Report On Non-Native Giant Snakes Criticized As ‘Unscientific’November 24, 2009 A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report, touted by some as justification for a ban on pythons, is being criticized as “unscientific” by a group of scientists. In a letter sent to U.S. legislators on Nov. 24, the group claims the report, which assesses the ecological risks associated with nine non-native large snakes, is not based on best science practices and has not undergone external peer-review. The report, released Oct. 13, identified Burmese pythons, northern and southern African pythons, boa constrictors and yellow anaconda as having a high risk for invasiveness in the United States. The other four snakes studied — reticulated python, Deschauensee’s anaconda, green anaconda and Beni anaconda — were assessed as posing a medium-risk. The report was recently discussed during a hearing for H.R. 2811 before a subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary. H.R. 2811 seeks to include Burmese and African rock pythons to the list of injurious species, thus prohibiting the import, export and interstate movement of the snakes. The bill’s proponents, including the Humane Society of the United States, provided written testimony recommending that the bill be amended to include all nine snakes included in the USGS report. …
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Alternative Medicine Under PressureNovember 24, 2009 1. Angell M and Kassirer JP. Alternative medicine – the risks of untested and unregulated remedies. NEJM. 1998;339:839-841. 2. Weissmann G. The Atlanta Falcon and Tono-Bungay: Dietary supplements as subprime drugs. [Editorial] The FASEB Journal. 2009;23:1279-1282. 3. Kurtzweil P. How to spot health fraud. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Obtained here on 09-16-09. 4. American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association 2009 Blog. Obtained here on 09-13-09. 5. A quote coined by Feyerabend. Cited in Happle R. The essence of alternative medicine. A dermatologist’s view from Germany. Archives of Dermatology. 1998;134:1455-1460. 6. Ohio State University Veterinary Continuing Education Program. Introduction to Animal Reiki for Veterinary Professionals course. 2 CE hours. Brochure downloaded here on 09-12-09. 7. Ohio State University Veterinary Continuing Education Program. Introduction to Animal Reiki for Veterinary Professionals course. 2 CE hours. Brochure downloaded here on 09-12-09. 8. Tufts University E-News. East-West synergy. Obtained here on 09-12-09. 9. Williams D and Locke L. Letter to the Colorado Horse Council on the End of the 2007 Legislative Session Report. Obtained here on 09-12-09. 10. Johnson C. Keeping a critical …
FDA Proposes New Requirements For Animal Food LabelsNovember 23, 2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a rule that would require manufacturers to list the common or usual names of FDA-certified color additives on animal food labels. The agency is accepting public comment on the proposal until Feb. 22, 2010. As published in the Nov. 23 issue of the Federal Register, the proposed rule would amend the FDA’s animal food regulations to add a new paragraph detailing how the common names of FDA-certified color additives used in animal foods, including animal feed and pet food, should be declared in the ingredient list. The proposed rule also suggests appropriate terminology for declaring certification-exempt color additives on the animal food labels. According to the FDA, the proposed rule is in response to the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990. The act amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require, among other things, the common or usual names of all FDA-certified color additives to be listed on food labels. Although the 1990 amendments apply both to human and animal foods, the regulations pertaining to animal foods have yet to be issued. Click here to view the proposed rule in its entirety …
Immunovaccine Signs License Agreement With Pfizer Animal HealthNovember 23, 2009 Immunovaccine Inc. of Halifax, Nova Scotia, recently licensed its patented vaccine delivery technology to Pfizer Animal Health. The New York-based company plans to develop enhanced cattle vaccines incorporating the technology. Specific terms of the exclusive, worldwide license agreement were not disclosed. However, Immunovaccine reported that it will receive upfront signing fees in addition to subsequent milestone payments and royalties on any Immunovaccine-delivered vaccines developed by Pfizer Animal Health. The strength of Immunovaccine’s platform lies in its ability to reduce the number of required doses and to significantly enhance antibody onset and duration, according to the company. “We see global demand growing among beef and dairy producers for new vaccines that can be safely and easily administered,” said Juan Ramon Alaix, president of Pfizer Animal Health. “Pfizer looks forward to developing cattle vaccines incorporating Immunovaccine technology that will contribute to meeting this demand.” Pfizer Animal Health reported that it is also licensing other Immunovaccine technology for the development of particular livestock vaccines. <HOME>
Pet Insurance: Benefit Schedules As Managed CareNovember 23, 2009 Jack L. Stephens, DVM, the father of pet health insurance in the U.S., wrote an article about the 80/20 percent reimbursement model of pet insurance on June 25, 2009. On August 20, 2009, Tom Kendall, DVM, replied, warning of pitfalls in that model making the case for a benefit schedule. In this piece, Dr. Stephens responds and poses a challenge. Tom, Pet insurance can and must be easy and straightforward to understand. Pet owners need to know how much they will be reimbursed for their pet’s care, otherwise how can pet owners plan financially? With the benefit schedule you describe, clients receive 50-55 percent reimbursement of veterinary care according to the VPI report to the Vet Partners Association. I believe this is a form of managed care, when fees are set with no regard to practice cost, quality of care, differences in economic areas and, of course, the severity or complications of treatments. For example, as you know, not all pets with pancreatitis respond the same, so how can there be only one benefit amount? When reimbursements are much …
