Avian Vet Featured On Nat GeoNovember 12, 2010Larry Nemetz, DVM, discusses an unusual pet bird case on the weekly television program. Larry Nemetz, DVM, was part of segment on National Geographic Wild’s weekly television program, “My Dog Ate What,” that first aired on Wednesday, November 10, 2010. The show is expected to continue to air on various days and times. Check your local listings. Nemetz demonstrated how he removed a bunch of zippers out of a pet bird. The show retells stories of how dogs (and other pets) swallowed unusual things and how owners and vets saved their lives. Nemetz owns The Bird Clinic located in Orange, California, which is one of the few avian-only veterinary practices in the United States. He has written for BIRD TALK magazine and Birds USA and his new-state-of–the-art avian clinic was profiled in Veterinary Practice News magazine. He is a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians. Learn more about Larry Nemetz at www.thebirdclinic.com. National Geographic Wild is a subscription TV channel, also referred to as Nat Geo Wild. <Home>
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Canadian Health Agency Warns Of Possible E. Coli Contamination In Pet FoodNovember 12, 2010 The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Public Health Agency of Canada are warning the public not to use beef pet food sold last month at two locations in Canada’s British Columbia province because it may contain E. coli. The affected product was made by Surrey Meat Packers of Cloverdale, British Columbia. It was sold in 500-gram blocks assembled into 10-unit and 50-unit packages from Oct. 8 to Oct. 23 on location at Surrey Meat Packers, 6050-176th St., Cloverdale and at Jolly Meats and Fine Foods, 111 Charles St., North Vancouver, B.C. The pet food may not bear a label indicating packing date or “Best If Used By” date, according to the agencies. Consumers who suspect they may have purchased the affected product are advised to check with the store where the pet food was purchased. Any affected food should be thrown out. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported that it identified the contamination during a food safety investigation of some beef trims. The investigation is on-going. No illness associated with the affected pet food have been reported. Infection from E coli may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses in humans. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain …
VCA Antech Q3 Same-Store Revenue Drops 4%November 12, 2010 VCA Antech Inc.’s animal hospital division reported revenue of $276.7 million for its third quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to revenue of $257.4 million in the year-ago period. The 7.5 percent increase is attributable by acquisitions made in the past 12 months, according to the Los Angeles-based company. Same-store revenue declined by 4 percent in the third quarter, and same-store gross profit margin declined to 17.3 percent from 20 percent in the year-ago period. VCA Antech reported that it acquired 29 animal hospitals during the quarter, which had combined annual revenue of $84.3 million. Year to date, the animal hospital division reported revenue of $791 million, compared to revenue of $757 million in the year-ago period. VCA Antech’s laboratory division reported revenue of $77.3 million for its third quarter, compared to revenue of $77.9 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, the division reported revenue of $238.4 million, compared to revenue of $238.9 million. The company’s medical technology division reported revenue of $17.4 million for its third quarter, compared to revenue of $13.3 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, the division reported revenue of $47.8 million, compared to $32.4 …
Putney Launches Generic Ketamine, Other Products In PipelineNovember 12, 2010 Putney Inc. of Portland, Maine, reported today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center of Veterinary Medicine has approved its generic ketamine hydrochloride for injection. Additional launches of generic pet medications are to follow, including analgesics, anti-infectives, anesthetics, sedatives, dermatologicals and parasiticides, according to Anthony Lucas, BVMS, Ph.D., senior director of product development. Today’s launch follows the company’s carprofen caplet introduction in 2009. Since then, Putney has advanced its research and development pipeline of generic pet pharmaceutical products for submission to CVM. These rollouts are just the beginning, Dr. Lucas said. Putney’s ketamine hydrochloride, which comes in 10 mL vials (100 mg/mL), is indicated for use in cats for restraint or as the sole anesthetic agent for diagnostic or minor, brief, surgical procedures that do not require skeletal muscle relaxation, according to the product’s label. It may also be used in subhuman primates for restraint. Distributors currently carrying the product include D-V Medical Supply Inc., First Veterinary Supply, PCI Animal Health, Victor Medical Co. and Webster Veterinary. <Home>
U Of Florida Small Animal Hospital Celebrates Grand OpeningNovember 11, 2010 The University of Florida opened the doors to its new $58 million Small Animal Hospital on Nov. 1. The 100,000-square-foot hospital triples existing space and will afford a more comfortable environment for patient care and teaching, according to college administrators. The new facility, in addition to larger treatment areas and more examination rooms, will include a linear accelerator, a cardiac catherization laboratory, isolation wards, a hemodialysis facility and an intensive care unit. To provide clients convenient drop-off access, the primary care veterinary practice shares a separate entrance with the hospital’s 24-hour emergency service. The Small Animal Hospital was designed by Atlanta-based FWAJDB Architects in partnership with Zeidler Partnership Architects. <Home> Related story: U of Florida Plans Grand Opening for Small Animal Hospital
