Pfizer Animal Health Acquires SynbioticsJanuary 4, 2011 Pfizer Animal Health of New York has acquired Synbiotics Corp., a Kansas City, Mo.-based developer and manufacturer of immunodiagnostic tests for companion and food production animals. The acquisition marks Pfizer Animal Health’s entry into the veterinary diagnostics sector. “By integrating animal health diagnostics with our innovative portfolio of vaccines and medicines, we can do more to help veterinarians deliver optimal care for livestock and companion animals and provide the right medicine to the right animal at the right time,” said Juan Ramon Alaix, president of Pfizer Animal Health. The move will also allow the company to expand into products for diagnostic reference laboratories and reproductive services for canine breeders, Alaix added. Synbiotics estimates that its common shareholders will be entitled to receive up to about $0.306 per share in cash in connection with acquisition, of which about $0.019 per share will be held in escrow as a fund against which Pfizer may make claims for losses arising from any breaches of Synbiotics’ representations, warranties, covenants and agreements and similar customary matters, according to Paul Hays, CEO of Synbiotics. Veterinary immunodiagnostics, a methodology using antigen-antibody reaction to detect viruses or bacteria in animals, is a …
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IVet Adds Specific Brand To Its Product OfferingsJanuary 4, 2011 iVet LLC of Kansas City, Mo., has agreed to manufacture and distribute Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC’s Specific brand therapeutic diets for dogs and cats in North America. The brand has been distributed throughout Europe exclusively to veterinarians for more than 30 years where it has done very well, according to iVet Marketing Manager Dave Geier, adding that iVet has the experience and sales force to help the brand do well in North America. “We also do our own manufacturing,” Geier said. “We can make any food with any formula.” iVet also manufacturers a line of veterinary exclusive dog and cat foods for health maintenance under the iVet Professional Formulas Healthy Gourmet brand and Healthy Rewards. “We are extremely pleased with this partnership with Dechra and the addition of proven therapeutic products to our line of Health Maintenance foods,” said Eric Matson, iVet business manager. “As with our current line, we can now become an even more valuable resource for veterinarians with a cost effective solution to help manage a variety of medical conditions.” The Specific brand of therapeutic diets will be available to veterinarians in early March. <Home>
Elanco Launches Flea Control Product Just For CatsJanuary 4, 2011 Elanco Companion Animal Health has launched Assurity, a topical flea treatment developed specifically for cats. Most other feline flea treatments share canine formulations, according to the Indianapolis-based company. The active ingredient is spinetoram, registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2007 for use on a variety of fruits and tree nuts. In regards to agricultural use, spinetoram has a lower environmental impact than many current insecticides because both its use rate and toxicity to non-target species are low, according to Elanco. Assurity is said to be the first flea control product using this active ingredient. Elanco reported that Assurity kills 98 percent to 100 percent of fleas within 12 hours, killing fleas before they can lay eggs. It is 100 percent effective for a full month, according to the company. The product, only available through licensed veterinarians, comes in a six-dose package and a single-dose package. One dose treats all sizes of cats and kittens, eight weeks of age and older, according to Elanco. “To reinforce dispensing within the context of a valid veterinarian/client/patient relationship, all boxes and cartons of Assurity contain a unique product tracking code,” said Steve Connell, DVM, director of …
AnimalNetwork's Top 10 Must-Read Stories For 2010January 3, 2011Dog Breeds That Don't Shed Consider dog breeds that shed less and avoid hair-covered furniture. Build An Outdoor Aviary Build a beautiful outdoor bird aviary for your pet birds, finches or canaries. Raw Food Diet for Dogs The benefits and drawbacks of feeding your dog a raw diet. 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Check here for the latest news as we count down to opening day. American Dressage Star Courtney King-Dye Injured in Riding Accident The 2008 Olympic rider is in the hospital after suffering serious head trauma. Why does my cat throw up after eating? CatChannel veterinary expert, Arnold Plotnick, DVM, explains the possible causes for frequent vomiting in cats. Are all orange tabby cats male and are all calico cats female? CatChannel veterinary expert, Arnold Plotnick, DVM, explains how cats get their gender and colors. Bearded Dragon Basking Open Mouth Why do bearded dragons bask with their mouth open? Common Problems in Goldfish Questions regarding common problems in goldfish.
