Western Veterinary Conference Sees Record AttendanceMarch 3, 2011 More than 14,600 people attended the 83rd Annual Western Veterinary Conference last month in Las Vegas, an attendance record. Last year, the total was about 13,500. More than 14,600 people attended the 83rd Annual Western Veterinary Conference last month in Las Vegas, an attendance record. Last year, the total was about 13,500. newsline More than 14,600 people attended the 83rd Annual Western Veterinary Conference in February in Las Vegas, an attendance record. Last year, the total was about 13,500. This year’s attendance included 6,220 veterinarians; 1,513 veterinary technicians; 330 practice managers; 1,381 guests; 246 administrative staff; 145 DVM students; 387 veterinary technician students; 3,719 exhibitor representatives; 322 general attendee/press; and 354 vendor and support staff. The conference offered more than 875 hours of continuing education, about 30 hands-on laboratories and workshops, more than 30 focused symposia, 18 industry seminars and a “hugely expanded” exhibit hall. The exhibit hall, located upstairs this year on Level 2, was increased by 65 percent, according to Manolita Moore, annual conference director. WVC added nearly 100 more exhibitors in 2011 for a total of 550. “By introducing the Hall’s Grand Pavilion for easy access to exhibitor information plus our …
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Georgia Considers Adding State Tax To Vet ServicesMarch 2, 2011 Georgia pet owners could see their veterinary bills increase by an overall 7 percent to 8 percent due to taxation if a proposed pet tax becomes law. House Bills 385-388 all include language that will tax “veterinarian expenses for pets,” among other services. Although medications and supplies are already taxed, veterinary services are not. The Georgia Veterinary Medical Association sent out a media alert today asking veterinarians and pet owners to contact their legislator and ask them to oppose any effort to impose a tax on veterinary services. Veterinarians are the only health care group targeted, the GVMA pointed out. “No other professionals are being targeted by this legislation,” GVMA said in its media alert. “Nor are any other health care professionals, who are also service providers, finding their practices threatened. Medical services have long been exempt from taxation at the state and federal level.” According to GVMA, adding a sales tax to veterinary services may force owners to: forego life-saving procedures and opt for economic euthanasia; have a substantial financial impact on responsible veterinary care of pets; and increase pet abandonment. This tax tactic has been attempted in other states—California, Maine, Michigan …
VetDC Acquires Veterinary Rights For Cancer MoleculeMarch 2, 2011 VetDC Inc. reported today that it has acquired North American veterinary rights to Gilead Sciences Inc.’s investigational molecule, GS 9219, for use in animal cancer. VetDC is a Colorado State University startup based in Fort Collins, Colo. The product development company focuses on in-licensing, developing and commercializing human biomedical technologies for use in dogs and cats. “This deal demonstrates VetDC’s capabilities in partnering with leading biotechnology companies, like Gilead, to acquire novel technologies for development and commercialization in companion animal settings,” said Steven Roy, president and CEO of VetDC. “The transaction with Gilead is a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to license innovative products and intellectual properties that will advance veterinary medicine.” GS 9219, as described by VetDC, is an anti-proliferative agent that preferentially targets lymphoid cells and works by inhibiting cellular DNA synthesis, leading to the induction of apoptosis, or programmed cell death. An intravenous version of GS 9219 was evaluated for the treatment of canine lymphoma in a recently completed animal study. The product was well tolerated and demonstrated significant activity against spontaneous non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in pet dog subjects (n=38), according to VetDC. These results suggest GS 9219 could be …
AMC Names New Chief Of SurgeryFebruary 28, 2011The Animal Medical Center in New York City has named Roger Avery Bennett, Jr., DVM, Dipl. ACVS, as chief of surgery. “As we move forward into a promising second century, Dr. Bennett’s diverse, extensive experience in veterinary surgery will be instrumental in furthering The AMC’s core mission of advancing veterinary medicine and pioneering effective therapies,” said Kathryn Coyne, AMC’s CEO. “With more than 20 years of surgical proficiency across various platforms in veterinary medicine, coupled with his depth of knowledge and surgical skills, I am confident Dr. Bennett will be an enormous asset to The AMC.” Prior, Bennett was a professor of small animal surgery at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, Ill., with appointments in soft tissue, oncologic, orthopedic and neurologic surgery. He also served as clinical associate professor of small animal surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and held positions in zoo and wildlife medicine, including chief veterinarian at The San Francisco Zoological Gardens and associate professor of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine at the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. “It is truly a privilege to join The AMC, a national leader …
Stem Cell Conference Scheduled For Early JuneFebruary 25, 2011 The North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Association will be holding a conference on stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine on June 2-5 in Lexington, Ky. About 400 people are expected to attend, including veterinarians, research scientists and medical professionals. The conference will feature scientific presentations and discussion sessions that blend research and practical applications, addressing all aspects of stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine in horses and small animals, according to the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The association was formed by the vet school, among others, in 2010 as a way to promote research and sharing of new findings related to regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy in animals. The vet school is joining with horse clinics in Kentucky and California to coordinate the conference. A special half-day forum is planned for horse owners, trainers and equine professionals on June 4. For details, visit the group's website. <Home>
