Use of bone morphogenetic proteins for augmentation of bone regeneration

A large body of preclinical and clinical data now documents that recombinant BMPs can be used for skeletal regeneration in humans and animals. Recombinant human BMP-2 and BMP-7 have been approved for use in human patients with long-bone fractures and nonunions and in patients undergoing lumbar fusion or various maxillofacial and dental regenerative procedures. These products have also been made available for veterinary use.     

Clinical Techniques: Surgical Removal of Elodontomas in the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) and Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)

Acquired dental disease and the formation of elodontomas are often diagnosed in sciurids. The formation of the elodontoma may be preceded by a traumatic tooth injury or other initiating factors. The degree of disease severity varies based on individual presentation and the time of detection. Maxillary elodontomas in sciurid species cause airway obstruction that can prove fatal for these obligate nasal-breathing animals. A thorough understanding of rodent dental anatomy and a complete diagnostic workup are required for diagnosis, prognosis, and surgical planning of elodontoma presentations. This article highlights 2 successful surgical techniques for the removal of the maxillary incisors in sciurid patients with almost total occlusion of the nasal passage.     

Killing of animals (a reasonable basis according to section 17 number 1 of the German Animal Protection Act?)

The killing of cattle in order to support the market price, the millions of sorted male pullets or the killing of surplus animals in zoological gardens or breeds which do not have the right colour--the human way to deal with sentient creatures becomes more and more bizarre. How far is our treatment of animals compatible with the legal demand for killing a vertebrate animal only if a reasonable reason (also called good reason = vernünftiger Grund) according section 17 no. 1 of the German Animal Protection Act exists. An offence against this act could be punished with imprisonment up to three years or a fine. However, to constitute an offence is not necessarily illegal. The legislator has created the expression "reasonable reason" as an indefinite legal term. Therefore the animal protection law can further develop the legal term "reasonable reason" with the help of interpretation and dispensation of justice and adapt it to all social realities. Therefore an appropriate judgement on the killing of a vertebrate animal only is possible by viewing each individual case taking into regard all important factors of the relation between the animal and its owner. The killing of a vertebrate animal, which is found to be illegal according to section 17 no. 1 Animal Protection Act can not be punished in case special Community Law exists which has priority over national law. Community Law which cancels national law exists in the scope of housing, slaughtering and transporting of farm animals. There are loopholes in Community Law concerning the killing of domestic animals in their breeding that could be closed by national law. A solution to secure animal protection could be the creation of a strict law for the breeding of domestic animals in Germany.     

Veterinary dental care: effective, efficient, and patient/client focused

The treatment of dental problems in animals and humans requires a different approach. While a basic knowledge of medicine is sufficient for dentists, a degree in veterinary medicine is a prerequisite for performing dental procedures in animals. Concepts such as oral-health veterinarian and dental care technician will be part of animal dental care in the future. When deciding on the plan of treatment, veterinarians should pay attention to the symptomatology, oral examination, and pain response. A number of treatments that are self-evident in human dentistry are often not recommended in veterinary medicine. Dental treatments for companion animals should be characterized by minimal interventions with maximum results: effective, efficient, and most of all patient/client focused.     

Gingivitis/stomatitis in cats.