Institute Of Medicine To Study One HealthNovember 20, 2009 The Institute of Medicine is planning a study that would shape the One Health vision. The announcement was made Nov. 17 at the One Health Summit, which was put on by the One Health Commission in partnership with the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. The summit's purpose was to raise awareness of the importance of enhanced integration of human health, animal health and ecosystem health sciences. The commission describes One Health as the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines to obtain optimal health for people, animals and the environment. The Institute of Medicine study will examine the interdependencies of human, animal and ecosystem health and assess the potential value to be gained through a collaborative approach toward improved health worldwide. The results of the study will be used to develop a strategic roadmap for public and private policies and initiatives that will be instrumental in shaping the implementation of the One Health vision, according to the Institute of Medicine. “The Institute of Medicine study will afford the opportunity to develop an evidence-based rationale for One Health and offer recommendations to guide the implementation of One Health, both domestically and internationally,” said Roger Mahr, …
Oregon Cat With H1N1 DiesNovember 19, 2009 The Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian confirmed Nov. 18 that a cat in Oregon has died from presumed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection. It’s believed that this is the first feline H1N1 fatality and the third case of a cat with the virus, according to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association. The other two cats from Iowa and Utah have recovered. The deceased 10-year-old male cat lived with three other cats that also became ill with different degrees of sneezing and coughing. None of them had an elevated temperature. Nasal swab samples were collected and yielded no other positive results for H1N1, according to the OVMA In these cases, it is believed that the cats caught the virus from humans in their households who were sick with influenza-like symptoms. However, Emilio DeBess, DVM, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian, cautions veterinarians and pet owners that it may be possible for cats to transmit the virus to humans. Coughing and sneezing can spread the virus which can remain infectious for about a week outside the body, he said. The OVMA encourages people to thoroughly wash their hands when handling sick pets or when they are sick. Still, the …
Veterinarians Do Double Duty At Trade ShowsNovember 19, 2009 WANTED: Veterinarian engaged in small-animal practice. Must love dogs, cats, parrots that talk back and energetic monkeys, and enjoy working and networking in a social setting. If this sounds beyond the scope of a typical small-animal hospital environment, it is. These days, veterinarians are enjoying getting out of the exam room and being on call at the many pet trade shows that are big business across America. “Over the years we’ve had a variety of emergency and bizarre incidents,” says Colette Fairchild, trade show manager for H.H Backer Associates Inc., a company that hosts two shows a year in Chicago and Baltimore. “But the year a dog bit a huge chunk out of another dog and the consequences turned into a verbal and legal debacle, we decided that it would be a good idea to have a veterinarian on call throughout each event who could immediately determine the level of the emergency and suggest further treatment. We also have 24-hour veterinary hospitals in the area on alert to assist should the need arise. “It turned out to be a very good decision because the first year we had a veterinarian on call, a dog taking …
Study: Veterinarians Embrace New And Social MediaNovember 19, 2009 Small and large animal veterinarians are actively texting and emailing for business and personal reasons, according to a new study conducted by Nicholson Kovac Inc., a marketing communications company. The Veterinarian New Media Usage Study, which surveyed 425 small and large animal veterinarians, revealed that more than half of small animal veterinarians and almost three quarters of large animal veterinarians have sent or received text messages for business reasons during the past year. About 91 percent of small animal veterinarians check websites related to animal health, while 92 percent of large animal veterinarians check animal health-related websites. Both groups have websites established related to their practices, 70 percent of small animal veterinarians versus 43 percent of large animal veterinarians. In addition, 85 percent of both groups have visited Facebook, 33 percent have visited MySpace and 20 percent have accounts on Twitter. “This eye-opening research shows that veterinarians are using a number of new tools to communicate with their customers and staff,” said Sheree Johnson, senior vice president, director of media services at Nicholson Kovac. “Many of them send text messages to practice or clinic staff and other veterinarians. “We also found it interesting …
ACVS Bestows Awards At Veterinary SymposiumNovember 19, 2009Donald Piermattei, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS, received the ACVS Founders’ Award for Career Achievement. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the art and science of veterinary surgery by diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. “Dr. Piermattei is a world-recognized orthopedic surgeon with a distinguished career in academia and private practice,” said Alan Lipowitz, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, who presented the award in October during the ACVS Veterinary Symposium in Washington D.C. “He truly exemplifies the criteria to receive [the award].” Dr. Lipowitz, of the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, also received an award. The Al & Carolyn Schiller Distinguished Service Award recognizes and honors recipients for outstanding contributions to the functions of the ACVS. “Dr. Lipowitz’s attention to detail, enthusiasm, common sense, intelligence and sense of humor have been extremely important,” said Anthony Schwartz, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS, who presented the award. “He has helped the ACVS become a premier specialty organization.” In related news, the ACVS Foundation’s board of trustees presented the ACVS Foundation Legends Award to George Eyster, VMD, Dipl. ACVS. The award recognizes ACVS diplomates who developed a surgical or diagnostic procedure of significant value, proven by becoming the treatment or test of choice …
