Chicken Jerky Production To Continue, Says ChinaDecember 28, 2012 The People’s Republic of China refused a plea from a U.S. congressman to cease production of chicken jerky treats and rebuked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for issuing warnings to pet owners about feeding the treats to pets. The treats have been linked to pet illnesses and even deaths across the United States and Canada, but the FDA has been unable to determine what aspect, if any, of the treats is causing the illnesses. Rep. Jerry McNerney, a California Democrat, urged the Chinese government in a letter to “consider halting production of these chicken jerky treats until the FDA can determine whether or not the products contain tainted material,” KGO-TV in San Francisco reported Wednesday. The Chinese government responded, saying that “from the perspective of the Chinese side, there might be something wrong with the FDA’s investigation guidance,” according to KGO-TV. The FDA began warning pet owners about the potential dangers of feeding China-sourced jerky treats to pets in …
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Webster Veterinary Gets New Name, WebsiteDecember 28, 2012Webster Veterinary Supply, a division of Patterson Companies Inc., will changed its name to Patterson Veterinary Supply starting with the new year, the parent company announced Thursday. Patterson Veterinary Supply will distribute technology, equipment, supplies, vaccines and pharmaceuticals throughout the animal health industry. Acquired by Patterson Companies in 2001, Webster distributes technology, equipment, supplies, vaccines and pharmaceuticals throughout the animal health industry. “The ability to further leverage the significant resources and support of Patterson Companies will help us bring more innovative products, services and business solutions to veterinarians, their staffs and their clients,” said George Henriques, the unit’s president. Accompanying the name change will be a new website, PattersonVet.com, with upgraded features. “By transitioning to Patterson Veterinary, Patterson Companies is showing just how deeply it is committed to the veterinary business and the customers we serve,” Henriques noted. “The name change to Patterson Veterinary makes perfect sense both from the standpoint of veterinary practices and our business.” The headquarters will remain in Devens, Mass. Contacts, telephone numbers, account numbers and sales representatives will not change, the parent company reported.
ASPCA Director To Speak At UGA Shelter Med SeminarDecember 26, 2012 The senior director of research and development for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will headline the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine’s fifth annual Shelter Medicine Seminar, taking place Jan. 27, 2013. Emily Weiss, Ph.D., CAAB, will serve as the seminar’s keynote speaker. Dr. Weiss has focused her career on improving the welfare of animals in zoos and shelters. She has developed several assessment tools for shelters, including Meet Your Match, Canine-ality, Puppy-ality and Feline-ality, an adoption program for shelter cats that has helped to decrease euthanasia, increase adoptions and decrease returns of cats in shelters, the university noted. Dr. Weiss is also a section editor for the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science and has developed enrichment and behavior modification programs for animals in shelters as well as a focus on companion horses. The seminar is hosted by the student chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and is open to veterinary professionals and anyone who works for an animal control facility, humane society or animal rescue group. …
Do Your Homework Before Shopping For A ReindeerDecember 21, 2012 Selecting the right family reindeer can be a daunting task. There are so many sources of poor-quality reindeer that one must do his or her homework to prevent ending up with a dud reindeer. Most sources of reindeer do not allow exchanges or returns after Christmas. Children become attached quickly, and exchanging a misfit reindeer will become harder, even if the reindeer source will allow it. Find a Reputable Breeder The absolute best source would be from Kris Kringle himself. He has been doing this for generations, and his breeding stock is unmatched in quality and temperament. Mr. Kringle’s reindeer command a higher price, but his reindeer are of the highest quality and temperament, and they can fly. The ability to fly is something seen only in the reindeer raised by Mr. Kringle. Most reindeer cannot fly, but this does not detract from their pet qualities. I would definitely stay away from Craigslist or eBay reindeer. These tend to be older reindeer with pre-existing problems. Humane societies and animal shelters tend to suspend reindeer adoptions during the holiday season so people don’t adopt them for the wrong …
Law Changes Force AVMA To Drop Medical Insurance PlansDecember 21, 2012 The American Veterinary Medical Association’s Group Health and Life Insurance Trust will no longer provide medical insurance to its members after 2013, the trust announced Tuesday. The approximately 17,500 AVMA-member veterinarians who carry the medical coverage through GHLIT will have to seek medical individual plans effective Jan. 1, 2014. Members will receive normal coverage through 2013, and the trust will continue to carry life, disability and dental insurance products. But at the conclusion of 2013, the trust will no longer be able to provide medical insurance for its members. “Our hope over the next year is to act as a resource to help current policyholders transition to plans that are suitable to their families,” said GHLIT spokesperson Libby Wallace. The trust’s underwriter, New York Life Insurance Co., notified GHLIT that it would discontinue providing insurance to all group plans and to all members, likely because of changes under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2014, said Wallace. "Regarding New York Life's coverage of AVMA members, the company will continue …
