Financial Newswire 02-05-2008April 17, 2009PetMed Express Mail order pet pharmacy PetMed Express of Pompano Beach, Fla., reported a 60 percent increase in net income and a 19 percent increase in revenues for its third quarter ended Dec. 31 , driven in part by growth in its reorders and Internet sales. For the quarter, the company posted net income of $4.4 million on sales of $37.3 million, compared to net income of $2.8 million on sales of $31.4 million in the year-ago period. Year-to-date, the company posted net income of $15.1 million on sales of $147.9 million, compared to net income of $10.8 million on sales of $125.8 million in the year-ago period. Reorder sales grew 28 percent for the quarter to $28.4 million and 23 percent to $103.4 million for the nine-month period. Internet sales, which accounted for about 65 percent of PetMed’s revenues in the third quarter of 2007 compared to 63 percent in 2006, grew 23 percent to $24.4 million for the quarter and 24 percent to $96 million for the nine-month period. Internet and reorder sales boost the company’s profit margins as they allow the company to leverage operating costs. PetMed sales prescription and non-prescription …
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VCA Antech Inc. - 02-05-2008April 17, 2009 Los Angeles-based VCA Antech Inc. recently reported preliminary financial results of $284 million for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 and year to date revenue of $1.16 billion. In addition to the acquisition of Healthy Pet Corp., which included 42 animal hospitals with annual revenue of about $80 million, VCA Antech acquired 29 individual animal hospitals with annual revenue of more than $57 million. “We believe that, historically, the animal healthcare industry and our business have been relatively resistant to changes in the general economy, but not immune to them,” said Bob Antin, chairman and chief executive officer. “However, the fourth quarter results appear to indicate that we were marginally impacted by the uncertainty in the economy. “In addition, the timing of the Christmas and New Year holidays, the California fires, the weather and competition also had an adverse impact on our results. As a result of these factors, during the fourth quarter, and particularly the second half of the quarter, our internal revenue growth slowed. Animal hospital same-store revenue growth for the fourth quarter of 2007 was 2.5 percent and laboratory internal revenue growth was 9.1 percent.” Year to date, animal hospital same-store revenue …
AHS Survey Defines Heartworm Research PrioritiesApril 2, 2009The American Heartworm Society released the results of its first stakeholder survey, designed to identify the top priorities for researchers to take on. Some 495 veterinarians, scientists, industry representatives, shelter directors and animal rescue organizations ranked the importance of topics, including: The biology of Dirofilaria immitis and its vectors. The impact of climate change on transmission. Reservoirs of infection. Epidemiology of infections in different species. Issues regarding pet owner compliance. The highest-ranking priorities in veterinary practice included treatment of feline infection, feline diagnostics, treatment of canine infection and owner compliance with preventive administration. For scientists, the highest priorities included canine preventives, treatment of feline infection and feline diagnostics. Treatment of canine infection was one of the highest priorities among those who had experience in animal shelters, followed by owner compliance with preventive administration and canine preventives. Those with experience in academics or education ranked canine epidemiology as one of the highest priorities, followed by vectors of transmission and reservoirs of infection. From an industry perspective, the highest priorities were canine preventives, owner compliance with preventive administration and feline preventives. "Even though heartworm disease is an ancient threat to our companion animals, there are still critical issues that …
AKC Awards Imulan Atopic Dermatitis GrantApril 1, 2009Imulan BioTherapeutics LLC of Prescott, Ariz., received a grant from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation to develop a diagnostic method for canine atopic dermatitis. The grant is based on Imulan's T-Cell Receptor peptide technology platform, the same platform being used to develop a therapeutic vaccine for canine atopic dermatitis. "We are grateful to the American Kennel Club for its research support for diseases like atopic dermatitis," said Daniel Gingerich, DVM, chief scientific officer of Imulan. "This project will examine immunological markers in blood to try and better identify patients with atopic dermatitis. If successful, Imulan's atopic dermatitis diagnostic could be available from Imulan's reference laboratory early next year." Canine atopic dermatitis affects up to 5 percent of the dog population, according to Imulan. Clinical signs include itching and an increase in topical skin infections such as staphylococcal pyoderma. <HOME>
ACVS Certifies 65 Veterinary Surgery SpecialistsMarch 17, 2009The American College of Veterinary Surgeons has board-certified 65 veterinary surgery specialists. "Successfully completing the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons is a personal and professional accomplishment by these former residents," said Larry Bramlage, chairman of the ACVS Board of Regents. "We, as an organization, and I personally wish to congratulate these new diplomates on the culmination of their training, the mastery of the certifying examination. I wish them all a rewarding and fruitful career as a specialist in veterinary surgery." Some 1,403 veterinary surgeons are board-certified. Almost 65 percent of ACVS diplomates are small-animal surgeons and the rest are large-animal surgeons. The 65 veterinary surgery specialists are: Name Location Nicole S. Amato, DVM Roslindale, Mass. Jonathan D. Anderson, BVM&S Davis, Calif. Jonathan R. Anderson, DVM Pittsburgh, Pa. Gregory A. Arnold, DVM Plano, Texas Nicholas J. Bacon, VetMB, MRCVS Gainesville, Fla. Jason Balara, DVM Charlotte, N.C. William J. Banz, DVM San Leandro, Calif. Britany Benson-Timberlake, DVM Delavan, Wis. Mary Sarah Bergh, DVM Madison, Wis. John M. Bevan, DVM Austin, Texas Catherine Briere, DVM Duxbury, Mass. Charles W. Bruce, DVM Manotick, Ontario Evita Busschers, DVM, MVR Kennett Square, Pa. …
