Obese Pet Label Given To New Parents And Elderly OwnersJune 2, 2011 Flexcin International announces data findings stating new parents represent the fastest-growing demographic inquiring about dog-joint health issues relating to pet obesity. The company analyzed demographic data from its customer advisor department to determine the largest percentage of pet obesity-related inquiries. In a six-month analysis from June through December 2010, new parents represented roughly 32 percent of all dog-joint health inquiries tied to overweight pets, which is an increase from 25.7 percent in 2008. Elderly pet owners came in second at 28.5 percent. Other data gleaned from new parent pet owners showed that 78 percent say their dog eats food that dropped from the baby’s high-chair, 68 percent say they pay less attention to their dog’s food portions and 65 percent say they had less time for dog walks. “Through the research and our discussions with veterinarian experts, new parents tend to let down their guard when watching their dogs’ diet because their focus is clearly on addressing their new baby,” says Tamer Elsafy, CEO and founder of Flexcin. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention recently reported that one out of five of the 170 million dogs and cats in the U.S. are considered obese. Flexcin …
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Intervet/Schering Plough Launches Dairy Education ProgramJune 2, 2011 Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health announced a new dairy education program, which includes a toolkit, online employee training and residue prevention tips. The company is working with dairy veterinarians and producers to educate their employees about the responsible use of animal-health products. Intervet/Schering Plough says the goal is to maintain consumer confidence and eliminate the potential for antibiotic and drug residues entering the food chain. “Preventing residues is the responsibility of the entire dairy industry,” says Norm Stewart, DVM, technical services manager for Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. “We recognize the importance of helping veterinarians and dairy owners, managers and employees have all the information and tools they need on this issue.” The toolkit, designed to be used to communicate the proper use of animal-health products, as a supplement to typical protocols and procedures, includes shelf stickers to identify animal-health products, English and Spanish posters highlighting the withdrawal times for animal-health products and halters to handle animals for proper administration of injectable animal-health products. “Animal-health products are critical to keeping animals healthy and productive and dairy producers must use them responsibly to ensure the wholesomeness and safety of our milk and meat supply,” Dr. Stewart says. “We are committed …
AAEP Foundation Gives Funds For Horses Affected By Severe WeatherJune 1, 2011Relief organizations responding to equine emergencies in the aftermath of a series of destructive storms this spring are eligible for funding from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation, the group announced. The foundation also welcomes donations for its Equine Disaster Relief Fund to help accommodate the potential needs of equine and veterinary communities impacted by recent storms and natural disasters. To make a donation, visit the AAEP Foundation website. The AAEP Foundation accepts year-round funding requests to assist organizations responding to disasters and emergencies affecting the equine community. Organizations working to help horses in areas devastated by recent severe weather or other natural disasters can apply for funding from the Foundation's Emergency Relief Fund. After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, the AAEP Foundation formed an Emergency Relief Fund to aid horses in the event of a natural disaster. Since then, the foundation has donated emergency funds to support the Mounted Division of the New Orleans Police Department, the Louisiana State Veterinary Medical Association's Equine Committee Foundation, the Mississippi State Veterinary Medical Association's Animal Disaster Relief Fund, hay and feed programs in the gulf region, and support for …
Bravo Recalls Select Pig EarsMay 31, 2011 Bravo of Vernon, Conn., is voluntarily recalling one lot of its pig ear chews because the product may be contaminated with salmonella. The company has recalled its Bravo Pig Ears with the product code 75-121 and lot number 12-06-10. The lot number is printed on the side of the shipping container delivered to distributors and retailers. The pig ears themselves are not individually labeled. The recalled chews were shipped to distributors between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, 2011, and distributed to retailers on both the East and West coasts. Consumers who bought Bravo Pig Ears during this time frame should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Bravo has recalled one lot of its pig ear chews. A routine sample test performed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture detected salmonella in a batch of Bravo's pig ears, prompting the recall. Bravo reported that it doesn’t have any pig ears from this batch left in inventory. No reports of illness in either people or animals have been reported, according to Bravo. Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and …
Salmonella Prompts Limited Raw Cat Food RecallMay 31, 2011 Primal Pet Foods of San Mateo, Calif., has issued a limited recall of its chicken and salmon raw cat food formula because the product may be contaminated with salmonella. Specifically, the company is voluntarily recalling 4-pound packages of its Primal Pet Foods Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula nuggets, UPC # 8 95135 00025 0, with “Best By” date code 043112-17. The “Best By” code is located on the front of the package on the right side of the product label. The first two digits in the date code refer to the month, the second two digits refer to the day, the third set refers to the year and the last two digits refer to the batch number, according to the company’s website. The recalled product was distributed to retail stores throughout the United States. No other products are involved in the recall. No pet or human illnesses have been reported, according to the company. Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans, according …
