Day: January 27, 2010

Schaumburg, IL — The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) have joined a coalition of other animal health and welfare groups to help address the ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti following the January 12 earthquake that devastated the country. The Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti (ARCH) was developed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). The AVMA is among the participants in the coalition, while the AVMF will participate with the other national and international charities by providing monetary support. “The American

It’s easy to forget that an essential component of the workforce in developing countries is horses and donkeys. In fact, the global population of equids is estimated at 110 million. Of that total, only about 10 million live in developed countries. The rest plow fields or transport goods everywhere from the mountains of Argentina to the deserts of Ethiopia. “Who is looking after the others?” asked Dr. Derek C. Knottenbelt, speaking at the first Equitarian Initiative forum Dec. 6, 2009, during the American Association of Equine Practitioners 55th Annual Convention. Moderator Dr. Jay G. Merriam said the

Because of limited supplies, veterinarians will have to buy a treatment for canine heartworm disease directly from the manufacturer. Dr. Zack Mills, vice president of sales for Merial, wrote in a Dec. 1, 2009, letter to veterinarians that unforeseen technical difficulties during a planned manufacturing site transfer led to limitations in the supply of Immiticide for the first quarter of 2010. “We believe that by careful management of existing product, we should be able to meet the needs of most veterinary practices for treatment of heartworm disease in their patients,” the letter states. Natasha Joseph, a Merial