PVM Research on Service Dogs and Veterans with PTSD Garners Widespread Media Coverage

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PVM OHAIRE Lab researchers involved in research on service dogs and veterans with PTSD: (left-right) Kerri Rodriguez, human-animal interaction graduate student in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology (and her dog Hendrix), with Study Coordinator Clare Jensen, Assistant Professor of Human-Animal Interaction Maggie O’Haire and Study Coordinator Katelynn Burgess.

A team of researchers led by Purdue Veterinary Medicine Assistant Professor of Human-Animal Interaction Maggie O’Haire has produced valuable scientific data documenting the nature of the effect of service dogs on veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Published in the February issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, the study found that service dogs are associated with lower PTSD symptoms among war veterans.

The pilot study was co-funded by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Bayer Animal Health.  Dr. O’Haire, a faculty member in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology and member of the PVM Center for the Human-Animal Bond, and her team of researchers conducted the study with the help of K9s For Warriors, an accredited nonprofit organization that provides veterans with service dogs.

“We found that the group of veterans with service dogs had significantly lower levels of PTSD symptomology than those who did not have a service dog,” Dr. O’Haire said. “They also had lower levels of depression, lower anxiety, and increased social participation, meaning a willingness to leave their house and go engage with society in different activities.”

The findings begin to fill-in the lack of actual scientific evidence of a correlation between service dogs and levels of PTSD symptoms experienced by veterans.  “This innovative study applied rigorous research methodology to an area that has historically been characterized by a reliance on anecdotal accounts and intuition rather than evidence-based science,” Dr. O’Haire said. Click here to view a video of Dr. O’Haire explaining the study.

The groundbreaking nature of the study has attracted significant media attention, perhaps best represented by a recent front page story in the Washington Post.  Additional coverage has appeared in such on-air and print publications as:

• SFGATE, the website sister-site of the San Francisco Chronicle
• Denver Post
• Tampa Bay Times
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
• New Haven Register
• Anchorage Daily News
• WISH-TV, Indianapolis
• The Radio Pet Lady Network
• Sirius XM Doctor Radio
• Veterans Radio
• Psychology Today – Hal Herzog, PhD, blog post
• Clinicians Trauma Update

The study dates back to November 2015, when participants were recruited from a national sample of 304 individuals who applied and were approved to receive a trained PTSD service dog from K9s For Warriors. Of these, 141 individuals chose to participate in the preliminary trial. Approximately half of the sample of participants were on the waitlist to receive a service dog and the other half already had a service dog.

Measurements of various aspects of PTSD symptoms, quality of life, social functioning, and work were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results reveal that veterans suffering from PTSD exhibited better mental health and well-being on several measures if they had a service dog, including:

• Lower overall symptoms of post-traumatic stress
• Lower levels of depression
• Higher levels of life satisfaction
• Higher overall psychological well-being
• Lower levels of social isolation and greater ability to participate in social activities
• Higher levels of resilience
• Higher levels of companionship
• Less absenteeism from work due to health among those who were employed

The only areas measured in which there was no significant difference between the two groups were physical functioning and employment status.

Kerri Rodriguez, human-animal interaction graduate student in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, was co-author of the study. Kerri is part of the Purdue University research group led by Dr. O’Haire, called the Organization for Human-Animal Interaction Research and Education (OHAIRE).

“The results have important implications for understanding the specific areas of life that a PTSD service dog may help improve,” Kerri said. “As the number of service dogs given to veterans with PTSD continues to increase, this is an important first step towards proof of concept that service dogs can actually provide measurable, clinical changes for veterans.” Dr. O’Haire and Kerri also point-out that service dogs did not replace evidence-based treatment for PTSD, nor did they cure it. While the veterans still had PTSD, they had significantly lower levels of symptoms.

