VCA Antech’s Same-Store Revenue Drops 2%July 22, 2010 VCA Antech Inc.’s animal hospital division today reported revenue of $267.6 million for its second quarter ended June 30, compared to revenue of $261.3 million in the year-ago period. The 2.4 percent increase was driven by acquisitions made in the past twelve months, said Bob Antin, chairman and chief executive officer. Same-store revenue declined by 2 percent and same-store gross profit margin declined to 18.6 percent from 20.4 percent, according to the Los Angeles-based company. During the quarter, VCA Antech acquired seven animal hospitals which the company said had historical combined annual revenue of $9.5 million. Year to date, the animal hospital division reported revenue of $514.3 million, compared to revenue of $499.6 million in the year-ago period. The company’s laboratory division reported revenue of $83 million for its second quarter, compared to revenue of $83.2 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, the division reported revenue of $161.2 million, compared to revenue of $161 million in the year-ago period. The company’s medical technology division reported revenue of $14.6 million for its second quarter, compared to revenue of $10.3 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, the division reported revenue of $30.4 …
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Intervet/Schering-Plough Launches Orbax To Address Pet Owner ComplianceJuly 22, 2010 Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has launched a once-a-day, malt-flavored oral antibiotic for cats and small dogs. The product, Orbax (orbifloxacin) Oral Suspension, is designed to make it easier and more convenient for pet owners to administer the medicine to their dog or cat. “We are constantly seeking ways to keep pets healthy, safe and happy and make the job easier for their care providers,” said Steve Shell, head of the Companion Animal Business Unit. “Orbax Oral Suspension’s innovative technology in both formulation and dispensing can make all the difference in supporting recovery from serious infection.” The product, as the company described it, features a patented, taste-masking ion exchange agent that enables the orbifloxacin to pass by an animal’s taste buds undetected and then be released in the low pH environment of the stomach. The malt-flavored oral suspension is readily accepted by 95 percent of cats and 96 percent of dogs, according to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. The product, which does not require refrigeration, also features a ready-to-use “press-in” dispensing system to ensure accurate, “neat” dosing, according to the company. The medication can be detected throughout the body within a few hours after administration. Orbax Oral …
ASPCA Promotes Dr. Steven Hansen To COOJuly 21, 2010 The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has promoted Dr. Steven Hansen to chief operating officer, effective today. In his new position, Hansen will oversee all ASPCA program areas, as well as a majority of the New York City-based organization’s infrastructure teams. “Dr. Hansen is an accomplished executive with a strong record of achievements, both with the ASPCA and the animal welfare community at-large,” said ASPCA president & CEO Ed Sayres. “During his 13 years of dedicated service to the ASPCA, Dr. Hansen has become an invaluable resource for the organization and has developed a profound understanding of the issues affecting companion animals in our world today. We look forward to his contributions in this new capacity.” Hansen joined the ASPCA in 1997 as vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, Ill., and most recently served as the ASPCA’s senior vice president of animal health services, a division dedicated to providing pet health and wellness information to pet owners. Under his leadership, the Animal Poison Control Center and Information Technology teams launched in 2000 the AnTox database, a comprehensive animal toxicology database that features more than one …
University Of Tennessee And Midmark Develop Dental SuiteJuly 20, 2010 The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and Midmark Corp. of Versailles, Ohio, recently developed a dental suite at the UT Veterinary Medical Center in an effort to promote knowledge and practice of veterinary dentistry and oral surgery. “Dentistry is an important component of animal health that should be integrated into veterinary practices,” said Sharon Startup, DVM, of the school’s department of small animal clinical sciences. “Nearly 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three, yet dental health in today’s veterinary teaching hospitals receive less than 10 percent of the focus.” The dental suite features Midmark custom configured casework, a Canis Major Lift Table, a fixed height wet treatment table, stools and a VetPro 1000 Dental Delivery System. The college expects to add another VetPro delivery system and additional hand pieces later this year in the suite. “The new dental suite and Midmark equipment have increased our efficiency by allowing two separate procedures to be performed simultaneously,” said Dr. Startup. “Our increased caseload has provided excellent exposure and experience for our students.” The suite will also provide Midmark with insight into future product development. …
Can CAVM Become Board-Certified?July 19, 2010 Can CAVM Become Board-Certified FootnotesCan CAVM Become Board-Certified FootnotesCan CAVM Become Board-Certified FootnotesCan CAVM Become Board-Certified FootnotesCan CAVM Become Board-Certified? July 2010 Footnotes footnotes06-30-2010By Narda G. Robinson, DO, DVM, MS, FAAMA 1. AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties. April 2009. Obtained here on 05-28-10. 2. Hubscher M, Vogt L, Ziebart T, et al. Immediate effects of acupuncture on strength performance: a randomized, controlled crossover trial. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010 May 25. [Epub ahead of print]. 3. White A and Editorial Board of Acupuncture in Medicine. Western medical acupuncture: a definition. Acupunture in Medicine. 2009;27(1):33-35. 4. Hubscher M, Vogt L, Ziebart T, et al. Immediate effects of acupuncture on strength performance: a randomized, controlled crossover trial. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010 May 25. [Epub ahead of print]. 5. Hubscher M, Vogt L, Ziebart T, et al. Immediate effects of acupuncture on strength performance: a randomized, controlled crossover trial. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010 May 25. [Epub ahead of print]. 6. Colorado Physical Therapy Licensure. Rules and Regulations. 4 CCR 732-1. Effective November 30, 2007. Obtained here at on 05-28-10. 7. Pollard H, Hoskins W, McHardy A, et al. Australian …
