Diamond Halts Pet Food Production At S.C. PlantApril 13, 2012 Diamond Pet Foods of Meta, Mo., suspended all production at its Gaston, S.C., plant, following a dog food recall last week due to salmonella concerns, the company reported today. Diamond ceased production at the plant on April 8, 2012, two days after it recalled several lots of Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice dry dog food due to potential contamination with salmonella. No other products are at risk of being contaminated, according to the company. Brands manufactured at the Gaston facility include: • Diamond • Taste of the Wild • Premium Edge • Professional • Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul • Country Value The company did not provide a specific timeframe on when it would resume production, but said it will not do so until the Gaston plant meets the “highest possible standards of quality.” <HOME>
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Animal-assisted Therapy Study Readies For Pilot TrialApril 12, 2012Pfizer Animal Health and the American Humane Association wrapped up a literature review and a series of focus groups and interviews as part of the first phase of a research study on the benefits of animal-assisted therapy on pediatric cancer patients, Pfizer Animal Health reported today. The research study, titled “Canines and Childhood Cancer: Examining the Effects of Therapy Dogs with Childhood Cancer Patients and their Families,” is a multi-year project started in 2010 to examine the specific medical, behavioral and mental health benefits animal-assisted therapy may have for children with cancer and their families. The initial phase of the study included a literature review and focus groups and interviews with hospital staff, family caregivers and animal-assisted therapy handlers. According to the results of the first phase, no standard protocol exists for animal-assisted therapy sessions (i.e., length, number and type of participants in each session, session activities, or talking points), lending credence to the need for the study, Pfizer said. The information gathered in the initial phase will aid in designing future phases of the study, including a pilot trial and a full clinical trial. The pilot trial will include three to five pediatric oncology sites and will be followed …
FDA Seeks To Limit Antibiotics Use In LivestockApril 11, 2012 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today published three documents outlining a voluntary initiative for members of the livestock industry to phase out production uses of antibiotics in food-producing animals. The documents will help veterinarians, farmers and animal producers use medically important antibiotics judiciously in food-producing animals by targeting their use to only address disease and health problems, the FDA said. Under the initiative, certain antibiotics would not be used for production purposes, such as to enhance growth or improve feed efficiency in an animal. However, the antibiotics would still be available to prevent, control or treat illnesses in food-producing animals under the supervision of a veterinarian. The documents, published today in the Federal Register, include: = A final guidance for industry titled The Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals that recommends phasing out the agricultural production use of medically important drugs and phasing in veterinary oversight of therapeutic uses of these drugs. = A draft guidance, open for public comment, which will assist …
Veterinarians Emotional In Wake Of Kesmarc ExplosionApril 11, 2012 Veterinarians Emotional in Wake of Kesmarc Explosionveterinarians Kesmarc explosion, equine veterinarian, veterinary medicine, veterinary practice, oxygen therapy, hyperbaricHorror, shock and soul-searching gripped a community of equine veterinarians after the death of a horse and his caregiver in the February explosion of a high-pressure oxygen therapy chamber in Florida. Horror, shock and soul-searching gripped a community of equine veterinarians after the death of a horse and his caregiver in the February explosion of a high-pressure oxygen therapy chamber in Florida. Feelings of deep sadness swirled around their firm conviction that pressurized oxygen therapy has helped countless human and veterinary patients, and promises much more.newsline, equinelargeVeterinarians Emotional in Wake of Kesmarc ExplosionBy Lou Anne Epperley, DVM For Veterinary Practice News Horror, shock and soul-searching gripped a community of equine veterinarians after the death of a horse and his caregiver in the February explosion of a high-pressure oxygen therapy chamber in Florida. Feelings of deep sadness swirled around their firm conviction that pressurized oxygen therapy has helped countless human and veterinary patients, and promises much more. “The sadness for the loss of life and injury, both human and horse, literally defined the moment that was shared by the veterinary …
Henry Schein To Purchase European Veterinary WholesalerApril 11, 2012 Henry Schein Inc., parent company of Butler Schein Animal Health, plans to acquire AUV Veterinary Services B.V., the veterinary wholesale business of Netherlands-based AUV Group, Henry Schein reported today. AUV Veterinary Services, headquartered in Cuijk, the Netherlands, distributes pharmaceuticals, pet foods, small equipment and disposables to more than 2,000 veterinarians in the Netherlands and Belgium. It also operates a consulting business for veterinary practices called AUV Advies and an education service for veterinarians and staff called AUV Academie. The company has about 200 employees and reported net sales for 2011 of €194.2 (about $270.4 million). “AUV will provide Henry Schein entry into the Dutch and Belgian animal health markets as the category leader,” said Stanley Bergman, chairman and CEO of Melville, N.Y.-based Henry Schein, “This important addition will further our Pan-European strategy of providing animal health practitioners across the continent with the products and services needed to operate more efficient practices and provide high quality care.” Henry Schein signed a definitive agreement to acquire AUV Veterinary Services, and the transaction is pending regulatory approval. Henry Schein expects the deal to close later this quarter. The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction. …
