| News for animal health professionals |  |
| Veterinary Medicine Update |  |  | | |  | - Asian elephant at Oregon Zoo tests positive for tuberculosis
Oregon Zoo's Asian elephant Rama tested positive for tuberculosis during annual screening. Only one of the three trunk fluid tests was positive for tuberculosis, according to the zoo's lead veterinarian, Mitch Finnegan, but Rama has been taken off exhibit and placed in quarantine. Eight instances of transmission of tuberculosis occurred between elephants and humans in 2009, according to the CDC, but Oregon Zoo staff say the public isn't at risk. Staff members who have had contact with Rama will be tested. The Oregonian (Portland) (6/1)      - Pachyderm posteriors hold keys to better health for zoo animals
Just like humans, obese elephants are at risk of cardiac disease and arthritis, and they also have decreased reproduction capacity, a major barrier for sustaining zoo elephant populations. Wildlife endocrinologist Kari Morfeld developed a body condition scoring system for elephants that evaluates their pelvic bone, backbone and rib cage. With simple husbandry changes, Morfeld believes zoos can reduce elephant obesity and increase reproductive capacity, and she says other captive species can benefit from the model. Lincoln Journal Star (Neb.) (tiered subscription model) (6/2) - Italy reports first cases of novel coronavirus
Italy has reported three cases of the novel Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus that has infected more than 50 people in several countries, killing 30 of them. A man who recently returned from Jordan contracted the disease, and a woman and child who are close contacts of his also became infected. The three patients are in stable condition. CNN (6/3)  | If you had fleas—you'd want Activyl® too!
Dogs, cats and their owners all want something that's really effective at getting rid of fleas! Now you can offer them Activyl®—a highly effective innovation in flea treatment that works through bioactivation-a mode of action that uses enzymes inside the flea to activate Activyl®'s full flea-killing power. Learn more here! | |
- Luxating patella: A painful but treatable problem
Luxating patella, a painful condition in which the kneecap slips out of position, is common in smaller-breed dogs but can also occur in larger dogs and cats, according to veterinarian Roger Grothaus. Four grades are used to evaluate the severity of the condition, notes Dr. Grothaus. Surgical repair is indicated for grades two through four, the most severe. Owners may not realize the knee is the source of their dog's pain, but a veterinarian can make the diagnosis with a physical exam. "A lot of times an owner will come in and they will think it's the dog's hips that are bothering them, but it's actually the knees," Dr. Grothaus said. The Blade (Toledo, Ohio) (6/3) - Officers pay tribute to police dog with kidney failure
Plymouth, Mass., police offered a moving tribute to one of their fellow officers, a German shepherd named Kaiser, last week. Kaiser was euthanized after an increasingly difficult battle with kidney disease. Members of the department lined the walkway of the Court Street Animal Hospital, saluting Kaiser as he walked in one last time. His partner, Officer Jamie Lebretton, on the Plymouth Police Working Dog Foundation Facebook page: "I will never forget you or our accomplishments. You made me a better person, a better handler, and a better cop. Till we meet again Kai. I love you and will miss you daily." WBZ-TV (Boston) (5/31), The Enterprise (Brockton, Mass.) (6/1) - Pets and owners can shape up together
Exercise is good for pets and people. Dog owners reap such benefits as better heart health and lower stress levels. In places such as Mississippi, where dog longevity is particularly low, according to the Banfield Pet Hospitals 2013 State of Pet Health survey, people are encouraged to get active with their pets. Veterinarian Troy Majure recommends that owners and pets engage in at least a half-hour of activity each day, and with dog-friendly exercise classes and gyms popping up, owners and their furry friends have many options. The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, Miss.) (tiered subscription model) (5/31)  | |  | | | Fight the Spread of Canine Lyme Disease
Canine Lyme disease is spreading in the U.S., but exactly how it's spreading and transmitted remains misunderstood by many clients. What should you tell clients? Discover some helpful suggestions here, in the SmartBrief Sponsored Feature brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. | |  | |  |
- Which banks have the best policies?
Ally Bank, Charles Schwab Bank and First Republic Bank ranked highly in transparency, according to a Pew Charitable Trust analysis that was based on the disclosures banks make and their overdraft and conflict-resolution policies. None of the banks received a perfect score, but nearly every institution used one or more best practices, according to the review. Inc. online (free registration) (5/31)  | Down, but definitely not out
Iberia, like its Spanish countrymen, still optimistic for the future. |
 - Wis. bill would require veterinarians to report suspected abuse
A bill introduced in Wisconsin's Legislature would make it mandatory for veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse. Proponents say the measure would also help protect children and the elderly from mistreatment, along with animals. Opponents argue that the new law isn't necessary because veterinarians already report animal abuse, and they worry that the measure would spark unnecessary investigations into accidents. Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) (6/2)  | An Invitation for SmartBrief Readers
OPEN Forum is a community where you have access to advice from inside the minds of other forward thinkers — from trusted experts to peers in your field. Gaining access to advice and resources that can help you move your business forward can be as simple as clicking here. |
 - Ark. restricts aid that aspiring veterinarians count on
An Arkansas program intended to help veterinarians and other professionals pay student loans has been restricted, leaving veterinary student Patrick McFadden and others with a heavy financial burden. McFadden, who aspires to be a large-animal veterinarian, accepted a position at the Louisiana State University veterinary school with a promise of financial help from Arkansas. After it was too late for him to change his mind, McFadden was notified that he wouldn't get assistance. Veterinary student loans are substantial and tough to repay on a veterinary salary, which is around $70,000, according to the AVMA. Students planned to meet with the governor today to discuss the issue. San Francisco Chronicle (free content)/The Associated Press/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (6/2)  | How will you keep up with the changing face of condition management?
Individuals' health risk status changes over time. Our book of business data shows that 35% of today's low-risk individuals will be moderate — or high-risk next year. So how can employers and health plans keep up? The new focus is on the person, not the disease. If you're ready to transform your approach to disease and condition management, download the free e-book today. |
 | Hot Topics | |  | | Top five news stories selected by Animal Health SmartBrief readers in the past week. - Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.
| Association News | | | | - Podcast: Adopt-A-Cat Month
June is Adopt-A-Cat Month, in which several organization -- including the AVMA -- hope to promote the benefits of having a cat (or cats) in the house and encourage responsible adoption and ownership to mitigate the problem of overpopulation. In this AVMA Animal Tracks podcast, Dr. Jane Brunt, executive director of the CATalyst Council, and owner and director of the Cat Hospital at Towson in Baltimore, shares tips on preparing your home for a new cat. Listen to the podcast.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor."
--Truman Capote,
American writer  |
| | | The news summaries appearing in Animal Health SmartBrief are based on original information from news organizations and are produced by SmartBrief, Inc., an independent e-mail newsletter publisher. The AVMA is not responsible for the content of sites that are external to the AVMA. Linking to a website does not constitute an endorsement by the AVMA of the site or the information presented on the site. Questions and comments should be directed to SmartBrief at avma@smartbrief.com. | This SmartBrief was created for jmabs1@gmail.com
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