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BOTULISM, CANINE – USA: (FLORIDA) SUSPECTED
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A ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
Date: 5 Feb 2010
Source: The Miami Herald [edited]
A month after frigid temperatures killed reptiles all over South
Florida, veterinarians are still treating dogs that may have
contracted botulism by gnawing iguana carcasses. The result:
paralysis so severe that a few had to be euthanized.
Like other cold-blooded creatures, thousands of iguanas froze to
death during the freeze. Some dogs mistaking them for chew toys have
shown classic symptoms of a disease so rare that most vets don’t see
a case for a decade. “I think it’s botulism, although it’s nearly
impossible to prove definitively,” said Dr. James Dugan, a Pinecrest
vet. His clinic has treated several dogs suffering varying degrees of
paralysis since the cold snap. All had munched on iguanas. “Why they
want to eat a rotten reptile that smells horrible and could kill you,
I don’t know,” Dugan said.
Paralysis begins in the back end, then progresses to the front legs,
and in some cases disables the diaphragm. At that point, dogs must be
intubated so they can breathe, an expensive step that many owners
can’t afford. In at least 2 such South Florida cases, dogs that
couldn’t breathe were euthanized. Serious problems like pneumonia
also arise when paralysis affects the esophagus.
Broward County veterinary neurologist Dr. Brian Roberts first raised
the alarm about the possible botulism link in a mass e-mail to South
Florida colleagues in late January 2010. He said that several dogs
had come to Veterinary Specialists of South Florida in Cooper City
with paralyzed hindquarters. The common denominator: dead iguanas.
“We didn’t have a clue what it was for days or weeks,” said Roberts,
who has sent tissue samples to the state’s animal diagnostic
laboratory in Kissimmee. He diagnosed botulism after ruling out other
possible conditions. There’s not much a vet can do beyond “supportive
care and range-of-motion” exercises, he added.
Typically, paralysis sets in a day or so after the iguana encounter,
and the worst symptoms last at least a week. The dogs can eat but
can’t stand or walk. However, they’re not in pain, vets say.
American bald eagle back to health after beak fixed by dentist
Recommend? (1) Anchorage An American bald eagle is able to hold its head high again after being nursed back to health by a dentist.
The bird of prey was taken to the Bird Treatment and Learning Centre in Anchorage after being found in a weakened condition with its beak damaged by a length of fishing line wrapped around it.
Kirk Johnson, a local dentist, used poster putty and a temporary crown of the sort normally fitted in his human patients — before colouring the finished product with a yellow highlighter to give it a nearly natural appearance
AVMA Calls for Stronger Animal Disease Traceability System
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In response to a statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is reaffirming its call for a strong, national animal disease traceability program to help maintain and improve the health of U.S. livestock.
Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is creating a new strategy for animal disease traceability. This comes in reaction to a public comment period in which the program in place was heavily criticized for being too stringent.
“The USDA is planning to create a new, national animal disease traceability system that is administered by the states and tribal nations. If each state is allowed to develop and implement its own program, important questions arise concerning communication and coordination. Clearly, the USDA must create a system that allows for quick and accurate trace-back across state borders in an animal disease emergency, or there is no point in the new system,” says Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the AVMA. “There are many unanswered questions that must be addressed as this new animal disease traceability program is being developed. For that reason, the AVMA cannot consider endorsing this concept at this time.”
The AVMA advocates creation of an animal disease traceability program that would allow veterinarians to trace diseased animals back to specific farms or herds in cases of disease outbreaks. This would help identify potentially infected animals, quickly address the disease, and minimize harm to other food animals, food producers and the public.
“The government estimates that this new animal traceability program will take 18 months to two years to create and implement. We are concerned that, in fact, with a formal rule-making process in place, implementation will be delayed for up to three or four years, and, during that time, the U.S. will continue without an animal disease traceability program,” says Dr. Larry R. Corry, president of the AVMA.
“Veterinarians are the foot soldiers in the war against livestock diseases, and it’s a role that we take extremely seriously,” explains Dr. Corry. “It’s critical that federal regulations on this new traceability program include input from the AVMA and veterinarians.”