The research team now is moving forward with a National Institutes of Health-funded research project in which veterans with and without service dogs will be studied for an extended period of time. Dr. O’Haire says the valuable data from the pilot study helped secure the NIH R21 grant to conduct the large-scale, clinical trial to further investigate the efficacy and role of service dogs for military veterans with PTSD and their spouses.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr, Megan Huckaby (mhuckaby@purdue.edu, 765-496-1325) | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Professor Leads Research that Identifies ‘Key Factor’ in Development of Parkinson’s Disease

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Dr. Riyi Shi (right), PVM professor of basic medical sciences, and Dr. Jean-Christophe “Chris” Rochet, professor of medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology, say their discovery of a key factor in the development of Parkinson’s disease could lead to new therapies, potentially including drugs currently on the market; it could facilitate earlier diagnosis and prevention of the neurological disorder. (Purdue University photo/Alex Kumar)

A Purdue University research team led by Dr. Riyi Shi, professor in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Basic Medical Sciences and the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, has identified a molecule that appears to play an important role in the development of Parkinson’s disease.  The discovery could lead to therapies, potentially including drugs currently on the market, as well as potentially facilitating earlier diagnosis and prevention of the neurological disorder.

Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating disease that affects millions of people around the world.  Dr. Shi and his colleagues identified a compound that accumulates in Parkinson’s disease-affected brain tissue. The compound, acrolein, is a toxic, foul-smelling byproduct of burning fat (the brain uses fat for fuel) and is normally eliminated from the body. But the research team found that the substance can promote the build-up of a protein called alpha-synuclein. When this protein accumulates in a region of the brain called the substantia nigra, it destroys the cell membranes and key machineries of neurons, killing these brain cells.

These images of a brain cell culture show dopamine neurons similar to those that die in the brains of Parkinson’s disease patients. The image on the left shows a cell culture stained to reveal a marker present in all neurons (red) or only in dopamine neurons (green). The right panel shows a merged image in which a dopamine neuron is stained yellow. (Purdue University photo/Aswathy Chandran)

Dr. Shi explained that when this cell death becomes extensive enough, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease become evident.  “Acrolein is a novel therapeutic target, so this is the first time it’s been shown in an animal model that if you lower the acrolein level you can actually slow the progression of the disease,” Shi said. “This is very exciting. We’ve been working on this for more than 10 years.”

Dr. Jean-Christophe (Chris) Rochet, professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology in the College of Pharmacy, and a co-investigator on the study, adds a cautionary note.  “In decades of research, we’ve found many ways to cure Parkinson’s disease in pre-clinical animal studies, and yet we still don’t have a disease therapy that stops the underlying neurodegeneration in human patients,” he said. “But this discovery gets us further down the drug-discovery pipeline, and it’s possible that a drug therapy could be developed based on this information.”

Dr. Rochet said that in experiments using both animal models and cell cultures, the role of acrolein was confirmed.  “We’ve shown that acrolein isn’t just serving as a bystander in Parkinson’s disease. It’s playing a direct role in the death of neurons.”  The research is published in the April issue of the scientific journal Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, irreversible disease, and it is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 60 — affecting nearly one million people in the United States and 7-10 million worldwide. It is the 14th leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading neurological cause of death, behind Alzheimer’s disease. The disease can occur either early or late in life, and its symptoms — tremors, slow movements, difficulty walking — get progressively worse over time.  The risk of developing the disease is thought to be determined by both genetic and environmental factors.

With such visible symptoms, the public often becomes aware when a well-known person has the disease. This list of people affected by Parkinson’s disease includes actor Michael J. Fox, singer Neil Diamond, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, singer Linda Ronstadt and former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.  If further studies show that acrolein plays a similar role in Parkinson disease in humans, it may be possible to detect and forestall the disease in its early stages.

A second finding from the research is that the scientists were able to mitigate and even reverse the effects of Parkinson’s disease in both animal models and cell cultures using hydralazine, a drug used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.  “Luckily, this is a compound that can bind to the acrolein and remove it from the body,” Dr. Shi said. “It’s a drug already approved for use in humans, so we know there is no toxicity issue.”

Dr. Rochet cautions that the drug may not ultimately be the best therapy for Parkinson’s. “Because it is used to lower blood pressure, it might not be the best choice for Parkinson’s patients. Or, we may find there is a therapeutic window, a lower dose, that could work without leading to unwanted side-effects,” he said. “Regardless, this drug serves as a proof of principle for us to find other drugs that work as a scavenger for acrolein.”

“It is for this very reason”, Dr. Shi adds, “that we are actively searching for additional drugs that can either more efficiently lower acrolein, or do so with fewer side-effects. Actually, we have already identified multiple candidates that can lower acrolein with similar or greater effectiveness, but without lowering blood pressure, providing further hope that such a strategy could be successful in Parkinson’s patients.”

