We’ve Come A Long Way In 40 YearsMay 4, 2010 Back in the late 1960s, I applied for a job at three veterinary clinics, wanting to be a veterinarian. I got head shakes that said “no” and looks of pity. Once I was in veterinary school, it was obvious that women were not entirely welcome by some staff and classmates. I was the only student who was overtly upset when our pharmacology professor demonstrated seizure activity by administering a drug to a dog. After class, I approached our professor. “This is 1968,” I told him. “We have TV and film. I’d rather watch seizure activity on the screen so that only one dog would have to be subjected to this. Here we are in vet school to save animals and we feel horrible to see this type of unnecessary live demonstration.” The professor replied that he hated that particular class and that it was getting more difficult for him every year. He said he would film the next case so future classes would not feel so badly. Was I one of the first animal welfarists back then? Now, women are the majority in every U.S. veterinary school and ethical concern for animal welfare is standard procedure. …
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Leading Lady: Jennifer Muller, VMDMay 4, 2010 Jennifer Muller, VMD, didn’t take the conventional path into veterinary medicine. Armed with a bachelor’s degree from Brown University, she went to work in the mid-’90s in Washington, D.C., first as a White House intern and later as a policy adviser to Vice President Al Gore. When the 2000 elections swept the Bush administration into power, she changed course, moving to California to start a career in scriptwriting. Hollywood’s loss turned out to be the veterinary profession’s gain. Dr. Muller’s unconventional career path was excellent preparation for the role she ended up taking on: Helping to create policies that have drastically improved the regulation of, and living conditions at, Pennsylvania’s commercial dog breeders.“That worked out so well, I ended up going to vet school,” she says dryly. She has served on Pennsylvania’s Dog Law Advisory Board since 2006 and has chaired the state’s nine-member Canine Health Board since 2008. The regulations she has had a hand in are a model for other states trying to improve conditions in their kennel industries, Muller says. Vet of the Year The veterinary profession has taken notice, too. Muller, 36, was named Summit VetPharm’s Veterinarian of the Year, receiving the …
Nominations For Distinguished Vet Immunologist UnderwayMay 4, 2010 The American Association of Veterinary Immunologists is soliciting nominations for its AAVI Distinguished Veterinary Immunologist award. The award, open to members and non members of AAVI, is intended to honor an immunologist for outstanding contribution to veterinary immunology. Nominations are due May 25. The association describes recipients as individuals whose contribution to veterinary immunology is widely acknowledged as significant and important to the understanding of the immunology of domestic and/or wild animals. Any individual other than a current member of the Nominations Committee, who is nominated by an AAVI member in good standing, is eligible to be considered for the award. Letters of nomination should be emailed to David Hurley, chair of the AAVI Nominations Committee, at djhurley@uga.edu. The nominee’s C.V. must be included. <HOME>
Henry Schein’s Vet Business Sees Marked IncreaseMay 4, 2010 Henry Schein Inc.’s North American veterinary division May 4 reported revenue of $206.6 million for its first quarter ended March 27, up 271.5 percent from the year-ago period. The figure includes sales of Butler Schein Animal Health since Jan. 1. “Butler Schein Animal Health is the largest distributor to veterinary practices in North America, and we are pleased that the integration of that business is progressing according to plan,” said Stanley Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer of Henry Schein. International sales of $609.5 million increased 16.4 percent, consisting of 7.5 percent growth in local currencies and 8.9 percent growth related to foreign currency exchange. “International growth reflects strong performance in the dental and veterinary businesses, as well as particular strength in France, Australia, Germany, Spain and Switzerland,” Bergman said. “With continuing sales growth in our international business combined with the effects of a restructuring completed in the first quarter of 2010, we look forward to further increasing our international operating margins.” Overall, Henry Schein reported net income of $67.3 million on revenue of $1.8 billion for its first quarter, compared to net income of $59.3 million on revenue of $1.5 billion in the year-ago …
Application Deadline Near For MUMS GrantsMay 3, 2010 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is accepting applications for a grant program that supports the development of new animal drugs. The applications are due May 14. The program was established by the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2004. The MUMS act helps make more medications legally available to veterinarians and animal owners to treat minor animal species and minor uses in major animal species. Major species include horses, dogs, cats, cattle, swine, turkeys and chickens. All other animal species, except humans, are considered minor species. In accordance with the statute, a MUMS grant must be for the purpose of “defraying the costs of qualified safety and effectiveness testing expenses incurred in connection with the development of designated new animal drugs.” The grants are good for up to $50,000 a year for up to two years for routine studies and up to $100,000 a year for up to two years for studies of unusual complexity, duration or size. A third year of funding may be available for long-term toxicology studies. The FDA has $750,000 to offer in MUMS grants during the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. For details, visit …
