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A Wish Come True

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Alberta James stumbled upon the latest copy of On Call last January when she was perusing the magazine selection in the UW Veterinary Care waiting room. She had some free time to read while her German Shepherd, Silly, was undergoing tests for a leg injury.

James glanced over the UW School of Veterinary Medicine’s annual wish list, a catalog of items most needed in the hospital, imaging center, and research facilities. A request for a pulse oximeter, a $1,500 non-invasive device that monitors patients’ blood oxygen saturation levels, caught her eye, prompting her to ask for more information.

A pulse oximeter is used to monitor Spur, a 14-year-old Border Collie mix, in the UW Veterinary Care Critical Care Unit. Client Alberta James chose to donate this vital, frequently used piece of equipment to the hospital. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

A pulse oximeter is used to monitor Spur, a 14-year-old Border Collie mix, in the UW Veterinary Care Critical Care Unit. Client Alberta James chose to donate this vital, frequently used piece of equipment to the hospital. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

A certified veterinary technician gave her a brief demonstration in the waiting room. With a better understanding of how the equipment worked, James felt it was a worthy investment.

“Pulse oximeters are used throughout the hospital on heavily sedated or anesthetized patients,” says Ruthanne Chun, director of UW Veterinary Care. “Because these items are so heavily used, three to five new units are purchased every year as older units break down or wear out.”

That demand is one of the reasons James decided to donate funds for the wish list item.
“I picked out something I could afford and something the hospital could use,” said James. “Every little bit counts. It all helps the animals.”

If you are interested in gifting a pulse oximeter to the hospital or contributing towards another wish list item for the hospital, imaging center, or research facilities, please contact Pat Bowdish at 608-890-1515 or pat.bowdish@supportuw.org.

Jane Pruhs


UW Veterinary Care Encourages Participation in Golden Retriever Study

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Own a healthy purebred Golden Retriever under the age of two? Your canine has a unique opportunity to aid in the largest and longest observational study aimed at improving the health of dogs.

The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, the first of its kind in veterinary medicine, is currently recruiting Golden Retrievers with a pedigree going back at least three generations. The 10- to 14-year study aims to track 3,000 purebred Golden Retrievers over their lifetimes to identify risk factors for cancer, diabetes and other health problems. Some 1,900 dogs have been enrolled to date.

UW Veterinary Care veterinarians are encouraging Golden Retriever dog owners to consider participating in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study,  largest and longest observational study aimed at improving the health of dogs.

UW Veterinary Care veterinarians are encouraging Golden Retriever dog owners to consider participating in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, the largest and longest observational study aimed at improving the health of dogs.

Two UW Veterinary Care veterinarians, Dr. Calico Schmidt and Dr. Sandi Sawchuk, are enrolled as participating veterinarians and are encouraging qualifying breed owners to participate in the study.

“One of the goals of the study is to identify factors that help explain why so many Golden Retriever dogs end up developing cancer,” says Schmidt, clinical instructor in the Department of Medical Sciences. “Hopefully, the results will translate and help other dogs and dog breeds.”

If you are interested in participating in this study, contact your pet’s veterinarian at UW Veterinary Care or register online.

In addition to this study, UW Veterinary Care is recruiting for ongoing clinical trials that help advance veterinary and human medicine now and in the future. Clinical research allows the hospital to develop more effective diagnostic and treatment options for current patients, and many studies offer some financial incentive.

Jane Pruhs

Study Reveals Possible Biological Trigger for Canine Bone Cancer

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Researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) have identified the biological mechanism that may give some cancer cells the ability to form tumors in dogs.

Katie Holmes, Class of 2014, holds up a microscope slide. The purple blots contain cancer cells recently tested for their ability to migrate, which could be an indicator of their level of aggressiveness. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

Katie Holmes, Class of 2014, holds up a microscope slide. The purple blots contain cancer cells recently tested for their ability to migrate, which could be an indicator of their level of aggressiveness. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

The recent study uncovered an association between the increased expression of a particular gene in tumor cells and more aggressive behavior in a form of canine bone cancer. It may also have implications for human cancers by detailing a new pathway for tumor formation.

The findings, published online Feb. 3 in the journal Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, may eventually provide oncologists with another target for therapy and improve outcomes for canine patients with the disease.

The findings … may eventually provide oncologists with another target for therapy and improve outcomes for canine patients.
The researchers examined cell lines generated from dogs with osteosarcoma, a common bone cancer that also affects people, with the intent of uncovering why only some cells generate tumors. After the dogs underwent tumor-removal surgery at UW Veterinary Care — the SVM’s veterinary medical teaching hospital — cells from the tumors were grown in the lab.

This led to six different cancer cell lines, which were then transplanted into mice. The researchers then looked to see which lines developed tumors and which did not and studied the differences between them.

“We found several hundred genes that expressed differently between the tumor-forming and nontumor-forming cell lines,” says Timothy Stein, an assistant professor of oncology. However, one protein called frizzled-6 was present at levels eight times higher in cells that formed tumors.

In the complicated process of gene expression, the genetic information encoded within DNA is eventually converted into RNA and proteins, which are responsible for a variety of vital cellular functions. Frizzled-6 plays a key role in relaying signals from the outside to the inside of a cell, acting as a sort of receiving dock for particular types of information.

Molecular connections like this activate pathways, some of which regulate the growth, differentiation and migration of cells when working properly. But when pathways go awry, they may contribute to the development of tumors and tumor-initiating cells. The role of frizzled-6 in this process is not yet fully understood.

“It’s exciting because it’s kind of uncharted territory,” says Stein, who is also a member of the UW Carbone Cancer Center. “While we need more research to know for sure, it’s possible that frizzled-6 expression may be inhibiting a particular signaling pathway and contributing to the formation of tumor-initiating cells.”