Dr. Shi said that early detection of Parkinson’s disease is critical — symptoms often aren’t noticeable until approximately 50 percent of the neural cells in the substantia nigra have died.  “The key is to have a biomarker for acrolein accumulation that can be detected easily, such as using urine or blood,” he said. “Fortunately, we have already established such a test using urine or blood samples.  The goal is that in the near future we can detect this toxin years before the onset of symptoms and initiate therapy to push back the disease. We might be able to delay the onset of this disease indefinitely.”

In 2017, Dr. Rochet was part of an international team that found, using epidemiological data from Norway, that a common asthma medicine, salbutamol (also known as albuterol) could reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease by half. This research was selected as one of the top 10 drug discoveries for 2017 by the publication Technology Networks.  “Evidence suggests that salbutamol acts by a different mechanism than hydralazine – that is, by reducing alpha-synuclein accumulation – and thus perhaps salbutamol and an acrolein-scavenging drug could be used together to achieve an even greater therapeutic effect,” Dr. Rochet said.

Drs. Shi and Rochet are both faculty members of the Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience and the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery. Both centers are located in Purdue’s interdisciplinary research facility, Discovery Park.

This work was supported by the Indiana State Department of Health grant number 204200 and by funding from the National Institutes of Health, grant numbers NS073636 and NS049221. This research also was funded in part by the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Eli Lilly and Co., the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, and the Branfman Family Foundation.

Dr. Shi also is the co-founder of Neuro Vigor, a startup company with business interests of developing effective therapies for CNS neurodegenerative diseases and trauma. Previously, Dr. Shi was one of three scientists who developed Ampyra, the first and only FDA-approved drug to help multiple sclerosis patients improve their motor skills.

Writer(s): Steve Tally (steve@purdue.edu, 765-494-9809, @sciencewriter) | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Family Program Series Introduces Kids to Variety in the Veterinary Profession

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Dr. Christina Wilson demonstrates ways to keep cats safe during fall season fun at her presentation held on October 5.

Dr. Tiffany Lyle observes as PVM Family Program Series participants use microscopes to look at slides of muscle, brain, skin, and liver tissue.

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine hosted four sessions as part of the Family Program Series this academic year featuring presentations by various PVM faculty members. The Family Program Series is designed for families with young children who are interested in learning more about the veterinary profession.

Dr. Paulo Gomes instructs an attendee at his presentation, “My Dog Has a Dermatologist,” held on November 2.

The presentations are all open to the public.  The sessions are geared toward children in grades K-4, but older children are welcome to attend as well.  As an example, “Breaking through Barriers in the Brain” was the title of a session presented March 1 by Dr. Tiffany Lyle, assistant professor of veterinary anatomic pathology, who made an entrance wearing her white lab coat and stethoscope. She later removed the stethoscope, to show that not all veterinarians use stethoscopes but still get to work with animals and make a difference in the world of veterinary science. About 50 attendees participated in several engaging pathology-related activities including: a snowflake demonstration that illustrated how no two diseases are exactly the same; a cheese demonstration that helped children think outside the box as they examined the physical properties of a disease; a “brain dissection” performed with a tangerine; and hands-on learning with microscope slides of muscles, parts of the brain, skin, and liver. At the end of the program, attendees were given a free book and veterinary trading cards to take home.

The other sessions offered during the 2017-2018 academic year were:  “Keeping Your Pet Safe during Fall Season Fun!” presented by Dr. Christina Wilson, clinical associate professor of toxicology, on October 5; “My Dog Has a Dermatologist!” presented by Dr. Paulo Gomes, clinical assistant professor of dermatology, on November 2; and “Animals Have Nurses Too” presented by Dr. Bianca Zenor, director of the Veterinary Technology Program, on April 5.

Dr. Bianca Zenor overlooks two future veterinary radiologists as they prepare to do an inspection on a “crocodile” (model!).

Writer(s): Helen Thimlar, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Dr. Pat Wakenell Receives Hovde Award for Exemplary Service to Rural Indiana

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When a deadly avian flu outbreak threatened the nation’s poultry industry in 2015, Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member Pat Wakenell was at the forefront of efforts to contain the spread of the disease. The vital role she played in that situation, along with many other accomplishments throughout her career, contributed to Dr. Wakenell receiving the 2017 Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in Educational Service to Rural People of Indiana. Established in honor of Frederick L. Hovde, Purdue’s seventh president, the Hovde Award is sponsored by the Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., and was presented during the organization’s annual meeting in December in French Lick, Ind.

