AVMA Releases Pet Ownership And Demographic SourcebookApril 17, 2009 Pet owners spent $24.5 billion on veterinary care in 2006, according to the American Veterinary Medical Assn.’s new 2007 “U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook,” which is published every five years. The average veterinary expenditure per household for all pets was $366 in 2006. About 64 percent of pet-owning households own more than one pet, according to the sourcebook. In addition, there are 43 million dog owning households compared with 37.5 million cat owning households, but 81.7 million cats compared to 72 million dogs. The sourcebook also includes statistics on veterinary medical use and expenditures, pet owner demographics, pet owner profiles, pet ownership and pet population. About 48,000 U.S. households were surveyed for the study. <HOME>
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Sally Perea, DVM Joins Natura Pet ProductsApril 17, 2009Natura Pet Products of San Jose, Calif., has hired Sally Perea, DVM, Dipl. ACVN, as its senior nutritionist. She will work directly with Sean Delaney, DVM, Dipl. ACVN, Natura's senior executive vice president. Dr. Perea was previously a faculty member at the University of California, Davis and a principal consultant at Davis Veterinary Medical Consulting, a company that developed Balance IT software and supplements for making homemade pet food. "I'm excited to be joining Natura Pet Products, and look forward to playing a role in the further development and advancement of healthful pet foods and treats," she said. Natura Pet Products' lines include Innova, California Natural, EVO, HealthWise, Mother Nature and Karma. <HOME>
Novartis Lowers Price On Allergy DrugApril 17, 2009 Novartis Animal Health has reduced the price by up to 34 percent on its Atopica (Cyclosporine capsules, USP) Modified, a nonsteroidal oral therapy developed to control canine atopic dermatitis. "Atopic dermatitis is an expensive disease to treat," said John Rehak, DVM, Atopica senior product manager. "By passing the new cost savings along to their clients, veterinarians will be able to help more patients suffering from the relentless misery caused by atopy. Comfortable dogs mean satisfied, happy and loyal clients, which makes for a healthier clinic, too." The new pricing, which covers all product sizes, will take effect Feb. 1. <HOME>
New Spay Program In Michigan Seeks Vet ParticipationApril 17, 2009 All About Animals Rescue, a nonprofit that finds homes for dogs and cats and sponsors spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, is looking for veterinarians interested in participating in its new Spay Michigan program. Through the program, pet owners can call 888-5SPAY-HELP and be directed to discounted spay/neuter services throughout the state. Participating veterinarians will work with a voucher system and perform the services for about $50 per cat and $80 per dog, on average. This is the first statewide pet spay/neuter hotline, a much needed resource as poor economic conditions make it difficult for many pet owners to afford sterilization, said Amber Sitko, the group’s founder and president. “We believe that most pet owners want to be responsible,” Sitko said. “However, for many, it is a financial burden to do so. We are hoping the Spay Michigan hotline provides a way of reaching out to those pet owners who could use a hand.” The goal is to reduce the number of homeless and unwanted pets, which thousands end up in Michigan shelters and are euthanized each year, according to Sitko. The program will be promoted through special T-shirts designed by
Salmonella Contamination Spurs Limited Dog Food Recall In Southern CaliforniaApril 17, 2009Due to potential Salmonella contamination, Mars Petcare U.S. of Nashville, Tenn., is voluntarily recalling 100 of the 20-pound bags of Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Albertsons stores in Southern California and Las Vegas. Last week, a component that should have been on hold due to positive testing results was inadvertently shipped to the company's Tracy, Calif., facility and used in the production of 100 bags of the Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites with best buy dates of 7/2009. Although the finished product tested negative of Salmonella and there have been no reports of illness or injury resulting from consumption or handling of the recalled product, the company said it is taking precaution and issuing the voluntary recall. Mars Petcare also said it is cooperating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pet owners are advised to dispose of the product in a safe manner, such as a securely covered trash receptacle, and return the empty bag to the store where purchased for a full refund. Recalled Pet Food Information Product: Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites Size: 20-pound bags UPC Code: 23100 14719 Lot Code: 830BFCAT02 Best Buy Date: 7/2009 Best Buy Date Location: …
