New Joint Industries Conference Set For SeptemberJanuary 21, 2010 Changes are in store for the Pet Food Institute’s (PFI) annual meeting this fall, when the Washington, D.C.-based organization unites with its strategic partner, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), to host a new Feed and Pet Food Joint Industries Conference for the animal feed and pet food sectors on Sept. 22-24 in Chicago, Ill. This event marks the first conference of its kind for these industry sectors, organizers say. The joint conference will focus on top business trends, food and feed safety developments, and operational challenges facing the animal feed and pet food industries. The initial conference revolves around the theme, “Working in the Rapidly Changing Business, Operations and Regulatory Environment.” In order to co-host, PFI will change the dates and location of the PFI Annual Industry Meeting, which previously was scheduled for October in Washington, D.C. In addition, the NGFA will move its annual Feed Industry Conference, traditionally conducted in December, to coincide with the collaboration. The program will cover business-focused topics, such as the outlook for the supply, quality, cost and availability of ingredients used in manufacturing animal feed and pet food; new trends; and the demand for environmental sustainability. Topics …
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Organizations To Reveal Attributes Of Successful Veterinary PracticesJanuary 20, 2010 Early this year, the results of a Success Attributes Initiative are set to be released to identify the characteristics and behaviors that are consistent with optimal veterinary practice performance and success. Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), VetPartners, and the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) are partnering to tackle the question: What makes some practices thrive and not others? Christine Shupe, CAE, executive director of VHMA, says the main goal is to provide those practices that are not running as efficiently as they could be with the tools, resources and knowledge to manage their practices more efficiently and eventually become more effective and profitable. The first step of the joint initiative is to seek information via an online survey from veterinary practices. Dick Goebel, DVM, immediate past president, VetPartners, says the key is to learn the differences between practices based on their profitability. It’s also important to pinpoint the specific characteristics of high-performing practices, Shupe adds. The second step - validating results and conducting in-depth interviews with staff at these successful practices - gets underway shortly. Karen Felsted, CPA, MS, DVM, CVPM, CEO of NCVEI, says, “One key factor we hope to identify is what …
Hill’s Honors Dr. John Harvey With 2010 Mark L. Morris Sr. Lifetime Achievement AwardJanuary 18, 2010 Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. has recognized John W. Harvey, DVM, Ph.D., with the 2010 Mark L. Morris Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award, presented Jan. 16 at the opening ceremony of the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Fla. This year, the honor goes to a veterinarian who has contributed to the welfare of companion animals through a lifetime of professional work, according to the Topeka, Kan.-based pet food manufacturer. Dr. Harvey serves as professor and executive associate dean and award-winning professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. His work in clinical pathology and physiology, along with his expertise in hematology, makes him an ideal candidate for the award, Hills said. “Dr. Harvey is a highly dedicated and world-renowned educator, and his accomplishments make him very deserving of this Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Daniel Aja, DVM, director of professional affairs at Hill’s. Dr. Harvey’s scholastic accomplishments include 113 refereed papers in veterinary and human medicine journals (many describing syndromes not previously recognized), three books, 46 book chapters, 56 proceedings papers, 65 abstracts and 31 research grants. He is an accomplished national and international lecturer with more than 250 major seminar engagements worldwide. A …
Who Should Euthanize Leia?January 18, 2010"Leia's owners are ready for euthanasia. Who do you want to do it?" It really was a sad situation. Leia, a 12-year-old Jack Russell, had been losing weight over several weeks. She was vomiting and anorexic. Laparotomy confirmed exactly what the referring vet's ultrasound had indicated: a small intestinal mass and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Jejunal resection and anastomosis, as well as biopsies of a lymph node and the liver were uneventful. The following day, Leia remained lethargic and anorexic. She continued to vomit and became hypoglycemic. Hypoglycemia strongly suggested cancer, with lymphoma high on the differential list. Despite intensive care, she didn't improve. The next day, the "stat" biopsy confirmed the suspicion of lymphoma in all three locations: jejunum, lymph node and liver. The owner visited and eventually elected euthanasia. Without any doubt, they were doing the humane thing. Because I was in the middle of a splenectomy, I couldn't perform euthanasia myself, and there was no reason to prolong the owners' agony – and Leia's. "Leia's owners are ready for euthanasia. Who do you want to do it?" asked my nurse. I answered: "Whichever technician is the least emotionally attached." Dr. KL, who was observing surgery for the …
Veterinary Outreach In Haiti Includes Mobile Animal ClinicJanuary 15, 2010 Veterinary Outreach in Haiti Includes Mobile Animal Clinic Veterinary Outreach in Haiti Includes Mobile Animal Clinic newsline The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) continues to monitor the situation in Haiti and prepare the distribution of veterinary medical supplies as needed, says Heather Case, the association’s coordinator for emergency preparedness and response. The main focus is to help human survivors of the 7.0 earthquake that struck Jan. 12, then after about a week, Case says, the attention turns to companion animals, livestock and wildlife. “There are some livestock issues that are of concern, as well as some companion animal issues,” she says. It’s anticipated that the immediate needs will include vaccinations and supplies for traumas. According to Chris Cutter, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) spokesperson, the organization has a team on the ground in neighboring Dominican Republic and is stocking a mobile clinic to take into Haiti. “It’s impossible to tell at the moment, but we’re preparing to do some mass vaccinating and feeding of backyard livestock along with acute vet care, vaccination and feeding of companion animals,” Cutter says. He adds that there’s a big population of stray dogs in the …
