Merck Partners With Dutch University On Quest For Bovine Mastitis VaccineJanuary 24, 2012 Dutch company Merck Animal Health embarked on the development of new vaccination strategies to protect against bovine mastitis by signing an agreement with the Department of Medical Microbiology of the University Medical Center Utrecht and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, Merck reported today. The project, titled “Evasion Molecules in Bovine Mastitis Vaccines” (EVAC), aims to develop a series of vaccines against difficult-to-treat infections with certain bacteria known to cause bovine mastitis, such as Staphylococcus aureu, Streptococcus uberis and Escheria coli. Development of vaccines against bovine mastitis have been hampered due to the relevant pathogens’ creation of “immune evasion molecules” that block or interfere with important processes in the immune system of the cow, Merck said. Evasion molecules also appear to interfere with the immune response that is provoked against vaccines. Therefore, despite the induction of high antibody levels, the clinical efficacy of most mastitis vaccines developed so far have been poor, Merck said. Through the EVAC project, 25 of the 50 evasion molecules have been identified and characterized, and recombinant versions of the proteins have been produced. Combinations of such evasion molecules will be added to traditional antigens in candidate vaccines. …
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Convenia Gains 28 Days Of Shelf LifeJanuary 23, 2012 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new product label for Pfizer Animal Health’s Convenia (cefovecin sodium) that extends the in-use shelf life of the product from 28 days to 56 days once the vial has been reconstituted. Convenia, which debuted in 2008, is a single-injection cephalosporin for treatment of common canine and feline bacterial skin infections. Some veterinarians were concerned about being able to use the entire vial of Convenia before the in-use expiration date, Pfizer said. To address the concerns, the Madison, N.J.-based company conducted stability studies to extend the in-use shelf life of the product. The label change did not correspond with a change in formulation or manufacturing process. The 56-day label applies to all Convenia currently in inventory as well as future inventory of the product. <HOME>
Rhode Island Considers Psittacine BillsJanuary 20, 2012Rhode Island Considers Psittacine BillsRhode Island Considers Psittacine Bills, parrot, birds, psittacosisThe Rhode Island House and Senate proposed companion bills that would allow psittacine birds, also known as parrots, to be microchipped instead of fitted with an identifying band and permit birds exposed to psittacosis to be treated rather than destroyed.The Rhode Island House and Senate proposed companion bills that would allow psittacine birds to be microchipped instead of fitted with an identifying band and permit birds exposed to psittacosis to be treated rather than destroyed.newslineRhode Island Considers Psittacine BillsPosted: Jan. 20, 2012, 2:05 p.m. EST RI bills would spare birds with psittacosis and allow parrots to be microchipped instead of fitted with ID bands. The Rhode Island House and Senate proposed companion bills that would allow psittacine birds, also known as parrots, to be microchipped instead of fitted with an identifying band and permit birds exposed to psittacosis to be treated rather than destroyed. Current Rhode Island law requires each parrot acquired or sold in the state to be outfitted with closed, metal ID band indentifying the breeder by whom they were bred. The bills, SB 2031 and
Grant Program Convinces Shelters To Vaccinate For Dog FluJanuary 19, 2012 More than half of the nearly 1,400 animal shelters and rescue groups that received doses of Merck Animal Health’s Nobivac Canine Flu H3N8 vaccine plan to add canine influenza vaccination to standard protocol. Animal shelters and rescue groups across 49 states have received nearly one million doses of the vaccine through the “Building Community Immunity” program – a joint effort between Petfinder.com and Boxmeer, The Netherlands-based Merck Animal Health. The program aims to build community immunity against the canine influenza virus, also known as dog flu, by encouraging vaccination of all adopted dogs. Each grant recipient received up to a four-month, two-dose per dog supply of the vaccine. In a survey completed by recipients, 45 percent of respondents cited a decrease in canine coughing and 54 percent of establishments saw an improvement in the overall health of the dogs as a result of the addition of the vaccine. “Vaccinating dogs in shelters and rescues is an important step to help build community immunity against canine influenza because they are adopted out into various locations and move from state to state,” said Liz Neuschartz, executive director of the Petfinder.com Foundation. <Home>
Vet Groups Voice Support For Online Retail Tax BillJanuary 19, 2012 The American Veterinary Medical Association and 26 state veterinary medical associations called on Congress today to support the Marketplace Equity Act (H.R. 3179), which would force remote businesses, including online retailers, to collect and remit sales and uses taxes into states where they do business without regard to the location of the seller. The Marketplace Equity Act, currently pending before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, would end the prohibition on states from collecting sales tax from out-of-state businesses established by a 1992 Supreme Court ruling. Under the act, “small sellers,” or retailers with gross annual receipts under $1 million in the U.S. or $100,000 in a particular state or a larger amount as determined by a state, would be exempted from the rule. Brick-and-mortar businesses, including veterinary clinics, are required to charge and collect sales taxes on many items they sell. The prohibition on states from collecting sales tax from remote sellers created an unfair price disadvantage for many retail businesses, the AVMA contends. The American Veterinary Medical Association said it actively supports sales tax fairness for small businesses and giving states the authority to manage their sales tax …