Dr. Pat Wakenell receives the 2017 Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in Educational Service to Rural People of Indiana in December at the Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual meeting.  The award was presented by Farm Bureau President Randy Kron, who was accompanied by Purdue University College of Agriculture Interim Dean Karen Plaut.

Dr. Wakenell is professor of avian diagnostics in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology and also serves as the avian diagnostic pathologist at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL).  “The role she played in the 2015-16 avian influenza outbreak was key in helping eradicate a possibly devastating disease that had the potential to threaten the economic vitality of the poultry industry in southern Indiana,” said Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed.

Dr. Wakenell also is widely recognized locally and nationally for leading initiatives to minimize the threat of disease transmission associated with backyard poultry – the practice of homeowners raising chickens, turkeys and geese on their property.  In addition, she has worked closely with the Indiana State Poultry Association and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health to help small poultry producers boost production while teaching them about practices that prevent avian-related diseases. Through those educational initiatives, Dr. Wakenell also helped prevent the transmission of salmonella and other poultry-related diseases from small producers to the commercial poultry industry, which contributes $4.25 billion to Indiana’s economy.

“Through her dedication, Dr. Wakenell has stayed at the forefront of the challenges facing the poultry industry,” said Interim Dean for the Purdue College of Agriculture Karen Plaut. “She exemplifies the spirit of the Hovde Award, which honors those who provide exceptional service to the people of rural Indiana. Her impact on the viability of the poultry industry is evident both locally and nationally.”

Dr. Pat Wakenell, PVM’s Poultry Princess, displays her “eggscellent” poultry collection in her office.

Dr. Wakenell also was recognized for encouraging veterinary students and residents to pursue studies in poultry medicine. She established the Purdue Veterinary Poultry Medicine program, a fully endowed teaching program in poultry medicine, after securing support from a donor. The program, which emphasizes active poultry medicine practice, resulted in an unprecedented number of Purdue students studying poultry medicine. The increase in veterinarians with expertise in poultry medicine addressed a significant need, especially in the midst of the growing popularity of backyard poultry.

“Dr. Wakenell’s work in the field of poultry production has been exemplary,” Dean Reed said. “Not only has she made a significant impact on the poultry industry, she has provided outstanding mentorship to veterinary students and residents interested in pursuing careers in poultry medicine.”

Dr. Wakenell joined the PVM faculty in 2008. She previously served the California poultry industry in her role as an associate professor of veterinary medicine at the University of California, Davis.

Click here to view a complete news release about Dr. Wakenell receiving the award.

Writer(s): Shari Finnell (sfinnell@purdue.edu, 765-494-2722), Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Horseman’s and Veterinary Technician CE Programs Attract Nearly 300

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Joe Monroe of Nutrena leads a Horseman’s Forum session entitled, “Feeding the Metabolic Horse.”

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine carried on two important continuing education traditions during the first part of 2018, hosting both the Horseman’s Forum and the Veterinary Technician Symposium in February and March, respectively.  Both events are coordinated by the College’s Office of Lifelong Learning.

Popularity of PVM Horseman’s Forum Continues

Equine Club President Meghan Wanstrath, of the DVM Class of 2019, awards a giveaway to Dakota Szakacs, a horse enthusiast in the 7th grade from St. Joseph County, as Dr. Tim Lescun looks on during the Horseman’s Forum in Lynn Hall.

The annual Horseman’s Forum aims to educate horse owners and equine industry professionals about current horse health issues, ranging from basic preventative health care and husbandry topics to state-of-the-art medical advancements.  Held Saturday, February 10, the program attracted 175 attendees to Lynn Hall, including both youth and adult horse owners and enthusiasts from across Indiana as well as Illinois, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Dr. Sandy Taylor gives an equine endoscopy demonstration in the Large Animal Hospital during the 2018 Horseman’s Forum.

The turnout demonstrated the consistent popularity of the Horseman’s Forum.  The program featured lectures on such topics as nutrition, mare reproduction, pre-purchase examinations, and equine health. The presentations were given by Purdue faculty and staff as well as industry experts and Dr. Gillian Haanen, a veterinarian from the Netherlands who is completing a large animal medicine residency at Purdue and has a particular interest in neonatology, gastrointestinal, cardiology, respiratory, and infectious diseases.  The forum also included popular treadmill and endoscopy demonstrations by Dr. Laurent Couёtil, professor of large animal internal medicine and director of the Equine Sports Medicine Center, and Dr. Sandy Taylor, associate professor of large animal internal medicine.

