DECEMBER 2007 JANUARY 2008 AN ABAXIS NEWSLETTER FOR THE VETERINARY COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS Special Look: Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee The nation s first natural-habitat refuge uses VetScan products Case Study: Liver Case Study 11 year old Irish Wolfhound presented with dragging the right rear leg. Product Spotlight: VetScan HM5 One of a kind! Authorized Distributors Conference Calendar Contact Us Don t Miss A Single Issue Of VetCom! Subscribe Today at www.abaxis.com! 888-9300-REV M WELCOME Welcome to the Abaxis VetCom, a newsletter for the Veterinary Community now reaching more than 14,000 subscribers around the world. As I reflect on 2007, it s been an exciting year for us at Abaxis. This past year, we launched the all new VetScan HM5 TM - a fully automated 5-part cell counter designed specifically for veterinary applications receiving very positive feedback from our customers. In addition, we were also honored by Forbes Magazine as number eleven (11) on the list of the 200 Best Small Companies in the United States. Our Chairman and CEO, Clint Severson was named Entrepreneur of the Year, and was seen on the cover of the October issue of Forbes magazine (see inside pages for more information). If that s not enough, we also received the Medical Design Excellence Award (MDEA) for Piccolo Xpress Chemistry Analyzer, the sister product to the VetScan VS2. Our field sales support now includes 6 Area Sales Managers, 45 Regional Field Account Managers and 6 inside Area Account Managers all here to better serve you! Our Technical Support has seen a significant expansion as well, offering technical support 7 days a week, 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST, and we are planning on providing Technical Support 24/7 in early 2008! 2007 was exciting and 2008 will be full of good news with the launch of our Canine Heartworm Antigen Test. Seasons Greetings from Abaxis. All of us at Abaxis truly wish you the best for the Holidays and New Year! Valerie Goodwin Director, Marketing Veterinary Medicine valeriegoodwin@abaxis.com (510) 675-6604 ABOUT ABAXIS, INC. Abaxis is a leader in the development and commercialization of leadingedge innovative technology, tools and services that support best medical practices, enabling practitioners to respond to the health needs of their patients, while operating economical and profitable practices, at the point of care. Abaxis develops, manufactures and markets portable blood analysis systems for use in any veterinary or human patient care setting to provide clinicians with rapid blood constituent measurements. The system consists of a compact, 6.9-kilogram (10.5 pounds) portable analyzer and a series of single use plastic discs, called reagent rotors, that contain all the chemicals required to perform 23 different assays and 8 different profiles. The veterinary business system, which consists of the VetScan VS2, the next generation chemistry, electrolyte, immunoassay, blood gas analyzer, the VetScan HM2 Hematology instrument, and the VetScan HM5 Hematology instrument, can be operated with minimal training and performs multiple routine tests on whole blood, serum or plasma samples. The system provides test results in minutes with superior precision and accuracy equivalent to a clinical laboratory analyzer. Abaxis, Inc. 3240 Whipple Road Union City, CA 94587 Tel. 800-822-2947 Fax 510-441-6150 www.abaxis.com DECEMBER 2007 / JANUARY 2008 1
DISTRIBUTORS SPECIAL LOOK United States AniSol Veterinary Distributor 877-426-4765 American Veterinary Supply (AVSC) 800-869-2510 Associated Medical Supply 480-998-1684 DVM Resources 877-828-1026 Great Western Animal Supply 800-888-7247 Hawaii Mega-Cor, Inc. 800-369-7711 IVESCO 800-457-0118 Merritt Veterinary Supply 800-845-0411 Miller Veterinary Supply 800-880-1920 Nelson Laboratories 800-203-4268 North East Veterinary Supply Co. (NEVSCO) 866-638-7265 Penn Vet Supply 800-233-0210 TW Medical 888-787-4483 Western Medical Supply 800-242-4415 Canada Associated Vet Purchasing, Co. 604-856-2146 CDMV 450-771-2368 MidWest Drug 204-233-8155 VetNovations 705-726-9995 Vet Purchasing 519-284-1371 Vie et Sante 418-650-7888 