AAHA Discontinues Seal Of Acceptance For Pet Health InsuranceJuly 7, 2011The American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) board of directors elected to phase-out the AAHA Seal of Acceptance program for high-deductible pet insurance policies starting July 1 and concluding Dec. 31. Since the program didn’t serve as an insurance commission to the veterinary insurance industry or endorse a specific company, the board chose between increasing funds to administer a more in-depth program and discontinuing it altogether. AAHA officials said members and pet owners would be better served if the association discontinued the Seal of Acceptance and reallocated resources to pet insurance education for the profession and pet owners. The purpose of the program was to encourage pet insurance companies to offer high-deductible, low-premium pet insurance policies, in which AAHA said it achieved based on the number of polices that earned the Seal. But AAHA received requests from members, pet insurance representatives and pet owners for additional Seal of Acceptance requirements and policy scrutiny, prompting the change. AAHA notified pet insurance companies carrying the AAHA seal and is working with them to discontinue the program by Dec. 31. Trupanion, PurinaCare, Petsecure, Pets Best Insurance, HealthyPaws Pet Insurance, Veterinary Pet Insurance and Petplan all earned an AAHA Seal of Acceptance. AAHA said the …
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Howard Hughes Medical Institute Cultivates Veterinary Student Research InterestsJuly 6, 2011 The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) located in Chevy Chase, Md. is sponsoring medical research fellows and the HHMI-National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md., is sponsoring a research scholars program open to veterinary, medical and dental students. Participants in both programs are chosen by an external panel and spend a year away from traditional medical school studies to research problems in research scientists’ laboratories. The research fellows program began in 1989 and was established to provide opportunities to medical students to have medical research experience. Since the program’s inception, HH forged partnerships with other companies to sponsor fellowships for the program. As more partnerships join, more students are able to participate. Currently, the medical education programs are part of a $4 million annual HHMI initiative. Competition “About four students apply now for each position,” said William Galey, PhD, director of HHMI’s graduate and medical education programs. “We added veterinary students to the list of eligible participants, but we’re just now starting to attract their attention. We recognize a need for trained scientists with veterinary background and encourage vet students to take a year away from studies to pursue research full time. This way, …
International Society For Applied Ethology Congress Kicks Off July 31July 6, 2011 The International Society for Applied Ethology Congress will take place July 31 to Aug. 4 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Indianapolis. International researchers, educators, students and policy-makers will discuss information on animal welfare and behavior. An evaluation of zoo and laboratory animal behavior, welfare and enrichment will be the prime focus along with creating environments and developing standard measuring assessments for science and welfare, pain and distress. The meeting is approved for 16 continuing education units for members of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. Participants can also earn up to 15.5 continuing education credits from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, office of lifelong learning. Registration is open through the Purdue University conference division. Click here to register. Pullbox Fees • ISAE/ISAZ member $700 • Non-member $850 • ISAE/ISAZ student/retired member $450 • Non-member student/retired $600 • Accompanying person $125 <Home>
IVSCS Extends Open Invitation For MeetingJuly 5, 2011 IThe International Veterinary Senior Care Society (IVSCS), a medical and behavior care organization for senior pets, is inviting American Veterinary Medical Association conference attendees to its meeting in St. Louis. Society officials will be elected, and a mission statement, by-laws and brand logo will be created at the July 18 meeting in Landmark Ballroom 7 at America’s Convention Center in downtown St. Louis. The meeting begins at 7 a.m. “There was no formal group specifically for senior care, although there are veterinarians whose services are often geared toward helping senior pets,” says Heidi Lobprise, DVM, senior technical manager, Virbac Animal Health and IVSCS coordinator. “Virbac plans to help get the society off the ground and extends an offer for other companies to provide sponsorship to IVSCS as well.” Dr. Lobprise says the plan is for IVSCS to be a nonprofit organization. The group’s website will be functional soon after the meeting takes place. “I hope to see at least 50 people at the meeting,” Lobprise says. “Free breakfast will be supplied to meeting attendees. The primary scope is to provide a forum where people with different interests and disciplines can come together. The society will …
Consumer Reports Urges Pet Owners To Forgo Premium Pet Food, Shop For Vet ServicesJuly 5, 2011 In its latest issue, which hits newsstands today, Consumer Reports magazine offers pet owners several ways to save money. Among the recommendations: skip premium pet food, frequent big box stores and shop around for vet services. “It’s still possible to save hundreds of dollars a year on pet care without shortchanging your furry, finned or feathered friends,” said Greg Daugherty, executive editor of Consumer Reports. Food is the biggest ongoing cost of owning a cat or dog, according to the magazine, and a significant part of the national pet-food bill goes toward premium and super-premium varieties. But, Consumer Reports advises pet owners not to pay for premium pet food, because it said “premium” has no legal definition in terms of nutritional quality. Consumer Reports does acknowledge that pets with certain problems, such as sensitive skin, digestive difficulties or obesity, might do better on special types of food. Still, consumers are likely to find significant price differences among equally appropriate foods, Consumer Reports said. When shopping for pet food, Consumer Reports suggests pet owners hit up big box stores. In a study, Consumer Reports said it found that Target and Walmart had the lowest prices most …
