Johns Hopkins Tests Veterinary FieldMarch 23, 2015Johns Hopkins University, long known for its expertise in human health care and research, has established a small foothold in veterinary medicine. The Baltimore institution’s School of Medicine opened the Center for Image-Guided Animal Therapy about 18 months ago, offering advanced imaging services on a referral basis. Under the direction of Dara Kraitchman, VMD, MS, Ph.D., and Rebecca Krimins, DVM, MS, employees at the center see about 10 animal patients a week—everything from dogs and cats to ferrets and birds. The available technologies include X-ray fluoroscopy and angiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET scan). MRI can be used to guide needles during biopsies of suspected tumors, the university reported, and imaging plays a role in minimally invasive procedures such as cryoablation and stenting. “Imaging often allows us to perform procedures like this without open surgery,” Dr. Kraitchman said. Johns Hopkins is pursuing veterinary research, too. A test of whether imaging can detect impending heart failure in dogs is in an early stage, and a trial of a long-acting pain medication is planned. The university isn’t trying to put local veterinarians out of business, said Kraitchman, a professor of radiology and radiological science. Images taken …
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K.C. Corridor Snags Another Animal Health TenantMarch 20, 2015An Australian company is making itself at home in the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor before building its new global headquarters. Integrated Animal Health Inc., which has a few products on the market and more under development, in mid-March signed an agreement with Northwest Missouri State University and the institution’s Dean L. Hubbard Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Hubbard Center, a business incubator in Maryville, Mo., will work with Integrated Animal Health on the testing and developing of products designed to improve the health of cattle, sheep, swine, poultry and fish. Formed in December 2013, Integrated Animal Health makes horse fertility feeds and equine performance supplements. The company is designing feed additives to help control mastitis, reduce antibiotic use in dairy cattle, and improve weight gain in dairy calves and feedlot cattle. Also in the pipeline are an Oxycodone pain-relief patch for racehorses suffering from leg soreness, other feed additives, parasiticides, and a gender-selection technology for the breeding of hogs and dairy cattle. “Providing adequate protein to the world is one of the key challenges facing people and governments around the world,” said Blake Hawley, DVM, who will oversee the company’s U.S. operations after serving as chief commercial officer …
Florida Vet’s Big Idea Is a Small OneMarch 20, 2015Miami veterinarian Barry Goldberg, DVM, may be onto something if his start-up business follows the successful course of CVS Pharmacy’s Minute Clinic chain. Dr. Goldberg in late January opened a kiosk-style veterinary clinic inside a Pet Supplies Plus store in Pinellas Park, Fla. The EZ Vet station employs a veterinarian and veterinary technician who diagnose and treat minor ailments and offer non-emergency services such as vaccinations and check-ups. More than 300 pets have seen at the Pinellas Park clinic. Opening 12 miles away in Clearwater, Fla., on March 23 is Goldberg’s second miniature clinic, also inside Pet Supplies Plus. “I believe that this will increase access to affordable and quality health care for thousands of pets in the local community,” Goldberg said. The entrepreneur and inventor is looking to expand outside Florida, chief operating officer Kimberly Kulhanjian said, but Goldberg has a long way to go to match human medicine’s Minute Clinic, which in 15 years has set up in more than 900 locations nationwide. Goldberg rents space from Pet Supplies Plus for his 50-square-foot kiosks, which are equipped with basic tools of the trade, such as an exam table, video otoscope and petMAP blood pressure gauge. Missing are …
Abaxis Sheds Veterinary Reference LabMarch 19, 2015Abaxis Inc., a manufacturer of in-clinic blood analysis machines, has agreed to sell its veterinary reference laboratory to Antech Diagnostics Inc. for $21 million. The acquisition was announced today and is expected to close by the end of March. Antech, a division of the VCA Inc. animal hospital chain, is a leader in veterinary reference laboratory services along with Idexx Laboratories Inc. Los Angeles-based VCA reported laboratory revenue of $360 million in 2014 compared with $9.8 million at Abaxis Veterinary Reference Laboratories (AVRL). Antech operates more than 50 diagnostic reference laboratories, offering more than 300 tests to 16,000 veterinary hospitals across the United States and Canada. AVRL’s work is done in Olathe, Kan. Abaxis, based in Union City, Calif., viewed the sale as a chance to go back to the company’s roots. “AVRL was an exciting venture for Abaxis, and we are pleased that we had the opportunity to enter the reference lab market,” said President and CEO Clint Severson. “This transaction will allow us to return our focus to our state-of-the-art point-of-care analyzers and with our Antech relationship, now enhanced by distribution, to offer a complete laboratory solution to customers.” Abaxis hinted at layoffs at AVRL. The company estimated pre-tax …
UC Davis Investigates Silicate Associated Osteoporosis in EquinesMarch 19, 2015Equine researchers at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine are investigating silicate associated osteoporosis (SAO), a disease that involves both the lung and bone organ systems. The goal of the research is to find optimal management of the affected horses and prevention strategies. The disease, according to the veterinary school, occurs in horses in specific geographic regions of California where soils contain high concentrations of certain toxic forms of the mineral crystal, silica dioxide. When inhaled, the crystals cause chronic lung disease, much like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or silicosis in humans. Drought conditions in the state exacerbate the problem as vegetation dries out and more dust is exposed, the school further noted. Affected horses are described as having profound osteoporosis which gradually weakens the skeleton. This causes progressive unspecific and shifting lameness, with subsequent bone deformities and sudden fractures. The lung issues cause flared nostrils and shortness of breath in some horses, and a reduced tolerance for exercise, according to the vet school. Currently, there is no known cure. Most afflicted horses are euthanized for humane reasons, the school noted. Veterinarians can help with the research by contacting UC Davis about horses whose disease warrants …
