Ceva Appoints New Director Of MarketingJune 23, 2011 Ceva Animal Health today announced that Steve Hoffman joined the company as director of marketing for companion animals. Hoffman is a 17-year veteran of the animal health business and was formerly senior associate director of pet marketing for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. Before that position he was director of marketing for Fort Dodge Animal Health. “Steve has an established track record of successful product launches and extensive brand management experience,” says Craig Wallace, CEO of North American Zone at Ceva. “He knows the veterinary profession and has an intuitive understanding of the pet-owning public. He is a strong leader and his expertise and contacts in the industry will be invaluable as we continue to grow.” Hoffman will be responsible for strategic planning and execution of all companion animal health products, related campaigns and management of the companion animal marketing team. “I am pleased to join Ceva, a fast-growing company with a bright future that has much to offer both the veterinary profession and the pet-owning public,” Hoffman says. “It’s a unique opportunity to nurture existing brands, set the stage for new ones, and develop a first-class team.” <Home>
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AKC Health Foundation Hosts Two-Day ConferenceJune 22, 2011The 2011 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference is set for Aug. 12-14 starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency at The Arch in St. Louis. The event, hosted by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and sponsored by the Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, previously was open only to representatives of breed clubs, but this year registration is open to all canine health advocates. Experts in canine cancer, heart disease, nutrition and the history of veterinary medicine will be on hand. Conference attendees will get dinner and a tour of the new Purina Event Center. Scheduled speakers include: • Donald Smith - Cornell University/ History of Veterinary Medicine and Canine Research • Mark Neff - Van Andel Research Institute/ Today's Complex Genetic Research and the Canine Advantage • Kathryn Meurs - Washington State University/ Canine Cardiology • Albert Jergens - Iowa State University/ Inflammatory Bowel Disease • Joan Coates - University of Missouri, Columbia/ Neurology - Degenerative Myelopathy • Jaime Modiano - University of Minnesota/ Cancer Research Overview and Cellular Pathogenesis • Matthew Breen - North Carolina State University/ Canine Comparative Cancer Genetics • Nicola Mason - University of Pennsylvania/ Cancer Biotherapeutics …
Vet Report Gives Tips For Avoiding Salmonella InfectionsJune 22, 2011 The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has a published a report that provides pet owners with tips on how to avoid salmonella infections. It follows a string of pet product recalls, mainly for pig ears, that were prompted by salmonella concerns. The report, written by Kate KuKanich, DVM, recommends pet owners avoid raw pet food diets, purchase individually packaged pig ears (as opposed to buying the ears in bulk bins) and check pet food packaging to ensure it is in good condition prior to purchase. Other recommendations include: • Storing pet foods, treats, and nutritional products in accordance with label instructions, preferably in a cool, dry environment. • Saving the original pet food packaging material, including the date code and product code of all food products, for product identification in case of food contamination. • Discouraging children, the elderly, and immunosuppressed people from handling pet food and treats. • Washing hands with soap and water before and after handling pet food, treats, and nutritional products. • Using a clean scoop to dispense pet food into bowls. • Washing water and food bowls used by pets, as well as …
Has ‘Realty Reality’ Created More Pet Rest Homes?June 22, 2011 Most of us have been able to help clients who loved adopting one or two older pets. Many of these older pets were left behind due to the “no pets allowed” policy of rest homes that their owners moved into. Some were left behind when their owners died. It surprised me that the bond between the adopting person or family and the older pet was so strong. The bond was filled with as much love as if the pet was theirs since it was young. It surprised me how much love and money was poured into the older adopted pet to battle cancer or organ failure. There is a special compassion and kindness in these caregivers who rescue older animals. Veterinarians are seeing more pet lovers adopting older pets. Most of these kind-hearted caregivers feel that they are helping to save lives of wonderful, unfortunate animals. They are dutiful and care for their charges with love and attention. They seek professional medical care for their animals’ age-related conditions and ailments. Most good Samaritans who rescue older animals are able to keep a balanced life and maintain their jobs and personal affairs while providing proper care …
10 Tips To Deal With Lumps And BumpsJune 22, 2011Tumor excision is arguably one of the most commonly performed surgeries on animals. We talked with Stephen Withrow, DVM, a surgical oncologist at the Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center in Fort Collins. Dr. Withrow is double boarded in surgery and internal medicine (oncology). A pioneer of cancer surgery, he has dedicated his career to improving protocols, surgeries and patient care. Plus, he literally wrote the book—“Withrow and MacEwen’s Small Animal Clinical Oncology” (Fourth edition, Saunders 2007). He kindly shares 10 pearls to improve the care of your cancer patients. 1 Work It Up It is beneficial to reach a probable diagnosis before excising any mass beyond a wart or a straightforward presumed lipoma. It would be good to obtain a fine needle aspirate or biopsy to determine if the mass is benign or malignant. This determines what Withrow calls the “surgical dose.” This guides how aggressive the surgical excision has to be: Can we live with narrow margins for a benign tumor, or do we need 1-2-3 cm margins in every direction for a malignant mass? We know that the first surgery is the most likely to provide clean margins. If a biopsy is performed, it would be …
