MDs As Clients: Vet’s Worst NightmareMarch 2, 2010 If there’s one discrete class of client that gives veterinarians pause more than any other it’s the human physician. This may sound profoundly unfair, yet nine of 10 surveyed vets agree they’re among the most difficult pet owners to handle. As far back as veterinary school, our professors drilled us on issues we should beware should our animal patients come with an on-the-side, at-home clinician in tow. Making medical decisions for their pets in our stead was their specialty, we were told. Fifteen years of experience in this arena has not yet proved my profs wrong. Human docs are far more likely to bring on the stress than any other kind of client. But I’ll give them this: Those who don’t come with a cloud over their heads tend to join my A-plus crowd of clients. You just never know which it’ll be. So what’s up with that, you ask? Here’s the biggest issue: Physicians, often feeling themselves capable of treating diarrhea, pain, fevers or simple infections, have a reputation for giving inappropriate drugs or administering human-style treatments based on off-the-mark presumptive diagnoses. Most of the time these actions are benign or merely …
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Veterinary Services Lead U.S. Pet Market; More Growth ExpectedMarch 2, 2010 The U.S. pet market grew to $53 billion in 2009 and overall sales are expected to continue to increase over the next few years, according to a report released March 2 by market research publisher Packaged Facts. “U.S. Pet Market Outlook 2010-2011: Tapping into Post-Recession Pet Parent Spending” projects U.S. pet market retail sales and trends overall in four core categories: veterinary services, pet food, non-food pet supplies and non-medical pet services. The report found that sales of all pet products and services rose 5 percent in 2009 to $53 billion, with sales of veterinary services increasing the most to $18.40 billion. Moreover, pent-up pet owner demand for products and services that both enhance pet health and pamper animal companions will begin to kick in during 2010, according to the report. “The pet market has fared well overall despite the recession, and Packaged Facts attributes this performance to a number of factors that will also be integral to its even better performance in 2010 and 2011,” said Don Montuori, publisher of Packaged Facts. “Chief among these factors is the human-animal bond, which is an excellent insulator against recessionary cutbacks, and the ‘pet parent’ sentiment has never been …
Behavior Expertise Can Generate RevenueMarch 1, 2010 It’s not uncommon for clients to ask a veterinarian about their dogs’ behavior. While most veterinarians refer their clients to trainers, a new AAVSB-approved continuing education program developed by a canine behavior specialist and author of “Good Dog!” means veterinarians, technicians and assistants can address the behavior themselves, possibly increasing overhead at the same time. “The ASPCA reports that 42 percent of dogs acquired in the U.S. annually are surrendered in the first year of life because of behavior,” says the behaviorist, Donna Chandler. “If veterinarians take behavior training into their clinics, not only will the dog remain in the family, but the veterinarian will keep the client. “No one has to lose if there is someone on the staff who can help.” Jeanette Raikos, DVM, of VCA West 86th Street Animal Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind., notes that relinquishment is a big problem. “So we are pre-emptive,” she says. “If we have a first-time dog owner, we’ll help them start out right so they don’t have a problem down the line. We have Donna come in and conduct classes here, and then she follows up with the patients at home. “Having someone on staff …
Study Finds Alternative Antiviral For Bird Flu Prevention And TreatmentFebruary 26, 2010 New research out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine reveals that a novel compound proves highly effective against the pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. The study, led by virologist Yoshihiro Kawaoka, professor of pathobiological sciences, appeared in the Public Library of Science journal PLoS Pathogens on Feb. 26. It suggests that the compound CS-8958 is a promising alternative antiviral for prevention and treatment of bird flu. Antiviral drugs are a key countermeasure against human influenza viruses, according to the university. This includes the pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus, which causes bird flu. The emerging strains resistant to existing drugs, particularly oseltamivir (Tamiflu), make the development of alternate antivirals a public health issue, Kawaoka said. He and researchers from Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia tested a neuraminidase inhibitor R-125489 and its prodrug CS-8958, which had previously shown potent activity against seasonal influenza viruses in laboratory animals. Working with mice, the researchers learned that a single intranasal dose of CS-8958 given two hours after infection with H5N1 influenza virus resulted in a higher survival rate and lower virus levels than a standard five-day course of oseltamivir. CS-8958 was also effective against highly pathogenic and oseltamivir-resistant …
Researcher Combines Computers, Biology To Track FluFebruary 25, 2010 An assistant professor in systems biology at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has combined computers and biology to track animal flu viruses. During graduate studies in China, Henry Wan, DVM, MS, Ph.D., became the first scientist to isolate the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus, according to MSU. Shortly after, highly pathogenic H5N1 outbreaks occurred in poultry in Asia, Europe and Africa. More than 440 confirmed human cases across 15 countries were caused by the virus. About 60 percent of them were fatal. “My research centers on influenza A viruses," Dr. Wan said. "Where they come from, why they change and how they spread.” He developed computer programs that provide information on each one of the more than 20,000 viruses’ gene segments, according to MSU. The program displays each gene segment and a map showing the distances between the segments. The information is used to determine how the segments relate to each other and group to form different influenza viruses, which are always changing, Wan said. “The program aims to seek a better understanding of why they mutate and how they spread," he said. "Knowing this helps us more …