NC State Vet School Prepares First Responders
by: Press Release
January 23 2010, Article # 15691
Most people can picture the first responders who come to the rescue in the wake of a natural disaster. But who provides emergency help for the dogs, cats and, horses that people love? And who takes care of the cows, poultry, and hogs that form the backbone of animal agriculture? North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is helping to fill the need through a unique initiative that requires all of its students to receive disaster training, providing a new generation of leaders in veterinary medicine and disaster response.
“This training program is important because there is a real need to build our capacity to respond to disasters,” says Dianne Dunning, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, co-author of a recent study on NC State’s landmark training requirement and director of the university’s Animal Welfare, Ethics and Public Policy Program. “Emergency response is generally geared towards people, particularly at the local level. We need to protect the health of the people and the health of the animals–whether they are pets or livestock related to a region’s livelihood. We believe this training will help veterinarians respond to the needs of both people and animals.
“NC State has the only college of veterinary medicine that requires all of its students to take a formal disaster response training program, and we hope this is a model for others to follow,” Dunning says. Students, who must take the program to graduate, earn advanced state and federal disaster training certifications.
The training program deals with a variety of disaster response issues associated with a staggering array of animals. Students learn how to work with displaced people and their pets. For example, they learn how to set up and operate mobile animal shelters that can be located near emergency shelters for displaced people.
Students are learn how to respond to an epidemic in livestock in order to stop disease from spreading–a crucial step in preventing disruption of local and regional economies that depend on animal agriculture. Preventive measures include quarantining animals, as well as ensuring that veterinarians, farmers, and others don’t spread the disease via their clothes or shoes.
But the disaster training is not limited to dealing with animals–it extends to overarching planning and response. “The course gives our students the skills they need to become leaders in their communities when it comes to disaster response,” Dunning says. “The training touches on a host of skills required in the wake of a disaster: fundamental psychology, effective communication, hazardous material handling, and the ability to anticipate, identify, and respond to new needs as they crop up.”
The training program is part of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s “One Medicine” philosophy, which focuses on the belief that human and animal health rely on overlapping fields of scientific and medical knowledge, and related fields of research.
ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE – ZIMBABWE (03): (MASHONALAND WEST AND EAST)
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A ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
Date: 29 Dec 2009
Source: Globaltimes.cn [edited]
Anthrax outbreak feared to be spreading in Zimbabwe
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Anthrax is feared to be spreading in Zimbabwe as veterinary officials
said on Monday [28 Dec 2009] they are testing a suspected case of the
deadly disease from a rural growth point about 50 kilometers [about
30 miles] East of Harare. The suspected case followed an outbreak of
the disease in central parts of the country last week, which killed
one person and 25 cattle.
Veterinary Services Department deputy director Chenjerai Njagu told
Xinhua on Monday that the results of the suspected case from Juru
Growth Point in Goromonzi district would be out on Tuesday. He said
the area is one of the few districts which were left out during
vaccination done at the beginning of the year. “We left out Goromonzi
and Seke districts because of shortage of vaccines,” said Njagu. “Now
these are the areas giving us problems because we had not vaccinated
them at the beginning of the year.”
The anthrax outbreak in Seke, some 40 km [25 miles] South-East of
Harare, killed 18 cattle while one person and 7 cattle succumbed to
the disease which broke out last week in Selous, 60 km [37 miles]
North-West of the capital.
Njagu said the disease was dangerous as one case can kill several
people who consume meat from an infected animal. He said the
department would soon move into the affected areas to vaccinate
cattle. The department vaccinated 1100 cattle in Seke over the
Christmas holiday but Njagu said the turnout was very low. “The
turnout was low and we are going to repeat vaccination after the
holiday,” he said.
Anthrax is a soil-borne disease which is endemic in Zimbabwe. It is
normally recorded during the rainy season when sprouting grass brings
out the bacteria from soil.
A California pet company today recalled all its pig ears and beef hoof treats because of possible salmonella contamination.Pet Carousel of Sanger, California announced the action after tests by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed the products contained salmonella, a bacterium that can infect humans and animals and cause serious health problems.
The action also comes on the heels of a warning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued in November about the products.
At that time, the FDA said routine testing of the products detected salmonella. The agency also said the products were made "under conditions that facilitate cross-contamination within batches or lots."
