3D PROSTHESES FOR DOG.

Derby was born with deformities in both of his front legs, which left him unable to walk, run, or even sit upright. Slated to be euthanized, he was rescued and fostered by Tara Anderson, an employee at 3D Systems, who saw him at the Peace and Paws Dog Rescue in New Hampshire, USA. With the 3D technologies available to Tara, she set about trying to create a custom prosthesis for Derby, starting with casts to mold the prosthetic design and later elbow cups modeled on 3D scans taken of Derby’s deformed legs. The idea was to get Derby running again, but without wheels. During this time, he was adopted by the Portanova family who worked with Tara to develop the first of their kind prosthetic legs. These legs were developed in stages by trial and error, with the design slowly adjusted to Derby’s body, particularly his spine, as he grew. The material had to be strong, durable, and flexible to closely mimic the behavior of his natural legs. The final 3D printed prosthetic had a curved design and incorporated treads to provide traction. It even had his name printed on each prosthetic leg! Today, Derby, nearly two years old, doesn’t just walk, but runs, miles and miles each day. 3D printing has brought hope where they may not have been any before. It’s magic is three-pronged. First, it allows for prostheses or implants to be made at low cost and on-demand, and this is important because a prosthetic needs to be quickly modified and revised several times as the animal grows. Second, the range of materials available in 3D printing means that these prostheses can not only mimic the natural function of the missing part, but also integrate with the organic structure of the animal. Third, it allows for the creation of highly complex and custom prostheses and implants that are as unique as the animals they are designed for. For every animal that would have otherwise been euthanized, for whom doors were closed by fate or human cruelty, 3D printing has brought far more than ten reasons to go on living. So, the next time you come across a deformed, damaged, or diseased animal, no matter how small or big, anywhere in the world, remember that there may always be something that can be done to save it. culled from 3dprintingindustry.com

DISTEMPER VIRUS AND TIGERS.

Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, Cornell and the University of Glasgow , from their research noted that tigers, lions and other wild carnivores, already under threat from poaching and habitat loss, are falling victim to Canine distemper, and could soon drive endangered populations to extinction. Canine distemper virus strikes wild carnivores of all stripes, including Amur tigers, -- also called Siberian tigers -- which roam the Russian Far East in ever-dwindling numbers.The team is urging a swift action to address the crisis by developing control measures for the virus, such as delivering a vaccine that is safe for these animals. They also suggest renaming canine distemper virus to reflect the wide range of animals that can carry the virus and suffer from the disease. These small endangered populations of carnivores face a lot of threats, but distemper can be the major factor that determines their survival. Studies show that in many cases, wild carnivores are not contracting the distemper virus directly from domestic dogs, but they are getting it from other wild animals that act as intermediaries. This makes controlling the virus exceedingly difficult, and efforts to vaccinate dogs or other wild carnivores may not offer protection for tigers or other large cats. The current distemper vaccines haven't been thoroughly tested in the wild species that need protection. While many vaccines appear to be safe, some may not be effective in generating long-lived immune defenses, The group discussed ways to test the safety and efficacy of distemper vaccines in captive animals as well as developing innovative means of immunizing wild animals with oral or aerosol formulations planted in bait or on marking posts. Renaming the canine distemper virus may be a right step , in part because the name is not a good reflection of its host range among carnivores. The virus can affect seals, tigers, bears and more. The term "canine" can lead to management efforts that place too much emphasis on controlling the infection in dogs, when other wild animals carry the virus to infect other species. materials from Cornell university.

CANINE OBESITY.

A morbidly obese Texas dachshund once dubbed “Fat Vincent” because his belly was so large it hit the ground when he walked, has found its way out of animal shelter care by dropping half its body weight, on track to become healthy enough for a new owner. The 7-year-old canine with a love for fast food weighed a whopping 38 pounds (17.24 kg) with a body mass index of over 60 percent body fat in September when he was surrendered to a Houston animal shelter after his elderly owner died, according to his foster mother. His ideal healthy weight is around 16 pounds. "Besides terribly high cholesterol and BMI, Vincent’s back sloped downward in the middle and our vet was fearful that one false move would cause his back to break", said Melissa Anderson with K-9 Angels Rescue in Houston. Now dubbed “Skinny Vinnie,” the dog weighs 17.5 pounds due to a healthier diet, swimming with a life jacket in a pool and long walks, Anderson said, adding his fast food craving comes to life every time she goes to a drive-through window of a national coffee house chain. “He hops over to the driver’s seat, sticks his head out the window and waits for the order,” Anderson said. “He is always disappointed when the coffee arrives, but he never gives up hope.” Read more at http://newsdaily.com/2016/04/morbidly-plump-texas-wiener-dog-loses-weight-and-fat-vincent-name/#mOYyI01KU0YXi8sC.99

PETS AND COMPUTER GAMES.

