California Pet Insurance Consumer Protection Bill Signed by BrownSeptember 30, 2014California Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed a law to require pet insurers to disclose more information about their policies, to standardize definitions and provide consumers with a “free look” period. Assembly Bill 2056 is the first law of its kind in regard to pet insurance in the nation, according to the state’s insurance department. The popular bill was supported by many players in the pet insurance industry as well as Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. AB 2056, which goes into effect July 1, 2015, was authored by Matt Dababneh, D-Encino. It garnered unanimous support in both the Assembly and state Senate. Under the law, pet insurers will be required to disclose policy information such as reimbursement benefits and pre-existing condition limitations, and offer a clear explanation of limitations of coverage, such as co-insurance, waiting periods, deductibles and annual or lifetime policy limits. The law also gives consumers a 30-day “free look” period during which a pet insurance policy can be returned for a full refund. One of the carriers that supported the bill was Brea, Calif.-based Veterinary Pet Insurance Co., which evidently had no trouble with the changes called for in the …
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Michigan Practitioner Chosen as AVMF Vet of YearSeptember 30, 2014A Michigan veterinarian and sled dog enthusiast today was named America’s Favorite Veterinarian by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Tim Hunt, DVM, who owns Bayshore Veterinary Hospital in the Upper Peninsula city of Marquette, also produces a line of dog food and treats under the Dr. Tim’s brand name. Dr. Hunt was selected from among 20 finalists after public voting gave him 12,000 votes out of 86,000 cast. He was nominated by client Kris Mitchell, who said Hunt performed a Cesarean section on her bulldog one Christmas morning. “He has come into his office for us all at times, day or night,” Mitchell said. “He has saved many of my dogs’ lives, and he has mourned with us when the time has come for them to pass. He truly loves all animals, and my dogs love him and his staff.” Hunt, a Michigan State University graduate, cherished the honor. “It’s humbling to think our community, clients and friends rallied and showed support in a way I never expected,” he said. “Being recognized as a veterinarian in this way is truly heartwarming.” Hunt spends time in Alaska, serving as a volunteer veterinarian for the Iditarod sled dog race. He founded …
Animal Behaviorist Sophia Yin Dies at 48September 30, 2014Renowned animal behaviorist and veterinarian Sophia Yin, DVM, MS, who lectured and wrote extensively and invented the Treat & Train reward-based training system, died Sunday. She was 48. Dr. Yin hanged herself at her home in Davis, Calif., Yolo County chief deputy coroner Gina M. Moya said. A brief message about her passing was posted on Yin’s website and Facebook page. “At this time the family and staff has requested privacy as they struggle to handle this sudden and unexpected loss,” the statements read in part. Colleagues such as Marty Becker, DVM, and certified dog and cat behavior consultant Steve Dale eulogized Yin. “My heart is broken, and I can’t even convey the huge loss of this champion for animals to the world,” Dr. Becker wrote on Yin’s Facebook page. “She was a superb presenter, extremely generous, her thinking ahead of most of us, downright brilliant,” Dale wrote. “Her loss leaves a gaping hole. Each time we treat an animal with a bit more dignity and patience, [we] will honor her.” John Ciribassi, DVM, Dipl. ACVB, the president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, announced Yin’s passing to his organization “with a heavy heart.” “Sophia brought the …
Penn Vet to Host Symposium on MicrobesSeptember 30, 2014The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) will host “Microbial Communities in Health and Disease” on Oct. 15 to 16. The symposium, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine and School of Arts & Sciences, will explore how bacteria, parasites, viruses and other organisms interact with their animal and human hosts in ways that either maintain health or lead to disease. The two-day symposium will begin with a public event—a discussion with science writer Carl Zimmer on Oct. 15 at The Inn at Penn. Zimmer, a New York Times columnist, will discuss “A Planet of Viruses: How Humans Can Live Safely on a Viral World.” Presentations for the scientific community will take place at Penn Vet’s Hill Pavilion on Oct. 16. Eight scientists will discuss cutting-edge work investigating how microbes not only cause disease, but also how “good bugs” promote health. The event is made possible in part by the Provost Interdisciplinary Seminar Fund Award and exemplifies the One Health Initiative, according to Penn Vet. The One Health Initiative is dedicated to improving the lives of all species through the integration of human medicine, veterinary medicine and environmental science. Admission is free for …
American Humane Association Honors 2- and 4-Legged HeroesSeptember 29, 2014An Arizona veterinarian who serves low-income clients and a Texas veterinary technician who co-founded Pug Rescue of Austin were honored Sunday during the expanded Hero Dog Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. The first-ever Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Technician awards were presented to Eva DeCozio, DVM, of VCA Apache Junction in Higley, Ariz., and to Signe Corbin, who in addition to her charity work is employed at Westlake Animal Hospital in Austin, Texas. Drug maker Zoetis Inc. of Florham Park, N.J., sponsored the two new awards. Public online voting selected Dr. DeCozio and Corbin from among five finalists in each category. DeCozio is the medical director at VCA Apache Junction and co-founder of the nonprofit group Panacea Animal Wellness Sanctuary. “Never one to turn away a someone if they are unable to pay for their pet’s care, Dr. DeCozio was nominated because of her propensity for helping as many creatures as she can,” according to her profile prepared by the American Humane Association, which organizes the Hero Dog Awards. “The co-founder of the Panacea Animal Wellness Sanctuary, she has brought in hundreds of animals who might have been euthanized in other shelters, treats them and helps adopt them out to new …