Dr. Jennifer Koziol, clinical assistant professor of theriogenology and production medicine, gives a Horseman’s Forum talk entitled, “Breeding the Middle-aged Mare.”

Nutrena, Progressive Nutrition, Zoetis, and Haygain sponsored the Horseman’s Forum, and provided prizes for giveaways and items for goodie bags.  The successful program was organized by the Horseman’s Forum Planning Committee, consisting of Dr. Amanda Farr, clinical assistant professor of equine community practice; Dr. Tim Lescun, associate professor of large animal surgery; and Dr. Sandy Taylor, associate professor of large animal internal medicine.

PVM Symposium for Veterinary Technicians Draws Strong Turnout

The fourth PVM Veterinary Technician Symposium attracted about 100 attendees, who came from as far away as Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio to take advantage of the one-day program in Lynn Hall.  The symposium on Sunday, March 25, covered a range of topics and included both small and large animal tracks.

The annual program is designed to provide veterinary assistants, veterinary technology students, and veterinary technicians the opportunity to obtain approved continuing education credits.  Participants were eligible for up to seven hours of continuing education (CE) credits.  Special speakers included several Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff.

Dr. Catharine Scott-Moncrieff leads a session on Management of Feline Hyperthyroidism as part of the Small Animal Track at the fourth annual Veterinary Technician Symposium Sunday, March 25, in Lynn Hall.

After a welcome and opening remarks by Dr. Bianca Zenor, Veterinary Technology Program director, the symposium gave participants the chance to choose between large and small animal topics, ranging from a presentation on Management of Feline Hyperthyroidism by Dr. Catharine Scott-Moncrieff, professor of small animal internal medicine and head of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, to a talk about Cattle Behavior and Stockmanship by Dr. Bethany Funnell, clinical assistant professor of bovine theriogenology.  Other sessions were led by Kimberly Sederquist, cardiology technologist; Crystal Hagan, large animal medicine technician; Tami Lind, ICU/ECC technologist supervisor; Lara Luke, dermatology technician; Jordan Williams, anesthesiology technologist; and Kelly Guy, diagnostic imaging technician.

Afternoon sessions included a talk on the General Husbandry of Pet Birds by Wellness Technician Saralyn Sharp and a presentation entitled, “Behavior Modification Techniques to Reduce Reactivity and Build Impulse Control in the Canine Patient,” by Behavior Technician Melinda Cotton.  Becky Murray, CVT, MA, LCPC, from the Veterinary Specialty Center in Buffalo Grove, Ill., wrapped up the program with her presentation on wellness titled “Strengthening Boundaries to Reduce Stress in the Workplace.”  Sponsored by Elanco and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the symposium also gave participants the opportunity to develop their professional networks and meet PVM staff and faculty members.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Purdue Veterinary Technology Program Ranked #1

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Technology Program has been ranked #1 in the nation in a listing of the Top 50 Veterinary Technician Programs for 2018 published by TheBestColleges.org.  The website says to determine the best veterinary technology programs, they looked at the factors important to prospective students, especially common predictors of future success and a school’s commitment to online programs.  “This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes,” the website states.

The Purdue Veterinary Technology Program was recognized for offering on-campus education that includes hands-on experience working with animals and leads to the Bachelor of Science degree, the Associate of Applied Science degree, and provides a Bachelor of Science completion option.  The website also highlighted the Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program that offers the Associate of Applied Science degree and incorporates 27 didactic courses and 18 clinical mentorships.

Purdue Veterinary Technology Program Director Bianca Zenor (PU DVM 2001) said the #1 ranking represents an outstanding accomplishment. “We have a great team and they’ve worked hard to achieve this,” Dr. Zenor said.

The website says all of the data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.  Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 50 best veterinary technician programs.  The website also states that, in calculating the rankings, they look at a school’s ranking when organized by a single factor, and then average each category’s ranking to find an overall score based on a formula in which the final score is equal to the admissions rate (20%) plus default rate (20%) plus retention rate (20%) plus graduation rate (20%) plus percent of students enrolled in online classes (20%).