USDA’s National Institute Of Food And Agriculture Requests VMLRP ApplicationsMay 31, 2011 The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today posted a notice requesting applications for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP). The FY 2011 VMLRP application package is now available online and applications are due by July 8. The law that established funding for the VMLRP program was passed in January 2003. The law authorizes the secretary of agriculture to carry out a program of entering into agreements with veterinarians under which they agree to provide veterinary services in veterinarian shortage situations. To get more information contact Gary Sherman with the U.S. Department of Agriculture at gsherman@nifa.usda.gov. <Home>
USDA-Approved FeLV, FIV Treatment Available OnlineMay 31, 2011Veterinarians may now order Lymphocyte T-Cell Immunomodulator (LTCI) -- reportedly the first United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved treatment for Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) -- directly from the manufacturer, T-Cyte Therapeutics. Veterinarians can order the product at the company website or by phone. The streamlined ordering process means practitioners and animal clinics can expedite treatment of FeLV and FIV. “We’ve worked hard to build a process that streamlines access to the product, provides pertinent, practical and accurate information regarding the treatment of FeLV and FIV and gives veterinarians’ direct-source access to LTCI,” says Dr. Beardsley. “Ordering LTCI from T-Cyte will be efficient for veterinarians and can be a life-saver for sick pets. The site will also make it easier for pet owners to locate local veterinarians who have treated cats suffering from these diseases. The website will be a one-stop data source to aid in the treatment of FeLV and FIV.” The site also features educational and product information about retroviral health care and a nationwide, searchable database of veterinary clinics that offer LTCI is in the works. LTCI was briefly distributed by Imulan and most recently by AgriLabs, who successfully introduced and marketed …
Henry Schein Disaster Relief Hotline Remains OpenMay 27, 2011 Henry Schein, Inc., a provider of health care products and services, today announced that its disaster relief hotline will remain open to veterinarians and other clients who experience operational, logistical or financial issues as a result of tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms. In addition to supporting customers through the hotline, Henry Schein Tornadoes Relief Fund remains open to support relief efforts. Because storms typically strike many regions of the U.S. throughout the summer months the fund will remain open to provide aid for victims of these natural disasters. “We have watched the reports of ravaging storms with great concern and as always stand ready to help our animal health customers whose practices are affected by this these natural disasters,” says James P. Breslawski, president and COO of Henry Schein. “We want to remind our customers that our disaster relief hotline remains open year round and that they are encouraged to call us with issues that we might be able to help them address.” Anyone wishing to contribute to the Tornadoes Relief Fund can make a donation by credit card by clicking here. Animal health and other customers can call (800) 999-9729 from …
Malaseb Antimicrobial Shampoo Returns To MarketMay 27, 2011 Teva Animal Health announced that Malaseb Shampoo, an antimicrobial, has returned to the market after an almost two-year sabbatical. In July 2009, the Food and Drug Administration issued a consent decree after finding significant cGMP violations at the company’s St. Joseph, Mo., facilities during inspections between 2007 and 2009. Under the terms of the consent decree, Teva Animal Health could not resume manufacturing or distribution of veterinary drugs until adequate methods, facilities and controls were established and an independent expert inspected the facilities and procedures and certifies cGMP compliance. “We can’t thank veterinarians enough for their continued support during Malaseb’s absence,” said Dave Cunningham, president and CEO of Teva Animal Health. “The eagerness and excitement expressed for its return is humbling. We thank the veterinary community from the bottom of our hearts for backing Malaseb and the DVM Pharmaceuticals brand.” Malaseb Shampoo, a medicated topical, contains miconazole nitrate and chlorhexidine gluconate antimicrobial formulation for use on dogs and horses. Miconazole nitrate is an antifungal agent with activity against gram-positive bacteria and fungi, including yeast and dermatophytes. Chlorhexidine gluconate, an antiseptic, provides persistent activity against microorganisms, including gram positive and gram-negative bacteria and some species …
AKC CAR Gives $110,000 For Search And Rescue Dog Health DatabaseMay 26, 2011AKC Companion Animal Recovery (CAR) has donated $110,000 to the University Of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine for the AKC CAR Detection Dog DNA Bank and Health Registry, for search and rescue and other detection dogs. The database is part of the recently established Penn Vet Working Dog Center and will help search and rescue organizations, law enforcement, breeders and handlers identify factors contributing to the success of search and rescue dogs. “Search and rescue as well as detection dogs give so much to us - even recovering human lives, in some cases,” says Tom Sharp, CEO of AKC CAR. “We’re pleased to support the development of this database which will track data relating to these animals so that we can ensure the success of future working dogs and keep our current canines healthy and happy.” Detection dogs find lost or trapped people, human remains, explosive devices and drugs. The dogs are used to assist human efforts during major disasters, wartime and border protection. Only an estimated 30 percent of dogs entering detection training programs are successful. Researchers expect that data collected from the registry will assist in selecting and creating more successful working canines. “We are grateful for this …