Dr. Lucas Rodrigues opens a container of liquid nitrogen, which is used to store and preserve cell lines. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

Dr. Lucas Rodrigues opens a container of liquid nitrogen, which is used to store and preserve cell lines. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

The study is a good example of how work at UW Veterinary Care can lead to a better understanding of disease, Stein says, and it highlights how basic science can be a bridge to clinical research.

“Now I’d like to see what this means clinically,” he says. “Does frizzled-6 serve as a marker of a more aggressive disease? Will it help us improve the accuracy of our prognoses? These are the questions we want to answer.”

Stein also hopes to continue this line of research in human cancer patients. Meanwhile, the lead author on the study, Lucas Rodrigues, is continuing the investigation in dogs.

“Now we want to make sure that frizzled-6 is truly what gives these cells the ability to form new tumors,” says Rodrigues, a postdoctoral fellow in Stein’s lab.

While frizzled-6 may be the lone culprit, it is possible that a combination of multiple genes may lead to tumor formation, says Rodrigues.

The study was also co-authored by Victoria Thompson, an associate research specialist; Katie Holmes, a 2014 graduate of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program; and Michael Newton, a professor in the Departments of Statistics and Biostatistics and Medical Informatics.

Nik Hawkins

SVM, Milo the Cat Celebrate Kidney Transplantation Milestone

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At three years of age, Milo was in the prime of her life, ruling the roost at her home in Golden, Colo. But her owners, Rebecca Brooks and Jack Riley, became concerned when their normally active cat lost significant weight.

Milo rests with fellow housemate Nikita. Milo recently became the UW Veterinary Care's Feline Renal Transplantation Program's longest post-transplantation survivor. (Photos: Rebecca Brooks)

Milo rests with fellow housemate Nikita. Milo recently became the UW Veterinary Care Feline Renal Transplantation Program’s longest post-transplantation survivor. (Photos: Rebecca Brooks)

After an initial misdiagnosis, local veterinarians determined that Milo suffered from chronic kidney failure, a leading cause of feline deaths. With only a portion of one kidney functioning, her only option for survival was a kidney transplantation, which led her to the nationally recognized UW School of Veterinary Medicine Feline Renal Transplantation Program.

This February, Milo became the program’s longest post-transplantation survivor, still going strong nine years and four months after the operation. This honor was previously held by an Illinois cat named Max until his death in 2010 from heart disease.

Milo underwent two kidney transplantation surgeries and now lives with her two donor cats Madison and Toohlula.

Milo underwent two kidney transplantation surgeries and now lives with her two donor cats Madison and Toohlula.

The program, led by Dr. Jonathan McAnulty, has performed 81 kidney transplantations since it launched in 1996.

“Milo’s survival exemplifies the long term benefits that can be realized with this therapy program,” says McAnulty, professor of surgery. “Quality of life can be excellent and Milo’s outcome is a reflection of her outstanding care at home and all the contributions of the entire transplant team here at UW.”

Milo was referred to the UW hospital by a Colorado veterinary technician who was familiar with the program and its transplantation coordinator, Gerianne Holzman, who recently retired in January 2015. Lindsay Brusda serves as the new transplantation coordinator.

Brooks and Riley purchased an old Dodge RV, lovingly named the “Good Ship Lollipop,” that served as their cross-country transport and home for a week while Milo underwent her first kidney transplantation in September 2005. During that time, they bonded with Milo’s donor cat, Madison, whom they adopted as part of the transplantation agreement.

With their newly adopted cat in tow, they returned home to await the results from Milo’s surgery. When the initial transplantation failed, Brooks and Riley opted for a second transplantation on October 21, 2005.

Left to Right: Madison and Toohlula

Left to Right: Madison and Toohlula

“We were too far in emotionally to not try it again,” says Brooks.

The second surgery provided the desired result, so Milo and her second donor cat, Toohlula, flew home with their owners to Colorado.

Brooks reports that Milo, nicknamed “Miss America” for her governing personality with her fellow cat and dog housemates, returned to her normal lifestyle and has been in good health ever since.

“The value of extending my pet’s life means everything to me,” says Brooks. “I have to give kudos to all those who helped us while Milo was at UW. The vet techs, Gerianne, and Dr. McAnulty were awesome. We are so thankful for having her this long.”

According to Holzman, benchmarks like Milo’s measure the program’s success over time, and Milo is not the only success story for the transplantation program.

Pluto, a tortoise shell cat owned by Ken and Mary Troia of St. Paul, Minn., served as the program’s oldest surviving transplantation patient at 22 years of age until her death in August 2014.

Jane Pruhs

From Armadillos to Zebra Finches: All Species Are in Good Hands at UW Veterinary Care

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When Hogmanay the hedgehog encounters an unfamiliar situation, he usually curls himself into the comfort of a spiny little ball. But during his visit to UW Veterinary Care (UWVC), he’s all curiosity, exploring the little world of the exam room with a flickering nose and dark, darting eyes.

Fourth-year student Carrie Schwartz examines Chinicula, a chinchilla, while Swampmonster, a degu, waits his turn. (Photo: Bryce Richter)

Fourth-year student Carrie Schwartz examines Chinicula, a chinchilla, while Swampmonster, a degu, waits his turn. (Photo: Bryce Richter)

Hogmanay is at the clinic to have a few skin lesions evaluated. For moral support, his owner, Melanie Conklin, has a few of his rodent pals in tow, including Chinicula, a puffy white chinchilla who lifts his forelimbs when he wants to be held, and Swampmonster, a fidgety brown degu with a penchant for turning straw bedding and drinking water into cage sludge.

Conklin, who houses even more chinchillas and degus at home (all of them adopted from shelters), is part of a growing group of exotic pet owners, and her small rodent menagerie represents only part of the species mix. According to the 2012 U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, 20 percent of American households own pets other than cats or dogs, including birds (3.1 percent), fish (6.5 percent) and exotic or specialty pets (10.6 percent), a category that encompasses reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, marsupials, primates, invertebrates, and more.