Western Drug & Distribution 877-329-9332 ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN TENNESSEE: THE NATION S FIRST NATURAL-HABITAT REFUGE USES VETSCAN PRODUCTS BY VALERIE GOODWIN AND THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY STAFF Pictured: Misty, who had tested positive for TB is being conditioned for her year long TB treatment. Misty has been released from quarantine and joined the founding herd. The Elephant Sanctuary article continues on page 3 The Abaxis VetScan analyzer is a welcome addition to The Elephant Sanctuary s onsite laboratory, and will enhance both our clinical care and research programs. Carol Buckley, the Elephant Sanctuary s Executive Director says: The VetScan unit will be a great asset to the Elephant Sanctuary as it will provide "instant" lab results and it will also further our ability to conduct important non-invasive research. The VetScan will provide rapid results should an elephant become ill, allowing veterinarians access to real-time and perhaps life-saving information. From the perspective of our TB research program, we will be able to follow our elephants over time using a dependable, qualitycontrolled technology. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee (www.elephants.com) is the nation s first natural-habitat refuge specifically developed to provide a haven for endangered African and Asian elephants. It is a non-profit organization, licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. It is the only sanctuary of its kind in America to offer the setting, climate, and native vegetation that parallels habitat in the elephants native lands. We provide sanctuary for captive elephants that are old, sick or needy. Our primary objective is to provide a spacious and rich environment in which elephants can freely exercise their sensitive, intensely gregarious, complex, and remarkably intelligent natures. We believe that all elephants should be treated with respect and minimal intrusion. Utilizing more than 2700 acres, The Elephant Sanctuary provides three separate and protected, multihundred acre natural habitat environments for Asian and African elephants. Phil Snyder, Regional Director Emeritus of the Humane Society of the United States has stated, "The Elephant Sanctuary represents the future of enlightened captive elephant management." Education is the other key component of the Sanctuary's on-going mission. Since its inception, the Sanctuary's outreach program has taught thousands of school children around the globe a respect for wildlife while they learn about the endangered Asian and African elephant. Pictured: Dehli, Sissy, Tarra and Winkie. DECEMBER 2007 / JANUARY 2008 2
CONFERENCES SPECIAL LOOK Jan. 5-7 Jan. 13-17 Jan. 24-26 Jan. 25-26 Jan. 25-27 Jan. 25-27 Jan. 26-28 Jan. 24-27 Feb. 7-9 Feb. 18-20 Feb. 21-23 Feb. 21-24 Mar. 5-7 Mar. 28-29 CSU Vet Conference Lory Student Center Fort Collins, CO NAVC Orlando, FL www.tnavc.org Nebraska VMA Embassy Suites Lincoln, NE www.nvma.org/ Oklahoma VMA Crowne Plaza Hotel Tulsa, OK www.okvma.org Missouri VMA Chateau on the Lake Branson, MO www.mvma.us Indiana VMA Marriott Downtown Indianapolis, IN www.invma.org Michigan Vet. Conf. Lansing Center Lansing, MI http://cvm.msu.edu Louisiana VMA Hilton Shrevport, LA Minnesota Vet. Conf. Hilton Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN www.mvma.org Western Vet. Conf. Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, NV www.wvc.org Virginia VMA Hotel Roanoke Roanoke, VA www.vvma.org Midwest Vet. Conf. Greater Columbus Convention Center Columbus, OH www.ohiovma.org Penn State Vet. Conf. College Park, PA AAHA Tampa Bay Conv. Ctr. Tampa, FL www.aahanet.org The Elephant Sanctuary article continued In February of 2006 we completed our 2500 acre expansion and the largest elephant rescue in United States history, bringing eight of the former Hawthorn Corporation elephants to the Sanctuary. In May of 2007 we welcomed our newest resident, Dulary, to the new Asian habitat bringing our elephant population to nineteen. Pictured: Scott Blais and Dulary. Dulary arrived from the Philadelphia Zoo. Photo by Nancy Rhoda. The arrival of the eight former Hawthorn elephants