Heska Earnings Drop On Flat Q1 RevenuesMay 11, 2012 Revenue and income declined at Heska Corp. in the first quarter of its 2012 fiscal year compared to the year-ago period, the Loveland, Colo.-based company reported today. Revenues from Heska’s “Core Companion Animal Health” category grew 1.2 percent, but total first quarter revenues retreated 1.5 percent to $19.2 million on a 15.3 percent drop in revenues in Heska’s “Other Vaccines, Pharmaceuticals and Products” category. “This was a strong start for 2012,” said Robert Grieve, CEO and chairman at Heska. “We grew our Core Companion Animal Health revenue despite an anticipated $2.1 million decline in revenue from our heartworm preventive sold to a unit of Merck. We also delivered a notable increase in gross margins.” An increase in operating expenses coupled with relatively flat revenues led to a 56.8 percent drop in net income in the first quarter compared to the year-ago period. “We continued to invest in new products, as well as in the expansion and improvement of our sales organization,” said Grieve. “We believe the results of these efforts will support our expected revenue growth during this year.” Heska shipped its first stocking order of PetTrust Plus heartworm preventive sold exclusively through retail …
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Veterinarians Earn Top HonorsMay 9, 2012Ohio State University professor Dr. Rikihisa received an election to the National Academy of Sciences. The American Veterinary Medical Association has selected Thomas Catanzaro, DVM, MHA, to receive the Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award, and the National Academy of Sciences elected Ohio State University Professor Yasuko Rikihisa, Ph.D., to join its ranks. The Bustad award, named for former dean of the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine Leo K. Bustad, DVM, Ph.D., recognizes the work of veterinarians in preserving and protecting human-animal relationships. It is co-sponsored by AVMA, Pet Partners and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. Dr. Catanzaro is the CEO of Veterinary Consulting International and a lifetime fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. The National Academy of Sciences is an honorific society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research dedicated to furthering science and technology for the public good. New member Dr. Rikihisa is a professor in OSU’s Department of Veterinary Biosciences, specializing in tick-borne diseases that infect food and fiber-producing animals, companion animals and humans. The university named Dr. Rikihisa its Innovator of the Year in 2011.
Potash America Forms Animal Supplement DivisionMay 8, 2012Potash America Forms Animal Supplement Divisionanimal supplement, Potash America, Trace Elements ClayReno, Nev.-based Potash America Inc., a publicly traded exploration stage mining company, has formed a new division, to be called Trace Elements Clay, to focus on the use of its calcium-montmorillonite as an animal supplement.Potash America Inc., a publicly traded exploration stage mining company, has formed a new division, to be called Trace Elements Clay, to focus on the use of its calcium-montmorillonite as an animal supplement.newslinePotash America Forms Animal Supplement DivisionPosted: May 8, 2012, 1:45 p.m. EDT Reno, Nev.-based Potash America Inc., a publicly traded exploration stage mining company, has formed a new division, to be called Trace Elements Clay, to focus on the use of its calcium-montmorillonite as an animal supplement. The company also acquired several domain names for the new division, including TraceElementsClay.com, TEC-Canine.com, TEC-Feline.com, TEC-Equine.com, TEC-Bovine.com and TEC-Poultry.com. Large hill of montmorillonite on yellow cap claim. Specifically, the company plans "to focus on the probiotic nature of the clay as well as the toxin flushing benefit that the negatively ion-charged montmorillonite provides," the company reported today. "We have reviewed the historical data available regarding montmorillonite and these benefits to the …
Tucson Vet Center Co-owner Named Woman Of The YearMay 8, 2012Jan Woods, hospital administrator and co-owner of the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson, received the 2012 Business Woman of the Year award from the Tucson Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, the association reported yesterday. “Jan Woods has consistently demonstrated her strong commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs and community organizations,” said Deborah Alter, president of NAWBO Tucson. “I hear raves about her customer service from pet owners she serves. She get the job done with class and efficiency. We salute her for her leadership and contributions that enhance Tucson’s business climate.” Woods received the award at the Better Business Bureau Torch Awards in April. She was a finalist for the 2010 Business Woman of the Year award and the 2010 and 2011 Athena Leadership award to recognize female business leaders.