Any alteration in the balance of bacterial challenge versus the host's ability to resist and repair will result in oral lesions that are similar in appearance. The bacterial cause of gingivitis and periodontitis in humans and in all other animals in which it has been studied is firmly established, and specific species of predominantly gram-negative anaerobes have been implicated. Naturally occurring or acquired immunopathologies are likely to result in premature dental disease. When oral disease is associated with the accumulation of plaque, a positive response can be achieved by reducing the bacterial challenge to the host through the maintenance of oral hygiene by timely professional dental prophylaxis and home care. Disease that is the result of atypical immune responses, however, can be much more difficult to manage. Such oral disease can occur with either immune deficiencies or exaggerated immune responses, and it is likely that multiple mechanisms are active concurrently. In any case, gram-negative anaerobes present in plaque are likely to be a major contributing factor. Therefore patients with chronic refractory gingivitis-stomatitis must be considered to be plaque intolerant. Only with a frequent regimen of aggressive and thorough professional dental treatment plus meticulous oral home care on a daily basis can one expect to keep these cases in remission. Because this is often unrealistic, the only other way to keep these patients free of disease is by total dental extraction. The tissues that are colonized by the causative organisms must be eliminated. All root tips and bony sequestra must be removed and healing with intact epithelium accomplished before these cases will go into remission. Edentulous feline patients that continue to have signs of gingivostomatitis have been found to have an area of nonhealed bony sequestrum and chronic osteomyelitis. Once effective debridement has been accomplished and epithelial healing completed, nonresponsive cases can be expected to go into remission (Color Plate 2, Figure 7). It is hoped that as more is learned about this frustrating problem, the many factors influencing feline oral disease will be scientifically documented. In the future, actual diagnoses can be systematically made early on in disease, and treatment will be more than just symptomatic.     

Dispensing law and sale of animal feed

For the veterinarian, drug sale is generally permitted by his licence of drug dispensing. According to the law on animal feed, feedstuffs are not regarded as drugs and thus they are not licensed to be sold by veterinarians. Drugs, however, may only be released for the treatment of individual animals, which are previously examined by the vet. The sale of animal feed is not regarded as part of veterinary practice. Only in case of a registered additional business, a veterinarian is allowed to sale feedstuffs. Dietetic animal feedstuffs are also regulated by the Animal Feed Act. Dietetic drugs, however, are regulated by the Drug Act and are strongly to be delineated from dietetic feed. Thus, the term "dietetic" alone does not automatically give any legitimatization for a sale of feedstuffs in veterinary practice.     

Communications: Solutions to the Shortage of Approved Fish Therapeutants

Abstract

Thirty-nine compounds are now registered or approved for aquatic or fisheries uses, of which only eight are for the treatment of diseases. Three antibacterials are approved, but only two, Terramycin and Romet 30, are available. Despite a rapidly expanding volume of literature about the effectiveness of compounds against fish pathogens, virtually no researchers have conducted the types of studies needed for approval of these compounds by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There is a pressing need for the development of data on pharmacokinetics, residue dynamics, withdrawal periods, metabolites, and environmental fate for compounds with potential fisheries applications. We do not need more candidate drugs. Researchers should focus their studies on compounds that have good efficacy, are available in veterinary or feed formulations and, if possible, are already approved for use in another animal species. If a drug is available only for human use, most sponsors will not support its use in aquaculture. There is also little to be gained by further testing of drugs that have known adverse characteristics, such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, or other serious side effects. Candidate drugs that might fill various types of need are briefly discussed.     

Analgesia for the pregnant, lactating and neonatal to pediatric cat and dog

Objective: Very little information on the approach to analgesia in pregnant, nursing or very young animals is available in the veterinary literature. A review of the human and veterinary literature on the various analgesics available for use in this group of patients is presented. The unique physiological characteristics that must be considered when selecting analgesics is discussed. Etiology: As with mature cats and dogs, the origin and severity of pain in this group of animals may be similar; however, differences do exist. Diagnosis: The diagnosis and assessment of pain in pregnant and nursing animals is based on the problem at hand and is similar to other mature animals. The diagnosis in the very young, however, may be more challenging, but should be suspected based on history and clinical signs. Response to analgesic therapy is advised in all animals to confirm the presence and degree of pain. Therapy: Various analgesics and analgesic modalities are discussed with emphasis placed on preference and caution for each group. Prognosis: Management of pain is extremely important in all animals, but especially the very young, where a permanent hyperalgesic response to pain may exist with inadequate therapy. Inappropriate analgesic selection in pregnant and nursing bitches or queens may result in congenital abnormalities of the fetus or neonate. Inadequate analgesia in nursing bitches or queens may cause aggressive behavior toward the young.     