Raccoon Rabies Eliminated In Two New York CountiesFebruary 24, 2011 Rabies in raccoons has been officially eliminated in two New York counties, Cornell University reported today. The success story in Nassau and Suffolk counties, part of New York’s Long Island, is being attributed to Cornell’s Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination Program. The program was initiated during the mid-1990s. The World Health Organization defines such success as a lack of rabies cases after two years of enhanced surveillance, according to Laura Bigler, Ph.D., a Cornell wildlife biologist and program coordinator. The last raccoon rabies case in Nassau County was in November 2007. Suffolk County’s last case was in January 2009. Cornell’s program uses a U.S. Department of Agriculture-licensed liquid rabies vaccine hidden inside a small sachet that is coated with fishmeal and fish oil. Raccoons are attracted to the bait by its fishy smell, according to the university. The raccoons puncture the baits and ingest the liquid vaccine. Cornell took over managing rabies-control efforts in Nassau and Suffolk counties in 2006. Since then, about 372,000 baits per year have been distributed, targeting populated suburban neighborhoods either via GIS-satellite-guided helicopter drops, vehicle tosses or bait stations that were developed at Cornell. “In 2004, the New …
Veterinarian Patricia Olson Joins American Humane AssociationFebruary 22, 2011 Dr. Patricia Olson, formerly with Morris Animal Foundation, is the new chief veterinary advisor at American Humane Association. American Humane Association has appointed Patricia Olson, DVM, chief veterinary advisor. In her new role, Olson, who previously served as president and CEO of Morris Animal Foundation, will lead American Humane Association’s new animal welfare and research initiative. “Dr. Olson brings a wealth of experience, expertise and knowledge to this position,” said Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association’s president and CEO. “This important new work will increase our impact on, and enhance our value to, a broader constituency, including the millions of animals we are dedicated to protecting and the people who interact with them on a daily basis.” As chief veterinary advisor of the American Humane Association, Olson will be responsible for a range of activities, including identifying research opportunities to advance the health and welfare of children and animals; using science to define the key elements that advance and sustain the human-animal bond; promoting and developing academic programs to enhance veterinary medical education in animal welfare; identifying strategies for research opportunities to prevent disease and injury to animals; promoting scientific discovery to advance …
The Big 5February 18, 2011 You probably still lure in some new clients with the old standby marketing method commonly known as “word of mouth.” Yet, you probably are becoming increasingly aware that this once-reliable strategy is not nearly as effective as it used to be. Blame the economic climate or the information superhighway: Certainly there are many factors at play. What’s most important, however, is understanding that even a great reputation and location can’t guarantee your practice will continue to thrive and grow in this competitive market. So what can you do to build visibility and promote your business? Here are the Top 5 Marketing Strategies, followed by five common mistakes you should never make. ‘DO’: TOP 5 MARKETING STRATEGIES 1. Have A Marketing Budget: It’s a painful truth. You must spend actual dollars on marketing. It costs money to properly promote your practice. Be prepared for the expenditures with a reasonable, well-planned budget that amounts to about 8 to 10 percent of your net sales. Sound exorbitant? Consider this: That’s what your smart competitor is spending. Bottom Line: With the right marketing plan tied to your budget, you’ll get enough new business in a year to defray …
VCA Antech’s Same-Store Revenue Drops 2.2% In Q4February 18, 2011 VCA Antech Inc.’s animal hospital division reported revenue of $261.5 million for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, compared to revenue of $237.2 million in the year-ago period. The 10.2 percent increase was driven by acquisitions made in the past 12 months, according to the Los Angeles-based company. Same-store revenue declined by 2.2 percent while same-store gross profit margin declined to 14 percent from 15.4 percent. VCA Antech acquired 10 animal hospitals during the fourth quarter with historical combined annual revenue of $33.1 million. Year to date, the division reported revenue of $1.1 billion, compared to $994.2 million in the year-ago period. VCA Antech’s laboratory division reported revenue of $72.2 million for its fourth quarter, compared to revenue of $71.1 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, the division reported revenue of $310.7 million, compared to revenue of $310.1 million in the year-ago period. VCA Antech’s medical technology division reported revenue of $16.2 million for its fourth quarter, compared to revenue of $16.2 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, the division reported $64 million, compared to $48.6 million in the year-ago period. Overall, VCA Antech reported net …
Butler Schein Animal Health Acquires Two Vet Software CompaniesFebruary 18, 2011 Butler Schein Animal Health, the domestic veterinary business of Henry Schein Inc. of Melville, N.Y., reported today that it has acquired majority ownership of McAllister Software Systems LLC (MSS) and ImproMed Inc. MSS, creator of the AVImark practice management system, and ImproMed, creator of the Infinity practice management software product, will operate as subsidiaries of Butler Schein Animal Health. Financial terms were not disclosed. “Our animal health business has become increasingly important to Henry Schein, as has our commitment to offering the latest technology solutions to our veterinary customers,” said Stanley Bergman, chairman and CEO of Henry Schein. “With the addition of these two outstanding companies, we expand the veterinary practice management offering that we provide to our customers and further enhance the vital role that Butler Schein Animal Health plays as a consultative partner to more than 26,000 veterinary practices in the United States. At the same time, we strengthen our ability to forge even stronger relationships with manufacturers of veterinary pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and pet food companies.” MSS will continue to be led by Scott McAllister, president, along with his leadership team, and will maintain its headquarters in Piedmont, Mo. MSS has more …