Agency officials said they had not received any reports of illnesses linked to the pet treats, but warned consumers not to handle them or give them to their animals.
The company recalled all pig ear treats — packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight, Pork Tasteez and Pet Carousel — with the following item numbers:
• 18100-P Bulk
• 18016-P 10-pk red mesh bag
• 18120-P 20-pk red mesh bag
The company also recalled all varieties of its beef hooves — packaged under the brand names Choo Hooves, Dentley’s, Doggie Delight, and Pet Carousel — with the following item numbers:
• 1506-K 5 lb. bulk
• 1507-K 10 lb. bulk
• 1520-K 20 lb. bulk
• 12125-T 10-pk vinyl bag
• 12110-T 10-pk, vinyl bag
• 12111-T 10-pk, vinyl bag
• 12122-T 10 lb., bulk
• 1503-K 3-pk, vinyl bag
• 1510-K 10-pk ,vinyl bag
• 1405-S 5 lb., bulk
• 1408-S 10-pk, vinyl bag
• 1410-S 10 lb., bulk
• 1420-S 20 lb., bulk
• 90058-H Cheese/& Bacon Stuffed Hoof, bulk
• 90056-H Peanut Butter Stuffed Hoof, bulk
• 17005-R Rope toy with Hooves.
Pet Carousel said all sizes and lots of the pork ears purchased on or after August 16, 2009, and all beef hoof products in all varieties purchased on or after September 6, 2009, are included in the recall.
The company said it has notified its consignees and requested they return the recalled products and remove them from store shelves.
"Out of an abundance of caution and concern for public safety, Pet Carousel is issuing this press release to inform consumers of potential risks and to ensure that all affected product has either been returned or otherwise removed from use," the company said.
Salmonella can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever in humans, the FDA. In rare cases, it can cause more serious health problems, including arterial infections, inflammation of the lining of the heart, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.
In pets, salmonella can cause lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting, the FDA said. Some pets may only experience a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.
The FDA also warned that pets can be carriers of salmonella and infect humans. Pet owners handling dry food or treats tainted with the bacterium can also become infected.
The FDA said consumers should thoroughly wash their hands after touching these potentially tainted treats, and also any surfaces exposed to the products.
Humans or pets who exhibit signs of illnesses after handling or eating these recalled products should seek medical attention, the FDA said.
Consumers with any of the recalled products should immediately stop feeding them to their animals and return them to the store for a refund, Pet Carousel said. For more information, consumers can contact the company at 800-231-3572
NC State vets lead way in disaster response for animals
Most people can picture the first responders who come to the rescue in the wake of a natural disaster. But who provides emergency help for the dogs, cats and horses that people love? And who takes care of the cows, poultry and hogs that form the backbone of animal agriculture? North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is helping to fill the need through a unique initiative that requires all of its students to receive disaster training, providing a new generation of leaders in veterinary medicine and disaster response
"This training program is important because there is a real need to build our capacity to respond to disasters," says Dr. Dianne Dunning, co-author of a recent study on NC State’s landmark training requirement and director of the university’s Animal Welfare, Ethics and Public Policy Program. "Emergency response is generally geared towards people, particularly at the local level. We need to protect the health of the people and the health of the animals – whether they are pets or livestock related to a region’s livelihood. We believe this training will help veterinarians respond to the needs of both people and animals.
"NC State has the only college of veterinary medicine that requires all of its students to take a formal disaster response training program, and we hope this is a model for others to follow," Dunning says. Students, who must take the program to graduate, earn advanced state and federal disaster training certifications.
The training program deals with a variety of disaster response issues associated with a staggering array of animals. Students are taught how to work with displaced people and their pets. For example, learning how to set up and operate mobile animal shelters that can be located near emergency shelters for displaced people.
Students are also taught how to respond to an epidemic in livestock in order to stop disease from spreading – a crucial step in preventing disruption of local and regional economies that depend on animal agriculture. Preventive measures include quarantining animals, as well as ensuring that veterinarians, farmers and others don’t spread the disease on their clothes or shoes.
