Diagnosis of respiratory diseases among growing and finishing swine has become a challenge for food animal practitioners. The incidence and severity of respiratory disease has increased with confinement raising of hogs. Pseudorabies (Aujeszky's Disease. mad itch) caused by Herpesvirus suis. can affect pigs. dogs. cats, cattle, sheep, and goats. There have been no confirmed cases of pseudorabies in horses. Although invariably fatal in other species, pseudorabies virus infection in swine can cause a variety of clinical syndromes characterized by respiratory signs, central nervous system (CNS) symptoms, and reproductive failure. These syndromes vary according to route of infection, viral strain, immune status of the animal and most importantly, age of the pig at the time of infection.

Dr. Susan Ziegler Barrows. a 1984 graduate of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. assumed a joint half-time position in the Small Animal Clinic and Laboratory Animal Resources in July 1986. She now serves as an adjunct instructor in laboratory animal science and takes charge of the wildlife cases in the Clinic.

Human-animal bonds are forged through years of companionship and unconditional love offered in the midst of a hectic world where human relationships are often unstable. Pets offer not only companionship, but something to care for, something to touch and fondle, something to keep one busy, a focus of attention, a source of exercise, and safety. As social animals, people need a source of attachment, such as that provided by family or companion animals. For children, companion pets function as sibling substitutes. For childless adults, companion pets can be child substitutes. And for the introverted or lonely, companion pets may be considered by owners to be the only, or at least the best, confidants available. Therefore, when a pet dies, the degree of emotion experienced by these highly attached owners may equal the loss of a dose relative. The response to loss is grief; that state of mental and physical pain which is experienced when the loss of a significant object, person, or part of the self is realized.

Hypodermic needles are common tools of our livestock farm. Cellophane-wrapped packages of shiny new needles are stored in the basement pantry. Freshly washed and disinfected needles lay beside the kitchen sink. Ditty, broken, discarded needles litter the pickup dash. Despite early and constant exposure to needles, I always approach them with caution. They are a little bit like bull snakes. I'm not terrified of them, but I respect them. My life is scarred with a sticky experience my father and I endured when I was a child. Ever since then, I've been wary of needles.

Indices of volume 48 of the Iowa State University Veterinarian, arranged by authors and subjects.