Dr. Kramer On: Mirtazapine As
An Appetite Stimulant
By Dr. George Kramer, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists
Anorexia is a common problem we face with our patients as veterinarians. The obvious remedy for the anorexia is to treat and correct the underlying disease process. However, many of our patients will remain anorexic during the treatment phase and are in need of nutritional support. There are a number of drugs that have been used in the past to treat anorexia, including prednisone, cyproheptadine, and megesterol. Each of these drugs varies in its effectiveness and side effects and, in some cases, may interfere with the treatment of the underlying disease. Recently mirtazapine has been used in veterinary patients as an appetite stimulant. The drug appears to be moderately effective in …
What's New At Atlantic Coast Vet?
Presentation On Veterinary Acupuncture
On Oct. 15, Nina Malik, DVM, the newest member of the staff at Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists, gave a continuing-education lecture on veterinary acupuncture to visiting veterinarians and their staff at Atlantic Coast's Bohemia office. Because of overwhelming interest in the topic, Dr. Malik is making the images from her talk available for download.
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Economic Crisis Having Minimal Effect
On Practice Sales, Loans
The nation's worst economic downturn in decades has triggered a credit crisis for many types of lending, but so far it's had little effect on the buying and selling of veterinary practices -- except for some that already were proving difficult to sell. That's the consensus of several leading practice brokers and lenders.
"I can't say what might happen over the next few months, but so far activity for us has stayed about the same. The only real challenge I have is finding good, saleable practices that are worth buying," says Dick Goebel, DVM, president of practice brokerage Simmons & Associates' Great Lakes division in Monticello, Indiana. Up to a third of practices on the market for some time may be virtually unsellable, Goebel says, depending on their location, type of practice, and profit history.
Two field sales managers for Matsco, a practice-lending arm of California-based Wells Fargo Bank, and a regional sales manager for Banc of America Practice Solutions, a division of Bank of America that makes loans for veterinary-practice acquisitions and expansions, had similar comments.
Complete story.
Clinical Trials To Begin On New Pain Relief Formulation
Lesley Smith, DVM, an anesthesiologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, is gearing up to begin clinical trials on a new injectable pain-relieving drug formulation, said to be the first extended-release product that delivers opioids continuously and effectively. She says the initial studies, which involved determining the appropriate dosages in beagles, had excellent results. "We're hoping our new pain relief injections will perform as well as or better than the current standard of care, which is usually a continuous drip of fentanyl analgesic via an intravenous catheter," Dr. Smith adds.
Complete story.
OSU To Offer Online Continuing-Education Classes
Starting this month, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine will offer online continuing-ed courses to veterinarians and technicians. Twelve 1-hour courses created by OSU faculty members will be offered on a variety of topics in small-animal medicine and surgery for the first year. Equine medicine and surgery courses will be added in the second and third years. Courses will be in both audio and visual formats through the school's Web site. Each course includes a 15-min. test. Those who score at least 70% will have access to their certificates and records via the Web site. Each course costs $40 and counts for one hour of CE credit. To register, visit www.vet.osu.edu/ce.
Imulan Creates Clinical Web Site For Veterinarians
Imulan BioTherapeutics LLC has launched a new clinical trial Web site to accommodate its growing comparative research and clinical trial program. The site will provide veterinarians information regarding Imulan's ongoing and future trials, including trials for atopic dermatitis, feline stomatitis, asthma, leukemia virus, and other diseases associated with infections or immune mediated disorders. Imulan is developing three immune regulating technologies for veterinary medicine. They are: LTCI (Lymphocyte T-Cell Immunomodulator), a biologic that has received a conditional license as a treatment aid for Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus infections and their associated symptoms including opportunistic infection and anemia; ImSAIDs (Immune Selective Anti-Inflammatory Derivatives), rapidly acting, orally active natural biological peptides that are being investigated for their use in controlling inappropriate immune responses associated with sepsis, anaphylaxis, acute trauma, pancreatitis, cystitis, allergies, and asthma; and TCR Vax (T-Cell Receptor Peptide Vaccines) that modulate T-helper cell responses, including restoring immune function in aged animals and restoring Th1/Th2 cytokine signaling profiles. According to the Imulan, TCR Vax is a lead candidate for canine atopic dermatitis and has recently shown promise in feline stomatitis.
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QUIZ : What’s Your Diagnosis?
Cinnamon, a 7-year-old F (s) Pit Bull Mix, transferred to Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists (ACVS) for the treatment of seizures and GI upset.
Pertinent HX: Three days prior to presentation, Cinnamon was being treated for severe flea dermatitis with a medicated shampoo and Front line plus for dogs 45-88lbs. That same night, Cinnamon had her first seizure and started vomiting. The following day, Cinnamon was very lethargic with intermittent vomiting that lasted all morning and had one more seizure. Presented to RDVM that same day, and Valium and a bath were given. Other treatments included: Cerenia, SQ fluids, Pepcid, Pen G, and one Capstar. Blood work was taken and sent out to the lab, and Cinnamon was discharged to be monitored at home. That night, Cinnamon had another seizure and was transferred to ACVS.
Physical Examination Revealed:
General assessment: QAR, MM = pink with a CRT < 2 sec. Wt. 57 lbs. 3 oz. TEMP 101.4 F. HR: 124bpm. RR: 36b/min.
EENT: Moderate dental disease with no oculonasal discharge.
H/L: No murmur or arrhythmia. Lungs: Increased BVS bilaterally with no crackles or wheezes.
ABD: Normal, non-painful. No palpable urinary bladder.
Rectal: N/E.
Musk/Neuro: Ambulatory x 4. Very weak, BCS 3/5.
U/G: NSF.
INT: Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) at dorsal, lumbar, inguinal, and hind limbs. Fleas noted on exam.
QUESTIONS: List your problems and R/O's. What diagnostics would you have performed at the time of presentation?
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Funny Bone
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Events Calendar
Tuesday, November 11
Westchester Rockland Veterinary Medical Association (WRVMA)
Dr. Kramer on "InterventionalCardiology & Radiology"
Thursday, November 13
Long Island Veterinary Medical Association (LIVMA)
Monthly Meeting
Dr. Kramer on "InterventionalCardiology & Radiology"
http://livma.org/
Click here for other state, national, and global veterinary events in November.
Thursday, December 4
Long Island Veterinary Medical Association (LIVMA)
Monthly Meeting
http://livma.org/
Click here for other state, national, and global veterinary events in December.
January 17-21, 2009
North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC)
Orlando, Florida
www.tnavc.org/
Click here for other state, national, and global veterinary events in January.
About Atlantic Coast
Veterinary Specialists
At Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists, our commitment is to provide you — the referring veterinarian — and your clients, the best and the latest in modern veterinary medicine.
Whether it is through our mobile ultrasound service or through our referral and emergency services available, Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists is here to work with you as a partner on those difficult and challenging cases. We look forward to hearing from you.
Please feel free to call any member
of our Board Certified staff for help and assistance.
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