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Brakke Consulting’s
Animal Health News & Notes for September 30, 2011
Copyright © Brakke Consulting, Inc.
Editor: Lynn Fondon, DVM MBA
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IN THE NEWS:
Brakke news
Brakke at SWVS
earnings news
Neogen
other news
Aribex
Bioniche
Fish Vet Group
KONG
McAllister
Merial
Putney
Richard’s Vet Products
scil
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BRAKKE CONSULTING, INC. at SWVS
September 30 – October 2
San Antonio, TX
Brakke Consulting’s practice management consultant, Jessica Lee, will be attending the Southwest Veterinary Symposium in San Antonio, Texas. If you’d like to meet with Jessica at SWVS to learn more about Brakke’s veterinary practice management services, stop by booth 561 in the Exhibit Hall, which she will be sharing with Chalk Cullum and Associates, or call 919.444.3279 to schedule an appointment.
Raymond Collier of Brakke’s AnimalHealthJobs.com will also be attending the Southwest Veterinary Symposium on Friday and Saturday. To meet with Raymond to learn more about Brakke’s online job board, call 214.850.9243 or email rcollier@brakkeconsulting.com to schedule an appointment.
www.BrakkePracticeConsulting.com
www.AnimalHealthJobs.com
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COMPANY EARNINGS RELEASES
> Neogen Corporation announced results for the first quarter of FY 2012 ended Aug. 31. Revenues increased 7% to $46 million. First quarter net income increased 3% from the prior year to $6.0 million. Neogen’s Animal Safety Division led the company’s first quarter revenue increase, with sales up 8% to $22.4 million. (company press release)
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COMPANY NEWS RELEASES
> Sanofi announced that Merial’s global headquarters is moving from Duluth, Georgia, to Lyon, France. Merial is historically well established in the area, with 1,400 employees and six sites in Lyon and the surrounding region. (Animal Pharm)
> Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. announced that it is launching three new products: Cue-Mare and Tri-Otic Ointment in Australia, and Peridan Concentrate in North America. Cue-Mare is an intravaginal progesterone delivery device for horses; Tri-Otic Ointment is a canine treatment for acute and chronic otitis externa; and Peridan Concentrate is instilled into the abdominal cavity during surgical procedures, creating a physical barrier between damaged tissues that helps reduce the formation of potentially dangerous post-surgical adhesions. (PR Newswire)
> Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. announced that it co-led a $21 million Series C financing for Putney. Safeguard provided $10 million of financing; the additional capital was provided by NewSpring Health Capital and existing investors. Proceeds from the Series C will be used for product development and to enhance sales and marketing capabilities and additional operational and working capital needs. (MarketWatch)
> Richard’s Vet Products announced the launch of Veterinary EyeMax, the first veterinary-only labeled product developed to eliminate eye staining caused by red yeast infection of the tear ducts in dogs and cats. Veterinary EyeMax is administered as a daily top-dress to pets’ food. (company press release)
> Fish Vet Group (FVG), a Scottish aquaculture specialty company, announced it has established a US office in Portland, Maine. (Animal Pharm)
> scil animal care announced the launch of the Medici DR Vet System, is a vet-specific digital radiography product of O&R Technology. In addition, scil announced the launch of launch Konica Minolta’s ImagePilot CR (computed radiography) Systems, an affordable, entry-level digital radiography solution designed for low-volume veterinary clinics. (company press release)
> McAllister Software Systems announced it has added an equine-specific feature set to AVImark veterinary software, called AVImark EQ. (company press release)
> Aribex announced a leadership reorganization under which the Board of Directors has appointed Ken Kaufman as President and Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Clark Turner, founder of Aribex, will retain his title as Chairman and CEO, and assume responsibility as Chief Technical Officer. (company press release)
> KONG Company introduced Premium Treats by JAKKS Pets. The KONG Premium Treats line features Soft & Chewy Treats, Crunchy Treats and Dental Chews. (Pet Business e-news)
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ANIMAL HEALTH NEWS
> US – CANINE INFLUENZA An outbreak of H3N8 canine influenza was reported in San Antonio, TX. Approximately 30 cases of H3N8 canine influenza and 60 others were suspected. Cases were identified in a veterinary hospital and a local boarding kennel. Out of all the cases of known and suspected canine influenza from this outbreak, only three of the dogs became very ill; all dogs recovered from the illness. (DVM360)
> US – CANINE VACCINATION The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has published updated canine vaccination guidelines. The guidelines were published in the September edition of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA) and can be found online at www.aahanet.org/Library/CanineVaccine.aspx. (Vet Advantage)
> US – EQUINE HEALTH The American Association of Equine Practitioners has developed guidelines for veterinarians who treat horses competing in athletic events other than racing. The document, “Clinical Guidelines for Veterinarians Treating the Non-Racing Performance Horse,” are available at www.aaep.org/white_papers.htm (Vet Advantage)
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BRAKKE CONSULTING VIEWPOINT
Today marks the end of the third quarter for financial reporting. We understand from some of our interviews that the third quarter results will be less than planned for a number of companies, and may be showing the negative impact of a struggling consumer economy. Most will still show an improvement over same period last year, mainly driven by price increases rather than unit volume. In the next three weeks we’ll learn if our interview sources were providing us with reliable information on revenues.
The information we’re picking up from veterinary clinics provides a mixed picture but an abundance of confusion in the minds of practitioners. Confused customers (veterinarians or their managers) sometimes make irrational decisions on a number of management issues. Now is a great time to be considerate of your veterinary clients and assist them as best you can in making solid management decisions during this challenging economic period.
Have a great weekend and start the fourth quarter off with some positive results.
Ron Brakke
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