Do You Want To Retire Someday?May 1, 2010BY PHIL ZELTZMAN, DVM, DIPL. ACVS 05/11/2010 - Despite Odd Requests, the Client Is Always Right 04/26/2010 - Is Palliative Surgery Ethical? 04/12/2010 - Reflections of a Modern Dinosaur Today, I would like to take a step away from medicine and surgery and focus on a topic that affects many veterinary professionals, whatever their positions. I recently read, yet again, some somber statistics about the financial health of Americans. • 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 in retirement savings, excluding pension and housing equity.. • 27 percent of Americans have less than $1,000 in retirement savings.. • 54 percent have not planned at all for retirement. • Few employees participate, or participate much, in employer-sponsored retirement plans. Some don't contribute enough to get the "match," which is basically free money offered by their generous employer.. • In 2007, the Congressional Research Service published a report about 401(k) plans. It states that "If the median retirement account balance of $100,000 among households headed by persons 55 to 64 years old in 2007 were converted to an annuity, it would provide a monthly income of $700 per month to (someone) retiring at age 65 in 2009." That's $8,400 annually. Ouch! Meanwhile, without going into …
Petco And Blue Buffalo Join Forces To Battle Pet CancerApril 30, 2010 Petco and the Blue Buffalo Pet Food Co., have teamed up to raise awareness and funds to help fight pet cancer. Throughout May - Pet Cancer Awareness Month - consumers can make donations to the cause by rounding up their in-store Petco purchases to the next dollar or by making a donation in an amount of their choice. Blue Buffalo, based in Wilton, Conn., has pledged to donate up to $1 for every bag of purchased Blue dog or cat food. All donations will go to the Morris Animal Foundation to fund pet cancer research. The Morris Animal Foundation is a Denver-based nonprofit dedicated to funding humane animal health research that protects, treats and cures companion animals, horses and wildlife. Petco and Blue Buffalo aim to raise $1 million for the cause. “Petco believes in prevention and early detection of pet cancer, and that’s why we partnered with the Blue Buffalo Pet Food Co. for Pet Cancer Awareness Month,” Petco’s veterinarian Dr. Thomas Edling said. “Taking a month to focus on this cause will help pet owners learn the warning signs of pet cancer and make them aware of the resources available to help.” Pet …
Veterinary Pet Insurance Reveals Top 15 Feline Medical ConditionsApril 29, 2010 Veterinary Pet Insurance Reveals Top 15 Feline Medical Conditions Veterinary Pet Insurance Reveals Top 15 Feline Medical Conditions newsline Lower urinary tract disease is the top medical condition affecting cats, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance, which recently analyzed its database of almost 62,000 insured cats to find the most common feline health problems. The condition costs cat owners an average of $260 per claim. The top 15 medical conditions affecting both indoor and outdoor cats are as follows: Lower urinary tract disease Chronic renal failure Skin allergies and infections Hyperthyroidism Diabetes Tooth infection requiring extraction Upper respiratory infections Ear infection Eye infection Constipation Asthma Soft tissue injuries/sprains Laceration and bite wounds Benign skin growths Gastritis/vomiting/diarrhea Combined, these conditions are responsible for 60 percent of feline medical claims received by VPI each year. The most expensive feline condition on the list is tooth infections requiring extractions, which can cost an average of $360 per claim. VPI is based in Brea, Calif. <HOME> Lower urinary tract disease is the top medical condition affecting cats, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance, which recently analyzed its database of almost 62,000 insured cats to find …
Greenies Contest Focusing On Pet Dental Health LaunchesApril 27, 2010 On April 26, the Greenies Brand kicked off its second annual “Show Us Your Pet’s Healthy Smile” contest, which aims to educate pet owners on preventive measures they should take to promote their pet’s oral health. Such measures include twice yearly oral assessment and treatment as necessary by the veterinarian and daily oral care at home. The contest runs through June 18. “It’s important that pet owners understand how significant a healthy mouth is for the overall health of their pet,” said Jan Bellows, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, Dipl. AVDC. “Many veterinary dental specialists believe that a clean, healthy mouth can actually prolong a pet’s life.” To participate in the contest, pet owners can upload a picture of their pet showing off their teeth to www.greenies.com and then encourage their friends and family to vote. Veterinarians can promote the contest to their clients with free “Show Us Your Pets Healthy Smile” materials. To receive the veterinary promotional package, call 641-228-4045, ext. 11. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finalists and to their veterinary hospitals. The first place winner will receive a year’s supply of free Canine Greenies Dental Chews, …
New Revenue Source Just Under The SurfaceApril 27, 2010 Veterinarians interested in adding a modality to boost practice revenue may want to consider aquatic medicine. Aquatics is the fastest-growing discipline in veterinary medicine, says David Scarfe, DVM, Ph.D., assistant director of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Scientific Activities Division. Despite the growth, veterinarians hesitate to add fish to their patient list because they’re uncomfortable treating an animal that lives underwater, experts say. They may have questions about anatomy, drugs and how to perform surgery. “To begin treating fish, all veterinarians need is a working knowledge of water quality and how aquariums work,” says Michael Stafford, DVM, of Fair Grove Veterinary Service in Fair Grove, Mo. “They need a continuing education course or a university class on basic fish health, a water testing kit, a few basic drugs and a client. Procedures are very similar to small-animal medicine.” A client base is an obvious necessity. Communicating to potential clients that you have the expertise can be done by joining a local garden group and through online listings and the practice’s website. Proper communication with the client is important, says Helen Roberts, DVM, of Aquatic Veterinary Services of Western New York in Orchard Park, N.Y. …
