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News from VNoC & VIoC
January 2015

Veterinarians, Mark Your Calendars:
The 10th Annual Chesapeake Veterinary Referral Center Spring Meeting Is March 22!

Chesapeake Veterinary Referral Center Spring Meeting is being held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge, Maryland. CVRC will be presenting 6 hours of CE for our valued primary care veterinarians.

This location is central to our veterinary colleagues in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia's Eastern Shore as well as those on the "mainland."

Please join us for a great day of continuing education with board-certified speakers and terrific food. Look for more information and how to sign up in our next newsletter.

Important News for Practicing Veterinarians:

Research on Canine Degenerative Myelopathy

A much anticipated study describing the distribution of Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) across a huge spectrum of canine DNA covering 222 breeds has been released. The genetic marker SOD1 alleles has previously been associated with the progressive neurological disease of Canine Degenerative Myelopathy. DNA samples from over 35,000 individual dogs representing 222 breeds and and cross-bred dogs were reviewed.

Published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, the study noted that the breeds with the greatest representation of the SOD1 gene included Australian Shepherd, American Water Spaniel, Bernese Mountain Dog, Boxer, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dachshunds, German Shepherd Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Jack Russell Terriers, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Pit Bull Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and Wire Fox Terrier. MORE>>

Photos 1 & 3 by Red Leash Pet Photography

An Introduction to Canine Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a poorly understood, progressive neurodegenerative disease seen in many dog breeds. Onset of the disease is typically is seen in dogs age 8 to 14.

DM begins with the spinal cord in the chest. The degeneration is two-fold: demyelination, i.e. the stripping away of the protective covering (myelin sheath) that surrounds nerve fibers in the spinal cord, and interference in the communication between the brain and the limbs. MORE>>

Case Study: Disc Herniation

By Kevin C. Stevens, ARRT, RT (R)(MR)

This case study focuses on one of the most common neurological abnormalities we see: disc herniation, which also is a diganosis that must be ruled out before we can make a diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy - see the article above.

"Prolapsus disci intervertebralis", or a slipped disc as it's most commonly called, occurs when there is a tear in the outer layer of the intervertebral disc, called the annulus fibrosis. When this happens the soft, inner portion of the disc, the nucleus pulposus, extrudes out beyond the damaged fibrous layer. The herniation of disc material can enter the vertebral foramen or the spinal canal and cause significant compression of the nerves or spinal cord in that region. MORE>>

Local Events & CE Opportunities

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Mar. 11: TBA

All AACVMA meetings are held at Yellowfin Steak and Fish House, 2840 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. 6:30pm Happy Hour. 7pm meeting. 2014-2015 annual dues can be paid at any meeting; checks can be made out to the AACVMA for $35.

CHESAPEAKE VETERINARY REFERRAL CENTER

March 22: The 10th Annual CVRC Spring Conference

Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, 100 Heron Blvd. at Route 50, Cambridge, MD.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ACADEMY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Feb. 5: Soft Tissue Surgery - R. John Berg, DVM, MS, DACVS, Tufts University

Mar. 5: Internal Medicine - Thomas Graves, DVM, PhD, DACVIM: Midwestern University

All meetings are held at The Elks Lodge, 8421 Arlington Blvd. (Rte. 50), Fairfax, VA. Each seminar provides a maximum of 6 hours of continuing education credits: 3 hours in the morning session and 3 hours in the afternoon session.

DELAWARE VETERINARY MEDICINE ASSOCIATION

TBA

GREATER BALTIMORE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Feb. 19: Pain Management - Bernie Hansen, DVM, Associate Professor, ICU Critical Care, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine

Mar. 19: Soft Tissue Surgery - Michael Pavletic, DVM, DACVS, Director, Surgical Services, Angell Animal Medical Center

All GBVMA meetings are held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Baltimore North - Pikesville located just inside the Baltimore Beltway (695) at exit 20 S., Resiterstown Rd., on the right-hand side. Each seminar provides a maximum of 6 hours of continuing education credits: 3 hours in the morning session and 3 hours in the afternoon session.

MARYLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

May 14: Mid-Atlantic States Veterinary Clinic

Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MD

June 20-24: MVMA Summer Conference

Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel, Ocean City, MD

Locations & Hours

808 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD

VNoC & VIoC: Monday-Friday

1209 Cromwell Bridge Road, Towson, MD

VNoC: Wednesday

For an appointment at either office, call

410-224-0121 ext. 5

Visit the VNoC Website Visit the VIoC Website

Stay Connected

Saturday & Sunday Emergency Consults:

Call 410-224-0121
between 9am and noon, and leave a message. The neurologist will get back to you to discuss your case. Please make sure to leave the best number to contact you that day or the following day. to discuss your case.

For critical care and after hours, our 24-hour ER clinic will coordinate with our neurologist on call to ensure your patient is seen within 24 hours. Additional ER fees will apply.