What’s So ‘Outrageous’ About Web Vets?November 22, 2010 It’s almost a tradition. Every couple of years an enterprising group of veterinarians will set up a website geared toward offering the burgeoning population of animal-inquiring minds the one-on-one answers they’re after. Problem is, most veterinarians aren’t on the side of the Web Vets. Instead, they’re lambasting them for offering substandard solutions to irresponsible pet owners who are unwilling to undertake the obvious: Take their pets to the vet. Now, mostly, I’d tend to agree. But only because, historically, the vast majority of veterinarians offering advice on the Internet have been low-ish sorts we’d never recommend to our worst clients. What special credentials do they have to offer? And why would a worthy veterinarian willingly turn to a life of Internet commerce when real, tangible pets are so plentiful? Yet the Internet being as broad and roomy a place as it is, is there no corner from which the high-quality provider might eke out a respectable living? Should we paint everyone with the same brush, site unseen? Unfortunately, that’s not what most of us would have pet owners believe. We’re dead-set against any Internet provider of veterinary information, regardless of origin. It’s a matter of …
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Food Animal Vets Not Short On IdeasNovember 22, 2010 I had all sorts of ideas planned for this column, but dinner somehow intervened. Plans changed because of the slew of e-mails I received after my column on future food animal veterinarians. Then there was the clincher: A personal foray into backyard animal agriculture and how one slaughtered “pet” rooster blew up my blog, not to mention my family life. A young Elvio and Dr. Patty Khuly. So you know, 11-year-olds don’t take well to the intentional killing of their pets no matter how much adolescent gallinaceous aggression they have to endure to enjoy them. And readers of pet-health blogs (who prefer happy, educational success stories sourced from my daily life at work) are similarly sensitive to the concept of “unnecessary” animal death. No surprise on either front. Though both camps would have impressed me more with their anti-slaughter arguments had they claimed a vegan lifestyle. One of the last photos of Elvio. But first to your mail, which included an eye-opening plethora of interest in my approach to our profession’s food animal practitioner shortage. This support was tempered impressively by some expressions of near-violent disagreement; I’m glad I …
Horse SenseNovember 22, 2010 After graduating with a biology degree from Mount Holyoke College in 1975, Ann E. Dwyer went to work in a lab, doing immunology research. She soon discovered two problems: The work wasn’t her calling, and she wasn’t very good at it. It was really for the best, she recalls, when her boss gently let her go after a year. So Dwyer, who’d been a horse-crazy kid, went to work at a racetrack while she figured out what to do next. She stayed three years, discovering what she should have been doing all along. “It was the classic story that there’s always opportunity in failure,” Dwyer says now, cheerfully. Inspired by what she was learning by working with horses all day, every day, Dwyer decided to pursue veterinary medicine, and graduated from Cornell University’s veterinary school in 1983. Since then, she has practiced at Genesee Valley Equine Clinic in Scottsville, N.Y., and became the majority owner in 1995. This month, Dr. Dwyer will be sworn in as vice president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners at its convention in Baltimore. The position puts her on the path to become …
New Networking Group Targets Women In The Pet IndustryNovember 19, 2010 A new networking group for women who work in the pet industry has formed. The Women in the Pet Industry Association, based in Lebanon, Tenn., is designed to help women who own or work for pet-related companies grow their businesses and market their products and services. “I know that people who share the same interests want to connect with one another, and our association will help them do just that,” said founder and executive director Debby Lening. The Women in the Pet Industry Association, which officially launched today, will have a monthly newsletter and membership directory and hold yearly conferences. Lening, who said her professional background is in marketing and real estate, also plans to create an online store offering members’ products. A former beagle breeder, Lening said she wanted to create an organization for a broad range of pet businesses, because members will better be able to cross-promote their goods and services. She also said there is a need for a women’s group, since many women work and own businesses in the industry. "I just think it would be cool to help women help each other in this business,” said Lening, who has worked …
Butter: A Story Of Compassion And HealingNovember 19, 2010 For many, the spiritual aspect of the bond spins a vibrant web that catches us and holds us together, at least for the pet’s lifetime and often longer. Pawspice, my name for pet hospice, is a bigger part of our practice as the recession deepens and families can’t afford first-line care for their pets. Is Pawspice a containing structure for witnessing this thread more often? Is it the loom that holds the elements, emotions and threads of the human-animal bond? A Spiritual Bond As a beloved pet nears the end of life, pet owners often tell me about the transcendent elements in their relationship. The spiritual threads in their bond spin into a very meaningful realm that may extend after the pet has passed. This was the case for Carole Kammen and her beloved yellow Labrador retriever, Butter. A friend told Carole to call me for advice after Butter’s cutaneous lymphoma became resistant to the best of care at the University of California, Davis. Butter “found” Carole only four years previously, as a 9-year-old retired service dog. Butter became so attached to Carole that it became obvious to Carole and Butter’s owner that Butter …
