Idexx Animal Division Up 15%April 17, 2009 Idexx Laboratories Inc.’s companion animal division reported revenue of $157 million for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, compared to revenue of $135.94 million in the year-ago period. The fourth quarter 15 percent increase can be attributed to higher sales in the division’s product and service categories, with the largest growth in revenue from laboratory and consulting services. Year to date, the division reported revenue of $606.32 million, compared to revenue of $520.83 million. Idexx said it expects to launch its next generation chemistry analyzer, Catalyst Dx, in January 2008 along with a second platform, SnapShot Dx, which will augment the immunodiagnostic capability of the Idexx VetLab suite of instruments. “Through these launches, we expect to take the pet-side diagnostic capability of the Idexx VetLab suite to a whole new level of performance and value,” said Jonathan Ayers, chairman and chief executive officer. Overall, Idexx reported net income of $24.67 million on revenue of $192.21 million for its fourth quarter, compared to net income of $20.03 million on revenue of $166.97 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, the company reported net income of $93.68 million on revenue of $739.12 million, compared …
SPONSORED CONTENTSwitch to Triple Protection in One Monthly DoseSee the difference of triple protection with the one monthly chew. + Learn More
Elanco Moves Global HeadquartersApril 17, 2009 Elanco Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly and Co., is moving its global headquarters to a new facility in Greenfield, Ind., off I-70 and State Route 9. The new headquarters will centralize the company’s operations and will save at least $1 million in annual operating expenses, said Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco. Elanco sold its current location at Greenfield Laboratories off U.S. 40 and Meridian Road to Covance, a life sciences company, but will lease the existing space until spring 2010 when the new facility is completed. The construction marks the launch of a 52-acre business and life sciences park being developed by Browning Investments, a commercial development company. Elanco’s new headquarters, which will be owned and managed by Browning, will encompass about 135,000 square feet and more than 20 acres. “The park’s proximity to I-70 and Greenfield amenities, along with the city’s commitment to infrastructure improvements, will be a powerful draw for more businesses to come to Greenfield, as well as for companies that want easy access to Indianapolis,” said Dale Pfeifer, director of real estate development for Browning. <HOME>
PetMed Express Reports 16% Increase In Revenue For Second QuarterApril 17, 2009 PetMed Express Inc. of Pompano Beach, Fla., recently reported net income of $5.82 million on revenue of $59.57 million for its second quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to net income of $4.53 million on revenue of $51.54 million in the year-ago period. This represents a net income increase of 33 percent and revenue increase of 16 percent. Year to date, the company reported net income of $12.44 million on revenue of $127.94 million, compared to net income of $10.71 million on revenue of $110.56 million in the year-ago period. The company’s reorder sales increased 18 percent to $41.4 million for the second quarter, compared to $35 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, reorder sales increased 17 percent to $87.6 million, compared to $75 million in the year-ago period. New order sales increased 11 percent to $18.2 million for the quarter, compared to $16.5 million in the year-ago period. <HOME>
Exotic Mammal Vet Group Is GrowingApril 17, 2009 The Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians membership is on the rise. When the association began in 2000 it had 125 members. As of September, it had grown to about 582 members. A 2008 goal for membership is to increase awareness and participation by veterinary technicians, international veterinarians and students. Committees formed to reach these goals include panels on public relations, education, conferences, ABVP, international membership, technicians, student chapters and policies and regulations. <HOME>
Menu Mediation Yields SettlementApril 17, 2009 Parties involved in settlement talks for class-action litigation stemming from last year’s melamine-spurred pet food recalls have reached a comprehensive, cross-border agreement, Menu Foods Income Fund, parent of Menu Foods, reports. The settlement is subject to various conditions, including the approval of certain other parties, the execution of a definitive settlement agreement, and U.S. and Canadian court approval. Furthermore, Menu expects the definitive terms of the settlement and a motion for preliminary approval will be filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey on May 1, with a hearing scheduled for May 14. The Canadian court is expected to consider the matter at about the same time, Menu reported. Menu and its insurer would fund the settlement, and Menu estimates its direct recall costs (which don’t include lost sales) will remain at about $55 million Canadian (about $54 million U.S. at early April exchange rates). If approved, a settlement administrator will notify pet owners on how to make claims on the settlement fund. <HOME>