Being the only veterinary medical hospital in the Midwest with board-certified zoological medicine specialists on duty year round, the UWVC Special Species Service has seen more than its fair share of everything from armadillos to zebra finches. In recent years, they have cared for a baby lizard weighing less than a gram, a lumbering 100-pound African spurred tortoise, and even rarer creatures, such as ring-tailed lemurs, a red panda, and an elusive harpy eagle. But not all of their patients are so exotic.

“The majority of our caseload consists of birds, reptiles, and small mammals, such as rabbits, rodents, and ferrets,” says Christoph Mans, clinical assistant professor of zoological medicine at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM).

Just like their dog and cat counterparts, Mans says, exotic animals need annual wellness exams and sometimes specialized care, which UWVC delivers. The clinic supports specialists in 22 other areas, such as dentistry, neurology, radiology, and physical rehabilitation, who collaborate with the Special Species Service to provide comprehensive care for exotic animals.

The benefits of this expertise extend from the clinic to the curriculum. Veterinary medical students complete a two-week rotation with the Special Species Service in their fourth year, but their education about exotic animals begins in the classroom. Mans and Kurt Sladky, clinical associate professor of zoological medicine, teach an exotic animal course, which includes live lab sessions on how to handle and examine a variety of reptiles, small mammals, and birds, which students will likely encounter in one form or another if they go into practice. Sladky and Mans also train several zoological medicine residents, in collaboration with the Milwaukee County Zoo and International Crane Foundation (ICF) in Baraboo, Wis.

 

“We have one of only 25 accredited zoo medicine residency programs in the world, and also one of the largest,” says Sladky, who serves as director of the residency program. “Our partnerships with zoological organizations like the Milwaukee Zoo and ICF give our residents unparalleled training in zoo and wildlife medicine, and graduates of our program work in large zoos and academia internationally.”

When they’re not treating patients or teaching, Sladky and Mans can be found in the lab devising ways to improve clinical care for exotic animals, with a particular focus on managing pain in zoo, wildlife, and exotic pet species. If this isn’t enough, the SVM’s zoological medicine team provides volunteer clinical care at the Four Lakes Wildlife Center, a division of the Dane County Humane Society dedicated to helping injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife.

To Conklin, these are just some of the signs that her rodent friends are in good hands at UW Veterinary Care. She’s been returning ever since her first experience with the clinic five years ago when one of her hedgehogs went into hibernation, a condition that can be fatal for domesticated versions of the spiny little mammals.

“I called UW late that night and was connected with someone from the Special Species Service,” she says. “They told me the steps for waking up a hedgehog properly. They even called the next day to make sure everything was okay.”

Just like that sleepy hedgehog, the outcome for Hogmanay is pretty positive. After inspecting the lesions, Mans determines they are not cause for serious concern and prescribes a medication to help clear up the hedgehog’s skin. And Conklin leaves feeling better, knowing that the Special Species Service is working to help Hogmanay feel better.

Nik Hawkins

Tests Show Midwestern Canine Influenza Outbreak Stems from New Strain

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Woman Holding DogMADISON—Canine influenza virus (CIV) has affected at least 1,000 dogs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana in the last month, including one confirmed case in the Madison area. Previously thought to be caused by the H3N8 strain, which has been circulating in North America since 2004, recent tests from the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) and the New York State Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University have identified the strain as H3N2.

Contacts for Media
Keith Poulsen, poulsenk@vetmed.wisc.edu, 608-335-1830

Sandi Sawchuk, sawchuks@vetmed.wisc.edu, 608-263-7600

Nik Hawkins, nihawkin@vetmed.wisc.edu, 608-263-6914

“It’s believed that the H3N2 strain was introduced here from Asia, but how it happened is not known,” says Keith Poulsen, WVDL diagnostic and case outreach coordinator and clinical assistant professor at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM). “The commercially available vaccines for CIV are made to protect against the H3N8 strain, and their effectiveness against the H3N2 strain is unknown at this time, but it is likely to be less effective.”

Both CIV strains can cause persistent cough, runny nose, and fever. A small percentage of dogs will develop more severe clinical signs, and some will not show any symptoms at all. The infection has been associated with some deaths.

Neither CIV strain is related to the highly pathogenic H5N2 avian flu, which was recently reported in a commercial flock in Jefferson County; they are completely different strains that affect separate species.

Currently, there is no evidence that either CIV strain is contagious to humans; however, while the more familiar H3N8 strain is not known to affect cats, H3N2 has caused infection and respiratory illness in felines.

“We’re advising pet owners to seek veterinary medical care, including diagnostic testing and potential treatment, for dogs and cats exhibiting clinical signs of CIV,” says Sandi Sawchuk, primary care veterinarian at UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) and SVM clinical instructor.

For pet owners, UWVC recommends the following:

  • If possible, get your dog vaccinated. Although it is unknown if commercial vaccines will be effective against the H3N2 strain, they will reduce the incidence and severity of disease in dogs infected with the H3N8 strain, which is still in circulation. There is no feline vaccine at this time.
  • Avoid bringing your dog into close contact with other dogs.
  • Wash your hands and change your clothes if you work with or are exposed to sick dogs before handling your own pets at home. Soap and water is very effective at inactivating influenza virus.
  • Call your veterinarian for further instructions if your dog or cat is showing signs of persistent cough, runny nose, and fever.

In addition, the WVDL has compiled information and sampling guidelines for veterinarians.

Nik Hawkins

UW School of Veterinary Medicine, UW Veterinary Care to Hold Open House

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Dr. Susan Schaefer shows visitors how to use a laparoscope at the 2013 Open House by guiding their efforts to pluck candy from the inside of a giant stuffed animal. Photo: Nik Hawkins

Have you ever wondered how those pet microchips actually work? Perhaps you’ve pondered what it means to “float” a horse’s teeth. Maybe you’ve even thought about becoming a veterinarian and would like to know what it takes to get there.

