Lesson From The San Diego Firestorm, 2007April 17, 2009Editor's Note: Terry Paik, DVM, reflects on the fall firestorms that devastated much of San Diego County. Dr. Paik is the veterinary disaster response coordinator for the California Veterinary Medical Assn.'s disaster preparedness committee. Once again, San Diego County veterinarians and the veterinary community showed their true color, spirit, generosity and grit in this past firestorm. With howling Santa Ana winds, multiple fires started in the San Diego County on Sunday, Oct. 21. Other fires also burned in counties north of San Diego. By Monday, we were on our way to what would turn out to be the largest and worst firestorm in our state's history, eclipsing even the fires of 2003. By Monday we had at least four major fires in the east, south and north counties, all being driven by 60-plus-mph winds. Unlike 2003, voluntary and mandatory evacuations were massive. The winds and smoke grounded the multiple fire suppression air attack planes and helicopters until Wednesday. By 11:30 a.m. on Monday, the Del Mar Fairgrounds was already full of evacuated horses; there are 1,800 stalls at the fairgrounds and approximately 2,400 horses. There was still some room for people and small animals, but not for …
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Opting Out Of Practice Ownership But Eyeing A Future Of MergersApril 17, 2009 No, I don’t own a veterinary practice. I can give you a very long list explaining this lapse in my traditional vet career trajectory. And while on paper it’s a justifiable life choice, I’ll confess: Eschewing practice ownership doesn’t make me feel particularly virtuous or successful as a small-animal practitioner. I suspect the same is true of many of my ambitious colleagues. Here’s why I’ve opted out: Money: I attended an expensive school. I had big debts when I graduated (can you say $100K?). I moved to Miami, where almost half of my better-than-average vet income goes into my decidedly unluxurious home (really). And I’m a single parent. To invest in a practice, I’d have to sell my house—not a safe move in this real estate cycle and not a smart option when it comes to my child, either. Time: Let’s start with, “I’m a single parent” and pretty much leave it at that. Consequently, flexible hours are a requirement for my work. While I don’t mind putting in 80-hour weeks from time to time, it’s the inability to work from home (or work in the half hour here and there for school pickups and …
FDA Approves First Single-Dose Antibiotic For Dogs, CatsApril 17, 2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Pfizer Animal Health’s Convenia (cefovecin sodium), the first antibiotic for dogs and cats available in a single injectable dose. The product, which provides up to 14 days of antibiotic treatment for the most common skin infections in dogs and cats, will eliminate the difficulty owners have giving pills to pets and will ensure the course of reatment is completed on time, according to the company. “We understand how difficult it can be for owners to give their pets the right pills at the right time,” said George Fennell, vice president, Companion Animal Division, Pfizer Animal Health. “With career and family responsibilities, many people simply aren’t around at appropriate intervals once, twice or even more times a day despite their best intentions. With Convenia, the pet gets the dose it needs right in the veterinarian’s office—so owners don’t have to worry about when and how to give pills to their pets.” The most common side effects are similar to those seen with other antibiotics, such as vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite and lethargy. Pfizer Animal Health is based in New York.
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>
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 …