Dr Bronwen Slack, is Meep's owner and vet operations coordinator at PETstock, she believes that people dont spend enough time with their pets. She believes anything that encourages people to interact with their cats, so they're not living such a sedentary lifestyle, is good. Meep lives the typical life of an indulged pet in Melbourne – he has a loving owner who showers him with attention, plenty of toys and a pantry full of food. He also has several games on a Samsung tablet to play. Computer games for pets is the latest in the continuing trend of dogs and cats being elevated from family pet to "furry babies". After all, why should humans have all the fun playing Candy Crush.It's not that balls of yarn and ropes are too analogue for today's 21st-century pets, rather there's now an alternative way to increase simulation among cats and dogs particularly when they're home alone. Marcus Carter, research fellow in computers at the University of Melbourne, says the "interesting trend" reflects the lifestyles of many people, and likens digital games to the increasing use of "pet cams" to monitor them. Marcus recently got a puppy and set up Skype to automatically answer so he could check on her while at work the first few times I left her in the back yard.He believes digital systems in general present an amazing opportunity to improve animal welfare, such as by reducing social isolation in the home. The games are simple, encouraging dogs and cats (and even very young children) to catch a series of slow moving digital fish, bubbles, treats and any other number of small creatures or lasers. One reviewer of the imaginatively titled "Game for Dogs" in the App store wrote: "My dog is now obsessed and is biting cause all she wants to do is play it on the iPad." Dr Slack tends to use the games sporadically so as not to over stimulate them. The best way to use them is when leaving the house to go on an errand and I want to keep the pet occupied while away. for 15 or 20 minutes. read more http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/pet-gamers-cats-and-dogs-the-latest-family-members-to-play-tablet-games-20160408-go1wb7.html

MAN CONTRACTS PARASITE IN FEET AFTER CONTACT WITH ANIMAL FECES.

A case reported in the New England Journal of Medicine states that a man came back from a holiday to Nigeria and developed a rash on his foot .He Went to the doctor after a month as it was itchy and appeared to 'move'.It appeared to 'migrate', moving a few millimeters to a few centimeters daily, he told doctors, who described the case to doctors at Peking Union Medical College, in Beijing, complaining of the mark on his foot, which resembled a varicose vein. The doctors examined his foot and found a red, raised tract with a wavy margin. They gave the patient the news he had cutanteous larva migrans: a parasitic skin infection caused by hookworm larvae. These hookworms generally live in the intestines of pets such as dogs and cats and shed their eggs via their faeces, usually in sandy areas of beaches or under houses. Cutaneous larva migrans is the most frequent skin disease among travelers returning from tropical countries. Humans can become infected through contact with these faeces, such as by walking barefoot on the beach or in soil that has been contaminated with the waste. The parasite stays in the epidermis, the outer layer of skin, because it lacks the enzymes needed to burrow down deeper into the body. The rash it triggers is most commonly seen on the feet, back, buttocks, thighs, or abdomen. The man was given an anti-parasitic drug called albendazole and after two weeks, the marks on his foot disappeared. Read more http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3527892/The-varicose-vein-actually-WORM-Man-contracts-parasite-foot-contact-animal-faeces.html

DIABETES IN DOGS.

Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the cells of the body cannot metabolize the glucose from the blood this results in rise in blood sugar levels. This condition results either because of lack of insulin or an inability of the cells to effectively utilize it. Diabetes usually begins in middle age and it is more common in females dogs than male dogs of certain breeds like puli,while in cats the male and female of all breeds are equally at risk. Diabetes mellitus in dogs is characterized by a high level of glucose in the blood. The level of glucose in the blood and its absorption by cells are regulated by a hormone called insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. If there isn't enough insulin, or if the cells can't use it effectively, then glucose levels in the blood increase, resulting in diabetes The signs develop overtime and these include drinking a lot of water, urinating more often than usual, an increased appetite, and weight loss. Delayed healing in cases of skin infections , where sores or skin infections that take a long time to heal or are resistant to treatment. Diabetes is usually diagnosed by measuring increased levels of glucose in the blood. If the level of glucose in the blood is high enough, it will lace the urine and can be detected . Mild cases of diabetes can sometimes be managed by diet, exercise, and weight control. Most cases of diabetes require insulin injections to keep the level of blood glucose in the normal range. Managing a dog with diabetes requires a commitment by owner and to stick to the same routine every day. Feed a fixed amount of a balanced diet, divided into equal morning and evening portions, treats and other snacks should not be given because they will interfere with the proper regulation of your pet's glucose level. Exercise also needs to be consistent to maintain a particular weight. There will be the need to check your dog's urine glucose on a daily basis and to return regularly for a blood glucose test. Once a routine / Pattern is established and the dog is used to it, checking a urine glucose level, keeping meals and exercise consistent, and administering insulin takes very little time. Dogs with diabetes,if properly managed can still live productive lives. If diabetes is not treated, metabolic byproducts of fat breakdown referred to as ketones will build up in the blood, leading to fatigue, poor appetite, and vomiting. When ketones accumulate in the body, the dog's breath will be foul .This odor is one of the pointers that your dog has a metabolic disorder.

Canine influenza transmitted to cats in Midwestern shelter.

It is called canine influenza, but an expert has confirmed that the virus that sickened a large number of dogs in the Midwest last year has now infected a group of cats in the region. According to Sandra Newbury, clinical assistant professor and director of the Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, has confirmed that the virus that sickened a large number of dogs in the Midwest last year has now infected a group of cats in the region. Sandra Newbury, in collaboration with Kathy Toohey-Kurth, virology section head at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, recently tested multiple cats at an animal shelter in Northwest Indiana and found them positive for the H3N2 canine influenza virus. "Suspicions of an outbreak in the cats were initially raised when a group of them displayed unusual signs of respiratory disease," Newbury says. "While this first confirmed report of multiple cats testing positive for canine influenza in the U.S. shows the virus can affect cats, we hope that infections and illness in felines will continue to be quite rare." Feline cases previously reported in South Korea suggested that the virus -- which was not seen in the U.S. until 2015 -- was capable of making the leap from dogs to cats. However, just one cat tested positive for H3N2 on a single occasion in the U.S. last year. In that case, no repeated sampling was done because the sample was not known to be positive until long after the cat's symptoms had resolved.It now appears the virus can replicate and spread from cat to cat. "Sequential sampling of these individual cats have shown repeated positives and an increase in viral loads over time," Toohey-Kurth says, referring to the amount of virus found in any given sample.Cats that have contracted the virus in the shelter have displayed upper respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, congestion and general malaise, as well as lip smacking and excessive salivation. Symptoms have resolved quickly and so far, the virus has not been fatal in cats. Infected dogs may develop a persistent cough, runny nose and fever. Some dogs will show no symptoms, while others exhibit more severe signs of illness. The virus has been linked to some deaths in dogs, but most dogs recover with supportive care. Dogs and cats infected with canine influenza virus should be housed separately from other animals and precautions should be taken to prevent spread of the virus on hands and clothing.An H3N2 vaccine is now available for dogs, but no vaccine is currently approved or recommended for cats. Story from materials provided by University of Wisconsin-Madison

FOODS DANGEROUS TO PETS.

BIOTEMPUS AND CANCER TREATMENT IN DOGS.

Melbourne based biotechnology company Biotempus has made a remarkable discovery: cancer patients’ [both canine and human] immune systems run on a cycle and thus delivering treatment at the wrong times could be reducing the efficacy. Dr Noam Pik, the general manager at ASAP Laboratory, explained they hypothesised that a seven-day cycle was the key to the efficacy of treatment by building on previous medical research. “This discovery was made by Martin Ashdown while investigating AIDS with mice after noticing some responded better to the same treatment at different times post inoculation,” said Dr Pik. “This lead to the hypothesis that the immune system operates differently in the time domain. That is, at certain times it is more effective at eliminating disease.” Read more here; vetpracticemag.com.au/on-the-cusp-of-a-breakthrough/

DNA KIT FOR DOGS TO ANALYSE DISEASE RISK AND TRACE GENETIC TREE.