Zoetis Releases Johne’s Disease Assay KitSeptember 25, 2014A new test for Johne’s disease, a deadly infection of cattle, is available for sale to veterinarians and farmers, Zoetis Inc. reported today. The test, SERELISA ParaTB Ab Mono Indirect, is designed to detect Mycobacterium avium antibodies in cattle serum and plasma in less than 75 minutes. Johne’s disease, also known as paratuberculosis, can cost U.S. cattle producers hundreds of millions of dollars a year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Infected cattle are doomed to death once clinical signs such as diarrhea and weight loss appear. Cattle may be vaccinated against Johne’s disease, but no cure is available. Paratuberculosis is contagious and may spread throughout a herd when an infected animal is introduced. Infected cattle may appear healthy for months or years before symptoms begin to appear, Zoetis noted. “Calves are most susceptible to Johne’s disease and producers want to help protect them,” said Matthew Krecic, DVM, MS, MBA, Dipl. ACVIM. “Producers often wait to add newly purchased cattle to the herd until certain the animals are free from the disease,” said Dr. Krecic, the senior technical services manager of U.S. Diagnostics for Zoetis. The SERELISA assay kit features 90 percent …
Report: Ontario Vet School has Huge Economic ImpactSeptember 25, 2014The University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) contributes more than $125 million to Ontario’s economy each year, according to a new economic analysis by Deloitte LLP. The global consulting firm reviewed the vet school as part of a process supporting reaccreditation. OVC provides the government with an excellent return on its investment, and contributes to the province and country in critical ways besides educating veterinarians, the report noted. “We’ve always known that the University of Guelph and Ontario Veterinary College contribute to the quality of life in our province, and this report shows just how significant an impact OVC has on Ontario’s economic vitality,” said Franco Vaccarino, Ph.D., president of the University of Guelph. “It emphasizes the broad-based value OVC brings to the province and beyond, particularly in animal health and food production, food security and safety, emergency preparedness and infectious diseases.” “This report highlights the necessity and economic importance of Ontario having its own accredited veterinary school,” said Elizabeth Stone, DVM, dean of the OVC. “In addition to training veterinarians, OVC plays a critical role in developing and disseminating research to industry and is a vital link in the public health community, ensuring issues are tackled …
Connections Count in New Idexx CampaignSeptember 24, 2014Idexx Laboratories Inc. is working to improve pet care and the financial health of veterinary practices through a multiyear campaign that includes online and in-person education, one-on-one customer support and even a photo contest. The Westbrook, Maine, manufacturer of diagnostic equipment and services this month launched Strengthen the Bonds, a program that emphasizes the importance of intertwined relationships between pets, owners and veterinary staff. Research conducted by the American Animal Hospital Association found that veterinary practices where revenue grew by more than 10 percent two years in a row tended to emphasize animal and interpersonal bonds during client visits and behind the scenes. “When these bonds are strong, pets and practices stay healthier,” said Tammi Lesser, LVT, Idexx’s senior director of marketing. “We created the Strengthen the Bonds framework to offer the veterinary community a new lens through which they can evaluate innovative ways of delivering care, fostering loyalty among clients and improving teamwork.” More than a dozen videos posted at Idexx.com/strengthenthebonds provide an introduction to the need for strong bonds. Additional tools related to veterinary care and relationship-building, including webinars and case studies, are available through the company’s online Learning Center. A bonus for
Atlantic Veterinary College to Hold 26th Annual Open HouseSeptember 24, 2014 Follow Veterinary Practice News on Twitter at @vetpetnews The Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island will hold its 26th annual Open House Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, which is organized and run by the college students, is an opportunity for the public to go behind the scenes at a veterinary medical college. There will also be a parade of dog breed and clicker training with dogs, among other activities. Children can bring their favorite stuffed toys for a check-up and treatment at the Teddy Bear Clinic. The college will also be accepting pet food and/or toy donations for the PEI Humane Society.
NexGard Success Triggers Factory ExpansionSeptember 23, 2014 Merial Ltd. broke ground Monday on the $25 million expansion of a manufacturing plant in Paulinia, Brazil, to support additional production of the new flea and tick medication NexGard. Launched early this year, NexGard (afoxolaner) Chewables rang up $40 million in U.S. sales in the second quarter. That figure represented 9 percent of Merial’s international companion animal business. Merial CEO Carsten Hellmann called the expansion of the Paulinia facility—one of 18 plants worldwide—“an important part of our global business and manufacturing strategy.” “With [NexGard] registrations filed globally, we are significantly expanding our current manufacturing capacity to prepare for demand and growth,” Hellmann said. NexGard is a vegetable-based, meatless chew approved for use in dogs at least 8 weeks old and weighing four pounds or more. The monthly prescription medication is indicated to kill fleas and a variety of ticks. The medication also is sold in Europe and Japan. The expansion is expected to ultimately supply more than 100 countries. The construction should be finished in early 2015, Merial reported. The work includes 21,000 square feet of additional production rooms and new equipment. The Paulinia plant should create 85 jobs, …
