AAEP Supports Care For Unwanted U.S. Horses; GAO Says Reinstate Slaughter Or A BanJune 30, 2011A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report concludes that from 2006 to 2010 the number of horses exported to Mexico for processing rose 660 percent. The number of horses exported to Canadian processing plants increased 148 percent during the same time frame, the report states. The GAO conducted the study, issued June 22, by order of the U.S. Senate Appropriations' Committee. The committee wanted answers to how the horse processing plant closures in 2007 affected the American horse industry. The study looked at how processing plant closures influenced the number of horses sold, exported, adopted, or abandoned in the U.S. The Appropriations Committee also wanted statistics on how the closures affected farm income and trade, and how the USDA has overseen the transport of horses to Mexico and Canada for slaughter. As a result of the GAO report, The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) says the equine industry must maintain its focus on reducing the rising unwanted horse population in the U.S. “Responsible horse ownership is a critical piece of this challenge,” says William Moyer, DVM, president of AAEP. “Current and potential horse owners should consider buying rather than breeding and when possible, adopting rather than buying. While the GAO …
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New Mexico Dog Tests Positive For PlagueJune 29, 2011 Laboratory tests today confirmed Bubonic plague in a Rio Rancho, N.M. dog. State health officials are alerting residents to protect themselves and pets against the zoonotic disease most commonly transmitted by flea bites. The bacterial disease caused by Yersinia pestis, a gram-negative bacterium, can spread to people through infected flea bites or when people come into contact with infected rodents, rabbits and other animals. The bacterium is endemic to most of the Western U.S. “The infected dog presented to a local veterinarian in Rio Rancho, N.M. with a history of killing sick rabbits about a week before illness onset,” says Paul Ettestad, DVM, MS, New Mexico public health veterinarian. “It had clinical signs of fever, lethargy and anorexia. The veterinarian drew an acute serology that tested negative in the state health department laboratory for both plague and tularemia. A convalescent serology drawn three weeks later showed a greater than four-fold rise in the plague titer (from <4 to 256) which is confirmatory.” The Centers for Disease Control map counties where positive plague activity has been reported. Positive fleas, wildlife, cats, dogs and human cases are included. “You can see that there is the potential for …
Merck Animal Division Intervet/Schering Plough Now Called Merck Animal HealthJune 29, 2011 Merck’s animal health division, formerly known as Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, announced today it will begin using the name, Merck Animal Health. It will be known as MSD Animal Health outside the U.S. and Canada. Merck Animal Health is a global company focusing on research, development, manufacturing and sale of veterinary medication and vaccines. The division generated global sales of $2.9 billion in 2010. “The name change reflects Merck’s commitment to animal health and its complementary role to the overall business,” says Raul Kohan, president of Merck Animal Health. “We are unwavering in our commitment to veterinarians, producers, pet owners and society as a whole. We aim to generate additional value and sustained growth by continuing to provide integrated solutions with innovative animal health products and services to meet the evolving needs of our customers.” This change follows the March announcement by Merck and sanofi-aventis ending plans to form an animal health joint venture. “With the scientific and business backing of Merck, Merck Animal Health possesses the necessary mix of resources to enhance our position as an industry leader,” Kohan says. <Home>
Startup Receives $10,000 Grant To Develop Veterinary IPhone AppJune 29, 2011 Ellens Technologies LLC, a veterinary software company, received a $10,000 grant from Arizona State University (ASU), the company reported. The grant is part of the Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative, a privately funded business plan competition. The company’s veterinary diagnostic application plan won over more than 250 Edson contest applicants. Jeremy Ellens, the company co-founder, says the grant will be used to complete development of the iPhone application with a projected August release date. “We kept the details about the application vague as it is not released yet and don't want to rush anyone to market,” says Ellens, chief innovation officer at Ellens Technologies. “We are testing it in a focus group this July. We are going to release it for iPhone, iPad, and iTouch first. I don't have a cost yet but we will be releasing it most likely with a limited free trial.” Ellens Technologies submitted a business plan to the Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative outlining strategies for the development of their mobile veterinary application. After being selected as finalists, Ellens and Tim Johnsen, chief technology officer, pitched the application to a panel of judges. The grant recipients were judged on business plans and presentation. …
AHS Announces Revised Heartworm University ScheduleJune 28, 2011The American Heartworm Society (AHS) announced dates and locations for Heartworm University, an accredited program offered to the veterinary industry. Attendees of Heartworm University earn six continuing education credit hours for attending the session. A(ntigens) to Z(oonosis), a presentation series, provides an overview of new AHS survey data on heartworm incidence and clinically relevant information on pathophysiology and diagnostic, prevention and treatment protocols. The curriculum covers the latest information on controversial topics such as slow kill of heartworms and macrocyclic lactone lack of efficacy investigations. “New information about heartworm disease, including its diagnosis, prevention and treatment is flowing in volumes compared to the trickle of information we had during most of the 1990s,” says Wallace Graham, DVM, president of AHS. “Heartworm University is designed to bring the latest information and nationally recognized speakers to veterinarians who practice in heartworm-endemic areas.” Serving as Heartworm University instructors are: Clarke Atkins, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM from North Carolina State University, and Matthew Miller, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM (Cardiology) from Texas A&M University. Dr. Atkins will speak at the Hershey, Pa., San Antonio and Atlanta meetings and Dr. Miller will speak in Tyler, Texas. Upcoming sessions include: • Aug. 14 in Hershey, Pa. This meeting …