Abaxis Reports Record RevenuesFebruary 25, 2010Abaxis Inc., manufacturer of point-of-care blood analysis systems to the medical and veterinarian markets, has reported record financial growth for the fiscal quarter ended Dec. 31, 2009. The company reported veterinary market sales of $23.9 million, a 33 percent gain over last year’s comparable quarter. The company also reported total medical and veterinary instrument sales of 1,212 units, up 37 percent over the same period last year. Quarterly highlights also include total medical and veterinary reagent disc sales of $16.3 million, up 5 percent over last year’s comparable quarter. Consumables revenue, which includes heartworm rapid tests, increased by an aggregate of $3.4 million, or 20 percent, over the same period last year. Clint Severson, chairman and CEO of Abaxis, said the company has posted another solid quarter of double-digit growth accompanied with strong operating margins. Revenues grew 15 percent to a record $31 million for the quarter, led by a 37 percent increase in instrument unit sales. “Our balance sheet remains healthy with $93.2 million in cash, cash equivalents, short- and long-term investments and no long-term debt,” Severson said. <HOME>
Veterinarians Invited To Horse Stem Cell Conference In CaliforniaFebruary 24, 2010 Researchers and veterinary practitioners from throughout the United States and abroad are invited to the inaugural North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Conference, a two-day event to include scientific presentations, demonstrations and discussion sessions. The meeting is coordinated by the UC Davis Center for Equine Health and the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in California’s Central Coast. The groundbreaking conference on the use of stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine to treat horses and other animals will feature new research developments and techniques for harvesting, expanding and preserving stem cells, according to the university. In addition, the 200 expected participants will learn about clinical applications and methods for using stem cells in orthopedics, including treating tendon and ligament injuries. One roundtable session plans to feature a discussion on the use of regenerative medicine in equine veterinary practices. Live demonstrations at the equine medical center are set to highlight stem cell collection techniques from bone marrow and fat, and laboratory processing of bone marrow samples, organizers said. The UC Davis Center for Equine Health is coordinating a regenerative medicine research study, now in its fourth year. The study is led by a team of 20 university researchers, including …
Heska Reports Fourth Quarter ProfitsFebruary 22, 2010 Heska Corporation of Loveland, Colo., which sells advanced veterinary diagnostic and other specialty veterinary products, reported fourth-quarter net income of $460 thousand or $0.01 per share, compared with a net loss of $1.9 million or $0.04 per share in the year-ago period. The company reported fourth-quarter net revenue in core companion animal health products of $17.4 million, a 6 percent increase from the year-ago period. Heska cited its heartworm-related products as a reason for the increase. For the 12-month period ended Dec. 31, 2009, the company reported revenue for this category of $75.7 million, compared with net revenue of $81.7 million in the year-ago period. For the year, Heska reported more than $4 million in operating income - the second best result in company history, despite a challenging economic environment, said Robert Grieve, Heska’s chairman and CEO. “In the fourth quarter of 2009, we produced revenue growth in both of our operating segments, increased our gross margin and decreased our operating expenses compared to the fourth quarter of 2008,” Grieve said. “We also placed our first Dri-Chem 7000 Veterinary Chemistry Analyzers with our customers in the fourth quarter of 2009.” The company continues to be …
VCA Antech Reports Fourth Quarter EarningsFebruary 19, 2010 Animal healthcare company VCA Antech Inc. of Los Angeles, Calif. has reported that financial results for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2009 show revenue increased 4 percent to $315.2 million, net income decreased 1.3 percent to $25.4 million and diluted earnings per common share was $0.29. Results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009 include the following: revenue increased 2.9 percent to a record $1.31 billion; gross profit increased slightly to $343.0 million; net income decreased 1.2 percent to $131.4 million; and diluted earnings per common share was at $1.53. Twelve-month results include a charge, net of the recovery in the fourth quarter, of $2 million or $0.02 per diluted share related to abandonment of an internally developed software project. Excluding this item, adjusted net income increased slightly to $133.5 million and adjusted diluted earnings per common share remained flat at $1.55. Bob Antin, chairman and CEO, said the company faced challenges in 2009. “As with most companies, the economy negatively impacted our revenue growth rates throughout the year. While the economy continues to put pressure on us, we have seen a relative improvement in the fourth quarter in comparison to the previous three quarters,” he said. …
Pfizer Animal Health Program Contributes $1.3 Million To FFA In 2009February 19, 2010 New York, N.Y.-based Pfizer Animal Health said it plans to continue a contribution program that raised more than $1.3 million in 2009 for Future Farmers of America programs and veterinary scholarships through a partnership with veterinarians, animal health suppliers and dealers. This gives customers a second opportunity to donate in 2010 and help fund the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) Foundation/Pfizer Veterinary Student Scholarships and FFA programs, Pfizer said. This opportunity is available now through March 31. During this time, eligible accounts completing an enrollment form get a 1 percent rebate on Pfizer Animal Health Cattle Products, excluding MGA purchases, invoiced and shipped Jan. 1 through March 31 to be donated to either the local FFA chapter(s) of their choice or to the AABP Foundation/Pfizer Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund. Will Fett, National FFA Foundation regional director, said these contributions help strengthen local FFA chapters and expand offerings available to students. “Just as important, members are able to make connections with their local animal health professionals,” he said. In 2009, more than 1,160 Pfizer Animal Health suppliers contributed to FFA chapters. In addition, the program raised more than $212,400 for the AABP Foundation scholarships. …
