The latest Vet-Advantage digital supplement is available for download at www.vet-advantage.com. The supplement features tips from author and sales trainer Dave Kahle, as well as an introduction to equipment selling, and how distributor reps stand to gain from investing more of their sales efforts in this segment. Industry news and opinions are also included. Vet-Advantage’s May/June printed issue is also available, which includes in-depth features on oral care, nutrition and more on equipment selling, along with regular departments and columns. To view the supplement and new issue, visit www.vet-advantage.com.

scil animal care company, inc., announced three new internal promotions. scil employees Mike Gilliland, Heather Sabyan, and Rob Twyning have accepted promotions and are poised to meet the challenges of augmenting scil partnerships, increasing sales and furthering company brand awareness, the company said. Gilliland has been promoted to Key Accounts Manager and brings over 10 years of veterinary industry experience to this new position. Sabyan has been promoted to scil’s Marketing and Communications Manager and brings many years of company branding, design expertise and marketing strategy to her new role. Twyning has been promoted to scil’s National Sales Manager and brings many successful years in the industry as scil’s top-selling Territory Manager.

U.S. News and World report recently came up with a list of “10 Things We Can’t Live Without” as a follow-up to an article on “21 things we’re learning to live without.” Pets were listed as an American essential. According to U.S. News and World Report: “While Americans have cut spending on themselves, spending on pet food, supplies, grooming, vet care and clothing (clothing?) has been rising uninterrupted by about 5 percent per year. Industry officials attribute this to the ‘humanization’ of pets, which in turn has led many pet owners to close the ‘quality of life gap’ between their animals and themselves. The iWoof can’t be far behind.” Also on the list were portable computers; high-speed Internet access; smart phones; education; movies; TV; music downloads; booze; and coffee.

Last year, there were more than 100,000 cases of pet poisoning in the United States, according to a WebMD article. The article then listed “The top 10 dog poisons” for pet owners to be aware of, which include: Medications for people; flea and tick products; people food (such as chocolate, grapes and raisins); rat and mouse poison; pet medications; household plants; chemical hazards; household cleaners; heavy metals and fertilizer. Go to http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/top-10-dog-poisons?page=2 for the full article.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently sponsored National Dog Bite Prevention Week® to educate both those who own dogs and those who do not to learn a common language that will reduce the number of dog bites. The AVMA along with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS) and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM) took time during National Dog Bite Prevention Week®, May 16-22, 2010, to educate the public about this critical public health issue. Last year U.S. Postal Service letter carriers were among the 2,863 postal employees attacked by dogs last year, yet that pales in comparison to the estimated 400,000 children who receive medical attention for dog bites each year. “Dog bite prevention education cannot begin early enough,” said Kelly Voigt, a dog bite victim. The experience was the catalyst behind the creation of Prevent The Bite, a non-profit organization that promotes dog bite prevention to young children. To date, Voigt has spoken before more than 10,000 elementary school students. “Warm and wonderful relationships are shared between more than 72 million pet dogs and their owners in the United States,” said Dr. Larry R. Corry, AVMA president. “To protect those relationships, everyone must take responsibility for preventing dog bite injuries,” he added.

According to an article in Veterinary Practice News, Franck’s Compounding Lab of Ocala, Fla., reported that it has voluntarily suspended all compounding drugs for veterinary use, pending the outcome of discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA is currently seeking a permanent injunction against the company to prohibit Franck’s and its CEO Paul Franck from compounding animal drugs from bulk ingredients without FDA approval. The U.S. Department of Justice filed the civil suit on behalf of the FDA mid April alleging that the company has been introducing adulterated, misbranded and unsafe drugs into interstate commerce as part of the company’s veterinary pharmaceutical compounding business. Franck’s maintains that its business is both legal and medically vital. The company drew media attention when 21 polo horses died shortly before the U.S. Open Polo Championship in Palm Beach County, Fla., in April 2009. Franck’s admitted that it incorrectly prepared medication used to treat the horses. Despite the voluntary suspension of its veterinary drug compounding, most of Franck’s customers will be unaffected, according to the company, as it will continue to compound all human medicines.

According to JAVMA News, Merial has found an alternative source for the active ingredient in Immiticide, a treatment for canine heartworm disease, in a step toward returning to a full supply of the product. Immiticide is in short supply because the active ingredient, melarsomine dihydrochloride, is no longer available from the only U.S. source of the compound (see JAVMA, Feb. 1, 2010, page 260). Merial is seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration to obtain melarsomine dihydrochloride from a manufacturer that already produces the compound for the European and international markets. The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine is allowing Merial to distribute Immiticide containing melarsomine dihydrochloride from the alternative manufacturer directly to veterinarians with an immediate need to treat a dog with heartworm disease. Veterinarians who wish to purchase the product can call Merial Technical Solutions at (888) 637-4251, option 1.

Ansell Healthcare LLC announced the launch of its new GAMMEX® Powder-Free glove with AMT Antimicrobial Technology. According to the company, it is the first surgical glove which incorporates a proprietary antimicrobial coating to provide an additional level of protection to surgical staff against viruses and bacteria, in the event of a breach during surgery. Ansell’s AMT Antimicrobial Technology is now being launched in Australia and will be progressively rolled out in all Ansell markets. More information is available at www.ansell.com.

Heska Corporation announced the first installations of the Company’s new VitalPath(TM) Blood Gas & Electrolyte Analyzer (the “VitalPath”). Veterinary customers receiving these analyzers have invested in a major advancement to in-clinic diagnostics. The VitalPath analyzer delivers accurate results in just 50 seconds for blood gases, electrolytes, and hematocrit, as well as 27 additional calculated parameters. Requiring just under 70 microliters of sample, the VitalPath can be customized to suit the needs of any clinic.

The Greenies(R) Brand has introduced Greenies Pill Pockets(R) Allergy Formula Treats, combining a novel protein of duck with pea, a novel carbohydrate. The new formula is designed to improve medicine compliance for the millions of dogs and cats in the U.S. who suffer from food allergies. Greenies Pill Pockets Allergy Formula Treats will be offered in capsule and tablet sizes for dogs and one size for cats.

Merial announced its “Power Up Your Sales” contest for Sales Agent Representatives running in conjunction with the coming “Win What You Buy” (WWYB) Promotion and the current “Win with the Top Picks” dispensing initiative. Timing of the contest is May 24 - June 30, 2010, which is the same as WWYB. The Grand Prize is a 2010 Chevy Camaro SS. Additional prizes include 9 Apple 3G iPads. Agent OSR’s and ISR’s are entered into the drawing by: Having a minimum of 10 qualifying promotional orders (max two per clinic); Receive an additional entry into the drawing for each promo order after 10 (for example 20 promo orders gains you 10 entries); Under these conditions Sales Agents with clinic breadth in Merial business will have the best chance to win. The drawing will be held at the conclusion of the promotion to determine the 10 prize winners. We encourage frequent contact between you and the Merial sales team.

Download full details here.

FAQ

• Question: How will Merial know which OSR will earn a chance?
• Answer: Merial will use the current (as of May 24, 2010) Agent representative to Hospital alignment file to match 20 carton orders by clinic to the agent OSR.

• Question: How does the ISR earn a chance?
• Answer: When an order is submitted to Merial via EDI, Merial will capture the order number and at the end of the promotion a file with order numbers will be sent to Sales Agent to populate with ISR/Customer Care rep name. Entries will be calculated as above.

• Question: Is the car a purchase or a lease? Is it taxable?
• Answer: The car is purchased for the winner. Yes, it is taxable. Merial will make a gross-up payment for income tax purposes and provide a 1099 for the taxable year 2010.