Study: Tapeworm Threatens More West Coast HorsesJuly 21, 2009 A study by Pfizer Animal Health shows that tapeworm exposure in horses is rising on the West Coast. The study is a follow-up to a similar equine parasitology study conducted in 2003 by Craig Reinemeyer, DVM, Ph.D., of East Tennessee Clinical Research. His study uncovered the high prevalence of equine tapeworms throughout the U.S. but indicated a lower risk of exposure on the Pacific coast compared to other areas. The new study used more than 300 farms and 600 samples from across three Western states. Data showed tapeworm prevalence on West Coast farms as 17.3 percent in California, 36.5 percent in Oregon and 25.3 percent in Washington. The original study showed tapeworm prevalence in the three combined states as 12.7 percent. The new figures confirm that tapeworm poses a medical threat to horses all over the U.S., not just in the Eastern and Midwestern regions, according to Pfizer Animal Health. Tapeworm prevalence in regions other than the West Coast ranged from 19.1 percent to 95.8 percent, according to original data. Pfizer Animal Health of New York recommends that all horse owners be proactive in protecting their horses from tapeworms.
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California Plan To Limit Intact Animals Moves ForwardJuly 17, 2009 California Assembly Bill 241, which would limit the number of intact dogs and cats any person could own for breeding and selling as pets, is headed to the Appropriations Committee after advancing out of the Senate Public Safety Committee on a 4-0 vote July 16. A hearing date has not been set. AB241 would prohibit any person from having more than 50 unsterilized dogs and cats for breeding or raising for sale as pets. Those who possess too many would have to spay or neuter the excess animals or sell, transfer or relinquish the animals within 30 days. If necessary, any euthanasia would have to be performed by a licensed veterinarian or other qualified person. AB241 authorizes a peace officer, humane officer or animal control officer to take possession of any animal kept in violation. Violators would be guilty of a misdemeanor. Assemblyman Pedro Nava, the bill’s author, agreed to amend the bill July 16, but details were not released, according to the American Kennel Club, which remains opposed to the legislation. The AKC said it believes that the quality of a breeder is not determined by the number of animals but by the …
Teva Recalls Propofol Injectable EmulsionJuly 17, 2009 Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, a generic pharmaceutical company, issued a voluntary recall of Propofol Injectable Emulsion 10 mg/mL 100 mL vials because of elevated endotoxin levels in certain lots. The lot numbers being recalled are 31305429B and 31305430B. Teva was recently notified of 41 propofol-treated human patients who experienced postoperative fever, chills and other flu-like symptoms. Testing done by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that the two lots used in facilities reporting febrile reactions were positive for elevated levels of endotoxin. To date, all the patients have recovered. Although propofol is commonly used in veterinary medicine, a Teva spokeswoman said the company’s anesthetic agent is not approved for veterinary use and Teva does not market it to veterinarians. Customers who have a tainted lot should stop using the product and return it to the distributor. The FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Teva are continuing the investigation. Teva is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. of Israel. <HOME>
Biopure Files For BankruptcyJuly 16, 2009 Biopure Corp., which makes Oxyglobin, a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, reported July 16 that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Cambridge, Mass., company said it will continue to manage and operate its business and assets during the bankruptcy case, subject to court supervision. In the meantime, Biopure agreed to sell most of its assets to OPK Biotech LLC, subject to certain conditions. Even if the transaction closes, Biopure expects “limited, if any, value for the common stockholders in the bankruptcy liquidation process.” <HOME> Biopure Corp., which makes Oxyglobin, a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, reported July 16 that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.Biopure Corp., which makes Oxyglobin, a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, reported July 16 that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.Biopure, bankruptcy, Oxyglobin, OPK Biotech LLC
10 Ways To Avoid Anesthesia TroubleJuly 16, 2009Editor’s Note: Dr. Zeltzman scored a coup in getting the trust representatives of the AVMA PLIT to participate in a conference call for publication. This 6-month-old cat suffered a tracheal tear during a spay. The radiograph shows subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. Every day, the trust representatives of the AVMA Professional Liability Insurance Trust receive liability insurance claims related to anesthesia. The representatives agreed to speak candidly with me to help Veterinary Practice News readers avoid 10 common anesthetic complications. For this purpose, we imagined 10 scenarios. CASE 1 Kiki the Yorkie is dropped off for a lameness exam. She is so excitable that sedation is required to examine her knees and hips. Kiki dies. Necropsy reveals grossly abnormal heart valves. Your last physical exam was performed nine months earlier during a vaccination consultation and was normal. No physical exam was performed today. Take-home message: Every patient who undergoes sedation or anesthesia should have a thorough physical exam, which should be documented in the medical record. Normal and abnormal findings should be recorded. As lawyers say, “If it’s not written, it didn’t happen.” CASE 2 Ms. Murphy is a good friend of the practice. She drops off Lovey the …
