Vsurance Names New PresidentApril 17, 2009 Lile has founded various insurance providers and administrators such as Advanced Insurance Group; Advance Insurance Administration; Physicians Medical Review; Employers Choice Health Alliance; Equity RE; Med RX; and Risk Management Solutions. He previously served as president of Arkansas-based Cosmopolitan Life Insurance Co. <HOME>
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In Search Of SelfApril 17, 2009The events of Sept. 11, 2001, were a turning point for America, and for thousands of Americans. J. Brooks Slaughter II, DVM, was one of them. Dr. Slaughter watched from his Lutherville, Md., office as the World Trade Center in New York City was targeted by terrorists who brought down the corporate headquarters of financial services firm Morgan Stanley, where he was a securities principal and first vice president. “I had, in a 15-year career, achieved a lofty perch in the industry,” he writes on his website. But the attacks “made me realize it was time for a more loving way to make a living.” “I saw the buildings collapse while watching CNBC,” he says. “Glued to the station, which appeared in a corner on my computer monitor, I immediately started calling clients. I needed to inform them of the news, and assuage any fears that their assets would disappear. I was managing over $20 million. “On the other line was a long-term client who expressed dismay and anger that I was unable to process her mortgage paperwork due to the collapse the towers. I realized it was the beginning of the end for my love of the securities industry.” …
Making A Difference Through Pet Poison ControlApril 17, 2009Who knew that an elephant could drink a gallon of paint and survive the experience none the worse for wear? Steven R. Hansen, DVM, Dipl. ABVT, head of the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center, knew. Luckily the paint was lead free and the only damage was cosmetic; elephants are not the tidiest imbibers of liquid refreshment. "The elephant was really a mess," Dr. Hansen recalls. While the tale of the painted pachyderm ended happily, it began with the same urgency and concern as most of the several thousand calls that pour into the center annually. Typically, it's the curious Labrador that gulps human prescription medication or the cat that chews the Easter lilies, a deadly snack if the animal is left untreated. The historic flood of calls during last year's pet-food recall was unusually mammoth, but still there was a universal urgency to each: What should I do? Calmly but quickly responding to each and every one with expert advise is what Hansen's team of veterinary toxicologists do 24/7 from their offices on the campus of the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana, and was the sort of work for which Hansen was honored in February at the annual Show Dogs Awards. …
Challenging The Status QuoApril 17, 2009Originally published in the November 2007 issue of Veterinary Practice News After struggling with an especially unmanageable case of diabetes mellitus in her own cat for almost a year and hearing euthanasia recommended by colleagues, Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM, went back to the drawing board. It was 1994 and she had left her position as vice president of marketing at Hill’s Pet Nutrition to start law school. She began studying ingredients on the label of dry food she had been feeding the 4-year-old cat. What she discovered not only cured her Punkin of diabetes in five days but also led to her patenting a canned food for diabetic cats and developing her “Tight Regulation” protocol, which she says has permanently cured several hundred diabetics in her feline practice. Spreading the Word In her new book, “Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life” (Thomas Dunne Books, 2007), Hodgkins shares her rationale and offers case studies from her Yorba Linda, Calif., practice, All About Cats Health Center. She also explains the history and influence of the pet food industry to help readers understand why today’s cats are being fed dry food, which she firmly believes is causing a multitude of …
A Model For Researchers In Veterinary MedicineApril 17, 2009While in graduate school, Janice Miller, DVM, of Ames, Iowa, found the virus that causes bovine leukemia, and that discovery set the tone for her whole veterinary career. "At that point in time, a lot of people thought that it was going to be found that all cancers were caused by viruses," she says. "Of course that didn't turn out to be true. But we're talking about almost 50 years ago." After gaining a reputation for finding the virus, Miller got a job at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames. As a federal research laboratory working strictly on diseases of food-producing animals, it had a project on bovine leukemia, so Miller fit right in. "I was really fortunate that I got a job where I spent my whole career doing nothing but research, because that's what I always wanted to do," Miller says. Miller says working in research keeps her very busy. "You're doing literature searches to find out what's known about a subject, you're planning the research that you're going to do to try to answer a question that hasn't been answered, and you're involved in working out techniques to solve that problem," she says. "Usually you've got …
