Future directions for Veterinary Medicine

Do we need better techniques and treatment strategies for Dogs?

Over the years, being the first domesticated animal, dog has become man’s closest companion. Recently rearing of dogs either as pets or for security purposes has assumed more significance. Moreover small animal practice, especially Canine medicine has acquired adequate importance, as more people are involved in dog rearing as in many developing countries.

The Pew National Veterinary Education Program issued in its report titled ‘Future directions for Veterinary Medicine’ identified three major emerging trends that will change the role of Veterinarians. First, increasing competition is prompting practitioners to become more responsive to the expectations of pet owners and more aware of the importance of effective practice management. Second, Veterinarians are placing greater emphasis on maintaining the health of pets as opposed to simply treating the disease. Third, there is an increasing need for the Veterinary profession to provide wider range of health care services. The report suggests that first and foremost, the focus of Veterinary profession must change from managing disease to maintaining health. For keeping a dog healthy three basic parameters like breeding, feeding and nutrition need constant attention.

Compared to the past, now people are more interested in rearing purebreds. But they are at higher risk for diseases of genetic origin because individuals of the same breed are alike not only in their external features and characteristics but in their genetic makeup as well.

The study and practice of molecular genetics such as DNA based testing for genetic diseases will have a major impact on Veterinary medicine in the next decade. Some inherited diseases may be eliminated while new diseases are emerging. Veterinary clinical genetics is an increasingly more important aspect of Canine medicine. Recently at Cornell University, dogs blinded by an inherited retinal degenerative disease had their vision restored after treatment with genes from healthy dogs, making the first successful gene therapy for blindness. In the near future this will likely become accepted treatment mode in animals and man.

Misinformation about dogs’ nutritional needs may result in diet decisions that could adversely affect its growth and development. World Health Organization study revealed a correlation between nutrition, disease occurrence and immunity. With regard to dog nutrition the trend is moving towards readymade foods. Wide ranges of Petfoods are available in the market. Majorities of them are imported from outside. Since dogs need complete and balanced diet to satisfy their individual nutritional requirements, they are available for different lifestages and special needs. Even therapeutic diets are available in the market.

Canine surgery is acquiring more importance now a days. Techniques for orthopedic surgery like elbow and hip replacement allow dogs to continue to lead active lives after suffering from diseases or injuries.

Diabetes, cardiac disorders, renal diseases, liver disorders, oral diseases, cataracts and carcinoma are now common among dogs. Recent studies revealed that dogs usually become diabetic at 8-10 years and they have 2-3 years average survival time. Survival of diabetic dogs is related to how well diseases are controlled.

Globally worm infestations are major problems in dogs. They constitute major health hazard for human beings especially children. Our country harbours 20 million dogs and majorities of them live in close association with human population, thus serving as considerable reservoir of zoonotic diseases. They include Rabies, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Hydatidiosis, Demodicosis and Helminthiasis. Control of Rabies needs more emphasis, as annually around 35000 Human deaths are recorded in the country due to this disease alone. Immunization program against contagious diseases should be regularly adhered to.

In order to create awareness among public with regard to dog rearing and public health aspects, mass awareness programs among dog owners need more emphasis. This should start from selection of the pup itself. Breeding animals should be screened vigorously for genetic disorders. Breeders need special awareness programs with regard to selective breeding programs.

Geriatric health maintenance program, Behavioral counseling, Training and oral care of dogs need adequate attention. The reality is that Veterinarians still have to face trouble treating emerging diseases. Our whole approach for dogs is to develop better techniques and treatment strategies.

Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan

ZOONOTIC DISEASES-AN EMERGING THREAT

ZOONOTIC DISEASES-AN EMERGING THREAT
Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan


There are several challenges and persisting problems concerning animal husbandry in the new millenium. They include containment of emerging diseases and prevailing zoonotic infection, better under standing of the diseases of domestic animal species. Global human and animal health scenario in the 20th century witnessed a phenomenal change. Advent of vaccine and effective drugs helped in eradication and control of several dreaded diseases of man and animals. For example, small pox was stamped out globally and Rinderpest, FMD and Rabies were eradicated from several parts of the world. However emergence of number of new health hazards such as AIDS, BSE, pollution disasters to name a few, has caused much concern to human and animal health. The main factors which have contributed to emergence of infectious agents include, human demographics and behavior, technology and industry, economic development and land use, international travel, commerce, microbial adaptation and change in break down of public health measures. Introduction of susceptible exotic animal breeds and import of infected animals or infected animal products, feeds and biologicals also contribute to the emergence of infectious animal diseases. Owing to the higher susceptibility of indigenous breeds to exotic diseases and lack of full proof control measures, emerging diseases spell devastating effects on animal sector.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy or the mad cow disease was recognized in UK in 1986 for the first time in the world. It caused devastating impact on cattle industry-forcing slaughter of around two lakh cows. It is believed that the new variant CJD, the human form of BSE, had possible link to BSE epidemic in UK and had occurred due to consumption of meat and meat products from affected animals. Besides emerging animal health challenges effective management and control of several prevailing diseases such as Rabies, Tuberculosis, John’s disease, Brucellosis, Mastitis, Leptospirosis, FMD, Salmonellosis, Botulism, Plague, Streptococcosis and Anthrax require marked importance. Ravages of rabies still claim thousands of human and animal life in the Indian subcontinent. Globally out of 35000 human deaths occurring annually due to rabies, more than 85% is from India. These concerns together with prevention and control of widely prevalent parasitic disease which include Toxoplasmosis, Toxocariasis, Dirofilariasis, Hydatidosis, Cysticercosis and other worm infestations.

Leptospirosis is one of the zoonotic diseases with worldwide distribution. With the onset of monsoon it is emerging as a major health threat in the state. Rapid urbanization with poor sanitation, lack of awareness among the public and the professionals has contributed to the disease. Till recently the disease was either neglected or un-reported due to lack of awareness and non-availability of reliable diagnostic tests. Veterinary research priorities in leptospirosis gains most importance by the fact that domestic animals, wild life and rodents are predominant leptospira reservoir hosts directly or indirectly responsible for human infections. There is reason to believe that leptospirosis could be the cause of still births and abortion in animals particularly in cattle and definitely one among the important contributory factors of bovine mastitis. Even dogs and cats are acting as carriers of infection. Epidemiological investigations on natural reservoir hosts with special reference to rodents should be carried out. Veterinarians can play a key role in the diagnosis of leptospirosis. In suspected cases, clinical manifestation in animals’ need to be subjected to detailed serological tests to investigate the disease.
Domestic animals, wild animals and rodents are directly or indirectly responsible for human infection. As part of the research, epidemiological investigations on natural hosts with special emphasis to rodent population should be done. Recognition of location or host specific leptospira serovars, detailed study of clinical manifestations in animals, isolation of the organisms, analysis of relational modules between human and animal leptospirosis and seasonal forecasting of the disease should be carried out. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ELISA, Random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting (RAPD) and Arbitrarily primed PCR (AP-PCR) assay are helpful in quick and precise diagnosis.
For eradicating leptospirosis from the state, a multi disciplinary approach is needed. Department of Health services, Animal husbandry and Agriculture departments should work together in an integrated manner to control the disease. As in the case of dogs, in human beings immunization against leptospirosis should be carried out in the endemic areas. During outbreaks chemoprophylaxis should be followed. An efficient and cost-effective rat control measures should be used. Proper disposal of garbage, employment of better sanitary measures coupled with proper awareness programme will help in controlling the disease.
Public, farmers, school children, animal attendants and veterinarians in particular are prone to health hazards of animal origin. There is a special need of creating awareness among public on the world zoonosis day.

WALTHAM FOUNDATION AWARDS-An Overview

WALTHAM FOUNDATION AWARDS


The Waltham Foundation aims to fund research into nutrition (clinical and non-clinical), behaviour, or welfare issues of relevance to companion animal species in the field of companion animal nutrition (dogs and cats only) on the benefits of prepared pet foods from regions in Asia, Africa, Russia, Central and South Americas.
· It is expected that recipients of a Waltham Foundation award will work at a university or research institute that provides basic research facilities, and will publish their research in scientific journals so that companion animals around the world can benefit from the research.
· These are competitive grants; applications will be considered based upon their scientific merit and compliance with ethical standards. Unfortunately we receive far more applications each year than we can fund, so please do not be discouraged should your proposal not be selected in any given year.
· Waltham Foundation grants for up to a maximum of US$15,000 will be awarded. You will be assigned a Waltham contact for assistance and updates.
· The project may be part of an existing programme, but the application should be for a clearly defined piece of original research.
· A final report must be submitted within 3 months of the end of the study.
· Brief written progress reports are expected every 6 months during the course of the study.


