Kroger Recalls Dog, Cat FoodDecember 22, 2010 The Kroger Co. issued a recall on Saturday of select varieties of dog and cat food sold in some of its stores, mostly in the South and Midwest, because the products may contain the toxic chemical aflatoxin. The affected product includes certain Pet Pride, Old Yeller and Kroger Value brands with Oct. 23, 2011 and Oct. 24, 2011 sell by dates. Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen's, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana. The Kroger Co. manufactured the recalled pet food items at its own facility in Springfield, Tenn., according to company spokeswoman Denise Osterhues. No other manufacturers are included in this recall. The recalled products may contain aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. Pet owners are …
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AVMA Comments On DEA’s Proposed Controls For PropofolDecember 21, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Association reported today that it sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement Agency offering guidance on the DEA’s proposal of designating propofol as a Schedule IV drug under the Controlled Substances Act. The DEA issued the proposal in late October based on reports it received concerning the increased abuse of propofol and that the abuse potential is comparable to other Schedule IV substances. Propofol abuse also has a high mortality rate, the DEA noted. If finalized, the rule would impose the regulatory controls and criminal sanctions of Schedule IV on those who handle propofol and products containing propofol. The AVMA is concerned that the new rule could discourage veterinarians from using the “useful and effective induction agent.” “While we understand the importance of controlling the use of any drug with high abuse potential, we also have concerns that adding propofol as a Schedule IV controlled substance may result in decreased use of this important anesthetic by some veterinarians because of the burdens associated with registration, record keeping and, especially, waste disposal in accordance with DEA rules,” Ron DeHaven, DVM, CEO of the AVMA, said in the letter. He goes on …
Appeals Court Upholds Most Of Pet Food SettlementDecember 21, 2010 A federal appeals court has upheld all but one of the terms in the $24 million class action lawsuit settlement over melamine-contaminated pet food. The term at issue involves a $250,000 cap for product reimbursements claims. The four individuals who filed the appeal argued that the figure is “inadequate.” The settling parties argued that the money was primarily for pet owners who had bought the recalled pet food back in 2007 but couldn’t return the product because they didn’t have a sales receipt. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, in a judgment issued Dec. 16, 2010, found that the lower court lacked the information necessary to evaluate the value and allocation of the purchase claims. The appellate court has ordered the case back to the U.S. District Court in New Jersey for the settling parties to provide more information related to the $250,000 cap on reimbursements. Lisa Rodriquez, one of the attorneys representing the class of pet owners, said the appellate court ruling is not a major setback. “It basically says for us to expand the record with some of the information that we had when we were before the Third Circuit …
The Benefits Of Medical MassageDecember 20, 2010One of the oldest forms of healing,1--2 massage is undergoing a much-needed evolution. Over the past decade, the modern practice of medical massage has gained popularity on account of its scientific methodology. Medical massage begins with a clear-cut diagnosis and ends with a readily identifiable outcome. Understanding its biologic mechanism of action allows practitioners to make meaningful interventions that specifically target a patient’s myofascial or neurophysiologic pathophysiology. Thanks to the rapidly expanding paradigm of autonomic neuromodulation and the desire by medical massage therapists to explain how their treatments work, a unifying theory has emerged. That is, neurophysiology explains how and why soft tissue therapy improves bodily processes including, but not limited to, digestion, emotional states, sleep, weight regulation, pain control and immune function.3--4 The recognition that moderate pressure massage gave patients slower heart rates, lower blood pressure and reduced cortisol levels pointed to changes within the autonomic nervous system.5 Eventually, investigations led to the vagal nerve network as the final common pathway. This 10th cranial nerve and associated brainstem nuclei affect nearly every bodily function, serving as a neural expressway mediating the tightly orchestrated, restorative, parasympathetic nervous system. Effect on Babies Some of …
FDA Tackles Unapproved Animal Drug Prevalence With New InitiativeDecember 20, 2010 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported today an initiative to address the prevalence of unapproved animal drugs marketed in the United States. The FDA said it is concerned that the safety and effectiveness of these marketed products have not been demonstrated. An FDA approval ensures that the drug’s strength, quality and purity are consistent from batch to batch and that the drug’s labeling is appropriate and truthful, according to the agency. To read the full FDA notice, click here. As part of the initiative, the FDA is soliciting comments from all stakeholders, including veterinary professionals, the regulated industry and the public, on strategies to address this issue. Specifically, the FDA is requesting comments on approaches for increasing the number of currently marketed animal drug products that have legal marketing status. The focus is not on revising the current new animal drug approval process, the FDA noted, but to explore additional mechanisms that use FDA’s existing regulatory framework as well as strategies not currently employed by the agency to increase the number of approved or otherwise legally marketed animal drugs. The FDA is also requesting comment on the use of …
