Rover.com Unveils Expansion PlansJuly 10, 2012Rover.com Unveils Expansion PlansRover.com, dog sitters, pet sitters, RedRover, animal welfareSeattle-based Rover.com, an online dog sitter marketplace, today unveiled its plans to enter the Los Angeles, Cleveland and Washington, D.C., markets by the end of May and "dozens" more markets by the end of 2012.Seattle-based Rover.com, an online dog sitter marketplace, today unveiled its plans to enter the Los Angeles, Cleveland and Washington, D.C., markets by the end of May and "dozens" more by the end of the year.newsline, staffRover.com Unveils Expansion PlansPosted: May 24, 2012, 7:05 p.m. EDT Seattle-based Rover.com, an online dog sitter marketplace, today unveiled its plans to enter the Los Angeles, Cleveland and Washington, D.C., markets by the end of May and "dozens" more markets by the end of 2012. Much like L.A.-based rival Dog Vacay, which raised $1 million in March to expand, Rover.com is a venture capital-based start-up that is positioning its services as an "affordable" alternative to traditional kennels. In April, Rover.com closed a $3.4 million financing round led by Madrona Venture Group and CrunchFund and promptly entered the New York market. The funding is intended to support Rover.com's expansion. Rover.com plans to enter the Los Angeles, Cleveland …
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PMI Expands Mazuri RecallJuly 10, 2012PMI Expands Mazuri RecallMazuri recall, recall, PMI recallPMI Nutrition International expanded its recent recall to include three additional varieties of Mazuri feed products, the company reported Friday.PMI Nutrition International expanded its recent recall to include three additional varieties of Mazuri feed products.newsline, recallPMI Expands Mazuri RecallPosted: July 10, 2012, 12:25 p.m. EDT PMI Nutrition International expanded its recent recall to include three additional varieties of Mazuri feed products, the company reported Friday. The company recalled the products due to the potential for elevated vitamin D levels, which can be harmful to animals if fed for extended periods, PMI reported. The recalled products, in addition to those recalled on July 3, include: Formula No. Item No. Description Lot No. 5MA2 0040996 Mazuri Primate Maintenance Biscuit 25# APR11123 5M68 0006758 Mazuri Mouse Breeder 9F 50# APR20122 5NAA 0062089 Mazuri Primate Basix 25# APR20123 Lot numbers are laser printed on the back of each paper bag, the company said. The products were manufactured at the Richmond, Ind., feed plant and were distributed starting Apr. 12, 2012, through July 6, 2012. PMI contacted dealers and asked them to hold the products and …
Feds Propose Protecting Four Macaw Species As EndangeredJuly 6, 2012 In a proposal that could curtail interstate trade of four species of macaws, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service today proposed listing the great green macaw, hyacinth macaw and military macaw as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as well as certain subspecies and distinct populations of the scarlet macaw. To assist law enforcement efforts, the agency is further proposing to extend ESA protection to all scarlet macaws. “Endangered” status means that the species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Since 1987, all of the species have been listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which means they require both an export permit from the country of origin and an import permit from the country of destination to be traded internationally. This listing generally precludes commercial trade. In addition, imports of CITES-listed exotic birds, including all these macaws, into the U.S. was essentially eliminated by the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992. That act does allow for permits to be issued for scientific research, zoological breeding or as a personal pet when certain criteria are …
PMI Nutrition Recalls Some Mazuri, LabDiet FeedsJuly 5, 2012After receiving some customer complaints about animal illness and small bird deaths, PMI Nutrition International LLC, a unit of St. Paul, Minn.-based Land O'Lakes Inc., has recalled four varieties of LabDiet and Mazuri feed products for small birds, guinea pigs, maned wolves and primates. The recalled products have the potential for elevated vitamin D levels, which can be harmful to animals if fed for extended periods, PMI reported. The recalled products are: Formula No. Item No. Description Lot No. 5025 0001330 Guinea Pig Diet 50# APR17122 56A6 0001452 Mazuri Small Bird Maintenance 25# APR15123 5MA2 0040996 Mazuri Primate Maintenance Biscuit 25# APR22122 5MD9 0011482 Mazuri Maned Wolf Diet 33# APR21122 The lot numbers are laser printed on the back of each bag, near the top, the company reported. The exotic animal feeds were manufactured at PMI's plant in Richmond, Ind., and distributed throughout the U.S. and to some international customers. PMI reports it has contacted dealers and has asked dealers to notify customers and retrieve the animal feed. The diets should not be fed, the company reported. Customers who purchased the recalled animal feed will receive a full refund and are urged to contact their local …
Pfizer Seeks Production Animal Research ProposalsJuly 3, 2012Pfizer Seeks Production Animal Research ProposalsPfizer, Pfizer research, animal research, Cattle Call grant program, animal research grantPfizer Animal Health is accepting research proposals its 2012 Cattle Call grant program.Pfizer will provide a grant of up to $100,000 to one or more individuals for research proposals that emphasize improvements in meat and milk production or immune function in beef or dairy cattle.newslinePfizer Seeks Production Animal Research ProposalsPosted: July 3, 2012, 6:15 p.m. EDT Pfizer Animal Health is accepting research proposals its 2012 Cattle Call grant program. Pfizer will provide a grant of up to $100,000 to one or more individuals for research proposals that emphasize improvements in meat and milk production or immune function in beef or dairy cattle. The company is especially interested in research aimed at improving meat and milk production and reducing respiratory and reproductive diseases in cattle. "We believe that the most productive way to advance veterinary research will be through an open model of innovation," said Michelle Haven, vice president of business development for global alliances and strategic planning with Pfizer. "By partnering with researchers who have specific areas of expertise and share our commitment to innovation, Pfizer Animal Health can help address unmet needs in …