The answers to all of these questions and more can be found at the open house for the UW School of Veterinary Medicine and its teaching hospital, UW Veterinary Care, to be held on Sunday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sampling of Open House Activities
Open house visitors will also have the chance to:
  • Interact with animals, from the everyday to the exotic, and learn how to care for small mammals, birds, and reptiles
  • Hear what it takes to get into veterinary medical school
  • Learn about UW Veterinary Care’s 23 specialties — more than any other clinic in Wisconsin — including dentistry, cardiology, neurology, oncology, pathology, zoological medicine, and more.
  • Get an “inside look” at animals by using an arthroscope, endoscope, or laparoscope
  • Learn about comparative anatomy by examining radiographs and animal skeletons
  • Practice pet first aid
  • Hang out with Pet Pals therapy dogs and police dogs
  • Take a tutorial on pet teeth brushing
  • Find out about the risks of raw food diets for pets
  • Learn how veterinarians protect public health, locally and globally
  • Discover how the school’s research could help people with spinal injuries walk farther and faster.
  • And much more!

Themed “For healthy animals, for healthy people,” the event will give the public an inside look at life-saving clinical care, world-class veterinary medical education, cutting-edge biomedical research, and the intricate connections between the health of animals and humans. It will feature a walking tour of the hospital, live animals, presentations from veterinarians and scientists, interactive booths, and activities for kids.

Children are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to have its “injuries” bandaged or sutured. The first 500 families through the door receive a free UW School of Veterinary Medicine/UW Veterinary Care cloth bag. More details and a complete schedule of presentations can be found on the open house webpage.

The hospital and school are located at 2015 Linden Drive on the west end of the UW-Madison campus. Parking is available in Lot 62, north of the building across Linden Drive. A map and directions can be found here.

Nik Hawkins

New Developments in Midwestern Canine Influenza Outbreak

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New laboratory tests show that a strain of canine influenza virus (CIV) associated with more than 1,000 sick dogs throughout the Midwest, including one dog in Madison, is virtually identical to an Asian strain of the virus and is not a mutated form.

Contacts for Media
Keith Poulsen, poulsenk@vetmed.wisc.edu, 608-335-1830

Sandi Sawchuk, sawchuks@vetmed.wisc.edu, 608-263-7600

Nik Hawkins, nihawkin@vetmed.wisc.edu, 608-263-6914

A week ago, initial tests at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) and Cornell University identified the strain as H3N2, which has previously only been seen in Asia and is different than the H3N8 strain circulating in North America. Genetic sequencing conducted at the National Veterinary Service Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, now confirms that the H3N2 strain found in the Midwest is almost identical to its Asian counterpart and was likely brought to the United States by an infected animal.

“This means there is no evidence of genetic reassortment,” says Kathy Toohey-Kurth, virology section head at WVDL. “This is good news because mutations are unpredictable, and we would not necessarily know what the safety implications are for humans or other animals.”

There is no evidence at this time that the H3N2 CIV strain can infect humans; it is distinctly different from human seasonal influenza H3N2 strains. However, the Asian H3N2 CIV strain has been reported to infect domestic cats.

“No cats have reported positive in the United States at this time,” says Keith Poulsen, WVDL diagnostic and case outreach coordinator and clinical assistant professor at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM). “Two cats and a dog, housemates of the infected dog in the Madison area, tested negative today despite showing clinical signs of the virus. It’s possible the tests were done too late to catch the viral shedding phase. Either way, it’s good news for those animals.”

Both CIV strains can cause persistent cough, runny nose, and fever. A small percentage of dogs will develop more severe clinical signs, and some will not show any symptoms at all. The infection has been associated with some deaths.

Neither CIV strain is related to the highly pathogenic H5N2 avian flu, which has been reported in Wisconsin this week; they are completely different strains that affect separate species.

The commercially available vaccines for CIV are made to protect against the H3N8 strain, and their effectiveness against the H3N2 strain is unknown at this time, but it is likely to be less effective.

“We’re still recommending that owners vaccinate their dogs because H3N8 is still around,” says Sandi Sawchuk, primary care veterinarian at UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) and SVM clinical instructor.

UWVC veterinarians also recommend taking the following measures to minimize risk to pets:

  • Limit direct dog-to-dog contact. This is especially important with unknown dogs and any dogs displaying clinical signs, including cough, running nose, and fever. If your dog shows any of these signs, contact your veterinarian and do not take your dog to a boarding facility, dog daycare, dog park, or other public space.
  • The virus will live in the environment for 24 to 48 hours in the majority of cases, but washing with soap and water is very effective at inactivating influenza virus.
  • Wash your hands and change your clothes if you work with or are exposed to sick dogs before handling your own pets at home. This also applies to veterinarians in practice.

In addition to these recommendations, the WVDL has compiled information and sampling guidelines for veterinarians, and the SVM Shelter Medicine Program and Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California, Davis, have compiled CIV resources for animal shelters.

Nik Hawkins


UPDATED: UW Veterinary Care Offers Canine Influenza Clinic for Current Clients

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A UW Veterinary Care patient has blood drawn during a visit with the Primary Care Service. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

UW Veterinary Care’s Primary Care Service is offering current primary care clients appointments for a special canine influenza clinic on April 30, May 14 and May 28, 2015 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Canine influenza virus (CIV) has affected at least 1,000 dogs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana in the last month, including one confirmed case in the Madison area.

Appointments will be in 15-minute time slots per household, serving up to four dogs per slot. Veterinary medical technicians will provide the influenza vaccination and no other vaccines or procedures will be offered at this specific clinic. An appointment is required.

To make an appointment, visit our website or call 608-263-7600.

