Intervet Develops Bluetongue VaccineApril 17, 2009 Intervet International has developed a vaccine against Bluetongue serotype 8 for sheep and cattle. It is expected to be available in May. The United Kingdom Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has already placed an order with Intervet to supply 22.5 million doses of the vaccine. Just recently, the European Commission said it is making funds available to co-finance an emergency mass vaccination campaign in 2008 against Bluetongue. In principle, 100 percent of vaccine purchase costs and 50 percent of vaccine application costs will be covered by the community budget, subject to certain ceilings for operational costs. Non-emergency vaccination campaigns in following years would be part of the community co-financed eradication programs. Markos Kyprianou, commissioner for health, estimates that about 150 million to 200 million vaccine doses will be required. Intervet was bought by Schering-Plough Corp. of Kenilworth, N.J., last year. <HOME>
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Founder Of Montana Dog Sanctuary Wins Animal Action AwardApril 17, 2009 The International Fund for Animal Welfare recently held its Animal Action Awards for the first time in the United States on World Animal Day, Oct. 4, in Santa Monica, Calif. The organization recognized six individuals who work toward protecting wild and domestic animals and their habitats. The recipients were: • Steve Smith and Alayne Marker, founders of Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary in Ovando, Mont. Smith and Marker’s 160-acre ranch cares for almost 80 rescued disabled animals, including blind and deaf dogs, blind horses and blind cats. • Glenda Davis, manager of the Navajo Nation Veterinary and Livestock Program in Window Rock, Ariz. In addition to developing and implementing an animal disease response plan for the Navajo Nation, Davis has worked to amend the Nation’s 40-year-old livestock code to include an animal cruelty provision. • Richie Moretti, founder of The Turtle Hospital in Marathon Key, Fla. Moretti has treated and released more than 750 sea turtles since the hospital opened in 1986. The turtles have been rescued from fishing line entanglements, boat collisions and man-made objects. • Congressman Nick Rahall, chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. …
Bovine Reproductive Ultrasound Clinics ScheduledApril 17, 2009Merial of Duluth, Ga., is sponsoring a series of bovine reproductive ultrasound classes that will include classroom and on-farm curriculum. The classes will be held in Bell, Fla., March 13-14 and Cortland, N.Y., April 3-4. "Bovine reproduction can be improved by learning about technological advancements," said Craig DeMuth, DVM, who will co-instruct the seminar. "Efficient reproduction takes the right tools. The goal of these classes is to educate veterinarians about current practices, products and technologies that can maximize efficiency when it comes to reproduction." The classroom portion of the ultrasound course will cover what to look for when purchasing an ultrasound unit; practical tips for using ultrasound in the field; video demonstration of ultrasound imaging; current topics in bovine reproduction; and how ultrasound works. The on-farm portion will include identifying normal and abnormal ovarian and uterine morphology; early pregnancy diagnosis and fetal viability; fetal sexing; and twin diagnosis. Veterinarians can apply for nine hours of continuing education credits. For details call Jill Colloton, DVM, at 715-352-2232 or email colloton@dwave.net. <HOME>
FDA Seeks Public Comment On Pet Food Safety RegulationsApril 17, 2009 The Food and Drug Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA) established pet food safety standards and called for an early warning system that identifies pet food contamination. The new standards must be implemented within two years, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking input as it implements the changes. A public meeting will take place in early 2008 in the Rockville, Md., area, however, the exact date is to be determined. A docket is set up on the FDA’s website to receive electronic, public comments in advance of the meeting. The docket number is 2007N-0487. Written comments may be mailed to: Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305) Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061 Rockville, MD 20852 The FDA is seeking input from veterinary medical associations, animal health organizations, pet food manufacturers and the Association of American Feed Control Officials, among others. The new law requires that the FDA solicit feedback from these groups prior to making changes, however individual consumers may submit comments as well. After the public meeting, the FDA will review all comments before initiating the new standards. Public comments may be viewed online via the …
Green Becomes First Female AAEP PresidentApril 17, 2009 The American Assn. of Equine Practitioners has named Eleanor Green, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ABVP, as its 54th president. She will serve through 2008 and becomes the first female veterinarian to lead the association. The installment took place at the AAEP annual convention in Orlando, Fla., in December. Dr. Green is a professor and chair of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She also is the chief of staff of the college’s Large Animal Veterinary Medical Center. Green most recently served as the AAEP’s president-elect. Her other work with the AAEP includes serving as the District III director from 1996-1999 and chair of the Internship and Student Relations Committee and the AAEP Foundation’s Student Scholarship Task Force. “Dr. Green brings many terrific qualities to the AAEP presidency—enthusiasm, an unmatched work ethic and, most importantly, the desire to do what is best for the horse,” said David Foley, AAEP executive director. “I am sure 2008 will prove to be another successful year for our association under Dr. Green’s leadership.” <HOME>
