New Novartis Flea And Tick Products To Hit MarketJune 9, 2011 Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. today launched new EPA-approved flea and tick control products for dogs and cats to be available through U.S. veterinarians this summer. Parastar for dogs and EasySpot for cats are species-specific formulations of fipronil, a flea and tick adulticide. Parastar and EasySpot topicals are designed to offer fast-acting, waterproof, 30-day control of fleas, chewing lice and all major ticks, including those that may carry Lyme disease. Parastar is made especially for dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older. EasySpot is designed exclusively for cats and kittens 8 weeks of age and older. “The Novartis family of parasiticides is defined by best-in-class medicine, so Parastar and EasySpot fit perfectly,” says Jason Drake, DVM, director of professional services at Novartis. “Together with the heartworm preventive medicine that veterinarians choose most for their own dogs and the only systemic flea product with an insect growth regulator, the proven power of fipronil found in Parastar and EasySpot is a natural addition to the family.” Parastar and EasySpot are registered in more than 40 states. Visit ParaStarPet.com or EasySpotPet.com for more information. <Home>
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AVMA Looking For Talent To Perform At St. Louis ConventionJune 8, 2011 The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is opening auditions for the first time for talented members, friends and family of the AVMA to perform at the annual convention as an opening act for comedian Jay Mohr. Mohr, known for his performance in Jerry Maguire, and as a Saturday Night Live alumnus, will be doing a comedy show at the Sunday Night Live event July 17. “We know we have talented members and friends at the AVMA,” says Ron E. Banks, DVM, Dipl. ACLAM, Dipl. ACVPM and chair of the AVMA Convention Management and Program Committee. “This is a great opportunity to showcase that talent. Up to three finalists will serve as warm up acts for Mohr. The winner will receive free registration for the 2012 convention in San Diego, Calif.” Talent can range from singing, dancing, playing an instrument, telling jokes or anything else that can entertain an audience. Video submissions must be posted on the AVMA’s Facebook page by 11:59 p.m. July 1. Finalists will be judged on the quality, creativity and the appropriateness of their act for the audience. The number of votes their act receives on the AVMA’s Facebook page will also factor …
Pfizer Unit Suspends Sale Of Poultry DrugJune 8, 2011 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that Alpharma, a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc., will voluntarily suspend U.S. sales of the animal drug 3-Nitro (Roxarsone), an FDA-approved product used by poultry producers since 1944. A recent FDA study of broiler chickens using a new analytical detection method revealed low levels of inorganic arsenic in edible tissue. Scientists from the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition developed this detection method. Inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen, was found at higher levels in the livers of 100 chickens treated with 3-Nitro compared with untreated chickens. FDA officials stress that the levels of inorganic arsenic detected were very low and do not pose a health risk. “FDA detected increased levels of inorganic arsenic in the livers of chickens treated with 3-Nitro, raising concerns of a very low but completely avoidable exposure to a carcinogen,” says Michael R. Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods. “We are pleased to announce that the company is cooperating with us to protect the public health.” Arsenic is in the environment as a naturally occurring substance or as a contaminant and is found in water, air, …
CO2 Lasers: The Four Keys To SuccessJune 8, 2011 The use of lasers in veterinary practice continues to expand greatly. Thousands of veterinarians are now using CO2 laser energy in their practices in some capacity. The implementation of laser wavelengths varies from topical, non-invasive laser irradiation of damaged tissue (high- and low-power therapy lasers) to incisive vaporization of selected tissues (CO2 and diode lasers). Multiple factors are involved that will ultimately produce a superior surgical outcome and by understanding the variety of factors and components that go into an informed use of laser energy, any type of CO2 laser can be an effective surgical tool. There are four keys to successful use of any laser. Clinicians can maximize laser success by using these four simple keys. Key I. Laser Wavelengths Essential knowledge: Understand the wavelength you are using or don’t use the wavelength. The majority of clinicians in the United States use CO2 wavelength laser energy produced in the 10,600nm infrared range. The CO2 laser wavelength’s major advantage is that it is absorbed almost completely by the intracellular water present in each cell, causing rapid vaporization of the water and thus the cell. This allows for a consistent and extremely repeatable …
NYC Veterinary Specialists Providing Services In White Plains, N.Y.June 7, 2011 NYC Veterinary Specialists, a BluePearl Veterinary Partners Hospital, has begun to receive internal medicine referral cases in White Plains, N.Y. within the Veterinary Emergency Group hospital. Keith Sobel, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, will see patients at the White Plains location by referral from a primary care veterinarian for internal medicine illnesses. Dr. Sobel is experienced with procedures including abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy and bone marrow aspiration. “We are excited to have Dr. Sobel join our team and proud to be a part of the Westchester veterinary community,” says Neil Shaw, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, chief medical officer and one of the founders of BluePearl Veterinary Partners. Sobel has a special interest in Cushing’s disease and participated in the Food and Drug Administration study for approval of trilostane for use in Cushing’s disease patients. “We are pleased to be collaborating with NYC Veterinary Specialists to bring internal medicine specialty services to our local veterinary community,” says Douglas Aspros, DVM, president of Veterinary Emergency Group. BluePearl has 21 veterinary hospitals in nine states. The partnership employs roughly 250 veterinarians and 700 technicians and support staff who provide specialty and emergency care. NYC Veterinary Specialists also operates hospitals in Manhattan, …