inspired the creation of The Elephant Health and Welfare Institute, to study the two most common diseases in captive elephants, tuberculosis and osteomyelitis, and to establish a facility where noninvasive scientific studies can be conducted that will benefit elephants here and elsewhere. Tuberculosis is a disease that concerns everyone. In preparation for this herd s arrival, the Sanctuary built a brand new Asian barn to accommodate the existing herd of eight resident elephants and converted the original two barn complex into a quarantine facility. This quarantine facility is currently home to the eight former circus elephants who for decades were exposed to tuberculosis. The facility contains a completely separate quarantine area for any future TB positive elephants. The quarantine facility also contains multiple barns, yards, food and hay storage, to control and prevent the spread of the disease. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is currently conducting comprehensive noninvasive TB research to further elucidate the pathophysiology, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, and other aspects of this disease in elephants. Elephants are as long lived as humans which makes the study of the disease in elephants vitally important to the understanding of TB in humans. Core participants are the Sanctuary s nineteen resident elephants, and information collected here will be compiled together with data from hundreds of other elephants worldwide. The data that is being collected will help determine how TB is transmitted, what strains are of concern, and what is the proper treatment. This is a unique opportunity to conduct a long-term study of the index herd (the initial herd in recent times to be exposed to TB). Data collection forms the basis of project evaluation. With the extensive data we collect, we are able to measure the effectiveness of our treatment by comparing the progress of our elephants to the health and welfare of other elephants in captive environments and in the wild. The Sanctuary s consulting veterinarian is Dr. Susan Mikota of Elephant Care International, the leading organization in the field of elephant TB research. The Sanctuary also works collaboratively with a standing TB Advisory committee. In addition to the core Sanctuary Veterinary Healthcare Team, the members of this team include senior veterinarians from Busch Gardens (Tampa) and the San Francisco Zoo. Also included are the Chief of Infectious Diseases for the VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, and the Chair, Department of Preventive Medicine of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. DECEMBER 2007 / JANUARY 2008 3
ROTOR PROFILE CASE STUDY LIVER CASE STUDY BY DR. CRAIG TOCKMAN Presentation Eleven (11) year old male castrated Irish Wolfhound Mix, presented for dragging the right rear leg for a short time after rising. There was no known injury to the patient. MAMMALIAN LIVER PROFILE (MLP) Ideal for obtaining baseline values prior to administration of NSAIDs and monitoring liver function concurrent with their use. Designed also to aid both in the diagnosis of and monitoring the progression of hepatic disease. Screen and monitor patients while receiving chronic therapy. - NSAIDs. - Any medication detoxified in the liver. - Monitor renal function in the non-dehydrated patient. Monitor patients with chronic liver disease. - Complete panel of hepatic enzymes and related analytes to monitor hepatic function. Diagnose liver disease utilizing hepatic enzymes, related analytes and bile acids. Bile acids elevate due to: - Decreased Bile Acid clearance from portal blood. o Hepatocyte damage reduces functional hepatic mass causing impaired clearance. o Congenital and acquired portosystemic shunts. - Decreased biliary excretion of Bile Acids. o Impaired hepatic or post-hepatic bile flow due to any cause. Physical Examination Physical examination revealed bilateral nuclear sclerosis and grade II/VI dental disease. The patient was completely ambulatory in the hospital. No pain was noted on palpation of the limbs and all neurological tests including proprioception were normal. The primary rule outs were degenerative