Koi Herpes Virus Outbreak Reported In BelgiumJuly 24, 2009 The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reported July 24 that two outbreaks of koi herpes virus disease had occured in Belgium. The OIE considers the cases resolved, despite gaps in information provided by Belgium veterinary officials, including the number of cases, the source of the outbreak, and the morbidity, mortality and fatality rates. Both outbreaks occurred in private ponds, one in Familleureux, Hainaut, and the other in Oheye, Namur. The species identified was Carpe koi (Cyprinus carpio koi). The source of the outbreak remains unknown, although the OIE suspects the virus may have been present in carrier fish and reactivated after spawning. Various control measures were applied, including disinfection of the premises, official destruction of clinically diseased animals, and the official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste. In addition, vaccination was prohibited and no affected animals were treated. The outbreaks began June 16. Polymerase chain reaction tests and virus isolation confirmed the two outbreaks on June 19 and July 15. The outbreaks were reoccurances of the reportable disease, last identified in Belgium in 1999. <HOME>
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VCA Antech’s Same-Store Revenue Falls 3.3%July 23, 2009 VCA Antech Inc.’s Animal Hospital Division reported revenue of $261.3 million in the second quarter ended June 30, compared to $251 million in the year-ago period. The 4.1 percent increase was attributed to acquisitions made in the past 12 months. Same-store revenue declined by 3.3 percent during the quarter. Year to date, the division reported revenue of $499.6 million, compared to $477.1 million in the year-ago period. The Laboratory Division posted revenue of $82.8 million in the second quarter, compared to $81.8 million a year earlier. Year to date, the division's revenue was $160.3 million, compared to $158.6 million in the year-ago period. The Medical Technology Division saw second-quarter revenue of $10.6 million, compared to $11.8 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, the revenue was $19.8 million, compared $25.7 million in the year-ago period. Overall, the Los Angeles company reported second-quarter net income of $39 million on revenue of $344.9 million compared to $41.4 million and $334.4 million, respectively, in the year-ago period. This represents a 3.1 percent increase in second quarter revenue. Year to date, the company's net income was $71.8 million on revenue of $660.7 …
Economy Still Affecting CharitiesJuly 22, 2009 More than half of charitable organizations have experienced a decrease in contributions between March and May compared to the year-ago period, according to a new survey by GuideStar, which provides information on more than 1.8 million nonprofit organizations. GuideStar conducted the online survey of 2,279 public charities and private foundations in June. About 4 percent of the organizations were animal related. The survey revealed that 52 percent of organizations reported a decrease in contributions between March and May, 29 percent reported that contributions remained the same, 18 percent reported an increase in contributions and 1 percent responded “don’t know.” The results were similar to GuideStar’s previous nonprofit economic survey, which covered October 2008 through February 2009. “Our latest survey presents both a ‘glass is half full’ and ‘glass is half empty’ scenario,” said Bob Ottenhoff, president and chief executive officer of GuideStar. “On the one hand, the number of nonprofits reporting decreased contributions remained the same as in our previous survey. On the other hand, participants’ comments indicate that their organizations are stretched to the limit. Further, 8 percent still face closure because of financial reasons, and 58 percent report that …
Revenue Up In Neogen's Animal Safety DivisionJuly 21, 2009 Neogen Corp.’s Animal Safety Division reported revenue of $15 million in the fourth quarter ended May 31 compared to $11.5 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, the division reported revenue of $57.7 million, up from $44.8 million in the same period a year earlier. The Lansing, Mich., company noted that integrating the acquired DuPont line of disinfectants and cleaners and IDS drug residue diagnostics contributed to most of the revenue growth for the year. Sales of the DuPont products exceeded expectations by more than 10 percent, according to Neogen. Domestic sales of Neogen’s line of rodenticides saw growth of 11 percent for the year. Sales of the Kare line of small-animal supplements rose by more than 40 percent. Overall, Neogen reported fourth-quarter net income of $3.4 million on revenue of $30.9 million, compared to $3.2 million and $27.1 million, respectively, in the year-ago period. Year to date, the company reported net income of $13.9 million on revenue of $118.7 million, compared to $12.1 million and $102.4 million, respectively, in the year-ago period. <HOME>
Study: Tapeworm Threatens More West Coast HorsesJuly 21, 2009 A study by Pfizer Animal Health shows that tapeworm exposure in horses is rising on the West Coast. The study is a follow-up to a similar equine parasitology study conducted in 2003 by Craig Reinemeyer, DVM, Ph.D., of East Tennessee Clinical Research. His study uncovered the high prevalence of equine tapeworms throughout the U.S. but indicated a lower risk of exposure on the Pacific coast compared to other areas. The new study used more than 300 farms and 600 samples from across three Western states. Data showed tapeworm prevalence on West Coast farms as 17.3 percent in California, 36.5 percent in Oregon and 25.3 percent in Washington. The original study showed tapeworm prevalence in the three combined states as 12.7 percent. The new figures confirm that tapeworm poses a medical threat to horses all over the U.S., not just in the Eastern and Midwestern regions, according to Pfizer Animal Health. Tapeworm prevalence in regions other than the West Coast ranged from 19.1 percent to 95.8 percent, according to original data. Pfizer Animal Health of New York recommends that all horse owners be proactive in protecting their horses from tapeworms.
