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ACVIM Specialists Make A Difference
Since 1973, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) has been advancing the practice of veterinary medicine through the pioneering work of its Diplomates. Below is a showcase of their contributions to animal health through the five specialties of the ACVIM: Cardiology, Large Animal Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, and Small Animal Internal Medicine. You can support their work by donating to the ACVIM Foundation today!
Cardiology
In the early years of veterinary cardiology, the only tools available for examining dogs and cats were a veterinarian's hands, a stethoscope, and an x-ray machine. With the rise of veterinary cardiology as an ACVIM specialty and the extraordinary research advances of the past 30 years, our understanding of the complexities of the canine and feline hearts has improved vastly. Dogs and cats share many cardiovascular conditions with humans - from arrhythmias and chronic valvular disease to cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and stroke. Today, with support from organizations such as the ACVIM Foundation, dogs and cats with failing hearts are living longer, healthier lives.
Veterinary cardiologists have transformed what were once viewed as miracles into the routine - from implanting pacemakers into dogs, cats, and even horses to using balloon catheters to correct valve obstructions. Adapting some of the newest thinking in human medicine to benefit cardiac care for dogs and cats has resulted in state-of-the-art diagnostics and procedures. A gigantic leap forward: introducing echocardiography, a noninvasive technique, to view the heart and determine its structure and function. Today's veterinary cardiologists are also using precision diagnostic tools such as CT and MRI evaluations. A number of conditions can be improved or even cured with interventional procedures: Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Congenital valvular stenosis, and radiofrequency ablation of arrhythmias among others.
Today, we understand that certain dog breeds are more prone to specific conditions - such as the equivalent of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in German Shepherd puppies, arrhythmic cardiomyopathy in Boxers, dilated cardiomyopathy in Dobermans, and chronic valvular disease in King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, to name just a few.
We know more than ever about the unique cardiac diseases of cats. The discovery of the cause of feline dilated cardiomyopathy - a deficiency of the amino acid taurine in commercial cat foods - has saved cats lives by almost abolishing this terrible disease, and inspired other veterinary researchers to search for nutritional causes of cardiomyopathy in other species. We now know that feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - the most common heart disease in cats - is inherited. While there is still no cure, proven drug protocols are helping patients lead more comfortable and longer lives.
The first 30 years of veterinary cardiology have been incredibly productive and innovative. But there are still frontiers to explore: gene therapy, drug protocols, nutritional management, and the development of minimally invasive procedures among others. A donation to the ACVIM Foundation helps a pet's heart beat stronger and longer.
Meet Dr. Paul Pion and read about his breakthrough for cats
Large Animal Internal Medicine
Large animal internal medicine became a distinct ACVIM specialty in 2002, although large animal internists have been central to the ACVIM's growth and progress from the start. Today, approximately 350 ACVIM large animal internists are working to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of numerous diseases in horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Over the years, funding from organizations such as the ACVIM Foundation has helped to set the standards in large animal health care.
Large animal internists have pioneered breakthroughs by identifying new naturally-occurring diseases and applying novel diagnostic methods and treatments to existing and emerging diseases. For the one of every 10 foals born prematurely, neonatal intensive care experts can now successfully treat pneumonia, intestinal problems, neonatal maladjustment syndrome, weakness from inadequate milk consumption, ruptured bladders, infections, and more. Without such intervention, many or these foals would die or require euthanasia.
In other landmark work, ACVIM Board-Certified Specialists have revolutionized our approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of equine muscle disorders - and transformed the clinical picture of an entire body system. Other pioneering work advanced the treatment and diagnosis of Rhodococcus equi, a devastating respiratory disease, and Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), a debilitating neurologic disease that has emerged as one of the worst threats to horse health and performance.
Genetic breakthroughs include the first DNA test for hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), a hereditary disease affecting horses - research that will lead the way to identifying other inheritable conditions in various bloodlines. The development of a modified live genetically altered - and much more effective - Salmonella vaccine for dairy calves has led to healthier herds and safer milk and beef products for the public.
When the next milestone in large animal internal medicine happens, ACVIM diplomates will most likely be leading the way. Contributions to the ACVIM Foundation ensure that large animal internal medicine will continue to advance well into the future.