Banfield Survey Finds Owners Like Naming Pets Bella And KatnissDecember 21, 2012 Bella was the most popular name for dogs and second most popular name for cats in 2012 in what Banfield Pet Hospital is calling a trend in pet titles inspired by pop culture, celebrities, fictional characters and athletes. Portland, Ore.-based Banfield, researching the files of 2.5 million clients, pointed to the popularity of the movie series “The Twilight Saga” for the rise in Bella, the role played by actress Kristen Stewart. The name Renesmee, Bella’s daughter in the movie, became 42 percent more popular over the past year, Banfield reported Thursday. The book series “The Hunger Games,” which was released as a movie in March, has influenced pet owners as well. Katniss, a protagonist in the trilogy, was 18 times more common as a dog name and 14 times more common as a cat name than it was in 2011, Banfield noted. Others pet names likely derived from a popular film were Frankenweenie and Frankendoodle, Banfield discovered. The Tim Burton animated movie “FrankenWeenie” was released in September. Names that may have had celebrity influence were Snooki, after “Jersey Shore” star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi; Lorenzo, after Polizzi’s son; and Blue …
New CareCredit Website Features Easier NavigationDecember 19, 2012 Enrolled users may log in, process applications and transactions, and view and print key reports, the company reported. Each page features a link to the online Payment Calculator and a “click to chat” feature that connects the practice to a CareCredit customer service representative. Veterinary team members also may check the status of an application, request a credit line increase and reprint receipts, CareCredit noted. “We asked practices how we could provide a better experience online and used their input to develop and test a new site that is more functional, logical and efficient," said Oskar Vides, vice president of provider experience at CareCredit. "Everything they need on CareCredit’s website to help clients with financing options is easy to find and use.” CareCredit has offered veterinary client financing for more than 25 years. <HOME>
Virbac Chooses Paul Hays To Head U.S. Commercial OperationsDecember 19, 2012 Former Pfizer Animal Health executive Paul Hays was named president Monday of Virbac Corp.’s U.S. commercial operations. Hays will oversee sales, marketing, communications and technical services as well as brand management, customer relations and business planning. Fort Worth, Texas-based Virbac Animal Health manufactures an array of pharmaceutical products for cats, dogs, equine and farm animals, including the heartworm preventive Iverhart, the dermatological shampoo Dermazole and the antibiotic Biomox. Many Virbac products are sold exclusively through veterinarians. Hays worked as vice president of global diagnostics at Pfizer Animal Health since 2011, after his previous employer, Synbiotics Corp., where he served as CEO and president, was purchased by Pfizer. Before joining Synbiotics, Hays was an executive at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., where he last served as executive vice president of U.S. business operations. Hays will report to Erik Martinez, CEO of Virbac North America. “Paul is a seasoned executive and a proven strategic leader with vast experience in managing pharmaceutical businesses, serving both U.S. and global customers and bringing products to market,” Martinez said. “Along with his animal health experience, this makes …
Death Of Veterinary Ophthalmologist Anthony Basher Ruled AccidentDecember 19, 2012 Veterinary ophthalmologist Anthony “Tony” Basher was intoxicated when the car he was driving caught fire Nov. 9 near Tucson, Ariz., killing him, the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office reported today. Dr. Basher, 54, died at the scene from burns and carbon monoxide inhalation. His blood alcohol level was 0.19 percent, more than twice the legal limit, chief medical examiner Dr. Gregory Hess said. Basher’s death was ruled an accident. Basher, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVS, Dipl. ACVO, was staying at a friend’s rural house when he borrowed the owner’s Mercedes-Benz. He pulled into a neighborhood driveway and drove onto a grassy area, where the car’s heated catalytic converter apparently sparked a fire that engulfed the vehicle, authorities said. The British-born veterinarian had been working part time in Tucson and at Eye Care for Animals clinics in Temecula and Santa Monica, Calif. He previously practiced at Veterinary Specialty Hospital in San Diego. Basher was a diplomate of Small Animal Surgery (soft tissue) in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons with an emphasis in ophthalmic surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and head and …
Mold Problem Spurs Recall Of DogCandy Hound CakeDecember 19, 2012 The treats were sold exclusively in about 130 Petsmart stores in 36 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The recall applies to 7.5-ounce packages with a best-by date of 08-2015 and UPC bar codes of 692614010058 (Blueberry Hound Cake) and 692614010041 (Holiday Hound Cake). Mold was found on several cakes after delivery to Petsmart, the FDA stated. The manufacturer reported that the cakes were packaged while warm, which raised the moisture content, and that procedures have been changed to prevent a recurrence. No pet illnesses were reported in connection with the recalled cakes, the manufacturer stated. Consumers may return the cakes to the nearest Petsmart store to receive a refund or ship them to Claudia's Canine Cuisine, 100 Four Paws Lane, Maumelle, Ark., 72113 and request a refund or a replacement product. All shipping fees will be reimbursed, the company reported. …