A startup is kicking off and its using dog's saliva in its tool to give dog owners the disease of their breeds and trace the pedigree.The startup called EMBARK is a DNA KIT that will give information to owners about disease risk and also trace ancestry. The company founders rolling out the product says the real objective is that the research will help to conduct various tests with the DNA samples and use the potential of dog genetics to deliver advancements in human health. Dogs and humans share many of the same kinds of conditions, hence by studying the genetics of diseases in dogs, scientists may be able to figure out how these originate in humans. The kit by engaging mass numbers of dog owners, will provide data that will unlock the potential of the dog as a model system and that is the real idea behind Embark. The founders have figured out that it’s a lot easier to fund research if study participants — or their owners — pay for the privilege of taking part in a study. Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine has already agreed to be an Embark research partner, and the company intends to conduct its own studies, under the guidance of Adam Boyko, Embark's chief science officer, a dog geneticist at Cornell University, and Ryan’s brother. This kit will provide a framework for breeders and dog owners and will also be an important planning tool in terms of insurance.Client education about various diseases ,management and life expectancy of certain conditions will really help to address issues of breeding and animal welfare. The snag about this test will be the limiting of certain breeds and excessive breeding of other breeds which will over time phase out some breeds. # data bank #gene pool # gene bank # breeders # genetics.

Puppy with braces regains pain-free smile.

Wesley, a golden retriever, is normally an active puppy.When Molly Moore, 23, of Spring Lake, noticed that her dog was chewing his food kind of funny and stopped playing with his toys, especially his chew-based toys, she became concerned.When Wesley started losing weight, a red flag went up. Moore, who works in her father's veterinary clinic, got the dog checked out and eventually decided that Wesley needed braces to alleviate the pain he was evidently experiencing. The dog's adult teeth weren't coming in properly. Dr. Jim Moore, Molly's father, as a "doggy dentist," performed the procedure at Harborfront Hospital for Animals in Spring Lake. He owns the clinic. "Dental care is just as important for the pets we love as it is for us and we are glad that his cute 'brace face' brought such interest."Wesley is treated as a member of the family. Moore said he will even play a key role in her upcoming wedding.Wesley was back at the veterinary clinic , to have one of his brackets re affixed. The dog will go under anesthesia for this procedure. Orthodontia in pets is normally not for aesthetic purposes, but because of health concerns. That was the case for Wesley.Braces with brackets were affixed to the top part of the dog's mouth and different orthodontia elements with braces were affixed to the bottom part.Jim Moore also does Endodontics, root canals that are often necessary because of pain, and oral surgery, such as for fractured jaws. According to Jim Moore, it is quite common for dogs to have problems with their teeth that may require an oral surgeon to move some teeth. He said he completes that procedure about once a week. As far as putting braces on dogs, that happens about four times a year at the Spring Lake clinic. When asked about why Wesley needed the procedure, Jim Moore said the dog "couldn't close his mouth." A recent check of the dog's teeth showed that "he's nearly perfect," Jim Moore said. Molly Moore said that dental procedures for pets tend to cost less than those for humans."Dental care for our pets is much more affordable than most people realize," she said. Wesley has lived with Molly Moore and her fiancé since they purchased their first house. culled from ;http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2016/03/brace_face_puppy_regains_pain-.html.

Napa Sheepdog Has 17 Puppies.

A dog who looks after the sheep and chickens at a Napa farm has broken the record for having the largest litter of puppies in California.Stella, a 3-year-old Maremma Sheepdog, bore 17 puppies and her proud owners John and Gaby Costanzo were shocked.“Six to eight is normal,” said John Costanzo. “Seventeen is insane.” He said the vet told them on the spot Stella set a record for the state. It’s also the largest litter ever recorded for her breed.“We really were just expecting maybe 10 at the most. But once the 17th was finally coming out we realized that this was going to be a lot of work. We were going to be feeding morning noon and night,” he said. “We’re not professional breeders or We’re just a farm and we have these dogs protecting our livestock.”The Guinness World record for the largest litter of puppies ever is 24. culled from http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2016/02/29/napa-sheepdog-has-17-pups-largest-litter-ever-in-california/

CLAY USES IN VETERINARY PRACTICE.