PetWise Veterinary Website Design And Hosting Service UnveiledJanuary 15, 2010 To help veterinary clinics be more efficient and profitable, McAllister Software Systems now offers the PetWise veterinary website design and hosting service. Creators of AVImark veterinary software, Piedmont, Mo.-based McAllister Software says PetWise creates and hosts websites for veterinary clinics and also integrates with veterinary practice management software to give clients access to pet health information and medical records online. Because engaging, search-engine-friendly websites help clinics connect with new clients, and useful, interactive sites help retain them, the company says the new PetWise service is designed to help veterinary clinics reach this goal. Rob McAllister, senior director of special projects, says PetWise websites are built to increase client loyalty, boost compliance and improve patient health records. PetWise offers three levels of service. The starter pack includes website design and hosting, a unique web site domain with email accounts, a content management system so veterinary clinics can update content, search engine optimization, and Google analytics to monitor Internet traffic. The basic pack adds the ability for clients to view and track pet medical records and health information, without leaving the clinic website, via integration with veterinary software. It also allows online appointment and boarding …
UPDATED: Merrick Recalls One Lot Of Beef Filet Dog TreatsJanuary 15, 2010 Although no illnesses had been reported, and after potentially contaminated products had been removed from store shelves, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to use Merrick Beef Filet Squares for dogs with a package date of “Best By 111911” because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. On Jan. 11, Amarillo, Texas-based Merrick Pet Care notified 82 retail stores that may have received product from 72 affected cases of the product about the potential contamination. All potentially contaminated product (Item # 60016/Lot Code “9323 best buy 111911) had been removed from store shelves by Jan. 13, Merrick reported. About 20 cases of the affected lot (0323 best buy 111911) were unaccounted for and presumed to be sold to pet owners.. The warning is limited to the affected product, which come packaged in a green, red and tan re-sealable 10-oz. bag. Merrick advises all consumers to review the lot code stamped on the top of the bag and to dispose of any Beef Filet Squares from lot “9323 best buy 111911.” The date code is imprinted on the top portion of the bag and likely torn off when the package is opened, according …
Veterinary Teams Ready To Help In Aftermath Of Haiti EarthquakeJanuary 14, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says it is closely following the early response efforts in Haiti to determine the needs of animals in the Caribbean nation. The 7.0 earthquake near the capital of Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12 toppled buildings and killed thousands of people. The AVMA says that first it must determine if and how the organization and others involved in animal welfare and health can help in response and recovery efforts. The immediate focus will be to help with humanitarian rescue efforts for the first week. Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams are on standby to assist with the tragedy, the AVMA says. Once the initial human needs are met, the organization plans to address the animal issues. The International Fund for Animal Welfare also is keeping a close eye on the developments in Haiti. IFAW’s Emergency Relief team remains on high alert to help in meeting human needs such as getting food, clean water, shelter and medical attention to survivors. After those needs are met, rescue teams are expected to help the animal victims. So far, it appears that the majority of relief efforts will probably revolve around livestock, the AVMA says.One challenge in …
VetCentric Expands Services In Partnerships With Hill’s And ImproMedJanuary 14, 2010 VetCentric Inc., a veterinary-only pharmacy based in the Baltimore-Washington area that provides home delivery services on behalf of veterinarians, joins with Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. and ImproMed Inc. to expand its offerings. This means VetCentric’s One-Click Home Delivery will integrate with Oshkosh, Wis.-based ImproMed’s Infinity veterinary practice management software. The partnership allows veterinarians to offer home delivery of pharmaceuticals, compound medications, and therapeutic and wellness diets directly from their practice management system. Ted Root, president and CEO of VetCentric, said the merge represents a key step in fulfilling a commitment to improving patient health and increasing compliance in practices. "One-Click Home Delivery through Infinity offers clinics easy access to a vast range of prescription medication, dramatically expanding treatment options without inventory cost,” Root said. To use, a veterinarian checks the “Send to Home Delivery” box when creating a prescription in Infinity and the prescription information is electronically sent directly to VetCentric, where the order is filled and delivered directly to the client’s home. Ron Detjen, president and CEO of ImproMed, said the partnership simplifies home delivery, improves pet health and compliance, and arms veterinary clinics with an easy way to compete with Internet pharmacies. …
American Kennel Club Expands Microchip Options For VeterinariansJanuary 13, 2010New microchip options unveiled by the American Kennel Club’s Companion Animal Recovery (CAR) program expand the options available for veterinarians, according to the AKC. An added ISO microchip along with microchip incentive programs will be exhibited at the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC), Monday, Jan. 18. The AKC CAR says the newly added ISO microchip – the accepted microchip for pets traveling to and from the European Union and Canada – is important for veterinarians with clients in Canada, near the border, or who travel throughout North America and Europe with their animals. Along with this technology, there are two incentive programs – Free Microchip or Prepaid Enrollment – giving veterinarians more options when providing permanent identification services for their clients’ pets. At the NAVC in Orlando, Fla., attendees will see a variety of microchips including the ISO microchip. In addition, pet recovery experts will be available to discuss how these new microchip programs benefit veterinarians. Tom Sharp, CEO of the recovery program, says that giving the veterinarian community multiple incentive programs as well as two widely distributed microchips with a variety of delivery systems ultimately benefits pets and their owners. “Having more options for veterinarians,” he adds, “will translate …
