Walmart launches pet pharmacy, opening more in-store clinicsMay 7, 2019Walmart says it is launching its first pet pharmacy and opening more in-store veterinary clinics. "These clinics offer affordable, high quality, and convenient services to save customers as much as 40 to 60 percent on vaccines and minor illness packages and exams," the company wrote on its website. The news comes at a time when private practices are already competing with online pharmacy retailers that are digging into their revenue. According to Walmart, it will provide low-cost prescriptions for dogs, cats, horses, and livestock through WalmartPetRx.com. The website will offer more than 300 brands to treat conditions such as flea and tick, heartworm, allergy, and arthritis, which are main sources of income for veterinarians. Walmart will also offer home delivery. The option to pick up pet prescriptions in-store will be available later this month, as the retailer is stocking more than 4,500 of its pharmacies with the 30 most requested pet medications. Walmart says it will be opening nine new clinics in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Tex., in late May and June. It has plans to expand to more than 100 locations over the next 12 months.
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New bill allows Florida veterinarians to report suspected abuseMay 7, 2019The Florida Senate has passed a criminal justice bill allowing veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty to authorities without notice to or authorization from the client. Bill 7125 would permit veterinarians to notify law enforcement officers; animal control officers who are trained in animal cruelty investigations, search and seizure, animal handling, courtroom demeanor, and civil citations; or agents dedicated to protecting animals and preventing any act of cruelty, of signs of mistreatment. Currently, veterinarians are required to inform an owner if they are suspicious of animal abuse before going to law enforcement. Under the new bill, the only time veterinarians would be required to inform the client first is if suspected cruelty occurred at a commercial food-producing animal operation on land classified as agricultural. The next step is for the bill to be signed or vetoed by Florida governor, Ron DeSantis.
WSU receives accreditation for veterinary simulation programMay 6, 2019Washington State University (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine's (CVM's) veterinary-only simulation program is the first to be accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). The simulation-based education program offers hands-on simulated training, from administering anesthesia to performing surgery to client interaction. "We are delighted to see simulation-based education being practiced in veterinary medicine at WSU in an effort to improve the quality of care delivered to the patients we often consider family, our pets," says SSH's Kristyn Gadlage. "We applaud WSU for its dedication to educational excellence in its training of future veterinarians." WSU introduced integrated simulation into its curriculum through the clinical communication program 11 years ago. An elective course for anesthesia simulation was also created, allowing students to gain more experience and receive feedback from experts. "We understand simulation is a key component to training some of the most prepared and competent veterinary graduates in the country," says program director, Julie Cary. "We use simulation to enhance student exposure and experience while building their confidence, which adds to patient safety."
Human-animal bond the focus of National Pet WeekMay 6, 2019In honor of National Pet Week, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) is reminding veterinarians to advise their clients to cherish the human-animal bond and to embrace responsible pet ownership. National Pet Week runs from May 6 to May 12 and this year's theme is a "Lifetime of Love—The basics: Seven days to a happier, healthier pet." Each day is dedicated to a specific pet-related topic: May 6 emphasizes the importance of selecting pets that mesh well with people's lifestyles and making a firm commitment to caring for pets May 7 encourages pet owners to socialize their companion animals early and prep them for various interactions with places, activities, animals, and people May 8 urges pet owners and their pets to engage in regular exercise May 9 recommends regular visits to the veterinarian May 10 celebrates the human-animal bond May 11 provides tips for developing emergency kits for unexpected incidents, such as natural disasters May 12 summarizes the week's advice TVMA says its goal for this week is to remind pet owners to give pets' a lifetime of love and improve their quality and length of life by taking them in for regular veterinary exams and by providing regular …
Zoetis becomes first Human-Animal Bond-certified companyMay 3, 2019Zoetis is the first company to become Human-Animal Bond certified. More than two dozen company employees completed the program, and were taught the science behind the human-animal bond. The employees were also shown how this science supports the practice of veterinary medicine. The certification program was created by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). "For years, Zoetis has been a leading advocate of the bond between humans and animals, and we are honored to have earned this important certification," says Zoetis Petcare marketing executive director, J. Michael McFarland, DVM, DABVP, chair of the HABRI board of trustees. "Veterinarians play a key role in strengthening the relationship between animals and people, and Zoetis is committed to helping them, their clients, and the animals they care for experience the benefits of the human-animal bond." In its first year, more than 500 professionals have signed up for this certification, which offers 22 hours of RACE-approved continuing education credit. Zoetis also developed educational resources related to the program for its own employees, for the veterinary community, and for pet owners. "With its long-term commitment to funding human-animal bond research, education, professional development, and programming, Zoetis …
