Single-topic compilations of the information shaping our profession
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June 2008
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Disaster response
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A method for decontamination of animals involved in floodwater disasters |
Highlights:
• Superficial contaminants key in water disasters
• 3 sequential stations used for decontamination
• Protocol can be applied to small or large animals
Efficacy hard to gauge; observation important
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View article (PDF, 225 KB) |
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Stjepan Soric, Michael P. Belanger, Carin Wittnich |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 Feb 1;232(3):364-70. |
Equine rescue and response activities in Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita |
Highlights:
• 500 horses rescued; 500 volunteers participated
• Problems caused by unauthorized rescuers
• Permanent identification invaluable in reuniting
Train volunteers in Incident Command System
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View article (PDF, 375 KB) |
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Rebecca S. McConnico, Dennis D. French, Bonnie Clark, Ky E. Mortensen, Martha Littlefield, Rustin M. Moore |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Aug 1;231(3):384-92. |
Epidemiologic features of pet evacuation failure in a rapid-onset disaster |
Highlights:
• 40% dogs, 75% cats not evacuated with owners
• Risk factors included lower standard of care
• Many owners believed pets not at risk
Cat carriers key to cat and human evacuations
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View article (PDF, 229 KB) |
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Sebastian E. Heath, Susan K. Voeks, Larry T. Glickman |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Jun 15;218(12):1898-904. |
Risk factors for pet evacuation failure after a slow-onset disaster |
Highlights:
• Half of households failed to evacuate all pets
• Dogs living outdoors at greater risk
• Lack of cat carriers also linked to failure
Advance warning encourages owner self-reliance
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View article (PDF, 199 KB) |
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Sebastian E. Heath, Alan M. Beck, Philip H. Kass, Larry T. Glickman |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Jun 15;218(12):1905-10. |
Seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis, feline leukemia virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus infection among dogs and cats exported from the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricane disaster area |
Highlights:
• Lack of veterinary care, abandonment linked
• Plausible that rescued pets have more disease
• Found prevelance same as in general population
Relocating to low prevalence areas a concern
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View article (PDF, 705 KB) |
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Julie K. Levy, Charlotte H. Edinboro, Carmen-Susan Glotfelty, Patricia A. Dingman, Aundria L. West, Kathy D. Kirkland-Cady |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Jul 15;231(2):218-25. |
Disaster relief management of companion animals affected by the floods of Hurricane Floyd |
Highlights:
• 450 animals affected, 750 volunteers involved
• Field hospital operational within 72 hours
• Medical supplies, food, transportation donated
Rapid sourcing of supplies, personnel was key
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View article (PDF, 204 KB) |
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Lola C. Hudson, Helen M. Berschneider, Kelli K. Ferris, Sally L. Vivrette |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Feb 1;218(3):354-9. |
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The veterinarian's role in preparedness and response
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The veterinary profession's duty of care in response to disasters and food animal emergencies |
Highlights:
• Veterinary role in national disasters unclear
• Incident Command System is national standard
• National policy needed for veterinary involvement
Consider ICS training as CE for all veterinarians
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View article (PDF, 317 KB) |
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Kenneth E. Nusbaum, Bernard E. Rollin, James S. Wohl |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Jul 15;231(2):200-2. |
Psychologic first aid and veterinarians in rural communities undergoing livestock depopulation |
Highlights:
• Depopulation likely in severe disease outbreak
• Many stressors identified in 2001 FMD epidemic
• Psychologic first aid includes reflective listening
Rural veterinarians can lead during outbreaks
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View article (PDF, 274 KB) |
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Kenneth E. Nusbaum, James G. W. Wenzel, George S. Everly Jr |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Sep 1;231(5):692-4. |
Veterinary accreditation and some new imperatives for national preparedness |
Highlights:
• Accredited veterinarians aid federal government
• Presidential Directives outline veterinary roles
• Stay informed of reportable diseases, diagnostics
Get to know the Incident Command System
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View article (PDF, 314 KB) |
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James G. W. Wenzel, James C. Wright |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 May 1;230(9):1309-12. |
Public health roles for small animal practitioners |