Velcera And FidoPharm Say An Appeal To Merial’s Claim ImminentJune 22, 2011 The United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia on Tuesday granted motions filed by Merial Limited and Merial SAS for contempt against Velcera and FidoPharm and their contract manufacturer for PetArmor Plus, Cipla Limited. The court stayed its order for 60 days to allow for an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Velcera and FidoPharm say the pet health products companies intend to seek an expedited appeal and will defend their ability to continue selling PetArmor Plus, the first generic fipronil product available on retail shelves in the U.S. Velcera and FidoPharm stated in a press release that the companies intend to pursue the action they filed in federal district court in Delaware in February 2011, seeking a declaratory judgment that Merial’s patent directed to a particular composition containing fipronil and s-methoprene is invalid and not infringed by PetArmor Plus. The validity of Merial’s patent was not at issue in the Georgia court proceedings. PetArmor Plus currently remains on the market. <Home>
Caring For CatsJune 22, 2011 Right after graduating from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1990, Elizabeth J. Colleran, DVM, MS, set out on the typical small-animal career path. She did an internal medicine internship, then went to work for a mixed practice, caring for dogs, cats and the occasional bird. Right away, she saw some problems—or rather, some opportunities. “I came to see that cats were really underserved, and, in many respects, misunderstood,” says Dr. Colleran, 59. “I worked where there were barking dogs everywhere, and where there wasn’t great ventilation, and when cats came in, they freaked out.” That made Colleran think that the way to structure her own practice would be to create a separate specialized facility where cats could receive care in a less stressful setting. Cat Advocate Colleran joined the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and began meeting other veterinarians who specialized in caring for cats. Finally, in 1998, she opened the Chico (Calif.) Hospital for Cats. She now also owns the Cat Hospital of Portland (Ore.). Elizabeth J. Colleran, DVM, MS Along the way, she became not only a passionate advocate for better veterinary care …
Colorado Institute Awards Funding To VetDCJune 22, 2011 The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, selected Veterinary Emerging Technologies Development Corp. (VetDC) to receive funding and management assistance. VetDC develops and commercializes technologies to address unmet medical needs in companion animals. In the first quarter of 2011, VetDC acquired all North American veterinary rights to VDC-1101 (GS-9219), an anti-proliferative agent that targets lymphoid cells and works by inhibiting DNA synthesis, leading to the induction of apoptosis or programmed cell death. The VDC-1101 acquisition from Gilead Sciences allowed for development and commercialization of the agent for use in animal cancer. “We are excited to partner with VetDC and their experienced management team,” says Richard C. Duke, founder and chief scientific officer of CID4. “Our capital and management resources will assist with late-stage clinical trials and the potential commercialization of what may be an important new therapeutic option for animals suffering from lymphoma.” Steven Roy, president and CEO of VetDC says CID4 funding will help advance the company’s lead cancer program and increase employment. <Home>
Western Veterinary Conference Selling On-Demand PresentationsJune 22, 2011 Veterinarians can access select sessions presented at the Western Veterinary Conference online. WVC's Presentations On-Demand is available by annual subscription starting at $199 for a year-long subscription at the WVC online store. High-resolution, streaming videos from WVC 2011 and WVC 2010 can be viewed using PCs, Macs, 3G smart phones or tablets. Conference notes, which also include a CD, are available starting at $15. A WVC-Encore DVD-ROM set, which includes the notes CD, audio and a PowerPoint presentation is also available. Prices for the DVD-ROM set start at $49. The WVC-Encore Apple iPod Classic includes audio and a PowerPoint from the conference starting at $249. Visit WVCStore.com for more information. <Home>
ACVO Gives Free Exams To Service AnimalsJune 21, 2011The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists today announced a 25 percent increase in service animal exams from last year at the ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event. More than 200 volunteer board certified veterinary ophthalmologists throughout the U.S. and Canada examined 4,000 service animals during the annual event, which took place May 23. Guide dogs, assistance dogs, detection dogs, search and rescue dogs and other service animals including horses and a service donkey received free vision exams. As part of the program, a team of ACVO doctors hosted a service dog screening event at Lackland Air Force B ase in San Antonio at the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Center. Approximately 150 Transportation Security Agency dogs and military working dogs were screened. “We are beyond pleased by the number of service animals that received a free eye exam during this year’s event,” says Stacee Daniel, executive director of the ACVO. “Our volunteer veterinary ophthalmologists saw a record 4,000 animals which will help them stay in good eye health and continue to do their job of helping others.” The ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event goals are to benefit individuals who rely on service dogs, strengthen referral relationships …
