AHD Launches The DVMdiets NetworkMay 17, 2011Animal Health Digital (AHD), an animal health marketing and technology company, today announced the launch of the DVMdiets Network created for veterinary professionals. The network will provide nutritional education for veterinary practices along with an online home delivery platform for their clients, including more than 70 brands of specialty and prescription diets. “Our research indicates that while nutrition is discussed on more than 80 percent of veterinary clinic visits, less than half of veterinarians feel that their staff is adequately trained on companion animal diets,” says Daryl Schraad, president of AHD. “The growing number of specialty diets has made it challenging for veterinarians to stay properly informed, let alone stock all of the products that their clients need. DVMdiets helps ensure the veterinarian remains the go-to source for nutritional information, while allowing them to earn revenue and increase diet compliance.” The new network features weekly live and on-demand seminars for member practices, which are sponsored and conducted by diet manufacturers and companion animal nutrition experts. The programs are designed to educate the veterinary practice staff and will focus on emerging trends, standardized nutritional guidelines and new products and categories, according to AHD. “Our online home delivery platform features specialty and …
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Salmonella Concerns Prompt Another Pig Ear RecallMay 17, 2011 Boss Pet Products Inc. of Maple Heights, Ohio is recalling its Diggers Natural Treat Pig Ear pet treats because the products may be contaminated with salmonella. One of Boss Pet’s suppliers, Keys Manufacturing Co. Inc., has notified the company that a batch of its pig ear treats tested positive for salmonella. Boss said Keys, which issued a voluntary recall of its Pig Ears for Pet Treats earlier this month, identified several shipments of potentially affected product that were shipped out under the Diggers brand in November 2010 through April 2011. The recalled Diggers Natural Chews Pig Ears are as follows: Bulk pig ears in boxes of 100 (UPC #0-72929-00038-6) Bulk pig ears shrink-wrapped in boxes of 50 (UPC #0-72929-99120-2) 2-pack bags shipped in cases of 12 bags (UPC #0-72929-99504-0) 4-pack bags shipped in cases of 12 bags (UPC #0-72929-00227-4) 8-pack bags shipped in cases of 12 bags (UPC #0-72929-99584-2) They were distributed via truck to distributors in the following states: Alabama, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri Montana, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington. A report of an ill dog in Missouri prompted the recall. Pets with …
Morris Animal Foundation K9 Cancer Walk Raised Over 70KMay 17, 2011 More than 500 northern Californians rallied May 7, for the third annual Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) K9 Cancer Walk in Elk Grove, Calif. The event raised more than $71,000 for the foundation’s Canine Cancer Campaign, which funds research to prevent and treat cancer in dogs, with a goal of curing the disease. MAF debuted a remembrance ceremony for all dogs that have died of cancer and celebrated dogs that have beaten cancer by gathering all dogs and their owners for a survivor ceremony. Fundraising teams were encouraged to show their team spirit by participating in the Top Dogs Contest, in which the winner raised the most money for cancer research, had the most members or showed the most spirit. This year’s sponsors and media partners include V101.1, Franklin Ranch Pet Hospital and Hotel, Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic and VCA Animal Hospitals. MAF’s fundraising goal is $75,000, and the group has stated it will collect donations through June 3. To make a donation click here. Contest winners include: • Top Team: Team Homeward Bound, with more than $7,000 raised • Most Team Members: WAG, Inc., with nearly 60 members …
Washington State Veterinarian Cautions Horse Owners About EHV-1 OutbreakMay 17, 2011 A Washington horse that attended the National Cutting Horse Association event in Ogden, Utah from April 30 to May 8, tested positive for Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1), a highly contagious animal disease. Several confirmed cases in horses with severe symptoms have been diagnosed in Utah, Colorado and elsewhere. Symptoms in horses include fever, sneezing, excessive salivation and other mild symptoms. Serious cases of the disease are rare, but can include staggering, hind-end paralysis and even death. The disease is not contagious to humans. “While I have not yet placed any restrictions on the movement of animals, I strongly suggest that horse owners isolate animals that attended the Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah,” says Leonard Eldridge, DVM, Washington state veterinarian. “For the protection of other horses, these owners are advised to keep their animals home for a couple of weeks.” The disease is spread from horse to horse through direct contact, on feed, tack and equipment or on the clothes and hands of horse owners. Considering the possibility of disease spread, owners are advised to carefully wash their hands and equipment to prevent the spread of the virus. The time of exposure to illness …
Protecting Pets From HeartwormMay 16, 2011Veterinarians knew resistance would occur eventually. Some say it’s here now, while others remain confident in their products. Fifty five percent of owned dogs and 95 percent of owned cats are not on a preventive heartworm treatment, according to Tom Nelson, DVM, of Animal Medical Center in Anniston, Ala., a past president of the American Heartworm Society. Even when taking heartworm preventive purchases into consideration, there’s no evidence supporting compliance for these “treated” pets, which leads to the question: How many pets are receiving adequate protection? Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states and is increasing. With heartworm disease testing occurring in less than half of owned animals, experts are concerned that exposure, the slow-kill method and possibly resistance are leaving pets vulnerable to a potentially deadly threat. “Out of 70 million U.S. dogs, 22 million are tested for heartworm disease and out of 90 million cats, 50,000-60,000 are tested,” Dr. Nelson says. “Prevention compliance is lower now than it has been in years past. Owners are more concerned about a flea or tick infestation because they can see it on their pets, but when it comes to heartworms, concern is low. Even when …