The foundation will NOT sponsor the following;
· Research into human-companion animal bond studies, surgical procedures, pharmacological studies, toxicological studies or those studies that are likely to lead to the development of a drug or vaccine.
· Research into non-pet species (such as farm or wild animals), or in pet species beyond dog and cat, unless it is clearly stated how it is of relevance to these companion animals species.
· Research that causes suffering or results in euthanasia of the animals involved, or studies whose subjects have clinical conditions which have been artificially induced.
Any non-research proposals including students’ scholarships for travel or academic courses; donations to charitable organisations or for charitable work.

Language
The application form should ideally be submitted in English, as the reviewing panel will be conducted in English. However, applications in Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Spanish or Portuguese submitted by the 1stof March will be translated and considered accordingly.

Pet animals need better care and management

Do we need better techniques and treatment strategies for Dogs?

Dr.T.P.sethumadhavan
Over the years, being the first domesticated animal, dog has become man’s closest companion. Recently rearing of dogs either as pets or for security purposes has assumed more significance. Moreover small animal practice, especially Canine medicine has acquired adequate importance, as more people are involved in dog rearing as in many developing countries.

The Pet National Veterinary Education Program issued in its report titled ‘Future directions for Veterinary Medicine’ identified three major emerging trends that will change the role of Veterinarians. First, increasing competition is prompting practitioners to become more responsive to the expectations of pet owners and more aware of the importance of effective practice management. Second, Veterinarians are placing greater emphasis on maintaining the health of pets as opposed to simply treating the disease. Third, there is an increasing need for the Veterinary profession to provide wider range of health care services. The report suggests that first and foremost, the focus of Veterinary profession must change from managing disease to maintaining health. For keeping a dog healthy three basic parameters like breeding, feeding and nutrition need constant attention.

Compared to the past, now people are more interested in rearing purebreds. But they are at higher risk for diseases of genetic origin because individuals of the same breed are alike not only in their external features and characteristics but in their genetic makeup as well.

The study and practice of molecular genetics such as DNA based testing for genetic diseases will have a major impact on Veterinary medicine in the next decade. Some inherited diseases may be eliminated while new diseases are emerging. Veterinary clinical genetics is an increasingly more important aspect of Canine medicine. Recently at Cornell University, dogs blinded by an inherited retinal degenerative disease had their vision restored after treatment with genes from healthy dogs, making the first successful gene therapy for blindness. In the near future this will likely become accepted treatment mode in animals and man.

Misinformation about dogs’ nutritional needs may result in diet decisions that could adversely affect its growth and development. World Health Organization study revealed a correlation between nutrition, disease occurrence and immunity. With regard to dog nutrition the trend is moving towards readymade foods. Wide ranges of Petfoods are available in the market. Majorities of them are imported from outside. Since dogs need complete and balanced diet to satisfy their individual nutritional requirements, they are available for different lifestages and special needs. Even therapeutic diets are available in the market.

Canine surgery is acquiring more importance now a days. Techniques for orthopedic surgery like elbow and hip replacement allow dogs to continue to lead active lives after suffering from diseases or injuries.

Diabetes, cardiac disorders, renal diseases, liver disorders, oral diseases, cataracts and carcinoma are now common among dogs. Recent studies revealed that dogs usually become diabetic at 8-10 years and they have 2-3 years average survival time. Survival of diabetic dogs is related to how well diseases are controlled.

Globally worm infestations are major problems in dogs. They constitute major health hazard for human beings especially children. Our country harbours 20 million dogs and majorities of them live in close association with human population, thus serving as considerable reservoir of zoonotic diseases. They include Rabies, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Hydatidiosis, Demodicosis and Helminthiasis. Control of Rabies needs more emphasis, as annually around 35000 Human deaths are recorded in the country due to this disease alone. Immunization program against contagious diseases should be regularly adhered to.

In order to create awareness among public with regard to dog rearing and public health aspects, mass awareness programs among dog owners need more emphasis. This should start from selection of the pup itself. Breeding animals should be screened vigorously for genetic disorders. Breeders need special awareness programs with regard to selective breeding programs.

Geriatric health maintenance program, Behavioral counseling, Training and oral care of dogs need adequate attention. The reality is that Veterinarians still have to face trouble treating emerging diseases. Our whole approach for dogs is to develop better techniques and treatment strategies.