Declawing cats may soon be illegal in New YorkMay 3, 2019Legislation is currently moving through New York's state assembly in an effort to ban the declawing of cats. Declawing is already banned in several cities in California, as well as many countries around the world, including Switzerland, Israel, and the U.K. If Bill A01303 is passed, it would make New York the first state to ban the practice. "Claws play an important role in various aspects of cats' lives. They use their nails to assist in climbing and maintaining balance, to help them fully stretch, to relieve stress through kneading, and to escape danger," reads a state assembly memorandum memo. The memo goes on to say, "When the claws are removed, the animal tends to shift its gait and where it places most of its weight, causing strain on its leg joints and spine, which can lead to early onset arthritis and prolonged back and joint pain." Should the bill pass, anyone who performs an onychectomy, a partial/complete phlangectomy, or a tendonectomy procedure on a cat faces a fine of up to $1,000. Declawing will be permitted when it is necessary for therapeutic purposes, including: an existing or recurring illness; infection; disease; injury; or an abnormal condition in the …
IDEXX files voluntary dismissal in Vets First Choice lawsuitMay 2, 2019IDEXX Laboratories has dropped a lawsuit against two of its former staff members and Vets First Choice after alleging the employees took confidential material to their new employer. In a joint statement, Covetrus and IDEXX say they agreed to resolve the matter to an amicable resolution. The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice. (Covetrus is the newly formed company after Vets First Choice merged with Henry Schein.) Last August, IDEXX announced it was taking two former employees and Vets First Choice to court. The lawsuit stated Dan Leach and Agostino Scicchitano did not reveal they resigned from IDEXX to gain employment with Vets First Choice and engaged in alleged "actual and/or threatened misappropriation of trade secrets." Further, it claimed the two employees took private information from company computers when they moved to their new employer. In the statement, Covetrus and IDEXX acknowledge "their respective obligations to their customers and employees to take appropriate measures to safeguard and ensure proper handling of confidential information." IDEXX was seeking unspecified monetary damages, punitive damages, and legal fees. The company's lawyers were also asking for an injunction to block the defendants' "actual or threatened disclosure or utilization of IDEXX's trade secrets."
VCA releases social impact reportMay 2, 2019Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) has released its first social impact report highlighting its fundraising achievements and commitment to veterinarians. This is part of the company's new series of annual reports, which will bring transparency to its animal welfare efforts. "We always strive to change lives for the better, and in the process, our own hearts are forever transformed, inspiring us to work ever harder for the pets who deserve nothing less than the very best we can give," says VCA cofounder and chief executive officer, Bob Antin. "We care. Since our founding in 1986, our unflagging commitment to pets has inspired us to go to ever greater lengths to ensure their health, safety, and happiness." One of VCA's main goals is to better the lives of animals across the U.S. and Canada through philanthropic outreach. In 2018, it raised $1 million in donations and provided more than $1 million in pre-adoption medical care to animal welfare groups across the U.S. During disasters such as the California Woolsey Fires and Hurricane Florence, more than 100 VCA hospitals helped out during the crisis. They aided with the evacuation of animals and provided no-charge health exams and vaccinations. VCA says it …
Blue Buffalo and Petco Foundation award cancer research grant to Morris Animal FoundationMay 1, 2019Blue Buffalo and Petco Foundation have joined forces to award a $250,000-grant to Morris Animal Foundation to fund its feline cancer studies. "Blue Buffalo is thrilled to partner once again with Petco Foundation to support Morris Animal Foundation in its fight against cancer, a terrible disease causing 50 percent of health-related pet deaths," says company vice-president, David Petrie. "Research is expensive, and we are proud to help fund studies that will lead to better health outcomes for dogs and cats." Cancer is the second leading cause of death in cats. In the U.S., more than 12 million pets are diagnosed with the disease every year. Since 1962, Morris Animal Foundation has funded more than 300 cancer studies and invested approximately $40 million. "We are deeply grateful for this meaningful gift, which will help us continue to advance cancer care," says Morris Animal Foundation president and chief executive officer, Tiffany Grunert. "It is through support like this that we're able to fund the best, most impactful studies, forging a path to a world where all cancers are treatable and more cures possible." Funding for Morris Animal Foundation has led to multiple breakthroughs and advancements in cancer care animals everywhere. This …
Purdue University to get new veterinary hospitalMay 1, 2019Pending formal approval, Purdue University is set to move ahead with the construction of a new Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The $108-million project will comprise small- and large-animal facilities, including new hospitals for equine and farm-animal patients. The current small-animal hospital will be renovated to modernize its facilities. "With this support, we can say Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine's dream of having a new state-of-the-art hospital facility will become a reality," says its dean, Willie Reed. Purdue has committed $35 million to the project and Indiana recently approved a $73-million appropriation. Currently, the facility serves more than: 16,400 patients through the small-animal hospital; 1,800 patients in the large-animal hospital; and 23,000 food animals and horses through on-farm visits conducted by the Food Animal and Equine Ambulatory Services.