MSU Connects With Iraqi Vets Via Videoconferencing On Rebuilding ProjectDecember 20, 2010 Michigan State University reported today that a group of its veterinarians is using videoconferencing as a way to help Iraqi farmers and veterinarians rebuild the country’s livestock food industry, adopt new animal science technologies and educate its farmers and producers. The initiative is part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded project. “Much of Iraq is in disarray, and its people are in desperate need to rebuild their infrastructure,” said Robert Malinowski, acting director of the Information Technology Center in MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and project leader. “While most people think of roads, sewers and communications when it comes to infrastructure, what is equally important is a vibrant livestock food and animal science industry.” “A country that seeks stability needs to be able to feed itself,” added Ann Rashmir, an associate professor with the College of Veterinary Medicine who is also working on the project. Two Saturdays each month, industry professionals provided by MSU, connect with representatives from the Iraqi groups in Baghdad via videoconferencing technology for two-hour sessions. Topics range from farm management, animal nutrition and diseases, biosecurity and modern breeding techniques. The Iraqi groups include the Iraqi Red Meats Association, a nongovernmental …
Heska Names Pets Forever Winner Of ‘Inspiration’ ContestDecember 20, 2010 Heska Corp. of Loveland, Colo., today named Pets Forever as the grand prize winner of its 2010 Inspiration in Action contest. The Colorado-based organization, which provides veterinary care to the pets of low income, elderly or disabled residents, received $25,000. Heska had asked veterinary professionals across the industry how they would use $25,000 to support and inspire their profession. The company received more than 100 submissions. Pets Forever is aiming to extend the care that they provide to animals beyond that of wellness exams and vaccinations. Several local veterinarians have agreed to provide discounted services to pets in need, according to Heska. The winning money will be used to help pay the balance of the bills for those animals that have become sick or injured. World Vets came in second place winning $5,000. The nonprofit provides free veterinary aid worldwide. World Vets hopes to use the money toward the development of a disaster response program with protocols, procedures and adequate training to enable veterinary professionals to assist animals in natural disaster situations, according to Heska. “This contest recognizes the contributions of some truly inspiring professionals,” said Robert Grieve, Heska’s chairman and CEO. “With nearly …
Zuke’s Bolsters Efforts To Support Dog, Cat Cancer ResearchDecember 17, 2010 Zuke’s, a Durango, Colo.-based manufacturer of all-natural pet treats, is making an end-of-year push to increase its annual donation to The Dog & Cat Cancer Fund. For the month of December, the company has doubled the percentage of proceeds that will go to the nonprofit organization. The company declined to disclose the actual percentage it has pledged to donate. “My dog Zuke inspired the idea behind the company and is also the inspiration for our commitment to The Dog & Cat Cancer Fund,” said Patrick Meiering, Zuke’s founder and CEO. “Zuke was a victim of cancer, and we are hopeful that our contribution will help fund research to treat the disease, as well as help fund treatment for those pets who are fighting cancer.” The Dog & Cat Cancer Fund is also based in Durango. It provides grants for feline and canine cancer research and works with veterinarians to help underprivileged dog and cat owners get treatment for their pets, according to its website. Zuke’s began making donations to The Dog & Cat Cancer Fund in 2007. Last year, it donated more than $30,000 to the organization, the company reported. <Home>
Nestlé Purina Receives Presidential Award For Business ExcellenceDecember 16, 2010 Nestlé Purina PetCare of St. Louis received a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in late November. Named after the 26th secretary of commerce, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recognizes performance excellence among the nation’s manufacturers, small businesses, educational organizations and health care facilities. Nestlé Purina is the first consumer packaged goods company and first pet food manufacturer to receive the award. “The passion that Nestlé Purina employees and associates extend to enrich the lives of pets and the people who love them is directly responsible for our designation as one of the country’s leading and most innovative businesses,” said Nestlé Purina’s CEO Pat McGinnis. Award applicants were evaluated by an independent board of examiners in seven areas: leadership; strategic planning; customer focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; process management; and results. The evaluation process for each of the recipients included about 1,000 hours of review and an on-site visit by a team of examiners to clarify questions and verify information in the applications. Nestlé Purina is one of seven companies to receive the 2010 award. This year’s recipients also include Medrad, Warrendale, Pa.; Freese …
Vet Protectionism And Ancillary ServicesDecember 15, 2010 Big dog’s got a bone. When a little one comes around he snarls and growls, showing off those big white teeth and prodigious hackles. No way does he plan on sharing. So it goes with veterinarians and the army of pet care providers who offer ancillary services such as chiropractic, massage and acupuncture. If the provider is not a licensed veterinarian or under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, our profession is staunchly opposed to these layperson practices. Because no way do we plan on sharing. I got to thinking about this perennial issue after one of my blog’s readers posed a question: “Every now and then I see [an] attempt to pass legislation that will outlaw common husbandry practices by anyone except a veterinarian. Here is an example of the fallout: [A case in which a popular equine floater was asked by veterinarians to cease and desist her services.] “This has to do with floating teeth in horses, but the law is so vague it could apply to other things as well, even to dog trainers. I have a great deal of respect for veterinarians, but I don’t think they are the …