The Purdue Veterinary Technology Program was established in 1975 and has graduated nearly 1,400 alumni, including nearly 900 Associate of Applied Science degree recipients, about 420 Bachelor of Science degree recipients and 78 graduates of the Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program.  In the past year, 100% of the on-campus program graduates and nearly 90% of the distance learning program graduates achieved a passing score on the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE), which is required in most states for a veterinary technician to be credentialed.  The Purdue program also is one of only four veterinary technology programs in the country housed at a college of veterinary medicine.

In addition to Purdue, the other top five veterinary technology programs in TheBestColleges.org ranking are at: the University of New Hampshire; the SUNY College of Technology at Alfred, N.Y.; the SUNY College of Technology at Delhi, N.Y.; and Johnson College in Scranton, Pa.  The website points out that figures from the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics show increasing demand for veterinary technicians and technologists, with employment expected to grow 20% over a ten year period ending in 2026.  Veterinary technicians and technologists work in such settings as private clinics and hospitals, laboratories, and zoos, assisting in the diagnosing of injuries and illnesses of animals under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Issues Statement Supporting National Registered Veterinary Nurse Credential

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The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine has issued a formal statement supporting a nationwide effort to create the Registered Veterinary Nurse national credential. This multi-year initiative by the Veterinary Nurse Initiative Coalition provides the national leadership and continuity that will be needed to effect change from state-to-state, since each state has its own regulations for credentialing technicians. “The leadership of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine believes it is vital that we show our support for this effort and our statement backing this initiative explains why,” said Dean Willie Reed.

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine statement, released in February, emphasizes the College’s longstanding record as a leader in promoting the value of credentialed veterinary technicians as vital members of the veterinary healthcare team.  However it acknowledges that supporters of the profession have encountered a major obstacle in conveying to the general public an understanding of the role of veterinary technicians and their essential place in the delivery of quality veterinary medical care.  “That obstacle is a matter of confusing and inconsistent nomenclature, which can and should be changed,” the statement says.

The statement goes on to explain that, in the face of changing conditions affecting the veterinary medical profession, the College is leading the way at the educational level to promote adoption of the term Registered Veterinary Nurse as a means of advancing the veterinary technology profession.  “The credential of Registered Veterinary Nurse is understood by the public and would significantly improve the awareness and recognition of the highly valuable skills these professionals bring to the veterinary team,” the statement says.  “Now is the time to work toward adoption of a single credential, state-by-state, throughout the nation, and eliminate the confusion that stems from the current variation of titles, which include Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Licensed Veterinary Medical Technician (LVMT) and Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT).”

The statement concludes by firmly expressing the College’s wholehearted and enthusiastic support for the Veterinary Nurse Initiative Coalition’s pursuit of legislative amendments in the 50 states to establish the single credential of Registered Veterinary Nurse.  “We unequivocally endorse this initiative, which will enhance the stature and recognition of veterinary technicians, many of whom received their training at Purdue University, while also boosting the public’s appreciation for the value of the veterinary medical profession,” the statement says.  The statement was distributed to the other U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine, the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, and major veterinary industry and association publications and websites.

Click here to read the formal statement issued by Purdue Veterinary Medicine.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Referring Veterinarian Survey Ranks Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital #1

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This year, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) was honored as the number one veterinary teaching hospital in the United States, according to the most recent CalPro Research Referring Veterinarian Survey. The VTH scored the highest benchmark rating compared to 26 participating companion animal veterinary teaching hospitals across North America. Only one other college of veterinary medicine has achieved the same benchmark rating, referred to as the “Overall Hospital Ranking,” to date.

Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Director Duncan Hockley said the survey results are a reflection of the consistent effort by dedicated faculty and staff. “I am proud of our veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and supporting staff who work tirelessly to provide high quality, compassionate care to our patients and clients,” Dr. Hockley said. “We are pleased that our referring veterinarians appreciate our work.”

The national survey evaluates veterinary teaching hospitals on the basis of referring veterinarians’ feedback concerning such categories as responsiveness, communication, client and patient experience, and quality of medicine. Referring veterinarians described the high quality of medicine and the clarity of instructions for follow-up care as defining features of the Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s patient services. The hospital was ranked above average in almost every specialty service category surveyed.

