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Veterinary Advantage would like to thank its sponsors in
promoting excellence in animal health sales including
Abbott Animal Health, Ansell, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Bovie Medical Corporation, Covidien, Dechra, IDEXX, Intervet/Schering Plough, Merial, Midmark, Sempermed, and UltiCare.
Top Stories
Social media used to help pet rescue following tornadoes
AVMA promoting pet adoption during National Pet Week
Wahl Clipper names Stuart as National Sales Manager
Midmark Animal Health announces new “depend on us” promotion
New AVMA waste disposal microsite answers veterinary questions
AAHA endorses WSAVA guidelines on nutrition
Some online veterinary pharmacists exploit borders
Tips for keeping dogs stress-free during thunderstorms
Oklahoma House approves rules for pet breeders
Colorado Springs Pet owners urged to vaccinate amid skunk rabies outbreak
AP: TB detected in California dairy cow
FDA approves iron dextran formulation to avert shortage
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Sales
Pat Malone’s tip-of-the-week
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Products to Watch
Wolf introduces Lead-Free X-Ray Protective Aprons
Abbott launches PropoFlo™ 28, Injectable Anesthesia Product for Dogs
Novartis launches app
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Worth Watching
Wal-Mart tests online grocery sales
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Stock Watch
Stock Watch
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Top Stories
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Social media used to help pet rescue following tornadoes
A Facebook page set up to reunite lost animals with their owners after deadly storms that ripped through Alabama and the rest of the Deep South last Wednesday had more than 1,200 supporters by Thursday afternoon, according to the Birmingham News. The site, titled Animals Lost & Found from the Tornadoes in Alabama on 4/27/11, was set up by a group of Alabama pet rescuers. It’s acting as a central location for people who have lost or found animals or who want to volunteer to foster displaced animals. There was also information about veterinarians providing free services in storm-damaged areas. The group is also accepting donations for Have a Heart Animal Rescue and Adoption to help with medical expenses for injured animals, boarding and food. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society has also been listing lost pets on its web site and has tips for how to best search for a lost pet.
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AVMA promoting pet adoption during National Pet Week
The American Veterinary Medical Association will be promoting “Save a Life — Adopt a Pet” messages during National Pet Week 2011, May 1-7. “The AVMA wants to encourage everyone this year on National Pet Week to think about the role that a new pet could play in your lives. By opening your home to a new animal, you’ll be saving an animal’s life while enriching your own life in innumerable ways,” explains Dr. Larry Kornegay, president of the AVMA. “This year we’ve posted a video on YouTube, AVMAtv and also the AVMA Media Library with some excellent tips and information that potential pet owners should consider before adopting a pet.” National Pet Week is a celebration of pets that goes back three decades. This year, veterinarians across the country will be using the event to educate the public — including children — that pet adoption does save lives. The theme is particularly appropriate during the spring, when many shelters see an added influx of animals in need of homes.
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Wahl Clipper names Stuart as National Sales Manager
Wahl Clipper Corporation Professional Animal Division announced that Rich Stuart has joined as National Sales Manager for North America. In his new position he is responsible for the entire Wahl Clipper Professional Animal sales team, providing sales leadership and insight into all areas of the business. Stuart primarily focuses on business development in the Pet Specialty, Professional Pet, Equine, Veterinary and Large Animal markets. Prior to joining Wahl, Stuart held positions with increasing levels of responsibility in a variety of national account, senior key account and sales executive roles. He has 11 years of experience in the professional animal grooming industry. He graduated from The Ohio State University and has a BS in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
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Midmark Animal Health announces new “depend on us” promotion
Midmark Corporation announced the launch of its newest animal health promotion, “depend on us.” The promotion offers veterinary practices the opportunity to receive high-value rebates with the purchase of select Midmark veterinary products. “The most effective, efficient treatment rooms require expert planning with durable, easy-to-use equipment and ongoing support,” said Matt Bourne, Midmark director of sales for the animal health division. “Our integrated veterinary equipment and ongoing services support positive patient outcomes and optimized practice income so veterinarians can concentrate on treating their patients.” Promotional products and rebates include: Matrx™ Anesthesia Machines (excluding VMR®) – $200 rebate; Midmark UltraClave® Automatic Sterilizers (M9-020 or M11-020) – $400 rebate; Midmark 354 and 355 Single Surgery Lights – $200 rebate; Midmark 354 and 355 Dual Surgery Lights – $400 rebate; Midmark Dental Lights – $200 rebate; and Midmark Dental Track Light with Monitor (153830) – $400 rebate. Customers wishing to donate their old sterilizers to Direct Relief International® are also eligible to receive an extra $200 rebate from Midmark in addition to the sterilizer rebate listed above. The Promotional product order period is May 1 – July 31, 2011. Must take shipment by: August 31, 2011. Must claim incentive offers by: September 30, 2011. For complete promotional details and product information, visit midmarkanimalhealth.com.
