Medical

Pittsburgh-The Heinz Pet Products 47th Dog Hero of the Year honor goes to a frisky Australian Blue Heeler that survived an alligator encounter.

Tampa-Veterinary Products Inc. (VPI), Atlanta, has awarded an exclusive contract to PetsVetsandYou, Inc. for the design and supply of Web sites to its shareholder members.

Alameda, Calif.-In its second year of operation, Maddie's Fund, a pet rescue foundation, helped to raise monies to successfully spay and neuter 118,782 dogs and cats nationwide.

Boston-Veterinarians were one of the health professionals represented in a major study on use of calcium and risks of colon cancer.

London-Britain is considering lifting a six-month quarantine on pets arriving from the United States and Canada - in part under pressure from pet-loving diplomats.

Paris - Here comes Peter Cottontail, blazing his carbon copy's trail.

University of Wisconsin-Madison veterinary clinicians are evaluating cancer radiation that can selectively irradiate tumors without interfering with other tissue.

Rochester, Minn.-So, what is keeping you up at night? A Mayo Clinic study suggests it could be an owner's pet, if they are sleeping in the same bedroom.

Rockville, Md.-The amount of sodium pentobarbital in dog food is so minute, it's highly improbable it would pose any animal health risk, reports the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

New York - A veterinary professor at Kansas State University is considering new medication and food alternatives to the current methods of treating osteoarthritis in dogs.

New York-The Animal Medical Center (AMC) and the Canine Health Foundation (KHF) have plans to launch a scientific study to evaluate health risks and injuries to search and rescue dogs working at the World Trade Center following the September 11th attacks.

The AKC's Veterinary Outreach Program has received $100,000 for their 2002 scholarships, awarded to students in veterinary schools who are pursuing canine-related studies. AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC-CAR) has donated the funds for the program this year.

Englewood, Colo.-Morris Animal Foundation is funding $3.7 million in humane animal health studies this year. With this level of funding, the organization continues to establish itself as the world's largest foundation funding companion animal and wildlife health studies.

Nervousness and emotional stress can drive a cat to go bald, although it's rather uncommon, reports the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Washington, D.C. - The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) filed three separate complaints over a controversial cat experiment in progress at The Ohio State University.

Pueblo, Colo. - A House committee of the Colorado General Assembly is even more driven to increase the charges filed against animal abusers, after viewing a key "witness," Westy the cat.

"Cc," a calico and white shorthair, is the first cat to join a list of clones, which includes cows, sheep, pigs, goats, and mice, report officials of Texas A&M University.

Madison, N.J.- To coincide with the month of March being designated as National Poison Control Month, St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center has opened the phone lines to assist owners when pets ingest toxic substances.

A physicians' group is suing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for allegedly concealing information about a controversial veterinary experiment on cats to study effects of methamphetamine drug abuse in people.

Woodstock, Ga.-Pets in Need, a novel program organized by AnimalHelp.Com, allows underprivileged pet owners to post information about a pet that needs life-saving treatment.

Texas-Next time, you're unable to pinpoint a specific medical condition, key the symptoms into new software created by Texas Medical Informatics for an instant diagnosis.

WASHINGTON - Financially, this practice has never had a down year.

Equine veterinarians routinely deal with hoof cracks and most, fortunately, are minor nuisances or superficial problems.

New awareness of search dogs' importance likely following Sept. 11 attacks

Grenada, West Indies- The school of veterinary medicine at St. George's University, in conjunction with the Grenada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, has developed a veterinary teaching hospital.

Bethesda, Md.-Animal Planet will present a world television premiere special episode of its New York-based original series Animal Precinct, Oct. 12.

Denver-Despite corporate layoffs, reduced consumer spending and hints of a recession in the national economy, the small animal practice slice of the economy remains bright, according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

Washington- When pet owners lose a beloved animal, along with the traditional private burial or cremation, another option is emerging - colleges and universities that use animal cadavers for training future veterinarians.

Auburn University, Ala.-Critically ill pets in the Southeast may gain a second chance at life in the newly-launched Critical Care Program at Auburn University (AU).

San Francisco-Veterinarians are advised to take precautions against the bacteria Pasteurella multocida, which can be transmitted through moderately casual contact with pets, reports a New England Journal of Medicine article.