New Drug For Heart Failure In Dogs ApprovedApril 17, 2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.’s Vetmedin (pimobendan) for the management of the signs of mild, moderate or severe congestive heart failure in dogs due to atrioventricular valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy. Vetmedin, which is the first drug approved to treat congestive heart failure in dogs in more than ten years, is indicated for use with concurrent therapy for congestive heart failure as appropriate on a case-by-case basis, according to the FDA. Vetmedin helps alleviate signs of heart failure by increasing contractility and by dilating blood vessels, according to the FDA. Adverse reactions associated with Vetmedin were potentially related to congestive heart failure, the therapy of congestive heart failure or both and included poor appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, worsening signs of heart failure, heart failure death, azotemia and mild increases in serum liver enzymes. Vetmedin is not for use in cats. For more information, visit www.fda.gov <HOME>
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Theilen Tribute To Go Beyond The ExpectedApril 17, 2009 I have been working a University of California, Davis, group on fund raising for a spectacular cancer symposium at UC Davis. It is truly going to be one of a kind. Nothing like this has ever been presented in veterinary medicine in this country. Honoring an esteemed colleague on his 80th birthday is somewhat traditional in Europe but not so common in the U.S. The Theilen Tribute Symposium will be held May 30 and June 1 at Gladys Valley Hall on the UC Davis campus in honor of Gordon Theilen, the father of modern veterinary oncology. The occasion marks Dr. Theilen’s 80th birthday. Title of the symposium is “50 Years of Cancer Research: From Retroviruses to Cancer Genetics.” Important findings in comparative oncology reserach and genetics will be highlighted. Dr. Max Essex of the Harvard School of Public Health, the keynote speaker, will discuss AIDS in Africa. Dr. Theilen is a legend. He gave the world its first comprehensive veterinary oncology reference text, “Veterinary Cancer Medicine.” He also did research on cancer-causing viruses in horses, turkeys, cows, cats and primates and studied in Germany and …
Footing The BillApril 17, 2009 Earlier this year, the American Animal Hospital Assn. unveiled a position statement addressing pet owners’ financial responsibility to provide health care for their animals. The group is encouraging its members to discuss financial opportunities with their clients to ensure they are able to meet their obligation. This is particularly important as veterinary care is becoming more expensive, with bills of $1,000 or more becoming “common” and $3,500 emerging as the “minimum specialist bill,” said John Albers, DVM, AAHA executive director. He said that CareCredit recently received more than 55 accounts over $10,000, mostly from specialist care, in a single month. The AAHA statement “strongly suggests that all pet owning families assess their financial situation and consider their ability to meet unexpected expenses that may be incurred for veterinary care. For some families, these expenses may be met through existing savings. Others may be able to use credit care reserves or medical payment cards. Some families should consider budgeting for these expenses and still others may want to consider protecting themselves through pet insurance policies.” It further advises pet owners to carefully consider any pet insurance policy, to make sure they understand exactly …
Honoring The Bond Of A LifetimeApril 17, 2009 Aging is an inevitable and normal process of living. It should not be considered a disease. Aging is expressed as physical weakening, reduced stamina and deterioration of the organs and connective tissues in the body. It is associated with gradual changes in the body's phenotype the entire physical, biochemical and physiological makeup of an individual as determined both genetically and environmentally. Changes such as wrinkles in the skin and gray hair are due to the normal phenomenon of cellular senescence, the process of growing old. Many diseases, including cancer, involve a multi-step process that accumulates genetic damage over time. As our pets enjoy a longer lifespan, their bodies provide the time needed for the expression of senescence, disease and cancer. Living Long The human-animal bond grows stronger with the passing of time. People are very proud of their older pets and they want them to live as long as possible in good health. One of the biggest fears of caregivers of senior pets is that their pet will get cancer. The most common concurrent problems afflicting older pets are arthritis, dermatitis, dental disease, endocrinopathies, organ failure and obesity. The dilemma for caregivers …
Pfizer Animal Health Acquires EmbrexApril 17, 2009 Pfizer Animal Health has completed its acquisition of Embrex Inc., an international agricultural biotechnology company known for its Inovoject vaccine-delivery systems. The transaction has an aggregate equity purchase price of about $155 million. Embrex, which is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pfizer, will continue to be based in Raleigh-Durham, N.C. Embrex common stock is no longer publicly traded and was de-listed from NASDAQ as the close of the market on Jan. 19.
