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>
SPONSORED CONTENTStart Treating Canine MMVD Patients at Stage B2Learn about early treatment with pimobendan for canine Stage B2 preclinical MMVD patients. + Learn More
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 …
Elanco And Heifer Partner To Reduce HungerMay 26, 2011 Elanco Animal Health has launched an initiative to bring 100,000 families around the world out of hunger by 2025 through a partnership with Heifer International. Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco, is expected to outline the company’s commitment to hunger during a briefing June 2 at 10:30 p.m. to 11 a.m. EST at Elanco Animal Health in Greenfield, Ind. Elanco initiated projects with Heifer International in Indonesia and Zambia that will impact more than 8,000 families, according to the company. Elanco is expected to unveil their third community during the briefing. Pierre Ferrari, CEO, Heifer International, will be on hand to talk about the impact a single animal can have on families and communities in emerging economies and detail why the Elanco partnership is unique. As the world population grows, food insecurity could become an increasing problem, Elanco states, adding that globally, 25,000 people die each day from hunger and malnutrition. In the U.S., one in five children do not eat enough each day. <Home>
WVC Announces CE Winners Of 2011May 26, 2011 The Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) announced the 2011 continuing educators of the year, as selected by conference attendees. The 2011 conference took place Feb. 20 through 24 in Las Vegas and set a WVC record with nearly 15,000 attendees. More than 6,000 registered attendants were veterinarians and more than 1,500 were veterinary technicians. Hundreds of practice managers and several thousand other attendees directly linked to the animal health industry were also present. According to WVC, the selected veterinary professionals “exemplify talent and commitment that ensure the continuing education (CE) experience at WVC remains one of the finest in the world.” Winners • Avian & Exotics Teresa Lightfoot, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (Avian) Florida Veterinary Specialists Tampa, Fla. • Equine James T. Blackford, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn. • Food Animal Geoffrey W. Smith, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM) North Carolina State University Raleigh, N.C. • Practice Management Karen E. Felsted, CPA, MS, DVM, CVPM National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) Schaumburg, Ill. • Small Animal …
Rinderpest Pronounced Eradicated At OIE ConferenceMay 25, 2011 An announcement of the eradication of rinderpest, also known as cattle plague, was announced today at the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). This event compares to the eradication of smallpox in humans. The global freedom status will be ratified by ministers of agriculture at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations conference in June. “Once a dream, rinderpest eradication is now a reality,” says Dr. Peter Roeder, secretary of the Global Rinderpest Eradication Program from 2000 to 2007. “Not only does this magnificent achievement help to protect the livelihoods of many millions of livestock-dependent farmers but, because it removes a serious constraint to livestock trade, it has a major positive impact on many countries’ economies. If we can truly learn the lessons from rinderpest eradication there is no reason why we couldn’t see other diseases brought to global extinction with similar pro-poor and economic impact.” Rinderpest ravaged cattle and human populations that depend on them throughout history. Rinderpest led to the formation of the OIE in 1924 following an incursion of the rinderpest virus in Europe. “This monumental achievement testifies to the dedication of the veterinary services of affected countries and illustrates …
VPL Sponsors American Association Of Human-Animal Bond VeterinariansMay 25, 2011 Veterinary Products Laboratories today announced its sponsorship of the American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians. In addition to an annual financial sponsorship, VPL and Stolle Milk Biologics, Inc. will each donate $1 for every bottle of Duralactin Canine Joint Plus Soft Chew sold to veterinarians through Dec. 31. “The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and other animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both,” says a spokesperson for the Committee on the Human-Animal Bond. “This includes, but is not limited to, emotional, psychological and physical interactions of people, other animals and the environment. The veterinarian’s role in the human-animal bond is to maximize the potentials of this relationship between people and other animals.” VPL says Duralactin Canine Joint Plus Soft Chew manages inflammation, supports joints and muscles, maintains healthy joint fluid and reduces free radical oxidation. Each Duralactin Canine Joint Plus Soft Chew contains 500 mg. of MicroLactin dried milk protein, 250 mg. of glucosamine HCl from a marine source, 200 mg. of methylsulfonylmethane, 25 mg. of omega 3 fatty acids, 5 mg. of manganese, 2 mg. of zinc and 25 IU …
AVMLA Releases 2011 Annual Meeting ProgramMay 25, 2011 The American Veterinary Medical Law Association (AVMLA)’s 2011 continuing education program is set for July 16 and 17 at the Holiday Inn Select in St. Louis, Mo. The event will be held in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention. The 2011 CE program includes presentations from leaders in the field of veterinary medical law covering: • Mediation • Canine DNA and breed specific legislation • Shelter medicine • AVMA legislative update and outreach • Veterinarian community outreach • State veterinary medical associations (VMA) and the animal welfare community Gregory Dennis an Overland Park, Kansas attorney and AVMLA charter membe, will present the Hank Hannah Memorial Lecture. Other speakers include: Jack Avent, executive director of the Ohio VMA and Jana Black of the Oklahoma VMA, who will discuss state VMAs and the animal welfare community; Adrian Hochstadt, JD, CAE, an AVMA executive, who will address legislative outreach; Elise Van Kavage, attorney, will present an overview of breed specific legislation, as will panelists Katie Bray Barnett and Victoria Voith, DVM. Jennifer Scarlett, DVM will discuss shelter medicine, and Deborah Guiducci, attorney, will review best practices in mediation. …