Use of Transgenic Animals to Improve Human Health and Animal Production

Contents Transgenic animals are more widely used for various purposes. Applications of animal transgenesis may be divided into three major categories: (i) to obtain information on gene function and regulation as well as on human diseases, (ii) to obtain high value products (recombinant pharmaceutical proteins and xeno-organs for humans) to be used for human therapy, and (iii) to improve animal products for human consumption. All these applications are directly or not related to human health. Animal transgenesis started in 1980. Important improvement of the methods has been made and are still being achieved to reduce cost as well as killing of animals and to improve the relevance of the models. This includes gene transfer and design of reliable vectors for transgene expression. This review describes the state of the art of animal transgenesis from a technical point of view. It also reports some of the applications in the medical field based on the use of transgenic animal models. The advance in the generation of pigs to be used as the source of organs for patients and in the preparation of pharmaceutical proteins from milk and other possible biological fluids from transgenic animals is described. The projects in course aiming at improving animal production by transgenesis are also depicted. Some the specific biosafety and bioethical problems raised by the different applications of transgenesis, including consumption of transgenic animal products are discussed.     

Demographic profile of the veterinary profession in New Zealand, 1985

The demographic characteristics of the veterinary profession in New Zealand are examined using information supplied by registered veterinarians to the Veterinary Surgeons Board in their applications for annual practising certificates in 1985. Comparisons are made with the veterinary professions in other similar countries, and with the medical and paramedical professions in New Zealand. In 1985 1308 registered veterinarians were working in New Zealand and 304 were overseas, whereas in 1976 the equivalent figures were 748 and 182. This represents an increase of 73% in the number of registered veterinarians in the last 10 years. Eighteen percent of veterinarians were female. The mean age of veterinarians was 38 years, but females in the profession were on average much younger (32 years) than males (42 years). Clinical practice provides employment for 70% of veterinarians: of these 59% work principally with farm animals and 41% with non-farm animals. The remaining veterinarians are employed by Government (22%), University (5%) and Industry (3%). The current demographic structure of the profession has been markedly influenced by the opening of New Zealand's only veterinary school at Massey University in 1963. Differences from other medical professional populations in New Zealand and overseas principally reflect the marked change in the number and sex ratio of graduates entering the veterinary profession since that time. It will take about another twenty years before the population reaches a stable age and sex structure, assuming that current graduation patterns persist throughout that period. Because the structure of the population is changing, considerable caution is needed in predicting future employment trends from data for a single year.     

Demographic profile of the veterinary profession in New Zealand, 1985

The demographic characteristics of the veterinary profession in New Zealand are examined using information supplied by registered veterinarians to the Veterinary Surgeons Board in their applications for annual practising certificates in 1985. Comparisons are made with the veterinary professions in other similar countries, and with the medical and paramedical professions in New Zealand. In 1985 1308 registered veterinarians were working in New Zealand and 304 were overseas, whereas in 1976 the equivalent figures were 748 and 182. This represents an increase of 73% in the number of registered veterinarians in the last 10 years. Eighteen percent of veterinarians were female. The mean age of veterinarians was 38 years, but females in the profession were on average much younger (32 years) than males (42 years). Clinical practice provides employment for 70% of veterinarians: of these 59% work principally with farm animals and 41% with non-farm animals. The remaining veterinarians are employed by Government (22%), University (5%) and Industry (3%). The current demographic structure of the profession has been markedly influenced by the opening of New Zealand's only veterinary school at Massey University in 1963. Differences from other medical professional populations in New Zealand and overseas principally reflect the marked change in the number and sex ratio of graduates entering the veterinary profession since that time. It will take about another twenty years before the population reaches a stable age and sex structure, assuming that current graduation patterns persist throughout that period. Because the structure of the population is changing, considerable caution is needed in predicting future employment trends from data for a single year.     

The feeding of dogs in Switzerland. The results of an inquiry

Results of inquiry made of 2190 dog owners about customs of feeding and keeping dogs in Switzerland are presented. The diet most often used consists of cereal flakes which are given together with feedstuff from animals or other commercial dogfood. Usually, only one meal per day is given and the amount of food is based on a constant body weight. Regular feeding of bones appears to have a good effect on digestion and dental health.     