UPDATE (April 22, 2015): Boarding Facility Requirements

Some local boarding facilities now require full CIV coverage (two vaccinations) to board. We recommend clients speak with their boarding facility about specific requirements well in advance if they plan to board within the next few months. A minimum of 30 days are required for full protection — two vaccinations, two to four weeks apart, with protection 7-14 days after the second vaccination.

Open House Draws 1,000

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The UW School of Veterinary Medicine / UW Veterinary Care Open House drew nearly 1,000 people on Sunday, April 26.The biennial event treated visitors to an inside look at life-saving clinical care, world-class veterinary medical education, cutting-edge biomedical research, and the intricate connections between the health of animals and humans.

Thanks to all who attended. See you again in 2017!

Puppy Up Grant Funds Study of Canine Bone Cancer Treatment

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From left: Beth Viney, Puppy Up Madison co-chair; Dr. Neil Christensen; Dr. Kai Shiu, Puppy Up Madison co-chair; and Ginger Morgan, executive director of the Puppy Up Foundation. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

From left: Beth Viney, Puppy Up Madison co-chair; Dr. Neil Christensen; Dr. Kai Shiu, Puppy Up Madison co-chair; and Ginger Morgan, executive director of the Puppy Up Foundation. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive and painful bone cancer that affects both dogs and humans. With 10,000 new cases diagnosed in dogs each year, it is the most common form of canine bone tumor, and most dogs succumb to the disease within a year of diagnosis.

Oncologists at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) have been investigating osteosarcoma for some time, looking to uncover its underlying causes and develop more effective therapies. And now, thanks to a $96,000 grant from the Puppy Up Foundation, the school will launch a new study aimed at improving mobility and quality of life for dogs afflicted by the disease.

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A bulletin board full of thank you notes from clients hangs on the wall outside of the TomoTherapy vault in the Frank and Evelyn Fryer Radiation Therapy and Physical Rehabilitation Clinic at UW Veterinary Care. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

Under the direction of Dr. Neil Christensen, clinical instructor in the Department of Surgical Sciences and a member of the UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) radiation oncology team, researchers will explore the potential benefits of stereotactic radiation therapy for osteosarcoma patients.

“Stereotactic radiation is a newer form of treatment made possible by recent technological advances,” says Christensen. “It allows for larger, more accurate doses of radiation while still sparing healthy tissue, in comparison to traditional palliative radiation, which involves smaller, prolonged doses.”

Specifically, the study will look at how stereotactic radiation performs in terms of pain relief for patients and in stimulating an immune response that helps patients’ bodies fight bone tumors on their own.

UWVC is equipped to deliver this advanced treatment with its TomoTherapy unit, which was originally developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison using data from SVM clinical trials. TomoTherapy is now used widely in human medicine, but only one other veterinary medical hospital in the nation offers this technology.

Our hope is to help a lot of dogs affected by this disease in the future…”

Neil Christensen

“Our hope is to help a lot of dogs affected by this disease in the future,” says Christensen. “And the data we generate should be applicable to treating osteosarcoma in humans as well.”

The Puppy Up grant stems from proceeds from the Puppy Up Madison Walk, which helped raise more than $213,000 in 2014 and 2015. The Puppy Up Foundation aims to discover the links between canine and human cancers, as well as the causes of these diseases, by supporting comparative oncology research and promoting awareness of the field.

Christensen’s collaborators on the study include Dr. Timothy Stein, assistant professor of medical oncology; Dr. Michelle Turek, assistant professor of radiation oncology; Dr. Lisa Forrest, professor of radiology and radiation oncology; Margaret Henzler, medical physicist; Dr. Jason Bleedorn, clinical assistant professor of orthopedic surgery; Dr. Peter Muir, professor of orthopedic surgery; and John Kloke, assistant scientist in the UW-Madison Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics.

Nik Hawkins

SVM Fund Drive Buys Body Armor for Police Dog

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K9 Jagger, with his new bullet-proof vest, and Officer Eric Disch. (Photo: Eric Disch)

Police dogs, like their human counterparts, have a dangerous job. They apprehend suspected criminals and sniff out illegal drugs and weapons. Sometimes this leads to conflict; as result, police dogs suffer stab or gunshot wounds every year.

Sadly, many law enforcement agencies don’t have the funds to purchase K9 body armor. But thanks to donations from faculty, staff, and students at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), a Madison police dog is fighting crime with the added protection of a bullet-proof vest.

Each month, the SVM holds a fund drive for a local charity, most of them benefitting animals. In March 2015, the school collected donations to purchase a vest for Jagger, a two-year-old German Shepherd who serves as a K9 with the Madison Police Department (MPD) and is also a UW Veterinary Care client.

Coordinated by SVM Facilities Manager Karen Mier, the drive garnered more than enough to cover the cost of the vest. The funds were donated to Wisconsin Vest-a-Dog, a nonprofit dedicated to providing protective vests for every police dog in the state, which purchased the vest for Jagger and put the remainder toward body armor for another MPD K9, Slim.

These are the third and fourth sets of canine body armor that SVM students and employees have helped purchase. Mier previously coordinated the collection of funds to vest police dogs with the Adam’s County Sheriff’s Department and the UW–Madison Campus Police.

The generosity of another organization originally brought Jagger to the MPD. He and the specially outfitted squad car he rides in with his handler, Officer Eric Disch, were donated by the BerbeeWalsh Foundation, which was founded by Karen Walsh, a member of the SVM’s Board of Visitors, and her husband, Jim Berbee. The foundation also paid for the month-long training required to prepare Jagger for service.