joint disease of the rear limb or back vs. IVDD. Treatment and Monitoring Due to cost concerns, radiographs were declined and a minimal blood data base (Prep II Rotor) was obtained (Table 1 - Presentation). ALP was slightly elevated (normal 20-150) but since ALT was normal, the patient was given 14 days of carprofen and asked to recheck the blood values within 2 weeks as well as to evaluate response to therapy. It was strongly recommended that radiology be performed at that time as well and the owner was instructed to watch for signs related to NSAID toxicity as well as neurological changes within the patient. Three weeks later, the patient was returned for evaluation. The clinical signs at presentation had resolved while on medication and the owner requested a refill. Again, a minimal blood panel was performed. The ALP had increased to 179 and ALT remained essentially unchanged at 96. Radiology was again recommended and declined and a refill of the medication was provided. The patient returned 3 months later for an unrelated illness. A full diagnostic panel (Comprehensive Diagnostic Rotor) with CBC was performed at that time. The information pertinent to this case study is listed in Table 1 (3 months). The patient returned 6 months (9 months post-presentation) later for a recheck to continue medications. The owner indicated that without the medication, clinical signs would return. A Mammalian Liver Profile was performed and listed in Table 1 (9 months). A mild elevation in the Bile Acids value was noted and a paired test was recommended but the patient had recently been fed. Therefore, a paired BA test was scheduled. As a precaution, the NSAID medication was changed to firocoxib. One month later (10 months post-presentation) the paired bile acid test was performed. Normal pre- and post-meal Bile Acids were consistent with adequate hepatic function. Because of the rising ALP and the elevated cholesterol, a Total T4 was performed to rule out the possibility of hypothyroid disease and was normal at 1.6 (1.1-4.0). A urine Cortisol:Creatinine ratio was recommended to screen for Cushing s disease but was declined. The medication dose was reduced to the lowest possible effective dose. A recheck examination was performed 6 months later. At that visit a full Comprehensive Diagnostic Panel as well as a Mammalian Liver Profile was Liver Case Study article continues on page 5 DECEMBER 2007 / JANUARY 2008 4
CONTACT ABAXIS, INC. CASE STUDY 1-800-822-2947 VetCom Issues Valerie Goodwin VetCom, EDITOR Director Veterinary Marketing 510-675-6604 valeriegoodwin@abaxis.com questions and comments Technical Support Craig Darien, ext. 1521 Supervisor, Technical Support Customer Service Gay Skubec, ext. 6578 Supervisor, Customer Service North American Sales Randy Knick, ext. 1509 Central Area Sales Director randyknick@abaxis.com Bill Wilson, ext. 1455 Mid-Atlantic Area Sales Director billwilson@abaxis.com Andy Koupas, ext. 1424 Western Area Sales Director andykoupas@abaxis.com John Therrien, ext 1476 Area Sales Manager, Mid-West johntherrien@abaxis.com Gerard Cabrera, ext. 1448 Area Sales Manager, Northeast gerardcabrera@abaxis.com Chris Ballinger, ext. 1492 Area Sales Manager, Southeast chrisballinger@abaxis.com Liver Case Study article continued performed (16 months post-presentation). Because of persistently elevated BUN, ALT, ALP and GGT, concerns regarding both hepatic and renal values were discussed. The owner declined further diagnostic such as radiology and ultrasound. It was recommended that the minimum effective dose of NSAID be given and a recheck be performed every 4 months. The patient returned in 4 months (20 months) and a CBC, CDP and MLP were performed. Pertinent results are listed. Chemistry values were not significantly different. A repeat T4 and urine Cortisol:Creatinine ratio were again recommended but were declined. Six months (26 months post-presentation) later the patient had lost around 7 lbs. (58 lbs. to now 51lbs.). An MLP with pre and post-prandial bile acids and a CBC was performed. Although BA continued to indicate normal hepatic function, ultrasound and radiology was still recommended to the increasing hepatic enzyme values and