Morris Animal Foundation Launches Happy Healthy Cat CampaignApril 17, 2009On behalf of the more than 82 million cats in America, the Morris Animal Foundation embarked on a mission to provide felines with their share of health care and research. The Healthy Happy Cat Campaign, launched 11/17/08, aims to raise pet-owner awareness of feline health issues and increase funding for research and scientist training. "Our goal is that the Happy Healthy Cat Campaign will give veterinarians the tools they need to dramatically improve the health and well-being of all cats," said Patricia Olson, DVM, Ph.D., foundation president and chief executive officer. "As the most popular pet in the country, it's time for cats to receive their fair share of health care, but we need the support and donations of America's cat lovers. There is a tremendous amount of cat health research that must be done." As part of the campaign, MAF has created a dedicated online resource, www.research4cats.org, with information on feline diseases and symptoms. Additional features include interactive blog entries and quizzes, research success stories and resources for cat owners. The foundation has funded projects in areas including diabetes, kidney and heart disease, cancer, urinary disorders, hyperthyroidism and infectious diseases. A Happy Healthy Cat …
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Mars Expands Voluntary Pet Food RecallApril 17, 2009 Mars Petcare U.S. on Nov. 25 extended a voluntary recall of dry cat food and dog food produced at the company’s Allentown, Pa., plant and marked with “Best By” dates of Aug. 11, 2009, to Oct. 3, 2009. The reason cited for the recall was potential Salmonella contamination. The voluntary recall affects products sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club, ShopRite Supermarkets, and Wal-Mart stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont and West Virginia. As a precautionary measure, the company issued a voluntary recall on Oct. 27 of all sizes of Special Kitty Gourmet Blend dry cat food produced at the Allentown plant on Aug. 11. The company said it recently was alerted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that an additional sample of Special Kitty produced Sept. 25 at the Allentown facility tested positive for Salmonella. Based on this information, the company expanded the voluntary recall. No cases of Salmonella-related human or pet illness have been reported. “Only those products which were produced at the Allentown, Pa., facility between those dates are impacted. Consumers can continue to have …
Fort Dodge Animal Health Names Wellness Sweepstakes WinnersApril 17, 2009 Fort Dodge Animal Health has named 53 pet owners and their pets as grand prize winners in the “Twice A Year For Life!” sweepstakes. Winners will receive free semi-annual wellness exams for the lifetime of their pet at the veterinary clinic of their choice. The prize covers the professional fees associated with a semi-annual wellness exam and is valued at up to $75 per exam. The sweepstakes, which was offered through more than 14,000 clinics, was launched in March in conjunction with a new National Pet Wellness Month campaign to raise consumer awareness about the importance of twice-a-year pet wellness exams in helping to prevent zoonotic diseases. “The goal of the sweepstakes was to encourage pet owners to talk with their veterinarian about wellness exams so they can better understand their vitally important role in preventing problems, such as zoonotic diseases, before they become life threatening,” said Craig Wallace, vice president-marketing, Fort Dodge Animal Health. “We are thrilled so many pet owners participated in the sweepstakes.” The sweepstakes ended in October, which is National Pet Wellness Month. More than 38,000 entries were received. The list of winners is available at www.npwm.com. …
Menu Foods Recalls Additional ProductApril 17, 2009 Menu Foods Inc., the Canadian manufacturer that has recalled more than 5,000 products due to suspected contamination by the toxin melamine, recalled an additional dog food yesterday. Menu recalled Natural Life Vegetarian 13.2 ounce canned dog food with the date “Nov/22/09” and product code 12344-07114. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration continued to investigate the recall of pet food products suspected in the deaths and illnesses of potentially hundreds of animals, said Stephen Sundlof, DVM, the agency’s top veterinarian. Although the FDA suspects that wheat gluten contaminated by melamine, a synthetic plastic used in dishware and some Asian fertilizers, is related to the problem, it has not confirmed that it is causing the animal illnesses. “FDA is not 100 percent certain that melamine, a relatively nontoxic substance, is the cause of the spate of pet illnesses and deaths,” the FDA said in a statement. “Although some studies have shown a toxic effect of melamine in rodents, research is scarce on melamine’s effect on cats and dogs.” Adding to the confusion, Natural Balance of Pacoima, Calif., recalled all of its wheat-free Venison dog products and its dry Venison cat food were recalled yesterday. The …
Pet Services Trade Group Offers IncentiveApril 17, 2009 The Pet Care Services Association of Colorado Springs, Colo., is offering a free one-year membership or renewal to early registrants of its Fall 2008 Pet Services Basic Training seminar series. Membership in the organization, formerly the ABKA (American Boarding Kennels Association) will be given to those who register before Oct. 1, 2008, for the Oct. 26-29 event in Pittsburgh, Pa. The four-day conference will feature sixteen seminars. Topics include understanding the pet care marketplace, securing financing, deciding what services to offer, developing and retaining staff, and marketing. <HOME>