Avivagen Animal Health Begins Marketing In CanadaNovember 18, 2010 Chemaphor Inc. of Ottawa, Ontario, reported today that its new subsidiary, Avivagen Animal Health Inc., has begun commercial operations. Avivagen is now marketing exclusively through the veterinary channel in Canada its Oximunol Chewable Tablets for dogs and its in-licensed VetStem RC regenerative cell treatment for dogs, horses and cats. A dedicated interactive website has also been launched. “We believe it is important to take full advantage of the social media capabilities of online communities, to communicate with and build the all-important, long-term relationships with pet parents and veterinarians,” said Dave Hankinson, CEO of Chemaphor and Avivagen. “At the same time this discussion creates awareness of and buying interest in our novel and innovative products and services. “According, we have appointed a dedicated consumer and marketing communications coordinator, Jennifer Febel, who will be blogging on the website and facilitating discussion with website visitors through services such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as by regular e-mail.” Hankinson invited veterinarians who would like to discuss aspects of the company’s products and services to contact Dr. Isabelle Epshtein-Verzberger, veterinary research scientist, at 902-940-7395 or i.verzberger@avivagen.com. <HOME>
Happy Healthy Cat Campaign Celebrates Second AnniversaryNovember 18, 2010 The Morris Animal Foundation’s Happy Healthy Cat Campaign is celebrating its second anniversary today. The campaign aims to improve diagnostics, preventions and treatments for feline diseases and to help solve overpopulation and behavior issues in cats. To date, the Happy Healthy Cat Campaign has funded more than $1.2 million worth of feline-related studies, and it will provide more than $3.5 million in funds over the next three years. To help celebrate, Morris Animal Foundation has teamed up with Sergeant’s Pet Care Products Inc. on a photo contest searching for pictures of the “nation’s happiest, healthiest cats.” Actress Betty White will judge the photos, which can be submitted online by clicking here until Wednesday, Dec. 15. The winning photo will be featured on the cover of Morris Animal Foundation’s publication, AnimalNews. Sergeant’s will also give away gift baskets filled with their products. <Home>
Survey: What Your Pet Says About Your Career PickNovember 18, 2010 We’ve all heard people claim to be either a dog person or a cat person, and this pet preference is supposed to provide insight into their personality. But does the type of animal you own say anything about your career path? According to a nationwide survey released today by Careerbuilder.com, it does. The online survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, looked at pet ownership in relation to a person’s chosen profession, compensation and job satisfaction. More than 2,300 U.S. workers with pets were polled for the survey. It found that workers with dogs were more likely to hold senior management positions, such as a CEO or senior vice president. Workers with snakes or other reptiles were more likely to earn six figures, and bird owners were more likely to be satisfied with their jobs, according to the survey. In terms of career paths, the survey found that owners of certain pets were more likely to report being drawn to certain professions. Specifically: • Dog owners were more likely to be professors, nurses, information technology professionals, military professionals and entertainers; • Cat owners were more likely to be physicians, real estate agents, lab technicians, machine …
Penn State Equine Speaker Series November Topic: Riding And ResearchNovember 16, 2010 Carey Williams, Ph.D., will be the guest speaker for the Penn State student-sponsored Equine Speaker Series on Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dr. Williams is the associate director of extension in the Equine Science Center at Rutgers University. She is also a competitive three-day event rider and studies exercise physiology in horses focusing on how to decrease the stress of intense exercise. Williams’ program, “Riding and Research: mixing business with pleasure,” will feature the latest findings in her research. She will also talk about what top riders are feeding and supplementing and why. “Dr. Williams is a leader in her research field and because of her experience as a rider she brings an exceptional blend of practical and scientific information,” said Ann Macrina, research and teaching associate in Penn State’s Department of Dairy and Animal Science and adviser to the students for the series. “I commend the Penn State Equine Research Team for bringing this outstanding speaker to Penn State.” The Speaker Series is hosted by student clubs with an interest in horses in Penn State’s Department of Dairy and Animal Science (das.psu.edu). The programs are free and open to the …
Bayer Expands Animal Health PortfolioNovember 16, 2010 Bayer Animal Health reported today that it has acquired a chewable application from Piedmont Pharmaceuticals of Greensboro, N.C. The technology, which is close to market approval, is designed to make it easier to administer different active ingredients to animals. Part of the agreement gives Bayer access to two products in late-stage development. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. “With this platform technology and access to two products already in advanced development, we will complement our internal R&D efforts and expand our portfolio of offerings to veterinarians and to our customers,” said Dr. Jean-Luc Lowinski, head of Germany-based Bayer Animal Health. “This technology will enable us to provide a whole new range of products to improve companion animal health and well being.” The products are expected to roll out in a few years. Piedmont participated in the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor Investment forum this year to showcase its soft chew technology. Read more about the conference here. <HOME>