Psittacosis Concerns Suspend Bird Sales At Petsmart StoresApril 17, 2009 Petsmart temporarily suspended bird sales at 775 of its stores in 46 states due to ongoing concerns of a bacteria infection that sickened at least 22 of its birds as well as several birds at a Petland in Minnesota and quarantined birds at a Superpetz in Georgia. Routine testing of more than 500 birds in Petsmarts across the country revealed psittacosis in 20 cockatiels, one finch and one parakeet. The retailer, on Dec. 19, 2007, temporarily suspended bird sales at any of its stores that received birds from a single vendor, Preferred Birds of Milton, Fla., according to Jennifer Simmons, a spokesperson for Petsmart. During the temporary sale suspension, Petsmart is treating all of the birds that might have been exposed to the bacteria with antibiotic-treated feed, Simmons said. Employees are also using masks, gloves and protective gowns before entering bird areas. "Most of this is just precautionary," Simmons said. Although the birds remain in their aviaries in the stores, they are enclosed in glass and signs tell the public they are not for sale, Simmons said. The state of Georgia wanted the precautions to go further, moving the birds away from the public, so …
Financial Newswire 08-27-2007April 17, 2009Abaxis Inc. Abaxis Inc.’s veterinary division reported revenue of $16.4 million for its first quarter ended June 30, compared to revenue of $15.5 million in the year-ago period. During the quarter, the company sold more than 1.1 million medical and veterinary reagent discs, an increase of 19 percent, compared to 957,000 medical and veterinary reagent discs in the year-ago period. Overall, Abaxis, of Union City, Calif., reported net income of $3.1 million on revenue of $22.9 million for its first quarter, compared to net income of $2.4 million on revenue of $20.4 million in the year-ago period. Eli Lilly Co. Eli Lilly Co.’s animal health products had worldwide sales of $214.7 million for its second quarter ended June 30, an increase of 7 percent compared to the year-ago period. Overall, Eli Lilly, of Indianapolis, reported net income of $663.6 million on revenue of $4.6 billion for its second quarter, compared to net income of $822 million on revenue of $3.9 billion in the year-ago period. Year to date, the company reported net income of $1.2 billion on revenue of $8.9 billion, compared to net income of $1.7 billion on revenue of $7.6 billion in the year-ago period. Neogen …
West Nile DNA Vaccine Available For HorsesApril 17, 2009 Fort Dodge Animal Health of Overland Park, Kan., has launched a vaccine for horses to aid in the prevention of viremia caused by the West Nile virus. The company, which worked in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says its West Nile-Innovator DNA is the first DNA vaccine fully licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The vaccine uses purified DNA plasmids to stimulate an immune response, unlike conventional vaccines that rely on the foreign proteins derived from disease-causing agents. It contains no live or killed viruses, no live vector or viral proteins, and there is no risk of reversion to virulence, according to Fort Dodge Animal Health. The vaccine provides a 12-month duration of immunity after two initial doses, and according to field safety studies of 645 male and female horses of various breeds and ages, it is greater than 99 percent reaction-free. Annual revaccination requires one dose. The product will be sold only to veterinarians, who are required to sign a user compliance agreement indicating they will use the vaccine within their practice if an established veterinarian-client-patient …
PetMed Express Posts Sharp Profit Growth For 2008April 17, 2009 PetMed Express Inc. of Pompano Beach, Fla., reported its net income increased 39 percent and revenues increased 16 percent for its fiscal year ended March 31. “We are pleased to report high profitability for the year, which can be attributed to our strong reorder growth and our success in leveraging operating expenses,” said Mendo Akdag, PetMed’s chief executive officer and president. “Our focus in fiscal 2009 will be on capturing additional market share and improving reorders and our customer service levels.” Both reorder sales and Internet sales, which are less expensive for the company, outpaced its overall growth for the year. For 2008, the company saw reorder sales increase 22 percent to $134.3 million, about 71 percent of its $188.3 million in overall sales. Internet sales grew 21 percent to $122.5 million (about 65 percent of overall sales). During the year, PetMed acquired 710,000 new customers, up from 681,000 in fiscal 2007. “We have agreed to extend our current lease for our corporate headquarters until 2012 and have added another 15,000 square feet, primarily for the extension of our warehouse and pharmacy operations, in order to support our future growth,” Akdag said. For …
Diamond Recalls Dog Food Due To Cross-ContaminationApril 17, 2009 Diamond Pet Foods of Meta, Mo., recalled some of its 40-pound bags of Nutra Nuggets Lamb Meal and Rice Formula dry dog food because of cross-contamination with melamine-tainted rice-protein concentrate used to make other products at its Lathrop, Calif., facility. Only bags with production codes NLR0404A2SL and NLR0404B2SL with a “best before” date of Oct. 9, 2008, are being recalled. The contaminated product was distributed to retailers in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, Canada. No other Nutra Nugget products are affected and no dog deaths have been reported at this time, Diamond said. Products can be returned to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. Diamond has also set up an information hotline for pet owners at (866) 214-6945. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT. <HOME>