Neogen Corp. Revenue UpApril 17, 2009 Neogen Corp.’s animal division reported revenue of $9.15 million for its first quarter ended Aug. 31, compared to revenue of $8.83 million in the year-ago period. In addition to international sales of rodenticides, the division’s growth was spurred by increases in sales of diagnostic tests for drug residues and of veterinary instruments. Sales of tests to detect drugs of abuse in racing animals increased 26 percent and sales of tests and equipment for forensic drug detection were up more than 30 percent. Veterinary instrument sales to over-the-counter markets and veterinarians saw a 15 percent sales increase. Overall, Neogen reported net income of $3.01 million on revenue of $22.91 million for its first quarter, compared to net income of $2.41 million on revenue of $20.22 million in the year-ago period. Neogen is based in Lansing, Mich. <HOME>
Jack Is Back With SkeeterApril 17, 2009 Dr. Jack Stephens is one of our profession's most deeply bonded veterinarians, an icon in the pet health insurance industry and a 15-year cancer survivor. He graduated from Missouri in the early '70s but it was during his cancer treatments in 1990 that Jack came to realize the intrinsic value and healing power of the human-animal bond. Jack witnessed the loyalty and companionship of Spanky, one of his wife's miniature Pinschers. Jack aligned himself with his own big dogs but it was little Spanky who stayed at his bedside during six months of his cancer therapy and recuperation. "Spanky was the catalyst for my focusing on something else besides the cancer," Jack said. "He wouldn't let me feel sorry for myself. Without any words, Spanky just knew when I needed him to come and be affectionate and he knew when I needed him to keep his distance and give me space. "He would simply sit off a distance and watch me. He knew my needs and moods. "There were days I didn't think I had the strength to brush my teeth, but his persistent nagging for a walk would get me outside, so …
Menu Recalls More Than 200 Additional Cat, Dog FoodsApril 17, 2009 On Wednesday, Menu Foods recalled 200-plus additional pet food products that might have been contaminated by melamine-tainted items made at its plants during the same time period. The additional recalled products were not made with the melamine-laced wheat gluten that prompted Menu’s initial recall of 60 million cans and pouches of pet food but testing and one consumer complaint indicate cross-contamination, the company said. Some previously recalled items also include expanded production dates. The expanded recall involves dog and cat food sold in the United States, Canada as well as two European varieties. The list of additional Menu Foods-recalled items can be found at www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/menu05_07.html. The Canadian-based manufacturer also revised its expected losses related to the recall from $30 to $40 million to $40 to $45 million. Last week, Menu Foods said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had searched its Emporia, Kan., plant. Menu Foods said it was also notified that the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Kansas was exploring whether or not the pet food manufacturer had committed a misdemeanor by violating the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act. The state of Missouri had launched a similar investigation, …
AVMA’s One Health Initiative Receives Rockefeller Foundation GrantApril 17, 2009 The Rockefeller Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s One Health Initiative, which is dedicated to fighting zoonotic diseases such as avian influenza and West Nile virus. The money will help establish a National One Health Commission and a global One Health Initiative dedicated to attaining optimal human, animal and environmental health through the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally and globally. The initiative began in 2006 as part of the presidential agenda of then-AVMA president Roger Mahr, DVM. A year later, the American Medical Association became a partner and an active stakeholder in laying the foundation for and developing the principles of the One Health approach. “Multiple stakeholder partners have now joined the initial collaborative relationship between the AVMA and AMA,” said Dr. Mahr, who is the project director for the steering committee. “This grant from the Rockefeller Foundation provides an even greater opportunity to ensure the success of this initiative as we strive to improve the health of people, animals and our environment worldwide.” The committee now has almost 20 participating member organizations, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, …
Organized Options For Relief ServicesApril 17, 2009 Why Relief Vets Are Needed Monica Hughes, director of operations for Relief Services for Veterinary Practitioners, offers these common reasons veterinary clinics seek relief services: To supplement existing staff during peak seasons or busy days To give a sole-proprietor veterinarian a weekday off To cover for a vacation To cover for a medical leave or illness To cover a maternity leave To bridge the gap until a new associate is hired To cover a clinic after a death For example, Relief Services for Veterinary Practitioners promotes itself as the largest veterinary staffing agency in the nation. Founded in 1992 by David Grant, DVM, in Denton, Texas, RSVP began servicing the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with relief veterinarians and has expanded to cover the entire state and surrounding regions. Dr. Grant says that in its 16 years of operation, RSVP has filled more than 65,000 relief shifts. The company regularly places more than 50 veterinarians and a dozen technicians in more than 500 hospitals across Texas. VetSolutions LLC, serving Los Angeles and eastern Tennessee, operates under a similar business model. Operations manager Ryan Jurgensmeyer, LVT, says several organizations …