Bupleurum: Liver Help Or Liver Harm?July 1, 2011 How Radix bupleurum (Chai Hu) has evaded discovery of its split personality as both liver protectant and liver risk for thousands of years remains a mystery. Now that scientific analysis has exposed its true nature, investigators are looking into other herbs’ hepatotoxic properties as well. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medical herb texts and handbooks brim with acclaim for bupleurum as a hepatoprotectant, anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory agent.1,2,3 Veterinary herbalists recommend it for patients with acute and chronic hepatitis and even hepatic lymphoma.4,5,6 TCVM practitioners maintain that bupleurum will “disperse Liver Qi stagnation” and “soothe the Liver Qi.”7 Who would suspect that bupleurum-containing formulae with names such as “Free and Easy Wanderer” and something to the effect of “Liver Livin’ It Up” might require an index of suspicion not sufficiently conveyed by their innocent appellations? Bupleurum’s role in inducing hepatitis rather than remedying it is drawing closer attention, whether it is couched in a popular formula, such as Xiao Chai Hu Tang (a.k.a. Minor Bupleurum), or tested as a sole saponin in rodent models.8 Xiao Chai Hu Tang “is the most common traditional drug in Asian countries for patients with …
Lord Now Serving As OSU DeanJuly 1, 2011 Linda Lord, DVM, MS, PhD, was today named associate dean for student affairs at The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Lord, associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, succeeds Jean Sander, DVM, MAM and Dipl. ACPV, who is leaving Ohio State to become dean of the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences at Oklahoma State University. “The position of associate dean for student affairs is a vital leadership position in the college of veterinary medicine,” said Lonnie King, DVM, MS, MPH, dean and Ruth Stanton Chair in Veterinary Medicine. “Dr. Lord brings important skills, creativity and enthusiasm and we are fortunate at Ohio State to have such outstanding talent.” The office of student affairs focuses on student services including support, advocacy, recruitment, admissions, counseling and scholarship management. “I believe the purpose of the college of veterinary medicine is first and foremost to teach and educate our students, as well as to lead and guide them into their careers,” Lord said. “I enjoy teaching and interacting with the students and feel ready to face the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.” Lord received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, master’s …
Tony Ueber Becomes Banfield PresidentJuly 1, 2011 Banfield Pet Hospital has promoted executive vice president and COO Tony Ueber to president. Since joining Banfield in January, 2009, Ueber lead initiatives to strengthen the practice’s field leadership teams and growing brand recognition. In his new role, Ueber will continue to oversee Banfield’s operations, marketing and medicine teams. “This promotion is a testament to Tony’s sound and dedicated leadership at Banfield over the past two and a half years,” says John Payne, current president and CEO of Banfield Pet Hospital. “It also marks the smooth progression of the strategic business build and succession plans that Tony and I along with the leadership team have formulated and executed against for Banfield’s future success.” Ueber says he looks forward to his new position at Banfield. “I offer my heartfelt thanks for the mentorship and guidance that John has provided me throughout this journey,” Ueber says. “Together we have created a strong foundation for Banfield’s continued growth, success and commitment to providing pets with the highest quality veterinary care.” <Home>
Court Bars Sale Of PetArmor Plus In Merial CaseJune 30, 2011 The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia today ruled that Merial Ltd.’s U.S. patent on Frontline Plus is valid and that PetArmor Plus products infringe on the patent. “We are in the process of filing an appeal,” said S. Radhakrishnan, chief financial officer of Cipla Ltd. “We believe that there is a good chance that we may be able to overcome this order. Obviously, we are not going to ship the product unless we overturn the order. From a business perspective, this is virtually a new business and from that perspective US $10 million is already done, and the future depends on how the order or the matter really pans out.” Cipla officials say the company has sold $10 million worth of PetArmor products. District Judge Clay D. Land ruled that Cipla Ltd. and Velcera Inc. were aware that their sales of PetArmor Plus products infringed on Merial’s patent. He barred the companies from further sales in the U.S. and ordered the seizure of the existing U.S. inventory. Land found Cipla in contempt of a March 6, 2008, order prohibiting the company from infringing on Merial’s patents covering Frontline Plus brand flea …
New U.K. Pet Travel Rules For 2012June 30, 2011 New rules on pet travel will align U.K. rabies vaccine law with the rest of Europe as of Jan. 1, 2012. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) advise veterinarians to alert clients traveling abroad with pets of the change in law. Dogs, cats and ferrets entering the U.K. must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, have waited 21 days after vaccination before entering the U.K. and have a European Pet Passport. The current requirement to carry out a blood test followed by a six-month wait before entry into the UK will not be required. “It is vital that any controls on animal movements are proportionate to the risk,” says Dr. Harvey Locke, president of the BVA. “Due to the highly successful vaccination program in wildlife in mainland Europe there has been a huge reduction in the incidence in rabies. Research carried out by Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reveals that the risk of introducing rabies under the new rules is very low.” Pets entering from a non-listed country must pass a blood test 30 days after vaccination followed by a three-month wait. Until now, the UK deviated …
