News

Las Vegas-Pets have the power to heal our bodies, soothe our souls and calm our minds. That's the message Edward Creagan, MD, gave to more than 300 veterinarians last month at the 74th annual Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas. The event, "The Pet Prescription," sponsored by Veterinary Pet Insurance, featured expert findings on the physiological and psychological effects of pets on people.

Cleveland-Nearly a year has passed and the 2001 Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS) still evokes impassioned discussions of its cause, which was never conclusively determined.

Schering-Plough Animal Health Corp. introduces MaxiVac® Excell with Emunade®, the first bivalent swine influenza vaccine containing field-proven antigens used in more than 70 million doses nationwide.

Veterinary practice sales endure despite a weakened economy. Although geographic location and lender availability play heavily into practice sales, the recession barely registers.

Intervet announces it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for NeoGard as the first and only vaccine for bovine neosporosis

American Animal Health, Inc. introduces Soothables Tender Foot, a multi-vitamin foot pad and elbow cream for dogs.

Disputes and conflicts commonly arise in any business.

The AKC's Veterinary Outreach Program has received $100,000 for their 2002 scholarships, awarded to students in veterinary schools who are pursuing canine-related studies. AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC-CAR) has donated the funds for the program this year.

Tomorrow's seeds of success will be planted this year. And tomorrow's success depends on a clinic's support staff.

NaturVet introduces Kelp Help, a new amino acid, vitamin and mineral supplement for dogs and cats.

Veterinarians can often go an entire career without seeing some types of cases.

San Francisco-The collaborations of Chronix Biomedical, a translational genomics company, with the Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Georg-August University in Goettingen, Germany, have resulted in creation of a serum-based test to detect bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease).

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke. At least that's what my friend, Arnie, says. If your practice suffered greatly from the February doldrums and you had nothing better to do with your time than to read my column, then you may recall what he said about me last month.

Could you review hypoadrenocorticism in young dogs?

Fort Dodge Animal Health is offering a special incentive program for veterinary clients to encourage annual spring deworming with rebates on its dewormer and boticide, Quest® Gel (moxidectin).

Dr. Thomas Kendall, who once picked a battle with the IRS and won, finds satisfaction in the service's latest cash accounting notice.

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on the success or failure of veterinary practices.

Englewood, Colo.-Morris Animal Foundation is funding $3.7 million in humane animal health studies this year. With this level of funding, the organization continues to establish itself as the world's largest foundation funding companion animal and wildlife health studies.

Last time we reviewed a number of issues concerning situations where veterinarians and their local or state governments come into conflict.

Kansas City, Mo.-As plans to unite rival education equivalency standards for foreign graduates bottom out, the American Association for Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) restores its controversial proficiency program-a move that's sure to rattle the veterinary community.

DogLeggs, LLC, introduces DogLeggs, a therapeutic solution for lameness, swelling and soreness common to dogs.

Columbus-An Ohio Senator has introduced a bill in the state that would stiffen charges against animal abusers from misdemeanor to felony for specified acts of cruelty.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. recently launched Torpex aerosol albuterol sulfate, a dose inhaler approved for use in horses suffering from reversible airway obstruction.

S&M NuTec introduces two new dental treats for giant breed dogs and small pets.

Dallas-A panel of equine experts plans to explore the benefits of equine genome research for the first time on March 2, during the American Quarter Horse Association convention here.

Lexington, Ky.-While mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) was swiftly becoming a household word in Kentucky last spring, animal practitioners in central Kentucky were also reporting an influx in the number of cases of pericarditis, an uncommon disease involving the heart and the sac around the heart.

Vague signs, similar clinical presentation to other diseases confound practitioners

Anchorage, Alaska- In a benchmark decision, Alaska Supreme Court justices rule that damages for the untimely loss of a pet can be measured by the cost of replacing it, or more specifically, an animal's actual value.

Following a DVM's animal abuse conviction, the country's largest veterinary group publishes statement on humane restraining methods

Schaumburg, Ill.-Adding to its swine, bovine and equine recommendations, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) puts forth judicious use of antimicrobial guidelines for cats and dogs.