Alaska Canine Cookies Pulls TreatsMarch 12, 2009The nationwide peanut butter recall has prompted another maker of dog treats to pull its product from shelves. Alaska Canine Cookies of Anchorage, Alaska said it is recalling Peanut Butter, Power Bone and Carrot Cake flavors of Canine Cookies. These products were made with peanuts recalled by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), and have the potential to be tainted with Salmonella, the company said March 10. Salmonella can affect pets and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet food. The company informed customers about the recall on its website, including information on the symptoms of Salmonella, which include some or all of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. People can get Salmonella if they do not thoroughly wash their hands following contact with tainted pet food or any surfaces exposed to the product. Pets with Salmonella may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be …
Animal Network Sites Launch Video ContestMarch 9, 2009Lumina Media, parent of VeterinaryPracticeNews.com, has launched a monthly interactive public service announcement video contest designed to highlight pet-care topics and promote responsible pet ownership. "This is a fun and creative way for devoted pet owners to help educate others on serious pet -care issues," said Melissa Kauffman, editorial director for Lumina Media. "Our website users are amazing and we strongly believe that all of us working together will make a better world for our pets." Lumina Media will provide scripts on pet care topics, including nutrition, summer safety and disaster preparedness, on several of its AnimalNetwork.com species-specific websites: www.dogchannel.com, www.catchannel.com, www.birdchannel.com, www.reptilechannel.com, www.horsechannel.com and www.smallanimalchannel.com. Visitors will use the scripts to create PSA videos on the monthly topic. For example, the initial contest will highlight Pet Appreciation Week, June 7-13. The deadline for uploading videos to the respective sites will be May 15. One winner from all the sites will be selected each month and named the Editor's Choice PSA. The submitter will receive 1,000 points for the respective online club (dog, cat, bird, etc.) to apply toward redeemable gifts and merchandise. Winners …
American Health Kennels Inc. Issues RecallFebruary 23, 2009American Health Kennels Inc., a manufacturer of pet treats based in Pompano Beach, Fla., issued a voluntary recall of its baked dog treats as a result of the expanded recall by the Peanut Corporation of America's (PCA) Blakely, Georgia plant. The manufacturer said no reports of illness have been received. "We are effecting this recall in the interest of public safety even though we know our product is safe," American Health Kennels said in a statement. PCA's Blakely facility is the subject of an ongoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration probe into potential Salmonella contamination of peanut paste and other peanut products. The recall includes the following items made by American Health Kennels: American Health Kennels Inc., Cookie Bars: Creamy Peanut Butter UPC 725999522004; PB & Carob Chips UPC 725999523001; Lucious Carob UPC 725999521007; 4 pack Cookiebar Assortment UPC 725999538005; Best Before: 11/09 . American Health Kennels Inc., Peanut Butter Crunch 12oz UPC 725999001103; 16oz UPC 725999161104; Best Before: 11/09 . American Health Kennels Inc. Bark Bars Peanut Butter: 1.5oz Jumbo UPC 725999000168; 2.25 Pillow Pack UPC 725999333105; 2.5lb canister UPC 725999005064; 5lb bulk UPC 725999001257; 6oz …
'Feel The Feedback' in energy workFebruary 8, 2009Along the continuum of veterinary medicine, perhaps no alternative treatments stand further from drugs and surgery than do those nested under the umbrella of “energy work.”
ACVS Adds Hill’s To Industry Partners ProgramFebruary 4, 2009Hill's Pet Nutrition of Topeka, Kan., has joined the American College of Veterinary Surgeons' Industry Partners Program. ACVS launched the program in October with the goal of providing exclusive opportunities tailored to match companies' strategic objectives while concurrently advancing veterinary surgery. Hill's has supported ACVS educational programs for more than 20 years, sponsoring the Mark W. Allam Lecture, the multi-day technicians' program and ACVS Veterinary Symposium scientific seminars, as well as being a regular contributor to the ACVS Foundation. "We take pride in our special relationship with veterinarians around the world, and we're committed to supporting professional organizations that help the veterinary health care industry thrive," said Daniel Aja, DVM, director of professional affairs for Hill's. "With that in mind, we are very pleased to team up with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in the ACVS Industry Partners Program. This unique association between Hill's and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons will help allow the ACVS to further this mission, and we are delighted to be a part of this strategy moving forward." As part of its financial commitment, Hill's will receive verbal and logo recognition as an Industry Partner …
