Weekly News – 02/09/2010
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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 MWI acquires Centaur Intervet/Schering-Plough partners with NEADS Cressey & Co. buys Animal Hospital Chain PBI/Gordon acquires Lambert Kay AVMA offers guidelines for antibiotics Experts urge safe-handling for feline thyroid drug PetSafe and veterinary college partner to improve lives of pets Cattle supply to shrink in 2010 Veterinary school loan repayments considered in Wisconsin Putney to launch new products |
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Products to Watch Webster Veterinary and Milburn Equine release DIA Equine Health o meter® Professional introduces 222KL digital bowl scale Sempermed introduces SemperForceTM black nitrile exam glove Natural Defense premium food for dogs launched Chemaphor announces positive results of canine clinical trial Novartis launches Milbemax® chewable tablets in European market |
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Events New Web site created for pet owners of older dogs |
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Top Stories |
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MWI acquires Centaur MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc. announced that it has acquired Centaur Services Limited (“Centaur”), a supplier of animal health products and services to veterinarians in the United Kingdom. The transaction is valued at approximately $47 million, consisting of $45 million in cash and $2 million in a note payable in one year. This acquisition provides an opportunity for MWI to participate in the international market and expand its role in the animal health industry. Founded in 1964, Centaur has approximately 200 employees and serves 1,200 veterinary clinics in the United Kingdom with a product offering of over 18,000 items. “MWI has positioned itself to continue its growth within the United States and now internationally,” said Jim Cleary, President and Chief Executive Officer of MWI. “Centaur is a high-quality company that will allow us to serve veterinarians in the United Kingdom. We believe that it will be a great partnership and one that will bring further growth opportunities. We welcome the Centaur team to MWI.” |
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Intervet/Schering-Plough partners with NEADS Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health announced a new partnership with the National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS), a national nonprofit organization that trains dogs to serve individuals who are deaf or physically disabled. These dogs become an extension of their owners and bring security, independence and relief from social isolation to their human partners. Established in 1976, NEADS operates the oldest continuing hearing dog program in the country and is one of the country’s largest service dog programs. The partnership, “Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health Meets NEADS,” will enable NEADS to expand its capacity and help an increasing number of people. The company is supporting NEADS through financial contributions, animal healthcare product donations and a campaign to raise awareness about the ways service dogs improve the quality of people’s lives. |
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Cressey & Co. buys Animal Hospital Chain VetCor Professional Practices announced that it has received a growth investment from Cressey & Company, a private equity firm focused on building leading healthcare services companies. As a result of the transaction, Cressey & Company has acquired a majority ownership position in VetCor, with the company’s management team, led by President Daniel J. Adams, obtaining a significant equity interest. Cressey & Company targeted an investment in the animal health industry through its intensive investment screening process. VetCor, through 41 unique hospital facilities in 13 states, focuses on caring for the health and well-being of companion animals. |
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PBI/Gordon acquires Lambert Kay PBI/Gordon Corporation announced the acquisition of the Lambert Kay® line of pet products from Church & Dwight Co., Inc. This acquisition strengthens PBI/Gordon’s presence in the consumer pet care marketplace, the company said, adding several product categories to the company’s existing Trophy® Animal Health Care and Prozyme® product lines. |
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AVMA offers guidelines for antibiotics The American Veterinary Medical Association says the availability of antibiotics protects the food supply as well as animal health and welfare in its “judicious support” of the use of the drugs in livestock, Capital Press reported. The organization bases its opinion on the best available scientific data, much of it coming from veterinarians in academia, Christine Hoang, assistant director of the AVMA’s scientific activities division, said in the Capital Press report. “The overarching guideline is that we would expect that antimicrobials would be used judiciously to protect both animal and human health,” Hoang said. The AVMA relies on data from other sources, including Web searches and interactions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture and industry groups, she said. Still, the AVMA’s measured endorsement is often cited by livestock groups as a defense against charges that producers’ overuse of antibiotics contributes to the proliferation of drug-resistant germs. The AVMA offers drug-usage guidelines specific to cattle, poultry, swine, horses, livestock feed and even aquatic animals. For instance, the voluminous guidelines for beef and dairy cattle maintain the primary goal should be to foster an environment “that will reduce the incidence of disease and the need for antimicrobials.” While their use should be limited, the AVMA asserts the drugs are necessary to manage infectious diseases in herds. |
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Experts urge safe-handling for feline thyroid drug A recent article by VIN News Service highlighted the risks of an active ingredient in Felimazole, a drug for cats with overactive thyroids, that practitioners may be too casual in handling, at least for the generic form of the drug. The ingredient, methimazole, has been prescribed by veterinarians for decades, according to the report. Off-label; the drug (brand name Tapazole) is licensed for human use. Because of this, safe handling information for methimazole differs somewhat from that of Felimazole, which is made specifically for cats. The answer from drug-safety experts is that methimazole in any form should be handled with caution. The medication impedes the body from using iodine to make thyroid hormone, thereby inhibiting synthesis of the hormone. The drug may cause birth defects and has been found to cause cancer in rodents. Experts cautioned pet owners who could expose themselves unknowingly to the drug, such as cleaning up vomit from hyperthyroid cats, as well as urine and feces. They advised pet owners wear gloves and wash hands to safeguard against accidently ingesting any drug residue. |
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PetSafe and veterinary college partner to improve lives of pets PetSafe announced it will fund one of the few veterinary school behaviorist positions in the country. The newest Chair in Veterinary Behavior will work in the Small Animal Clinical Sciences department of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville. The position was formed to research and gain understanding of animal behaviors that may jeopardize a pet remaining in a home environment. |