Petco, Greenies Brand To Host Pet Oral Health EventNovember 10, 2010 Petco has teamed up with The Nutro Co., the Nashville, Tenn.-based makers of Greenies brand dental treats, to educate pet owners on good oral health for their dogs and cats. Together, they are hosting the Greenies Pet Oral Health Event this weekend at Petco stores across the United States. The event will emphasize the importance of regular professional oral care by a veterinarian and at-home preventive care. Almost 160 million pets in the U.S. do not receive any oral care, according to Greenies. Approximately 75 percent of pets three years and older show signs of periodontal disease, the brand added. In addition to information on proper pet oral care, attendees will receive product coupons redeemable at Petco. The Greenies Pet Oral Health event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Petco stores nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_greeniesoral.aspx. <HOME>
Pfizer Aims To Boost Animal Health Research With European PartnershipNovember 10, 2010 Pfizer Animal Health of New York reported today that it has partnered with the Easter Bush Research Consortium in an effort to find better ways of preventing and managing disease and advance sustainable animal agriculture and welfare. The Easter Bush Research Consortium—consisting of the U.K.’s Moredun Research Institute, The Roslin Institute and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh and the Scottish Agricultural College—investigates the health, welfare and development of companion and food production animals. The partnership is backed by about $2 million in funding over five years. “This new collaboration will bring together many of the research leaders in the animal world, backed by an unrivalled resource,” said Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Animal Health area president for Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Pacific. “The potential for increasing our knowledge and improving our ability to manage animal health and welfare issues is very exciting. The time when industry could research and develop its own ideas and products in isolation is coming to an end; the future of animal health and welfare lies in multi-disciplinary collaboration with external partners who share the same vision.” Specifically, the collaboration aims to advance …
MWI Veterinary Supply Q4 Revenue Jumps 45%November 9, 2010 MWI Veterinary Supply Inc. of Meridian, Idaho, reported net income of $8.8 million on revenue of $358.9 million for its fourth quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to net income of $6.6 million on revenue of $247.5 million in the year-ago period. This represents a 45 percent growth in revenue for the quarter. Of the 45 percent increase, 19.2 percent was due to organic growth in the United States and 25.8 percent was related to the company’s acquisition of Centaur. Excluding the acquisition, revenue attributable to existing customers represented 40 percent of the growth in total revenue during the quarter, according to MWI Veterinary Supply. Internet sales to independent veterinary practices and producers in the United States grew about 53 percent for the quarter compared to the year-ago period. Product sales from the Internet as a percentage of sales in the United States improved to 35 percent for the quarter, compared to 32 percent in the year-ago period. The company also noted that it added six field sales representatives and 12 telesales representatives in the United States during the quarter. Year to date, MWI Veterinary Supply reported net income of $33.4 million on revenue of …
AVMA Seeks Comments On Model Veterinary Practice ActNovember 9, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Association reported today that it will begin accepting comments on the Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA) on its website (www.avma.org) 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 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, said John Scamahorn, DVM, chair of the AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act Task Force. The MVPA includes sections on definitions, veterinary medical boards, licensing, client confidentiality, veterinary education, veterinary technicians and technologists, abandoned animals, cruelty to animals and other topics. The AVMA requests that the comments submitted be specific and include suggested language for the new MVPA. “Early notice of this comment period was essential in order to give veterinarians and their colleagues adequate time to review the current Model Veterinary Practice Act,” said Ron DeHaven, DVM, CEO of the AVMA. “By issuing this alert early, we’re hoping veterinarians will take time to review …
Vet-Stem Inks License Deal With Aussie AffiliateNovember 8, 2010 Australian Veterinary Stem Cells Ltd. (AVSC) is now authorized to deliver Vet-Stem Inc.’s stem cell services in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. This is Vet-Stem’s third license agreement with an affiliate. The other two agreements are with the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dubai, which has rights for 13 Middle East countries, and Chemaphor, a company in Canada that has laboratories in Prince Edward Island. Vet-Stem holds the exclusive worldwide rights to the University of California and University of Pittsburgh (via Artecel Inc.) patent portfolios of more than 55 issued patents covering the use of stem cells derived from fat tissue. The stem cell services are offered to veterinarians for treatment of lameness in horses and for arthritis in dogs and cats. More than 6,500 animals have been treated to date, according to the Poway, Calif.-based company. “Intellectual property rights can be confusing in a rapidly developing market with evolving technology,” said Bob Harman, DVM, CEO of Vet-Stem. “We have licensed the strongest patents in the world to protect the market that we are creating in regenerative veterinary medicine and to ensure that the value of the company is optimized. Now with these three distribution …