Webinar On AAVMC Foresight Report Scheduled For March 31April 17, 2009 The American Association of Corporate and Public Practice Veterinarians will host a Webinar at 7 p.m. EDT on March 31 discussing the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges’ Foresight Report. The report, to be presented by Mike Chaddock, DVM, deputy director of the AAVMC, includes the future direction of academic veterinary medicine. In related news, the AACPPV will host its annual membership meeting breakfast on July 13 in conjunction with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Annual Convention in Seattle, Wash. The topic will be “Animal Welfare and the Veterinary Profession—Balancing Compassionate Care and Professional Liability,” presented by Gail Golab, DVM, Ph.D., director of Animal Welfare at AVMA. The time is still to be determined. The AACPPV will also hold a networking breakfast at 8 a.m. on Aug. 31 during the Central Veterinary Conference in Kansas City. Panelists for “How to Find (or Be!) an Ideal Candidate in the Veterinary Industry” include: Cory Sullivan, human resources director of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. Stacy Pursell of The Vet Recruiter Peggy Gardella, human resources director of Ceva Biomune Ken Berkholtz of Brakke Consulting AACPPV’s most recent networking breakfast was …
UPDATE: William Baber To Face Grand JuryApril 17, 2009 At his Jan. 16 general sessions hearing, William Baber, DVM, of Gallatin, Tenn., waived his rights, which allows his case to be heard at a grand jury hearing set for March 1, according to detective Don Linzy, chief of detectives for the Sumner County Sheriff's Department. Dr. Baber is facing criminal charges for inhumanely restraining and euthanizing animals at a local shelter after a secretly recorded video and an investigation unveiled unlawful activity. The grand jury will determine if Baber's case goes to criminal court. Click here for a related story on the William Baber, DVM, case. <HOME> Posted February 20, 2008, 3:16 p.m., EST
Magnetic Field Therapy An Attractive OptionApril 17, 2009 Biophysical treatments such as pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy are pushing patient recovery in new dimensions. Enthusiasm for these techniques is mounting, as evidence and applications expand. For magnetic fields to influence cellular behavior, signal transduction must take place across the cell membrane.1 PEMFs appear to alter a variety of membrane components capable of affecting transmembrane signaling, such as ion channels, ligand binding and alternations in receptor distribution and density.2 Bone Healing Decades ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved PEMF for the treatment of nonunion fractures. More recently, a 2006 study in Connective Tissue Research indicated that an exposure of eight or 16 hours of PEMF significantly accelerated apoptosis in osteoclasts in vitro, suggesting a potential application for osteoporosis.3 Tendon Repair PEMF applied to a rat Achilles’ tendon repair model revealed an increase in tensile strength at the repair site.4 Cartilage Health Biophysical stimulation with PEMF after arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament limited the expected but potentially damaging post-surgical joint inflammation. It also shortened recovery time.5 Chondrocytes exposed to PEMFs adopted a spherical shape and retracted their processes, although the clinical significance of these changes …
Dr. Leininger Of Hill’s To RetireApril 17, 2009 Mary Beth Leininger, DVM, director of Professional Affairs at Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. of Topeka, Kan., is retiring after almost 10 years of service. Daniel Aja, DVM, will fill the position in January. Dr. Aja is the owner and hospital director of Cherry Bend Animal Hospital in Traverse City, Mich. He served as the 2005-2006 president of the American Animal Hospital Assn. and currently serves as the AAHA delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Assn. Dr. Leininger will stay on to assist with the transition through the end of March. “I can’t say enough about my experience here at Hill’s,” she said. “This is a company that is truly committed to the veterinary profession. It has been an honor for me to be a part of it and especially to have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the wonderful people who make up the Hill’s organization. Dr. Aja is a truly gifted and dedicated professional and I am thrilled that he is joining Hill’s. The best is yet to come.” In related news, Leininger was recently named a Distinguished Practitioner in Veterinary Medicine in the …
FDA Seeks Comments On Third-Party Pet Food CertificationApril 17, 2009 Citing an increasing number of retailers and other food sellers who expect their suppliers to be certified for food safety and quality issues, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is seeking public comments on the use of third-party certification programs for foods and feeds, including pet foods. An interagency working group last November released an Action Plan for Import Safety: A Roadmap for Continual Improvement. That plan included a recommendation to verify compliance of foreign producers with United States safety and security standards through certification. Essentially, the FDA wants to identify existing certification programs and understand how it can ensure these programs help ensure safe and secure food products that meet FDA requirements. According to the government, third-party certification programs of foreign producers would not replace FDA inspections but rather “augment the federal government’s and the importing community’s ability to ensure that products imported into the United States meet U.S. safety and security standards.” The FDA envisions using third-party certification programs to allow it and other agencies to “focus their resources on products from non-certified firms or for which information suggests there may be safety or security concerns.” The FDA would …