FDA Recommends Caution On ShampooMay 16, 2011 The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine is alerting veterinarians and pet owners to use caution with the use of an unapproved animal drug product, Douxo Seborrhea Shampoo (0.1% phytosphingosine), distributed by Sogeval Laboratories, Inc. of Coppell, Texas. FDA recently received a report of the death of a woman associated with the use of the product on her dog, an event that occurred in March. The adverse event report describes a woman with severe, pre-existing asthma who had a sudden, severe asthma attack and died while bathing a dog using the product, Douxo Seborrhea Shampoo. A few days later, another asthmatic family member bathed the dog using the same product and experienced a mild asthma attack but recovered. FDA is advising consumers with asthma or other respiratory conditions to consult with their physician prior to use of this product. The FDA is investigating this issue and will provide additional information as appropriate. To report an adverse drug event to FDA, click here. <Home>
VSEC Opens Pennsylvania 24-hour Emergency HospitalMay 16, 2011 The Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (VSEC) of Bucks County, Penn. on Saturday hosted a grand opening celebration for a state-of-the-art, 21,000 square-foot hospital in Levittown. The event was open to the general public and included hospital tours, food and music. The ribbon cutting ceremony and a reception for referring veterinary hospitals followed. The new facility opens for patient care June 1. The hospital houses a linear accelerator to provide radiation therapy for cancer patients, a designated room to administer radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroid cats, a CT scanner, MRI scanner, intensive care unit, separate canine and feline wards and a presentation room for continuing education lectures. VSEC is a 24-hour emergency and specialty veterinary hospital offering board-certified specialists in cardiology, dermatology, emergency and critical care, diagnostic imaging, holistic medicine and acupuncture, internal medicine, medical and radiation oncology, neurology and surgery. This facility replaces VSEC’s current 5,000 square-foot hospital managed by three board-certified veterinary specialists: Robert Orsher, VMD, Diplo. ACVS; Laura Tseng, DVM, Diplo. ACVECC; and Alan Klag, DVM, Diplo. ACVIM. VSEC plans to open a satellite clinic in spring 2012 at a recently purchased property in Philadelphia. VSEC says the two new hospitals will …
Best Clinical Case Report Wins $1,000 PrizeMay 16, 2011 Harrison’s Pet Products is sponsoring the 2011 Clinical Case Report Contest that awards a licensed veterinarian submitting the best case report with a $1,000 prize in addition to a plaque. Entries are required to submit photographic documentation and a brief case description of an animal in which one of the Harrisons’ Pet Products was used alone or in conjunction with other therapies to successfully resolve a disorder. Cases will be judged on medical relevance, case completeness, photo quality before, during and after shots and overall presentation, according to the company. Entry details Close-up digital images must be taken at a resolution high enough for a 4 in. x 3 in. (10 cm x 7.5 cm) image to be printed at 300 dpi (1200 x 900 pixels, or at least 1 megapixel). Images must be saved as individual .jpg, .tif or .psd files. Harrisons’ Pet Products asks that veterinarians submit text as a Word file and describe the case and the images with the history, presumptive diagnosis and other therapies that were used in conjunction with the Harrisons’ Pet Product (including the generic name of drugs, dosages and treatment intervals). Images and text should …
Heartworm Diagnosed In Every State In ’10, Survey FindsMay 13, 2011 Released today, the 2010 heartworm incidence survey conducted by the American Heartworm Society (AHS) reveals that despite weather conditions considered unfavorable to mosquito proliferation, heartworm disease was diagnosed in every state in the U.S. and almost every county and parish. This survey focused on 2010 heartworm diagnoses, representing data from more than 5,000 veterinary clinics across the country reporting clinic testing and heartworm-positive dogs and cats. “The pattern of heartworm incidence overall was similar to that of previous years,” says Wallace Graham, DVM, AHS president. “We believe that because the summer of 2009 was cooler in some areas of the country and drier in others, mosquitoes and heartworms were somewhat more concentrated in areas with nearby standing bodies of water.” Study supervisors noted that survey clinics reporting low numbers of heartworm-positive animals often sat side by side with clinics with high positive reports. By contrast, Graham explained, the 2007 study reflected the homogenizing effects severe weather can have on mosquito populations. In 2007, the fallout from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had far-reaching effects on mosquito vectors and heartworm transmission. “The key point to remember is that none of us can predict the weather …
RHD Detected In Canadian Pet RabbitMay 13, 2011 Canada’s National Center for Foreign Animal Diseases (NCFAD) has reported positive results for rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) virus by conventional RT-PCR and the finding of a Calicivirus-like agent by electron microscopy. On March 30 a domestic neutered male rabbit presented at a local veterinary clinic with lethargy and a yellow matter was observed on its fur. It was diagnosed with liver failure and died during treatment. The body was forwarded to the Manitoba Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) laboratory. Findings included jaundice, hepatic necrosis, some hemorrhages, moderate meningoencephalitis and mild nephritis. A liver sample was sent to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and NCFADto rule out RHD virus. The positive sample’s nucleotide sequence had the closest match in Genbank with an RHD virus isolate from China from 2006. On April 20 and 21, histopathology confirmed lesions consistent with RHD and positive staining for RHD virus antigens was shown by immunohistochemistry. Three test rabbits were inoculated with material from the MAFRI submission on April 26. All inoculated rabbits were strongly positive for RHD virus by conventional RT-PCR. Histopathology on tissue from the inoculated rabbits showed lesions consistent with RHD. Immunohistochemistry on …
