Cremains Create Moments Of EmotionApril 17, 2009 The return of a beloved pet's ashes to the owner after cremation can be a very delicate moment. Below is a letter from Laurel Hunt, who edited and compiled two anthologies of memorial pet poetry, “Angel Pawprints” for dogs and “Angel Whiskers” for cats, available at Amazon.com. Hi Alice, Having recently lost Byron, my 14-year-old springer spaniel, I had that experience of dealing with cremains again. I know what an emotionally difficult moment it is and would like you to write about it. I remember when you were treating Marmaduke and I was silently agonizing over what to do with her body when the time came. I didn't know of any place to bury her so I had gotten as far as figuring we would have her cremated, but then what? I knew we would move from that house and I hated the thought of burying her ashes there and leaving her behind. One afternoon you asked gently, ‘Have you thought about where you will bury her?’ I said, ’I guess we'll have her cremated, but I don't know what to do with the ashes.” …
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PetMed Express Calls Class Action Suits ‘Frivolous’April 17, 2009 PetMed Express officials are denying the allegations of wrongdoing being levied against the company and several of its officers and directors in a series of class action lawsuits. The company, calling the legal actions "frivolous," reports it intends to vigorously defend itself. Among the list of charges, the lawsuits, which at press time had been filed by nearly a dozen law firms on the behalf of PetMed investors, allege the company violated the Securities Exchange Act by failing to disclose that the company’s business model relies on the cooperation of veterinarians, PetMed’s competitors, to fill prescriptions. Lawsuits also allege that the company "could not guarantee the quality, safety or efficacy of PetMed drugs because, as an unauthorized reseller of many products, the company had to obtain such products through unauthorized channels, prompting veterinarians to refuse refilling prescriptions through PetMed." The lawsuits claim the result of this was that PetMed’s financial results were not sustainable, which caused the company’s stock to trade at artificially high prices. The suits allege that during this period of stock inflation, insiders and defendants sold almost $65 million in privately held PetMed stock. PetMed, responding to allegations, states, "PetMed Express has …
Teva To Sell Israeli Vet BusinessApril 17, 2009 Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Israeli-based veterinary business unit to Phibro Animal Health Corp. of Ridgefield Park, N.J., for $47 million. The transaction, still subject to certain conditions, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2009. The unit develops, manufacturers and markets veterinary products for poultry and other large farm animals, both in Israel and internationally, including Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Phibro Animal Health has a subsidiary, Koffolk, in Israel. <HOME>
WSU Receives Donation For Raptor CareApril 17, 2009 A golden eagle was released back to the wild Thursday, near Deary, Idaho, to commemorate a $25,000 donation the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Raptor Rehabilitation Fund received for raptor care. The cash gift, given by Potlatch, a real estate investment trust with about 1.5 million acres of forestland in Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Oregon, is earmarked for construction of an eagle flight training enclosure. “For many years, this college has worked hard to care for raptors and whenever possible return them to the wild,” said Erik Stauber, DVM, Ph.D., head of the college’s Raptor Rehabilitation program. “Medical care for these birds is a vital component of a complete professional veterinary education, our ethics and our sense of compassion.” The golden eagle, which had been discovered unable to fly near Okanogan, Wash., several months ago, had been sent to WSU for advanced care by another raptor rehabilitator. Before it was sent to WSU it was though that the bird, although healed, may not fly again. “Potlatch’s 660,000 acres of Idaho forestlands are home to many species of raptors, so it makes good sense for Potlatch to share data and knowledge about raptors …
Volunteer Animal Transport To Foster Or Forever HomesApril 17, 2009 “Fifteen Legs” is a book by Bonnie Silva that reveals a network of human-animal bond proponents across North America. Most of us don’t have a clue about the amazing volunteer cyber-networking that goes into transports of doomed animals toward hope. Silva’s book contains excellent research and writing that illuminates a vital but mostly underground conduit of animal welfare and pet placement. Volunteers who work in cyberspace to coordinate routes and drivers who transport homeless animals are unsung heroes. This book salutes the volunteer drivers, including truck drivers and pilots, who transport furry passengers in their sedans, vans, SUVs, trucks and planes. When the mileage of all the legs is combined, an animal may be transported hundreds or thousands of miles. The purpose for the hundreds of e-mails that connect one shuttle after another is to give doomed, unwanted, homeless animals a second chance to survive and live in foster homes or to get to their adoptive forever homes. Silva originally wanted to create a documentary film on volunteer animal transport, but she was declined funding. One filmmaker said, “It’s just not of sufficient social significance.” Writing the book was her second choice. But since she was …
