Vetsulin Diabetes Drug Back On U.S. MarketMay 1, 2013 Vetsulin, the only FDA-approved insulin for both dogs and cats with diabetes mellitus, is available again more than three years after concerns were raised about the drug’s stability. Merck Animal Health’s reintroduction of Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension) to the U.S. veterinary market comes as the number of dogs diagnosed with diabetes mellitus has risen sharply over the past 30 years. The prevalence in dogs and cats ranges from 1 in 100 to 1 in 500, Merck stated. Vetsulin is administered twice a day in cats and most dogs. Up to one-third of dogs may be controlled with once-a-day administration. Marketed outside the United States under the brand name Caninsulin, Vetsulin has been used to manage pet diabetes for more than 20 years. It was introduced to the U.S. market in 2004 for canine use and in 2008 for cats. The drug was gradually withdrawn from the U.S. market starting in November 2009 because of inconsistencies in one of Vetsulin’s components, raising fears that the product could have unpredictable onset and duration of action. The issues have been resolved, leading to U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of Vetsulin’s reintroduction, the …
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Veterinary Social Work Summit?April 30, 2013 You haven’t heard of the Veterinary Social Work Summit? Well, you’re not alone. Even though 2013 marks the third such Summit (although they skipped 2012), it is still an event that is not widely known among veterinary professionals. Perhaps this blog is the first step to changing that! In short, the University of Tennessee has combined the College of Veterinary Medicine with the College of Social Work, and created a master’s program called Veterinary Social Work. Still confused? Then let me explain the four basic cornerstones of this program. They focus on: Animal-assisted therapy (for humans) The link between animal and human abuse Pet loss and grief Compassion fatigue As you can see, a few of these topics are really focused on the social workers’ areas of expertise: animal-assisted therapy for humans, and the link of the two types of abuse. The other two are topics that we veterinary professionals are intimately involved in, helping ourselves and our pet families deal with grief and pet loss, while at the same time trying to avoid the throes of compassion fatigue. Although I was one of only about three people from veterinary …
UC Davis Veterinarians Nurse Disfigured Dog Back To HealthApril 29, 2013 If all goes according to plan, a Filipino dog that was gravely injured when she rushed to save two girls from an oncoming motorcycle should be back home in May. Kabang, whose upper snout and jaw were severed when she lunged at the motorcycle, arrived in October at the University of California, Davis, William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. She was later diagnosed with cancer and heartworm disease. The first of Kabang’s two reconstructive surgeries took place March 5, when oral surgeons Boaz Arzi, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, and Frank Verstraete, DrMedVet, Dipl. AVDC, Dipl. ECVS, Dipl. EVDC, removed two upper fourth premolars, repaired a cracked front tooth and rebuilt her missing left eyelid. "Her vets describe her as the ideal patient,” said Rob Warren, the hospital’s communications and marketing officer. "She’s receptive to everyone, and no matter we put her through, she wags her tail.” Kabang’s second surgical hurdle, scheduled for around April 1, is expected to close the large wound where her upper snout and jaw used to be and create an artificial nasal passage, making breathing easier. She then will be evaluated for about a month and returned to her owner, Rudy …
Nearly Half Of Young Adults Prefer To Buy Pet Rather Than AdoptApril 26, 2013 A survey conducted by Best Friends Animal Society of Kanab, Utah, identified what the organization called a disconnect in how young Americans approach pet adoption. The survey results, released Wednesday, found that 46 percent of people ages 18 to 34 were more likely to purchase a pet from a breeder or store rather than consider adoption. In addition, the same percentage believed that shelter animals were less desirable than those obtained from breeders. "We were sad to learn that to some extent animals in shelters are stereotyped by young adults as damaged goods,” said Gregory Castle, the society’s CEO and co-founder. "The fact is that every day in this country perfectly wonderful family pets land in shelters through no fault of their own, all of whom need and deserve a home of their own.” Nearly 40 percent of the young adults surveyed thought homeless animals were not necessarily at risk and would remain in a shelter until adoption. About 4 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year in city shelters, Best Friends reported. Out of the 1,000 adults of all ages surveyed by telephone in November 2012, 90 percent considered themselves pet lovers and …
Memories Linger Of Tragic Day In BostonApril 25, 2013Running the Boston Marathon is about timing: the start, the finish, a personal record, shaving a second here and there. But timing took on added seriousness April 15, 2013. For veterinarians, staff members, veterinary students and supporters who ran or watched the race, timing and location helped them stay out of harm’s way when the bombs detonated at 2:50 p.m. ‘Scariest Time in My Life’ Rome, Ga., resident Alexis Headrick, LVT, crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 44 minutes, some 46 minutes before the blasts occurred. Fortuitously, Headrick’s parents and young son and daughter cheered her on at mile 19 because they thought she would need some encouragement. A day before the 2013 Boston Marathon, Alexis Headrick, LVT, center, poses with her parents, Bob and Lisa Sapp, son, Tristan, and daughter, Lily, at the finish line. She was nowhere near the finish line when the bombs went off, but the subsequent separation from her family was nerve-wracking. "There was about a 30-minute period [when] it was the scariest time in my life,” she recounted. Headrick credited her father, Bob Sapp, who works in law enforcement, with easing her fears somewhat. …
