Feline Health Researcher Wins Morris Lifetime Achievement AwardApril 17, 2009 Hill’s Pet Nutrition of Topeka, Kan., announced on Dec. 1 that C.A. Tony Buffington, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVN, will receive the 2009 Mark L. Morris, Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to feline health. The award is presented annually at the opening ceremony of the North American Veterinary Conference, which will take place Jan. 17-21 in Orlando, Fla. Dr. Buffington, a professor at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is being recognized specifically for his work in helping understand the causes of urinary tract disease in cats and in identifying the role played by the environment in the health of indoor cats. “As a researcher, Dr. Buffington’s work on feline urinary tract disease and the impact of environmental factors on feline health and well-being has positively enriched the lives of thousands of cats around the globe,” said Mary Beth Leininger, DVM, Hill’s director of professional affairs. “His translational research has even affected human health as he identified similarities between feline urologic syndrome and interstitial cystitis in women.” Among his achievements, Buffington identified the role of acid-based balance in foods and its relationship to …
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On The Emerging Wave Of ScrutinyApril 17, 2009 Mr. X practically crashes through your front door with Remy the miniature poodle in his arms. “He was hit by a car. I think he’s gone,” he sputters. Fortunately, your well-trained receptionist is at the ready. “Do we have your permission to evaluate him and perform any life-saving measures, if necessary?” Upon hearing him answer in the affirmative, she whisks Remy back without waiting for a technician to triage. If the dog’s almost dead, she reasons, Doc will need him in back with an IV catheter pronto. And you’re already waiting. You’ve stepped out of surgery and ripped off your gloves upon hearing the front office commotion, leaving a cat spay on the table for your best tech to close. You tube him. Another tech’s already got an IV running. You do your best CPR. You’ve done everything you and your techs were trained to do. But Remy’s gone. You explain the loss to your client and the work you undertook on his behalf. A couple of months later, there’s an article on Slate.com describing how angry your client was that you charged him several hundred dollars for CPR on his dead …
Harry Werner Takes Reins As AAEP PresidentApril 17, 2009 The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ new officers and board were inducted on Dec. 9 in San Diego at the AAEP’s 54th Annual Convention. Harry Werner, VMD, a 30-year AAEP member, took the reins of president during the President’s Luncheon. Dr. Werner owns an internal medicine and emergency care clinic, Werner Equine, in North Granby, Conn. The practice, established in 1979, focuses on the treatment of lameness and performs minor surgeries. Eighty-five percent of the horses treated at the practice are English sport horses. Other 2009 Executive Committee members include: • Nathaniel White II, DVM, president-elect. • Eleanor Green, DVM, immediate past president.< • William Moyer, DVM, vice president. • Jeffrey Berk, VMD, treasurer. Incoming board members include: • Peter Bousum, VMD, representing District I (North Atlantic). • B.A. Rucker, DVM, representing District II (Middle Atlantic). • Scott Hay, DVM, representing District III (South Atlantic). • Debora Sellon, DVM, Ph.D., representing District IX (Northwest region). • Carol Clark, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, director at large. • Desmond “Des” Leadon, international director. Several equine veterinary leaders were honored at the President’s Luncheon: • Larry Bramlage, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, AAEP past president, was named Distinguished Life Member. …
Financial Reports Wrap UpApril 17, 2009 Alpharma Inc.’s animal division reported that its first quarter revenue, which ended March 31, increased 3 percent to $83.8 million, compared to revenue of $81.7 million in the year-ago period. Overall, the company reported net income of $11.98 million on revenue of $168.08 million for its first quarter, compared to net income of $33.43 million on revenue of $158.98 million in the year-ago period. Alpharma is based in Fort Lee, N.J. Bioject Medical Technologies Inc., of Portland, Ore., reported net loss of $2.21 million on revenue of $2.13 million for its first quarter, which ended March 31, compared to net loss of $2.6 million on revenue of $1.69 million in the year-ago period. Bioject recently developed a modified Vitajet 3 spring-based device for Merial for use with its canine melanoma vaccine for dogs. Biopure Corp., of Cambridge, Mass., reported net loss of $6.22 million on revenue of $619,000 (including $500,000 from Oxyglobin sales) for its second quarter ended April 30, compared to net loss of $7.11 million on revenue of $411,000 (including $327,000 from Oxyglobin sales) in the year-ago period. Year to date, the company reported net loss of $13.15 million on revenue of $1.21 million, compared …
AVMA Urges Presidential Candidates To Pledge Leadership On Animal IssuesApril 17, 2009 The American Veterinary Medical Association is challenging presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama to integrate into their platforms positions in support of veterinary medicine, food safety and animal health and well-being. “Animal and human health are nonpartisan issues, and we call on Senators McCain and Obama to honor America’s citizens by supporting measures to protect them from zoonotic diseases, food safety outbreaks and animal-related bioterrorism,” said Ron DeHaven, DVM, chief executive officer of the AVMA. Specifically, the new president will need to advocate measures aimed at increasing the number of veterinarians and recruiting more to serve in rural areas, according to the AVMA. “Unfortunately, our nation is heading toward a crisis because there are only 85,000 veterinarians to keep all these animals and the humans in contact with them healthy,” Dr. DeHaven said. The new president must also take strong stances to preserve food safety programs and resources, such as the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank, which are frequently underfunded or at risk of closure, the AVMA said. In addition, the AVMA noted that top-level politically appointed positions that deal with veterinary, animal and food safety issues are best served by …
