New Veterinary Management Company Takes Joint Venture ApproachApril 1, 2011 A new management company, Veterinary Practice Partners (VPP), has entered the veterinary market. The company was founded to be a partner to veterinary practices as they navigate the changing marketplace, according to Rich Lester, founder and CEO of VPP. “For the first time in the industry, many veterinary practice owners face problems that are impacting their exit plans and profitability,” said Lester, who is also the former president of BrightHeart Veterinary Centers. “Owners who are ready to retire are finding the younger associates are less excited about buying a practice because of their large student loan burdens and trying to balance family responsibilities. “Another issue is that pet owners who previously turned to veterinarians for the purchase of medications are now buying from low cost Internet pharmacies. “These issues, among others, are causing disruptive changes in the practice of veterinary health care, impacting the bottom line of practice owners. VPP’s partnership approach can help owners and their current associates navigate these issues successfully.” In addition to being president of BrightHeart Veterinary Centers for almost three years, Lester has spent most of his career in human health care services where he focused on forming joint ventures …
SPONSORED CONTENTCurrent users report reduced stress for parvovirus care1Research shows that our Canine Parvovirus Monoclonal Antibody can help veterinary care teams work with less stress.1 Learn what CPMA can do for your parvo protocol. + Read More
AHS Lines Up Heartworm University Summer SessionsMarch 31, 2011The American Heartworm Society will be hosting three sessions about heartworm disease this summer as part of its Heartworm University. Entitled “Heartworm University: A(ntigens) to Z(oonosis),” the series of presentations will provide an overview of new AHS survey data on heartworm incidence as well as information on pathophysiology and diagnostic prevention and treatment protocols. The curriculum will also cover the latest information on controversial topics such as “slow kill” of heartworms and macrocyclic lactone lack of efficacy investigations, according to AHS. Dates and locations are as follows: June 2 in Destin, Fla. – To be held in conjunction with the Georgia/Alabama Veterinary Medical Association meeting. Instructor: Clarke Atkins, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, of North Carolina State University. Aug. 14 in Hershey, Pa. – To be held in conjunction with the 5th Annual Keystone Veterinary Conference. Instructor: Dr. Atkins. Aug. 20 in Tyler, Texas – To be held at the Green Acres Baptist Church. Instructor: Matthew Miller, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, of Texas A&M University. Additional sessions of Heartworm University will be announced by AHS early this summer. For details, click here. Sponsors of Heartworm University include Bayer Animal Health, Merial Ltd., Pfizer Animal Health, Elanco, Idexx Laboratories, Intervet/Schering-Plough …
Vets Can Add To Bottom Line With Pet Retail ProductsMarch 31, 2011 Despite a serious downturn in the economy, pet ownership and spending continue to grow. But competition within the pet market is also growing. On one side is the growth of big-box pet outlets while on the other are retailers increasing the number of pet and pet-related products they sell. For example, even Home Depot is increasing its pet product selections and in some cases is actively promoting these products. Even smaller local retailers such as gift and hardware stores are stocking more pet and pet-related merchandise. For veterinary practices seeking to add or grow existing pet product revenue streams, these trends create a number of challenges, but opportunities as well. In terms of challenges, veterinary practices do not have the resources to compete with big retailers’ ability to advertise or offer deeply discounted prices. However, there is room for veterinary practices to cut out specialized niches, such as medications, prescription diets and specialty foods, medicated and/or therapeutic grooming products, and more. Veterinary practices can also leverage their client base through e-mail and direct mail marketing efforts and resources, such as websites and brochures. The key is identifying a niche and using available assets to promote …
Symposium Highlights Chemical CommunicationMarch 31, 2011 More than 200 veterinary surgeons, behaviorists, biologists, agronomists and others attended the Pherosynthese Research Institute’s first International Symposium on Chemical Communication Among Living Beings. Ceva Animal Health was the main sponsor of the event, which took place in France. The two-day symposium included 27 presentations on topics such as pheromone therapy, ethology and animal welfare. For instance, anxiety-related disorders are the most common cause of behavioral problems, and studies have shown that one in six or seven dogs is affected by this kind of disorder, the symposium noted. The numbers are thought to be similar in cats. The feline facial pheromone Feliway has been used in cats for urine marking behaviors, in multicat households and in clinical settings, among other applications. In dogs, D.A.P. has been used in the management of anxiety-related disorders. “When used in combination with behavior modification, pheromone analogues can make a difference,” said Kersti Seksel, BVSc, principal of a specialist referral-only practice in behavioral medicine and adjunct senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University in Australia. The Pherosynthese Research Institute also announced its new name at the symposium. It will now be known as the Research Institute on Semiochemistry and …
Defra Missed Opportunity To Pass Code Of Practice For Rabbits, BVA SaysMarch 31, 2011 The British Veterinary Association has issued a media alert expressing its disappointment in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ decision not to publish a code of practice for the welfare of rabbits. Defra believes that “the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to provide for the welfare needs of animals are sufficient to ensure the necessary protection for the welfare of pet rabbits,” said James Paice, MP. The BVA called the decision a “disappointing blow.” “Rabbits are such popular pets, but vets are seeing more and more husbandry-related problems with these animals,” said Harvey Locke, president of the BVA. “Dental disease and obesity are two of the most common problems we encounter and both are directly linked to inappropriate diets. “Another issue of concern is inadequate space for exercise, but perhaps the most neglected of all the welfare needs is a lack of companionship for these very social animals.” The United Kingdom has more than 1.6 million rabbits. About 700,000 could be suffering mentally and physically because they are not receiving all essential health and welfare services for their happiness and well-being, Locke said, citing a PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report. The …
