There are a few new and interesting things happening in the pet
medicine field. The things we will discuss today should be
available to consumers within the next year or two.
There are a few new and interesting things happening in the pet medicine field. The things we will discuss today should be available to consumers within the next year or two.
With the identification and mapping of the human genome, could dogs have been far behind? The answer, of course, is no.
Two companies have announced the creation of tests to identify the breed composition of mixed breed dogs. Presumably these could also be used to give answers to questions on the purebred heritage of dogs that have questionable appearances or untrustworthy breed verification (think puppy farmers that supply some local pet stores and many of the newspaper ad-based sellers of dogs).
Another interesting application will be in the verification of some the new breeds currently being produced. The Laber–Doodles, Cocka–Poos and others will presumably be able to be verified on a percentage of parentage basis. The wolf hybrid breeders will also likely be very interested in these tests. Often a premium is placed on higher percentage of wolf versus dog in such hybrids. Up to now verification has been impossible, leaving the buyers at the mercy of the ethics and knowledge of the breeders. It can be very difficult to make a wise guess about the percentage of background breed of any dog. Appearances are often deceiving.
On the negative side, there may now be attempts at legislating certain breeds either out of existence or out of defined geographic zones. Although certain behavioral characteristics are breed associated – such as the inclination to fight with other dogs – behavior can usually be modified by conscientious owners. I still believe that behavior, not breeds, need to be controlled.
One of these companies uses an oral swab, the other requires a small blood sample. The cost of the tests will probably be in the $100 range when they actually become available – thought to be by the end of the year. One of the companies currently can identify 38 breeds, the other has not specified the number of breeds identifiable by this means.
Another technology new to veterinary medicine – although it is tried and true in human medicine – is using laparoscopes to spay pets. At a recent continuing education seminar there were wet-lab training sessions to begin to get this method off to a running start. Ovariectomy (removing ovaries) and ovariohysterectomies (removing ovaries and uterus) were both being done. This technique holds the promise of a less invasive, and therefore less painful, method for neutering female pets. Recovery time is also faster because of less cutting of the skin and muscle tissues.
The down side of this approach is the cost of equipment and the time and cost of training. The resulting cost of the procedure is likely to be considerably higher than current methods for these reasons.
In veterinary medicine pet owners are used to getting these procedures done at considerably less than the cost to the veterinarian. This is because tax subsidized spay and neuter clinics like those at animal shelters and humane societies have gotten pet owners used to deep discounts. It is likely that resistance to increased cost will slow down the adoption of this procedure in daily use.
One the extreme edges of new technology is the successful application of artificial legs for a Husky dog in Denver, Colo. This dog lost both rear legs and was subsequently fitted with two prosthetic legs. Part of what made this possible was the development of a new material called “Trabecular metal.” It is a new metal alloy whose porosity closely resembles that of natural bone. When properly surgically implanted, the patient’s bone will actively grow into the trabecular mesh of the metal implant, creating a very solid, long lasting implant that is unlikely to break or wear out.
This is an advancement over the currently used titanium implants used in humans (I have one of these replacing my left knee). Often dogs are the first beneficiaries (also called test subjects) for new technologies that are coming for human use. I had a canine patient in the 1980s that got a porous titanium hip, which was one of the precursors of my knee implant.
The Denver case apparently was the first successful application of artificial limbs for a dog. Routine use is likely several years away and will also be limited by the great expense incurred to apply it to privately owned pets.
There are many new techniques and technologies coming out for pet medicine every year. It is an exciting and challenging time to be involved in this profession.
Dr. Quick has owned and operated the Animal Care Center in Morgan Hill for 25 years. He is a founder of WERC and Furry Friends Foundation and was Morgan Hill Male Citizen of the Year in 2003.
