Anthrax Surfaces In Colorado After 31-Year HiatusAugust 10, 2012 Nearly 60 cattle are dead in Colorado after an outbreak of anthrax, but officials are confident the disease has been contained. The outbreak occurred at a ranch in Logan County and marked the first confirmed incidence of the disease in Colorado in 31 years. Anthrax outbreaks are not uncommon in the Western states and the risk of infection is minimal outside the affected ranch, said Colorado state veterinarian Keith Roehr, DVM. Scientists from the Colorado State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Fort Collins confirmed the disease in the carcass of one of the deceased animals. Officials said they are certain “beyond a reasonable doubt,” based on the clinical signs, that the other cattle died from anthrax as well. Officials quarantined the ranch, and cattle at nearby ranches are scheduled for vaccinations, and some may take prophylactic antibiotics as a precaution. Because no cattle left the Logan County ranch in the months before detection of the clinical signs of anthrax, infected cattle likely did not enter the food chain, according to the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Drought conditions may have created a favorable environment for bacterial growth, …
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Global Pet Food Sales To Approach $75 Billion By 2017August 10, 2012 The global market for pet food will grow by 4.2 percent annually over the next six years, increasing from $58.6 billion in 2011 to $74.8 billion by 2017, according to a report published by Transparency Market Research of Albany, N.Y. The report projects the U.S. market for pet food sales to increase by 3.2 percent this year and at an annual rate of 3.5 percent over the next six years, from $21.7 billion in 2011 to $26.6 billion in 2017. While the United States represents the largest market, the Asia Pacific market will grow at the fastest pace over the next six years, according to the report. The European market is the second largest for pet food and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.4 percent from 2011 to 2017. Factors driving the global market include higher disposable incomes, changing lifestyles, and a trend of more nuclear families and other people having pets in their homes, according to the report. Dry food accounts for the largest type of pet food consumed globally, followed by snacks and treats, and then wet and canned food, the report noted.
FDA Approves Trio Of New Canine DrugsAugust 8, 2012 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved three new animal drugs for dogs, including a formulation of Novartis Animal Health’s Interceptor heartworm preventive, a transdermal fentanyl solution for control of postoperative pain and an antibiotic for treatment of secondary superficial bacterial pyoderma, the agency reported today. Novartis received FDA approval for Interceptor Spectrum Chewable Tablets, which adds praziquantel to the milbemycin oxime found in original Interceptor Flavor Tabs. Praziquantel is an anthelmintic and is found in Virbac Animal Health’s Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets. Both Interceptor and Interceptor Spectrum are indicated for prevention of heartworm disease, but while original Interceptor is indicated for control of adult Ancylostoma caninum (hookworm) and removal and control of Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonine (roundworms) and Trichuris vulpis (whipworm) infections, Interceptor Spectrum is indicated for treatment and control of adult A. caninum, T. canis, T. leonine, T. vuplpis, and Taenia pisiformis, Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus (tapeworm). Also, while original Interceptor is indicated for dogs and puppies at least 4 weeks old and 2 pounds, Interceptor Spectrum is indicated for dogs and puppies at least 6 weeks old and 2 pounds. The FDA also approved Nexcyon Pharmaceuticals …
Raw Food Frowned Upon, Vet Spending UpAugust 7, 2012Raw Food Frowned Upon, Vet Spending UpRaw Food Frowned Upon, Vet Spending UpPosted: Aug. 7, 2012, 5:30 p.m. EDTvet, veterinarian, vet news, veterinarians, raw food, pet, pets, pet food, raw pet food, vet spendingThe American Veterinary Medical Association issued a policy regarding raw diets for pets, revealed the results of its pet owner demographic survey, elected new leadership and unveiled the 2012 class of future leaders.The House of Delegates approved a policy through which the association discourages feeding raw or undercooked animal-source protein to cats or dogs unless the feed has been subjected to a process that eliminates pathogens. Jason Johnson, left, and Blair Hollowell, second from left, members of the incoming class of AVMA Future Leaders, accept a plaque bearing the names of the inaugural group. Presenting the plaque were initial members Libby Todd, right, and Shannon Mesenhowski, second from right. The American Veterinary Medical Association hosted its annual convention in San Diego over the weekend and kept the 8,675 registered attendees busy as the organization issued a policy regarding raw diets for pets, revealed the results of its pet owner demographic survey, elected new leadership and unveiled the 2012 class of future …
Lasers Offer A Therapeutic Plan For PainAugust 6, 2012 Anecdotal evidence citing successful outcomes with therapeutic lasers are becoming more frequent and have spurred research at the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine. While only a handful of studies have been conducted exploring the use of laser therapy for veterinary medicine, the Tennessee veterinary college, pending grant approval, will investigate the penetration depth of class IV lasers in living animal tissue, according to Darryl Millis, DVM, associate professor of orthopedic surgery and directory of surgical services. “We will be exploring three approaches to treating canine arthritis,” Dr. Millis says. “Low level laser treatment, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and acupuncture will be investigated. Veterinarians need objective data.” Some veterinarians cite the lack of scientific evidence supporting therapeutic laser efficacy as a deterrent in integrating the therapy into their practices, while those who have used the equipment report great success. “I was skeptical when I first started using the class IV laser, because it’s difficult to realize the benefit of light,” says Tim Montague, DVM, of Eads Animal Hospital in Eads, Tenn. “Now, I’ve been using the laser for two years and I continue to be amazed in ways the laser helps to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, improve …
