Researchers Use New Method To Develop Genetically Sterile ScrewwormsDecember 29, 2009 Scientists are developing transgenic sterile, male-only screwworm flies that could eliminate the need for the expensive irradiation technique now used in screwworm control programs, according to the Agricultural Research Service, the scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sterile insect techniques are used to control pests such as screwworms, Cochliomyia hominivorax, Mediterranean fruit flies and tsetse flies, among others. Screwworm eradication efforts in particular save U.S. livestock producers about $900 million annually in potential losses, according to the ARS. The ARS team involved with the project include entomologists Margaret Allen and Steven Skoda and geneticist Alfred Handler. Allen is at the ARS Biological Control of Pests Research Unit in Stoneville, Miss.; Skoda is a research leader with the ARS Livestock Insects Research Laboratory at Kerrville, Texas; and Handler works at the ARS Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research Unit in Gainesville, Fla. Using a genetic element called a “piggyBac transposon” as a vector, the researchers introduced a green fluorescent protein gene (GFP) into the genomes of eight screwworm strains. When viewed under ultraviolet light, the transgenic screwworms emitted a fluorescent glow, helping confirm GFP’s activation, according to ARS. The research also revealed that transgenic …
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Dr. Joel Pasco Dies At 62December 29, 2009 Joel Pasco, DVM, founder of All Creatures Care Cottage in Costa Mesa, Calif., died Oct. 24 during a fishing trip to Convict Lake in the Sierras, the Daily Pilot reported. He was 62. Dr. Pasco, also founder of the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, Calif., was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2006. Last year he was told that he had about 12 months to live. In a story published in July in Veterinary Practice News, Pasco said he decided to surround himself with family and friends upon hearing the news. He would continue to pursue hobbies that brought him joy, like painting, sculpting, fishing and bonsai gardening. And, as long as he could, he would continue to practice veterinary medicine, the profession he’d loved for more than 30 years. “People ask me, ‘Why are you working? You should be retired,’ ” Pasco told Veterinary Practice News. “But my answer is, ‘I love what I do. I love my animal patients and I love my human clients, and my life would be very empty if I could not continue to do this.’ ” A celebration of Pasco’s …
Shelters Getting $1 Million In Pet Supplies From HartzDecember 28, 2009 Which animal shelters could use 2,000 pet products? Hartz Mountain Corp. of Secaucus, N.J., asked that question, and the public answered. As part of its Shelter Donation Program, the pet product manufacturer plans to ship $1 million worth of pet supplies to 150 shelters across the U.S. It's on track to meet its overall goal of donating $3 million worth of products to animal shelters in need. Hartz called on the public Dec. 13 to nominate a shelter to receive 2,000 pet supplies. (Due to the way Hartz stores and ships its products, each donation had to be a minimum of 2,000 items.) Within 10 days, the company received enough nominations to meet its goal of donating $1 million worth of supplies to animal shelters. “It seems everyone is in the holiday spirit as we’ve seen a tremendous amount of goodwill from consumers nominating animal shelters from all over the country, and we’d like to thank them for responding so soon and with such enthusiasm,” said Bob Shipley, Hartz’s senior vice president of customer relations development. “Sadly, it also reminds us that our animal shelters are really suffering this year and need everyone’s help. We …
Allergies And Resistant Staph Infections Dominate Dermatological ConcernsDecember 23, 2009Veterinary dermatologists say general practitioners following the “three strikes and you’re out,” policy tend to hold onto the client they referred when future veterinary care is needed. While the down economy may make an owner less willing to comply with treatment, holding onto a case without results for too long can make them leave the practice for good. Just as in general practice, specialists are reporting a slight decline in business correlating with their local economic conditions and the clients’ perceived importance of the problem, but they are also saying clients discuss their disappointment when their pet’s condition persisted for months even with their general practitioner’s treatments. “The general vet should refer cases that have been seen by multiple veterinarians without resolution,” says Terry Nagle, BVSc, MACVS, Diplo. ACVD, Northern California Vet Specialists, Sacramento, Calif. “The chance of making this client happy is very low considering the previous generalists likely treated the animal following the most likely diagnosis. The referring vet can be the hero that referred to a specialist that has the background to treat the animal’s tricky case.” Specialists say allergic dermatitis is still the most common reason they see clients, but the animal’s secondary bacterial …
Teva Animal Health Expands Ketamine RecallDecember 22, 2009 Teva Animal Health Inc. of St. Joseph, Mo., has expanded a nationwide voluntary recall of Ketamine Hydrochloride Injection, USP CIII 100 mg/mL in 10 mL vials due to “serious adverse events” associated with the product, including lack of effect, prolonged effect and death. The recall now includes all lot numbers within their expiration dates to the veterinary level. Previously, the recall had been limited to the distributor level. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which reported the expanded recall on Dec. 21, is instructing veterinarians who have this product in their possession to cease using the product immediately and return it to their distributor. Questions can be directed to 800-7593664 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST, Monday – Friday. <HOME>
