Weekly News - 06/08/2010
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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, and UltiCare. |
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Top Stories VCA Antech, PET DRx announce merger AVMA offers guidance for states regulating dog breeders, retailers New collaborative network of veterinary specialty practices formed Profitable cattle operations have active partnership with vets, expert says AAHA releases diabetes treatment guidelines AAZV seeks volunteers for Gulf wildlife rescue CAPNA plans discussed in DVM Newsmagazine article |
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Products to Watch Midmark introduces exam/prep table Wahl introduces Bravura Cord/Cordless Clipper |
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Events June is Adopt-A-Cat Month® |
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Top Stories |
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VCA Antech, PET DRx announce merger VCA Antech, Inc., an animal healthcare company in the United States, and PET DRx Corporation, a provider of veterinary primary care and specialized services to companion animals, announced the signing of definitive transaction agreements pursuant to which PET DRx will be acquired by VCA Antech. PET DRx operates 23 animal hospitals with annual revenue of approximately $64.0 million. Bob Antin, Chairman and CEO of VCA Antech, Inc., stated, “I am very pleased with the combination of the two companies. Both companies have hospitals in the California market, with a presence in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego, Sacramento, and Coachella Valley. The combination will allow the hospitals to share valuable medical and management capabilities with a continuing focus on delivering the highest quality of veterinary care.” Gene Burleson, Chairman and CEO of PET DRx, stated, “In these challenging economic times, I am pleased that the value of our business was recognized by a leader in our space for the benefit of all of our shareholders. This combination will also provide an expanded platform of services for our patients and enhanced opportunities for our employees.” On completion of the merger, the combined companies will operate more than 520 animal hospitals in 40 states. The merger agreement was unanimously approved by the VCA Antech and PET DRx Boards of Directors. |
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AVMA offers guidance for states regulating dog breeders, retailers The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has developed a model bill and regulations to help states ensure the well-being of dogs bred and sold as pets but not protected by the Animal Welfare Act or similar regulations. The documents were produced, in part, in response to state veterinary medical associations asking the AVMA for assistance in developing new legislation or deciphering pending legislation aimed at regulating dog breeders and retailers. Since 2009, more than 100 bills have been introduced in state legislatures addressing the regulation of commercial dog kennels, shelters and animal control facilities. The bills vary widely in terms of who is covered, what is covered and their regulatory rigidity, and some contain exemptions that could undermine their sought-after benefits. “This is an opportunity for AVMA to display leadership on an emerging animal welfare issue,” said Dr. Gail Golab, director of the AVMA Animal Welfare Division. “The model bill and regulations are a comprehensive alternative to some of the less well-considered bills we are seeing around the country.” |
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New collaborative network of veterinary specialty practices formed A new collaborative network of veterinary specialty practices recently formed to improve organizational efficiency, promote growth and profitability yet maintain individual autonomy. MOON (Member Owned Organizational Network) consists of five veterinary specialty practices from across the United States, representing 13 veterinary specialty hospitals and over 900 employees. This business model enables member practices to maintain independence while enjoying the benefits of collaboration. Implementing select shared management services (finance, marketing, IT) and enterprise-level applications (HRIS, HIS), while building partnerships with organizations from both in and outside the veterinary profession have already begun. MOON’s Executive Management Team includes Brian Cassell DVM - Executive Director, Mona Bishlawi - CFO, and Suzi Martin - Consulting & Operations Manager. Founding veterinary specialty member practices include IVG (InTown Veterinary Group), located north of Boston, MA; Animal Emergency and Treatment Center, located in and around Chicago, IL; Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Denver, CO; Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego in southern California; and Veterinary Surgical Associates, Veterinary Medical Specialists and Tri-Valley Animal Emergency Center, all located in the San Francisco Bay area, California. |
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Profitable cattle operations have active partnership with vets, expert says A good vaccination program, coupled with sound nutrition and a sanitary environment, is much more economical than treating and tending to sick cattle. But even well-managed herds with rigorous health protocols will have an occasional bout of illness. In a recent report, Dr. Dennis Hermesch, professional services veterinarian with Novartis Animal Health, says the best economic decision producers can make is to seek assistance from the herd veterinarian to develop an effective vaccination program that will prevent problems before they ever have a chance to develop. “For starters, producers should strive for minimizing sickness and the need for treating cattle,” said Hermesch. “That’s the goal. And the veterinarian is the foremost authority on diseases that surface in the area, with the local knowledge to design a vaccination program that targets diseases most likely to affect cattle on the operation.” Hermesch says producers who work closely with their veterinarian on disease prevention programs not only minimize the need for treatment in the first place, but reduce treatment costs when cattle do get sick. Hermesch says a common denominator among the most profitable cattle operations is an active and ongoing partnership with the herd veterinarian to control health issues as efficiently as possible. |