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New AVMA waste disposal microsite answers veterinary questions
The American Veterinary Medical Association has launched a Waste Disposal microsite to help veterinarians deal with the complex waste disposal issues, the organization announced. “This new AVMA microsite provides a single location that veterinarians can turn to for answers,” explains Dr. Kristi Henderson, assistant director of the Scientific Activities Division and staff to the AVMA’s Committee on Environmental Issues (CEI). “Practitioners need to be aware of the federal standards by which everyone must abide, as well as their local and state regulations, which vary across the nation. This AVMA site connects them to a multitude of resources and information that will help them meet the challenges of proper waste disposal.” The microsite is divided into five areas: definitions, federal regulations, state regulations, AVMA resources and clinical resources. The “clinical resources section” of the site is a new member benefit, accessible only by AVMA members. For more information, please visit www.avma.org, or visit the microsite at http://www.avma.org/issues/environment/wastedisposal/default.asp.
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AAHA endorses WSAVA guidelines on nutrition
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Board of Directors voted to endorse of the Global Nutritional Guidelines of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) at AAHA’s recent board meeting in Toronto. WSAVA developed the guidelines in an effort to standardize five vital signs as part of the standard physical examination for all small animals. These are temperature, pulse, respiration, pain assessment and nutritional assessment. “Knowing that AAHA, our biggest member, endorses these guidelines is of extreme importance for the WSAVA, not only because standardization of nutritional status in the regular physical examination is important aspect for any veterinarian but also because AAHA recognizes the global issue and actively searches for solutions of problems that affect the veterinary community all over the world,” said WSAVA President Jolle Kirpensteijn, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DECVS.
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Some online veterinary pharmacists exploit borders
A recent article in VIN News Service explored the potential perils of online veterinary pharmacies that exploit cross-border regulatory gaps. According to the article, all heartworm-prevention drugs in the United States and Canada require prescriptions. Yet many such products — approved and unapproved — are available online without a prescription from numerous outlets that operate in the shadows of international Internet commerce. “We have been chasing this,” said Sharon Kerr, an inspector and practice consultant with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia. She said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have pursued dubious online vendors as well, but the authorities are stymied frequently. “There’s so much Internet business going on involving other countries that we have no control over,” Kerr said. “Every time they start closing in on something, (the suspects) close their Internet address and they’re gone. It’s a worldwide (problem).” Some online pet pharmacies flaunt their ability to sell heartworm medications without prescriptions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seems well aware of the proliferation of Internet pet pharmacies. It has posted several “buyer beware” cautionary statements. One such posting states: “Websites that sell prescription veterinary medicines without valid veterinary prescriptions are breaking the law.” Asked to elaborate on pharmacies located out of the country, Laura Alvey, a spokeswoman for the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, cited the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act in her response by e-mail: “…a pharmacist who dispenses an Rx drug without a prescription has misbranded the drug and violated the FD&C Act. If you sell a drug that has to be Rx here to a consumer in the U.S. without a prescription, even if from overseas, there may well be a violation of the Act.” However, she noted in a separate e-mail on the same issue: “FDA’s jurisdiction is within the U.S. and we don’t oversee or regulate the practice of pharmacy.”