EPA Moves To Ban ‘Most Toxic’ Rodent Poisons To Protect Pets, ChildrenJune 7, 2011 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans in June to ban the sale of “the most toxic” rat and mouse poisons, as well as most loose bait and pellet products to residential customers. The goal is to better protect children, pets and wildlife. “These changes are essential to reduce the thousands of accidental exposures of children that occur every year from rat and mouse control products and also to protect household pets,” said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. EPA is prohibiting rat and mouse poisons that come in pellet formulations, opting instead for block or paste bait, and requiring those products to be enclosed in bait stations that don’t allow children and pets to reach the poison. In addition, EPA intends to ban the sale and distribution of rodenticide products containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone and difenacoum directly to residential consumers because of their toxicity and the secondary poisoning hazards to wildlife. A ban on the non-compliant rodent control products will go into effect once EPA has concluded a cancellation process, which the agency expects will be later this year. Rodenticides containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone and …
Dairy Cattle Expert Tapped To Head UC Davis Tulare CenterJune 7, 2011 Terry Lehenbauer, DVM, MPVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVPM – epidemiology, was named director of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center in Tulare. Dr. Lehenbauer, an expert in dairy cattle health, welfare and economics, joined the center in 2008 as associate director for food systems. Under his new title, he oversees academic and clinical training programs for veterinary and pre veterinary students. He also manages the three-year dairy production medicine residency for veterinarians, works with the community to develop research and training programs and supervises clinical services for more than 100,000 animals at local commercial dairies and calf ranches. The Tulare center opened in 1983 to serve regional dairies, provide training for veterinary students and develop scientific studies on cattle health and food safety. The Tulare branch of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System and a district office of the California Department of Food and Agriculture is also part of the center. Lehenbauer’s research interests include animal health economics, assessment of dairy cattle health and welfare, epidemiology of cattle production systems and evaluation of diagnostic tests. He represents the American Association of Bovine Practitioners on the American Veterinary …
Nutramax Study Says Cosequin Safe For Diabetic CatsJune 6, 2011 Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. revealed results from a study that suggest Cosequin for Cats, a joint health supplement, will not affect the management of diabetes. According to Nutramax, the study provides evidence of Cosequin’s safety in diabetic cats, many of whom could benefit from joint health support due to being overweight or geriatric. Cosequin for Cats contains the active ingredients glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. The study showed no major changes in the blood value fructosamine when the product was administered at label-recommended levels. Fructosamine levels reflect the average glucose levels during the previous two to three weeks. Despite safety indications, the company recommends pet owners check with their veterinarian before changing diet or management of a diabetic cat. Nutramax noted that Cosequin’s glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are also available with the ingredient avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) in Dasuquin providing advanced joint health support. <Home>
VPI Donates $10,000 To Search And Rescue DogsJune 6, 2011 Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. announced it has donated $10,000 to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) to help fund veterinary care for search and rescue dogs serving in areas damaged by tornadoes. The funds will contribute to any necessary medical care. Injuries such as lacerations and damage from dermal and inhaled toxins are commonly suffered by dogs in the line of duty, according to VPI. There are only 200 federally certified search and rescue dogs in the country, making their abilities valuable and unique, however when an accident or injury occurs the medical fees can exceed the veterinary care stipend handlers receive, VPI states. AVMF was established as the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 1963. In the last decade, the foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $9 million to help veterinarians help pets. Visit AVMF's website for more information. <Home>
Philadelphia Beaver Confirmed To Have RabiesJune 3, 2011 A beaver that attacked three people in Philadelphia tested positive for the rabies virus. Test results were provided to the Game Commission today by the Department of Health’s Bureau of Laboratories in Exton, Chester County. Walter Cottrell, MS, DVM, Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife veterinarian, made the announcement. The beaver carcass was taken to the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center and prepared for transfer for rabies testing at the Department of Health facility. A necropsy will be conducted at New Bolton to determine if there were other potential causes for aggression, such as injury or another type of disease. As a precaution, Game Commission officials encourage residents to avoid the Pennypack Creek waterfront area. On June 1, a husband and wife were fishing when a beaver bit the woman’s leg. As her husband attempted to assist her, the beaver turned and bit him in both his arms and chest. On June 2, in the area of Roosevelt Boulevard, a child was bitten by a beaver. A search for other affected beavers is expected to be conducted by the Game Commission and United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services. Since 2000, between 350 and …
