ACVS Certifies 65 Veterinary Surgery SpecialistsMarch 17, 2009The American College of Veterinary Surgeons has board-certified 65 veterinary surgery specialists. "Successfully completing the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons is a personal and professional accomplishment by these former residents," said Larry Bramlage, chairman of the ACVS Board of Regents. "We, as an organization, and I personally wish to congratulate these new diplomates on the culmination of their training, the mastery of the certifying examination. I wish them all a rewarding and fruitful career as a specialist in veterinary surgery." Some 1,403 veterinary surgeons are board-certified. Almost 65 percent of ACVS diplomates are small-animal surgeons and the rest are large-animal surgeons. The 65 veterinary surgery specialists are: Name Location Nicole S. Amato, DVM Roslindale, Mass. Jonathan D. Anderson, BVM&S Davis, Calif. Jonathan R. Anderson, DVM Pittsburgh, Pa. Gregory A. Arnold, DVM Plano, Texas Nicholas J. Bacon, VetMB, MRCVS Gainesville, Fla. Jason Balara, DVM Charlotte, N.C. William J. Banz, DVM San Leandro, Calif. Britany Benson-Timberlake, DVM Delavan, Wis. Mary Sarah Bergh, DVM Madison, Wis. John M. Bevan, DVM Austin, Texas Catherine Briere, DVM Duxbury, Mass. Charles W. Bruce, DVM Manotick, Ontario Evita Busschers, DVM, MVR Kennett Square, Pa. …
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Alaska Canine Cookies Pulls TreatsMarch 12, 2009The nationwide peanut butter recall has prompted another maker of dog treats to pull its product from shelves. Alaska Canine Cookies of Anchorage, Alaska said it is recalling Peanut Butter, Power Bone and Carrot Cake flavors of Canine Cookies. These products were made with peanuts recalled by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), and have the potential to be tainted with Salmonella, the company said March 10. Salmonella can affect pets and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet food. The company informed customers about the recall on its website, including information on the symptoms of Salmonella, which include some or all of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. People can get Salmonella if they do not thoroughly wash their hands following contact with tainted pet food or any surfaces exposed to the product. Pets with Salmonella may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be …
Animal Network Sites Launch Video ContestMarch 9, 2009Lumina Media, parent of VeterinaryPracticeNews.com, has launched a monthly interactive public service announcement video contest designed to highlight pet-care topics and promote responsible pet ownership. "This is a fun and creative way for devoted pet owners to help educate others on serious pet -care issues," said Melissa Kauffman, editorial director for Lumina Media. "Our website users are amazing and we strongly believe that all of us working together will make a better world for our pets." Lumina Media will provide scripts on pet care topics, including nutrition, summer safety and disaster preparedness, on several of its AnimalNetwork.com species-specific websites: www.dogchannel.com, www.catchannel.com, www.birdchannel.com, www.reptilechannel.com, www.horsechannel.com and www.smallanimalchannel.com. Visitors will use the scripts to create PSA videos on the monthly topic. For example, the initial contest will highlight Pet Appreciation Week, June 7-13. The deadline for uploading videos to the respective sites will be May 15. One winner from all the sites will be selected each month and named the Editor's Choice PSA. The submitter will receive 1,000 points for the respective online club (dog, cat, bird, etc.) to apply toward redeemable gifts and merchandise. Winners …
American Health Kennels Inc. Issues RecallFebruary 23, 2009American Health Kennels Inc., a manufacturer of pet treats based in Pompano Beach, Fla., issued a voluntary recall of its baked dog treats as a result of the expanded recall by the Peanut Corporation of America's (PCA) Blakely, Georgia plant. The manufacturer said no reports of illness have been received. "We are effecting this recall in the interest of public safety even though we know our product is safe," American Health Kennels said in a statement. PCA's Blakely facility is the subject of an ongoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration probe into potential Salmonella contamination of peanut paste and other peanut products. The recall includes the following items made by American Health Kennels: American Health Kennels Inc., Cookie Bars: Creamy Peanut Butter UPC 725999522004; PB & Carob Chips UPC 725999523001; Lucious Carob UPC 725999521007; 4 pack Cookiebar Assortment UPC 725999538005; Best Before: 11/09 . American Health Kennels Inc., Peanut Butter Crunch 12oz UPC 725999001103; 16oz UPC 725999161104; Best Before: 11/09 . American Health Kennels Inc. Bark Bars Peanut Butter: 1.5oz Jumbo UPC 725999000168; 2.25 Pillow Pack UPC 725999333105; 2.5lb canister UPC 725999005064; 5lb bulk UPC 725999001257; 6oz …
'Feel The Feedback' in energy workFebruary 8, 2009Along the continuum of veterinary medicine, perhaps no alternative treatments stand further from drugs and surgery than do those nested under the umbrella of “energy work.”