Online Pet Product Sales EscalateMarch 18, 2015Internet sales of pet products hit $1.8 billion in 2014 and will continue growing by 10 to 15 percent a year at the expense of veterinarians and brick-and-mortar retailers that lack an online presence, according to a Packaged Facts report. Online sales comprise only 4 percent of what the Rockville, Md., market research firm estimates is a $44 billion U.S. market for pet food, medications, toys and other goods. But the Internet’s share of annual pet product sales is certain to rise as more owners tap in, Packaged Facts stated. In fact, 30 percent of pet owners surveyed last year agreed with the statement, “I am buying pet products online more than I used to,” an increase from 18 percent in 2012. Offering private-label products is one way veterinarians and other retailers could improve sales, Packaged Facts stated in the report “Pet Product Retailing in the U.S.” Forty-two percent of pet product buyers think store brands are often as good as national brand-name products, the firm noted. Stocking natural or organic pet food is another possible way to capture revenue at veterinary practices. Packaged Facts called the issue of pet food recalls and safety “high in the public consciousness.” “Pet owners …
Canine Trio Snatched From Jaws of DeathMarch 18, 2015Three dogs that suffered horrific jaw injuries are recovering after UC Davis veterinary surgeons and the rescue group Marley’s Mutts teamed up to provide the animals with potentially lifesaving care. Jaws, Bear and Zena were admitted to the teaching hospital at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine over the past six months. Each was in danger of being euthanized because of the severity of their injuries, but veterinary intervention helped save them, the university reported. The first patient, Jaws, had been featured on the Marley’s Mutts Facebook page, where a UC Davis faculty member noticed his condition, thought the hospital could help and contacted the group. Diagnosed with a bilateral mandibular fracture and faced with amputation of his lower jaw, Jaws’ jaw was surgically repaired using interdental wiring and an intraoral composite splint. Called Jaws because of his injury, the dog was renamed Davis in honor of the university. “We were so impressed by the oral surgeons and everyone at UC Davis that we thought it was a fitting name,” group founder Zach Skow said. “Normally, a dog with that severe of an injury will probably be put down.” Marley’s Mutts unexpectedly took possession of …
Texas A&M Selects Next MascotMarch 17, 2015Texas A&M University has selected its next mascot, a female collie. The selection upholds a decades-old tradition, according to Texas A&M. The 16-month-old collie is scheduled to assume her role May 9 as Reveille IX. Selection of the next mascot involved a seven-month national search in which more than 15 applications were considered. The pool was eventually narrowed to four finalists, but in the end, a dog named Twix from Overland Collies in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, won. The owners donated Twix to the university. “I could not be more pleased that owners Mike and Marcy Fine provided Texas A&M University with their beloved dog Twix to serve as Reveille IX,” said Tom Reber, interim vice president for student affairs, who chaired the search committee. “They were very helpful in providing us information throughout the search and were confident that Twix would be an excellent Aggie.” Fine describes the future mascot as very outgoing. “When my husband Mike and I first became aware of the national search for a new Texas A&M mascot, we both agreed that our beloved ‘Twix’ was the perfect collie for such a highly public role,” Fine said. “She is beautiful, lovable and has the natural …
Business Better at Most Vet HospitalsMarch 16, 2015Revenue surged an average of 5.1 percent at U.S. veterinary practices in 2014 as the economy continued a post-recession rebound, the American Animal Hospital Association revealed Friday. AAHA’s 2015 State of the Industry report also showed that a sizable number of veterinary hospitals are doing very well. One-fourth of practices in 2014 grew revenue by more than 10 percent, and half of those so-called “Outgrowers” did so two years in a row. Furthermore, AAHA labeled 7 in every 100 hospitals as “Power Outgrowers” because revenue climbed by more than 10 percent three straight years. Financially successful clinics have more in common than just rising numbers. They also do well at strengthening the bond with clients, AAHA stated during the organization’s conference in Tampa, Fla. Flourishing hospitals: Explain things to pet owners in an understandable way. Share test results with clients and take the time to review a pet’s diagnostic history. Treat the pet owner as a partner and recommend online resources for additional health information. Promote preventive care by scheduling the next visit before the client leaves the office and offering preventive care payment plans. Minimize stress to pets during routine checkups. Ninety-three percent of the 1,001 pet owners surveyed …
Free Dairy Webinar on March 18March 16, 2015Advanced Animal Diagnostics (AAD) announces a free, educational webinar for those interested in improving milk quality, production and udder health through earlier detection and treatment of subclinical mastitis. Mitch Hockett, Ph.D., AAD director of external research and technical marketing, will share the company’s latest research and discuss the benefits of diagnosing and treating subclinical mastitis in early lactation. “Subclinical mastitis often goes undetected, yet it diminishes milk production, milk quality and reproductive performance in dairy herds,” Hockett says. “Our research reveals the true cost of subclinical mastitis and, more importantly, the significant gains producers can achieve as a result of early detection and intervention.” Dairy producers, herd managers, veterinarians and others interested in learning more about subclinical mastitis are invited to join the free webinar titled “How producers can benefit from early diagnosis of subclinical mastitis” on March 18, 2015 at 1 p.m. CST. To pre-register, go to http://bit.ly/early-detection-webinar.
