Veterinary Conference, Jan. 17, 2009 – Jan. 21, 2009: More than 100 journalists joined thousands of veterinarians at last year's NAVC Conference, which is held annually in Orlando, Fla. For more information, go to www.tnavc.org.
National Pet Dental Health Month, Feb. 1, 2009 – Feb. 28, 2009: February is National Pet Dental Health Month, a time for pet owners to focus on the importance of regular dental care and how good dental care contributes to overall good health. For more information, go to the Pet Dental Web site.
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