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 …
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Barn Workers At Greater Risk Of Developing Respiratory Symptoms, Study FindsNovember 18, 2009 Barn personnel may be at risk of developing higher than average rates of respiratory symptoms due to poor air quality in horse barns, according to a new study by Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. The study, which polled more than 80 New England horse barn workers, found that 50 percent of individuals working in barns complained of coughing, wheezing or other ailments in the last year, compared to 15 percent in the control group of 74 people. “It has long been known that lower respiratory illness is common in horses, and this is typically attributed to the amount of dust in barns,” said Melissa Mazan, DVM, associate professor of clinical sciences at the Cummings School and the study’s lead author. “Our hope was to see whether this poor air quality affects horse owners, and it appears that it might.” Further study is necessary to determine the causes of respiratory distress, according to Dr. Mazan. However, the study results may be similar among pig, dairy and chicken farmers who also work in environments high in organic dust. A 2001 study of European animal farmers found similar results. Investigation of exposure to the dust, lung …
LA County Launches Dog Fighting Tip LineNovember 17, 2009 The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Nov. 17 launched a 24-hour tip line for local residents to report dog fighting. Those who call the tip line (877-NO2FITE) and provide information about a dog fighting ring, an upcoming dog fight or an individual who is involved in dog fighting will be able to collect up to $5,000 if the information leads to the arrest or conviction of individuals involved. However, if a fight is in progress, 911 should be called immediately, District Attorney Steve Cooley said at the morning press conference. “Our goal is to encourage citizens to help law enforcement root out a brutal crime that often goes unreported and occurs in the shadows,” Cooley said. Calls will be answered by a person 24 hours a day and the tip line will be available in both English and Spanish. Residents who call can remain anonymous and still collect up to $5,000 if the information leads to arrests or convictions for dog fighting. The Humane Society of the United States, which is funding the reward program, estimates that dog fighting is widespread in Los Angeles County. Specific numbers for the county were …
Putney’s $6.7M In Series B Funding To Double Research And DevelopmentNovember 16, 2009 Putney Inc., a pharmaceutical company in Portland, Maine, focusing on generic drugs for companion animals, recently received $6.7 million in Series B funding. The money will provide capital for the company to double the number of products under development for dogs and cats, double revenue and double the size of its management team, including 10 new hires in sales, marketing, business development and research and development. The Series B funding round was led by investor Peter Werth and other financial investors such as a Pritzker family trust. Series A investors were also participants. “We found Putney’s strategy and business plan to develop generic drugs for pets a compelling investment opportunity,” Werth said, chairman and president of Chemwerth Inc. “Putney’s excellent growth prospects are evidenced by its established customer alliances and nationwide reach in the veterinary channel.” William Blair & Company, a global investment firm, acted as advisor to Putney on the Series B capital raise. <HOME>
One Health Summit Scheduled For Nov. 17November 13, 2009 The One Health Commission, in partnership with the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council, will hold the One Health Summit on Nov. 17 at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the summit is to raise awareness of the importance of enhanced integration of human health, animal health and ecosystem health sciences. The summit also aims to foster communication and collaboration among the participants to more effectively work to build the One Health model. The commission describes One Health as the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines to obtain optimal health for people, animals and the environment. Rajiv Shah, MD, under secretary for research, education and economics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will deliver the keynote address. Dr. Shah was also recently nominated to head the U.S. Agency for International Development. Other speakers and presenters will include Roger Mahr, DVM, chief executive officer of the One Health Commission; Rear Admiral Ali Khan, MD, acting director of the National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne and Enteric Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Joshua Sharfstein, MD, principal deputy commissioner of the U.S. Food and …
Merck Completes Merger With Schering-PloughNovember 12, 2009 Merck & Co. Inc. has officially acquired Schering-Plough and its subsidiary Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. The companies began combined operations on Nov. 4. Merck, which sold its 50 percent of Merial Ltd. to joint venture parnter Sanofi-Aventis on Sept. 18, first announced its intentions to acquire the Kenilworth, N.J.-based company for $41.1 billion in early March. Richard Clark, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Merck, will lead the combined company, which will operate under the Merck name and be headquartered in Whitehouse Station, N.J. “With our merger now complete, we are ready to deliver on the promise of a new Merck built on a foundation of scientific innovation and dedication to the well-being of patients around the world,” Clark said. “On ‘Day One’ for the new Merck, we are stronger and better equipped to make a difference in the lives of people globally through our broadened, diversified portfolio of innovative medicines and vaccines, and products for consumer and animal health.” Merck’s animal health business has more than 1,000 marketed products and generates about $3 billion in revenue, according to the company. Merck reported that its integration plans are focused on the …
