All’s Not Quiet On The Media FrontDecember 3, 2009I’ve been censored. My work in other media has been unceremoniously dumped on back pages at times. When I talk brands, industry niches and corporate responsibility, I get heavily edited. Sometimes the legal department gets called in for a consult. But I don’t resent it. After all, somebody’s got to keep the loudmouth in line. I’ve learned the hard way. Writing about certain topics means your editor gets a call from microchip companies, over-the-counter flea-product manufacturers, or once—inexplicably—the Taser brand stun gun people (when I suggested that their product might be less than safely employed as a puppy park accessory). Editors get all jumpy about these things. No one likes a bullying phone call from PetMeds’ legal peeps after they get their panties in a bunch over an online pharmacy smackdown in USA Today. Uneven Relationships Then there are the advertisers. A certain pet food company turns up its nose at advertising with any work I author at a large online pet portal (not that I ever wrote anything uncomplimentary about its products). Another, however, will happily do so, in spite of more than one bit of negative writing with respect to its product line. How to fathom the mind …
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Discovery Could Lead To New Treatment Options For ‘Ich’ In Freshwater Fish, Scientists SayDecember 3, 2009 A team of researchers reported on Dec.3 that they have discovered the presence of two bacteria in Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, or “Ich,” a single-celled parasite that commonly attacks freshwater fish. They hope the discovery could open up new avenues for treating fish infected with the parasite. The discovery was made during an Ich genome mapping project conducted by five researchers from The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, two researchers from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and one researcher from the J. Craig Venter Institute. While working to sequence the genome, they found that the parasite harbors two apparently symbiotic intracellular bacteria: Bacteroides and Rickettsia. The scientists say the two bacteria represent new species. “It was unexpected; it was stunning to find bacteria in Ich. And, it came about due to the genome sequencing,” said Harry Dickerson, a co-author of the study, which is published in the December issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Now, the scientists plan to determine if Ich remains infective if the bacteria are removed. They say it could bring them a step closer to developing better treatment for Ich, also known as white spot disease. Ich bores into the …
Thiamine Deficient Cat Food Recall Notice UpdatedDecember 2, 2009 Diamond Pet Foods of Meta, Mo., recently reported that 21 cases of thiamine deficiency in cats have been confirmed since the company’s September voluntary recall of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball products. The cases have been confined to the New York and Pennsylvania areas and no other reports have been received since Oct. 19, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company first announced the recall on Sept. 23, stating that the products were deficient in thiamine, an essential ingredient for cats, according to the FDA. Symptoms of deficiency can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. In the first stage, cats may show decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. Neurologic signs can develop later, including ventriflexion of the neck, wobbly walking, circling, falling and seizures. If left untreated, it may lead to death, according to the FDA. Cat owners are urged to contact their veterinarian if their pet has consumed the recalled product and have any of these symptoms. The affected products were distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and …
Nominations For Feline Research Award Being AcceptedDecember 1, 2009 Winn Feline Foundation and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation are inviting nominations for the 2010 Excellence in Feline Research award. The award recognizes the veterinary research scientist whose work mirrors Winn’s efforts to improve the lives of “Every Cat, Every Day.” The winner, who will be announced at the annual American Veterinary Medical Association convention in Atlanta July 31-Aug. 3, will receive $2,500 in cash, $1,000 to offset round trip airfare and other travel expenses to the conference and a crystal cat sculpture. A scholarship award will also be awarded to a veterinary student interested in feline medicine. Nominations are due Feb. 1. Click here for details or e - mail smonahan@avma.org.