A Pioneer In Animal Rehab EducationApril 17, 2009 Six years ago, Janet Van Dyke, DVM, packed all her surgical tools into a big blue Rubbermaid plastic tub. Best to keep them handy, she thought. This new idea about starting a canine physical rehabilitation business might be the biggest stumble of her career. “I gave myself six months’ sabbatical to try and make this thing happen,” she says. She needn’t have worried. Today the Canine Rehabilitation Institute Dr. Van Dyke founded in Wellington, Fla., is a thriving business with a second facility opening this spring on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins. The institute has certificated about 100 students, attracted an impressive roster of physical therapists and veterinarians to teach its courses and become a model provider of animal rehabilitation certification–even as the veterinary community works to create a governing body to oversee the certification of this emerging specialty. And if there’s one sure sign that a trend is sticking, it’s the arrival of healthy competition in the form of similar certification programs, which Van Dyke welcomes. “A little competition forces us to stay on our toes and do the best that we can do,” Van Dyke says. Competition has …
Financial Newswire 04-30-2008April 17, 2009VCA Antech Inc. Los Angeles-based VCA Antech Inc. recently reported that its animal hospital revenue for the first quarter ending March 31 was $226.1 million, compared to revenue of $187.2 million in the year-ago period. The 20.8 percent increase was driven by acquisitions and same-store revenue growth of 1.9 percent. The company reported laboratory revenue of $76.7 million for the first quarter, compared to $73.6 million in the year-ago period. Medical technology revenue was $13.8 million for the first quarter, compared to $11.2 million in the year-ago period. Overall, VCA Antech reported net income of $31.2 million on revenue of $307.8 million for the first quarter, compared to net income of $28.3 million on revenue of $265.1 million in the year-ago period. The company’s 2008 financial guidance includes revenue from $1.3 billion to $1.33 billion. Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Co.’s animal health division reported U.S. sales of $107.6 million for its first quarter ended March 31, up 16 percent compared to the year-ago period. Worldwide sales were $235.3 million, an increase of 9 percent compared to the year-ago period. Sales outside the United States grew 4 percent to $127.7 million. …
Neogen; PetmedApril 17, 2009Neogen Corp. Neogen Reports Record Quarter Neogen Corp.’s Animal Safety Division reported revenue of $15.8 million for the second quarter ended Nov. 30, up 24 percent from $12.7 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, the division reported revenue of $29.1 million, up 33 percent. Sales of veterinary biologics increased more than 60 percent in the quarter as the company responded to suspected equine botulism outbreaks in at least four U.S. states. Sales of Kane products, including veterinary obstetrical gloves, bovine hoofcare and surgical supplies, rose about 20 percent in the quarter compared to the prior year. Neogen’s line of veterinary supplements primarily for dogs and cats saw a 26 percent increase in sales. Overall, the Lansing, Mich.-based company reported net income of $3.9 million on revenue of $31.2 million in the second quarter, compared to net income of $3.3 million on revenue of $27.2 million in the year-ago period. Neogen said this was the best quarterly performance in its 26-year history. Year to date, Neogen reported net income of $7.6 million on revenue of $60.0 million, compared to $6.3 million and $50.1 million, respectively, in the year-ago period. …
Henry Schein, MWI, Hill'sApril 17, 2009Henry Schein to Cut 300 Jobs In an effort to reduce costs in the current economic environment, Henry Schein of Melville, N.Y., will eliminate about 300 positions from its operations around the world, or about 2.5 percent of its workforce. The company will also close several smaller facilities. “Given the recent changes in the economic climate, we expect that the markets Henry Schein serves will continue to grow, but at somewhat slower rates during these challenging economic times,” said Stanley Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer of the company. “While we remain confident in our ability to achieve our financial goals, we are taking these actions in light of our view that sales growth for 2009 may moderate somewhat from what we have experienced over the past several years. “This is a difficult decision, but by taking these steps to reduce costs, Henry Schein will remain well positioned to help our customers operate more successful practices and deliver high quality of care to patients.” Henry Schein reported net income of $68.43 million on revenue of $1.65 billion for its third quarter ended Sept. 27, compared to net income of $59.57 million on revenue of $1.51 billion. …
Pet DRx Corp.April 17, 2009 Pet DRx Corp. of Brentwood, Tenn., recently reported net loss of $5.24 million on revenue of $17.92 million for its second quarter ended June 30, 2008 compared to net loss of $3.27 million on revenue of $17.73 million in the year-ago period. “We are pleased to have grown same-store revenue in this challenging economic environment,” said Steven Johnson, president and chief operating officer. “We acquired an additional facility in July which further strengthens our presence in the Coachella Valley in California. “We continue to focus on optimizing the productivity and efficiency of our current facilities in California, and remain confident that our strategy of building ‘hub-and-spoke’ networks in high volume markets will provide customers with the best possible service. “We also delivered on our goal of moving the trading of Pet DRx from the OTC Bulletin Board to the Nasdaq, which has increased our visibility in the financial community.” Year to date, the company reported net loss of $8.27 million on revenue of $35.76 million, compared to net loss of $5.8 million on revenue of $28.4 million. Pet DRx has temporarily suspended its financial guidance. It expects to resume guidance following the completion of …