Nik Hawkins

Moriello Earns Lifetime Achievement Award for Work in Feline Dermatology

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Karen Moriello, shown here presenting during the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) European Congress in Porto, Portugal, has been awarded the ISFM/Hill’s Pet Nutrition Award for Outstanding Contributions to Feline Medicine. (Photo: Brendan Kelly)

Karen Moriello, shown here presenting during the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) European Congress in Porto, Portugal, has been awarded the ISFM/Hill’s Pet Nutrition Award for Outstanding Contributions to Feline Medicine. (Photo: Brendan Kelly)

Karen Moriello, clinical professor of dermatology at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), has been awarded the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM)/Hill’s Pet Nutrition Award for Outstanding Contributions to Feline Medicine.

“We are absolutely delighted to give this award to Dr. Karen Moriello,” says Andrew Sparkes, veterinary director for ISFM. “Throughout her career, Karen has done an enormous amount to improve the health of both owned pet cats and also shelter cats through her pioneering work on dermatophytosis and other aspects of feline dermatology.”

Karen has done an enormous amount to improve the health of both owned pet cats and also shelter cats…”

Andrew Sparkes

Moriello, a board-certified veterinary medical dermatologist, received the lifetime achievement award in July at the ISFM European Congress in Porto, Portugal, where she served as keynote speaker.

In addition her expertise in dermatophytosis (ringworm), which includes co-creating the ringworm screening and treatment protocol that is now followed at shelters all over the country, Moriello has authored more than 200 manuscripts and book chapters on small animal dermatology, along with three teaching textbooks. She is also the co-editor of the international journal Veterinary Dermatology.

“This award really belongs to, or should be shared by, every one of my co-researchers, near and far collaborators, veterinarians, shelter operators, student researchers, pet owners, granting agencies and, most importantly, the SVM, because this was my base camp,” says Moriello.

Nik Hawkins

Holzman Co-Authors Patient Care Guidebook for Veterinary Technicians

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Geri Holzman snuggles with her cat, Sam, who recently broke the feline record for most blood donations at UW Veterinary Care. In almost five years, Sam donated over 21 units of blood or the human equivalent of 20 pints.

Geri Holzman snuggles with her cat, Sam, who broke the feline record for most blood donations at UW Veterinary Care in 2013. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

Gerianne Holzman, orthopedic and renal transplant coordinator at UW Veterinary Care (UWVC), is the co-author of a new textbook that serves as a comprehensive guide for the care of cats and dogs undergoing surgery–from initial exam to patient discharge and beyond.

Surgical Patient Care textbookSurgical Patient Care for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses (Wiley-Blackwell, 2015) includes chapters on the history of physical examination, pre-operative planning, asepsis, surgical assisting procedures, wound management, postoperative care, and aftercare.

The reference book also features 285 full-color photographs, most of them taken at UWVC, illustrating common surgical instruments and assisting procedures.

In co-authoring the textbook, Holzman drew upon her years as a certified veterinary technician at UWVC. Her partner for the project, Teri Raffel, is a former UWVC operating technician. She currently serves as the laboratory coordinator for the veterinary technician program at Madison College in Madison, Wis.

Ashley Voss

UW School of Veterinary Medicine Pitches in at World Dairy Expo

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World Dairy Expo check-in

UW School of Veterinary Medicine student Brian Schnell assists with the biosecurity check-in for the 2015 World Dairy Expo at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Each year, Professor Sheila McGuirk and dozens of students volunteer to oversee the check-in process, which helps ensure that disease does not spread among the more than 2,500 cows that are brought to the event. (Photo: Courtesy World Dairy Expo)

The World Dairy Expo is well underway at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis., where dairy farmers and industry representatives, along with about 2,500 cows, have gathered for the massive annual event. Thanks to the efforts of Sheila McGuirk, professor of large animal internal medicine at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), along with dozens of student volunteers, each cow has passed through an extensive biosecurity check-in process to prevent the potential spread of disease.

Sheila McGuirk

As cattle arrived over the course of three days leading up to the expo, McGuirk and her team examined health papers, submitted by veterinarians who have inspected the cattle at their points of origin, and matched those papers with identification tags. Many cows travel extremely long distances from various locales in the United States and Canada, so a speedy check-in process is critical to getting them milked, bedded in straw, and rested as soon as possible.

But even with a flawless biosecurity check-in, when 2,500 cows are in one place, some are bound to get sick. This is why faculty and residents from the SVM are on hand to care for them, along with veterinarians from Whitewater Veterinary Hospital, including the expo’s official veterinarian, Rick Halvorson, and SVM alumnus Michael Miesen, Class of 2007.

“We help take care of everything from G.I. issues to pneumonia—it runs the gamut,” says Keith Poulsen, SVM clinical assistant professor. Poulsen is working at the Expo along with residents Sarah Raabis and Chelsea Holschbach.

 We’ve been able to handle most things here, but we’ve sent about five cows to UW Veterinary Care so far, and they’ve all done very well.”

Keith Poulsen

The team of veterinarians, which sees about 30 to 40 cows per day, has an on-site diagnostic lab and several ultrasound units so they can determine whether a cow needs to be transported to another facility for more extensive care.

“We’ve been able to handle most things here,” says Poulsen. “But we’ve sent about five cows to UW Veterinary Care so far, and they’ve all done very well.”

According to Poulsen, a Brown Swiss from California was sent to the UWVC Large Animal Hospital for supportive care and evaluation with more advanced diagnostics but returned healthy and in time to be properly prepped for showing.

“When he got back to the expo, one of the farm hands said ‘I just got back from the miracle place,’” says Poulsen.

The SVM’s role in the expo goes beyond biosecurity and veterinary medical care. McGuirk also serves on the event’s exhibitor committee and as an assistant superintendent for the Holstein show.