100 Horses Die Of Unknown Illness; Bad Hay SuspectedApril 17, 2009About 100 horses at EquiTransfer, an embryo transfer facility in Marion County, Fla., have died just in the past week due to an unknown illness that caused the horses to exhibit neurological problems and then collapse, according to The Gainesville Sun. Although not confirmed, the owners, Jose Davila and Francis Ramirez, both veterinarians, believe the cause was contaminated hay. The suspect hay arrived Sept. 26 and 27 and by Sept. 28, the first few horses became sick, the newspaper reported. The couple did not say who they bought the hay from, but that EquiTransfer is the supplier’s only customer. Samples from the dead horses, as well as from the hay, have been sent to toxicology labs. <HOME>
LSU Names Phi Zeta Research Emphasis Day Award WinnersApril 17, 2009 The Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine recently named the Phi Zeta Research Emphasis Day award winners at its annual Phi Zeta Research Emphasis Day event on Sept. 24. The day, which is sponsored by national veterinary honor society Phi Zeta, was established to promote research in schools of veterinary medicine, to recognize research conducted by veterinary students, residents, graduate students and faculty and to encourage veterinary students to pursue careers in research. Student entries were based on individual current biomedical research. Winners in the student competition, including Master’s, undergraduate and veterinary students, interns and residents included: • 1st place: Soma Chowdhury, Master’s degree student in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, for “Rickettsial infection and role of innate immune response of in skin tissues of mice during tick bite.” • 2nd place: Dr. Brooke Grasperge, laboratory animal resident, for “Microbiological monitoring of sealed versus unsealed barn floors using RODAC bacterial culture plates,” and to Laura D’Amico, third-year veterinary student, for “Evaluation of relationships between acetabulum/femoral head volume ratios and both hip joint laxity and osteoarthritis in lax canine hips from youth to maturity.” • 3rd place: Diana Babin, a third-year veterinary …
Practice-Management Software UpdateApril 17, 2009 Practice-management software vendors are continually upgrading and refining their systems’ functions and features. Here are some of the latest releases and upgrades. In March, ImproMed Inc. released Infinity v4.3. In addition to other enhanced features and interfaces, the release includes X-Charge integrated credit card processing and VSurv, a Web-based client satisfaction survey service provided by Animal Care Technologies. . In July 2007, Idexx Computer Systems released its latest information management system technology for veterinary practices, Idexx Cornerstone 7.1. Powered by Idexx’s SmartLink technology, Cornerstone 7.1 offers simple and seamless electronic connections with other Idexx products and services. The new version gives practitioners and practice staff an advanced ability to track patient status with a new electronic whiteboard. It also features a new user-friendly interface and advanced bar-coding functionality. . Within the past year, the AVImark practice-management system by McAllister Software Systems has added an electronic whiteboard tool, an electronic dental charting function, pet report card capabilities, integration with in-house lab equipment, enhanced functionality of importing reference lab reports, integrated credit card processing and DICOM imaging capability. . Butler Animal Health Supply will debut new practice-management software packages in July. The …
Maryland Publicizes Vet Disciplinary ActionsApril 17, 2009 The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is making the public aware of the agency’s routine regulatory activities. It recently sent out a media report naming six veterinary practice violations. In one case, the board found that a veterinarian in Montgomery County had violated the Veterinary Practice Act by failing to provide basic care to the pets under his care, providing false information to pet owners and failing to take appropriate and timely steps to return pets despite frequent owner attempts to retrieve their pet. The violator’s license was suspended for six months and he was prohibited indefinitely from boarding and hospitalizing animals and placed on three years of probation. “We want the public to be aware that state agencies want to protect consumers,” said Laura Downes, the board’s executive director. “Some people may feel that veterinarians look after their own, but we want people to know that yes, the board will take action [if a complaint is brought to its attention].” In 2007, the board investigated 77 complaints, filed 20 formal disciplinary actions and issued 26 letters of advice or admonishment. Although the number of complaints are less than the …
Petsmart Recalls Dog Biscuits With Peanut PasteApril 17, 2009Phoenix-based pet store chain Petsmart is voluntarily recalling seven of its Grreat Choice Dog Biscuit products that contain peanut paste made by Peanut Corp. of America (PCA). PCA is the focus of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into potential salmonella contamination of peanut butter and paste made at its Blakely, Ga., facility. Although Petsmart is not aware of any cases of illness related to these products, it has removed them from its store shelves and website and is conducting the recall as a precautionary measure The recalled products include only the following types of Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits sold between Aug. 21, 2008, and Jan. 19, 2009: Small Assorted 32 oz., UPC 73725702900 Small/Medium Assorted 4 lb., UPC 73725700601 Small/Medium Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700605 Small/Medium Assorted 10 lb., UPC 73725702755 Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700638 Extra Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700779 Peanut Butter 4 lb., UPC 73725700766 Cu犀利士 stomers who purchased the recalled dog biscuit products should discontinue use immediately and may return the product to any Petsmart store for a complete refund or exchange. Customers can visit www.petsmartfacts.com …