California Plan To Limit Intact Animals Moves ForwardJuly 17, 2009 California Assembly Bill 241, which would limit the number of intact dogs and cats any person could own for breeding and selling as pets, is headed to the Appropriations Committee after advancing out of the Senate Public Safety Committee on a 4-0 vote July 16. A hearing date has not been set. AB241 would prohibit any person from having more than 50 unsterilized dogs and cats for breeding or raising for sale as pets. Those who possess too many would have to spay or neuter the excess animals or sell, transfer or relinquish the animals within 30 days. If necessary, any euthanasia would have to be performed by a licensed veterinarian or other qualified person. AB241 authorizes a peace officer, humane officer or animal control officer to take possession of any animal kept in violation. Violators would be guilty of a misdemeanor. Assemblyman Pedro Nava, the bill’s author, agreed to amend the bill July 16, but details were not released, according to the American Kennel Club, which remains opposed to the legislation. The AKC said it believes that the quality of a breeder is not determined by the number of animals but by the …
Teva Recalls Propofol Injectable EmulsionJuly 17, 2009 Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, a generic pharmaceutical company, issued a voluntary recall of Propofol Injectable Emulsion 10 mg/mL 100 mL vials because of elevated endotoxin levels in certain lots. The lot numbers being recalled are 31305429B and 31305430B. Teva was recently notified of 41 propofol-treated human patients who experienced postoperative fever, chills and other flu-like symptoms. Testing done by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that the two lots used in facilities reporting febrile reactions were positive for elevated levels of endotoxin. To date, all the patients have recovered. Although propofol is commonly used in veterinary medicine, a Teva spokeswoman said the company’s anesthetic agent is not approved for veterinary use and Teva does not market it to veterinarians. Customers who have a tainted lot should stop using the product and return it to the distributor. The FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Teva are continuing the investigation. Teva is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. of Israel. <HOME>
Biopure Files For BankruptcyJuly 16, 2009 Biopure Corp., which makes Oxyglobin, a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, reported July 16 that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Cambridge, Mass., company said it will continue to manage and operate its business and assets during the bankruptcy case, subject to court supervision. In the meantime, Biopure agreed to sell most of its assets to OPK Biotech LLC, subject to certain conditions. Even if the transaction closes, Biopure expects “limited, if any, value for the common stockholders in the bankruptcy liquidation process.” <HOME> Biopure Corp., which makes Oxyglobin, a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, reported July 16 that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.Biopure Corp., which makes Oxyglobin, a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, reported July 16 that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.Biopure, bankruptcy, Oxyglobin, OPK Biotech LLC
10 Ways To Avoid Anesthesia TroubleJuly 16, 2009Editor’s Note: Dr. Zeltzman scored a coup in getting the trust representatives of the AVMA PLIT to participate in a conference call for publication. This 6-month-old cat suffered a tracheal tear during a spay. The radiograph shows subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. Every day, the trust representatives of the AVMA Professional Liability Insurance Trust receive liability insurance claims related to anesthesia. The representatives agreed to speak candidly with me to help Veterinary Practice News readers avoid 10 common anesthetic complications. For this purpose, we imagined 10 scenarios. CASE 1 Kiki the Yorkie is dropped off for a lameness exam. She is so excitable that sedation is required to examine her knees and hips. Kiki dies. Necropsy reveals grossly abnormal heart valves. Your last physical exam was performed nine months earlier during a vaccination consultation and was normal. No physical exam was performed today. Take-home message: Every patient who undergoes sedation or anesthesia should have a thorough physical exam, which should be documented in the medical record. Normal and abnormal findings should be recorded. As lawyers say, “If it’s not written, it didn’t happen.” CASE 2 Ms. Murphy is a good friend of the practice. She drops off Lovey the …
Comments Sought On Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment ProgramJuly 15, 2009 The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking comments on an interim final rule that establishes the process for designating veterinarian shortage situations, specifically for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. The rule was published in the Federal Register on July 9. Comments received by Sept. 8 will be considered in the final rule. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program is authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Service Act and administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CSREES will designate geographic and practice areas that have a shortage of food supply veterinarians in order to carry out the program goals of strengthening the nation’s animal health infrastructure and supplementing the federal response during animal health emergencies. CSREES will enter into educational loan repayment agreements with veterinarians who agree to work in shortage situations for a determined period. The interim rule is based, in part, on the comment period late last year. CSREES received oral and written comments from groups such as the American Veterinary Medical Assn., the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, the American College of Veterinary …