Spay A Pet, Save A LifeDecember 1, 2009Ever have a hard time convincing pet owners to spay their cat or dog? You might want to share some compelling numbers with them. It actually might help you save your patient's life. The risk of a dog having mammary tumors is 0.05 percent if she is spayed before the first heat. Then it shoots up to an 8 percent risk after the first heat, and 26 percent after the second heat. If the dog is spayed after 2 years of age, then there is no more protection. . Over 25 percent of non-spayed female dogs will develop mammary tumors! . Being obese or having received some hormones (estrogens, progesterone) can increase that risk. . In dogs, approximately 50 percent of mammary tumors are benign and 50 percent are malignant. . In cats, 90 percent of mammary tumors are malignant, so spaying is even more important. . Size does matter. In dogs, if a malignant tumor is smaller than 2 inches in diameter, we hope for a survival of one to two years. If the tumor measures more than 2 inches in diameter, survival could be 6 months. . In cats, the cutoff is …
Dogs In China Reportedly Test Positive For H1N1November 30, 2009 Two dogs in Beijing have tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, which cited the Xinhua News Agency on Nov. 28. To date, there have not been any confirmed cases of dogs infected with the virus. The Chinese press reported that the virus found in the dogs was a 99 percent match for the flu currently infecting humans. The breed of the dogs has not been released. The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus has also been detected in cats, ferrets, pigs, birds and humans. The AVMA urges pet owners to monitor their pets’ health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness. The AVMA is tracking all instances of H1N1 in animals and posting updates on its website. The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association is also posting updated information on H1N1 as it becomes available. Click here for veterinarians looking for information on how and when to submit samples to Oregon State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Related news: Oregon Cat with H1N1 Dies …
Butler Schein Animal Health To Form Under New AgreementNovember 30, 2009 Henry Schein Inc.’s U.S. animal health business and Butler Animal Health Supply have agreed to form Butler Schein Animal Health. The new company, to be headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, will be 50.1 percent owned by Henry Schein and 49.9 percent owned by Butler Animal Health Supply, including Oak Hill Partners and The Ashkin Family Group. Kevin Vasquez, Butler Animal Health Supply chairman, president and chief executive officer, will lead the new company as chief executive officer. “The creation of Butler Schein Animal Health is great news for veterinarians nationwide,” Vasquez said. “We intend to offer our current and future customers the broadest selection of veterinary products and value-added services in the industry. In addition to the efficiency and convenience of ordering from one primary supplier for nearly all veterinary practice needs, our customers also can rely on us to continue providing the highest level of service.” Vasquez’s team will include senior animal health executives from Butler Animal Health Supply and Henry Schein Animal Health. Senior sales and marketing leaders at Henry Schein will continue in senior roles at Butler Schein Animal Health. About 900 Butler Schein Animal Health team members, including about 300 field …
Quality Of Life ScaleNovember 30, 2009 Click here to download Dr. Villalobos' Quality of Life Scale Quality of Life Scale1 The HHHHHMM Scale Pet caregivers can use this Quality of Life Scale to determine the success of pawspice care. Score patients using a scale of 1 to 10. Score Criterion H: 0 - 10 HURT - Adequate pain control, including breathing ability, is first and foremost on the scale. Is the pet's pain successfully managed? Is oxygen necessary? H: 0 - 10 HUNGER - Is the pet eating enough? Does hand feeding help? Does the patient require a feeding tube? H: 0 - 10 HYDRATION - Is the patient dehydrated? For patients not drinking enough, use subcutaneous fluids once or twice daily to supplement fluid intake. H: 0 - 10 HYGIENE - The patient should be brushed and cleaned, particularly after elmination. Avoid pressure sores and keep all wounds clean. H: 0 - 10 HAPPINESS - Does the pet express joy and interest? Is the pet responsive to things around him or …
Heska Enters Into Supply Agreement With Roche DiagnosticsNovember 25, 2009 Heska Corp. of Loveland, Colo., has entered into an agreement with Roche Diagnostics Corp. for the supply of blood gas products and affiliated consumables for the veterinary market. “Heska and Roche share the same passion for innovating in the field of advanced point-of-care diagnostics,” said Michael McGinley, president and chief operating officer of Heska. “Because Roche is a global leader in diagnostics for the human market, we cannot imagine a better partner to further our commitment to advanced solutions to the veterinary community.” Roche Diagnostics is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. Genetech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. <HOME>
Conference To Focus On Pet Industry Growth TrendsNovember 25, 2009 Pet Industry Advisory LLC, a conference organizer in Waltham, Mass., plans to hold its Pet Industry Transformation conference Feb. 11-12 in Las Vegas, Nev. Designed for senior executives at manufacturers, and marketing companies interested in the pet market, the conference will feature 20 speakers covering eight growth strategies and trends in what organizers are terming a “strategic high-level summit.” “From our vast experience in other industries, we’ve come to know that these executive summits foster high level information exchanges not available anywhere else,” said Roz Applebaum, vice president of new product development at Pet Industry Advisory (PIA). Applebaum expects the conference to attract between 50 and 75 industry executives from specialty, food and over-the-counter pharmaceutical/supplement companies. She expects that roughly 10 percent of attendees will represent companies planning to enter the pet industry. The conference had nine registrants before Thanksgiving, with relatively little outreach, she said. The conference’s goal is to provide information on market trends to senior executives and to provide opportunities for networking. Applebaum expects to hold additional conferences, perhaps one as soon as June. PIA also expects to provide senior executives information through its website and webinars. Both she and PIA …
