GuardianVets wins Purina's 2019 Pet Care Innovation PrizeMarch 25, 2019GuardianVets was awarded Purina's 2019 Pet Care Innovation Prize (PCIP) after pitching to an audience of investors, retailers, and the pet care leaders at Global Pet Expo. GuardianVets is a business-to-business (B2B) telehealth service and platform allowing veterinary hospitals to offer 24-7 continuous client care. The startup is the triage provider for the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and serves more than 600,000 pet owners in over 30 states. The prize is a collaborative effort of Purina's 9 Square Ventures division with investing leader, Active Capital. The startups must address pet and pet owner needs in the areas of pet health and wellness, services, technology, nutrition, and emerging innovations. As the grand prize winner, the Chicago-based company will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to work with Purina on a project. "I'm very appreciative and thankful to be the grand prize winner of the Pet Care Innovation Prize and hope to use this opportunity to continue to move GuardianVets forward and help strengthen the relationship between pet owners and their veterinary practices," says GuardianVets founder, John Dillon. "The PCIP program is built on developing comradery within the pet industry, and it's amazing to see a leader like Purina support …
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PIJAC releases resource to combat antimicrobial resistance health risksMarch 25, 2019The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) has released a set of recommendations for antibiotic management and combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in companion animals. The resource includes a set of principles for all sectors of the pet care community with an emphasis on those involved with breeding, rearing, transport, and the sale of companion animals, as well as those who work with products where antibiotics regularly intersect with animals. The principles provide advice and best management practices on matters such as the use of antibiotics, sanitation, hygiene, veterinary oversight, and zoonotic disease prevention. "PIJAC is proud to have served as the pet industry's liaison on public health issues and zoonotic disease prevention for over a decade through our memorandum of understanding with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)," says PIJAC president and CEO, Mike Bober. "These recommendations are another demonstration of PIJAC and the pet care community's commitment to promoting the health and well-being of animals and humans alike." The CDC estimates two million people are infected with resistant strains of bacteria and 23,000 deaths result from antibiotic resistance in the U.S. annually. Campylobacter and Salmonella are two common bacteria types, which have resistant strains and are …
Why LGBTQ-friendly is business-friendly and good karma, tooMarch 22, 2019I'm one of those people whose hatchback is decorated with pet-themed bumper stickers—everything from Malinois silhouettes and silly cat faces to a cheeky "pugs not drugs" decal. To wit, my collage has never elicited anything but positive commentary in parking lots and driveways. It was only when I added one simple "equal" sign (you know the one, yellow on blue) that my cute and cuddly spread attracted any negativity. It happened in a Target parking lot during the holidays. The guy put his pickup in park behind my vehicle, exited his car and brachiated his disapproval––up close. "Learn how to drive, you f-ing liberal!" (For the record, he used the whole uncensored expletive along with a degree of hostility I hardly deserved.) Now, I may or may not have taken the parking space he was hoping I'd overlook, but that kind of thing only happens when you've touched more than just the "girl-got-your-spot" nerve. This guy probably does not like gay people––or anyone who likes gay people, for that matter. Which got me to thinking about my practice. At each of our two glass-doored entrances, I've affixed a similar gold-on-blue sticker next to our Yelp decal and the one …
Americans spent $18.11 billion on veterinary care in 2018March 22, 2019The American Pet Products Association (APPA) says veterinary care remains the second highest source of spending in the pet care community. According to the association's annual industry-wide spending figures, money spent on veterinary care totaled $18.11 billion, surpassing growth in any other category at a rate of 6.1 percent. Figures in 2019 are expected to reach $18.98 billion, an increase of 4.8 percent over last year's figures. The APPA says the frequency of veterinary visits has likely increased due to lower prices, making pet care more available to a broader customer base. "Millennials continue to be the largest pet-owning demographic and this shows in the data," says APPA president and CEO, Bob Vetere. "We know this generation is willing to pay more for quality services to improve the health and well-being of their pets. Today more than ever, pet owners view their pets as irreplaceable members of their families and lives, and it's thanks to this that we continue to see such incredible growth within the pet care community."
