RE-SCHEDULED: Therapy Laser Treatment Webinar To Be Held June 29June 25, 2010 Updated: Friday, June 25, 2010, 6:24 p.m., EDT Companion Therapy Laser is launching a free webinar series for veterinarians and veterinary technicians on therapy laser treatments and the integration of Class IV therapy lasers into small animal practices. The first session, “An Introduction to 2010’s Top Technology for Small Animal Practices,” will be held 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, June 29. Webinar host John Godbold Jr., DVM, will discuss how therapy laser technology can be integrated into a small animal practice and how the use of the laser can improve the quality of patients’ lives, retain clients, attract new clients and increase profits. Dr. Godbold is the owner of Stonehaven Park Veterinary Hospital in Jackson, Tenn., and has more than 10 years of veterinary laser experience. Laser therapy provides a non-invasive, drug-free treatment alternative for companion pets and can be used to treat ailments such as arthritis; degenerative joint disease; back pain; muscle, ligament and tendon injuries; hip dysplasia; and sprains, according to LiteCure, the manufacturer of Companion Therapy Laser. The series will continue on July 22 and Aug. 5. Topics had not yet been determined at press time. …
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Idexx Seeks Vet Participation For Feline Heart StudyJune 25, 2010 Idexx Laboratories Inc. of Westbrook, Maine, has launched a national field study on feline cardiac health to better understand the prevalence of feline heart disease and the profile of cats at risk. “Current literature, based on existing cardiomyopathy studies, finds that one in six cats could have heart disease,” said Leif Lorentzen, DVM, the company’s senior medical affairs manager. “We are inviting general practice veterinarians to participate in this field study so we can better understand how cats present and classify the common traits of cats that do present. We will use our findings to quantify how feline cardiac biomarkers, when added to current blood-screening protocols, provide veterinarians with more comprehensive screening tools that advance patient care.” Unlike humans, where diet and lifestyle can be predisposing risk factors for heart disease, cats are believed to have genetic predispositions that can arise at any age, according to Idexx. Heart walls thicken over time, affecting the heart’s ability to provide adequate oxygen to tissues and can lead to similar medical complications as those seen in some types of human heart disease. “This national study will aggregate experience so that we can begin to establish sensible recommendations for when …
Update: FTC Extends Red Flags Rule Enforcement To DecemberJune 25, 2010 The Federal Trade Commission has again extended the deadline for enforcement of the Red Flags Rule, a section of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003, until Dec. 31. Enforcement was to begin June 1, 2010. The rule is an anti-fraud regulation requiring creditors and financial institutions with covered accounts to implement programs to identify, detect and respond to the warning signs, or “red flags,” that could indicate identity theft. Veterinarians fall into the category of creditors, which is defined as any entity that regularly extends or renews credit — or arranges for others to do so — and includes all entities that regularly permit deferred payments for goods or services. The rule became effective on Jan. 1, 2008, but the FTC has since issued several Enforcement Policies delaying enforcement of the rule. Most recently, the FTC announced in October 2009 that at the request of certain Members of Congress, it was delaying enforcement of the rule until June 1, 2010, to allow Congress time to finalize legislation that would limit the scope of business covered by the rule. Since then, the FTC has received another request from Members of Congress for another delay …
AFP Imaging Changes Name To ImageWorksJune 24, 2010AFP Imaging Corp., which makes veterinary, dental and medical imaging technologies, is now ImageWorks. The company said the name change, announced today, commemorates its first 12 months under new ownership, leadership and management. “We feel that the name ImageWorks embodies the energy, innovation and customer responsiveness that we value and strive to maintain,” said R. Scott Jones, ImageWorks’ chairman. “Our leading brands--Dent-X, NewTom, EVA and MiniMed--are well recognized for outstanding performance and quality throughout the world and will retain their brand identity in each of their respective markets. “The past year has brought significant growth in each of our imaging divisions. We are looking toward the next 12 months and promotion of ImageWorks as redefining moments in the company’s long history. ImageWorks has a renewed commitment for the development of innovative imaging products and providing the highest level of customer service.” The company noted that “significant investments” are being focused on the development of a dedicated customer center. It has multi-modality communications and a training and development program, including a training center for digital imaging and cone beam CT customers, distribution partners and ImageWorks employees. Both of these facilities are under development at the company’s Elmsford, N.Y., headquarters. The name …
United Pet Group Voluntarily Recalls Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement For DogsJune 23, 2010 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently reported that United Pet Group of Cincinnati is voluntarily recalling all unexpired lots of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement tablets for dogs due to possible Salmonella contamination. The product, which was sold nationally at various retailers, comes in 100-count white plastic bottles with a light blue label. The UPC code is 26851-01800. The affected products are those with expiration dates on or before “06/13.” The expiration date can be found imprinted vertically on the right side of the product label. These products are being removed from retail stores and consumers should immediately stop feeding these supplements to their pets, according to the FDA. Laboratory testing revealed that one Lot of the vitamin product was contaminated with Salmonella. United Health Group is recalling all unexpired Lots of the product out of “an abundance of caution,” the FDA reported. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will only have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain, according to the FDA, adding that infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. The FDA …
