http://vetmed.illinois.edu/ University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine News Releases, Pet Columns, and Extension Notes en-us (C) 2009 University of Illinois Board of Trustees mandyb@illinois.edu (Mandy Barth) webmaster@vetmed.illinois.edu (Daniel Lewart) http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=645 It is now widely accepted in human medicine that one of the largest causes of liver failure (and also liver transplant surgery) in the United States is due to the overuse of a particular type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) named acetaminophen. This stunning research finding was first published in the December 2005 issue of the journal <i>Hepatology</i>. Nearly every person in the country has used one type of NSAID or another, whether that be ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin. When taken correctly, these drugs have very few side effects. Pet Column Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT Winterize Your Pet with Tips from Pet U While you may be prepared with sweaters and shovels for the approaching winter's icy temperatures and snow, bitter weather conditions also pose dangerous threats to your pets. News Release Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=195 While you may be prepared with sweaters and shovels for the approaching winter's icy temperatures and snow, bitter weather conditions also pose dangerous threats to your pets. News Release Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=644 Squamous cell carcinoma, also abbreviated as SCC, is one of the most common cancers in horses. Appearing as small, wart-like bumps commonly found on the eyelid or surface of the eye, they require early treatment. While a conscientious owner may quickly notice a new lump on the shoulder of his or her equine friend, even the most watchful horseperson will miss a concealed third eyelid tumor. Pet Column Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=643 You might blame your teenager for your ulcer, or even your high blood pressure, but researchers now know that stress can cause many medical problems for companion animals, too. One of the most frustrating disorders veterinarians commonly treat in cats is feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), which is the broad term for diseases including, urinary stones, urethral obstructions and cystitis (inflammation of the bladder). Despite years of research, experts still do not know what causes the mysterious disease. Pet Column Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=642 Whether a horse is on the operating table for colic or a broken bone, pain management after surgery is critical. In recent years research has clearly shown that making horses as comfortable and pain-free as possible post-operatively leads to shorter hospital stays and better healing. Pet Column Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=193 URBANA - Horse owners, take advantage of discounted horse health packages at the <a href=http://illinoisvetmed.com>University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital</a> on appointments scheduled for the morning of Saturday, October 24. News Release Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=641 From running blood work, to restraining that nippy miniature poodle, veterinary technicians do it all. &quot;On any given day you could be the receptionist, grief counselor, dental hygienist, and the list just goes on,&quot; says Alyssa Galligan, the head veterinary technician for the emergency and critical care units at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the University of Illinois in Urbana. Pet Column Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=192 URBANA - Are you preparing for a furry, four-legged addition to your family? Or wondering what you can do to promote healthy habits for your pets between veterinary visits? News Release Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=191 URBANA - Explore practical ways to keep pet fish healthy through an educational weekend with a leading veterinary expert. News Release Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=189 <a href=http://vetmed.illinois.edu/faculty/vcm/jsmthsn.html>Dr. Jodi Matheson</a> recently earned diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Radiology, meaning she has undergone advanced training in a radiology residency program and has passed the ACVR board certification examination. News Release Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=188 <a href=http://vetmed.illinois.edu/faculty/vcm/pawilkin.html>Dr. Pamela Wilkins</a>, an equine critical care specialist at the University of Illinois <a href=http://vetmed.illinois.edu/vth/>Veterinary Teaching Hospital</a>, recently received professional recognition at the international level. News Release Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=640 It sure would be nice if equine surgeons could pull out their crystal ball during prepurchase exams and tell an owner whether or not they foresee the horse needing colic surgery in the future. Unfortunately, no one has quite figured out how to do that yet. However, from reviewing statistical data from large populations of patients experts have noticed that certain breeds of horses are predisposed to certain types of colic. Pet Column Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=639 The number one cause of death in companion animals in this country is cancer. In our feline friends a specific type of cancer, lymphoma, is very common. The disease originates in the lymphocytes (white blood