America’s Spending On Pets Continues To Increase, APPA SaysFebruary 9, 2010The U.S. pet market continues to grow despite the economic recession, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Overall spending in the pet industry, which includes food, supplies, veterinary care, live animal purchases and other pet care services, increased 5.4 percent to $45.5 billion in 2009, compared to $43.2 billion in 2008. No declines were experienced in any category since 2007. Moreover, the trade group projects U.S. spending on pets to increase 4.9 percent to $47.74 billion in 2010. “While the pet industry has appeared resilient during the recession, I believe the industry will get a boost even above its current performance as the economy recovers and pet owners become among the first to return to previous spending patterns in an effort to make up for the times that they have not been able to buy all of the items they wanted for their pets,” APPA president Bob Vetere said. Veterinary care continues to lead as the category experiencing the most growth. Spending on veterinary care increased 8.5 percent to $12.04 billion in 2009, compared to $11.1 billion in 2008. According to APPA, medical advances have helped pets live longer and made for a much broader and more elaborate …
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ChemNutra Owners Sentenced In Tainted Pet Food CaseFebruary 8, 2010 A federal judge has sentenced the owners of a Las Vegas-based ingredients broker to three years probation for distributing a tainted ingredient to pet food companies that led to the mass pet food recall in 2007. U.S. Magistrate Judge John Maughmer ordered the probation for Stephen and Sally Miller, owners of ChemNutra Inc., on Feb. 5. In addition, the judge fined the Millers and ChemNutra a total of $35,000. The court ruled that no further restitution would be imposed in light of a federal class action lawsuit in New Jersey that calls for a $24 million settlement. ChemNutra and the Millers are alleged to have imported more than 800 metric tons of melamine-tainted wheat gluten from China between Nov. 6, 2006 and Feb. 21, 2007. The gluten was sold to various pet food manufacturers, according to an indictment filed in February 2008 in Missouri. Two Chinese companies — Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. and Suzhou Textiles, Silk, Light Industrial Products Arts and Crafts I/E Co. — were also indicted. The indictment alleges Xuzhou intentionally added the melamine to make the wheat gluten’s protein level appear higher. Suzhou Textiles, an export broker, is alleged to …
Veterinary Cardiologists Pump Out Progressive Treatments For Common DiseasesFebruary 7, 2010 Veterinary cardiology research projects are gaining interest and funding from human medical associations and animal alike. Morris Animal Foundation lists 17 cardiac grants it has awarded for canine and feline cardiac research in the last two years alone. All colleges of veterinary medicine dedicate time and resources to carrying out the research, allowing the specialty of cardiac medicine to reach new heights. Mitral valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are the most common canine heart diseases, while hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and restrictive cardiomyopathy are the most common heart diseases found in cats, says Mark A. Oyama, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM (cardiology). Researchers are investigating these and other cardiac diseases to identify the cause of disease–whether a genetic role exists, how to diagnose earlier and how to most effectively treat the diseases. “For many diseases we suspect or have shown a congenital or heritable predilection such as feline HCM, Boxer DCM, but many other causes of disease is largely unknown,” says Dr. Oyama, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Because genetics plays such a large role in breed-specific cardiac disease, Washington State University created the canine cardiac genetic lab and is …
It’s Time To Cure What Ails New GradsFebruary 7, 2010 Second of two parts “Something’s got to give,” I wrote at the close of my last column on the trials that new veterinary graduates face. Given the conspiracy of conditions detailed there, a newly minted veterinarian’s nest-leaving step can feel like a perilous fall. Here’s a recap: Yes, the trials of the cold, cruel world come on fast and furiously when no internship or residency cushions the divide between it and the warm embrace of academia. More so when new grad debt load averages over $130K—an undeniably high load, especially when comparably few resources are made available to help us manage it. The psychological isolation of the often solo-esque clinical environment that accompanies this scenario means high anxiety, especially when our hands-on skills are woefully at odds with our employers’ expectations, especially when we’re asked to learn on the job with a “mentor” who has no understanding that she or he has taken on a new job description along with a new hire. Which is bad for us. Which is bad for our bosses. Which is undeniably bad for our patients. Which bodes ill for our long-term degree of job satisfaction. Which …
‘Person’-alities In Veterinary PatientsFebruary 7, 2010 2. Draper TW. Canine analogs of human personality factors. The Journal of General Psychology. 1995;122(3):241-252. 3. Lee CM, Ryan JJ, and Kreiner. Personality in domestic cats. Pscyhological Reports. 2007;100:27-29. 4. Morris PH, Gale A, and Howe S. The factor structure of horse personality. Anthrozoos. 2002;15(4):300-322. 5. Lloyd AS, Martin JE, Bornett-Gauci HLI, et al. Horse personality: variation between breeds. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2008;112:369-383. 6. Gosling SD, Kwan VSY, and John OP. A dog’s got personality: a cross-species comparative approach to personality judgments in dogs and humans. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2003;85(6):1161-1169. 7. Visser EK, Van Reenen CG, Rundgren M, et al. Responses of horses in behavioural tests correlate with temperament assessed by riders. Equine Veterinary Journal. 2003;35(2):176-183. 8. Draper TW. Canine analogs of human personality factors. The Journal of General Psychology. 1995;122(3):241-252. 9. Glickman LT, Glickman NW, Schellenberg DB, et al. Multiple risk factors for the gastric dilatation-volvulus syndrome in dogs: a practitioner/owner case-control study. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1997;33:197-204. 10. Herbold JR, Moore GE, Gosch TL, et al. Relationship between incidence of gastric dilatation-volvulus and biometeorologic events in a population of military working dogs. Am J …