Human Salmonella Outbreak Tied To Diamond Dog FoodsMay 4, 2012 Public health officials launched an investigation into a link between a recent outbreak of human salmonella infections and the recently recalled dog food brands produced by Diamond Pet Foods at its Gaston, S.C., manufacturing facility, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported today. Since October, fourteen individuals in nine states have been diagnosed with Salmonella infantis—the same strain of salmonella discovered in three Diamond dog food brands produced in Gaston: Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula and Diamond Puppy Formula. Salmonella infantis is rare, according to the CDC, with less than three cases typically reported each month. Public health investigators linked the 14 illnesses to the recalled dog food by comparing the DNA “fingerprints” of the salmonella found in the food to those found in the individuals by using a technology called pulsed field gel electrophoresis. In follow-up interviews, four individuals diagnosed with Salmonella infantis said they had direct contact with Diamond dog food that may have been produced in Gaston. Among …
Bookout Leaves NASC, Replacement NamedMay 3, 2012 After 10 years with the National Animal Supplement Council, president Bill Bookout is leaving for another position in the pet industry and will be replaced by Karen Howard, the council reported today. Bookout accepted a newly formed position with supplement manufacturer Kemin Industries of Des Moines, Iowa, as vice president of global sales for the company’s animal nutrition and health, vet division. He will remain as chairman of the board with the National Animal Supplement Council and will continue to spearhead federal and state regulatory activities for the NASC. Howard was previously executive director of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, where she created a presence for naturopathic doctors on Capitol Hill, the NASC said. “Karen possesses the necessary leadership skills to run and manage a nonprofit effectively and is very experienced in federal and state legislative issues,” Bookout said. “But beyond her many talents, Karen has the level of passion required to take NASC to the next level. I know she will connect with our members and continue to accomplish great things for our organization and the animals.” <HOME>
The Changing World Of Veterinary Anesthesia Guidelines And MonitoringMay 2, 2012 UPDATE: AAHA released its anesthesia guidelines in early November. The American Animal Hospital Association is poised to release the first-of-its-kind small animal anesthesia guidelines. A task force comprising six board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists and a certified technician specializing in anesthesia created the approximately 10-page document in an 11-month timeframe. The AAHA guidelines is an all-inclusive, easily digestible document created for use by the entire veterinary team. With expanding anesthesia capabilities for the profession, Jason Merrihew, associate public relations manager at AAHA, says the association recognized the need to develop guidelines for veterinary professionals. He attributes the multitude of factors to consider when sedating or anesthetizing a healthy dog or cat, as well as the pet with one or more medical conditions a leading incentive. “AAHA’s guidelines include information on pre-anesthesia bloodwork, examination, equipment, staffing recommendations, monitoring from induction through recovery, pain management, drug choices, drug combinations, what drugs to use according to patients’ age, body type and temperament,” says Richard Bednarski, DVM, Dipl. ACVA, associate professor (anesthesia) at The Ohio State University in Columbus and chair for AAHA anesthesia guidelines. “These guidelines differ from the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists’ (ACVA) anesthesia monitoring guidelines because their …
Bioniche Nears Launch Of Canine Cancer BiologicsMay 2, 2012 Canadian biopharmaceutical company Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. has two canine cancer biologics in the pipeline and expects one to hit the market by July of this year, the Belleville, Ontario-based company reported. Both products are based on the company’s mycobacterial cell wall technology used in Bioniche’s Equimune I.V. immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of viral equine respiratory tract infections in horses. The canine cancer biologic scheduled for a 2012 launch, Immunocidin, is pending regulatory approval in Canada and the United States as an immunotherapy for the intratumoral treatment of mixed mammary tumor and mammary adenocarcinoma in dogs. The other biologic, currently unnamed, is an intravenous therapy designed to restore white blood cell levels in dogs following chemotherapy treatment. Bioniche expects to complete testing of the product over the next six months, at which time it will seek regulatory approval in North America, followed by Australia and Europe. <HOME>
AAHA Releases Anesthesia GuidelinesMay 2, 2012The American Animal Hospital Association stressed the importance of comprehensive, individualized anesthetic plans to minimize perioperative morbidity and optimize perioperative conditions in its new guidelines for anesthetizing dogs and cats. AAHA convened a task force of experts for the express purpose of producing the guidelines, which include recommendations for preanesthetic patient evaluation and examination; selection of premedication, induction and maintenance drugs; monitoring, equipment, and recovery. The guidelines are not intended to establish a universal anesthetic plan or legal standard of care. The guidelines broach areas of controversy such as the administration of certain perianesthetic drugs. The authors say there is no evidence to show that acepromazine increases the risk of seizures in epileptic patients or patients with other seizure disorders. The authors also advise that the use of anticholinergic drug drugs, such as atropine and glycopyrrolate, should be based on individual patient risk factors and monitored parameters such as heart rate and blood pressure. Members of the task force that created the guidelines include: Richard Bednarski, M.S., DVM, D.A.C.V.A. (Chair); Kurt Grimm, DVM, M.S., Ph.D., D.A.C.V.A., D.A.C.V.C.P.; Ralph Harvey, DVM, M.S., D.A.C.V.A.; Victoria Lukasik, DVM, D.A.C.V.A.; Sean Penn, DVM, D.A.B.V.P. (Canine/Feline); Brett Sargent, DVM, D.A.B.V.P. (Canine/Feline); Kim Spelts, C.V.T., V.T.S., …
Report: Chronic Disease Grows With Pets' WaistsMay 1, 2012Report: Chronic Disease Grows with Pets' Waistschronic disease in pets, veterinarian, pet obesity, dogs arthritis, cats arthritis, dog kidney disease, cat kidney disease, pet health, Banfield pet health reportChronic disease is on the rise in pets, but owners are hesitant to visit the veterinarian to treat existing conditions, according to the State of Pet Health 2012 Report, published today by Banfield Pet Hospital.Chronic disease is on the rise in pets, but owners are hesitant to visit the veterinarian to treat existing conditions, according to Banfield's State of Pet Health 2012 Report.newslineReport: Chronic Disease Grows with Pets' WaistsPosted: May 1, 2012, 3:30 p.m. EDT Chronic disease is on the rise in pets, but owners are hesitant to visit the veterinarian to treat existing conditions, according to the State of Pet Health 2012 Report, published today by Banfield Pet Hospital. From 2007 to 2011, the incidence of obesity and overweight in dogs increased 37 percent and increased 90 percent in cats. Overall, 1 in 5 cats and dogs were classified as obese or overweight in 2011. Obesity or overweight was diagnosed in pets diagnosed with other chronic diseases, including: 40 percent of dogs and …
