Canine brain tumor advances could provide hope for human patients, too Petey, a dog with a brain tumor, shows no signs of the glioma a couple of years after veterinarians tried a novel treatment. Veterinarian Simon Platt, a professor of neurology at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, removed Petey's tumor and lavaged the area with a chemotherapy agent in an effort to inhibit further tumor growth. The tumor in dogs is similar to human glioblastomas, rapidly growing, fatal brain tumors diagnosed in some 13,000 Americans every year. "We thought that's great, we can help dogs out," said Dr. Platt. "If that's possible, then we could go to the next step and actually help people out." WFTV-TV (Orlando, Fla.) (7/25) Elephants begin treatment for tuberculosis at Oregon Zoo Two Oregon Zoo elephants, Rama and Packy, are starting treatment for tuberculosis after Rama tested positive for the infection and Packy's bloodwork showed he may have been exposed to the pathogen. Oregon Zoo veterinarian Mitch Finnegan said neither elephant has symptoms of illness. Zoo officials are taking precautions to prevent transmission of disease, and they say visitors aren't at risk. The Oregonian (Portland) (7/25) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy behind loss of beloved captive silverback Rigo, the Melbourne Zoo's beloved 42-year-old western lowland gorilla, has died as a result of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to tissue samples collected during his autopsy. Heart trouble is common in captive, older gorillas, and a U.S. group is studying cardiac-related mortality in the species. Rigo's cardiac ultrasounds in 2007 and 2009 were normal and he didn't exhibit any overt symptoms of disease, according to Melbourne Zoo veterinarian Michael Lynch. The Age (Melbourne, Australia) (7/26) Other News  | We're here, even when times are rough. Disability insurance from AVMA GHLIT can help replace your income when you can't work due to illness or injury. Click here for more information. | | Spending on pets projected to reach $62 billion this year A recent study from the market research organization Packaged Facts projects a 4.7% increase this year in consumer spending on pet products and services over 2012 levels, bringing spending to $62 billion. Veterinary services and pet food will each garner an expected $21 billion-plus, while other pet services including grooming, training and dog-sitting are expected to grow fastest, gaining 6%. Dogs will be the main beneficiaries of these expenditures, according to the report. MediaPost Communications/MarketingDaily (7/25) Potentially rabid calf may have exposed many to virus A 3-month-old calf pastured near a well-known Rhode Island ice cream shop bit a person and later died. A rabies test couldn't be done because the calf died three days before officials were notified. Many people may have been exposed to the calf, whose saliva could have transmitted the virus. Health officials are urging anyone who had contact with the calf to contact their local health department. The ice cream made from pasteurized milk that is sold at the shop is not considered a source of rabies exposure, according to Rhode Island state veterinarian Scott Marshall. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model)/The Associated Press (7/25) Other News  | Editorial review sheds light on injection site sarcomas. While there continues to be controversy over these tumors, they are rare and likely based on the genetic predisposition of individual cats. Read more on this topic in the paper, "Induced or Injection Site Sarcomas: What Do We Really Know?" from L.D. McGill, DVM, PhD, DACVP. Learn more in this SmartBrief-sponsored feature by Merck Animal Health. | | Should you buy or lease equipment? There are advantages and disadvantages to leasing equipment as opposed to buying it outright, Carla Turchetti writes. Leasing includes lower upfront costs, but buying equipment adds to your company's assets. "[F]or an established business, taking a close look at your expenses and comparing the tax strategies of owning vs. leasing will help you make an informed decision," she writes. Intuit Small Business Blog (7/23)  | Growing Your Subscription-Based Business
Accelerate is a collection of articles that provide practical guidance and best practices for success in the Subscription Economy, with contributions from a variety of thought leaders and industry experts. In this eBook chapter, you will learn how to grow your subscription based business. Download the free eBook chapter now. |
 | Pet insurance gains prominence Pet insurance can make veterinary care more affordable, leaving owners better prepared for the growing and advancing treatment options available for animals and the cost of preventive and emergency care for their pets. According to AVMA data from 2011, 44.9% of cat owners and 18.7% of dog owners didn't bring their pets to the veterinarian, many citing financial constraints. But more owners should have help with bills as the pet insurance industry grows and employers continue to express interest in offering the benefit. Employee Benefit News (7/25)  | White Paper: The Missing Link for Enterprise Compliance and Security
Detailed actions of privileged users is critical in today's business environment of IT outsourcing, off-shoring and supplementing IT staff with contractors. Regulations require documenting what users actually do with the privileges and rights granted to them and how their actions impact the IT environment. Learn how organizations can ensure privileged sessions can be audited across their extended enterprise. |
 | Veterinarians: More than just "animal doctors" It's easy to get bogged down into thinking that physicians only take care of people and veterinarians only take care of animals, but that's far from the truth. Veterinarians play critical roles in animal and human health, but these roles are often overlooked or unrecognized. To learn more about the role veterinary medicine plays in "One Health" — not just animal health but its impact on human and environmental health — visit AVMA's Aardvarks to Zebras website. |  | People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously." -- Eleanor Roosevelt, U.S. first lady | | | 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. | Please contact one of our specialists for advertising opportunities, editorial inquiries, job placements, or any other questions.
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