Highlights:
• Shortage of veterinarians in public health growing
• SA practioners could be regulatory surge capacity
• Small animals may serve as sentinels for disease
Much untapped potential in SA practitioners
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View article (PDF, 378 KB) |
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James S. Wohl, Kenneth E. Nusbaum |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Feb 15;230(4):494-500. |
The role of the equine practitioner in disasters |
Highlights:
• Educating clients in preparedness is top role
• Forming local disaster response plans also key
• Veterinarian services in rescue may be unique
Preparedness saves more lives than response
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View article (PDF, 53 KB) |
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John E. Madigan, Jacqui Whittemore |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000 Apr 15;216(8):1238-9. |
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Biosecurity and bioterrorism preparedness
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Biological terrorism against animals and humans: a brief review and primer for action |
Highlights:
• Veterinarians are key in disease surveillance
• Agricultural bioterrorism a serious threat
• Production in livestock should be monitored
CE on foreign animal diseases needed
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View article (PDF, 56 KB) |
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Donald L. Noah, Harvey R. Crowder |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Jul 1;221(1):40-3. |
The ABCs of bioterrorism for veterinarians, focusing on Category A agents |
Highlights:
• Category A agents are most critical to public health
• Clinical signs, zoonotic potential discussed
• Veterinarians may be first to detect an outbreak
Be aware of the most likely bioterrorism agents
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View article (PDF, 194 KB) |
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Radford G. Davis |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Apr 1;224(7):1084-95. |
The ABCs of bioterrorism for veterinarians, focusing on Category B and C agents |
Highlights:
• B, C agents less likely to cause widespread harm
• Potential for massive economic disruption, deaths
• Learn to recognize intentional release of an agent
Prompt disease identification, reporting are key
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View article (PDF, 152 KB) |
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Radford G. Davis |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Apr 1;224(7):1096-104. |
Awareness-level information for veterinarians on weapons of mass destruction and preservation of evidence |
Highlights:
• Important to know agents of mass destruction
• Agents: Chemical, biological, nuclear, explosive
• Postdisaster environment poses additional risks
Be prepared to serve as responder; stay informed
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View article (PDF, 176 KB) |
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James G. W. Wenzel |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Jun 15;230(12):1816-20. |
Awareness-level information for veterinarians on control zones, personal protective equipment, and decontamination |
Highlights:
• Important to understand emergency response
• 3 control zones for all incidents: Hot, warm, cold
• Decontamination plan should address species
Get to know Incident Command System
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View article (PDF, 181 KB) |
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James G. W. Wenzel |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Jul 1;231(1):48-51. |
Veterinary expertise in biosecurity and biological risk assessment |
Highlights:
• Biosecurity practiced every day by veterinarians
• Many do not recognize biosecurity skills as such
• Disaster reponse requires advance preparation
Limiting spread of disease before it is seen is key
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View article (PDF, 338 KB) |
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James G. W. Wenzel, Kenneth E. Nusbaum |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 May 15;230(10):1476-80. |
Description of an epidemic simulation model for use in evaluating strategies to control an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease |
Highlights:
• FMD model is a tool for biosecurity planning
• Authors evaluated potential eradication strategies
• Control models included slaughter, vaccination
Simulation useful when information is incomplete
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View article (PDF, 263 KB) |
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Thomas W. Bates, Mark C. Thurmond, Tim E. Carpenter |
Originally published in Am J Vet Res. 2003 Feb;64(2):195-204. |
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Search-and-rescue dogs
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Search-and-rescue dogs: an overview for veterinarians |
Highlights:
• Search drive, temperament, trainability are key
• Dogs turned in to shelters may be ideal for SAR
• Concern: Treatments that affect sense of smell
Be able to screen dogs for work-limiting problems
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View article (PDF, 109 KB) |
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Katherine E. Jones, Karen Dashfield, Amanda B. Downend, Cynthia M. Otto |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Sep 15;225(6):854-60. |
General toxicologic hazards and risks for search-and-rescue dogs responding to urban disasters |
Highlights:
• Assume urban disaster sites highly contaminated
