Weekly News - 12/15/2009
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| Veterinary Advantage would like to thank its sponsors in promoting excellence in animal health sales including Dechra, HealthLink, IDEXX, Merial, Midmark, Sempermed, UltiCare and VSSI. |
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Top Stories H1N1 cases confirmed in Colorado cats Merial reports shortages for two products Pet spending holding strong, study shows VetMedicines.com offering discount products from licensed veterinarians AVMA delegates to consider dues hike AAEP introduces White as president Patterson Companies elects Tyler to board of directors |
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Products to Watch IDEXX introduces the IDEXX Equine Diarrhea RealPCRTM Panel IDEXX introduces RealPCRTM Testing for canine and feline H1N1 influenza virus Medical Illumination International introduces SYSTEM TWO surgery lighting ARKRAY partners with scil for the Spotchem EZ Analyzer |
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Top Stories |
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H1N1 cases confirmed in Colorado cats Two cats from different households in Colorado have tested positive for H1N1, according to Colorado State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The cats were diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections by Colorado veterinarians. Both cats are currently ill and have been ill for multiple weeks, with one illness beginning on Oct. 2 and the other beginning in early November. Antibiotics do not treat H1N1, but both cats received antibiotics as a precaution against secondary bacterial infections. Neither cat had symptoms that responded to antibiotics. Kristy Pabilonia, a veterinarian at CSU, expected both cats to recover. |
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Merial reports shortages for two products Supplies for Merial drugs Immiticide and Heartgard tablets are in short supply, according to a report in VIN News Service. Merial’s more popular Heartgard chewables are still widely available, and other products containing ivermectin on the market. It will likely be less problematic than the rationing of Immiticide, which is expected to be in short supply through the first quarter of 2010. On Dec. 1, Merial notified veterinarians that problems with Immiticide’s production are due to “unforeseen technical difficulties.” Veterinarians who elect to use the drug can no longer order enough to stock, Vin News Service reported. Instead, they must buy it on a case-by-case basis by calling Merial Customer Care at (888) 637-4251. A Merial technician must first screen a patient’s medical information before selling the drug. |
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Pet spending holding strong, study shows American pet ownership and pet-related spending are holding strong despite the current economic climate, according to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). The study, polling more than 20,000 pet owners nationwide and released earlier this year, showed that economic situation has had little negative impact on their decision to own a pet, according to 70 percent of America’s pet owners; more than 80 percent of pet owners report that they have not changed their spending patterns and continue to spend the same on their pet during these times; and even those households with income levels under $25,000 and between $25,000-$50,000 report that to a large degree, 57 percent and 67 percent respectively, their ownership levels have remained unchanged despite the economy. |
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VetMedicines.com offering discount products from licensed veterinarians Earth Times reported that VetMedicines.com is offering discounted products from licensed veterinarians directly to the consumer. The products include flea & tick control, dewormers, ear care, home and yard, joint care, pet anxiety, pet allergy, skin and coat care and vitamins for cats, dogs and horses. The focus of the site is to offer discounted products from licensed veterinarians directly to the consumer. Shipping is free on orders of more than $39, and the products sold are FDA and EPA approved, the report said. |
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AVMA delegates to consider dues hike A resolution to increase annual dues for regular members in 2011 is being co-sponsored by the AVMA Executive Board and the House Advisory Committee, DVM Newsmagazine reported. The increase would be by $50 per year, bringing the annual dues cost to $300. Dues increases for retirees, educational members and recent graduates would be $25. The dues hike would generate about $3.5 million in new revenue, says the AVMA, and would help offset a projected $1.8 million deficit for 2009. AVMA carried a $7 million deficit in 2008 and has not increased dues since 2004. |
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AAEP introduces White as president The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) introduced Nathaniel A. White, II, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, as its 2010 president during the 55th Annual Convention, TheHorse.com reported. White is the Jean Ellen Shehan Professor and director of the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a former chair of the AAEP’s Student Relations and Foundation Advisory committees. In 2006, he organized an Equine Research Summit as part of the AAEP’s effort to promote equine research. He was awarded the 2004 AAEP Distinguished Service award for his numerous contributions to the association. He is a member of the AAEP, the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. |