New York Dog Tests Positive For H1N1December 21, 2009 A 13-year-old male mixed-breed dog has tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, the first known reported U.S. case, according to Idexx Reference Laboratories. The Westbrook, Maine-based company, which recently launched its H1N1 Influenza Virus RealPCR Test, made the announcement on Dec. 21. The canine sample was submitted to Idexx by the Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center in Bedford Hills, N.Y., earlier this month. The sample tested positive for H1N1. The result was later independently verified by Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory. The dog had been taken to the veterinarian after not feeling well for several days. He was treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories with no improvement in condition. The dog was then taken to an emergency veterinarian at Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center on Dec. 13 presenting with lethargy, lack of appetite, dry cough and a fever of 103.6°F. During the exam, the owner reported that he had tested positive earlier in the week for the H1N1 influenza virus. After 48 hours of hospitalization and supportive care, the dog improved and was sent home, where he is reportedly recovering well. To date, H1N1 has also been detected in cats, ferrets, pigs, birds and humans. …
AAEP’s First Business Workshop Set For FebruaryDecember 18, 2009AAEP’s First Business Workshop Set for FebruaryAAEP’s First Business Workshop Set for FebruarynewslinePosted: Friday, December 18, 2009, 4:34 p.m., EST The American Association of Equine Practitioners will host its first business education workshop Feb. 5-6 in Dallas, Texas. The two-day meeting, sponsored by AAEP Educational Partner Boehringer Ingelheim, will focus on the business aspect of managing and building an equine practice. Topics will include choosing new hires, communicating across generational gaps, reinventing a practice, investing in new tools and making a practice cost analysis. The meeting will also provide interactive opportunities for attendees to apply new business strategies to real-life workplace scenarios. Featured speakers will include Nikki Quenette, CPA, CMA, owner of Quenette Veterinary Consulting LLC, and Christina Merle, DVM, MBA, CVPM, executive director of VetPartners and a consultant with Brakke Consulting. Fifteen continuing education hours are available. Attendance is limited to 50. Click here to register. <HOME>
Abaxis Enters Production Animal Diagnostics MarketplaceDecember 17, 2009Abaxis Inc. has entered the production animal diagnostics marketplace with its new rapid Avian Influenza Antigen Test. The USDA-licensed test is for Avian Influenza Type A nucleoprotein antigen in chickens, turkeys and ducks. The disposable, non-instrumented device can be used in the field or in a laboratory. Results are generated in 15 minutes, according to the company. “This new product further extends Abaxis’ scope, building on our strong position of having worldwide rights in the field of animal health diagnostics using certain technologies pertaining to lateral flow immunoassay devices and methods,” said Martin Mulroy, vice president sales and marketing North American Animal Health, Abaxis. Abaxis is a medical products company in Union City, Calif., that manufactures point-of-care blood analysis instruments and rapid tests for the medical, research and veterinary markets. <HOME>
Hartz On The Hunt For Animal Shelters In NeedDecember 16, 2009 The Hartz Mountain Corp., a Secaucus, N.J.-based manufacturer of pet care products, is calling on the public to nominate animal shelters in need of pet supply donations. The company, through its Hartz Shelter Donation Program, plans to give away $1 million-worth of its products to animal shelters in North America. Hartz launched its donation program this past summer with the aim of providing assistance to animal shelters in the U.S. and Canada during these tough economic times. According to the company, more than 800,000 American families lost their homes to foreclosure in 2009 and, in some cases, could no longer afford to keep their pets. As a result, shelters are overflowing with abandoned animals, but donations are down by as much as 30 percent, the company reported. At the time of the program’s launch, Hartz pledged to donate a total of $3 million-worth of its pet supplies. So far, Hartz has donated $2 million worth of pet supplies, such as treats, collars and grooming products, for an array of animals. Now the company is accepting nominations of shelters that would benefit from the remaining $1 million-worth of supplies available. Due to the way Hartz stores and …
Workshop At NAVC Aims To Empower Vets In Their PracticeDecember 16, 2009 Summit VetPharm will be sponsoring a workshop on Jan. 17 at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Fla., about how inspired thinking and the dynamics of group interaction can help motivate staff. “The Power of You” workshop will feature insights, skill-building techniques and practical advice from three consulting speakers on key ways to build practice success, according to the Rutherford, N.J.-based company. The line up of speakers include Sheila Campbell, founder of Wild Blue Yonder and an instructor at John Hopkins University; Christine Merle, DVM, MBA, CVPM, executive director of VetPartners and a consultant with the Brakke Veterinary Practice Management Group; and Byron Farquer, DVM, who’s work focuses on ownership transition planning and practice valuation. The workshop is pending RACE-approved CE credit. Attendees can participate in drawings that will be held for prizes, including an iPod touch and a Kindle Wireless Reading Device. Everyone who attends will also be entered for a chance to win a $5,000 grand prize a day of on-site consultation with their choice of one of “The Power of You” speakers. Anyone who pre-registers by midnight Jan. 15 will receive an additional entry for the grand prize drawing. …