ACVS Adds Hill’s To Industry Partners ProgramFebruary 4, 2009Hill's Pet Nutrition of Topeka, Kan., has joined the American College of Veterinary Surgeons' Industry Partners Program. ACVS launched the program in October with the goal of providing exclusive opportunities tailored to match companies' strategic objectives while concurrently advancing veterinary surgery. Hill's has supported ACVS educational programs for more than 20 years, sponsoring the Mark W. Allam Lecture, the multi-day technicians' program and ACVS Veterinary Symposium scientific seminars, as well as being a regular contributor to the ACVS Foundation. "We take pride in our special relationship with veterinarians around the world, and we're committed to supporting professional organizations that help the veterinary health care industry thrive," said Daniel Aja, DVM, director of professional affairs for Hill's. "With that in mind, we are very pleased to team up with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in the ACVS Industry Partners Program. This unique association between Hill's and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons will help allow the ACVS to further this mission, and we are delighted to be a part of this strategy moving forward." As part of its financial commitment, Hill's will receive verbal and logo recognition as an Industry Partner …
Abaxis Adds Canine Heartworm Test To Product LineJanuary 13, 2009Abaxis Inc. of Union City, Calif., has entered the animal health rapid-test diagnostic market with the signing of a manufacturing agreement with SA Scientific of San Antonio, Texas. SA Scientific develops and manufactures One-Step rapid tests for fertility and infectious diseases. The agreement is for the manufacturing of a canine heartworm lateral flow/rapid test kit. The market for canine heartworm tests is estimated at $70 million in the U.S. alone, Abaxis reported. "SA Scientific is an outstanding company with which we have done business with in the past," said Clint Severson, Abaxis' chairman and chief executive officer. "They have all the tools, capacity and expertise to manufacture a broad line of rapid diagnostic, lateral flow devices, and we look forward to a long-term strategic relationship with them." Martin Mulroy, Abaxis' vice president of marketing and sales, said the company expects to provide customers with "a high-quality, low-cost alternative to competitive products." "Our brand is highly respected and Abaxis is well-known for innovative and cost-effective solutions," Mulroy said. "Upon launch of the VetScan Canine Heartworm Test I anticipate it, too, will be widely and rapidly accepted." <HOME>
Alternative Diets Still Riding HighJanuary 5, 2009Nearly two years after the massive recall of melamine-tainted pet food, veterinarians are still fielding pet owners' questions about alternative diets. "Even prior to the recall, we were seeing a shift in pet owners who were interested in alternatives to conventional pet foods, such as natural or organic commercial pet foods, raw pet foods and home-cooked diets," says Sally C. Perea, DVM, Dipl. ACVN. The recall accelerated the trend, Dr. Perea says, as pet owners began to look for what they perceived to be safer dietary options. Perea was formerly a consultant with Davis Veterinary Medical Consulting Inc. in Davis, Calif., and now is a senior nutritionist for Natura Pet Products in San Jose. She says a lot of pet owners who tried alternative foods or home cooking have returned to conventional products, but many others have continued alternative feeding. Perea considers alternative diets to fall into one of three categories: Alternative commercial pet foods Home-cooked pet foods Raw pet foods (commercial and home-prepared) Pros and Cons Like conventional pet foods, commercial alternatives mainly come in dry kibble and canned varieties, Perea says. These alternatives often feature things pet owners find increasingly important, such as natural and organic ingredients and …
Abaxis University Schedules Online CE Course On RecessionNovember 24, 2008Abaxis University will host a free online continuing education course titled, "Recession - Proof Your Practice," at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (CST) Nov. 25. Veterinarians and veterinary technicians will learn how to discover where revenue is escaping and how to create and implement strategies to improve their net, according to the course description. The program, which provides 1.5 CE credits, will be taught by Mark Crootof, DVM. Dr. Crootof is a practice management consultant with Strategic Veterinary Consulting Inc. and is an editorial advisory board member for Veterinary Practice News. Registration is also open for Dec. 4, Jan. 6, Jan. 29 and Feb. 11. Click here for details. Abaxis University is part of Abaxis, based in Union City, Calif. <HOME>
Down Economy May Leave AFP Imaging Up For BidsOctober 29, 2008AFP Imaging of Elmsford, N.Y., said Wednesday that it is exploring additional investment capital, a merger or acquisition by another entity, as well as other alternatives to help improve shareholder value. "The company presently believes that AFP's current long term financing, as well as our foreign lines of credit, may not be sufficient to provide the required working capital to leverage its full potential and maximize all of the investments made to date," according a company statement said. AFP recently reported net loss of $11 million on revenue of $34.3 million for its fiscal year ending June 30, compared to net loss of $4.7 million on revenue of $28.7 million in the year-ago period. AFP said that since July, it has been negatively affected by the deterioration of credit availability. For instance, veterinarians who must finance their own capital equipment purchases are hesitating to commit to lease, purchase or invest in high tech products. "The uncertainty, reluctance or simple inability for the buyer to pay cash or finance equipment has resulted in the reduction of our current cash flow, especially during the first three and a half months of the new fiscal year," the company said. AFP, which celebrates …
