LSU Awards 3 Advanced DegreesApril 17, 2009 Three students enrolled in the Graduate Academic Studies Program at Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine received advanced degrees Friday. Peter Haynes, DVM, dean of the vet school, presided over the ceremony. Stephen Gaunt, DVM, Ph.D., professor of veterinary clinical pathology, served as the representative of the LSU Graduate Council and conferred the degrees. The recipients were: • Salim Alawneh of Irbid, Jordan, who received his Ph.D. from the Department of Pathobiological Sciences. His dissertation was titled “The Zinc Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Promoter in Mouse Hepa Cells.” Alawneh’s major professor was James Miller, DVM, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology and community health. • Arun Venkatesh Iyer of Kalyan, India, who received his Ph.D. from the Department of Pathobiological Sciences. His dissertation was titled “Phylogentics and New Approaches to Vaccine Development for West Nile Virus.” Iyer’s major professor was Konstantin Kousoulas, Ph.D., professor of veterinary virology and director of the Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine. • Sara Lyle, DVM, of Baton Rouge, La., who received her Ph.D. from the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. Her dissertation was titled “The Relationship Between Pro-inflammatory Cytokines, Prostaglandins and Fetal Hypothalmic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activation in Mares With …
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Winn Feline Foundation Awards 10 Research GrantsApril 17, 2009 The Winn Feline Foundation recently awarded 10 research grants totaling $135,860 to help fund feline health studies. The organization, which received 36 proposals from researchers around the world for 2008 funding, was pleased with the number of proposals, which showed a research interest in cats. Several of the funded studies focus on feline coronavirus. Gary Whittaker, Ph.D., of Cornell University, received $15,000 to study the molecular basis of feline coronavirus pathogenesis and the development of feline infectious peritonitis , or FIP. Dr. Whittaker is seeking a better understanding of why the virus, which typically resides in the gut of the cat, sometimes mutates to infect the cat’s immune system. H.F. Egberink, DVM, Ph.D., and P.J.M. Rottier, Ph.D., of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, will receive $15,000 for their efforts to identify the cellular receptor for feline coranaviruses, which cause FIP. Drs. Egberink and Rottier believe that the lack of knowledge about these receptor cells has created a bottleneck for research into the disease, thereby hindering efforts to develop vaccines and treatments for it. Saverio Paltrinieri, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ECVCP, of the University of Milan in Italy, received $14,780 to fund his work into blood …
Microchip Rules Added To Calif. Spay/Neuter BillApril 17, 2009 California Assembly Bill 1634, now called the California Responsible Pet Ownership Act, was amended in the state’s Senate today to mandate microchipping of certain problem pets and to give pet owners license fee discounts for microchipping and spaying or neutering their pets. The bill, which already proposed to increase fines for impounded intact animals, now mandates microchipping on the first or second impoundment by an animal control agency. Current law states that a pet owner of an animal that has not been spayed or neutered and is impounded by animal control will be fined $35 on the first occurrence, $50 on the second occurrence and $100 on the third occurrence. AB 1634 would increase the above fines for dog owners to $50 for the first occurrence, $100 and microchipping of the dog at the owner’s expense for the second occurrence and would require spaying or neutering of a dog at the third occurrence. Cat owners would need to pay $50 and microchip the pet at the owner’s expense for the first occurrence and would require spaying or neutering of the cat on the second occurrence. The amendment also eliminated violations of other animal control …
FDA Issues Cat Food WarningApril 17, 2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers not to purchase or use a national cat food product because it contains salmonella bacteria. However, the manufacturer says the product is safe for cats and has faulted FDA guidelines. The FDA on Feb. 13 said that it detected salmonella bacteria in Wild Kitty Cat Food during a routine inspection Dec. 27 in which it collected and analyzed a sample of frozen raw Wild Kitty Cat Food. Salmonella bacteria infection can cause high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea in humans as well as cats. Long-term complications can include arthritis. The product, Wild Kitty Cat Food, is sold nationwide to retail stores and through distributors and Internet sales, nationwide. The FDA says after it discovered the salmonella, it contacted the food manufacturer, who refused to recall the product despite several requests that it do so. Stephanie Nadeau, the owner of Maine-based Wild Kitty Cat Food Co., confirmed the FDA’s recall requests, but told Veterinary Practice News that her company will not comply. She says is there is no need to do so. All FDA guidelines for the tainted product were followed, she said, …
AVMA’s Dr. Golab Becomes First U.S. Vet Credentialed In Animal WelfareApril 17, 2009 Gail Golab, DVM, Ph.D., head of the American Veterinary Medical Assn. Animal Welfare Division, recently became the first veterinarian in the United States to be credentialed in animal welfare. Dr. Golab earned the certification through the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists’ Animal Welfare Chapter, which involved more than two years of study and successful completion of written and oral exams. Australia is the only country that offers an animal welfare certification for veterinarians. “My work at the AVMA was a real asset to my studies, because as head of the Animal Welfare Division, I’m constantly exposed to and researching animal care practices affecting a variety of species across a range of uses,” Golab said. “I look forward to using the additional knowledge I have gained through this formal credentialing process to assist the AVMA in continuing to formulate rational and effective approaches to these complex issues.” Golab added that her studies have not only broadened her understanding of the scientific and ethical theory associated with animal welfare decisions, but have also created strong links with colleagues in the international veterinary and animal welfare communities.