Veterinary Emergency Team Forms In TexasJune 22, 2010 Veterinary Emergency Team Forms in Texas Veterinary Emergency Team Forms in Texas newsline Click to enlarge The Veterinary Emergency Team, which consists of 13 Texas A&M University faculty, resident veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary students, was formed to respond to disasters that affect animals in Texas. The Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, in cooperation with the Texas Animal Health Commission, has formed a mobile Veterinary Emergency Team (VET) to respond to disasters affecting small and large animals within the state. The team—made up of 13 Texas A&M faculty, resident veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary students who have completed a disaster medicine elective — is deployable under the state animal response plan in a disaster situation where there is need for additional veterinary assessment, triage and care. “As the lead agency responsible for dealing with animals affected by disasters, the Texas Animal Health Commission has done an outstanding job of developing one of the premiere animal issues in disasters plans in the country,” said Wesley Bissett, DVM, Ph.D., Texas A&M’s lead faculty member in the effort. “TAHC personnel …
Equine Piroplasmosis Outbreak Reported In New MexicoJune 21, 2010 The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reported today an outbreak of equine piroplasmosis on a farm in New Mexico. The source of the outbreak was deemed “unknown or inconclusive.” OIE noted that the reason for notification was due to a new strain of a listed disease. The casual agent in this case was Babesia caballi. Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease that affects horses, donkeys, mules and zebras. The disease, which can also be caused by the parasite Theileria equi, is transmitted via tick bites or through mechanical transmission by improperly disinfected needles or surgical instruments, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which worked with the New Mexico Livestock Board in conducting an epidemiological investigation of this event. The B. caballi positive quarter horse was detected as a result of New Mexico’s equine piroplasmosis race track screening program, according to the OIE report. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the positive result on June 14. The horse has since been euthanized. OIE considers the event resolved and no more reports will be submitted. In related news, the New Mexico Veterinary Diagnostic Services (NM-VDS) was recently approved …
Natural Balance Recalls Some Dry Dog FoodJune 18, 2010 Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. of Pacoima, Calif., on June 18 issued a voluntary recall of Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food because of the potential risk of Salmonella contamination. The recall involves: 5-POUND BAG Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food Bag UPC Code: 7-23633-99000-4 Bale UPC Code: 7-23633-99003-5 Best By Date: June 17, 2011 28-POUND BAG Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food Bag UPC Code: 7-23633-99002-8 Best By Date: June 17, 2011 The recalled product was distributed only in pet specialty stores in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. No illnesses have been reported, according to Natural Balance Pet Foods. The recall is a response to a product sample testing positive for Salmonella in a random test conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Joey Herrick, president of Natural Balance Pet Foods, wrote in a letter posted on the company website: “Upon hearing from the FDA, I immediately went to our director of …
Kent Recalls Some Swine FeedJune 18, 2010 Kent Nutrition Group Inc. has recalled some Kent Feeds swine feed products because of insufficient vitamin D levels in a premix it purchased from Tri Ag Supply Inc., according to the Food and Drug Administration. Vitamin D3 deficiency can alter calcium and phosphorus metabolism and affect bone mineralization, the agency said. Signs of the deficiency can take four to six months to appear in pigs, the FDA reported. The signs in mature pigs include poor growth, stiffness, lameness, stiff gait and broken or fractured bones. In young pigs, vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, which is characterized by weak bending bones and rear leg problems and may lead to death, the FDA said. Swine exposed to natural sunlight or vitamin D3 supplements may not be affected, according to the agency. Kent received reports of deaths and rickets in swine that may have consumed Kent Feeds swine products containing the vitamin-deficient ingredients from Tri-Ag, the FDA said. The affected products were sold in 50-pound bags or in bulk, with lot numbers 09335 through 09365 and 10001 through 10158. Lot numbers for bagged products can be found at the sewn end of the bag; for bulk products …
Pet Health Insurance Group Sponsoring 2 ContestsJune 17, 2010 North American Pet Health Insurance Month is fast approaching with September around the corner. To help celebrate, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association is accepting nominations for its Favorite Veterinarian and Favorite Pet Insurance Story contests. The entry deadline for both is Sept. 15. This will be the second year that pet insurance companies in the U.S. and Canada will come together to recognize North American Pet Health Insurance Month. Last year’s contests brought in thousands of entries, the association reported. “We are very gratified that National Pet Health Insurance Month appears to be a positive and valuable effort,” said Loran Hickton, the group's executive director. “It is intended to help all pets and care providers by highlighting great pets and their owners, veterinarians, veterinary hospitals and the support of quality pet health insurance. We look forward to another successful year in 2010.” For the North America’s Favorite Pet Insurance Story contest, pet owners, care providers and others can submit stories of how pet health insurance helped them when a pet needed medical care. The story must discuss pet insurance in action. A digital photo of the pet must be submitted. The winner …
