MacDonald To Head Managers GroupFebruary 9, 2012 Tom MacDonald, CVPM, was voted president of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. MacDonald commenced his two-year term as president at the VHMA annual membership meeting in October. He is a co-founder of the Lincoln Village Animal Hospital of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and has been a VHMA member since 2001. As president, MacDonald’s goals are to increase communication within the membership and engage more veterinarians. The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association will focus on the combination of the Veterinary Information Network and Facebook to enhance members’ ability to communicate with each other to share ideas and experiences, MacDonald said.
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Novartis Resumes Shipping Animal Drugs Made In NebraskaFebruary 8, 2012 Novartis Animal Health resumed U.S. shipments of veterinary drugs manufactured at its Lincoln, Neb., plant, the company reported today. When production at the plant will resume remains uncertain. The amount available for shipment varies by brand, from several weeks of supply to several months. The inventory is being closely managed, said Joseph Burkett, global head of communications for Novartis Animal Health. Novartis stopped production at the Lincoln plant Jan. 5 after recalling several human over-the-counter drugs manufactured at the plant. The recall was issued because of reports of broken and wrong pills showing up in drug bottles. Novartis did not recall any animal drugs manufactured in Lincoln but halted production plant-wide, affecting the supply of U.S. brands such as Interceptor Flavor Tabs, Sentinel Flavor Tabs, Clomicalm, Program Tablets and Suspension, and Milbemite. Affected Canadian brands included Interceptor, Sentinel and Program Tablets. The company also issued a “Dear Doctor” letter warning of a possibility that foreign or broken tablets could appear in bottles of Clomicalm because it is packaged on the same line as the affected human products. Returning to normal production of veterinary products at the Lincoln plant is a top …
Gear Trends: Smaller, Wireless, PortableFebruary 8, 2012 From the farm to cloud computing, the sky seems to be the limit for the latest in portable digital equipment for the equine practitioner. Wireless capability, remote access to medical records and high-quality in imaging are just some of favored examples of the latest digital technology. David Frisbie, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVS, associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, considers a micro-arthroscope inserted in an 18ga needle a technological breakthrough. The needlescope enables the practitioner to perform procedures under partial sedation and with local blocks, rather than the traditional method that requires full anesthesia. Local anesthesia may be used and the horse remains standing, which Dr. Frisbie said lessens complications all around. For the past year, Frisbie has evaluated a number of horses’ stifle injuries with this new equipment, first developed for human medicine. “When you are trying to diagnose stifle problems,” he said, “X-rays and ultrasound can’t give you an accurate view and the joint is too big for an MRI. And there is not really a general arthroscope that practitioners can carry around. Needlescope vs. Arthroscope “We know that we can medicate the stifle with …
W. Virginia Eyes Pet Food Registration Fee IncreaseFebruary 8, 2012 The West Virginia Senate Agriculture Committee will hear a bill next week that would raise the permit fee on certain pet food and feed packages to provide funding for a spay and neuter fund. The West Virginia Senate Agriculture Committee will hear a bill next week that would raise the permit fee on certain pet food and feed packages to provide funding for a spay and neuter fund. Senate Bill 479 establishes a Spay Neuter Assistance Fund to subsidize spay and neuter programs throughout West Virginia, with the aim to decrease the number of animals euthanized in West Virginia shelters, according to the bill text. The bill would also raise the registration fee for pet food from $50 to $75 per product and deposit $25 from the fee into the fund. It would also raise the commercial feed fee from $40 to $50 and deposit $10 in the fund. The bill will be heard by the committee on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2012. The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council opposes the bill, saying the cost of spay and neuter services should not be …
Rhode Island Considers Debarking BanFebruary 8, 2012Rhode Island Considers Debarking BanRhode Island Debarking Ban, debarking, dog, cat, veterinarianThe Rhode Island Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee will consider a bill on Feb. 15, 2012, that would ban debarking procedures for nonmedical reasons.The Rhode Island Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee will consider a bill that seeks to ban debarking procedures for nonmedical reasons.newslineRhode Island Considers Debarking BanPosted: Feb. 8, 2012, 1:20 p.m. EST The Rhode Island Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee will consider a bill on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, that would ban debarking procedures for nonmedical reasons. Senate Bill 2193 would impose a fine on any person who surgically debarks or silences a dog or cat unless a veterinarian licensed in Rhode Island has filed a written certification with the applicable animal control officer stating that the surgery is "medically necessary to treat or relieve an illness, disease, or injury, or correct a congenital abnormality that is causing or will cause the dog or cat medical harm or pain." The maximum fine would be $1,000. A person convicted of violating the law could also be barred from owning or possessing any animals, or living on the same property with someone who owns or possesses animals, for a …
