Bayer Study Spawns Ideas To Boost Veterinary VisitsSeptember 21, 2011 Veterinarians can take steps to reverse the trend of declining patient visits and revenue, according to the second phase of the Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study. The results were released in July during the American Veterinary Medical Association convention in St. Louis. Among the findings of the second phase, conducted in May: 51 percent of veterinarians reported a net decrease in patient visits and 42 percent said revenues fell in 2010 compared with 2009. A key finding of the study, commissioned by Bayer HealthCare’s Animal Health Division and conducted by Brakke Consulting of Dallas with the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues, was the knowledge gap between pet owners and veterinarians in regard to providing for the long-term health of pets. Some 95 percent of veterinarians believed that pets need at least annual well visits, 72 percent reported that wellness exams are the most important service provided and 65 percent reported that their clientele does not value annual wellness exams. In addition, 43 percent of veterinarians completely agreed with or somewhat agreed with the statement, “I often worry that pet owners feel I am only recommending wellness examinations to make money.” The first phase …
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Small Animal Neuromodulation And Kidney DiseaseSeptember 21, 2011FOOTNOTES1 Skelton D. Age is not a disease. Can Fam Physician. 1979;25:353-357. 1 Hotta H and Uchida S. Aging of the autonomic nervous system and possible improvements in autonomic activity using somatic afferent stimulation. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2010;10(Suppl 1):S127-S136. 1 Hotta H and Uchida S. Aging of the autonomic nervous system and possible improvements in autonomic activity using somatic afferent stimulation. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2010;10(Suppl 1):S127-S136.1 Liang F and Koya D. Acupuncture: is it effective for treatment of insulin resistance? Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2010;12:555-569.1 Hori E, Takamoto K, Urakawa S, et al. Effects of acupuncture on the brain hemodynamics. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical. 2010;157:74-80. 1 Noguchi E. Acupuncture regulates gut motility and secretion via nerve reflexes. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical. 2010;156:15-18. 1 Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, and Longhurst JC. Nucleus raphe pallidus participates in midbrain-medullary cardiovascular sympathoinhibition during electroacupuncture. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2010;299:R1369-1376. 1 Manni L, Rocco ML, Paparo SB, et al. Electroacupuncture and nerve growth factor: potential clinical applications. Archives Italiennes de Biologie. 2011;149:247-255. 1 Ohsawa H, Okada K, Nishijo K, et al. Neural mechanism of depressor responses of arterial pressure elicited by acupuncture-like stimulation to a hindlimb …
FDA To Host Meetings On Drug Fee ProgramsSeptember 20, 2011 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will hold a pair of public meetings on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, to receive feedback on its drug user fee programs for the animal health industry, the agency reported today. The Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) and the Animal Generic Drug User Fee Act (AGDUFA) give the FDA authority to collect user fees from the animal health industry and use those fees to make the drug approval process faster and more predictable. The current ADUFA and AGDUFA programs expire on Sept. 30, 2013, and the FDA is seeking public comment on the overall performance of the programs and the aspects of the programs that should be retained, changed or discontinued to strengthen the programs. The meetings will be held at the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine in Rockville, Md. Those wishing to attend or make a presentation can register by emailing ADUFAReauthorization@fda.hhs.gov for the ADUFA meeting, which will be held from 9 a.m. to noon EST, or AGDUFAReauthorization@fda.hhs.gov for the AGDUFA meeting, which will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST. The email should contain each attendee’s name, title, affiliation, address, email and phone number, as …
AAHA Acquires My Veterinary CareerSeptember 19, 2011The American Animal Hospital Association acquired the assets of My Veterinary Career, a Danville, Ky.-based recruiter and career manager, AAHA reported. The acquisition was made in response to the 30 percent turnover rate in the veterinary profession, the AAHA said. “Veterinary medicine continues to be plagued by high turnover rates,” said Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, the American Animal Hospital Association's CEO and executive director. “We know that turnover has many negative effects on a practice, including the bottom line, the culture, patient care and customer service.” MVC’s 10-person team will remain intact, according to founder Stith Keiser, a former veterinary hospital administrator who will serve with AAHA as business manager for career development. “AAHA’s staff and reach within the industry will allow MVC to reach a broader population base, and we will continue serving practices of all sizes and specialties in the United States and Canada,” Keiser said. MVC, founded in 2008, matches veterinary staff and professionals with employers based on personality, goals, communication style and technical skills. The MVC team consists of veterinarians, managers and technicians with backgrounds in small animal, large animal and specialty practices. More information on My Veterinary Career can be found at
Saint Louis Zoo Creates Institute For Conservation MedicineSeptember 19, 2011 The Saint Louis Zoo will establish an Institute for Conservation Medicine to research diseases known to affect threatened and endangered wildlife and how disease relates to domestic animals and public health, the zoo reported today. The institute will partner with universities, medical schools, ecologists, physicians, veterinarians and other health professionals to study the interrelated nature of diseases in animals and humans in the context of environmental change. It will be funded through private support and grants. “Many of these diseases are now common household terms,” said Sharon Deem, DVM, Ph.D., who will serve as director of the new institute. “Avian flu, West Nile virus, SARS, Ebola and monkeypox are all newsworthy today. "Unfortunately, because these diseases may be transmitted from animals to humans, it is possible that wildlife may be seen as the ‘bad guys,’ threatening human health," Deem continued. "In reality, wild animals are not the bad guys. Rather, growing human populations are moving into the wilderness areas with their domestic animals and also trading illegally in wildlife, which may lead to an increase in infection diseases.” Deem is a wildlife veterinarian and epidemiologist. She has conducted conservation and research projects in 20 countries …
