Vet Groups Take On Heartworm Resistance IssuesNovember 30, 2010 Resistance to heartworm products is a possibility, but current preventive strategies must be used until additional research is complete, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) and the American Heartworm Society (AHS). The organizations made the announcement after a meeting in late August to discuss scientific and clinical field observations concerning resistance to heartworm products. Attendees, including veterinary parasitologists and cardiologists and scientific researchers, explored the potential relationships between resistance to heartworm products and veterinary and pet owner compliance, loss of product efficacy and effective heartworm testing and treatment protocols. Jay Stewart, DVM, president of CAPC, said the meeting reflects the continued concern of both organizations. However, continued investigation of heartworm product efficacy should not lead to an abandonment of current preventive practices, Dr. Stewart said. Wallace Graham, DVM, president of AHS, talked about the importance of a comprehensive approach fostered by the combined efforts of the two organizations. “We must continue to take a collaborative approach, across organizations and medical disciplines, to address concern among the public and veterinary communities about heartworm resistance,” Dr. Graham said. “We remain open to this concern, and believe cases of resistance to be geographically limited and, …
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First Class Of Candidates Achieves CVPP StatusNovember 30, 2010 Twenty-two applicants took and passed the 2009 CVPP exam. After passing the exam, candidates have six months to submit their case reports. To date, 15 have received CVPP status. Two applicants had just submitted their case reports at press time and five more were still working on their reports. The second class is already under way. Seven applicants took the 2010 CVPP exam at the IVAPM Annual Conference in Kansas City in August, with six passing. The one who did not will have the opportunity to retake the exam in 2011. The deadline for the third cycle of applications is Jan. 15. For details, visit Ivapm.org. <Home>
Elanco Challenges Bayer’s Ad ClaimsNovember 30, 2010 The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus has recommended that Bayer Animal Health modify or discontinue certain advertising claims made in print advertising and on its website for its flea, tick and mosquito control products K9 Advantix and Advantage for dogs and cats. The claims at issue were challenged by competitor Elanco Animal Health, maker of the dog flea control product Comfortis. Elanco is a division of Eli Lilly and Co. Bayer reported that although it disagreed with the findings, it would modify its website and revise future iterations of its print advertising in accordance with NAD’s recommendations. The company noted its commitment to the self-regulatory process. The claims at issue included: Advantage and K9 Advantix “stop biting fleas in three to five minutes”; “Kills over 99 percent of flea larvae within 20 minutes”; and “Don’t give fleas a biting chance”; among others. NAD recommended that Bayer discontinue, in consumer-directed advertising, the claim that Advantage “stops biting fleas within three to five minutes.” However, NAD concluded that a modified claim, accompanied by supporting evidence, could be used in advertising directed at veterinarians. Bayer indicated it would modify the claim in …
NAVC Lines Up Behavior ConferenceNovember 30, 2010 The annual North American Veterinary Conference, set for Jan. 15-19 in Orlando, Fla., will be holding a “behavior conference within a conference.” It’s geared toward veterinarians, veterinary technicians and animal trainers. The conference includes a hands-on “Behavior Laboratory for Humane Handling and Managing Techniques” session; a full-day session sponsored by Novartis on behavioral pediatrics and risks to children of dog bites, among other topics; a “Feline Behavior: Bad Mood or Wrong Food” session sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition; and a half-day presentation from Elanco Animal Health. The latter will cover topics such as behavior medicine in general practice and, separation anxiety. The conference will conclude with a full-day symposium sponsored by Nestlé-Purina. It will focus on the use of behavior medication and supplements in cats, the effect of diet in the older dog, and temperament testing, among other topics. <Home>
Pet Owners File Lawsuit Against OTC Flea/Tick ManufacturersNovember 30, 2010 Several pet owners filed a class action lawsuit in San Francisco against Central Garden and Pet Co. and Farnam Companies Inc., both manufacturers of over-the-counter flea and tick control products. The lawsuit claims Biospot and Spot-On products have sickened and, in some cases, killed the plaintiffs’ pets due to pyrethrin poisoning. Central Life Sciences, which encompasses Farnam Companies and is part of Central Garden and Pet Co., said the suit is unfounded and that it will “vigorously” defend against it. The Schaumburg, Ill.-based company noted that no products have been recalled and that there have been no recommendations to remove any products from store shelves. The plaintiffs seek monetary and injunctive relief as well as punitive damages. <Home>
Survey Claims Uk Vets Over Inflate Med PricesNovember 30, 2010 Veterinarians in the United Kingdom are charging twice as much as online veterinary pharmacies for the same medicines, according to Vet-Medic Pharmacy, a U.K. online veterinary pharmacy, which recently revealed results from its cost comparison survey. The survey, which was conducted by an independent research company, compared prices of pet medicines in supermarkets, pharmacies, pet superstores, veterinary practices, online pharmacies and veterinary medicine suppliers across the United Kingdom. The survey focused on the most commonly purchased pet health products and leading brands, including Frontline flea control treatments for both dogs and cats; Drontal worming tablets for both dogs and cats; and Optimmune eye treatment. The survey revealed that vet prices were more than double those of the same product purchased online. For example, a six-pack of Frontline for cats is available online for about US $26, while the same product is sold in veterinary practices for about US $61, according to Vet-Medic. The claim that veterinary practices are over-inflating the price of medicines is an unfair accusation, said Harvey Locke, BVSc, president of the British Veterinary Association. “Veterinary practices will mark up the cost of the medicines they supply in order to cover the costs …
George Kukor, DVM, And Lonnie King, DVM, Receive Service Above Self AwardsNovember 30, 2010 George Kukor, DVM, and Lonnie King, DVM, each received Service Above Self Awards during the 16th annual Lake Erie Walleye Fishing & Golf Seminar in Port Clinton, Ohio. This year is the first time two award winners were named. Dr. Kukor, a retired veterinarian, was honored for his 40 years of service to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. King, dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, received the award for his “unfaltering dedication, leadership and selfless initiative within the community.”
Charleston Veterinary Referral Center Set To Open In MarchNovember 30, 2010 Charleston Veterinary Referral Center of Charleston, S.C., is set to open in March. The 16,000-square-foot facility will include an intensive-care unit with 24/7 emergency and critical care; a referral service, with specialties in surgery, internal medicine, neurology, cardiology, critical care, as well as interventional radiologic and cardiac procedures; and an imaging center that will include MRI, CT scan, ultrasound and color flow Doppler, digital radiology and fluoroscopy.
Domenico Bianco, DVM, Ph.D., And Renee Fenty, DVM, Join Veterinary Specialists Of The ValleyNovember 30, 2010 Domenico Bianco, DVM, Ph.D., and Renee Fenty, DVM, have joined Veterinary Specialists of the Valley in Woodland Hills, Calif. Dr. Bianco previously worked at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital of Tinton Falls, N.J. Dr. Fenty was previously at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties, which is affiliated with Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
CARES Names Edwin Darrin, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, Head Of NeurologyNovember 30, 2010 The Center for Animal Referral and Emergency Services (CARES) of Langhorne, Pa., has named Edwin Darrin, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, as head of neurology. Dr. Darrin offers services such as MRI, pain management, spinal surgery, brain surgery and electrodiagnostic testing. He comes to CARES from Veterinary Specialty Center in Buffalo Grove, Ill.