Shot Bald Eagle Recovering With Help From MSU And Jackson Zoo VetsJune 28, 2011 A dehydrated and anorexic bald eagle with a fractured wing transported by Alcorn County, Miss. department of wildlife officers to Mississippi State University’s (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine is now recovering. The bird, which is protected under federal and state wildlife statutes, was in shock and had a pellet lodged in its wing, according to a statement from MSU. “We did a quick physical and assessed his symptoms,” says Lori Haas, DVM, clinical sciences instructor at MSU’s Animal Health Center. “Despite being young, he was large, with a five to six-foot wing span. CVM’s role is to evaluate and stabilize wildlife patients we receive and then find them placement at a facility that provides surgical procedures to wildlife. This time, we secured a spot at the Jackson Zoo.” After six hours of treatment at CVM, two veterinary students transported the eagle to the Jackson Zoo. “The eagle was in good condition when he arrived at the zoo,” says Michael Holifield, DVM, contract veterinarian for the Jackson Zoo. “He was bright, alert and responsive. He was just thin due to lack of food. We’ve done an additional procedure to enhance his bone healing. He’s doing well with …
VPI: Top 10 Client Medical Expenses For 2010June 28, 2011 Data released from Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. ahows that $1,000 veterinary bills may be more common than expected. In 2010, VPI policyholders submitted nearly 14,000 claims with an average treatment cost exceeding $1,000. “Pet owners should be aware that these $1,000 accidents and illnesses can happen to just about any pet; indoor, outdoor, young or old,” says Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA, vice president and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI. “Though the cost of care for these conditions may be high, the prognosis is usually positive and many of the pets that are treated will recover.” The company analyzed its database to find that its most expensive claims were the result of 10 medical conditions. Torn Knee Ligament/Cartilage Intestinal Foreign Object Stomach - Foreign Object Intervertebral Disc Disease Stomach Torsion/Bloat Broken Leg (Plate) Laryngeal Paralysis Tumor of the Throat Ear Canal Surgery/ Ablation Ruptured Bile Duct Surgical treatment for a torn knee ligament/cartilage occurred with the greatest frequency. The condition with the highest average cost per claim was intervertebral disc disease, for which pet owners paid an average of $3,282 in 2010. Call (800) 872-7387 or visit PetInsurance.com for more information.
Some Dry Cat Foods Recalled Due To Salmonella ConcernJune 27, 2011 In the latest of a string of pet food recalls due to potential Salmonella concerns, Nestle Purina PetCare Co. of St. Louis is recalling about 870 bags of dry cat food shipped to customers in Colorado, Idaho and Oregon. In turn, those customers may have distributed the affected product to other Western states, the company reported. There have been no consumer complaints and no reports of illness, Nestle Purina reported, and no other Purina cat or dog products are involved. Nestle encourages consumers who have purchased the products to discard them and contact the company at 800-982-6559 or at its website regarding more information or a product refund. The recalled products are Cat Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food (6.3-pound bag, UPC 17800) and Friskies Grillers Blend Dry Cat Food (3.15- and 16-pound bags, UPC 50000). All products have a “Best By” date of “AUG 2012” and date and production code of “10331083 13” or “10331083 06”; that data is listed on the back or bottom of the bags. <Home>
FDA Announces Upcoming NARMS MeetingJune 27, 2011 The Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine today announced a public meeting of the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 20 at the Holiday Inn Select in St. Louis, Mo. The meeting will take place following the 2011 American Veterinary Medical Association convention. NARMS is a national public health surveillance system that tracks antibiotic resistance in foodborne bacteria. The NARMS program was established in 1996 as a partnership between the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the meeting is to explore different animal and retail sampling strategies in an effort to modify the existing NARMS sampling scheme. Other topics include: • How should NARMS define adequate sampling for resistance trends? • What are some additional sources for unbiased food animal samples? • What additional information should NARMS collect and report? Data, information or views on the NARMS topic may be presented. Intent to make an oral presentation or written view must be made on or before July 6. Presentations from the public during the public comment period will take place between …
Braveheart The Dog Makes Full Recovery At UW-MadisonJune 27, 2011 Braveheart made his way to the University of Wisconsin- Madison (UW) Veterinary Care in March after an animal control officer found him in a Kentucky dumpster. The a mixed-breed dog was severely malnourished, infested with parasites and open sores covered much of his mange-infested skin. Despite initial veterinary care financed by a rescue group that brought him to UW, the dog became sluggish and lost interest in food, which he couldn't keep down anyway. Marti Houge of One Starfish Rehoming Connections brought the dog to the UW- Madison, where he spent nearly a week in the Veterinary Care’s critical care unit. “He had a lot of concurrent diseases, many of which were probably the result of poor housing conditions and poor veterinary care before he came to us,” says Daniel Foy, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, UW Veterinary Care. Now, Braveheart is a popular dog. He has a Facebook page on which he acquired more than 11,000 friends, and television and newspaper media covered his story spurring more than 500 people to send cards, gifts and donations to help his plight. “I am amazed each time I see him,” Houge says. “He could walk into the …