PetMed Express Reports ‘Challenging’ First QuarterJuly 19, 2010 PetMed Express Inc. of Pompano Beach, Fla., reported net income of $7.2 million on revenue of $74.4 million for its first quarter ended June 30, compared to net income of $8.1 million on revenue of $77.2 million in the year-ago period. Unaffordable television ads coupled with consumer’s change in buying habits were the major factors in the quarter drop, said Menderes Akdag, chief executive officer and president of PetMed Express. “It has been a challenging quarter due to a reduction in our advertising exposure, which is attributed to the lack of availability of television remnant space at affordable prices, combined with consumers giving greater consideration to price and reducing their usage,” he said. PetMed Express’ online sales increased by 1 percent to $52.3 million for the first quarter, compared to $51.8 million in the year-ago period. About 70 percent of the orders were generated from the company’s website during the quarter, compared to 67 percent in the year-ago period, Akdag said. <HOME>
VetPartners’ August Meeting To Focus On Industry Hot TopicsJuly 16, 2010 VetPartners is inviting all veterinary professionals to attend its Mid Year Meeting Hot Rocks program, to be held Aug. 26-27 in conjunction with CVC in Kansas City, Mo. The program is a collection of what VetPartners members are seeing and experiencing as the hottest issues in the profession. “VetPartners’ mid-year meeting is an excellent opportunity for VetPartners members, as well as non-member veterinarians, practice managers, veterinary technicians and industry professionals, to get on top of the hot issues,” said Linda Workman, DVM, executive director of VetPartners. “Our speakers and topics have been carefully selected to provide the timeliest veterinary business information in the industry.” There will be 11 Hot Rocks sessions covering topics ranging from communication technology to practice insurance. These sessions will include about 15 minutes of presentation time, followed by a discussion, for a total time of 30 minutes per topic. The program will also include several 1-hour Expanded Topic presentations, which will examine current practices in veterinary practice management and include audience discussion opportunities. Issues to be discussed include discounting in a down-turn economy; financial and operational trends in companion animal practices; and understanding practice valuations.
Hearing Examines Use Of Antibiotics In Animals And Impact On Human HealthJuly 15, 2010 Veterinarians, professionals in human and animal medicine, government officials, drug industry representatives and researchers came together yesterday at a hearing put on by the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health to discuss the use of antibiotics in animals. This was the third hearing in the subcommittee’s series to examine “the growing and serious problem of antibiotic resistance,” according to Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the committee. In his opening statement, Waxman pointed out that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued draft guidance which recommends that antibiotics not be given to animals to promote growth, and when these drugs are used, they should be administered only under the supervision of a veterinarian. “This is a good first step,” he said. “But we must do more to tackle this piece of antibiotic resistance puzzle. And we must do so as part of a comprehensive strategy designed to safeguard the vitally important public health tool that is our antibiotics. “It is critical that we encourage the development of new drugs. But it is also essential to preserve the antibiotics we already have. That means we must move expeditiously to slow …
Update: Feline’s Pride Expands Recall Of Raw Cat FoodJuly 15, 2010 Feline’s Pride of Buffalo, N.Y., has expanded a voluntary nationwide recall of its Natural Chicken Formula raw food for cats and kittens to include product produced on June 21, because it may be contaminated with salmonella. The recalled product was packaged in 2.5-pound uncoded plastic containers and shipped frozen to private consumers from June 21 to June 26. Once thawed, the pet food has a shelf life of about one week. Earlier in the month, the company issued a voluntary recall of its Natural Chicken Formula raw food that was produced on June 10. At that time, the recall affected only orders placed and shipped from June 10 to June 17. Feline’s Pride and the FDA are investigating the matter to determine the source of the problem. Neither Feline’s Pride nor the FDA has received reports of salmonella infection relating to the recalled product, 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 to the company. Cat owners are …
Merial Enters Into Research Agreements With Infectious Disease Research InstituteJuly 14, 2010 Merial Ltd. of Duluth, Ga., and the Infectious Disease Research Institute, a Seattle-based nonprofit biotechnology organization, reported today that they are collaborating on the research and development of certain animal vaccines. Under a new license option agreement, Merial can use IDRI’s proprietary subunit antigens and adjuvant in a vaccine. Merial would then be responsible for any vaccine development and commercialization. Merial has also agreed to sponsor research at IDRI to evaluate the combination of IDRI’s and Merial’s vaccine technologies for second-generation vaccines. Laurent Fischer, DVM, Ph.D., of Merial and Ajay Bhatia, Ph.D., of IDRI will lead the research. In addition, the agreements include global access provisions whereby resulting licensed products are guaranteed to be used in developing countries. These particular terms are meant to align with IDRI’s nonprofit charitable mission — “to apply innovative science to the research and development of products to prevent, detect and treat infectious diseases of poverty,” according to IDRI. The nonprofit is also developing human vaccines, separate from this arrangement with Merial. <HOME>