FDA investigating elevated levels of vitamin D in Hill's recallMarch 22, 2019The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is looking into the presence of elevated levels of vitamin D in Hill's Pet Nutrition canned dog food. The news comes after the pet food company issued an expanded recall on Wednesday for 85 total lots of 33 varieties (SKUs) of its canned dog foods after receiving complaints dogs eating the food were experiencing vitamin D toxicity. Currently, the recall is only for canned dog food and does not affect canned cat food, dry food (kibble), or treats. Hill's says the products in both recalls were made with the same vitamin premix. According to the FDA, the recall was expanded after it requested that Hill's test samples of food it had produced that were not part of the original recall. Hill's conducted that testing and issued the expanded recall of 19 additional products of canned dog food. In a letter sent to veterinarians, Hill's Pet Nutrition vice president and general manager, Jesper Nordengaard said, "We understand this recall has caused pet parents considerable anxiety and that the well-being of their pets may have been affected. We are also aware of the disruption and difficulty this has caused you and your …
Nationwide members paid $119 million to treat their dogs and catsMarch 21, 2019Nationwide members spent $119 million in 2018 to treat their dogs and cats. The pet health insurance company analyzed its database of more than 725,000 insured pets to determine the top 10 most common conditions that prompted veterinary visits. "Pet owners are encouraged to schedule regular medical checkups as recommended by their veterinarians to prevent many common, yet problematic medical conditions," says Nationwide vice president and chief veterinary officer, Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA. "Early detection can be key. The majority of medical conditions on the top 10 list can be successfully managed if treated promptly by a veterinarian." The following conditions affect dogs and cats the most, according to Nationwide: Dogs 1) skin allergies 2) ear infection 3) noncancerous skin mass 4) diarrhea/intestinal upset 5) skin infection 6) vomiting/upset stomach 7) arthritis 8) dental disease 9) anal gland inflammation 10) bladder urinary tract disease Cats 1) bladder/urinary tract disease 2) dental disease 3) chronic kidney disease 4) vomiting/upset stomach 5) diarrhea/intestinal upset 6) excessive thyroid hormone 7) upper respiratory infection 8) skin allergies 9) diabetes 10) heart valve malfunction
Talking the talk—What to say when clients prefer raw dietsMarch 21, 2019One only needs to pay attention to the news or trending items on Facebook to see the spate of pet food recalls happening in our country. And with an uptick of pet parents feeding their dogs raw or freeze-dried raw food, it is important veterinarians have honest and open conversations with their clients about concerns surrounding these diets. The following is American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA's) position statement on raw diets: "AVMA discourages the feeding to cats and dogs of any animal-source protein that has not first been subjected to a process to eliminate pathogens because of the risk of illness to cats and dogs, as well as humans." Katy Nelson, DVM, medical director of Pet Health for Stop Aging Now, agrees. "Cooking or pasteurization through the application of heat until the protein reaches an internal temperature adequate to destroy pathogenic organisms has been the traditional method used to eliminate pathogens in animal-source protein, although the AVMA recognizes that newer technologies and other methods, such as irradiation, are constantly being developed and implemented," Dr. Nelson says. "Most veterinarians are going to listen to the governing body of our profession, as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and …
Croghan, N.Y. veterinarian accused of forcible touchingMarch 21, 2019A Croghan, N.Y., veterinarian is facing three charges of forcibly touching a 19-year-old woman. Police say the incidents happened on the same day last October, though at two different times and in two different jurisdictions. "He's being charged with forcible touching, which is a Class A misdemeanor in the New York state penal law," Detective Joseph Giaquinto of the Watertown Police Department told WWNYTV. Police allege one of the incidents occurred in a home and that the accused and the victim knew each other. New York State Police have also charged the accused with two counts of forcible touching for an incident involving the same woman that happened in nearby New Bremen, N.Y. According to an article by WWNYTV, the accused has faced criminal charges before. In 2006, police charged him with first-degree sexual abuse, attempted criminal sex act, attempted rape, and forcible touching in a case involving a 36-year-old woman. A jury found him guilty of three counts of forcible touching; he was sentenced to 30 days in jail and had to register as a sex offender. In 2009, the state department of education, which licenses veterinarians, put his license on probation for two years. It's unclear why …
Keep more flea and tick preventive purchases in-clinicMarch 20, 2019When pet owners needed to purchase parasite control products, they traditionally went to their local veterinarian. However, the influx of retail businesses (both online and brick and mortar) competing in this market has created a financial feasting frenzy on clinic profits. "We have moved from having a near monopoly on the sale of flea/tick products to the current situation where less than half of clients are now purchasing their flea/tick products from their veterinarian," says Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, an independent consultant, author, and lecturer. In most veterinary hospitals, pharmaceuticals represent 25 to 30 percent of revenue, according to Dr. Ackerman. As the bulk of that revenue comes from the sale of parasite control products, this "erosion" of sales is both significant and troubling. Reel 'em back in Reasons as to why pet owners have strayed beyond home base varies. Cost, convenience, and just not knowing the benefits of purchasing from their veterinarian are examples. When it comes to product pricing, veterinarians need to be competitive, but they don't need to be the low-price leader, according to Ackerman. "Clients see most noninjectable parasite control products as commodities, and it is easy for them to compare prices across different sources," …
LSU improperly paid $400,000 to faculty member who didn't do his jobMarch 20, 2019A faculty member at the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine did not satisfactorily fulfill his employment obligations, despite receiving $400,000 in salary and related benefits. A new Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA) review found the employee did not satisfy his commitments to LSU during the period of August 2015 to September 2018. Further, management at the School of Veterinary Medicine did not take satisfactory action to address his lack of performance. The employee believes he last provided services to fulfill his duties in July 2016 and acknowledges he did not deserve to be paid for the period of July 2016 to August 2018. According to LSU, February 2015 was the last time the staff member submitted a grant proposal. Consequently, he was unable to offer any proof when asked to provide documentation to demonstrate his work from July 2016 to August 2018. The employee was told to appear at LSU for the fall 2018 semester and perform his duties, but failed to do so. He was still employed with LSU as of January 2019, LLA confirms, although it did not identify him. The LSU Office of Internal Audit has recommended management take action regarding the faculty member's …