Neurology
Twenty-five years ago, we knew and understood little about animals afflicted by seizures, brain tumors, paralysis, and a range of other nerve and muscle disorders. Since then, with the advent of neurology as an ACVIM specialty and the remarkable contributions of researchers, veterinary neurology and neurosurgery have been advancing in leaps and bounds. Today, thanks to support from organizations such as the ACVIM Foundation, ACVIM Board Certified Specialists are unraveling the mysteries of neurological disorders in companion animals.
Veterinary neurology influences and improves the world in a number of ways - from spinal fusions to brain surgery to defining nerve and muscle disorders of companion animals, from research on bovine spongiform encephalopathy to that of feline immunodeficiency virus (the best model for HIV research). Research support has made it possible to treat cervical instabilities with implants instead of euthanasia. It has led to the development of novel therapies such as immunotherapy and gene therapy for treating brain tumors.
We are looking for answers to a multitude of degenerative disorders noted in both animals and humans - and we are making great strides forward in the treatment of disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Batten's disease, Parkinson's disease, and many more. From genetic mapping to new therapeutic drugs, dogs and cats affected with seizures have a longer life expectancy with a better quality of care.
Innovative research and strong research support, have made this progress possible. In turn, such research impacts veterinary medicine and also benefits the evolution of human medicine. Your contribution to the ACVIM Foundation helps veterinary neurology and neurosurgery move forward.
Oncology
Thanks to the efforts and vision of veterinary oncologists, a diagnosis of cancer can offer hope even in the face of staggering statistics: The number one natural cause of death in geriatric cats and dogs, cancer accounts for nearly 50 percent of pet deaths each year. Still it's one of our most treatable diseases. In the quest to find a cure for cancer among pets - and provide meaningful models for human cancer treatment and care - ACVIM Board Certified Oncologists are moving knowledge forward.
Over the years, generous research support from organizations such as the ACVIM Foundation has led to the creation of some of the first cancer vaccines.
On a broader scale, newer treatment regimens are helping animals diagnosed with cancer to live longer lives with fewer side effects. Many of these discoveries are now routinely used for pet cancer care worldwide. Radiation therapy, a standard cancer treatment for decades, is now being delivered more safely and effectively.
An entire line of inquiry focuses on redirecting the immune system to fight off cancer: for example, by developing immunotherapy programs to successfully treat cancers such as osteosarcoma, melanoma, and hemangiosarcoma. Other work on cancer genetics seeks to understand how cancer cells survive and spread to different parts of the body. Reducing and preventing chemotherapy-induced toxicity - notably through pioneering the use of liposomes to deliver cancer-fighting drugs - is another important agenda.
Because there is still much more to know - and do - on the frontiers of veterinary oncology, the ACVIM's and the Foundation's work is more important than ever.
Small Animal Internal Medicine
To understand how far small animal internal medicine has advanced since the ACVIM began in 1973, consider your own health and the health of those you know and love. People and animals share about 50 of the same diseases - everything from allergies, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and kidney disease to high blood pressure, Lyme disease, urinary tract disorders, thyroid diseases, and ulcers. As in human medicine, animals in the greatest need often benefit from the insights and experience of a specialist. The ACVIM, through the work of its Board-Certified Internists, have helped millions of animals live longer, healthier lives. The ACVIM Foundation's mission is to support these experts as they work to save millions more.
Small animal internists discover, diagnose, treat, and prevent some of the most common (and not so common) diseases in dogs and cats. For example, the discovery of feline hyperthyroidism - the single most common endocrine disorder of cats - has been followed by a wealth of work on diagnosing and treating this disease. On another front, research support has improved our understanding of the intricacies of liver disease and led to striking changes in the way these diseases are treated - notably bile acid testing to assess liver function and the introduction of such drugs as Ursodial and SAM-e.
We are continually looking for answers to diseases included among the leading causes of illness and death in dogs and cats - from chronic renal disease and hypertension to tick-borne diseases and chronic bronchitis. We are seeking solutions in more precise diagnostic tools such as ultrasound, CAT Scan, and MRI evaluations of Cushing's and liver disease patients. From nutritional management that improves the prognosis for diseases like diabetes, kidney disorders, and chronic diarrhea to largely eliminating rabies, feline leukemia, heartworm, and canine parvovirus, ACVIM Board-Certified Specialists are making veterinary history every day.
More to the point, ACVIM specialists represent a major force in the future of veterinary medicine. Because humans and animals share so many health conditions - and a remarkable bond with one another - a contribution to the ACVIM Foundation benefits men, women, children, and some of their best friends.
