Pets and Vets: Penn veterinary professor studies parasite involvement in schizopherenia

Pennsylvania

About one-fifth of schizophrenia cases may involve the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, according to Gary Smith, BA Honors, DPhil, Cert Ed, professor of population biology and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. Smith has used epidemiological modeling methods to determine the proportion of cases that may be linked to infection with the parasite, according to a university release. His study was published in the Journal of Preventive Veterinary Medicine.

In the United States just over one-fifth of the population is infected with T. gondii. Though it has been believed that most healthy people don't see adverse effects, studies have found evidence of a negative impact, including an association with schizophrenia because the parasite is found in the brain as well as in the muscles. Other studies have found that some antipsychotic drugs can stop the parasite from reproducing, and studies in mice, rats and people have shown that infection triggers changes in behavior and personality, according to the release. 

To investigate this connection Smith calculated the population attributable fraction (PAF), a metric used to determine how important a risk factor might be. In this case the PAF is the “proportion of schizophrenia diagnoses that would not occur in a population if T. gondii infections were not present,” Smith says. In some countries the prevalence of T. gondii is much higher, and there is also a higher incidence of schizophrenia, Smith notes.

Illinois

Orthopedic surgeons at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana are using images captured through computed tomography (CT) to print 3D models used for planning surgeries, according to a university release.

Karanvir Aulakh, BVSC, MS, DACVS, used the technology to treat a Labrador born with a condition that caused the femurs of its rear legs to be bowed and displace the kneecaps. Radiographs were taken of each leg to complete measurements of the angles of each bone and then a CT scan was completed to make the 3D image the printer would use.

The procedure was planned using the measurements and the models. To allow time for strength to be regained only one leg was operated on at a time. Aulakh made a cut into the bone and a wedge of bone was removed to straighten it. Then hardware was placed to help stabilize the bone for weight bearing. After the bone repair was completed, the kneecap displacement was addressed.

At the eight-week recovery check the dog had made enough progress for the second leg to be corrected.

North Carolina

A state audit says the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB) doesn't adequately follow up on inspection violations or licensing requirements, according to Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville news website WRAL.com.

The North Carolina veterinary board inspects practices every two years to check controlled substance management, radiation safety, and record keeping, among other items. Practice owners must submit written accounts of corrected violations. The audit found that inspections don't take into account severity of violation and there are no criteria for reinspection, according to WRAL.com. Another area the board was lax on is checking the accuracy of continuing education hours veterinarians report.

The board's executive director, Thomas Mickey, said the board agreed with the auditor's recommendation to adopt a formal assessment procedure for inspections and a formal process for auditing CE hours reported. Both processes would be implemented by 2015, according to WRAL.com

Oregon

Oncologists at Veterinary Cancer and Surgery Specialists in Milwaukie, Oregon, are looking for participants for a clinical trial for a new drug for dogs with lymphoma, according to the website OregonLive.com. The study aims to test effectiveness of a monoclonal antibody, or antibody produced by a laboratory-grown cell clone, for treating dogs with intermediate to high-grade T-cell lymphoma.

Prospective participants will be screened before enrollment to confirm eligibility. Pet owners will be responsible for paying for initial consultation, bloodwork, urinanalysis and radiographs. After acceptance to the study all procedures and treatment will be funded by the study. The study is part of a nationwide clinical trial funded by Aratana Therapeutics in coordination with Animal Clinical Investigation.

For more information, including qualifying criteria, call (503) 908-1492 or visit vcsspdx.com

Texas

Susan Culp, DVM, a lead veterinarian with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), has been named recipient of the 2014 Southwest Veterinary Symposium Visionary Award, according to a commission release. The award honors an individual who is recognized in the profession and actively engaged in private, public or corporate veterinary practice and whose contributions elevate the standards and goals of veterinary medicine.   

The SWVS is a partnership between the Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas veterinary medical associations that provides CE for veterinary professionals.

Washington

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has named a new state veterinarian, according to a press release. Joe Baker, DVM, who joined the WSDA on Nov. 3, comes with almost 40 years of experience. He served on the New Mexico livestock board beginning in 2006 and also headed the New Mexico Food Safety, Meat and Poultry inspection division, worked as a field veterinarian and served as interim state veterinarian for a period of time. Baker completed both his undergraduate and veterinary degrees at Washington State University and completed an equine reproduction residency at the University of California-Davis, according to the release. Baker will oversee WSDA's animal health program.