Australia Bans Pet Food IrradiationJune 1, 2009 Australia has banned the government-mandated practice of irradiating imported pet food, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. The ban comes after a number of cats died or became ill after eating irradiated cat food manufactured by the Canadian company, Champion Petfoods Ltd. The Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, has ordered the sterilization process to cease immediately after receiving international reports that some cats can suffer neurological damage from eating irradiated dry food, according to the Herald. Details on the reports were not immediately available. Late last year, Champion issued a voluntary recall of its Orijen cat food in response to multiple reports of cats showing symptoms of neurological problems after eating the food. At that time, the company reported that 30 to 40 cats were affected and four or five cats had to be euthanized. Champion eventually pulled out of the Australian market after concluding that the health issues were caused by Australia’s irradiation process. Additionally, Champion changed its policy to one that prohibits it from selling to countries where its products will be irradiated. <HOME>
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New York Legislators Introduce Bills To Regulate Dog And Cat DealersJune 1, 2009 New York state legislators have introduced two bills, Senate Bill 5392 and Senate Bill 4961, that aim to regulate dog and cat dealers. The Senate Committee on Agriculture is set to hear the two measures on June 2. As introduced, Senate Bill 5392 seeks to limit dog and cat ownership. Under the proposal, no person or business would be allowed to possess more than 50 intact dogs over the age of four months and intact cats over the age of four months that are kept for the purpose of breeding and selling of their offspring. The bill would authorize officials to confiscate animals from violators. Senate Bill 4961 amends the definition of a “pet dealer” to include anyone who sells, offers to sell or negotiates the sale of “animals born or raised on the premises of another or who keeps on his or her premises more than four intact female dogs six months of age or older for the purpose of breeding.” The definition still includes breeders who sell or offer to sell animals, but eliminates the current exemption for those who sell less than 25 animals per year. Senate Bill 4961 also sets forth a …
Denver Pit Bull Lawsuit Gets New LifeMay 29, 2009 An appeal challenging the constitutionality of the Denver breed ban has been allowed to move forward by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The decision favors plaintiffs Sonya Dias, Hillary Engel and Sheryl White in their appeal challenging the city’s breed ban, which prohibits pit bulls within the city limits. Specifically, the Denver ordinance bans ownership or possession, and calls for the euthanization, of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier, or any dog with a majority of physical traits of one or more of these breeds within the city and county. The dog-owning plaintiffs Dias, Engel and White have asserted that the breed ban is unconstitutional. The original lawsuit filed by the three former Denver residents stated that they were forced to move out of the city with their dogs because of the ban, which they claimed was a violation of their constitutional rights. This ruling reverses the United States District Court of Colorado’s dismissal of the suit in 2007. More than 1,000 dogs within the city limits have been euthanized as a result of the ordinance. <HOME>
Optibrand To Market ClearView Optical Imaging System In JapanMay 29, 2009 Optibrand Ltd. of Ft. Collins, Colo., recently received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to market its ClearView Optical Imaging System in Japan. The system, which digitally captures images of the retina and other internal eye structures, will be marketed by Meni-one Co. Ltd. beginning in June. Optibrand recently signed on other commercialization partners as well. For instance, the company chose Dan Scott and Associates of Westerville, Ohio, as its exclusive ClearView partner in North and South America. In addition, Optibrand has an exclusive partnership agreement with Eickemeyer in Europe and with VetServices in Australia/New Zealand. <HOME>
FDA Initiates Animal Drug Grant ProgramMay 28, 2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has initiated a grant program to support the development of new animal drugs intended for minor species or minor uses in major species. Major species include: • Dogs • Cats • Horses • Cattle • Pigs • Turkeys • Chickens All other animal species, except humans, are considered minor species. The grant program was established by the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act of 2004. A MUMS grant must be for the purpose of “defraying the costs of qualified safety and effectiveness testing expenses incurred in connection with the development of designated new animal drugs.” The FDA will offer $750,000 in grants for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. Grants for total costs will be available for up to $50,000 per year for up to two years for routine studies; and up to $100,000 per year for up to two years for studies of unusual complexity, duration or size. A third year of funding may be available for long-term toxicology studies. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by July 1. Click here for details.