Reality Check: Cheating On Veterinary License Test Should Not Be ToleratedAugust 3, 2012 No one wants to go on record. That’s how shameful this practice is. It happens when recent grads apply for new licensure in a state and, before taking the examination that grants them entry to apply for a position or accept one, they’re offered the questions not only at the time of the test but in advance, too. As you’ll doubtless recognize, this is what we call cheating. At least, that’s what we called it in vet school. When I first came in contact with this uncouth reality I was a two-years-out-of-Penn practitioner with an MBA and two years of ER work under my belt. I’d recently moved to Miami from Philadelphia and was required to take the pesky examination that Florida requires for licensure. Though variably onerous depending on the state, a state licensure examination is a standard requirement for any modern veterinary graduate who has cleared the national board hurdle. (I offer this explanation in case your memory is not so fresh on the subject.) An Arcane Matter In Florida’s case, the state license examination is an obnoxiously ineffective barrier by any measure. Not only is its gist relegated to …
Wisconsin Stays In-House For Vet School DeanAugust 2, 2012 Dr. Markel currently chairs the school’s department of medical sciences and is the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor and dean for advancement. He succeeds Daryl Buss, DVM, Ph.D., who stepped down in June. Markel will be just the third dean in the school’s 29-year history when he assumes the new role Sept. 1, 2012. "I'm both humbled and thrilled to be asked to lead one of North America's pre-eminent schools of veterinary medicine," Markel said. "My objective will be to build on the foundation both (Dr. Buss) and our founding dean (Bernard Easterday) created here at the school." Markel was chosen over three other finalists, including Ina Dobrinski, Dr.Med.Vet., M.V.Sc., Ph.D., Dipl. ACT, head of the department of comparative biology and experimental medicine in the faculty of veterinary medicine at the University of Calgary; Christopher Olsen, DVM, Ph.D., professor of public health in Wisonsin’s School of Veterinary Medicine; and Robert Washabau, WMD, Ph.D., professor of medicine in the department of veterinary clinical sciences at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Markel joined Wisconsin in 1990 as an assistant professor of large animal surgery. In addition to his faculty …
‘Speaking For Spot,’ Dr. Nancy Kay And Dr. Leo BustadAugust 1, 2012 Since 1999, the human-animal bond sessions at the American Veterinary Medical Association convention open with the the Bustad Memorial Lecture. What a wonderful legacy! Nancy Kay, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, is the 2011 Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian winner. She was invited to present the Bustad Memorial lecture but informed the Board of the American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians (AAH-ABV) that she had a schedule conflict. I offered to present for Dr. Kay. We were faculty for the VSIPP conference at Del Coronado last year where I attended her excellent keynote lecture. Since I had read her book and was also the 1999 Bustad recipient, Dr. Kay and Dr. Robin Downing, president of the AAH-ABV, took me up on the offer. It’s truly an honor and requires double duty because I want to highlight Dr. Bustad’s brilliant life and feature Dr. Nancy Kay’s bestselling book, “Speaking for Spot.” Leo K. Bustad, DVM, Ph.D., 1920-1999 Leo Bustad started veterinary school after serving in the infantry and being a prisoner of war during WWII. He was a newlywed and a new WSU graduate at boot camp. On the ship to Africa, Leo was swept overboard during …
Rhode Island To Tax Pet Care ServicesAugust 1, 2012Rhode Island to Tax Pet Care Services Rhode Island sales tax, pet care taxes Rhode Island, pet grooming Rhode Island, pet training Rhode IslandStarting Oct. 1, 2012, Rhode Island's pet care services, such as boarding, grooming, sitting and training, will be subject to the state's 7 percent sales tax.Starting Oct. 1, 2012, Rhode Island's pet care services, such as boarding, grooming, sitting and training, will be subject to the state's 7 percent sales tax. Veterinary and laboratory services will be exempt.newslineRhode Island to Tax Pet Care Services By Clay JacksonDeputy News EditorPosted: Aug. 1, 2012, 7:45 p.m. EDT Starting Oct. 1, 2012, Rhode Island's pet care services, such as boarding, grooming, sitting and training, will be subject to the state's 7 percent sales tax. Veterinary and laboratory services will be exempt. Businesses like Camelot Pet Resort in Ashaway, R.I., which boards, grooms and trains dogs and cats, are among those hit by the expansion of the sales tax. Camelot's pet training packages would be the service most adversely affected, owner Susan Thomas said. Pet grooming and other services in Rhode Island will be subject to sales tax this fall. "It will hurt my business and …
Animal Shelters Vie For $500,000 In Adoption ContestAugust 1, 2012Fifty animal shelters across the United States are competing for more than $500,000 in grants through the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ 2012 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. The shelters will attempt to adopt out at least 300 more cats and dogs during August, September and October 2012 than they did during the same period in 2011. The shelter that increases its year-over-year adoptions by the greatest number over the three months will win the $100,000 grand prize. Starting today and continuing into the weekend, the contestants will hold kickoff events featuring promotions and discounts on adoption fees. “We’ve been watching as the contestants gear up for events and get the most wonderful animals ready for adoption,” said Bert Troughton, vice president of community outreach for the ASPCA. “In this competition, everybody wins–especially the animals!” The contestants and their supporters are promoting the competition through Facebook and the Twitter hashtag #100KChallenge. In addition to the grand prize, the ASPCA will award $25,000 to the second-place finisher and $25,000 to the contestant that does the best at engaging its community members, the ASPCA reported. Organizations that perform the best in each division will be eligible for prizes …