Comments Sought On Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment ProgramJuly 15, 2009 The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking comments on an interim final rule that establishes the process for designating veterinarian shortage situations, specifically for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. The rule was published in the Federal Register on July 9. Comments received by Sept. 8 will be considered in the final rule. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program is authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Service Act and administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CSREES will designate geographic and practice areas that have a shortage of food supply veterinarians in order to carry out the program goals of strengthening the nation’s animal health infrastructure and supplementing the federal response during animal health emergencies. CSREES will enter into educational loan repayment agreements with veterinarians who agree to work in shortage situations for a determined period. The interim rule is based, in part, on the comment period late last year. CSREES received oral and written comments from groups such as the American Veterinary Medical Assn., the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, the American College of Veterinary …
NAVTA Adds 3 Specialty AcademiesJuly 15, 2009 The National Assn. of Veterinary Technicians in America has added three specialty academies: the neurology subspecialty of the Academy of Internal Medicine Veterinary Technicians, the Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians and the Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians. Academy representatives were announced at the American Veterinary Medical Assn.'s annual convention, which took place July 11-14 in Seattle, Wash. Deborah Reeder, RVT, Amy Butzier, CVT, and Sharon Kaiser-Klingler, RVT, are representatives for the equine specialty. . Bonnie Soule, CVT, is the representative for the zoological specialty. . Linda Merrill, LVT, is the representative for AIMVT-neurology. “The NAVTA Academies give veterinary technicians recognition for having advanced education, training and experience in an area of specialization,” said Butzier, chairwoman of the NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties. NAVTA also recognizes specialties in dentistry, anesthesia, internal medicine, behavior and emergency and critical care. <HOME>
Pet Services Market To Exceed $34 Billion By 2013July 14, 2009 Despite an economy-related dip in discretionary pet services, the overall U.S. market for pet care services will grow annually by about 9 percent and exceed $34 billion by 2013, according to a report from the market research firm Packaged Facts. That growth is faster than the annual 7 percent rate in the past five years, during which time the market grew from $17.1 billion in 2004 to $22.7 billion in 2008, according to Packaged Facts, a unit of Market Research Group in New York. Veterinary services accounted for 75 percent of the overall pet care services market and will lead growth in the overall market. “Because veterinary services are the most essential type of service, sales in this channel will be the least effected by the economic downturn while continuing to lead market growth, with services including grooming, training and boarding being harder hit in the short term but fully rebounding by 2011,” said Tatjana Meerman, publisher of Packaged Facts. Grooming accounted for 11 percent of the market in 2008, boarding 6 percent and training 5 percent. The report, Pet Care Services in the U.S., 3rd Edition: Riding the Multiservice, Premium/Luxury …
AVMA Elects New Officers And Council MembersJuly 13, 2009 The American Veterinary Medical Association’s House of Delegates elected Larry Kornegay as its new president-elect and reelected Gary Brown as its vice president. Both ran unopposed during the election, held in Seattle, Wash., during the House’s annual meeting. On July 14, the AVMA will install current president-elect Larry Corry as its new president and James Cook will become immediate past president. The house also elected several new council members, listed by council. Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents: Stephen Sutherland (representing epidemiology) Stanley Kukanich (representing clinical pharmacology) Murl Bailey (representing at-large) Council on Education: Frederik Derksen (representing basic science) D. Glen Esplin (representing non-private practice, non-academic medicine) Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine: David Chico (representing agricultural agencies) Nick Striegel (representing agricultural agencies) Council on Research: Michael Kotlikoff (representing colleges of veterinary medicine) Council on Veterinary Service: Rolan Tripp (representing private practice, exclusively small animal) Amanda Chea Hall (representing at-large) Judicial Council: Andrew Maccabe (representing at-large) The house also elected Richard Dixon, …
AVMA House Rejects Policy Change On Ear Cropping And Tail DockingJuly 10, 2009 The American Veterinary Medical Assn.’s House of Delegates on July 10 rejected Resolution 4, which would have revised its policy on ear cropping and tail docking of dogs. The action came during the legislative body’s semi-annual session, held in Seattle, Wash., before the AVMA’s annual convention. Submitted by the Utah Veterinary Medical Assn., the resolution would have eased the AVMA policy, adopted by the executive board in November 2008, that opposes ear cropping and tail docking when done solely for cosmetic reasons. The revision would have noted that the procedures, though offering limited or no therapeutic value, are condoned by the American Kennel Club and many members of society. Because of that acceptance, the policy would have stated that it is “imperative that the procedures be performed by trained, licensed and caring veterinarians using current stand of care” while continuing to support the elimination of those procedures from breed standards. In addition, the resolution would have revised AVMA policy to ensure that association members “conform to all state mandates concerning the procedures.” The November 2008 policy significantly altered the AVMA’s position against the two procedures; previous policy recommended only …