cells) of the immune system and frequently invades the lymph nodes causing them to enlarge. Pet Column Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=187 Dress your pets in their spook-tastic Halloween costumes and let them strut their alter egos at the fourth annual Oskee "Boo" Wow masquerade on Tuesday, October 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana. News Release Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=638 Rover, an 8-year-old Labrador retriever, shows up at his veterinarian's office for an annual check-up. After one too many table scraps he is slightly overweight and perhaps, in his older age, not as rambunctious as a few years ago. Because he is a &quot;geriatric&quot; patient, blood work is recommended. Pet Column Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=186 Support local wildlife as you treat the members of your whole family--pets included--to a movie night at the fourth annual "Howl at the Harvest Moon" fundraiser event for the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic. News Release Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=637 Although injecting a cat with radioactive material might sound like it would do more harm than good, it's the best treatment option for cats with an overactive thyroid gland. The disease, which is common in middle-aged cats, causes several symptoms such as: weight loss, hyperactivity, anxiety, vomiting, increased thirst and urination, along with an increased appetite. Once diagnosed, there are three treatment options: radioiodine therapy, surgery, and lifelong oral medication. Pet Column Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=185 The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and its alumni association will present four Dr. Erwin Small Distinguished Alumni Awards and a Special Service Award on September 10, 2009, during the annual Fall Conference for Veterinarians. News Release Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=636 It's hard to believe that those slow-moving slugs and snails you find in your garden can harbor a deadly parasite. Meningeal worm, or more formally Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, pass their eggs in white tailed deer feces. Snails pick up these eggs and allow the parasite to complete its life cycle. The white tailed deer is the natural host for the parasite, but camelids (alpacas and llamas) are not. A hungry alpaca grazing a field of lush pasture might not even notice it has accidentally taken a bite of a gourmet meal of deadly worms. Pet Column Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/ope/enotes/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=191 Over the past year I have had the opportunity to visit swine farms and meet with pork producers in China, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Philippines. While the environmental conditions, nutritional components, disease status, genetics, and market situations vary somewhat from the US pork industry, many of the same challenges appear to be present everywhere pigs are raised. Extension Note Tue, 31 Jul 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/ope/enotes/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=189 I've been humbled (again). Extension Note Tue, 15 May 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/ope/enotes/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=190 Estimates show that as many as one-fourth of the dogs in the United States are overweight. About one in 20 is obese, weighing 20 percent more than their ideal weight. Obesity is related to serious health problem including diabetes mellitus, orthopedic problems, and cardiovascular disease. Extension Note Tue, 10 Apr 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/ope/enotes/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=188 This time of year, many of us are pulling out holiday decorations and cold winter wear that has been packed away since last spring. We look forward to festive lights and bulky sweaters to comfort us on cold nights. But before you slip into that sweater, be aware that it may have been used in the last nine months as hearth and home for a rodent. Critters of all shapes and sizes use the cold weather as an excuse to head indoors and vast amounts of time and effort are spent trying to keep them out. Extension Note Fri, 22 Dec 2006 06:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/ope/enotes/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=187 Ecosystems occur at macro and micro levels. Environments may encompass entire land regions or may represent the components of an individual's gastro-intestinal tract. Regardless of the ecosystem's context, there is a precise balance of environmental conditions, species diversity and resources that keeps the system healthy. When individuals from different ecosystems interact, the potential for disease increases as the balance is disrupted. The same is true when the human-animal interface is compromised. Urban wildlife is an important part of our ecosystem, but when our interaction with wild animals goes beyond the natural limitations, disease may occur. Extension Note Mon, 10 Jul 2006 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/ope/enotes/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=186 As we celebrate the advent of the warmth of summer, we also begin the annual battle initiated by the arrival of bugs. Like most health management issues for our four-legged friends, fly and mosquito control requires a multi-pronged attack. Extension Note Tue, 20 Jun 2006 05:00:00 GMT