Clay has be discovered to have healing properties,and they can easily be incorporated into practice as poultices,balms or oral applications to treat disease conditions. There are a wide variety of clay but not all possess the healing properties.The following types have been documented and their benefits highlighted. Bentonite is a green clay that can vary in the level of mineralization according to where the clay is sourced. Bentonite has a high absorption rate and unique chemical structure. The bentonite is unique because it has surface particles that are both negatively and positively charged. Clay is similar to an ant in that it can carry particles three to four times its size and hold on to them as they travel outside the body,making it very beneficial in fracture repair and bone surgeries. Montmorillonite is popularly known as French green clay. This type of clay is perfect to consume internally because it rapidly detoxifies and disinfects the body. Montmorillonite gets its green color from the algae rich dried up sea beds of the Mediterranean. When hydrated with purified water, Montmorillonite binds to toxins and holds them safe so they can be excreted out of the body, making French green clay invaluable for removing blood toxins, bacteria and heavy metals. Montmorillonite has anti-inflammatory properties, It also has high in silica content this supports the production of fascia and connective tissue to help in arthritic and muscular conditions. Illite is a fine particle, non-expansive green clay known to seek out undesirable microbes and ailing tissues.It is rich in sea minerals, it helps support the body’s own healing mechanisms by having the highest adsorption rate. This gives illite the ability to act as a magnet for toxins. It is by far the best choice for detoxification purposes. Redmond clay is used internally and externally. It has a high sodium and calcium content making it perfect for drawing out infectious agents topically. Redmond clay is used as a poultice , which can be used for joint care, insect bites, stings and any other topical inflammations. USES THE CLAY. 1) Eliminate internal parasites, fluids, gases, toxins and heavy metals.2) Support a strong immune system by balancing pH levels and supporting healthy intestinal flora. 3) Help detoxify the digestive tract. 4)Dry application used as a disinfectant in treating wounds.5)Clay can immediately stop bleeding wounds and prevent scab formation. METHODS OF APPLICATION. 1) Mix clay powder and water together and make a dry paste. Apply to bleeding wounds and wounds that need to heal without scabbing. This prevent abscesses and keeps the healing wound from itch-free. 2) Treatment of internal parasites and detoxification. Do the following; use 1 tbsp bentonite, illite, or montmorillonite clay. Make a mix using 4 oz cool pure water for each tsp of clay 1 oz .Let this slurry-mix stand overnight. Give to your dog orally or in some wet food the next morning on an empty stomach. Ensure to wait for at least 2 1/2hours before you feed the dog. 3) Give plenty of water through course of clay-treatment. 4) Used as a poultice. Use 1 lb pure green clay and add 1⁄2 cup pure water to Unbleached cotton muslin. Mix the clay with enough water to make a thick paste.Spread a layer of paste with a wooden spatula on to the center of the muslin , about one inch deep and approximately two inches bigger than the area to be treated. Apply the poultice clay side down and leave it alone until the clay pulls away from the skin. This indicates that the treatment is finished. Repeat daily until healed,usually in 5-7 days.

HOW TO STOP BLEEDING IN DOGS FROM OVER-TRIMMED NAILS.

Seasoned trimmer or not, cutting too far when trimming a dog’s nails can happen from time to time to any one of us. If you trim your dog’s nails at home, I’m pretty sure you’ve been in this situation before: either the dog’s nails are dark and it’s hard to see how far you can cut, or the dog moves around. Whatever the reason, you simply end up cutting too far and the nail starts to bleed. Throughout the years I’ve tried and tested many ways to stop the bleeding and disinfect the nail, until I came to the most effective, safe, non-toxic, painless solution.No spraying that freaks the dogs out, no toxic aluminum based wound disinfectants, nor alcohol based solutions that cause pain (burning and stinging). This simple aid is most likely within easy reach. It’s a common weed called GREATER PLANTAIN (Plantago major).Plantain (the entire plant) has some strong healing and other medicinal properties and among them is the plant’s amazing ability to stop bleeding.Greater plantain with its typical wide leaves grows abundantly along roads, trails and paths, often in the company of dandelions. You can find it in most garden lawns and in meadows as well. Plantain’s wide, large leaves are what you need.Once you find your nice fresh, clean plantain leaf, wash it with water and crack it in several places to allow the juice from the leaf to touch the wound. It is the juice that contains the most effective substances to stop the bleeding and aid in healing. Clean the nail with a wet cotton cloth and carefully wrap it in the cracked plantain leaf.Make sure the leaf is really touching the wound, but don’t apply too much pressure with your fingers. Hold it in place for a few minutes or for as long as necessary to stop the bleeding.Another wonderful aspect of using plantain on wounds such as the cut from nail trimming is the plant’s soothing, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial ability, making it perfect for healing. culled from Dogsnaturally.