American Humane Bolsters Senior Management, StaffJanuary 18, 2012As it embarks on a series of new initiatives, including increased outreach and prevention efforts and the establishment of the Animal Welfare Research Institute, the Washington, D.C.-based American Humane Association today unveiled eleven personnel moves designed to support Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., its president and CEO since October 2010, in those endeavors. "With these newest top-tier additions and promotions in our leadership team, American Humane Association is making great new strides in meeting the key challenges facing the welfare, wellbeing and wellness of America's children and animals—society's most vulnerable—over the next century," Ganzert said. The personnel changes include five new senior staff members, including Paul Raybaud, formerly executive vice president at Morris Animal Foundation, as strategic philanthropic advisor. Sean Hawkins, formerly executive director of the Cesar and Illusion Millan Foundation, was named director of strategic partnerships. Hawkins, who was credited for pioneering the concept of mobile spay-and-neuter clinics while at Cleveland Amory’s Fund for animals, is also creator and executive producer of the televised American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards program. In addition, Ken Mountcastle was named corporate relations officer to recruit new corporate relationships, Kemi …
Ueber Adds CEO Role With BanfieldJanuary 17, 2012As part of Banfield's strategic executive succession plan, Tony Ueber moved into the role of president and CEO. Tony Ueber stepped into the role of president and CEO of Portland, Ore.-based Banfield Pet Hospital, the company reported today. Ueber already held the title of president, and his transition into the added role of CEO was part of Banfield’s strategic executive succession plan, which began when Ueber joined Banfield in January 2009 as an executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Over the past three years, Tony’s leadership role at Banfield has been instrumental in creating a solid foundation for growth and a culture of trust and teamwork throughout the practice,” said Pierre Laubies, global petcare president for Mars Inc. Banfield is a member of the Mars Global Petcare family of companies. Since being promoted to president in July 2011, Ueber and other members of the Banfield leadership team have focused on initiatives relating to preventive care for pets, enhancing client experience in Banfield hospitals and improving associate engagement levels in the U.S. Former Banfield president and CEO John Payne will serve as an advisor to the Mars Global Petcare business.
AAFP Rolls Out Cat Friendly Practice InitiativeJanuary 16, 2012The American Association of Feline Practitioners unveiled its “Cat Friendly Practice” initiative Monday at the North American Veterinary Conference in Kissimmee, Fla. The initiative provides strategies to help practices become more accommodating to the needs of cats and certifies practices as "Cat Friendly Practices." The AAFP launched the program in response to declining clinic visits by cat owners and intends to help clinics increase veterinary visits for felines and boost the level of healthcare cats receive. Certification requires a practice to have at least one staff member who belongs to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, though a practice does not need to specialize specifically in cats. Practices must comply with a 10-item checklist and send it to the AAFP for review. If approved, the clinic earns the “Cat Friendly Practice” designation and receives marketing materials to promote its new status to customers and is listed in the “Cat Friendly Practice” online database. The AAFP is working with the American Animal Hospital Association on the initiative and has meetings planned with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Partnership for Preventive Pet Healthcare. The initiative …
Hill’s Plans To Bolster Sales ForceJanuary 13, 2012 Hill’s Pet Nutrition plans to expand its network of national and regional selling agents to make regular visits to more than 22,000 veterinary hospitals and clinics beginning in April 2012. The Topeka, Kan.-based company is making the expansion to advocate “nutritional recommendations” as the “5th Vital Assessment” in pet healthcare, alongside temperature, pulse, respiration and pain. Hill’s is also increasing its number of direct representatives in both the pet specialty and veterinary channels. The combined representation includes more than 1,200 sales-related personnel. For the expansion, Hill’s is partnering with Butler Schein Animal Health of Dublin, Ohio; Webster Veterinary of Devens, Mass.; MWI Veterinary Supply of Boise, Idaho; and Merritt Veterinary Supplies of Columbia, S.C. <HOME>
Deadline For Shelters To Apply For Free Equine Vaccines Is Feb. 1January 12, 2012 The Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign is accepting applications through Feb. 1, 2012, from equine rescue and retirement facilities in the United States for free horse vaccines. The campaign, sponsored by Summit, N.J.-based Merck Animal Health and the American Association for Equine Practitioners, has provided vaccines for more than 15,000 horses since its inception in 2008. Qualifying facilities are provided with vaccines to protect against eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE), western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE), rabies, tetanus, equine influenza and equine herpesvirus. To qualify for the horse vaccines, facilities must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and abide by the “AAEP Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities.” Facilities are required to work with an AAEP-member veterinarian when applying for vaccinations. Downloadable applications can be found on the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign website. <HOME>