Oregon May Empower Animal Welfare AgentsFebruary 8, 2012 A bill to be heard Wednesday by the Oregon House Judiciary Committee would allow state police to commission employees of humane investigation agencies to enforce animal welfare laws. The bill, HB4021, defines a humane investigation agency as a private, nonprofit animal care agency that has maintained an animal welfare investigation department for at least five years and has had officers employed as special agents. The state police superintendant would be able to authorize an employee of a humane investigation agency as a humane special agent who has powers and protections afforded by Oregon state police. The employee would have to be certified or eligible to be certified as a police officer under state law, and the agency would need an insurance policy sufficient to satisfy any legal claims. The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council opposes the law, saying the legislation could open up breeders, pet stores and pet owners to routine harassment. The council advised its members to contact the Oregon House Judiciary Committee with questions or concerns and, if possible, to attend the hearing. <HOME>
Missouri Mulls Animal Rights LawFebruary 6, 2012 The Missouri House General Laws Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow on a bill that would prevent future laws from granting animals the same rights as people. The bill, HB 1513, would add a new section to Missouri’s Revised Code of Statutes reading: “The laws of this state shall not confer upon any animal a right, privilege, or legal status that is equivalent or that exceeds a right, privilege, or legal status as that which this state confers by law upon a human being. This provision shall not be construed as limiting laws that protect the welfare of animals in the state.” The committee will hold its hearing Feb. 7, 2012, at noon CST in hearing room 4 at the State Capitol Building in Jefferson City, Mo. Anti-animal rights group the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners favors the law and asked its supporters to contact members of the committee to voice their support for the law. <HOME>
Missouri Lawmakers To Consider Changes To ‘Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act’February 6, 2012 A bill seeking to modify a voter-approved law that imposes new standards on Missouri’s dog breeders is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011. House Bill 131, introduced by Republican Rep. Stanley Cox, would scale back the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, which was narrowly approved by voters in November 2010. The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, also known as Proposition B, amends the law to require any person who owns more than 10 unaltered female dogs for the purpose of breeding to follow certain standards for feeding, veterinary care, housing, exercise and rest cycles between breeding. It prohibits anyone from owning more than 50 unaltered dogs for the purpose of breeding and selling the dogs’ offspring for pets. The act spurred a heated debate that pitted animal rights groups against breeders and others in the industry who claimed the requirements were excessive and unnecessary. Although the measure has received voter approval, the debate doesn’t appear to be over just yet. State legislators have since introduced several bills, including HB 131, that seeks to modify or repeal the act. As written, HB …
Novartis Warns Of Foreign Tablet Risk With ClomicalmFebruary 3, 2012 (Update: As of Feb. 3, 2012, Novartis resumed U.S. shipments of animal drugs already manufactured at the Lincoln, Neb., plant.) Novartis Animal Health cautioned veterinarians yesterday that foreign tablets may be found in certain bottles of Clomicalm (clomipramine hydrochloride) tablets. The company issued the warning via a “Dear Doctor” letter as a precautionary measure, 17 days after its consumer health division recalled several products packaged at a facility in Lincoln, Neb., over similar concerns. No instances of foreign tablets in Clomicalm bottles have been reported to Novartis. Clomicalm is one of five Novartis products currently experiencing a supply disruption after the company voluntarily suspended operations at the Lincoln facility. Novartis recommended clinic staff open each bottle of Clomicalm and examine its contents for tablets that are broken or are incorrect in color, shape or size. If any abnormalities are found, Novartis recommended returning the product and reporting the findings to the company by calling 800-637-0281. Novartis also issued a “Dear Valued Customer” letter for clinics to distribute to affected pet owners, and recommended that clinics inform clients who have already …
WVC Enhancements Include Exhibit Hall Park, Zumba WorkoutsFebruary 2, 2012 Organizers of the Western Veterinary Conference are touting several enhancements to the event, as it prepares for total attendance of nearly 15,000 to its 84th annual conference, slated for Feb. 19-23, 2012, in Las Vegas. In addition, organizers report more than 900 hours of programming will be offered during the conference, including nearly 700 hours for veterinarians, 80 for veterinary technicians and 68 focused on practice management. The program also offers more than 30 hands-on labs at the WVC’s nearby Oquendo Center, 42 symposia, nine Lunch & Learn sessions and a panel discussion for veterinary technicians interested in becoming specialists. Last year's show featured 875 hours of continuing education, about 30 hands-on laboratories and workshops, more than 30 focused symposia, 18 industry seminars. Organizers reported more than 550 exhibitors will display their products and services in the exhibit hall. “We’ve added our new WVC Plaza, a park-like area for resting and refreshing that will make the exhibit hall even more accommodating with staple WVC features such as the Cyber Café, classifieds board and the scholarship supporting silent auction,” said Joel Altman, exhibits manager. The park will also feature …