Clinical dental examinations of 357 donkeys in the UK. Part 2: Epidemiological studies on the potential relationships between different dental disorders,and between dental disease and systemic disorders

Reasons for performing study: Dental disease has been shown to be a risk factor for weight loss and colic in horses. No extensive clinical studies in donkeys have investigated the potential relationship between different dental disorders, or between dental disease and systemic disorders. Objectives: To determine possible associations between dental disease and body condition score, weight loss, the need for supplemental feeding and prevalence of colic in donkeys of all ages, and to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of dental disease by the determination of associations between different dental disorders. Methods: A prospective cross‐sectional analysis of clinical dental examinations of 357 donkeys in The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth was performed. Other epidemiological factors such as estimated age group, body condition score, weight loss, medical history and supplemental feeding were also recorded, and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine possible associations. Results: Donkeys from older age groups were more likely to have dental disease, poor body condition score and suffered previous colic episodes. The presence of dental disease was also significantly associated with weight loss, colic, low body condition score and the need for supplemental feeding. The presence of diastemata, periodontal disease, wave mouth, smooth mouth and step mouth are frequently associated with the presence of other dental disorders. Conclusions: In addition to oral‐related pain, dental disease can cause significant systemic disorders and so has increased welfare implications in donkeys. Some dental disorders promote the development of other types of dental abnormalities and thus increase the severity of dental disease in individual animals. Potential significance: Effective treatment of dental disorders slows down the progression of dental disease and decreases the risk of developing some medical disorders such as colic and weight loss that are associated with dental disease.     

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the equine musculoskeletal conditions.

There is a growing interest in the use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in equine orthopedic patients. It is well established that CT and MR imaging offer superior diagnostic information in a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries in human beings and small animals. The highly detailed cross-sectional images obtained with these two modalities can often demonstrate pathologic changes undetected with other common imaging techniques. Based on their multiple applications in human beings and small animals, CT or MR imaging may prove to be the optimal diagnostic imaging technique for several types of musculoskeletal disorders of horses.     

Conservative management of fractures of the mandibular condyloid process in three cats and one dog

Three cats and 1 dog with fracture of the mandibular condyloid process and concomitant fracture(s) of the rostral portion of the mandible were treated successfully by wire fixation of the rostral mandibular fracture(s) and by conservative management of the mandibular condylar fracture. All animals regained satisfactory dental occlusion and normal, pain-free motion of the jaw. Fracture of the mandibular condyloid process is an infrequently diagnosed injury that usually occurs with other mandibular fractures. If satisfactory dental occlusion can be achieved by surgical stabilization of the noncondylar fractures, surgical repair of the mandibular condyloid fracture may not be necessary.     

A genealogical survey of Australian registered dog breeds

Breeding practices were analysed for 32 registered dog breeds representing very small registries (120 Central Asian shepherd dogs) through to very large registries (252,521 German shepherd dogs) in Australia. The vast majority (91%) of registered kennels in Australia that were sampled did not regularly employ either close breeding or popular sire usage in their kennels and the weighted mean inbreeding coefficient of Australian pedigree dogs was <5%. Australian breed mean inbreeding coefficients ranged from 0% (Central Asian shepherd dog) to 10.1% (Bichon Frise). Breed effective population sizes ranged from 26 (Ibizan hound) to 1090 (Golden retriever), comparable with other species of domesticated animals. The relatively low levels of inbreeding suggest that pedigree dog disorders are unlikely to arise frequently from the use of popular sires or close breeding in Australian registered dog breeds. It is possible that deleterious allele fixation might be driven by founder effects, genetic drift or adverse selection practices, which were not assessed in this analysis. European popular sire definitions should be revisited for rare breeds.     