Pet Food Company Recalls Dry Food ProductsApril 17, 2009 MARS Petcare issued a national recall of Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites and Pedigree Large Breed Complete Nutrition dry pet food products from sale on Friday due to potential contamination with Salmonella Schwarzengrund. The following products are affected by this recall: Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites Adult Nutrition 4 pounds UPC # 0-23100-05104 . Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites Adult Nutrition 8.8 pounds UPC # 0-23100-14719 . Pedigree Small Crunchy Bites Adult Nutrition 32 pounds UPC # 0-23100-31483 . Pedigree Large Breed Complete Nutrition 20 pounds UPC # 0-23100-29158 Affected products are identified by the letters PAE within “Best Before” ID Code on the product label [example = 808G1PAE01 12:00]. Animals infected with Salmonella Schwarzengrund may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will only have decreased appetite, fever or abdominal pain. In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the U.S Food and Drug Administration has posted food handling guidelines on its website. Click here for details, or call 866-298-8332.
Comments Sought For Proposed Reptile, Amphibian SpecialtyApril 17, 2009 The AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties is seeking comment from the public and the profession regarding the proposed reptile and amphibian practice specialty under the auspices of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. The Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians first petitioned the ABVP in 2006 to begin the process toward recognition. The ABVP submitted a formal petition for recognition of the specialty to the ABVS Committee on the Development of New Specialties in December. Comments must be received by Nov. 1. For details, contact Dr. Beth Sabin, AVMA education and research division, at esabin@avma.org or 800-248-2862 ext. 6675. <HOME>
Financial Newswire 12-20-2007April 17, 2009Henry Schein Inc. Henry Schein Inc. of Melville, N.Y., reported net income of $59.57 million on revenue of $1.51 billion for its third quarter ended Sept. 29, compared to net income of $39.29 million on revenue of $1.25 billion in the year-ago period. Year to date, the company reported net income of $136.9 million on revenue of $4.2 billion, compared to net income of $100.76 million on revenue of $3.57 billion in the year-ago period. Henry Schein acquired W. & J. Dunlop, a U.K. animal health products supplier, in its third quarter and reported that its worldwide veterinary business is at a run-rate of more than $700 million in annual sales. Hartville Group Inc. Hartville Group Inc. of Canton, Ohio, reported 58,853 pet polices for its fiscal year ended Sept. 30, up 117 percent from the 27,149 in the year-ago period. For the third quarter, the company added 7,485 pet policies, an increase of 15 percent from June 30, compared to the addition of 1,094 pet polices, a 4 percent increase in the year-ago period. Hartville reported net loss of $2 million on revenue of $2.7 million for its third quarter, compared to net loss of …
Nutrigenomics Key Message At Hill’s SymposiumApril 17, 2009 More than 130 veterinary professionals attended Hill’s Global Mobility Symposium in April in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla. The key message of the symposium, hosted by Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. of Topeka, Kan., was the increasing importance of nutrigenomics in the nutritional management of diseases of dogs and cats. “The effect of nutrients on gene expression is providing a better understanding of how to regulate metabolic pathways to optimize the health of canine and feline patients,” said Mitchell Abrahamsen, Ph.D., vice president of research at Hill’s. “We are excited to equip specialists who attended the Hill’s Global Mobility Symposium with validated research showcasing the benefits of nutrigenomics in companion animal veterinary medicine.” The symposium also focused on the importance of managing obesity in dogs and cats. P resenters discussed how the company is using nutrigenomics to develop foods such as Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d, Hill’s Prescription Diet r/d and many of the Hill’s Science Diet pet food products. For a copy of the proceedings, call 800-892-4621 or visit www.hillsvet.com. <HOME>
Specialty Hospitals Unite To Serve Vet CommunityApril 17, 2009Three specialty veterinary hospitals have merged to form BluePearl Veterinary Partners, bringing together more than 100 veterinarians. The hospitals are Florida Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center in Tampa, Fla., NYC Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center in New York City and Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center in Overland Park, Kan. "Our goal is to set a new standard for referral practices," said Neil Shaw, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, chief medical officer of BluePearl Veterinary Partners and founder of Florida Veterinary Specialists and NYC Veterinary Specialists. "We work hard to promote the overall veterinary community and we truly strengthen each individual practice that refers cases to us." BluePearl Veterinary Partners' primary relationship is with the pet family practitioner, Dr. Shaw said. The group has come up with a " five point commitment" that includes committing itself to exceptional patient care and client service; not providing routine, general or prophylactic care; operating strictly by referral; calling and mailing a written report for every referral; and always having a clinician available to consult with a colleague when they call. BluePearl Veterinary Partners maintains that it is unique in that it is completely owned from within the industry. Each managing partner is either a …
