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=627 Unless your mare has had a bad breakup with the stallion next door, her watery eyes could indicate a serious problem. While there are many reasons for a horse to have excessive tear production, it's a classic sign of equine recurrent uveitis, also known as moon blindness. Pet Column Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=626 It's a habit that almost all pet owners fall into. We tend to equate human diseases with veterinary ones. Sometimes certain human diseases are just like certain animal illnesses, but diabetes is not one of them. Pet Column Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=625 When turtles attempt to cross the road, it sometimes does not go as planned. Unlike cars, they only have one gear. If a speedy Ford Mustang comes blazing down the street, turtles caught in the middle have only one hope: their shell. Pet Column Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=623 <b>1. Why is the EPA concerned with flea and tick products?</b> Pet Column Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=624 In October 2007, the CDC received a startling phone call from the North Carolina Department of Public Health. According to an article in the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>, two young girls came to the emergency room with bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and vomiting. One girl was in acute renal failure. While these clinical signs aren't rare enough to justify a call to the CDC for an outbreak inquiry, the surprising source of the girls' infection initiated a multi-state investigation. Pet Column Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=622 Detecting liver cancer in an old dog is not an easy task. To begin, many old dogs have what is called nodular hyperplasia. Benign masses grow on their liver, rarely causing complications. However, these friendly masses cannot be differentiated from malignant tumors without a biopsy, an invasive procedure to remove cells from the body for further tests. Pet Column Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=179 URBANA - Human patients are accustomed to having a "primary care" physician whom they see for routine and wellness care throughout their lives, while occasionally being referred to specialists for advanced medical needs. News Release Fri, 29 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=620 If you see your mare's newborn filly prancing around the stall like it is wearing invisible high-heels, you might be a little concerned that your foal is dreaming of being a ballerina instead of a barrel racer or hunter jumper. But don't worry; one of the most common deformities that equine veterinarians deal with in newborns is contracted digital flexor tendons. This may cause foals to walk on the toes of their front hooves instead of being flat footed. Pet Column Mon, 25 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=621 If fur and feathers aren't up your alley, but scales and long slithery tails strike your fancy, maybe a reptile is the pet for you. There are over 8,000 species of reptiles on the planet, and choosing the right one as a &quot;starter&quot; pet can be quite tricky if you don't know what to look for. Pet Column Mon, 18 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=178 On June 6, as many as 50 <a href=http://vetmed.illinois.edu/green/>volunteers</a> are expected to plant more than 8,000 <a href=http://vetmed.illinois.edu/work/pdf/maps_plants.pdf>prairie plant seedlings</a> to establish a garden on the grounds of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. News Release Tue, 12 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=176 Surgeons at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital are enrolling patients in a randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing two widely recognized surgical treatments for cranial cruciate disease. News Release Mon, 11 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=619 The impact our pets have on the environment may not be something we usually think about. But given the fact that the Humane Society of the United States estimates there are 74.8 million dogs and 88.3 million cats in this country alone, it's hard to imagine how so many animals could not influence the world's ecosystems. Pet Column Mon, 11 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=175 Thirty years ago, the late Janet Mertz, of Decatur, Ill., was told that there were only two veterinary dentists in the world who could provide appropriate treatment for the serious dental condition suffered by her dog, Sheba. News Release Mon, 04 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=618 It is estimated that at least 250,000 animals fall victim to animal hoarders each year, according to Tufts University's Animal Hoarding Research Consortium, a group that acts to increase awareness about the disorder. Because our legal system is not very effective in prosecuting hoarders, and many refuse mental health counseling, the best way to prevent animal suffering is for communities to play an active role in prevention. Pet Column Mon, 04 May 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=174 URBANA - On Monday, May 4, the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine will host a mini-symposium in honor of retiring faculty member Dr. Wanda Haschek-Hock. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building, 2001 S. Lincoln, and will feature speakers in the veterinary profession from the private sector, the University of Illinois, and other universities nationwide. News Release Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=617 In the early morning hours of February 2008 a rescued golden retriever named Bella uncharacteristically jumped on her owner's bed and wouldn't stop barking. According to the Associated Press article, the dog's owner soon realized that this was no ploy for attention. Because of Bella's quick actions, the owner and her young daughter were able to escape a deadly fire that went undetected by smoke alarms. Pet Column Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=173 URBANA - Today University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine students will present charitable organization Heifer International with a $5,000 donation. Students raised the funds by holding about a dozen individual fundraisers, including a pet sitting program, Euchre tournaments, a breakfast for lunch event, charity raffles and more. News Release Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=172 Thirty-nine veterinarians recently completed a two-year continuing education program at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine designed to enhance the business, communication, and planning skills of busy animal health professionals. News Release Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=616 With a mint julep in hand and a fancy hat blocking the spring sun, you are sure to hear a few &quot;neighs&quot; this May at the Kentucky Derby. Let's just hope you don't hear a &quot;roar.&quot; Pet Column Mon, 20 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=614 In 1975 a surprising number of young children started to develop what physicians thought was rheumatoid arthritis. Some showed neurological signs and many had a circular red rash on their body. Most of the outbreak was noticed in just a few towns in Connecticut, one of which was named Old Lyme, the source of the name for the mysterious disease that was later found to be transmitted by ticks. Pet Column Mon, 13 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=143 URBANA - Veterinary ophthalmologists--eye specialists--at the University of Illinois will devote one day in May to free eye screening exams as part of the National Service Dog Eye Exam event, an effort organized through the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) to provide free potentially sight-saving exams and preventive health reports to thousands of dogs across the country. News Release Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=171 <br><i>Story update: The whooping crane died of complications secondary to the trauma around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8.</i> News Release Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/index.cfm?function=showarticle&id=615 The bark on the street is that the dog park is the place to be. Utter the words, &quot;wanna go to the park?&quot; to your pooch and you are sure to get a howl of approval. But to keep that tail wagging from start to finish, there are a few precautions owners can take to ensure their dog enjoys the first visit. Pet Column Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://vetmed.illinois.edu/news/index.cfm?function=viewartcl&id=170 URBANA - The University of Illinois <a href=http://vetmed.illinois.edu/vth/>Veterinary Teaching Hospital</a> in Urbana has recently added new veterinary specialists and expanded services in the areas of equine medicine and diagnostic imaging. News Release Thu, 26 Mar 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