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Tips for keeping dogs stress-free during thunderstorms
A recent article on AnnArbor.com by contributor Lorrie Shaw offered tips for pet owners to help dogs with noise phobias during thunderstorms. These included: counter classical conditioning (getting your dog to associate the noise of thunder with something good); using pressure wraps to help comfort them; use anti-static capes, sprays and softener sheets; T-Touch; or a dog-appeasing pheromone. “The great thing about these specific suggestions, they are easy to implement and none of them have side effects,” Shaw wrote. “Depending on the severity of your dog’s discomfort when it comes to anxiety associated with storms, you can tailor a plan of action that works by trying one at a time, or perhaps more than one in tandem.”
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Oklahoma House approves rules for pet breeders
According to The Oklahoman, federally licensed pet breeders would have to meet the rules and licensing requirements of a new Oklahoma board under the latest change to a pet-breeding bill approved last week by the House of Representatives. The action by the House goes against the recommendation of a House committee that two weeks earlier voted to exempt federally licensed breeders from oversight of the state pet breeders board. The change was in a floor amendment approved Tuesday before the House approved Senate Bill 637 by a vote of 90-5. It now goes back to the Senate.
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Colorado Springs Pet owners urged to vaccinate amid skunk rabies outbreak
El Paso County Public Health officials reported that reports of six skunks infected with rabies have come in since Jan. 1, and are urging pet owners to get their animal vaccinated against rabies, according to The Gazette (Colorado Springs). “Based on the locations of where these rabid skunks are being found, we know rabies is being detected in both rural and urban parts of the county,” executive director Kandi Buckland said in a press release. Buckland urged pet owners to get their animals vaccinated against rabies, which is the only sure way to protect them from the fatal disease. Infected animals then put humans at risk for getting rabies. Medication is available for people known or suspected to have been bitten by a rabid animal, but once rabies symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal. Last year, there were 17 reports of rabid animals, including eight cases of bat rabies. So far this year, there have been seven reports, including six skunks and a fox infected with skunk rabies.
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AP: TB detected in California dairy cow
According to the Associated Press, California state and federal officials say bovine tuberculosis has been detected in a dairy cow from a Southern California herd during a routine slaughterhouse inspection. Officials with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the USDA said Tuesday the cow was traced to a San Bernardino County dairy and other animals in the herd are being tested as well. USDA spokesman Larry Hawkins says more cases have been detected in that herd but the disease poses no risk to humans or the milk supply, according to the AP. Hawkins says cows that are found to have the disease will be killed and milk sold in California is pasteurized, which kills tuberculosis organisms. He didn’t know how many animals tested positive for the disease. The last known case of bovine tuberculosis in California was in 2009.
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FDA approves iron dextran formulation to avert shortage
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved an injectable iron dextran formulation to alleviate a veterinary product shortage, according to DVM Newsmagazine. The formulation, called Uniferon by Pharmacosmos of Watchung, N.J. (distributed by IVESCO of Iowa Falls, Iowa), is labeled for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia in baby pigs. “In recent years there has been an inconsistent supply of injectable iron dextran products in the United States resulting in shortages,” the agency says. “FDA determined the product was a medically necessary drug and issued letters of no objection to certain approved companies allowing them to temporarily import and distribute an injectable 200 mg/ml iron dextran product into the United States.” The approval should end any current shortages of injectable iron dextran, the agency adds.
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Sales
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Pat Malone’s tip-of-the-week
Interesting or Interested
Stop trying so hard to be interesting. Be interested in others and they will find you interesting.
Pat Malone is a senior partner at the Par Group and can be reached at (770) 493-7188 or patrick.malone@thepargroup.com (he gives us a story, along with the tips every couple of months)
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Products to Watch
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Wolf introduces Lead-Free X-Ray Protective Aprons
Wolf X-Ray Corporation introduced the Wolf Lead-Free X-Ray Protective Aprons for medical, dental and veterinary use. Wolf Lead-Free Aprons provide 0.50mm lead equivalency protection, equal to that of traditional lead aprons, but are 24 percent lighter. Made of environmentally-friendly, non-toxic materials, patients, doctors, radiologists and technicians will appreciate the lighter weight, greater flexibility and increased comfort these aprons provide. Professionals that wear protective clothing often during the day will experience less fatigue. All Wolf Lead-Free Aprons are available in traditional colors and new, exciting patterns including Tye-Dye, Hawaiian, Camouflage and Paw Prints. For added protection, separate thyroid collars are available as well. For more information, please call Wolf X-Ray at (800) 356-9729 or visit them online at www.wolfxray.com.
