FDA OKs First Test To Diagnose, Distinguish MRSA And MSSAMay 9, 2011 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the KeyPath MRSA/MSSA Blood Culture Test as the first test for Staphylococcus aureus infections that is able to identify the bacteria as methicillin resistant (MRSA) or methicillin susceptible (MSSA). The test determines whether bacteria growing in a patient’s positive blood culture sample are MRSA or MSSA within about five hours after any bacterial growth is detected in the sample. Aside from blood culture equipment, the test does not require any specific instruments to get results. The new test was approved for human use and will not be marketed for veterinary use at this time, according to the FDA. “This will have only limited impact on our veterinary patients,” says Anthea Schick, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, of Dermatology for Animals in Avondale, Ariz. “This test can tell a methicillin resistant staph aureus case from a susceptible one in blood culture. Most cases of methicillin resistant staph in our veterinary patients are due to a different species of staph (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius) and most cultures we are submitting are from skin samples, ear infections and draining tracts rather than blood infections.” The test was primarily developed with human MRSA conditions in …
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Hill’s Calls On Owners Of Paunchy Pets To Take ‘Million Pound Pledge’May 6, 2011 Hill’s Pet Nutrition of Topeka, Kan., and Alison Sweeney, host of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, launched an initiative today aimed at helping pudgy pets shed pounds. The Science Diet Million Pound Pledge invites owners of overweight or obese cats and dogs to visit PetFit.com and pledge to help their pet lose weight. All participating pet owners will receive a “Try Me Free” rebate for a Science Diet weight management food of their choice, redeemable at PetSmart, and gain access to interactive weight loss tools to help their pets get back to a healthy weight. The goal is to help the nation’s pets lose a combined total of 1 million pounds and become more healthy. “Making sure that my family eats healthy and exercises is extremely important to me, so when I found out that my dog Winky needed to lose a few pounds, it was really upsetting,” Sweeney said. “With the help of Science Diet, Winky is back on track and now I’m encouraging loving owners across the country to visit PetFit.com and pledge to help their pets lose weight.” To coincide with the launch of the Science Diet …
VCA Offers Free Boarding For Pets Affected By Recent DisastersMay 5, 2011 VCA Animal Hospitals announced that select locations are offering free boarding assistance for companion animals whose families have lost homes, or have been evacuated, due to storms in the southeast and wildfires in Texas. The VCA Becker Animal Hospital in Homewood, Ala.,is offering free boarding for those affected by tornadoes in the state. For more information on the hospital as well as free boarding, click here. VCA Catoosa Animal Hospital in Ringgold, GA., is offering free boarding as well. For more information on the hospital as well as free boarding, click here. "VCA has a long-standing tradition of working in its local communities to help provide the best for pet parents and their pets," said Art Antin, chief operating officer of VCA Animal Hospitals. "For residents affected by the recent devastating events, VCA is working to assist them by providing free pet boarding so they can focus on the safety and welfare of their families and homes." For those affected by the ongoing wildfires in Texas, 20 VCA Animal hospitals located in the Dallas - Fort Worth area are offering free boarding. There is also a
Public Health Vets Release Guidelines To Prevent ZoonosesMay 5, 2011 Hand washing is the most important step a person can take to reduce the risk of contracting a disease after coming into contact with animals in a public setting, such as a pet store, according to a report released today by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Inc. (NASPHV). While human-animal contact has many benefits, NASPHV notes in the report that an inadequate understanding of disease transmission and animal behavior can increase the likelihood of infectious diseases, rabies exposures, injuries and other health problems among visitors, especially children. Infections with intestinal bacteria and parasites pose the highest risk for human disease, according to the Nashville, Tenn., organization. The risk for human infection can be increased by factors and behaviors such as hand-to-mouth activities such as thumb sucking, eating, using pacifiers) and by the layout and maintenance of facilities. Hand washing, the report states, is the most important prevention step for reducing disease transmission. Hands should always be washed immediately after exiting animal areas, after removing soiled clothing or shoes, and before eating or drinking. The design of facilities and animal pens should minimize the risk associated with animal contact by encouraging …
Salmonella Concerns Prompt Pig Ear RecallMay 4, 2011 Keys Manufacturing Co. Inc. of Paris, Ill., is recalling its Pig Ears for Pet Treats because the product may be contaminated with salmonella. The recall affects Pig Ears for Pet Treats with the UPC number 7 61094 15000. The treats were shipped in 100 count cases between Sept. 27 and Oct. 6, 2010; Nov. 1 and Nov. 29, 2010; and Jan. 3 and Jan. 25, 2011, to distributors in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Texas and Minnesota. Distributors repackaged the treats for retailers. Distributors were separately notified of the problem and instructed to notify their retail customers, according to the company. A report of an ill dog in Missouri prompted the recall. Pets with salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may only experience a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. Pet owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if their pet consumed the recalled treats or is experiencing any of the above symptoms. People handling the treats can become infected with salmonella, especially if they …