Nik Hawkins


Blood Donor Dog Retires After More than Four Years, Nearly 38 Pints

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Certified veterinary technician] Abby Jones attends to Rueben, an eight-year-old Labrador retriever who has given 37.6 pints of blood during his four and a half years as a donor to the UW Veterinary Care blood bank. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

Certified veterinary technician] Abby Jones attends to Rueben, an eight-year-old Labrador retriever who has given 37.6 pints of blood during his four and a half years as a donor to the UW Veterinary Care blood bank. (Photo: Nik Hawkins)

During emergencies, many animals require blood transfusions to get them through the trauma and help them recover from their injuries. The in-house blood bank at UW Veterinary Care is vital to this life-saving work, but it can only function through the generosity of dogs like Rueben and his owners, Dawn and A.J. Brauner of Portage, Wis.

Since he began donating in January 2011, Rueben, an eight-year-old black Labrador Retriever, has given a total of 37.6 pints of blood.

“When you take his size into account, about half that of your average person, that’s the human equivalent of about nine gallons,” says Julie Walker, clinical assistant professor of critical and emergency care.

Rueben and the Brauners have made the trip to UW Veterinary Care at least 40 times for donations, which also represents a significant contribution of time, given that donor animals need to spend the day at the hospital. However, being a donor also comes with plenty of benefits, including free food, preventative medications, routine vaccines, health examinations, heartworm testing, and dental scaling and polishing.

Now that Rueben is getting older and has donated such a significant amount of blood over the years, veterinarians and technicians decided it was best for his health to retire in July. But the Blood Bank is always looking for new canine and feline volunteers.

Learn how your cat or dog can become a donor.

Nik Hawkins

Donor-Supported Remodeling Project Creates New Waiting and Exam Rooms for Cats, Exotics

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Cat in cat bed

Generous donations funded a remodeling project at the UW Veterinary Care Small Animal Hospital, which included the creation of a small, dedicated waiting room for cats and small exotic pets and two feline-focused exam rooms with special cat beds bolted into the walls at waist level. (Photos: Nik Hawkins)

When dogs gather, they tend to get a little excited, which means a bit of barking and a flurry of tails and tongues. This is to be expected at an animal hospital as busy as UW Veterinary Care (UWVC), but it’s not always an ideal setting for feline and exotic patients. Cats, rodents, birds, and reptiles typically prefer a little more peace and quiet.

Thankfully, now there’s a separate, dedicated space for these animals to help make their visit to UWVC more pleasant. With the help of some generous donors, the hospital has converted two conference rooms into a single suite containing a waiting room specifically for cats and small exotic animals and two exam rooms with cat-friendly features.

“It really helps reduce stress for our patients, and probably our clients, something we’re always happy to do,” says Hospital Director Ruthanne Chun. “It also gives us more space to accommodate our growing caseload.”

Feline waiting areaWhen it was constructed in 1983, the school’s teaching hospital was designed to accommodate between 10,000 and 12,000 patient visits per year. Now, due to ever increasing demand for UWVC’s services and specialists, the hospital accommodates around 24,000 annual visits.

“This is why donors are so vital,” says Chun “They can help us keep serving as many patients as possible and in the best ways possible.”

In the case of this project, UWVC has several donors to thank, including Melita Grunow, who was the lead donor, and Ann and Guy Nakamura, and Paula Varner, who funded the exam rooms. The Nakamuras were inspired to make their donation by the care that their dog, Trouble, received as an oncology patient at UWVC, and Varner made her gift in honor of her husband, Steve, and his love of animals.

The exam rooms themselves feature cat beds, bolted to the walls at waist level, that create safe, comfortable perches where cats can purr and nap to their hearts’ content. These, in addition to new cat perches in the UWVC feline ward, were donated by Audrey Martino in memory of her cat, Chester.

Nik Hawkins

UWVC Selects Vet Tech Award Winners during National Week of Recognition

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Rubi-and-Mandy-web

Each year during National Veterinary Technician Week, certified veterinary technicians at UW Veterinary Care select two of their own to receive awards for their service. This year’s winners are Rubi Hayim and Mandy Henderson. (Photo: Ashley Voss)

October 11 – 17 was National Veterinary Technician Week, a time when the veterinary medical community formally recognizes the vital contributions that technicians make to animal health and welfare. Veterinary medical clinics could not function properly without skilled, compassionate, certified veterinary technicians, and UW Veterinary Care (UWVC) is fortunate to have them in abundance.

Each year at this time, these fantastic technicians select two of their own to be recognized for commitment to the profession and for service to patients, clients, students, and clinicians. Mandy Henderson was selected to receive the “Legends” award, which is given to a technician who has worked at UWVC for five or more years, and the “Early Career” award, given to a technician who has worked at UWVC for less than five years, went to Rubi Hayim.

“Primary Care loves Rubi for all his help on busy days and Mandy for being able to field all of our emergencies when we are swamped,” says Sandi Sawchuk, a clinical instructor at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine and UWVC primary care veterinarian. “These two are always smiling, even under stress.”

Read on to learn more about this year’s winners.

Mandy Henderson

Henderson joined UWVC in 2009, and she works in the Small Animal Hospital’s Emergency and Critical Care Service. For her, a career that involved working with animals was an inevitability.

These two are always smiling, even under stress.”

Sandi Sawchuk

“I’ve always been naturally drawn to animals,” says Henderson. “It’s in my blood, I think.”

She had pocket pets as a child, and the family also owned a horse and surly dog, but she began to gather her own menagerie on the day she moved out. Now she and her family spend much of their time caring for 18 animals—horses, goats, dogs, and cats—on their farm in Albany, Wis.

“It’s a lot of work, but it doesn’t feel like work to me,” says Henderson. “I don’t know what I would do with my time if I weren’t caring for animals.”

Henderson earned her veterinary technician degree at Madison College, and she’s now working toward specialty certification in critical care.

Rubi Hayim

Hayim took a somewhat circuitous path to his current career. In his native Turkey, his father owns a poultry business, so his original plan was to work there after earning his agricultural engineering degree. Instead, he met his wife, a Wisconsinite who was teaching in Turkey as part of her work with a non-profit organization, and they ended up moving to Brooklyn, N.Y.