PawsPlus Acquires Animal Health AssociatesNovember 12, 2009 PawsPlus Inc., the holding company for Vetco Hospitals Inc., has acquired Animal Health Associates Inc. in an all-stock transaction. Both companies are based in Sarasota, Fla. Vetco Hospitals and Animal Health operate pet vaccination clinics in pet stores. With the acquisition, PawsPlus will offer almost 700 vaccination clinics in eight states. Five full-service Vetco Hospitals are in Southern California. “This is a perfect fit,” said K. Bryan Shobe, CEO of PawsPlus. “Animal Health is a significant player in the pet vaccination services industry, serving clients in Florida and Georgia inside Pet Supermarket, Tractor Supply Co. and independent pet stores. Their corporate philosophy, organizational structure and business model closely mirror that of our operating subsidiary, Vetco Hospitals.” George Johnson, co-founder of Animal Health, was named chief operating officer and president of PawsPlus. PawsPlus, which moved its headquarters into the newly expanded Animal Health offices in Sarasota, set a sales record in the first half of 2009 despite the flagging economy, Shobe said. Vetco’s six-month sales ending June 30 were $7.1 million, a 25 percent increase from the year-ago period. Animal Health saw sales of $3.1 million in the first six months. Combined sales for …
More Oregon Ferrets Test Positive For H1N1November 11, 2009 Oregon state officials confirmed Nov. 10 that three more ferrets have tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. This brings the total number of cases affecting ferrets in the state to four, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The ferrets that tested positive for the virus are among a group of nine ferrets that live with a family in the Roseburg area, said Emilio DeBess, DVM, Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian. All nine ferrets exhibited flu-like symptoms, but only three were taken to the veterinarian. Those three tested positive. The other ferrets were not tested, but it is believed they may have had the virus as well. All nine ferrets have recovered. The family members owning the ferrets were reportedly sick with flu-like symptoms the week prior to the animals becoming ill, according to Dr. DeBess. There are no indications that the ferrets passed the virus on to people or any other species of animal, he added. The first ferret in Oregon confirmed with the virus was diagnosed in early October. All of the sick ferrets have recovered. One ferret in Nebraska that had been confirmed with the virus has died. The Oregon …
Petsmart Adds More Pet Carousel Products To Recall ListNovember 10, 2009 Petsmart's voluntary recall of beef hoof products was expanded Nov. 10 to include a dozen more products manufactured by Pet Carousel Inc. of Sanger, Calif., because of concerns of potential salmonella contamination. The newly recalled products include additional beef hoof chews and certain rope toys containing hoof or bone components. The retailer also expanded the purchase dates to include products bought from Sept. 1 to Nov. 6. The complete list of recalled products is: Dentley’s Bulk Cattle Hoof: 1611247 (SKU), 73725703323 (UPC) Dentley’s Choobles 10-Pack Beef Hooves: 5019015 (SKU), 73725736055 (UPC) Choo-Hooves Stuffed With Cheese-Bacon: 1611993 (SKU), 3465190058 (UPC) Choo-Hooves Stuffed With Peanut Butter: 611994 (SKU), 3465190056 (UPC) Flossy Chews Choo-Hoove Roper Two-Hooves: 1813131 (SKU), 3465117005 (UPC) Flossy Chews Roper Bone Buddy: 1815505 (SKU), 3465190002 (UPC) Flossy Chews Beef Bones With Rope Toy: 5080721 (SKU), 3465117055 (UPC) Flossy Chews White Bone Rope: 5147942 (SKU), 3465117065 (UPC) Knucle Steaks 2-Pack: 5084141 (SKU), 3465190046 (UPC) Choo-Hooves Dog Chews 3-Pack: 1611410 (SKU), 3465184103 (UPC) 3-Pack Smoked Hooves: 5042279 (SKU), 3465114003 (UPC), 34651140037 (UPC) 5-lb. Cow Hooves: 5042275 (SKU), 34651150609 (UPC), 3465115060 (UPC) 5-lb. Smokies-Hooves: 5042277 (SKU), 34651140556 …
University Of California Launches Global Health InstituteNovember 10, 2009 The University of California on Nov. 9 launched a Global Health Institute using almost $4 million in startup funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The institute will begin a one-year master’s degree program for enrolling students in fall 2011 and focus the expertise of the university’s 10 campuses in creating solutions to the world’s global health challenges. “One Health: Water, Animals, Food and Society” is one of the three multicampus, multidisciplinary centers established under the institute. “It is becoming very clear that we in the United States both receive and contribute to global health problems,” said Patricia Conrad, DVM, Ph.D., a professor in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, who will lead the One Health Center. “This year we saw how new diseases like H1N1 influenza are only a short flight away from us in California and how, within days, they can spread worldwide. We also are seeing how financial decisions made in the United States can profoundly impact the entire world’s economy, just as our carbon use can alter the world’s climate. “Our students see this clearly, and they want the practical skills, relevant knowledge and opportunities to help solve the …