Peanut Butter Recall List Expands To Include Shaw's SupermarketsApril 17, 2009 In light of a nationwide recall issued by Peanut Corporation of America of peanut butter and peanut paste produced in its Georgia plant, Shaw’s Supermarkets became the latest company to voluntarily recall dog biscuit products. Shaw’s, a supermarket chain with locations throughout New England, said it is voluntarily recalling Happy Tails and Shoppers Valu multi-flavored dog biscuit products “because they may contain peanut butter that has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.” The products were sold at Shaw’s stores. According to the Food and Drug Administration, pets with Salmonella Typhimurium infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Pets that don’t show any symptoms can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If an animal consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, pet owners are advised to contact their veterinarian. The identified items have not been directly linked to the salmonella outbreak. However, Shaw’s recalled the products as a precautionary move. This product recall includes the following: • Happy Tails Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits, 26 oz., UPC#: 41163-42406. • Happy …
San Francisco SPCA Opens $29 Million Vet HospitalApril 17, 2009 The San Francisco SPCA will celebrate the opening of the Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 30. A public open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 31, complete with tours, children's activities and a cat claw-clipping clinic. Dogs and cats will be available for adoption. The $29 million, 44,000-square-foot center is the new home of The SF/SPCA’s nonprofit veterinary hospital, spay/neuter clinic and shelter medicine program. The previous 10,000-square-foot medical facility, built in 1932, became too small and inadequate for the levels of care the organization was prepared to provide. The new center has significantly more space for examination rooms, surgery suites, laboratories, quarantine and intensive care wards. It also has: A dedicated dentistry suite. A tranquility room dedicated for euthanasia. A large staff lounge. A kibble kitchen containing dry food for dogs and cats, courtesy of Purina. Separate areas for feral cats and shelter animals to create a more stress-free environment. A small pet store. In addition, the facility has upgraded much of its equipment. For example, The SF/SPCA has transitioned to digital radiography and digital record keeping, incorporated better and brighter …
Complementary Alternatives For The Critically IllApril 17, 2009 As in most other areas in veterinary medicine, complementary and alternative medicine is acquiring a greater presence in the care of the critically ill. Veterinarians in charge of these patients may field requests from clients to administer herbs, homeopathics, flower essences or glandulars to their animals during the hospital stay. Or clients may ask that a non-veterinarian CAM practitioner provide treatments on hospital premises. Determining which therapies pose risks or offer benefits is difficult without evidential support. Delegating care to non-veterinarians with questionable or unfamiliar credentials adds risk and exposure for veterinarians already managing a busy practice.1 Targeting Stressors Research indicates that human critical care patients suffer from a variety of stressors, including fear, pain, anxiety, lack of sleep, loneliness, lack of control, nightmares and, for those on prolonged mechanical ventilation, inability to speak or communicate.2 Severely ill animals attached to one or more tubes and subjected to incessant talking, lights, beeps and even music would likely find the experience similarly upsetting. According to one of the leading researchers in the ethics of human critical care, "Alleviating the stresses and symptoms of critically ill patients will enhance the quality of their …
How To Keep Your Specimen Carrier Happy And HealthyApril 17, 2009 What is required by the law and your carrier is probably far from what is being done daily in many practices. The best way to comply is to contact your diagnostic lab and check on its requirements. The following recommendations were provided by Vicky Bell at our lab, Animal Pathology Group in Dallas. The way diagnostic specimens should be packaged and transported was defined in a final rule by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2003. Diagnostic specimens must be packaged in triple packaging comprising: • A primary receptacle: Primary receptacles must be packed in secondary packaging in such a way that, under normal conditions of transport, they cannot break, be punctured or leak their contents into the secondary packaging. • Leak-proof secondary packaging: The secondary packaging must be secured in the outer packaging with suitable cushioning material such that any leakage of the contents will not impair the protective properties of the cushioning material or the outer packaging. If several fragile primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they must be individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact among them. • Outer packaging: The completed package must be capable of successfully passing the drop …
AVMA Launches Online CEApril 17, 2009 The American Veterinary Medical Assn. will launch AVMA Ed on Dec. 1 in response to an increased demand for online continuing education opportunities. The association announced the new member service in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “Veterinary medicine is continually evolving,” AVMA Executive Vice President W. Ron DeHaven, DVM, told JAVMA. “The public is demanding more sophisticated care. Online CE is another way to provide veterinarians an opportunity to advance their education, stay abreast of new knowledge in the profession and take advantage of new technology.” Content will come from the AVMA Annual Convention, JAVMA and the association’s other publication, the American Journal of Veterinary Research. Registered participants can browse the website for free. However, a credit card payment is needed to view all the offerings and take an examination. AVMA members receive a discount and student AVMA members have free access. Also, one free course will be offered to every user through Dec. 31. The website will include convention presentations, speaker biographies and notes. Two to three articles from each issue of the JAVMA will be available, beginning with the Oct. 1 issue. Participants can …