SUN BURN IN ANIMALS.

Some dogs and cats prone to sunburn. Excessive sunbathing damages the skin. Humans are not the only ones who need to monitor their exposure to UV rays: animals are at risk too. Dogs and cats with white or thin coats are at particular risk, as are animals with very closely shorn fur or with certain pre-existing conditions. Excessive sunbathing damages the skin. Humans are not the only ones who need to monitor their exposure to UV rays: animals are at risk too. Dogs and cats with white or thin coats are at particular risk, as are animals with very closely short fur or with certain pre-existing conditions. Dermatologist Christa Horvath-Ungerböck from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna explains which animals are particularly sensitive, how to prevent sun damage to the skin, and how to treat a sunburned animal. Human or animals skin with little or no pigmentation is very sensitive to the sun in general. Hairless pets or pets with very short or thin fur can also be vulnerable. For dogs and cats this applies in particular to those parts of the skin that are regularly exposed to the sun. These include the ears, the bridge of the nose, the skin around the eyes, and the back. Some animals particularly enjoy lying on tHouse pets with white or short fur are at particular risk of sunburn. The Dogo Argentino breed, white bulldogs, Dalmatians, boxers, whippets, beagles and white or multi-coloured cats with white patches have skin that is very sensitive to light, especially on their heads. In summer animals with short fur can also have a problem. The short hair allows UV rays penetrate down to the sensitive skin and cause sunburn. Hairless dogs and cats are naturally more sensitive to the sun, since they lack the natural sun protection fur affords. Here too though, skin pigmentation plays a role, and darker animals are less vulnerable to UV rays. Owners of vulnerable breeds should take particular care to protect their animals from the sun and their backs to bask in the sun. This exposes the skin on their bellies, which is often hairless, to the rays of the sun, increasing the risk of sunburn.

Guidance relaxes requirements for pets with lapsed rabies vaccine.

Cats and dogs with out-of-date vaccinations when exposed to rabies can receive a booster and be subject to an observation period, rather than quarantine or euthanasia, according to the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians in the 2016 edition of the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control. The change follows a paper in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association that found that dogs whose vaccination status had lapsed demonstrated an adequate antibody response to support the change. Veterinarian Catherine Brown said the guidance does not mitigate the need to keep current on vaccination. Full Story: JAVMA News

RABIES THREAT IN HORSES.