Wells Fargo To Help Fund Morris Animal Foundation StudiesApril 17, 2009 In a new partnership, Wells Fargo Financial Retail Services will donate a percentage of the annual sales volume from the Wells Fargo Health Advantage veterinary credit card program to the Morris Animal Foundation. “We work to improve veterinary medicine by giving veterinarians the tools to better diagnose and treat animal diseases and health issues,” said Patricia Olson, DVM, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of the foundation. “The Wells Fargo Health Advantage credit card program fits our mission because it provides veterinarians with another tool for providing service and care to their clients and helps pet parents keep their animals healthy. We’ll use the Wells Fargo contribution to fund research that further improves veterinary medicine.” The credit card offers flexible payment options allowing clients to pay for veterinary care over time. Wells Fargo Financial Retail Services of Des Moines, Iowa, is a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Co. <HOME>
Power Of The Bond Reinvigorates UC DavisApril 17, 2009 The new Veterinary Medical Instructional Facility at the University of California, Davis, was named posthumously in honor of Gladys Valley, who donated the early seed money to the building campaign in the amount of $10.6 million. The VMIF was dedicated on June 15. Alumnus Dr. Michael Floyd donated $1 million. For his spirit of generosity, the central commons area of this remarkable "green" building is named "Floyd Commons" in his honor. VCA Antech supported the VMIF by sponsoring the two largest auditoriums as part of the donor-naming opportunity program. When the Davis class of 1955 celebrated its 50th anniversary, Dr. Bill Wetmore presented a $31,000 class gift and a classroom will be named in its honor. Name plaques appear on classroom tables, suites, study areas, seats and lockers which are dedicated to friends, family members and pets as part of the donor naming and "take a seat" program. You may recall that in 1998, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine was placed on limited accreditation status by the American Veterinary Medical Assn. The university was cited for lack of updated and improved teaching and research facilities despite being widely regarded as No. 1 …
Obama Picks Former NYC Health Commissioner To Lead FDAApril 17, 2009 President Obama has nominated former New York City Health Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD, as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Joshua Sharfstein, MD, the health commissioner for Baltimore, was named the principal deputy commissioner. The announcement was made March 14 during the president’s weekly radio address. Obama described the government’s failure to inspect 95 percent of the food processing plants and warehouses as “a hazard to public health.” “It is unacceptable,” Obama said. “And it will change under the leadership of Dr. Margaret Hamburg. From her research on infectious disease at the National Institutes of Health to her work on public health at the Department of Health and Human Services to her leadership on biodefense at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, Dr. Hamburg brings to this vital position not only a reputation of integrity but a record of achievement in making Americans safer and more secure.” Obama said he is creating a Food Safety Working Group, which will be chaired by the secretaries of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture. He said the group will coordinate with other agencies and senior officials to advise him on improving coordination …
Hartz Recalls Vitamin Care For CatsApril 17, 2009 The Hartz Mountain Corp. of Secaucus, N.J., is voluntarily recalling a second specific lot of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats due to concerns that bottles within the lot may have been potentially contaminated with Salmonella. The product involved is 739 bottles of Hartz Vitamin Care for Cats, lot code SZ 22771, UPC number 32700-97701. Recent sampling conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration detected the presence of Salmonella, although it had not been detected under normal testing by Hartz and manufacturer UFAC (USA) Inc. Hartz recalled a specific lot code of the vitamins late last year due to similar concerns. Both lot codes were manufactured by UFAC in 2007, and were removed from distribution last November. However, bottles from the second lot had been shipped to customers before it was removed from distribution. At press time, the company had not received any reports of animals or humans becoming ill. Hartz is offering reimbursement for purchased products. For details, contact Hartz at 800-275-1414. Posted March 10, 2008, 7:16 p.m., EST <HOME>
New Toxin Found In Recalled Pet FoodApril 17, 2009 .The FDA now says it was a substance used in fertilizer and Formica that has been found as a source of contamination of pet food. Adding more confusion to a case already filled with mystery, the Food and Drug Administration now says it was a substance used in fertilizer and Formica that has been found as a source of contamination of pet food that was recalled earlier this month. The FDA and pet food maker Menu Foods are now both saying that amounts of the synthetic plastic melamine is the only contaminant found so far in the wheat gluten ingredient of tainted pet food that has been recalled. Their statements directly contradict findings by the New York State Department of Agriculture, which says that it found the rat poison aminopterin during tests of the tainted food. On March 23, the N.Y. State Department of Agriculture said that state laboratory tests this week had turned up aminopterin, an ingredient used in rat poison outside the United States, in some recalled food. However, no other agency has reported the same findings. Stephen Sundlof, DVM, Ph.D., the director of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, and Menu …