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AAHA releases diabetes treatment guidelines JAVMA News reported that the America Animal Hospital Association has released guidelines for the management of diabetes mellitus in cats and dogs. The first section of the guidelines covers diagnostic criteria and initial assessment for diabetes. The bulk of the document addresses treatment for diabetes, with details about initial and ongoing treatment and monitoring of cats and dogs. Other sections provide additional information about blood glucose concentration, troubleshooting, and client education. JAVMA published the guidelines in the May/June issue, and they are also available online at www.aahanet.org/resources/guidelines.aspx. |
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AAZV seeks volunteers for Gulf wildlife rescue The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians is seeking qualified volunteers to help with wildlife rescue efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. AAZV has established a database of people who would like to volunteer their services for the Gulf Oil Spill Disaster. The database contains additional information about each registrant that enables agencies involved in the cleanup to recruit people based on their needs. While the database focuses on people with some interest or expertise in wildlife, people who wish to register do not need to be members of the AAZV, according to the association. They don’t need to be veterinarians, either, so biologists, zoologists, veterinary technicians, etc. are encouraged to register. The information contained in this database will be made available only to agencies that are involved in the clean up, and only when requested by them. For more information or to make a donation to this effort, please visit www.aazv.org |
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CAPNA plans discussed in DVM Newsmagazine article DVM Newsmagazine recently interviewed Companion Animal Practices, North America (CAPNA) President Dr. Dennis Law, about the recent merger of 17 general veterinary practices from New Jersey to California to form CAPNA. According to the article, the first six months “will be focused on framing the internal operational structure, and then CAPNA will start buying. In the next five years the goal is to double in size - totaling about 34 practices and $150 million gross.” According to DVM Newsmagazine CAPNA’s model is built around each practice operating independently but benefiting from a corporate structure to deliver cost efficiencies, other economies of scale, human resources, career development/mobility for veterinarians and staffers and risk management while delivering quality medicine. CAPNA is about 92 percent veterinarian owned. While it wasn’t formed to compete with corporate practice companies, CAPNA’s introduction could usher in a new wave of small-scale mergers in an attempt to gain greater operational efficiencies, explains CAPNA’s Chief Financial Officer Owen E. McCafferty, CPA and long-time veterinary accounting and practice management consultant. |
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Products to Watch |
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Midmark introduces exam/prep table Midmark Corporation announced the addition of a new exam/prep table to its broad range of veterinary exam, treatment and dental equipment solutions. The table features a sturdy 18 gauge steel metal inner construction and is available in a variety of woodgrain and solid patterns that integrate with Midmark’s casework. It has a baked on epoxy finish that will continue to look great well after laminates have chipped off traditional wood framed cabinetry. Like all of Midmark’s tables, it is made of environmentally friendly materials that can help veterinary practices keep employees and patients safe while qualifying for LEED® credits. |
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Wahl introduces Bravura Cord/Cordless Clipper Wahl Animal Division introduced the latest addition to its professional pet grooming products, the new Bravura Cord/Cordless Clipper in red, green, silver, and purple colors. The Bravura Clipper features “turbo-speed” control and will provide you with a level of brilliance as a corded or cordless clipper, with 80 minutes or more of battery operation. The Bravura is powerful and quiet and comes with an adjustable blade set. The detachable blade is precision ground high carbon steel with a satin chrome, corrosion-inhibitive finish and fully adjusts to five cutting positions from #9, # 10, # 15, # 30, to # 40 - all without changing the blade. The Bravura combines the cutting performance of the Arco SE and features “turbo-speed” control, allowing you to achieve the results that professionals demand. For more about Wahl, visit www.wahl.com. |
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Events |
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June is Adopt-A-Cat Month® The CATalyst Council and American Humane are celebrating Adopt-A-Cat Month® in June. Shelters and veterinarians are encouraged to download Adopt-A-Cat Month® materials that can be used all year to promote cat adoption and appropriate feline health care. Posters can be displayed in a shelter or clinic, and vets are being encouraged to talk to cat owners about cat welfare and healthcare and have printable resources available for cat owners. |
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