Dilemmas For A New DecadeFebruary 7, 2010 2010 starts a decade of demands and dilemmas. Each of us needs to gain tolerance for listening and understanding, especially for other people who may not see things the very same way we do. Every day we are challenged to make wise decisions for patient care that rely on our personal ethics. The human-animal bond is a powerful force that drives our profession. Every moment that society beneficially interacts with animals for work, hobby, play, sport, companionship or nature affirms life enrichment and the value of our profession. Our professional responsibility is to serve society and relieve animal suffering. Mankind’s relationship with animals and the environment is important. Society is inclined to extend an attitude of gratitude to all the creatures and the lands and oceans of the earth. Organized professions will be challenged with questions and dilemmas such as: • Can mankind and Big Agriculture restore the stewardship role with animals and the environment yet still feasibly feed the world? • Will the amazing biodiversity discovered in the oceans by genomic researcher Craig Venter and his floating genomic laboratory generate volumes of nutritious food and clean fuel for the future? • Will the emerging ocean harvests …
MWI Veterinary Supply Inc. Reports Revenue GrowthFebruary 4, 2010 MWI Veterinary Supply Inc., a distributor of animal health products to veterinarians across the United States, reports solid increases in its financial results for first quarter ended Dec. 31, 2009. The Meridian, Idaho-based company exceeded expectations for earnings, margins, expense control, Internet sales and hiring of sales representatives, said Jim Cleary, president and chief executive officer. “Our revenue growth for companion animal products was very strong while our production animal revenues were impacted by a vendor contract change and unfavorable economic conditions for livestock producers.” This change in the mix of product revenues contributed to increased profits during the quarter. Additionally, he said MWI delivered record earnings by providing excellent service to customers and vendors, while controlling expenses. Among the highlights: Internet sales to independent veterinary practices and producers grew by approximately 34 percent for the quarter compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Product sales from the Internet as a percentage of sales increased to 32 percent for the quarter as compared to 27 percent for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The company also hired new sales representatives near the end of the quarter to bring the total …
Angell Animal Medical Center In Boston Adds OncologistFebruary 3, 2010Carrie Wood, DVM, DACVIM, has joined the oncology team at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Mass. Dr. Wood, a board-certified specialist in medical oncology, provides comprehensive care for pets with malignant disease. She focuses on the diagnoses and management of cancer, including the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A 1992 graduate of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Wood will work with a team that has experience in all aspects of oncology, such as treatment of lymphoma, osteosarcoma and mast cell tumors. She brings more than 16 years of veterinary oncology experience to the team. After graduation, she began a combined internship at the University of Georgia in small animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Wood completed her residency in medical oncology at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1996 and received her board certification in 1997. She then spent several years at the University of Minnesota coordinating its clinical oncology service, followed by time at a private referral practice in northern Virginia. Dr. Wood joins Angell’s oncology service after practicing at a private referral hospital in central Massachusetts and on the south shore. <HOME>
New Cancer Research May Also Benefit AnimalsFebruary 2, 2010 A partnership between Colorado State University and Japan paves the way for new cancer treatments that may lead to clinical trials to treat naturally occurring tumors in larger animals such as cats and dogs, as well as humans, according to the university in Fort Collins, Colo. Colorado State University (CSU) has joined efforts with Japan to enable the university to research a cancer treatment – carbon ion therapy – not available in the United States. The bulk of the studies focus on carbon ion therapy to treat multiple cancers as well as look at medicinal chemistry therapy – the use of naturally occurring chemicals such as antioxidants – that may boost the effectiveness of carbon ion therapy for cancer treatment. Jac Nickoloff, head of CSU’s Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, said the alliance allows access to study a unique cancer therapy that has shown promise in Japanese clinical trials. “This partnership also allows us to create an international open laboratory that will be a platform for other U.S. researchers with expertise in cancer and toxicology to connect with the knowledge and resources available in Japan, the world leader in this new field of research,” he …
Wanted: Leaders For Two New AVMA BoardsFebruary 2, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) seeks volunteer leaders to fill roles on two new boards: the Task Force on AVMA Programs for Students and Recent Graduates and the AVMA 20/20 Vision Commission. The creation of the new boards has been recently approved by AVMA’s executive board. Dr. Larry R. Corry, AVMA president, said the goal is to draw talent from every sector of the profession, from different backgrounds. “That way, we can continue to ensure that our association makes decisions and creates services and programs that truly reflect the needs, desires and interests of our members,” Corry said. The new task force has been created to aid the association in reviewing programs and developing a strategic plan for involvement with veterinary students and recent graduates. To keep meeting the needs of students and new graduates, the AVMA believes it is critical to review programs it currently supports, as well as identify new areas of opportunity and seek input from students, recent graduates, faculty and veterinarians, said Dr. Kevin Dajka, director of the AVMA Membership and Field Services Division. “The AVMA has had a long tradition of supporting students, from student chapters and externships to …