Conducted annually since 2012, the CalPro Research survey garners feedback from more than 11,000 primary care veterinarians concerning the teaching hospitals of veterinary colleges in the U.S.  CalPro Research is a professional services company that is the veterinary industry’s leading provider of customer service metrics and industry benchmarks.

Writer(s): Lauren Bruce | pvmnews@purdue.edu

PVM Partnership Advances Search for Cancer Cure

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Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Dr. Timothy Bentley and Dr. Lindsey Peterson, neurology resident, perform brain surgery to remove a glioma tumor, a volatile and deadly type of brain cancer, from a canine patient. The surgery involved veterinary specialists from Purdue and human medicine specialists from IU Health Methodist Hospital. Their partnership joins veterinary and human medicine in the search for a cure for brain cancer. (IU Health photo/Christopher Bergin)

Gliomas are one of the most common brain cancers in dogs, and one of the most difficult-to-treat cancers in any species.  A surgical partnership involving specialists at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and the IU Health Methodist Hospital and Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine is helping veterinarians and doctors work together to better understand how to treat gliomas in patients of all kinds.

“Clyde was sleeping comfortably after his surgery, but when I opened up his cage I could see his tail wagging under the blanket,” Dr. Timothy Bentley, Purdue Veterinary Medicine associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery, recalled with a smile. Clyde, a brindle mixed-breed dog, had been adopted from an Illinois shelter.  Not long afterward, his new owner noticed sudden changes in the dog’s personality and behavior.  It was December 2017 when the owner brought Clyde to his veterinarian who observed the dog compulsively walking in circles and sometimes unable to sense the location of his back limbs. The veterinarian referred Clyde to doctors at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, who diagnosed him with a type of cancer called a glioma, and then referred him to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Gliomas are an aggressive and unpredictable type of brain cancer that originate in the sticky glial cells that surround and support neurons in the brain, often mixing with normal brain tissue. “Traditional cancer treatments don’t work well on glioma because you can’t take too much brain around the margins of the cancer when you operate, and it often pops up on the other side of the brain later,” Dr. Bentley explained. “The blood-brain barrier blocks many chemotherapies that could treat the brain tumor.  And creating large surgical margins around the cancer, which helps in conditions such as skin cancer, would lead to unwanted side effects like paralysis and blindness and more, if you used that technique in the brain, due to the trauma on surrounding brain tissue.”

Drs. Bentley and Cohen operate to remove a deadly glioma from Clyde, a dog with brain cancer. Preserving biopsies of the cancer is integral to further diagnosis and research on these tumors, which helps in refining chemotherapy, radiation, and other cancer treatments. (IU Health photo/Christopher Bergin)

Why glioma?

“I like a challenge,” Dr. Bentley said emphatically. “Glioma is this impossibly hard cancer that, in over 40 years of research, no one has found a new drug for. I’m very much a horrendously competitive person who finds things to compete with – like cancer,” he said, chuckling, “…for my own personal outlet.”

Dr. Bentley is widely known for his research on brain tumors in dogs, particularly gliomas, which are very common in some dog breeds and notoriously difficult to treat in any species. Glioma is a “hideously aggressive cancer” in canines and humans alike, said Dr. Bentley, with an almost 100% chance of reoccurrence despite various treatments.

Nurturing a Research Partnership

In 2011, Purdue Veterinary Medicine teamed up with the Indiana University School of Medicine, creating a surgical partnership between the two institutions to facilitate leading-edge glioma treatment and research. Dr. Bentley works with Dr. Aaron Cohen-Gadol, a board-certified neurological surgeon at the IU Health Methodist Hospital and Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, who commonly removes these tumors and preserves them for testing in a laboratory setting.

Preserving biopsies of the cancer is integral to further diagnosis and research, and it also serves the mission of humanely procuring cancer tissue samples for research by treating canine patients who would otherwise likely go untreated. With permission from patient owners, eligible dogs are transported to a special surgical facility in Indianapolis.  There Dr. Bentley is able to open up the canine cranium with a technique he developed, called the “Purdue diamond,” and Dr. Cohen and his team remove the tumor itself with special instruments, carefully extracting the tumor with as little trauma to the surrounding brain tissue as possible. Post-operative MRIs are performed at no cost to the owner of the patient and typically confirm successful removal of the entire tumor.