Advances In Veterinary Medicine Improve Wound CareJuly 3, 2012 Wound healing is an uncomplicated process in animals for the most part, but challenges do arise. Fortunately, veterinary medicine has seen significant advances in wound management. “We have made great strides in our understanding of wound healing and the subcellular interactions that occur among growth factors, cytokines and other cells to create the extracellular matrix needed for wound healing,” says Bryden J. Stanley, MVetSc, MACVSc, Dipl. ACVS. “This understanding allows us to optimize the wound-healing environment.” Day 2 Most of the wounds that veterinarians treat are acute because of trauma, such as those suffered in a car crash or in a fight with another animal. Acute wounds include lacerations, punctures and degloving, or shear, injuries, according to Dr. Stanley, an assistant professor in the department of small animal clinical sciences at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Nicole Heinrich, DVM, whose practice is limited to dermatology, sees her share of chronic wounds in patients treated at McKeever Dermatology Clinic in Eden Prairie, Minn. With animals, “chronic” describes wounds that heal slowly because of an underlying condition. After VAC therapy, Blueberry’s wound was sutured on day 4. Therapy …
The Vet And The 'NetJuly 3, 2012The Vet and the 'NetThe Vet and the 'Netcover stories, practicemgmtPosted: June 30, 2010By Jessica Tremayne The days of using the Yellow Pages alone to promote a veterinary practice are long gone. Most veterinarians today have a hospital website and find the Internet to be an integral part of working in the industry. The 2008 Digital Clinic Study, conducted by the global public relations firm Fleishman-Hillard Inc., reported the patterns of veterinary professionals' Internet use and is the only survey of its magnitude to date. The study showed that veterinarians are recognizing how to make the Internet work for them—from enhancing research capabilities to making the daily practice more efficient. "We wanted to offer insight into how technology and digital communication play a role in meeting the needs of veterinarians, their staffs and clients," says Greg Connel, senior vice president and co-chairman of Fleishman-Hillard's animal care practice. "We had about 2,000 responses that showed that while research online is a priority for veterinarians, only 43 percent of respondents say they use the Internet for client communications." More clients than ever are using the Internet to find a veterinarian and learn …
FTC Workshop To Look At Pet Med PricingJuly 3, 2012 The Federal Trade Commission will host a workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012, to examine the ways pet medications are distributed to consumers and how these practices affect consumer choice and price competition, the agency reported today. “American consumers spend a tremendous amount of money on medications for their pets every year. High prices on these medications mean that consumers have less money for necessities. It’s important that these medications are safe and effective and that pet owners get the benefits of a fair and robust marketplace,” said Jon Leibowitz, chairman of the FTC. “This workshop will help us understand these and other issues related to the medications we buy for our pets to keep them healthy.” The workshop will be free and open to the public, and pre-registration is not required. The FTC has not yet released an agenda for the workshop, which will be held at the commission’s satellite conference center in Washington, D.C., but questions to be addressed include: How are pet medications distributed to consumers? What are the business rationales for various pet medication distribution practices? How do these practices affect prices to consumers? …
Foreign Objects Cause Pedigree Dog Food RecallJuly 2, 2012 Mars Petcare US recalled three varieties of Pedigree weight management canned dog food products due to a potential choking risk, the Franklin, Tenn.-based company reported Saturday. The affected products may contain small pieces of blue plastic, which entered the food during the production process. Mars identified the source of the plastic and resolved the issue, the company reported. Some consumers have found plastic pieces, but Mars has not received any reports of injury or illness with from the recalled food. Mars is working with distributors and retail customers to ensure the recalled products are not being sold and are removed from inventory. The company encouraged consumers who purchased recalled cans to return them to the retailer for a full refund or exchange. The recalled products include Pedigree weight management canned dog foods with a lot code printed on the end of the can that begins with 209, 210, 211 or 212 and a Best Before date that falls between 2/24/2014 and 3/23/2014, and the following UPCs and descriptions: UPC Description 2310034974 Pedigree Healthy Weight Premium Ground Entrée in Meaty Juices 2310001913 …
DOT May Expand Pet Incident Reporting For AirlinesJuly 2, 2012 Prompted by letters from U.S. Senators and a petition submitted in 2010 by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the U.S. Department of Transportation in late June proposed expanding its reporting requirements for airlines that transport animals. “This new rule is good news for animal lovers,” said Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary. “It will help ensure that all animals can be transported safely and will enable consumers to more accurately compare airlines when it comes to the care provided to their pets in the air.” Proposed changes include extending the mandate to an additional 21 U.S. airlines (currently only the 15 largest U.S. airlines are required to report animal losses, injuries and deaths) and to require reports for all cats and dogs transported (current rules only apply to animals transported as pets by their owners but not those transported commercially by breeders and distributors). With the expansion of airlines to include all airlines operating at least one plane with 60 or more passenger seats, the reporting requirement would apply to airlines carrying 99.6 percent of domestic passengers and 98 percent of international passengers that travel on …