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Patterson Companies elects Tyler to board of directors Patterson Companies, Inc. elected Brian S. Tyler, Ph.D., to its board of directors. Tyler currently is president of McKesson Medical Surgical Group, a $2.7 billion division of McKesson Corp. He has held a variety of management positions during his career with McKesson, which began in 1997, including serving as president of the McKesson Specialty division and senior vice president of business development and strategy. Tyler has a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago, serves on the board of directors of HIDA (Health Industry Distributors Association) and served on the board of directors of VistaCare until its merger with another company in 2008. |
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Products to Watch |
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IDEXX introduces the IDEXX Equine Diarrhea RealPCRTM Panel IDEXX Reference Laboratories recently introduced the IDEXX Equine Diarrhea RealPCRTM Panel. The new panel gives equine veterinarians 10 results from one sample, improving practitioners’ ability to quickly identify the cause of their patient’s diarrhea and recognize co-infection in order to recommend the most appropriate course of treatment. The IDEXX Equine Diarrhea RealPCR Panel detects equine rotavirus, equine coronavirus, Clostridium difficile toxin A, Clostridium difficile toxin B, Neorickettsia risticii, Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin A, Lawsonia intracellularis, Rhodococcus equi, Cryptosporidium spp. and Salmonella spp. |
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IDEXX introduces RealPCRTM Testing for canine and feline H1N1 influenza virus IDEXX Reference Laboratories introduced its latest RealPCRTM test for canine and feline H1N1 influenza virus. The IDEXX H1N1 Influenza Virus RealPCRTM Test is offered in response to concern about the spread of this disease, helping veterinarians diagnose and manage patients with suspected respiratory infection. Also referred to as swine flu, H1N1 was confirmed for the first time in October as the cause of death of a ferret. H1N1 infection has since been confirmed as the cause of respiratory disease in a number of cats and ferrets, which are believed to have contracted the virus from their owners. While there is no evidence these pets spread the virus to other animals or people, the potential exists for the H1N1 virus to infect companion animals, including dogs, as a result of close contact with infected family members. Offering the H1N1 Influenza Virus RealPCR Test with the Feline Upper Respiratory Disease and Canine Respiratory Disease RealPCRTM panels will help practitioners identify and differentiate multiple causes of respiratory infection for improved diagnosis and patient management, the company said. Veterinarians should consider running the H1N1 Influenza Virus RealPCR Test on patients with suspected respiratory disease or those with suspected H1N1 infection. The IDEXX H1N1 Influenza Virus RealPCR Test is included with the Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (URD) and Canine Respiratory Disease (CRD) RealPCR panels at no additional cost. A stand-alone test is also available. |
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Medical Illumination International introduces SYSTEM TWO surgery lighting Medical Illumination International is pleased to introduce the new SYSTEM TWO series of surgery lighting, featuring an all newly-engineered and vastly improved mounting system, with added capabilities and smoother, more stable articulation. SYSTEM TWO is offered in traditional halogen-bulbsource models and in the all new “MH” metal halide series. The MH provides the most efficient, coolest output of any surgery lighting system, the company said. Truly a “green” engineering achievement, the MH operates at 74 percent less electricity than its halogen counterpart, but with far better color correction (4300º K). Additionally, the MH features a 10,000-hour rated bulb life and, most importantly, the light output is virtually cold. All SYSTEM TWO lights are offered in the complete range of mounting options for ceiling, wall mount and portable models. For more information, visit www.medillum.com. |
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ARKRAY partners with scil for the Spotchem EZ Analyzer scil animal care company, inc., announced a new partnership with Arkray USA, a global manufacturer of clinical chemistry, urine chemistry and blood glucose products. scil is now the exclusive distributor of Arkray’s entire diagnostic product line for the North American veterinary market. scil also announced it will re-launch the Spotchem EZ, a compact, bench-top analyzer that enables easy, on-the-spot testing at veterinary clinics of various sizes. The analyzer can run a panel, a single test, or a combination so veterinarians can test the way they need to without wasting unnecessary tests. The system accepts whole blood or serum samples and has a built-in centrifuge. Results are available within eight to 15 minutes to facilitate quick diagnosis and treatment. |
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