Clyde is reunited with his Purdue treatment team at the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital at a post-surgery follow-up appointment. Pictured with his owner, Lisa Braddock (second from left), are members of Clyde’s VTH treatment team (left-right) Dian Dian Lin, of the DVM Class of 2018; Dr. Lindsey Peterson, third-year neurology resident in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences; and Dr. Timothy Bentley, associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery, also in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

“Clyde’s tumor was deep in the brain, quite close to critical brain structures, necessitating precision in removing tumor tissue without accidentally damaging any of the healthy brain tissue right next to it,” recalled Dr. Bentley. “Dr. Cohen uses extremely high-powered microscopes that allow him to see the tissue and remove it in tiny layers, millimeter by millimeter. It’s a very delicate surgery.”

Dr. Cohen volunteers his time on this project because he feels it is a good use of his energy and experience, especially since findings from this procedure allow him to better care for his patients, and also because he enjoys working with the dogs. “The dogs know you’re there to help them out, and it’s a very satisfying endeavor as a doctor to be able to be involved in their care,” he said. “As the number of participants grows, we will be able to make more conclusive statements about potential cancer treatments.”

Cancer tissue gleaned from this surgical partnership is used in a laboratory setting to refine chemotherapy, radiation, and other cancer treatments. Because a canine glioma is similar to human gliomas, successful treatments in this setting can be considered and tested for human patients.

At this time there is no cure for this kind of cancer. Because of the volatility of the disease, treatment often means a marked reduction of symptoms, with a huge variation in projected life expectancy. In dogs, various treatments will extend patients’ lifespans anywhere from two months to a year, on average. In humans, treatment will extend life around 14-20 months. Clyde’s owner, Lisa Braddock, says Clyde is doing very well at home after the surgery. Three months after surgery, he came back to Purdue for another MRI where no tumor was visible, confirming that he is in complete remission. There is a good chance that the cancer will eventually return, but Clyde’s surgery allows him an extended quality of life and a chance to leave a legacy of hope through cancer research for dogs, humans, and beyond.

Writer(s): Lauren Bruce | pvmnews@purdue.edu

New Camera Capsule Gives PVM Specialists Non-Invasive Imaging Options for GI Health

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This pill, about the size of a large vitamin, is equipped with a light source and an array of photo sensors that captures detailed images of the GI tract in small animals. Capsule endoscopy has been around since the late 1990s for human patients, but only recently has been developed for the veterinary industry, and now is being used at PVM’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

One of the many challenges veterinarians face is that animals can’t tell them exactly what’s wrong. But now, with a new camera capsule available from ALICAM at the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Purdue veterinary specialists can gain valuable insights into their patients’ gastrointestinal health with no harm, no anesthesia, and no recovery time required. Capsule endoscopy has been around since the late 1990s for human patients, but has only recently been developed for the veterinary industry.

“It’s as simple as giving a dog a pill,” said Dr. Andrew Woolcock, assistant professor of small animal internal medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.  “After you administer the endoscopy pill, the pill travels through the GI tract recording high-quality 360 degree images. We used to have to sedate the animal and do a full endoscopy to get imaging of the digestive tract. But one of the limits of that method, because the intestines are so long, is that there’s always some of the tract that is invisible to the traditional scope,” Dr. Woolcock explained. “With the camera pill we have the advantage of seeing the complete digestive tract, it’s less invasive for the patient, and it takes the guesswork out of GI diagnoses.”

Like endoscopy pills for humans, the veterinary version is about the size of a large vitamin. It uses an array of photo sensors and an internal light source to generate high-resolution images in patients, taking thousands of images with a miniature camera.

After the dog takes the pill, the owner must recover the pill and is provided with a pre-paid shipping envelope to send it back for interpretation. Board-certified specialists analyze the images for abnormalities and design treatment options based on their findings. The pill is not the same as a biopsy, as it doesn’t provide microscopic images, but it might establish a definitive diagnoses, like ulcers, or it may indicate that other tests such as biopsies need to be done.

“This is a great option for pet owners who are worried about invasive interventions, but want to investigate GI symptoms in their pets,” said Dr. Woolcock, a board-certified specialist in small animal internal medicine. Symptoms such as weight loss, reduced appetite, food intolerance, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, unexplained anemia (low red blood cell count), and dark or bloody stools indicate the need for diagnostic imaging to help diagnose a dog’s specific medical condition.

Writer(s): Lauren Bruce | pvmnews@purdue.edu