VPI Reveals Costliest ClaimsApril 17, 2009 Intervertebral disc disease in dogs and foreign body ingestion (small intestine) in cats are the most expensive insured conditions commonly seen in each species, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance of Brea, Calif., which insures more than 460,000 pets nationwide. VPI ranked conditions based on the average fees attached to common claims it received in 2007. The most expensive common conditions for dogs and cats with the average claimed fees are: Dogs CONDITION COST Intervertebral Disc Disease $2,844 Lung Cancer $2,032 Gastric Torsion (Bloat) $1,955 Foreign Body Ingestion (Small Intestine) $1,629 Cruciate Rupture $1,517 Foreign Body Ingestion (Stomach) $1,398 Cataract (Senior) $1,244 Bone Cancer $1,059 Pin in Broken Limb $1,000 Brain Cancer $916 Cats CONDITION COST Foreign Body Ingestion (Small Intestine) $1,629 Urinary Tract Reconstruction $1,399 Foreign Body Ingestion (Stomach) $1,391 Rectal Cancer $1,011 Bladder Stones $989 Intestinal Cancer $942 Hyperthyroidism (Radiation) $920 Fibrosarcoma (Skin Cancer) $780 Acute Renal Failure $565 Mast Cell Tumors $497 Treatment costs vary case by case, and financial figures were compiled based on the average cost of initial claims. VPI states that the figures are not intended to suggest typical reimbursements, reflect a national average of veterinary fees or account for …
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FDA Won’t Bar Extralabel Use Of CephalosporinApril 17, 2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has revoked its order prohibiting the extralabel use of cephalosporin antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals. The order, originally announced July 3 in the Federal Register, would have gone into effect Nov. 30. The decision was made so the agency can fully consider the remarks submitted during the comment period. As detailed in the July 3 rule, the decision to prohibit extralabel use of cephalosporins in food-producing animals was based on information that such uses likely contribute to the emergence of cephalosporin-resistant zoonotic food-borne pathogens. If, after considering the comments and other information, the FDA wants to issue another ban, it will initiate another public comment period. <HOME>
Vets To Provide Free Eye Exams For Service DogsApril 17, 2009More than 140 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists and 1,300 general veterinarians across the United States will be providing free eye exams and preventative health reports to 5,000-10,000 service dogs the week of May 12. The event is being launched by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Pet Health Systems of Memphis, Tenn., and Merial of Duluth, Ga. The ACVO National Service Dog Eye Exam is expected to garner almost $1 million in services to help guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs and search and rescue dogs. Participants will also receive a Pet Wellness Report (a preventative health diagnosis) and blood panel through their primary care veterinarian. The idea of the national eye exam was spurred after the success of a similar local event in Memphis. Bill Miller, DVM, Dipl. ACVO, of Advanced Animal Eye Care, examined 87 service dogs. Click here for details. <HOME>
FDA To Hold Pet-Food Standards MeetingApril 17, 2009The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans a May 13 public meeting to collect information about pet-food standards from various stakeholder groups. These stakeholders include, but are not limited to, the Association of American Feed Control Officials, veterinary medical associations, animal health organizations and pet food manufacturers. As mandated by the FDA Amendments Act of 2007, the agency is working to develop standards including ingredient standards and definitions, processing standards and updated labeling standards. The FDA also wants input from these stakeholders as to whether these standards should cover all animal feeds. The meeting will take place from 8 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m. May 13 at the Holiday Inn in Gaithersburg, Md. The FDA requests that parties interested in making public comment pre-register for the meeting by sending basic information (name, company or association name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and whether one plans to speak on behalf on an organization or as an individual). Information should be sent to Nanette Milton at nanette.milton@fda.hhs.gov. In addition, the FDA is accepting written comments on pet food standards (identify comments for Docket No. FDA-2007-N-0442) through June 13, 2008, via www.regulations.gov or mailed to Division of Dockets Management …
Drawing A Bead On Cancer CellsApril 17, 2009 Chemotherapy, with its side effects, is often the worst part of the cancer treatment process. But what if there were a noninvasive treatment that could target a tumor and leave the healthy tissue alone? Engineers at Rice University in Houston have successfully tested a new cancer therapy based on nanoshells gold-coated quartz spheres roughly 1/500th the width of a human hair. By adjusting the relative size of the two parts of the nanoshell, the core and the shells, they can tune the optical properties of that nanoparticle such that they can control what wavelength of light or color it absorbs. Naomi Halas reported in the journal Cancer Letters in 2004 that the nanoshells' ability to capture light and convert it to heat has, in lab tests on mice, destroyed tumors. She and Rice biomedical engineer Jennifer West coat the nanoshells with a substance that binds them to cancer cells. Once they're in place, infrared light is shined through the skin and down into the tumor site. It's a very simple handheld laser, used only for three minutes. Nanoshells absorb light and convert it to heat extremely efficiently, and three minutes is sufficient to kill the …