Real-Life Examples of a Real-Life Threat Although rabies is a rare disease in domestic animals, due to its uniformly fatal nature, encounters remain as vivid memories. These are two real-life examples from my own experiences. Case 1: Human Exposure We had a "down horse" emergency case due to arrive at the John Thomas Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital at Auburn University. Prior to arrival, the owners told us that the previous day, the horse was at a 4-H show being ridden by a young girl, and he seemed a little off: slightly colicky in the morning and then lame in the afternoon. The following morning the horse was ataxic (incoordinated) and their regular veterinarian recommended referral to Auburn. The owners set out on the four-hour drive to our hospital, but two hours prior to arrival the horse went down in the trailer. The owner called us to say that the horses' condition had deteriorated and he was now biting viciously at his extended foreleg; he also notified us that he did not think the horse was worth saving and that he was going to return home to humanely shoot the horse and bury it on the farm. Rabies is a risk with any horse that has progressively neurologic signs, and though rare, this case was concerning. We strongly recommended continuing to the university, but the owner was concerned about expensive care with a poor prognosis. My fears turned to the daughter. Even if the horse was ultimately euthanized, there was a risk the daughter could have been exposed if the animal tested positive for rabies. A drop of saliva while bridling the horse could easily inoculate a small cut on a finger. To my relief the owner agreed to continue to Auburn to have the horse euthanized and a post-mortem performed. On arrival the horse was still down on the trailer, tongue lolling and biting at anything that moved. We were able to heavily sedate the horse and carefully access a rear leg vein to humanely put him to sleep. All our veterinarians and technicians are vaccinated for rabies, but it was still quite frightening and risky, so we minimized the number of people involved. We performed a post-mortem exam immediately, which confirmed our biggest fear: The horse was positive for rabies. We notified the state health department, and they were able to ensure all individuals that had contact with the horse--people in the horse's barn and at the show, the referring veterinarian, and the owner and his daughter--received post-exposure hyperimmune plasma and a long series of vaccines against rabies. Case 2: Rabies vaccines: Important for horses, dogs, and even the barn cat A friend of mine has several horses and visits her farm daily with her daughter and grandson. One evening while pulling a few flakes of hay from the hayshed, the daughter felt something brush against her face and then over her arm. A flashlight revealed a small bat that was awkwardly fluttering over the hay bales. My friend chased off the barn cat who was very interested in this new, wildly moving "cat toy" and managed to kill the ailing bat with a single whack of a nearby shovel. The daughter then noticed a small scratch across her arm. They washed the wound carefully and wrapped the deceased bat in several plastic bags. Meanwhile the old one-eyed barn cat was outside happily enjoying his evening game with the grandson. My friend called me for advice. As a veterinarian I am not allowed to give medical advice, but I ensured that they had washed the scratch with water and disinfectant and suggested they pack some ice packs around the bat's packaged remains and head to the emergency room. Luckily they still had the dead bat available for rabies testing and it was delivered to the Alabama State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory first thing the next morning, where testing confirmed the bat was positive for rabies. The daughter was given rabies hyperimmune plasma and post-exposure vaccines. She told me that over the next two weeks, every time she received one of the vaccines the scratch on her arm would redden and hurt for several hours. She was convinced the bat had inoculated her with the rabies virus. The county rabies veterinary officer was notified of the positive rabies test, and we recommended that all the horses and the barn cat be revaccinated immediately and carefully observed for any possible signs of disease. Fortunately, the cat had not come in contact with the bat; an exposed cat with overdue vaccines, such as this one, would have to be euthanized or quarantined for many months. Initially my friend was reluctant to spend the money to vaccinate the old barn cat. He had lived happily on the farm for many years and, although she never really owned him, he certainly thought he owned the farm. I walked her through the facts: Rabies is endemic in America, and obviously there were rabid bats on the farm. The individual most likely to contact a sickly bat would be the old barn cat, and the cat was always around the valuable horses and was the 4-year-old grandson's playmate. The old barn cat certainly needed to be vaccinated, even as a means of protecting others potentially more valuable than he. Are all your horses, dogs and barn cats up-to-date on rabies vaccines? story source (The horse.com)

WOMAN RESCUES STRAY DOGS.

HOW TO USE APPS TO CUT RISK OF RABIES .

Researchers are using the app to track free-roaming dogs that have been vaccinated against rabies.
Rabies could be eradicated from street dogs in India with the help of a new smartphone app, a study has shown.

Monitoring them in this way has enabled vets to vaccinate 70 per cent of the dog population in the City of Ranchi -which is the threshold needed to minimize the risk that the disease is passed to people.  Adopting the approach more widely could help to eliminate rabies from people and animals

RATS AND LEPTOSPIROSIS.

Leptospirosis a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be similar to other diseases and some infected persons, however, may have mild to severe symptoms. Leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis,liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death. The risk of infection with Leptospirosis is high with people close to animals such as dogs, cattle, horses, and pigs. These animals get infected when they are exposed to urine of infected rats, or have contact with contaminated drinking water or swimming/paddling through water inhabited by rats or contaminated by rat’s urine. When these animals are infected, they may show no signs of the disease. Infected animals may continue to excrete the bacteria into the environment continuously or every once in a while for a few months up to several years. Humans can become infected through; 1) Contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals. 2) Contact with water, soil, or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals. 3) The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes of eyes, nose and mouth, especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch. 4) Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection. Outbreaks of Leptospirosis are caused by exposure to contaminated water, such as floodwaters and person to person transmission is rare. Leptospirosis occurs worldwide, but is most common in temperate or tropical climates. It is an occupational hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals, such as: Farmers, Mine workers, Sewer workers, Slaughterhouse workers,(abattoir),Veterinarians and animal handlers, Fish farmers, and Dairy farmers. The time between a person's exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is 2 days to 4 weeks. Illness usually begins abruptly with fever and other symptoms. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS; In humans, Leptospirosis can cause mild or severe signs this include; 1) High fever 2) Headache 3) Chills 4) Muscle aches. The Severe signs include; 1) Vomiting 2) Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) 3) Red eyes 4) Abdominal pain 5) Diarrhea and 6)Rash.