VeterinaryPracticeNews.com's Top 10 Must-Read Stories For 2010January 3, 2011 VeterinaryPracticeNews.com's Top 10 Must-Read Stories for 2010VeterinaryPracticeNews.com's Top 10 Must-Read Stories for 2010VeterinaryPracticeNews.com's Top 10 Must-Read Stories for 2010VeterinaryPracticeNews.com's Top 10 Must-Read Stories for 2010VeterinaryPracticeNews.com's Top 10 Must-Read Stories for 2010 newsline. Quality of Life Scale Nasal Cancers Rare but Deadly Nasal passage cancer generally develops very insidiously in older pets. It is rare in cats and not common in dogs. It composes about 1 percent of feline tumors and up to 2.5 percent of canine tumors. Long-nosed breeds (dolichocephalic) and senior dogs are at higher risk. ACTH Stimulation Testing: A Low-Dose Protocol ACTH stimulation testing is a common procedure in small-animal practice used for diagnosing both hypoadrenocorticism and hyperadrenocorticism. One Clinician’s Experience With a New Treatment For Feline Stomatitis Feline stomatitis, the most painful oral disease in the feline, has many faces and names. Find out about AnimalNetwork's Top 10 Must-Read Stories for 2010. Canine Melanoma Vaccine Gets Conditional OK The U.S. Department of Agriculture has conditionally licensed a vaccine to treat canine oral melanoma—the first approved therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of cancer in …
Henry Schein Enters Australasia Vet MarketJanuary 3, 2011 Henry Schein of Melville, N.Y., has completed the acquisition of Provet Holdings Ltd., a full-service veterinary distributor and service provider. The acquisition marks Henry Schein’s entry into the Australasia veterinary market. The Brisbane, Queensland-based company, which reported revenue of about $278 million for fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, operates four core businesses: veterinary product wholesaling; sales, support and development of practice management software; consulting, education and training services; and online business activities. Provet Holdings owns and operates 10 warehouses across Australia and three in New Zealand. About 1,900 independent veterinary practices in Australasia are served by the company. “Henry Schein’s global veterinary business now has annual revenue of nearly $2 billion and we serve approximately 47,000 veterinary practices worldwide,” said Stanley Bergman, chairman and CEO of Henry Schein, who first announced the acquisition agreement in mid October. “The rapid growth of Henry Schein’s worldwide animal health presence reflects our long-term commitment to our veterinary customers and our firm belief in the significant potential of the global health market.” Bergman also welcomed Provet CEO Dr. Nigel Nichols and his colleagues to Henry Schein. <HOME>
AVMA Begins Accepting Input On Model Veterinary Practice Act In JanuaryDecember 30, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Association will begin accepting comments on the Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA) on its website in January. The 30-day public comment period will be open to veterinarians, veterinary team members, pet owners, farmers and anyone else who has an interest in animals and veterinary medicine. The AVMA first made the announcement in early November to give interested parties time to review the current model, which can be found here. The MVPA, which was last reviewed in 2003, is used by state legislatures and state veterinary licensing and exam boards to help shape the rules and laws that govern the course of veterinary medicine, according to John Scamahorn, DVM, chair of the AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act Task Force. Related story: AVMA Seeks Comments on Model Veterinary Practice Act <Home>
Small-Animal Practices Not Immune To Antimicrobial ConcernDecember 29, 2010 Though study results vary, researchers looking into methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in human and animal medicine say the incidence of colonization is high. Veterinary researchers postulate that animals can be carriers of the bacteria and transfer it to humans, but it is much more likely for the animal to become colonized by a human carrier than the latter. Scientists report that every bacterium has resistance capabilities and that determining which animal a resistant strain will show up in is impossible. Statistics are lacking, and there’s not a specific region, breed or healthy person known to be more affected than another. This lack of information calls for vigilance from the veterinary industry, as it has become a target when looking to pin blame on why antibiotic resistance is occurring. “The American Veterinary Medical Association created the judicious use guidelines, in part to ensure current and future availability of veterinary antimicrobials,” says Christine Hoang, DVM, MPH, assistant director in the Scientific Activities Division of the AVMA. “We are bringing veterinary expertise to the table in the antimicrobial discussion for the benefit of people and animals.” Veterinarians in small-animal practices should keep up with federal discussions regarding the therapeutic …
Boost Profit Now To Maximize Practice ValueDecember 29, 2010 Practice values have been trending down for the past decade because of the economy and management mistakes, according to consultants. But, they say, an owner can maximize practice value by increasing net profit. Those steps aren’t new or mysterious but take work and a willingness to change. Seasoned owners are shocked when the appraised value of their practice is less than anticipated, so they may postpone retirement in hope of recouping some value. “Veterinarians frequently rely on the sale of their practice for retirement funds,” says Paul Camilo, CVPM, of Veterinary Consulting Services. “This is a bad idea. If the practice doesn’t sell at the rate necessary for a comfortable retirement, there’s no Plan B and veterinarians end up holding onto the practice, working past their planned retirement date.” A better idea is to make the practice as profitable as possible during the practicing years and save money during that time, says Jessica Lee, CVPM, of Pinnacle Integrated Veterinary Solutions. “Building practice value can be simple,” Lee says. “Having good customer service, making your practice stand apart from others and adding new services can bring in new clients and retain existing ones. Having a good …
Rush To Stem Cells Carries Some RiskDecember 28, 2010 Regenerative medicine, the buzzword for stem-cell therapy and the like, has given birth to the possibility of a pain-free life for orthopedic patients. Thousands of veterinarians in North America are learning to treat degenerative joint conditions using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).1 The implied translational benefits for humans are compelling. According to one account, nearly 2,000 dogs suffering from osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal ailments have received intra-articular injections of autologous, pre-processed stem cells.2 A majority responded favorably and about one-third no longer needed anti-inflammatory medication.3 Media hype suggests that a veritable fountain of youth giving old dogs new joints may have been unearthed.4-5-6-7 While hope for an arthritis cure springs eternal, if stem cells do, a problem blossoms, and that is neoplasia. This has happened and is raising questions about the safety of stem-cell therapy. The authors of a paper released in October 2010 wrote, “Understanding the conditions in which MSCs enhance tumor growth and metastasis is crucial, both to safely develop MSCs as a therapeutic tool and to advance our understanding of the role of tumor stroma in carcinogenesis.” 8In 2009, a teenager developed a brain tumor from …