AAVMC Taps Maccabe For Executive Director PositionApril 10, 2012The American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges named Andrew Maccabe, DVM, M.P.H., J.D., as executive director, effective May 15, 2012. Dr. Maccabe, a former associate executive director with the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, is currently employed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Emerging, Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases where he acts as the center’s liaison to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to coordinate policy and programs between the two agencies. “I’m energized by the challenges we face and excited by the opportunities we have to advance veterinary medical education,” Maccabe said. “The colleges are training the next generation of veterinarians who will lead our profession tomorrow. Thirty years from now, they will be practicing in ways that few of us can even imagine today.” Maccabe is a champion of the “One Health” initiative, according to the AAVMC. The North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium emphasized One Health in its Roadmap for Veterinary Medical Education in the 21st Century: Responsive, Collaborative, Flexible report. “[It’s important that] veterinary medical colleges conduct the biomedical research that provides the scientific foundation …
Your Patient Swallowed What?April 10, 2012 Entries are being accepted for Veterinary Practice News’ seventh annual “They Ate What?” radiograph contest, which highlights the dietary indiscretions committed by veterinary clients’ dogs, cats, snakes guinea pigs, cows and horses. The entry deadline is June 30, 2012. A digital single-lens reflex camera is the grand prize. Two runners-up will each receive a point-and-shoot digital camera. Winners will be announced in the September issue of Veterinary Practice News. Sound-Eklin of Carlsbad, Calif., is sponsoring the contest.< “With the proliferation of digital technology over the past few years, we expect to see many well-defined cases presenting an even greater variety of findings,” said Greg Stoutenburgh, vice president of marketing for Sound-Eklin. High-resolution radiographs must be submitted electronically, with “contest” in the subject line, to VPNeditor@bowtieinc.com. The submitter must include his or her name, the clinic name and address, a telephone number and a brief explanation of the case. Entries become the property of BowTie Inc., which reserves the right to use them in any publication, media or promotion. Contestants agree that their photo, text, name and city may be posted on BowTie websites and, in the case of the winners, on sponsor …
MedPro Launches Veterinary Division And Transducer Repair LabApril 9, 2012 Ultrasound distributor MedPro Imaging launched a veterinary division along with a veterinary probe repair lab and became the exclusive distributor of Siemens Ultrasound products to the veterinary market, the Waukesha, Wis.-based company reported today. The new MedPro Vet division will be headed by former regional sales manager Neil Walendy, who was promoted to director of U.S. Veterinary Sales. Walendy has 13 years of experience selling into the veterinary market with companies including Sound Technologies and United Medical Instruments. With the launch of the new division, MedPro will ramp up its sales and marketing efforts in the veterinary industry with the addition of new operations personnel and repair technicians, according to Keith Rubenstein, vice president of sales and managing partner for MedPro. The veterinary ultrasound probe repair laboratory is the first of its kind in the world, according to MedPro. Repairs include micro-convex probe lens damage from needles during cystoscopy and fine needle aspiration, probe connector replacement, housings, cables, strain reliefs, arrays and re-terminate arrays. “We saw a tremendous need for [the new division], and we invested a lot of money into setting this up – especially the transducer repair …
Extralabel Cephalosporin Ban Goes Into EffectApril 6, 2012 The federal prohibition on extralabel uses of the cephalosporin class of antimicrobial drugs in major species of food-producing animals went into effect yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported today. The FDA order prohibits extralabel uses of all cephalosporins, excepting cephapirin, in cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys, including: • Using cephalosporin drugs at unapproved dose levels, frequencies, durations, or routes of administration; • Using cephalosporin drugs in cattle, swine, chickens or turkeys that are not approved for use in that species (e.g., cephalosporin drugs intended for humans or companion animals); • Using cephalosporin drugs for disease prevention. The FDA enacted the prohibition to preserve the effectiveness of cephalosporin drugs for treating humans by reducing the risk of cephalosporin resistance in certain bacterial pathogens, the agency said. The order does not limit the use of cephapirin, because the FDA does not believe the drug contributes significantly to antimicrobial resistance. In 2008, the FDA issued a similar order, but revoked it prior to implementation to consider remarks made during the comment period. In January 2012, the FDA issued the current …
Elevated Heartworm Prevalence Expected This SpringApril 5, 2012 The United States will experience high populations of heartworm due to anticipated above-normal temperatures and precipitation levels, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council's spring 2012 parasite forecast released today. The forecast is based on National Weather Service data, weather trends, parasite prevalence statistics from veterinary clinics and animal shelters, and the collective expert opinion of parasitologists. Through April 2012, the forecast calls for the following levels of heartworm populations in five U.S. regions: “extremely high” in the South; “high” in the Northeast and Midwest; “moderate to higher-than-normal” in the Northwest; and “persistent spikes” in parts of the West. “We want everyone to be especially vigilant in protecting themselves and their pets from the risks that parasites pose in every state in the country,” said CAPC board member and former president Byron Blagburn, M.S., Ph.D., a distinguished professor at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. “It’s important to remember that almost all parasites are completely preventable.” The Companion Animal Parasite Council will issue another parasite forecast this fall that covers heartworm and ticks. In related news, the American Heartworm Society recently