USDA To Host Meeting On Traceability, TB ProgramSeptember 19, 2011 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health will hold a public teleconference on traceabiility that will take place on Friday, Sept. 23 from noon to 5 p.m. EDT. The meeting was called to discuss the recently published proposed rule on tracing the interstate transportation of livestock and the USDA’s bovine tuberculosis program. The proposed traceability rule would establish national identification and documentation requirements for livestock moving across state lines. The rule would cover cattle, bison, sheep, goats, swine, captive cervids, poultry, horses and other equines. Those animals would have to be officially identified and accompanied by an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection. The requirements would not apply when moving livestock within tribal lands that straddle a state line and have existing traceability rules, or when moving livestock to a custom slaughter facility in accordance with state and USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service regulations. Other exemptions would exist on a species-specific basis. More information on the rule can be found at www.regulations.gov, where public comments are being accepted through Nov. 9. Regarding the USDA’s bovine tuberculosis program, discussion will be given to possible wildlife surveillance requirements, test-and-remove …
AVMA, FVE Issue Joint StatementsSeptember 19, 2011 The American Veterinary Medical Association and the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe released three joint-position statements in regard to veterinary medical education, the use of antimicrobial drugs and the roles of veterinarians in promoting good animal welfare. “These joint statements, and most importantly the spirit of cooperation behind them, will serve us well as we strive to protect and enhance global health, both in the practice of veterinary medicine and in the political arena where rules and regulations are established,” said AVMA President Rene Carlson, DVM. The Statement on Veterinary Education outlines the organizations’ list of Day One competencies veterinarian students should possess upon graduation. Among the standards: • Adequate knowledge of food hygiene and technology involved in the production of animal meat products for human consumption. • Adequate knowledge of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to veterinary medicine. • Adequate knowledge of veterinary business operations. The statement also details both organizations' belief that veterinary programs should be accredited through independent, objective and impartial peer review. The Statement on Responsible and Judicious Use of Antimicrobials reveals the organizations’ belief that veterinarians should play a role in preserving antimicrobial efficacy by utilizing …
In Wake Of EHV-1 Outbreak, Some Say Better Biosecurity Measures Are NeededSeptember 19, 2011 The equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) outbreak traced to an April National Cutting Horse Association event in Ogden, Utah, is over, according to a June 23 U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) situation report. Ninety cases of EHV-1, or equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), were confirmed in nine states. Of the 90 cases, 54 were present at the Utah event. Thirteen horses linked to the incident died or were euthanized. “Financial losses from this outbreak go deep into six figures, maybe more,” said D. Paul Lunn, BvSc, MS, PhD, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVIM, a professor and head of the department of Clinical Sciences at the Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. “That takes into considering event cancellations, the economic effect felt by communities in which the events would have taken place and treating sick animals. The USDA is conducting additional research on the outbreak which will offer a new analysis of the effect the outbreak had on the industry.” Dr. Lunn said the NCHA behaved responsibly by acting quickly and effectively when the virus spread at its event. …
Laser Therapy Units: Facts And FallaciesSeptember 19, 2011 In light of its ability to combat pain, muscle injury and inflammation, laser therapy (LT) is gaining prominence in practices across the country. The scientific literature on this topic is proliferating rapidly, shining light on LT’s panoply of mechanisms and applications. In fact, so many papers are appearing annually that the journal Photomedicine and Laser Surgery now offers a monthly compilation to keep evidence-based practitioners abreast of new papers.1 The popularity and promise of LT come at a price, however. Literally speaking, the monetary outlay for a Class IIIb laser (1 milliwatts (mW) to 500 mW) starts in the low thousands while a Class IV laser (>500 mW power) can approach 20 grand. More figuratively, the “promise” of laser, as one vet quipped, “to cure everything except death,” sparks skepticism among those who have heard before about gadgetry with guarantees of glowing results. Which Is Right for You? As more makers crowd the marketplace, laser manufacturers highlight unique features of their products. Depending on the power of the unit they sell (i.e., Class IIIb or Class IV equipment), the prospective buyer can expect to receive an earful of information about the superiority of either the …
DVMInsight Joins Idexx LaboratoriesSeptember 9, 2011 Telemedicine firm DVMInsight of San Diego joined Idexx Laboratories of Westbrook, Maine, Idexx reported Friday. DVMInsight CEO Matt Wright, DVM, MS, DACVR, and CTO Stephen Walters became part of the leadership team at Idexx Laboratories’ Telemedicine Consultants division and will continue to oversee the DVMInsight technology platform used by independent radiologists. Idexx will support DVMInsight’s platform and imaging software and integrate them with the Idexx Cornerstone Practice Management System and Idexx-PACS Imaging Software. Idexx Telemedicine Consultants will integrate DVMInsight’s Sight Hound Radiology teleradiology service, as well. Sight Hound Radiology customers will gain Idexx cardiac services, such as 20-minute turnaround times for ECG screens and one-hour STAT internal medicine consultations. “The proven expertise of these companies strengthens the Idexx position as the leading provider of diagnostic information and telemedicine services to the veterinary healthcare industry, and the integration of these important services will help DVMInsight reach an even broader audience while achieving a seamless customer experience,” said Don Schofield, director and general manager of IDEXX Telemedicine Consultants. <Home>
