Weekly News - 01/26/2010
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| Veterinary Advantage would like to thank its sponsors in promoting excellence in animal health sales including Abbott Animal Health, Bovie, IDEXX, Intervet/Schering Plough, Merial, Midmark, Ethicon/Novartis, Sempermed, UltiCare and VSSI. |
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Top Stories U.S. vets help relief efforts in Haiti Pet products see gain in 2009, report finds FDA warns consumers not to use Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog infected with H1N1; virus not in pork, study finds Unwanted Horse Vet Relief Campaign accepting applications Joint effort to find factors that lead to a successful practice AAHA working on nutritional guidelines Non-profits try to slow pet surrenders Henry Schein elects Sheares to board of directors |
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Products to Watch Modern Veterinary Therapeutics enters Heartworm Diagnostic Market |
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Top Stories |
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U.S. vets help relief efforts in Haiti The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) have joined a coalition of other animal health and welfare groups to help the ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti following the Jan. 12 earthquake. The Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti (ARCH) was developed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). AVMA is among the participants in the coalition, while the AVMF will participate with the other national and international charities by providing monetary support. The animal relief efforts in Haiti currently are focused on assessment, an AVMA official said in a release. There has not been a call for veterinary volunteers or specific veterinary medical supplies at this time. The initial animal focus will be on the nation’s livestock, estimated to number 5 million, mostly goats. The longer term focus will be on Haiti’s large population of stray animals. “It’s hard to comprehend the scope of the devastation in Haiti right now,” said Dr. Larry Corry, president of the AVMA. “Hopefully we can work through ARCH to help the Haitians get back on their feet by tending to the public health and welfare needs of the nation’s people and animals.” |
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Pet products see gain in 2009, report finds A recent report released by Packaged Facts says that sales of pet products and services in the United States saw almost a 5 percent increase. U.S. sales of pet products and services increased 4.8 percent to $54 billion in 2009, Packaged Facts reported and Pet Product News International highlighted. “It means that the market added $2.5 billion in the midst of the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression,” states the report, “Pet Supplies and Pet Care Products in the U.S., 8th Edition: Pet Health and Pampering: The New Value Equation.” Sales of veterinarian services increased the most at nearly 10 percent, followed by pet food at 5 percent, other pet services at 4 percent and non-food pet supplies (which includes grooming products and bedding) at 3 percent, according to Packaged Facts. |
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FDA warns consumers not to use Merrick Beef Filet Squares The U. S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use Merrick Beef Filet Squares for dogs distributed by Merrick Pet Care with a package date of “Best By 111911″ because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was distributed nationwide through retail stores and Internet sales. In December 2009, the FDA conducted routine testing of Merrick Beef Filet Squares and detected a positive finding for Salmonella. A follow-up inspection found deficiencies in the packaging and manufacturing processes. Although no illnesses associated with these products have been reported, the FDA is advising consumers in possession of these products not to handle or feed them to their pets. The affected Merrick Beef Filet Squares were packaged in a 10-ounce green, red and tan re-sealable plastic bag. The “best by” date is imprinted on the top portion of the bag, which is torn off when the bag is opened. The FDA recommends that consumers who are unable to determine the “best by” date discontinue use of the product. |
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Dog infected with H1N1; virus not in pork, study finds An older New York dog tested positive for 2009 novel H1N1 influenza virus, according to IDEXX Laboratories, which confirmed the infection in December. A 13-year-old neutered male, mixed-breed dog in Bedford Hills, N.Y., tested positive for the 2009 novel H1N1 influenza virus. Test results were confirmed by the Iowa State Laboratory. This is the first time a dog in the United States has been confirmed to be infected with the H1N1 flu virus, the release said. Also in December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that a government study provides additional confirmation that meat and tissue from pigs exposed to two strains of the 2009 novel H1N1 virus do not contain the virus. |
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Unwanted Horse Vet Relief Campaign accepting applications The Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC) is accepting applications again this year, with a deadline of Feb. 1 for spring vaccinations and Aug. 1 for fall vaccinations. Last year, more than 2,500 horses received free vaccines. The campaign, a joint effort between the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and Intervet/Schering Plough, provides the vaccines to qualifying equine rescue and retirement facilities. Vaccines are available against West Nile virus, rabies, equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, eastern equine encephalomyelitis, western equine encephalomyelitis, and tetanus. All equine rescue and retirement facilities must submit a new application each year. Those wishing to apply must work with an AAEP-member veterinarian. Qualifying facilities must follow the AAEP’s “Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities” and have a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status. More details and the application are available at www.UHVRC.org. |
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Joint effort to find factors that lead to a successful practice The National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) is working with the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) and VetPartners to identify the factors that lead to optimal practice performance and success. The joint effort will kick off with on online survey of veterinary practices, followed by more in-depth interviews of staff members at practices deemed through the survey to be highly successful. Results are expected in early 2010 and will be shared with the veterinary profession, according to VetPartners. |
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AAHA working on nutritional guidelines The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) announced it will begin work on a new set of guidelines targeting nutrition to help veterinarians make sound recommendations to clients. AAHA leaders remain in the initial stages of forming a committee and gaining input for the creation of the guidelines, but they anticipate publication in June 2010. Leaders envision a consortium of organizations and professional associations actively involved in the creation of these guidelines, an AAHA official said. |
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Non-profits try to slow pet surrenders A recent article in the The Economist chronicled the increase in number of pet owners who have surrendered their animals because they’re unable to afford for their care, and how some non-profits are trying to help. It’s also becoming challenging for shelters to take care of these animals with cuts to funding. Animal Care and Control of New York City, The Economist reported, saw its grant fall by over $750,000 this fiscal year, around 7 percent of its operating budget. Fewer people are coming forward to make donations. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that around 6 to 8 million cats and dogs end up in shelters each year. There is some concern that even more are being put to sleep now, because shelters do not have the space or money to keep alive animals that have not been adopted. Some non-profits are trying to step in and encourage people not to abandon their furry friends at shelters in the first place. Pet-food banks, which give pet food to people in need, have sprung up across the country. ForeclosurePets.org, runs an online billboard that allows people facing foreclosure to find a home for their pet. Pilots ’N Paws, connects pilots to shelters with dogs that have not found homes. The pilots volunteer to fly them to other states, giving them a second chance at adoption. |
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Henry Schein elects Sheares to board of directors Henry Schein Inc. elected Bradley T. Sheares, Ph.D., to its board of directors. Sheares was previously CEO of Reliant Pharmaceuticals Inc from January 2007 through its acquisition by GlaxoSmithKline (Philadelphia, PA) in December 2007. Prior to joining Reliant, Dr. Sheares served as President of U.S. Human Health at Merck & Co. from March 2001 until July 2006, the culmination of a 19-year career with that company. |
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Products to Watch |
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Modern Veterinary Therapeutics enters Heartworm Diagnostic Market Modern Veterinary Therapeutics, LLC announced that it is entering the U.S. heartworm diagnostic market. The USDA-Center for Veterinary Biologics has approved its Canine Heartworm Antigen Test Kit. The product will be presented at the North American Veterinary Conference. This Canine Heartworm Antigen Test Kit is the first in a series of rapid test that are in late stage of licensing by the USDA and will be introduced in 2010. |
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