• Toxins may be solids, liquids, particulates, gases
• SAR dogs at high risk from respiratory toxicants
Recognizing route of exposure is key to treatment
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View article (PDF, 70 KB) |
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Sharon M. Gwaltney-Brant, Lisa A. Murphy, Tina A. Wismer, Jay C. Albretsen |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Feb 1;222(3):292-5. |
Toxicologic agents of concern for search-and-rescue dogs responding to urban disasters |
Highlights:
• Specific common toxins are discussed
• Hydrocarbons, PCBs, metals head the list
• Routes of exposure, outcomes detailed
Knowledge of sequelae will aid long-term care
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View article (PDF, 127 KB) |
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Lisa A. Murphy, Sharon M. Gwaltney-Brant, Jay C. Albretsen, Tina A. Wismer |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Feb 1;222(3):296-304. |
Management and prevention of toxicoses in search-and-rescue dogs responding to urban disasters |
Highlights:
• Prompt, appropriate treatment vital
• Priority is "treat the patient, not the poison"
• Dermal absorption important in urban SAR dogs
Don't wait to confirm toxin before starting treatment
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View article (PDF, 94 KB) |
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Tina A. Wismer, Lisa A. Murphy, Sharon M. Gwaltney-Brant, Jay C. Albretsen |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2003 Feb 1;222(3):305-10. |
Medical and behavioral surveillance of dogs deployed to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon from October 2001 to June 2002 |
Highlights:
• Compared health of deployed dogs to controls
• Serum results suggested antigen, toxin exposure
• Blood values of both groups within normal limits
No adverse affects within 1 year of deployment
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View article (PDF, 129 KB) |
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Cynthia M. Otto, Amanda B. Downend, James A. Serpell, Lisa S. Ziemer, H. Mark Saunders |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Sep 15;225(6):861-7. |
Deployment morbidity among search-and-rescue dogs used after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks |
Highlights:
• 65 of 96 dogs studied had deployment morbidity
• GI upset, fatigue, dehydration among complaints
• 6-fold higher morbidity in WTC dogs vs Pentagon
Injury, illness affected most dogs, but all minor
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View article (PDF, 113 KB) |
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Kimberly A. Slensky, Kenneth J. Drobatz, Amanda B. Downend, Cynthia M. Otto |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Sep 15;225(6):868-73. |
Assessment of acute injuries, exposure to environmental toxins, and five-year health surveillance of New York Police Department working dogs following the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center terrorist attack |
Highlights:
• 17 of 27 dogs had health disorders in 1st week
• No evidence of Bacillum anthracis exposure
• Mild biochemical abnormalities were found
Only mild health problems during 5-year follow-up
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View article (PDF, 600 KB) |
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Philip R. Fox, Birgit Puschner, Joseph G. Ebel |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008 Jul 1;233(1):48-59. |
The modern working dog—a call for interdisciplinary collaboration |
Highlights:
• Guide dog schools are models for collaboration
• 10 professions in National Academies of Practice
• Professions unite to maintain guide dog teams
Collaboration promising for human-animal bond
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View article (PDF, 80 KB) |
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Patricia N. Olson |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002 Aug 1;221(3):352-5. |
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Preparedness and response policy
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Organizational aspects of disaster preparedness and response |
Highlights:
• Knowledge of Incident Command System is vital
• ICS is cornerstone of organized disaster response
• National Response Plan: Use local plans first
Plan in advance for successful role in ICS
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View article (PDF, 354 KB) |
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James G. W. Wenzel |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Jun 1;230(11):1634-7. |
Veterinary legal issues: 2006 in review |
Highlights:
• Veterinary law has been expanding for years
• Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina spurred changes
• State laws now address animal care in disasters
PETS Act: Evacuation plans must include pets
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View article (PDF, 163 KB) |
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Elizabeth L. Settles, Sarah L. Babcock |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2007 Feb 1;230(3):350-2. |
Report of the 2006 National Animal Disaster Summit |
Highlights:
• 2005 hurricane responders met at AVMA summit
• Roadblocks to response efforts were identified
• Recommendations developed for improvement
Top problem was lack of coordination, control
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View article (PDF, 200 KB) |
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Bonnie V. Beaver, Robert Gros, E. Murl Bailey, Cindy S. Lovern |
Originally published in J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006 Sep 15;229(6):943-8. |