Hawaii Seeks To Prohibit Sale Of Intact PetsMay 2, 2011 Hawaii legislators are seeking changes to a proposed animal cruelty bill in an effort to prohibit the sale of unsterilized dogs and cats. The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) is urging the public to promptly speak out against the amendment, which it calls a “perversion” of the original bill. As amended, House Bill 243 would prohibit a pet retailer from selling an unsterilized dog or cat. The purpose of this measure is to “mitigate the suffering of the feral cat and stray dog population,” according to the bill. It would take effect Jan. 1, 2012. The original version of HB 243 provided that the killing, or attempted killing, of an animal of another person without that person’s consent would constitute animal cruelty in the first degree. PIJAC issued an industry alert today in which the Washington, D.C.-based organization claimed the amended version of HB 243 establishes an unprecedented restriction on pet owners. “There are various reasons why some pet owners prefer to obtain intact animals, and the decision to spay or neuter a pet is now made by the pet owner in consultation with his or her licensed veterinarian,” PIJAC stated in the alert. …
K9 Cancer Walk Program Gets Backing From John Paul Pet, Paul Mitchell SchoolsApril 29, 2011 John Paul Pet and Paul Mitchell Schools have become a national sponsor of Morris Animal Foundation’s K9 Cancer Walk Program. The program helps raise money for the foundation’s Canine Cancer Campaign, a global effort to prevent, treat and, ultimately, cure cancer in dogs. As sponsors, the two companies have pledged $100,000 to advance canine cancer research. “Partnering with Morris Animal Foundation and their K9 Cancer Walk program is a way for us to stay connected with our clients and their furry best friends,” said Winn Claybaugh, dean and cofounder of Paul Mitchell Schools. “We have your pet’s needs at heart and we couldn’t think of a better way to help out such a great cause.” Actress Betty White, a longtime Morris Animal Foundation supporter and trustee, will accept the monetary gift to the foundation from Paul Mitchell Schools at the school’s annual event on Sunday, May 1. <Home>
Pet Boarding Seminar Tour Kicks Off In MayApril 29, 2011 Laura Laaman & Associates, a business training and consulting agency based in Wilton, Conn., plans to host in May a four-city seminar tour for the pet lodging industry. The Revenue Boot Camp seminar tour aims to provide pet lodging professionals with sales tools and business techniques along with enhanced pet care services and strategies to increase profits. It is open to owners and managers of pet boarding facilities and day care centers and veterinarians who provide non-medical boarding. Topics covered during Revenue Boot Camp include: • Selling activities and other add-on’s • How to turn a phone call into a reservation • 10 ways to beat the competition • Running a profitable referral campaign Tour dates are: • Tuesday, May 3, Stamford, Conn. • Wednesday, May 4, Boston • Thursday, May 5, Orlando, Fla. • Wednesday, May 11, San Francisco Tickets are still available at the reduced price of $795. Revenue Boot Camp is guaranteed to produce results or attendees will receive a full refund. For more information, click here. <Home>
AVMA Seeks Input On Report Outlining Next DecadeApril 29, 2011 The American Veterinary Medical Association reported this week that it is seeking comments on its recently released AVMA 20/20 Vision Commission’s report. The report is designed to offer a roadmap for the next decade of veterinary medicine, according to the AVMA. The report lays out goals and strategies in 11 areas pertinent to veterinary medicine, including social responsibility, global outreach, diversity and financial stability for the profession. “With the AVMA entering an unprecedented era of change, it is essential to have a new vision and roadmap to ensure that the association is relevant and responsive to its members and the public over the next decade,” said Lonnie King, DVM, dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, who chaired the commission. As outlined in the plan, by 2020, AVMA should have: • Achieved a new level of social responsibility and helped meet societal needs; • Become more influential—externally focused, spanned boundaries and sparked a new public awareness of the profession’s many contributions to society; • Helped drive improved economic performance and long-term financial stability for the entire profession; • Balanced its relationships with an increasingly complex …
Pfizer Discontinues Periodontitis VaccineApril 29, 2011 Pfizer Animal Health’s canine Porphyromonas vaccine has been discontinued, effective early April 2011, due to efficacy issues. The product was designed as an aid to preventing periodontitis. The Porphyromonas Denticanis-Gulae-Salivosa Bacterin vaccine was conditionally licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in September 2006. Since then, the Madison, N.J.-based company has conducted a 48-month field efficacy study intended to support the full licensure of this product. Although the study confirmed the vaccine’s safety, it “did not demonstrate a vaccine effect in vaccinates (as compared to controls) for either of the key efficacy variables assessed (attachment loss and gingival bleeding index),” according to a letter sent to veterinarians in early March by Oliver Knesl, BVSc, MRCVS, marketing manager of companion animal biologicals at Pfizer Animal Health. On the basis of these results, Pfizer Animal Health will not pursue renewal of the current conditional license for the vaccine, Sherry Podhayny, VMD, told Veterinary Practice News. Dr. Podhayny is the manager of veterinary operations of companion animal biologicals at Pfizer Animal Health. Any product still in inventory can continue to be administered safely until product expiration, she said. The company has produced a pet owner communication …
