Medical

New York - Grant-funded research yielded the discovery of a genetic marker linked to primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) prevalent in Keeshonden.

With excellent veterinary care ... foals will get past any early disease.

If ... like Rodney Dangerfield, you get no respect ... your boss takes all the good clients ... or you're so busy you can't remember what your spouse looks like.

Believe it or not, I read this gem on the back of a beer bottle recently. (I've heard of reading tea leaves for wisdom, but this is the first time I've ever found insight in the brew of the grain.) This brewer says he tastes a sample from every batch of beer he makes to ensure it meets his high standards. What a job! This brewer is a pretty bright guy. He found a job he loves and he stands behind his work.

Over the last two decades, embryo transfer has grown in acceptance and is now performed in many horse breeds. The majority of embryo transfers in the United States each year are performed on Arabian and Quarter horses. The American Quarter Horse Association allows multiple foal registrations per year, and the high-dollar Quarter horses are boosting the embryo transfer industry. The embryo transfer technique has not undergone significant innovations for the past few years, but there has been an increasing trend to have embryos shipped to a reproductive facility that manages a large recipient herd. This trend has been supported by encouraging pregnancy rates following embryo transfers from shipped embryos.

Peggy Killewald, LVT, business manager of Killewald Small Animal Hospital in Amherst, N.Y., knows personally what it's like to mourn the loss of a beloved pet in public. Before she and her husband, Dr. William Killewald, opened their practice in 1980, she was at another practice after her dog was euthanized.

Making sure ... there is passive transfer of antibodies (IgG) is critical to maintain immunity.

How can we best use our freedom to make choices in context of responding to blame?

Columbus, Ohio - According to a survey of animal shelters across Ohio, the outlook for sheltered dogs has improved considerably in the last decade. But conditions have deteriorated for cats.

At no time in the article "Reach for More Pay" (September/October 2006) did you tell the person who got the raise to say "thank you." I gave all of my staff members a raise without anyone asking for one, and I didn't get one "thank you." Should I take it away?

Columbia, MO - A group of researchers is exploring ways to diagnose and treat osteoarthritis in the earliest stages, before irreversible damage is done to joints.

How can we best use our freedom to make choices in context of responding to blame?

Consider the following situations in practice. How would you handle each one?

Pericarditis is an inflammatory condition of the pericardial lining of the heart. It is characterized by accumulation of fluid, fibrin or fibrous tissue within the pericardial sac. Pericarditis is seen more commonly in young horses.1,2 There is no breed predilection. Male intact horses may be at increased risk.1

There could have been a postscript at the end of the article, "Signs You Need a New Job" (By the Numbers, September/October 2006). It may have read like this: P.S. You may need a new job if the first article in this issue you read is titled, "Signs You Need a New Job." Thanks for the humor and the advice.

While it wasn't a big year for veterinary medicine initiatives, some measures managed to pass Congress and gain White House approval.

Editor's Note: We bugged Dr. Mike Paul, executive director of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) for his answers to five key questions about parasites, diagnostics and disease transmission. He delivered the answers in an exclusive Q/A.

As the owner/office manager of a small animal clinic, I found your answer to the question about discounts pretty one-sided ("I Want My Discount Back," Ask the Experts, September/October 2006). Do these employees consider the cost the practice owner bears for this benefit? The employees' hearts are in the right place-they want to help all of the pets that come their way. The problem is that it's at the practice owner's expense. Some employees feel that they can take home pet after pet because the cost is minimal. This becomes a problem when several employees have multiple-pet households that the clinic is basically supporting.

If you want to be treated like a doctor, you need to dress like one. No, flip-flops aren't acceptable.

In response to a myriad of problems confronting people today, there is a widespread and insidious tendency to blame others. The tendency to fan the flames of blame is so pervasive that it directly and indirectly affects everyone who is a member of the veterinary profession.

Washington – The American Heartworm Society (AHS) reports its 12th State of the Heartworm Symposium will be held in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Convention, July 13-15, 2007 in Washington.

Secaucus, N.J. - Hartz Mountain Corp. is seeking nominations for its annual Veterinarian of the Year contest.

Find the answer here.

Fort Collins, Colo. - An antiviral drug used to treat humans for certain viral diseases is showing promise in the treatment of eye disorders associated with feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1).

The use of motorized dental equipment has become quite popular and is now commonly used by many veterinarians and equine dental technicians around the world.

Silver Spring, Md.- Animal Planet's New Breed Vets wasn't scheduled to air this November following the unexpected death of host Steve Irwin in early September.

ITHACA, N.Y. - 9/5/06 - The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine plans to build a 126,000 square foot Animal Health Diagnostic Center to replace existing facilities. The new center is expected to be completed in 2010.

A veterinarian recently asked me, "What do we need to pay our veterinary technicians to keep them with us? And what do we need to offer to get more educated technicians in the field?"