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A friend in felines?
Yea, they're finicky. And sure, they can be aloof. But cats may also help in the fight against one of the most common eye diseases in people, retinitis pigmentosa. Dr. Kristina Narfstrom, a professor in veterinary ophthalmology at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, has discovered that the same genetic mutations that cause retinal blindness in humans also cause retinal blindness in cats. The finding, Narfstrom says, will help scientists develop gene-based therapies that will benefit both species. For more information, contact Tracey Berry at 573-884-2215 or berryt@missouri.edu.
Helping horses, people breathe a bit easier
Although they personify power and endurance, a common horse disease often leaves the animal gasping for air, just like in people who suffer from asthma. In an effort to learn more about this vexing disease in horses, Dr. Virginia Buechner-Maxwell at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine is looking for ways to help both horses and people. Her research into albuterol, a medication commonly prescribed to treat human asthma, may help horses with the "heaves" and may also reduce the risk to people associated with long-term use of the drug. For more information, contact Jeffrey Douglas at 540-231-7911 or jdouglas@vt.edu.
A brain – with a view
The ability to see for the first time – and in real time – the body's immune response to a parasitic infection in the brain is exciting researchers on two fronts. With the help of the latest microscope technology, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine were able to get a unique look at how immune cells fight off infection in the brain and how brain structure assists in the organ's defense. This newly acquired knowledge could lead to new treatments of inflammatory conditions that affect the human brain. For more information, contact Gail Luciani at 215-898-1475 or Luciani@vet.upenn.edu.
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Getting a jump on food safety
Veterinarians at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine are playing an instrumental role in keeping our food safe. Drs. Dan Thomson and T.G. Nagaraja helped research and develop what is the United States' first vaccine against E. coli 0157 in beef cattle. The new vaccine, which was just recently made available to cattle producers and beef processors, can be given to animals before they are harvested, which means healthier animals and safer food. For more information, contact Joe Montgomery at 785-532-4193 or jmontgom@vet.k-state.edu.
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A sampling of interesting upcoming events and pet-related campaigns ...
World Veterinary Day, April 25, 2009: Veterinarians around the world will recognize and promote veterinary medicine's many contributions to human and animal health, including protecting the planet from biologic disasters, improving food safety and enhancing the health of animals, ranging from our pets to production animals and wildlife. For more information on World Veterinary Day, visit the World Veterinary Association or the American Veterinary Medical Association.
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