Animals May Play Bigger Role Than Toys In Aiding Autistic ChildrenApril 2, 2013A study by Marguerite O'Haire, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Queensland in Australia, and three other researchers found that participants demonstrated more social behaviors such as talking, looking at faces and making tactile contact when in the presence of animals compared to toys. “The presence of an animal appears to encourage socialization among children with autism and their peers,” O'Haire said. “When with an animal, children with autism smiled and laughed more often, were more talkative, and looked at people's faces more than they did when with toys.” The study involved 33 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 66 typically developing peers. Groups of one ASD child and two peers were recorded playing with toys and then with two guinea pigs. Researchers found that ASD children displayed more pro-social behaviors and positive effects when in the presence of animals compared to toys and less frowning, crying and whining. An estimated one in every 50 U.S. children has ASD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study was published in late February in PLOS …
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Tick Populations To Explode In 2013March 28, 2013 For a number of reasons, tick populations in many areas of the country will likely explode this year, according to several parasitologists, so veterinarians should be vigilant about discussing preventives with clients. “There has been an increase in tick populations over decades, but in the last 10 years, they have really exploded,” explained Susan E. Little, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVM, Regents professor and Krull-Ewing chair in veterinary parasitology at Oklahoma State University. “And it is not just more ticks, it is more ticks in more places.” There are many reasons that ticks and the diseases they carry spread: Warmer winters; Suburbanization, which brings together people, wildlife and ticks; An increase in white-tailed deer; Migratory birds that carry ticks to new areas; A movement toward the preservation of open space and the replanting of trees; and The use of fewer insecticides. Winters in the United States have been milder than they were 20 or more years ago, when long periods of harsh weather used to kill off many ticks, explains Michael W. Dryden, DVM, Ph.D., university distinguished professor in veterinary parasitology at Kansas State University. “Without the deep, hard, cold winters, we don't have the winter …
Zoetis, AABP To Award $5,000 Scholarships To Bovine StudentsMarch 28, 2013 Some $385,000 has been handed out over the past four years to 77 students enrolled in U.S. veterinary colleges. The application deadline is June 15. More information is available at foundation.aabp.org/zoetis. “Students should take advantage of this opportunity to reduce their debt and focus on their studies,” said M. Gatz Riddell Jr., DVM, executive vice president of AABP. “While reviewing applications, AABP and Zoetis look to support well-rounded veterinary students—those that not only excel in the classroom and clinical work but are also involved in industry-related activities.” The scholarship program is administered by the AABP Foundation with the assistance of the Amstutz Scholarship Committee. Among 23 students awarded the scholarship in 2011 was Claire McPhee, DVM, a North Carolina State University graduate who now works at Udder Health Systems in Bellingham, Wash. “Receiving this scholarship decreased my debt load, which allowed me to focus on finding a job that was a good fit for me,” Dr. McPhee said. The 2013 winners will be announced before the AABP Annual Conference, which is scheduled for Sept. 19 to 21 in Milwaukee.
Toward A Standard Of Care For PainMarch 27, 2013 In his autobiography “What I Have Lived For,” humanitarian Bertrand Russell reflected on his past, writing: “Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. … Love and knowledge, so far as they were possible, led upward toward the heavens. But always pity brought me back to earth. Echoes of cries of pain reverberate in my heart. … I long to alleviate the evil, but I cannot, and I too suffer.”1 Many veterinarians similarly experience unbearable pity for the suffering of animal kind. Unlike Russell, who longed to reduce suffering but could not, we hold in our hands, hearts and minds a dramatic capacity to intervene on behalf of animals and lobby for better treatment, whether in the feedlot, the research lab or in the veterinary clinic. We can upgrade standards of care from within our profession or wait for them to be imposed by public pressure. For better pain management in particular, science supports it, caregivers want it and we can provide it. Ethics of Pain It's …
Potential For Mold Growth Spurs Limited Shakeables RecallMarch 26, 2013 Iams, a brand of P&G Pet Care Co. of Mason, Ohio, has voluntarily recalled a limited number of Shakeables Soft & Chewy Treats for Dogs because of a potential mold problem. The recall, announced March 22, involves only the lamb and turkey flavors. Chicken-flavored treats are not part of the recall. The lots numbers, printed on the bottom of each can, are the first four digits shown on the second line. The affected lots are 2342, 2325, 2331, 2332, 2341, 3016, 3017, 3018 and 3046 (turkey) and 2338 (lamb). No animal illnesses were reported, Iams stated, adding, “These treats do not meet our quality standards.” Pet owners who have questions may call 877-894-4458 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Posting an advisory on its website, the Phoenix-based Petsmart chain urged customers to stop feeding the treats and return any remaining product to the nearest store in exchange for a refund.