But the disaster training is not limited to dealing with animals – it extends to overarching planning and response. "The course gives our students the skills they need to become leaders in their communities when it comes to disaster response," Dunning says. "The training touches on a host of skills required in the wake of a disaster: fundamental psychology, effective communication, hazardous material handling, and the ability to anticipate, identify, and respond to new needs as they crop up."
The training program is part of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s "One Medicine" philosophy, which focuses on the belief that human and animal health rely on overlapping fields of scientific and medical knowledge, and related fields of research
Over the weekend the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced more detailed information on Diamond Pet Food’s September recall of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball.
The company recalled the products in September because they have the potential to cause thiamine deficiency.
According to the FDA, thiamine is essential for feline health. Cats with thiamine deficiency can develop gastrointestinal and/or neurological problems.
Early symptoms of thiamine deficiency include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting, and weight loss. Later stage symptoms include ventriflexion of the neck, difficulty walking, falling, and seizures.
Untreated, thiamine deficiency can result in death.
The recalled products were distributed to over a dozen states, including: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Diamond is aware of 21 cases of thiamine deficiency connected to their products–so far they have only received reports from New York and Pennsylvania.
The company found that thiamine was lacking in their products during testing. Subsequent testing by the FDA showed there was insufficient thiamine in cat food in additional lots, beyond what the company listed in the recall.
See affected date codes here. If your cat has consumed any of these products and is experiencing any of the above symptoms, seek veterinary attention. The recalled pet food can be returned to the retail outlet for a refund, consumers may also contact Diamond directly at 1-800-977-8797
UNDIAGNOSED DEATHS, AVIAN – UK: (WALES)
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A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
[1]
Date: Mon 16 Nov 2009
Source: Telegraph [edited]
Dozens of budgies drop dead during country show
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The birds were among hundreds lined up in their cages ready to be
judged at the Gwynedd Budgerigar Society Open Show in North Wales
when disaster struck. One toppled off his perch then others began
"dropping like dominoes", according to the organisers.
Owners fearing a gas leak — canaries have highly sensitive
respiratory systems and were once used down mines to detect leaks –
grabbed their cages and ran for the door.
Some of the birds, which are worth around GBP 1000 [approx USD 1700]
each — were revived outside but in total 38 died. "After 5 or 10
minutes as many as 12 had died. I lost one bird myself," organiser
Rob Hughes said. "We saved the majority but what happened was utterly
horrible. It was a freak event. We may never know the exact cause."
Retired pet shop boss Dave Cottrell, 55, lost 10 birds at the event,
at the end of last month [October 2009]. "They were dying by the
second," he said. "The odd thing is, I have asthma but I was unaware
of anything."
Plumbers and gas board officials who were called in found no trace of
a leak, and inspections by the fire brigade and environmental health
officers also proved inconclusive.
A necropsy on 2 casualties revealed they died from congestion and
hemorrhaging of the lungs.
The organisers believe a boiler flue may have become temporarily
blocked by leaves, causing it to emit noxious fumes.
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) remind Iowans that in addition to protecting their families, friends and neighbors from the spread of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, it’s important to remember to protect family pets from the illness, as well. People who are sick with H1N1 can spread the virus not only to humans, but to some animals.
The Departments are sharing this message following the confirmation of a case of H1N1 in an Iowa cat.
The 13-year-old indoor cat in Iowa was brought to the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where it tested positive for the H1N1 virus. The diagnosis is the culmination of collaborative efforts between IDPH, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, USDA, and IDALS Animal Industry Bureau.
“Two of the three members of the family that owns the pet had suffered from influenza-like illness before the cat became ill,” said IDPH Public Health Veterinarian, Dr. Ann Garvey. “This is not completely unexpected, as other strains of influenza have been found in cats in the past.” Both the cat and its owners have recovered from their illnesses.
People can keep their pets healthy by washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and minimizing contact with their pets while ill with influenza-like symptoms. If your pet exhibits signs of a respiratory illness, contact your veterinarian.
“Indoor pets that live in close proximity to someone who has been sick are at risk and it is wise to monitor their health to ensure they aren’t showing signs of illness,” said Dr. David Schmitt, State Veterinarian for Iowa.
For more information about H1N1, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/h1n1/ or call the Iowa Influenza Hotline at 1-800-447-1985
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