| News for animal health professionals |  |
| Veterinary Medicine Update |  |  | | |  | - Newly identified raccoon virus may cause brain tumors
Twelve raccoons with brain tumors were found to be infected with a newly identified virus called raccoon polyomavirus, and scientists think the virus may be causing the tumors. Raccoons live in close proximity to people and are exposed to items from our environment including waste, and researchers are evaluating the potential role of humans among factors that may have contributed to the tumors. They hope the study will ultimately benefit people. "Understanding how infectious agents may contribute to cancer in animals has provided fundamental new knowledge on the cause of cancer in people," said veterinarian Michael Lairmore, dean of the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. ScienceDaily (12/12)      - Poaching is a national security issue, WWF study finds
Poaching of wild animals for ivory, horns, skins and other parts has been a dangerous business for animals for decades, but it's evolved into a security threat as well, according to a WWF report. Elaborate criminal syndicates that protect and augment the trade have developed, the report found. "It is one thing to be worried about the traditional poachers who come in and kill and take a few animals, a few tusks, a few horns or other animal parts," said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. "It's something else when you've got helicopters, night vision goggles, automatic weapons, which pose a threat to human life as well as wildlife." International Business Times (12/12) - Underwater navigation technology modeled after Blind Cave Fish
Scientists have created affordable, easily powered underwater navigational systems by using as a model sensory tissue found on Blind Cave Fish, a species that can swim rapidly while avoiding obstacles. The sensors use water pressure and flow information to direct movement, an approach that is much less expensive than lights and cameras and does not pose the possible harm to marine animals of sonar. Applications of the new technology include better water ecology monitoring and military defense capabilities. ScienceDaily (12/12)  | Manager's Guide: Avoid 7 Project Portfolio Pitfalls
Do projects seem to appear out of nowhere? Do you find yourself scrambling to pull together reports for executives? Download this free guide and learn about several project portfolio management pitfalls and how AtTask can help you avoid them. Get the guide now. |
 - Tiger trapped in barbed-wire fence has unlikely happy ending
A tiger that became entangled in barbed-wire fencing at a coffee plantation in India is recovering at the Mysore Zoo. After they were alerted, wildlife officials sedated the animal, then untangled it and delivered it to the zoo, where veterinarians are attending to the tiger's injuries. Not all instances of accidentally ensnared wildlife end so well, and the Wildlife Conservation Society praised all involved with this tiger's plight. LiveScience.com (12/12) - Cat pulling its fur out may have underlying disease
Veterinarian Jeff Kahler explains that a cat that is pulling out clumps of fur may have an underlying illness. Dr. Kahler recommends first finding out if the cat is itching by prescribing an anti-inflammatory medication. Blood work and a diet trial using a novel protein diet under the direction of a veterinarian are additional diagnostic steps that can help identify the cause of the fur-pulling. Finally, if all the other tests don't reveal a cause, behavioral modification with medication can be instituted, Dr. Kahler writes. The Miami Herald (free registration)/Modesto Bee (12/12)  | Achieving Highest Read Rates — Tech Note
Thanks to advances in microprocessors, imaging sensors and decoding algorithms, image-based ID readers have become more affordable, and also more powerful than traditional laser scanners. Image-based readers view the entire barcode, not just a single line, so they can overcome various barcode defects better than laser scanners. Learn more about why Read Rates matter and how to achieve higher read rates. Download the free white paper now. |
 | Around the Office | |  | | - Don't break the law when you do a pre-hire reference check
Checking a prospective employee's references can give you additional information but can also expose your company to liability if you aren't careful, writes Andrew Lu. "The best advice for an employer running an employee background check may be to keep the investigation reasonable," he writes. Make sure the information you are seeking is related to the job and ask for the applicant's consent. FindLaw/Free Enterprise blog (12/12) | AVMA in the News | | | | - Pet prescription errors on the rise, FDA warns
Increasingly, errors in pet medication labeling, dosing and administration are leading to sometimes lethal consequences for pets, according to the FDA, which announced an increase in pet prescription mistakes. It's likely that several factors contribute to the problem, including labeling issues, mistakes made by human pharmacies filling pet prescriptions and owner error. The AVMA emphasizes the importance of empowering owners to verify the specifics of their pet's medications and ask pharmacists to talk with veterinarians. WCBS-TV (New York) (12/11) - Veterinary school unveils state-of-the-art facility
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine's $20.9 million large-animal facility project is nearly complete and features several upgrades including an underwater treadmill and a circular horse walker for rehabilitation, as well as a large-animal MRI machine and new surgical suites and isolation areas. The AVMA's Council on Education alerted the school to the need for improvements after assessing the facility in 2008. The Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tenn.) (free registration) (12/12) - Pet food safety: recalls and alerts
The AVMA helps keep you up to date on recalls and alerts issued regarding pet and animal feeds, including dog and cat foods and treats as well as feed for livestock, poultry and other species. The information is based on reports and alerts received from the FDA and manufacturers. View AVMA's pet food recall and alerts page and receive recall alerts via Twitter by following @AVMARecallWatch.
 | The AVMA Veterinary Career Center (VCC) has the candidates and jobs you need to Find the Right Fit for your veterinary, veterinary technician, veterinary hospital manager and other team position needs. Come to www.avma.org/vcc to get started. | | SmartQuote | | | |  | No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking."
--Voltaire,
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