“When I came to the United States, I knew I wanted to work with small animals rather than large animals, and I wanted the work to be very hands on,” says Hayim. “I thought that becoming a veterinary technician would give me the best chance to do that.”

He decided to pursue his veterinary technician degree at LaGuardia Community College in Queens, N.Y. After graduation, he worked at a nearby clinic for a year, and then he and his wife moved to Wisconsin.

Hayim joined UWVC in April 2013, getting his start with the critical care unit. Now he spends most of his time with the Dermatology Service, but he also works in oncology and primary care. He plans to pursue a specialty certification, possibly in dermatology, in the near future.

Nik Hawkins

Top 10 Signs of Cancer in Dogs

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Pierre, a 12-year-old French Poodle who serves as a therapy dog for passengers at the Dane County Regional Airport, achieved an excellent prognosis after his cancer was detected early during an annual exam and then removed through surgery. (Photo: Ian DeGraff)

A Compassionate Care guest column by Dr. Cecilia Robat, DVM, ACVIM (Oncology), Clinical Instructor of Oncology at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine

Cecilia Robat

Cecilia Robat

November is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, and our oncology team members know all too well that cancer is a major canine health problem, affecting one out of every three dogs. Early detection is critical in fighting this disease. In fact, it was the key factor in achieving a positive outcome for Pierre, a 12-year-old French Poodle who serves as a therapy dog for passengers at the Dane County Regional Airport. We caught his cancer early during an annual exam and removed it through surgery. Now his prognosis is excellent. Look for his story on our website and in the pages of the Winter 2015-16 issue of On Call (you can subscribe online) in the coming weeks.

Given the vital importance of early detection, I have compiled for you a list of the top 10 signs of cancer in dogs. Should you notice any of these signs, don’t panic—they don’t necessarily mean your pet has cancer. But please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian so you can be sure. You can also make an appointment with the board-certified specialists of our Oncology Service by calling (800) 386-8684.

A Lump or Bump

All lumps or bumps should be examined by a veterinarian and measured and sampled to make sure they are not of concern. Their size should be monitored over time. A mass can feel benign but actually be cancer.

Changes in Urination

Increase in urination, called polyuria (PU), and abnormal thirst, called polydipsia (PD), can be signs of high calcium, which is associated with several common cancers such as lymphoma, and anal sac tumors.

Decreased urination, small/frequent urination, and straining to urinate (possibly with blood) could be signs of a bladder or prostate tumor. Recurrent urinary tract infections, especially in older dogs, should raise concerns as well.

Changes in Defecation

Straining to defecate, blood in the stool, or long-lasting diarrhea could be signs of intestinal, prostate, or anal sac cancer.

Bad Smell

Support-Animal-Cancer-ResearchThis can come from anywhere, but in particular, if the mouth is the source, it should prompt a consultation with a veterinarian. A mass in the mouth, bad breath, and loose teeth are common signs of oral cancer.

Weight Loss

It is important to monitor your dog’s weight. If pets lose weight unintentionally, this could be one of the first signs of cancer. Also keep an eye out for muscle wasting, especially in one area of the body (i.e., one leg or one side of the body).

Lethargy

If your dog seems drowsy, listless, or unenergetic, especially if it’s sudden or lasting more than a couple of days, you should consult a veterinarian. Also, look at the color of your dog’s gums: if they are pale, this could be a sign of bleeding, and your dog should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers commonly develop tumors of the spleen that can rupture and cause sudden lethargy.

Decreased Appetite

If your dog does not want to eat or can’t eat, it’s time to see a veterinarian. If your dog only wants people food or treats instead of his normal dog food it could be a warning sign as well. Cancer can make dogs feel unwell, and sometimes nauseated, or can cause pain, all of which will decrease their desire to eat.

Breathing Problems

Decreased energy for walks or normal games, panting excessively, raspy breathing, coughing, or a facial deformity should raise concern.

Discharge from Anywhere

Nasal discharge, especially if it comes from one side, is bloody, or returns after antibiotic therapy, should prompt a visit to the veterinarian for advanced diagnostics. These could be signs of a nasal tumor.

Discharge from the mouth, eyes, vulva, ears, especially if they are smelly, recur after treatment, or do not respond to treatment, should raise concern.

Pain

If pain lasts more than a few days or does not respond to pain medications, it could be due to cancer.

Dentistry and Oral Surgery Team Earns Honors at Veterinary Dental Forum

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Faculty and staff from UW Veterinary Care’s Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service received multiple awards and honors at this year’s Veterinary Dental Forum, held on Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, 2015, in Monterey, Calif.

Jason Soukup, clinical associate professor of surgical sciences, won the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS)/Hill’s Excellence in Research and Education Award, which is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to veterinary dentistry.

According to Kris Bannon, past president of the AVDS, recipients are also recognized for their role in helping the organization achieve its mission of creating a global society for the advancement of veterinary dental knowledge. Bannon cites Soukup’s excellence in training the next generation of veterinarians at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, his myriad publications, and his dedication to research and the advancement of knowledge through the Center for Comparative Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.

soukup-jason-for-web

Soukup

Stephanie Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt

snyder-web

Snyder

Soukup was also awarded a $7,500 research grant from the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry for his proposal, entitled “Quantification of the Influence of Distal Abrasion on the Fracture Resistance and Fracture Pattern of Canine Teeth in Dogs.”

Stephanie Goldschmidt, a second-year resident with the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service, also came away from the meeting with an award, earning second place in the research poster competition for her display, “The Influence of Force Direction on the Fracture Resistance and Fracture Pattern in Dog Canine Teeth.”

In addition, Christopher Snyder, clinical associate professor of surgical sciences, was elected to the American Veterinary Dental College Board of Directors.

Nik Hawkins

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