Study: Household Income Strong Predictor Whether Cats Are NeuteredMay 27, 2009 About 80 percent of cats living in U.S. households are neutered, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Assn. The telephone survey of 1,205 adults, representing 850 cats, further revealed that annual family income was the strongest predictor of whether cats in the household were neutered, with middle- to higher-income households reporting rates of more than 90 percent. The peer-reviewed study is said to be the first nationally representative study to thoroughly examine the correlation between income and neuter status. The study was based on data collected by Harris Interactive for the nonprofit group Alley Cat Allies. “This study indicates that spaying and neutering is an accepted, established practice among the large majority of Americans with pet cats,” said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies. “This is a very positive finding. As a result, our nation’s pet cats are living much healthier lives.” The proportion of cats that were neutered differed significantly across annual family income groups: 96.2 percent of cats in households with an income of $75,000 were neutered. 90.7 percent of cats in households with an income …
UC Davis Dean Joins MMI BoardMay 26, 2009 Bennie Osburn, dean of the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, has joined Medical Management International Inc.’s board of directors. MMI operates under the name Banfield, The Pet Hospital, which is based in Portland, Ore. The three-year appointment of Dr. Osburn, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVP, is effective immediately. “Every academic leader, doctor and professional who is appointed to our board brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Dr. Osburn is no exception,” said Pamela Mars Wright, chairman of the board. “We continually work to build relationships that help establish and refine best practices and medical standards that we can share with the veterinary profession. Dr. Osburn’s contributions will certainly help the board work toward achieving these goals.” Osburn has been involved in key discoveries involving food animal viruses, developmental immunology, congenital infections and food safety. He has produced more than 280 peer-review publications. <HOME>
Nestle Purina Launches Weight-Loss ChallengeMay 22, 2009 Nestle Purina PetCare of St. Louis, Mo., is sponsoring the 2009 OM Weight-Loss Challenge, a program designed to facilitate responsible, lasting weight loss in dogs and cats. Before beginning the challenge, eligible pets will be given a health assessment by their veterinarian. Pets in the program may be placed on Purina Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management Canine or Feline Formula, low-fat, low-calorie diets. Veterinarians will provide owners with pet weight-loss tips. Some clinics may offer tools such as a feeding cup to accurately measure portion sizes. Clients are encouraged to return to the clinic with their pets at 30-, 60- and 90-day intervals to measure their progress and assess their health. Veterinary clinics can qualify to win prizes if pets lose at least 5 percent of their starting body weight from June 1 to Nov. 30. Three clinics drawn at random will win Best Buy gift cards. Pet owners will receive a $10 rebate on a purchase of OM, or $12 on a purchase of OM and Lite Snackers. “The Purina Veterinary Diets OM Weight-Loss Challenge offers veterinary clinics tools to establish protocols and programs that make it easy …
Nutro Recalls Limited Range Of Dry Cat Food ProductsMay 21, 2009 Nutro Products of Franklin, Tenn., has issued a voluntary recall of select varieties of its Natural Choice Complete Care and Nutro Max dry cat foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010, and Aug. 22, 2010. The recalled products contain incorrect levels of zinc and potassium, according to the company. Nutro pointed to a production error at a U.S.-based premix supplier as the cause of the zinc and potassium imbalance. According to Nutro, two mineral premixes, which are added to cat food as nutritional supplements, were affected by the production error. One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium, the company reported. Nutro said the issue was identified during an audit of its documentation from the supplier. The cat food products are being recalled in the United States and ten other countries. Affected products were distributed to retail customers in all 50 states, as well as to customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand and Israel. Nutro said it is working with all of its distributors and retail customers to ensure the recalled products are removed from shelves. …
Former AAHA President Worth Dies Of CancerMay 19, 2009 Anna Worth, VMD, died May 16 following a long battle with pancreatic cancer, the American Animal Hospital Association reported. She was 55. “It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we say goodbye to such a compassionate and talented individual,” said John Albers, DVM, AAHA executive director. “AAHA will forever be indebted to Anna’s unwavering devotion and leadership to the association and our profession.” Dr. Worth served as AAHA president in 2008-2009 and on its board of directors since 2002. She also served on the veterinarian student work group, mentoring guidelines work group and referral task force , and was instrumental in the creation of the AAHA Helping Pets Fund. She and husband Bob Bergman, VMD, married during veterinary school. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1978, they moved to Shaftsbury, Vt., to own and operate West Mountain Animal Hospital. Worth was also a past president of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics and Vermont Veterinary Medical Association and a past chair of the Vermont Animal Cruelty Task Force, the Vermont Animal Welfare Committee and the Euthanasia Board for Animals. She also served as the Vermont …