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Cattle supply to shrink in 2010 Cattle supplies in 2010 will likely decline another 1 to 1.5 percent in 2010, while a weak economy and high unemployment will continue to drag on beef demand, Cattle-Fax CEO Randy Blach told attendees at the 2010 Cattle Industry Convention and Meatingplace.com reported. Still, Blach said 2010 generally “should be a better year for the beef industry” because beef exports are expected to rise and fed cattle slaughter totals are expected to decrease. Fed cattle slaughter and cow slaughter totals are forecast to be down 2 percent and nearly 9 percent, respectively. Average carcass weights are expected to increase slightly, and beef production is projected to be down 2.8 percent. Per capita net beef supplies are expected to be down 4 percent due to an expected increase in beef exports and smaller beef production. U.S. beef exports, Blach said, should rise by about 8 percent over 2009, with increases in shipments to South Korea and, to a lesser extent, Japan and Vietnam. |
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Veterinary school loan repayments considered in Wisconsin Wisconsin Senate’s Committee on Agriculture and Higher Education will hold a hearing on a new bill that would repay up to $50,000 in veterinary school loans for new Wisconsin food-animal practitioners. Wisconsin Senate Bill 497 would authorize the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents to repay up to $50,000 in educational loans for any veterinarian who agrees to practice food-animal medicine in the state for at least 35 hours per week for four years, a report said. The Senate would draw money from general purpose revenue and contributions from local governments and private entities. If the program was ever underfunded, the board would choose to pay current participants based on their location in the state, their likelihood to remain in the state, and their individual educational debt as well as whether they graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine. The public hearing is scheduled for February 10. |
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Putney to launch new products Putney Inc., announced recently that it expects to launch new products due to an infusion of venture capital. The pet pharmaceutical company will be adding employees and increasing its investment in research and development, thanks to a $6.7 million infusion of venture capital. Those developments set the stage for additional product launches in the future. “It’s an exciting time for us,” said Jean Hoffman, the company’s founder and CEO. “This year is focused on recruitment of key members of our management team and R&D – our two most favorite things.” |
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Products to Watch |
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Webster Veterinary and Milburn Equine release DIA Equine Webster Veterinary and Milburn Equine announced the upcoming release of DIA Equine, a new version of its client education software. A pre-release version of this program debuted at the AAEP conference in Las Vegas. DIA Equine will include over 1,000 3D animations, surgical animations, virtual anatomy illustrations, diagnostic images and handouts combined. Practitioners will be able to more clearly illustrate key equine health topics to horse owners and the software allows for printing and e-mailing additional information. |
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Health o meter® Professional introduces 222KL digital bowl scale Health o meter® Professional introduced the new 222KL digital bowl scale, ideally suited for weighing small animals. It has an 11-pound/5 kg capacity with a resolution of ¼ ounce or 1 gram, is easy-to-clean stainless steel, includes tare functionality, is factory calibrated and offers a user-friendly design. Extra bowls are available. |
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Sempermed introduces SemperForceTM black nitrile exam glove Sempermed introduced its SemperForceTM black nitrile exam powder-free glove. SemperForceTM by Sempermed® black nitrile examination gloves are designed for demanding work environments where safety and style are a must. Its black color will hide stains from grease, dirt, ink and dye. A textured surface promises secure gripping capabilities. This product is available in sizes Small – XX-Large. SemperForceTM black nitrile gloves are ideal for automotive, industrial, tattoo, and cosmetology applications. |
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Natural Defense premium food for dogs launched The new Natural Defense(TM) premium food product line features a variety of natural extracts plus vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients scientifically proven to proactively support dog well-being in five key areas – immune health, joint health, digestive health, oral health and skin and coat health. Free of artificial colors or flavors, Natural Defense(TM) products come in an adult dry formula as well as in three healthy snack varieties which, when fed regularly, provide an added level of defense to a dog’s oral, digestive and joint health. Natural Defense(TM) products will be available at major retailers nation-wide in early February. |
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Chemaphor announces positive results of canine clinical trial Chemaphor announced it has completed its first clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of an oral Oximunol(TM) supplement in promoting the overall health and well-being of companion canines. The clinical trial, conducted by the Chemaphor Nutrisciences Research Group in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, found statistically significant improvement of coat quality and reduction of shedding compared to untreated controls. Chemaphor is proceeding with additional clinical efficacy studies, financially supported by an NRC IRAP grant, that are designed to further define the Oximunol(TM) supplement’s animal wellness benefits. At the same time, Chemaphor is moving forward in executing its commercialization plan for the launch of companion animal wellness products, including outsourcing the manufacture of canine oral supplements and carrying out work to have the Oximunol(TM) supplement meet global regulatory and animal health partner needs. Discussions are underway with potential marketing, sales and distribution partners to position Oximunol(TM) supplements as premium-value products targeted toward veterinary and “pet boutique” sales channels. |
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Novartis launches Milbemax® chewable tablets in European market Novartis Animal Health launched a new, chewable formulation of Milbemax (milbemycin oxime, praziquantel), Europe’s best selling wormer. With the launch of Milbemax Chewable Tablets, the company introduced the first EASYCHEW Technology in the European market. This new tasty, chicken-flavored chewable formulation will complement the standard Milbemax tablet formulation. |
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New Web site created for pet owners of older dogs Pet Ventures, LLC has launched a new pet Web site, www.seniordogs.com, targeting owners of older dogs. Owners of older dogs can now find articles and resources all in one place, covering medications, health insurance, nutrition, financial assistance and more. The site provides a full spectrum of information, as well as message boards where owners can find support and guidance from others who are experiencing the same challenges and joys of caring for an older dog. SeniorDogs.com features easy usability with large tabs dividing major areas of interest. |
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