Practical problems in criminal laws of prevention of cruelty to animals

1. To ascertain serious pains and sufferings in the meaning of section 17 no. 2 b law of prevention of cruelty to animals you cannot do without the help of an expert witness for taking possession of evidence--apart from simple cases. Except the clarifying of fundamental questions concerning prevention of cruelty to animals a professional statement of the administrative veterinary surgeon will be as a rule sufficient. 2. For the actual seizure of animals for the purpose of confiscation and compulsory disposal the criminal justice is extremely dependent on the support of the authorities of administration. Therefore a trouble-free cooperation of criminal justice, veterinary authorities, animal homes and--concerning the protection of species--authorities for protection of endangered nature is imperative. 3. The main problems with the application of the regulation concerning the interdiction of keeping animals according to sections 20 and 20 a law of prevention of cruelty to animals are justified in the legal prerequisites. It is unsatisfactory that an interdiction of keeping animals cannot be imposed by summary punishment order and that a confiscation of animals is not possible by criminal proceedings in case of offence against sections 20 subsection 3, 20 a subsection 3 law of prevention of cruelty to animals. Therefore an admission of the sections as mentioned above to section 19 law of prevention of cruelty to animals seems to be convenient.     

The importance of Campylobacter jejuni to the meat industry: a review

Campylobacter jejuni is a microorganism that only recently has been implicated in gastroenteritis in humans. As appropriate methods used for detection of the bacterium have been developed, the rates of illness caused by the pathogen were found to approach or surpass those attributed to Salmonella. Substantial evidence has been gathered to document that the route for human infection is through the ingestion of adulterated food and drink. Some slaughter animals harbor this potential pathogen among the intestinal flora and, consequently, transfer of the organism to carcasses and to the resulting meat products does occur. The most frequently implicated meat is poultry, with an incidence of recovery of C. jejuni from the store-bought poultry meat reported to be at least 50%. Red meat from slaughter animals have also yielded this bacterium from carcasses, but at lower incidence levels. Foodborne disease has been associated most frequently with the ingestion of raw milk, but poultry, hamburger, and other foods have all been implicated as potential sources. However, cause and effect relating the presence of C. jejuni in meat and human gastroenteritis has not been demonstrated. Additional research is needed to determine whether C. jejuni isolated from meat causes gastroenteritis and whether all strains of the organism are virulent. Recognition of C. jejuni as a potential meatborne pathogen by the meat industry is necessary, and appropriate sanitary practices to prevent passage of the organism through meat products should be implemented.     

Dental Composite for the Fixation of Mandibular Fractures and Luxations in 11 Cats and 6 Dogs

Twenty-one mandibular fractures in 11 cats and 6 dogs were repaired during a 20-month period. A new technique using dental composite was used to stabilize the mandible. The canine teeth were pumiced, acid etched, and aligned with dental composite, leaving the mouth opened approximately 1 cm. Six weeks after surgery the composite was removed so that radiographs of the mandible could be made with the animal under general anesthesia. In 1 dog in which the fracture had not healed, the composite was replaced. The composite broke before 6 weeks in 8 animals; 2 required replacement of the dental composite. There were no other complications. The median time for fracture healing was 6 weeks. All fractures healed with anatomic dental occlusion. The advantages of this technique are that no further damage is caused to the teeth or to the blood supply of the bone, the occlusion is anatomic, dermatitis (which is seen with tape muzzles) is not a complication, and the technique is easy to use in brachycephalic breeds, cats, and animals with poor bone quality. The limiting factor of this technique is that it does require four salvageable canine teeth. This repair technique is still a viable option even if one or more of the canine teeth are fractured. Dental composite stabilization is fast, easy, inexpensive, and, in our series, it was 100% effective for the repair of mandibular fractures.     

Investigation of the Role of Companion Animals in the Zoonotic Transmission of Cryptosporidiosis

Companion animals owned by human patients with cryptosporidiosis (cases) and those animals owned by the wider human population (controls), were studied to determine whether Cryptosporidium was more likely to be excreted by case animals than controls. A total of 280 recently voided faecal samples (114 case animals and 166 control animals) were collected and tested by immunomagnetic separation and immunofluorescent microscopy. A multivariable model was also created to identify pet characteristics, contacts and management factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection in animals, using information collected by a standardized questionnaire. The model was designed to take into account the clustering of samples at the owner level and whether the sampled animal was a case or control.