More Single Americans Opting To Own Pets, AVMA Study DiscoversMarch 22, 2013 Pet Ownership Up Among Singlespet, ownership, single, AVMA, adult, sourcebook, statistics, familyWhile families make up the majority of U.S. pet owners, the ownership gap between them and single adults has significantly narrowed over the last five years, the American Veterinary Medical Association reported.The number of single American adults with pets grew by 16.6 percent, from 46.9 to 54.7 percent, from 2006 to 2011.newslineMore Single Americans Opting to Own Pets, AVMA Study DiscoversPosted: March 22, 2013, 4:10 p.m. EDTWhile families make up the majority of U.S. pet owners, the ownership gap between them and single adults has significantly narrowed over the last five years, the American Veterinary Medical Association reported. The number of single adults with pets grew by 16.6 percent, from 46.9 to 54.7 percent, from 2006 to 2011, the AVMA stated. During the same period, families with pets grew by just 1.37 percent, from 65.5 to 66.4 percent. The findings, reported March 14, were based on data contained in the AVMA's 2012 U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook. The resource was released in December, but the Schaumburg, Ill.-based AVMA continues to report specific findings. Other trends documented in the
U.S. Reps. Schrader, Yoho Establish Veterinary Medicine CaucusMarch 22, 2013Fellow veterinarians and congressmen Kurt Schrader, DVM, and Ted Yoho, DVM, have formed the Veterinary Medicine Caucus, the first such group in the 224-year history of the U.S. House of Representatives. Reps. Schrader and Yoho invited the other 433 House members to join the caucus, saying the bipartisan aim is to “increase awareness of the importance of veterinary medicine on research, public health, animal health and welfare, food safety and our overall economy.” The caucus also will draft legislation and conduct briefings and hearings. On the heels of the March 6 announcement, Schrader, D-Ore., introduced HR1125, the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act. The legislation, if approved, would provide a federal income tax exemption for financial awards granted under the program. Eligible veterinarians receive up to $25,000 a year toward qualified educational loans if they agree to serve three years in a designated veterinarian-shortage area. Schrader, serving his third term in Congress, praised Yoho, calling him someone “who understands and shares the priorities of the veterinary community.” “Together, I hope we can use our unique experience and perspective in the field of veterinary medicine to educate and engage our fellow members of …
Some California Natural, Evo, Innova, HealthWise Pet Foods RecalledMarch 19, 2013 The recall was the first in the company's 21-year history, Natura reported. The affected products are sold in bags through veterinary clinics, pet specialty retailers and online in the United States, Canada, Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong and Costa Rica. One Evo ferret food was recalled. The other identified foods were dog and cat formulas. No salmonella-related illnesses were reported, noted Fremont, Neb.-based Natura, a division of Procter & Gamble. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning in pets include lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. People who handle contaminated pet products may exhibit similar symptoms. The recalled foods, which bear specific UPC and lot codes, were produced in a single plant over two weeks in December. Routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture showed the presence of salmonella in food collected from one store. Pet owners are advised to discard the recalled food. Information about replacement food or a refund is available by calling 800-224-6123 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday. A complete list of the recalled foods is available at www.naturapet.com/recall. …
Butler Schein Animal Health Becomes Henry Schein Animal HealthMarch 19, 2013 Veterinary products distributor Butler Schein Animal Health will be rebranded as Henry Schein Animal Health in a process that will take place throughout 2013. The move is intended to align the unit with parent company Henry Schein Inc.'s animal health businesses in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman and CEO of Henry Schein. The rebranding was announced today at the Butler Schein Animal Health national sales meeting in Orlando, Fla. “This transition … underscores our increasing strength in the global animal health market and our commitment to be a valuable resource to our customers and supplier partners around the world,” Bergman said. “We now serve 68,000 veterinary customers across 14 countries, delivering tailored solutions that combine our global resources with local market knowledge.” Henry Schein, based in Melville, N.Y., is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based veterinary, dental and human medicine practitioners. Butler Schein Animal Health was created in 2010 through the merger of Henry Schein Animal Health and Butler Animal Health Supply of Dublin, Ohio. “As Henry Schein continues to grow our leadership in …
Wellness Follow-ups Could Add $350M To Veterinary Coffers, AAHA ReportsMarch 14, 2013 The average U.S. veterinary hospital is leaving $40,000 annually on the table in preventative care revenue by simply not booking follow-up visits when owners and their pets initially come in, the American Animal Hospital Association reported today in Phoenix. The State of the Industry report is given annually at the AAHA Annual Conference and is based on data from earlier surveys and interviews conducted by the Lakewood, Colo.-based association and Westbrook, Maine-based Idexx Laboratories Inc., a purveyor of diagnostic technology and service. The joint study looked at veterinary hospitals that demonstrated year-over-year revenue growth for 2011-2012 of more than 10 percent, termed “Growers,” and those that showed declining revenue, called “Decliners,” to identify the key reasons for their reversals of fortune. One of the key growth factors for veterinary hospitals, as identified by AAHA and Idexx analysts, is how well they drive regular preventative care visits, called “forward booking,” which simply means being proactive and scheduling a pet's next wellness check prior to checkout. AAHA used the human dental industry, which has a forward-booking rate of 80 percent, as the gold standard. By comparison, preventative care visits being forward …