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Abbott launches PropoFlo™ 28, Injectable Anesthesia Product for Dogs
Abbott announced that it has introduced PropoFlo™ 28 (propofol), a 28-day preserved version of propofol, an intravenous anesthetic for use in dogs. PropoFlo™ 28 contains a benzyl alcohol antimicrobial preservative that provides it with a shelf life of 28 days, once opened. PropoFlo™ 28 is indicated for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia by intermittent injections or constant rate infusion (CRI) and for induction where maintenance is provided by inhalant anesthetics. The extended shelf life of PropoFlo™ 28 provides an option for clinics that may not routinely use an entire bottle of PropoFlo™ within six hours after it is opened, the maximum shelf life of this product. PropoFlo™ 28 is available now through veterinary distributors. Abbott Animal Health will provide expert product support for both PropoFlo™ 28 and PropoFlo™ through local representatives, anesthesia consultants and training tools for staff, including free RACE-accredited online continuing education.
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Novartis launches app
Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. has launched RemindMyPet, a free iPhone® app in the United States, that notifies pet owners when to give their animals needed medication. This expands upon the RemindMyPet.com website, an online reminder service that provides pet owners with an easy way to remember to follow their veterinarians’ recommendations. Both the RemindMyPet iPhone® mobile digital device app and website are part of the ongoing Novartis Animal Health commitment in saving, prolonging and improving animal lives. Pet owners can download the free RemindMyPet app on http://itunes.apple.com. The app can easily be found by searching on the app store for remindmypet. Once downloaded, owners can schedule pet medication reminders directly through their iPhone® mobile digital device calendar.
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Worth Watching
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Wal-Mart tests online grocery sales
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced that it is testing home grocery delivery in San Jose, Calif., as the world’s largest retailer ratchets up competition with online retailer Amazon.com Inc. With the new “Wal-Mart To Go,” customers can order up groceries, health and beauty products such as soap, shampoo and over-the-counter medicines, and household supplies like paper towels and laundry detergent from the company’s website. Wal-Mart will then drive the goods over to customers’ homes at their time of choice. Wal-Mart said that the San Jose launch is a limited test only. The Bentonville, Ark.-based company didn’t provide details on other possible test markets. But its website already has a section on which interested customers can learn about the service and enter their zipcodes to see if it’s available in their area. If it was to go nationwide, the move may help Wal-Mart wrestle market share away from Amazon.com Inc. Wal-Mart is facing increasing price competition from dollar chains and online retailers. Many major retailers have been beefing up their Web businesses to grab some of the continuing growth online and keep their sites competitive. They’re adding millions of grocery and other products, new kinds of services and even alliances with rival retailers.
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Stock Watch
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| DJIA |
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12814.97 |
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7.61 |
| NASDAQ |
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2839.5 |
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-24.58 |
| S&P 500 |
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1357.22 |
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-4 |
| ABAX |
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28.46 |
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-0.14 |
| ABT |
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52.84 |
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0.25 |
| AHII |
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4.2 |
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-0.01 |
| BAX |
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57.68 |
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0.07 |
| CENT |
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9.82 |
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0.17 |
| COV |
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55.82 |
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0.3 |
| HSIC |
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73.13 |
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-0.95 |
| HSKA |
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6.89 |
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0.13 |
| IDXX |
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80.59 |
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-0.65 |
| JNJ |
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66.45 |
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0.24 |
| LLY |
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38.32 |
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1.01 |
| MRK |
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36.6 |
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0.29 |
| MWIV |
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81 |
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-2.11 |
| NEOG |
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40.56 |
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-1.13 |
| PDCO |
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35.34 |
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-0.07 |
| PFE |
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20.55 |
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-0.47 |
| SGP |
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0 |
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0 |
| SNY |
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40.15 |
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0.25 |
| VIRP.PA |
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127.2 |
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2.6 |
| WOOF |
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24.85 |
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0.08 |
| XRAY |
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37.7 |
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-0.31 |
| PETS |
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14.61 |
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-0.14 |
| PETM |
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42.09 |
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-0.25 |
| NOVN.VX |
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51.35 |
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0.05 |
2011-05-03 12:53
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