Controlling Ventricular Arrhythmias In BoxersApril 17, 2009 This column is based on abstracts presented at the 24th annual ACVIM Forum in Louisville (2006). Ventricular arrhythmias in boxers are quite common. Many dogs can have minimal signs though some can have syncopal episodes or die suddenly. A familial basis for the arrhythmias has been previously identified and the results published.1 These arrhythmias may be linked to a disease called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). This disease has been found in humans and cats as well, but only in humans and boxers is it associated with a significant risk of sudden death. A study at the Ohio State University obtained cardiac workups including 24-hour ambulatory ECGs on 239 boxers. Of these, 23 dogs with substantial ectopy or sudden death were necropsied.2 The necropsy study confirmed that these dogs had heart changes consistent with ARVC. ARVC is associated with progressive remodelling of the heart predominantly affecting the right atrium and right ventricle, though the left side of the heart can also become involved. Normal heart tissue is replaced with a fatty or fibrofatty infiltrate. Myocarditis is also commonly present. In many boxers, arrhythmias can be present for many years before signs of …
Equine Lameness Research Meeting ScheduledApril 17, 2009 The American Assn. of Equine Practitioners Foundation will host a Lameness Research Meeting and Panel on Aug. 1 at the Fort Collins Marriott in Fort Collins, Colo. The meeting will take place following the AAEP’s annual continuing education meetings—Focus on Lameness and Imaging 2007 and the 15th annual Practice Management Seminar—which will be held July 29-31. The morning session, which will feature 13 short abstract presentations, will be open to AAEP members and other invited participants and guests. The afternoon session will be open only to invited participants and guests and will include a one-hour, question-and-answer session followed by break out sessions involving selected “Blue Ribbon Panel of Lameness Researchers.” The meeting is being supported through donations by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., of St. Joseph, Mo., Idexx Laboratories Inc., of Westbrook, Maine, American Quarter Horse Foundation, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and Morris Animal Foundation. For more information, visit www.aaepfoundation.org. <HOME>
Penn’s Vet School Celebrates 125th AnniversaryApril 17, 2009 The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine launched a special website Jan. 16 to celebrate its 125th anniversary. The website, 125th.vet.upenn.edu, features a history timeline, faculty and alumni profiles, archival photos, old news clippings and a ‘Kids of All Ages’ section, which includes games and information on how to become a veterinarian. “From our earliest years, Penn Vet has shaped and advanced the education and practice of the profession,” said Joan Hendricks, VMD, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “The school was established when the U.S. economy was still largely agricultural, and its founder believed the new veterinary school would serve agriculture best by developing as a science-based branch of medicine because of the fundamental similarities between disease processes in humans and animals. This is the foundation of our motto—Many Species, One Medicine.” <HOME>
Levitan Moves To PetWatchApril 17, 2009 PetWatch Animal Hospitals Inc. of Urbana, Md., has named Diane Levitan, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, its chief medical officer. She will oversee medical operations, including university collaboration, continuing education programs, standards of care programs, medical advancement and community outreach. Dr. Levitan built and served as the director of The Center For Specialized Veterinary Care on Long Island in Westbury, N.Y., a referral hospital that allows owners to stay overnight with their pet during hospitalization. The center is also now partnering with PetWatch, which is building a network of 24-hour emergency, critical care and referral hospitals. “Like [the center], we believe in working closely with pet owners and referring veterinarians and inviting them to be a part of their pet and patient’s care,” said L. Peter Smith, chief executive officer of PetWatch. “Taking Dr. Levitan from her role at CSVC and expanding it to the entire PetWatch network is a natural fit.” <HOME>
Holistic Approach To VaccinationApril 17, 2009 Christina Chambreau, DVM, a holistic veterinarian with Healthy Animals, Healthy People in Sparks, Md., says responsible pet owners should be given the option of a titer versus vaccinating, or wait longer between vaccines. “If a veterinarian is concerned about being penalized when a vaccine is forgone, they can always have the client sign a document relieving the veterinarian of malice if the animal does (however unlikely) contract the virus,” Dr. Chambreau says. “If you talk to 100 holistic vets, 90 would say vaccines cause problems. I have conducted in-house, long-term tests to determine ailments–to find problems would occur a couple of weeks after being given a vaccine. “The problem is, in the U.S. we want results fast–have the dog vaccinated and check it off the list. But issues don’t always happen in 48 hours and by the time a problem does occur, vaccines aren’t considered as a culprit. If we have a cough, we take cough medicine and expect it to be cured immediately, but things don’t work that way in reality and things don’t always go wrong immediately, either.” Chambreau says 70 percent of the chronic problems she treats are caused by vaccines and …