‘Dr. Flea’ Named Veterinarian Of YearMarch 31, 2011 Michael Dryden, DVM, Ph.D., also known as “Dr. Flea,” was named the 2010 Veterinarian of the Year at the Purina Pro Plan 56th annual Show Dogs of the Year Awards dinner. The black-tie event, presented by Dogs in Review magazine, a sister publication of Veterinary Practice News, was held in mid-February in New York City. The event honors the top show dogs of 2010. More than 300 people attended, including dog owners, breeders, handlers, judges and representatives of the American Kennel Club. Dryden is a professor of veterinary parasitology in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at Kansas State University. His research is in flea and tick biology and control, investigating urban wildlife as vectors of parasitic diseases and diagnosis and control of gastrointestinal parasites. He is active in the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists and the American Veterinary Medical Association and was a founding member of the Companion Animal Parasite Council. Other industry winners included: Groomer of the Year (sponsored by Laube): Penny Dugan of Boffell, Wash. Dugan has groomed for professional handler Timothy Brazier for many years. The duo has racked up numerous accomplishments in the show ring. Trainer …
Pfizer Animal Health Awards $750,000 In Veterinary ScholarshipsMarch 30, 2011 Pfizer Animal Health has awarded 300 second- and third-year veterinary students $2,500 each for a total of $750,000 to help ease their future debt burden. The students attend accredited universities throughout the United States and the Caribbean. A total of 1,562 students applied for the scholarship. Students were chosen based on several criteria, including academic excellence, professional interests (small animal, large, mixed, research, academia, etc.), diversity, leadership and potential for contribution to the veterinary profession. Of the scholars, 32 percent are from diverse backgrounds, 50 percent are studying to practice food and mixed animal veterinary medicine, 35 percent will go into small animal practice and the remainder will go into other areas, such as academia, research and public practice. The scholarship program, now in its second year, is part of a three-year, $2 million initiative that Pfizer Animal Health created in partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, which administers the funds. Its goal is to support students from myriad socio-economic backgrounds studying across a diverse array of species and veterinary disciplines, according to Pfizer Animal Health. “We’re working to support students’ dreams to become veterinarians in several ways, from education and hands-on training to …
AAHA’s Parasite Counselor Program To Debut On April 11March 29, 2011The American Animal Hospital Association has launched a Parasite Counselor Program, designed to help veterinarians, veterinary technicians and other team members speak with pet owners about parasite control and zoonotic diseases. The program will consist of four online courses covering fleas, ticks, heartworm and internal parasites. Participants who complete all four courses will receive CE credit and designation of “Parasite Counselor” from AAHA. The first course, debuting on April 11, will examine the impact of flea infestation on clients. The other three courses will roll out throughout the year. “Parasites cause significant illness and degrade the quality of pets’ lives,” said Janice Trumpeter, DVM, AAHA deputy executive director. “A parasite control regimen recommended by a veterinarian and properly implemented by the pet owner can drastically reduce the risk of pet illness. “The Parasite Counselor Program will provide veterinary teams with the necessary tools to effectively communicate their recommendations, why it is important and how to implement them.” An additional CE credit can be earned by participating in the Parasite Counselor Program introductory webcast that will be available April 24 through May 7. To register, visit the education section of the AAHA website. The Parasite Counselor Program …
California Seeks To Prioritize Investigations Of Unlicensed VetsMarch 25, 2011 California has introduced a bill that would require the state’s veterinary medical board to prioritize investigations of unlicensed individuals holding themselves to be veterinarians and veterinarian technicians. A public hearing on the measure is set for Monday, April 11, 2011. Under existing law, the state veterinary medical board is required to prioritize its investigative and prosecutorial resources to ensure that disciplinary cases against veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians are handled expeditiously. Senate Bill 697, introduced by Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod, would require the board to prioritize its resources to ensure that cases against unlicensed and unregistered persons and any person aiding and abetting these unlicensed and unregistered persons are brought in a similar manner. In addition, the bill provides that a person practices veterinary medicine when he or she advertises or represents himself or herself as engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine. Under current law, a person practices veterinary medicine when he or she, among other things, represents himself or herself as engaged in the practice. The Senate committee on business, professions and economic development is scheduled to hear SB 697 on April 11 in the state Capitol. To read the bill in its …
Animal Welfare Groups Update Japan Relief EffortsMarch 24, 2011 Three animal welfare organizations updated their efforts to support animal relief efforts in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami that struck the country earlier in March. The Boston-based World Society for the Protection of Animals pledged $150,000 to assist Japan’s Animal Disaster Response Team (ADRT), a group of Japanese animal groups, in providing relief to animals affected by the disasters, and the Washington, D.C.-based American Humane Association (AHA) has provided $10,000 in cash and a shipment of animal sheltering supplies to the Japan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Japan Animal Welfare Society, which is also part of the ADRT. Those agencies, along with the Japan Pet Care Association and the Japan Veterinary Medical Association, have formed the Headquarters for the Relief of Animals in Emergencies, AHA reported. “The outpouring of donations from compassionate people all across the country is enabling us to send this initial support as we finalize plans for how we can best assist in this critical animal relief effort,” said Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., AHA’s president and CEO, adding that all donations received for Japan animal relief will help animal victims in Japan and that the association would not …