Craniosacral ControversyApril 17, 2009 A controversial manipulative-therapy approach for humans is making headway into the treatment of animals. At the time of its discovery in the early 20th century by William Garner Sutherland, DO, craniosacral manipulation "was generally regarded as the dream of an erratic."1 Over time, the approach made inroads into the osteopathic profession. In 1947, students of Sutherland formed The Cranial Academy www.cranialacademy.org, whose membership comprised physicians and dentists dedicated to the research and promotion of osteopathy in the cranial field. The popularity of craniosacral therapy widened after John E. Upledger, DO, broke from osteopathic tradition and began teaching the technique to non-physicians. According to Upledger Institute Inc. (www.upledger.com) craniosacral therapy treats traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, orthopedic problems, "motor-coordination impairments," chronic back pain, colic, neurovascular and immune disorders and "post-surgical dysfunction." For several years, the Institute has been offering courses in craniosacral therapy for animals, including workshops on dogs, wolves, foxes, coyotes and horses. The fundamental tenets of the technique hold that the bones of the cranium and pelvis exhibit subtle, periodic motions as a result of the rhythmic coiling and uncoiling of the central nervous system and …
Bogus Ad Harasses Puppy LoversApril 17, 2009Internet message boards lit up July 16 after an animal-rights organization issued a press release saying it had placed a "crafty" ad in Dog Fancy magazine, which is published by the parent company of DogChannel.com. Veterinary Practice News is a sister publication of both. Lumina Media, LLC does not accept advertising from this animal-rights organization because of its agenda to halt all dog breeding in the U.S. The classified ad was placed by a private party on behalf of the organization using a fake business name. "Dog Fancy does not knowingly accept advertising from PETA and does not agree with its extremist views," the company said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the organization resorted to guerrilla tactics by placing an ad in Dog Fancy under a pseudonym to deceive readers with a free gift bag offer, opting to use shock tactics to try to get its message heard. "Now in its 37th year, Dog Fancy promotes responsible dog ownership, including the responsible breeding and sale of purebred dogs, and apologizes to anyone who has been offended by this organization's distasteful and misleading stunt." <HOME>
VESPA Lines Up May, June Member ChatsApril 17, 2009The Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Practice Assn. will be holding a session titled "Maintaining Growth in Emergency Practice" at 8 p.m. EDT May 7 in the VetMedTeam chat room. Jon Geller, DVM, of Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency Hospital in Fort Collins, Colo., will host the chat. Topics will include growth curves in the emergency practice; maintaining growth; how operating costs affect net profits; and local, regional and national economic trends. VESPA will also be holding "Understanding Your Financial Statements, The Lab Report for Your Practice" at 8 p.m. EDT June 4 in the VetMedTeam chat room. Elise Lacher of Lacher, McDonald & Co. CPA in Seminole, Fla., will host the chat. The CPA and consulting firm specializes in working with veterinarians on financial issues that affect their practices. Topics will include presenting financial statements in a manner that helps manage a practice and how reading and understanding a correctly prepared financial statement can help one allocate resources in the most appropriate places. Previous registration with VetMedTeam is required for participation. Membership is free. Click here for details or email vespa_home@sbcglobal.net. <HOME>
Dog-Wa Signs Jane Leon, DVM As Brand SpokespersonApril 17, 2009 Las Vegas-based Dog-Wa has named Jane Leon, DVM, as its brand spokesperson and monthly columnist. Dr. Leon is a director on the board of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Central Florida. Previously, she provided pet-related advice and information to Omaha Vaccine Co., of Omaha, Neb. She has also hosted “Ask the Veterinarian,” a daily television series on America’s Health Network and Fox’s Health Network. “We are honored that Dr. Jane has recommended Dog-Wa as an effective supplement providing the benefits of whole leafy greens in a dog’s diet,” said Matt Israel, founder and co-owner of Dog-Wa. “Her well-respected guidance in the complex world of veterinary medicine has helped thousands of concerned pet owners make safe and healthy decisions about caring for their animals.” Dog-Wa, a liquid concentrate of fresh peppermint and parsley to be added to water or mixed with food, is designed to aid digestion, soothe the stomach, freshen breath and discourage gas, according to the company. <HOME>
California Spay-Neuter Bill Set For HearingApril 17, 2009 California Senate Bill 250, also known as the Pet Responsibility Act, is set for a hearing April 15 in the Senate Local Government Committee. State Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, introduced SB250 in February as a step toward reducing pet overpopulation. SB250 follows a similar bill, AB1634, which failed to exit the Senate in August 2008. Specifically, SB250 requires that dogs 6 months or older be spayed or neutered unless the owner obtains an unaltered-dog license or provides a certificate of sterility, and cats 6 months or older be spayed or neutered if the owner allows the animal to roam outdoors. Animals may be exempt if they are likely to suffer harm from the surgery because of age or illness. The bill also states that if a dog or cat is transferred or sold, the license number must be documented for the new owner. An owner could be penalized only if the animal is cited for another reason, such as no current canine rabies vaccination, a leash law violation or a tethering violation. These owners would be required to have the animal spayed or neutered. In addition, the bill states that …