Only 38% Of Vet Clinics Operating At Full CapacityApril 23, 2013 That was one of the main findings outlined in a study released today by the American Veterinary Medical Association, which discovered that the available supply of veterinary services in 2012 exceeded demand by the equivalent of about 11,250 full-time veterinarians. Put another way, 12.5 percent of U.S. veterinarians’ capacity to diagnose, treat and provide wellness care to patients went unused in 2012. The excess capacity is projected to range from 11 to 14 percent annually through 2025, but AVMA cautioned that the issue isn’t one of too many people entering the profession. "The study aptly points out that it’s not a matter of too many veterinarians but it’s a matter of a lot of veterinarians not running their clinical practices at full capacity,” said Michael Dicks, Ph.D., director of AVMA’s Veterinary Economics Division in Schaumburg, Ill. "The 12.5 percent underutilization of capacity in those practices [may speak] to the state of the economy.” Generating additional demand for veterinary services is one obvious solution, said Link Welborn, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, chairman of AVMA’s Workforce Advisory Group. "That’s not simple and quick and easy, but certainly an area that definitely …
Plant Problems Cured, Novatis Resumes Sentinel ProductionApril 22, 2013 With the reintroduction of Sentinel, Novartis also announced last week that it would stop manufacturing the heartworm drug Interceptor Flavor Tabs. Jim Blacka, DVM, the global director of professional services at Novartis Animal Health U.S. Inc., apologized for the manufacturing stoppage, which followed numerous quality-control problems that have since been corrected. "Know that you have our most sincere apologies for the supply interruption to your practice and your clients,” Dr. Blacka told veterinarians in a video announcement. "We’ll work hard to regain your trust and confidence.” The new pricing is not temporary, Blacka said. "This is not just an introductory or special-offer price point,” he noted. "These new prices are here to stay.” The elimination of Interceptor will be offset by the reappearance of Sentinel, Blacka said. "Sentinel Flavored Tabs provide the same exceptional protection against heartworm and intestinal parasites plus fleas, all at a price similar to Interceptor,” he said. "I hope that you will agree the return of Sentinel Flavor Tabs at this pricing establishes a new standard of care for your practice.” Sentinel (milbemycin oxime, lufenuron) and Interceptor (milbemycin …
Natura Expands Recall Of Dry Food, TreatsApril 22, 2013 The recall, ordered because of potential salmonella contamination, does not involve any canned wet foods or biscuits. The affected brands include California Natural, Evo, Innova and HealthWise dry food and treats for dogs and cats. Karma dry dog food was not part of a recall announced March 18 but was added to the list. All UPCs and lot codes are part of the wider recall, Fremont, Neb.-based Natura reported April 19. The affected products are sold through veterinary clinics and pet stores in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Costa Rica as well as online. The action followed testing conducted by the Michigan and Georgia departments of agriculture, which confirmed the presence of salmonella in additional foods and treats. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning in pets include lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. People who handle contaminated pet products may exhibit similar symptoms. Pet owners are advised to discard the recalled food. Information about replacement food or a refund is available by calling 800-224-6123 …
Insurance Trade Group Adds Industry Leader VPIApril 18, 2013 Veterinary Pet Insurance, the industry’s largest policy writer, is joining the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) and taking a spot on the trade group’s board of directors. The decision, announced Wednesday, comes six years after NAPHIA was established and more than 30 years after VPI became the first insurer of pet health in North America. "Like NAPHIA, VPI believes in setting high standards for the industry in service, coverage and transparency,” said Scott Liles, president of Brea, Calif.-based VPI. "In order for NAPHIA and the industry to be even more successful, we felt it was time for VPI ... to actively participate in NAPHIA’s vision and endeavors.” Liles will represent VPI on the board of directors. "VPI has led the industry in North America, and our member companies are excited to have them—and Scott—on board,” said Kristen Lynch, NAPHIA’s executive director. "NAPHIA’s membership now represents more than 85 percent of the pet insurance marketplace in North America.” Jack Stephens, DVM, the group’s secretary and the founder and owner of Pets Best Insurance in Boise, Idaho, welcomed VPI. "I always felt they …
Sterilization Makes Difference In Life Span, Disease Risk Of DogsApril 18, 2013 Sterilized dogs live longer but are more likely to die from cancer, according to University of Georgia researchers. The study, published Wednesday in the online peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE, found that intact dogs—those not neutered—lived an average of 7.9 years, compared to 9.4 years for sterilized dogs. The discovery was based on a sample of 40,139 death records contained in the Veterinary Medical Database, a collection generated by North American veterinary medical colleges. "There is a long tradition of research into the cost of reproduction, and what has been shown across species is if you reproduce, you don’t live as long,” said Kate Creevy, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, an assistant professor at Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. "The question that raises is, why would you die younger if you have offspring?” The researchers learned that neutered dogs were more likely to die from cancer or autoimmune diseases. Intact dogs were more likely to die from infectious disease or trauma. "Intact dogs are still dying from cancer; it is just a more common cause of death for those that are sterilized,” said Jessica Hoffman, a Georgia doctoral candidate who co-authored …