the weight loss. In addition, it was recommended that the NSAID be withdrawn as a precaution. The owners were mostly concerned with quality of life and did not want to discontinue the medication nor pursue further testing. There are several important points to this case. Although the owner of the patient was compliant regarding recheck panels, definitive diagnosis was never obtained regarding the actual cause of the increasing hepatic values. However, Bile Acid levels consistently indicated adequate hepatic function and the patient was allowed to maintain a good quality of life as the NSAIDs were not withdrawn due to this fact. The case also shows the vital importance of regular monitoring of the NSAID patient, as well as all patients given chronic medications. Table 1 Normal Presentation 3 Wks 3 Mos 9 Mos 10 Mos 16 Mos 20 Mos 26 Mos BUN 7-25 21 26 21 24 33 33 26 22 CRE 0.3-1.4 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.2 GLU 60-110 103 107 98 98 98 TP 5.4-8.2 7.5 7.9 7.3 7.3 7.1 ALP 20-150 169 179 138 176 201 314 384 423 ALT 10-118 97 96 80 119 148 223 205 240 ALB 2.5-4.4 3.2 3.0 3.6 3.7 2.9 2.9 PHOS 2.6-6.6 3.9 3.6 2.9 CA++ 8.6-11.8 11.4 11.9 11.5 NA+ 138-160 148 152 152 K+ 3.7-5.8 3.9 4.7 4.7 TBIL 0.1-0.6 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 GGT 0-7 10 8 11 12 16 CHOL 125-270 390 380 491 458 475 Bile Acids (pre) 0-25 7 7 3 7 Bile Acids (post) 0-25 27 5 5 15 DECEMBER 2007 / JANUARY 2008 5
CUSTOMER SAMPLING CASE STUDY MEDICAL & RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES UTILIZATION OF THE EQUINE PROFILE PLUS ROTOR: USING THE VETSCAN VS2 AND HM5 BY DR. SABINE TAYLOR, HARRISON EQUINE CLINIC, BERRYVILLE, VA A 7 month old male thoroughbred colt presented early morning on emergency with signs of abdominal discomfort, swollen legs, nasal discharge, and fever. The owner reported a history of decreased fecal output and anorexia of 1 day duration which the farm manager had treated with 150 mg Flunixin Meglumine IV the previous night. On presentation the colt was very depressed, but responsive. He had pronounced edema in the distal limbs, they appeared cold to the touch with no palpable digital pulses. Physical exam revealed a rectal temperature of 101.7º F, heart rate of 48 bpm (no evidence of cardiac abnormalities), respiratory rate of 20 bpm with slightly increased bronchovesicular lung sounds bilaterally, pale pink moist mucous membranes and a capillary refill time of 2.5 seconds. The submandibular lymph nodes appeared within normal limits. Gastro-intestinal sounds were present in all four quadrants but decreased ventrally. The initial concern included pneumonia. Blood was immediately collected for analysis in the clinic using our Abaxis in-house laboratory system including the VetScan VS2 Chemistry Analyzer and the VetScan HM5, a 5-part differential CBC analyzer, as prompt and accurate results were crucial. In the meantime, an ultrasound exam of the thorax and abdomen were performed. The exam revealed mild pleural roughening in the left and right caudo-ventral lung fields and mild edema of the small intestine. Treatment was initiated with Ulcer guard and Flunixin Meglumine right away. The VS2 analyzer is extremely easy to use. The Equine Profile Plus rotor was selected, the sample was applied to the rotor and inserted into the VS2. Reliable accurate results of complete serum chemistry were available within 12 minutes. The serum chemistry showed mild hyperglycemia, hypocalcaemia, mild hyperbilirubinemia, mild hypoproteinemia, and hypoalbuminemia. A complete CBC using the HM5 was just as easy. The blood collection tube was placed in the sample window, the patient ID was entered and within minutes results were available. The CBC revealed a marked lymphocytopenia and mild anemia with a fibrinogen of 800 mg/dl. VETERINARY FACILITIES The results of the blood work reduced the list of differential diagnoses ranging from pneumonia to salmonellosis by half within minutes. A subsequently obtained fecal sample analysis showed severe cyathostomiasis and strongylosis. Additional treatment was started to reduce the parasite burden. The CBC, chemistry, physical exam, ultrasound, and fecal were repeated in two weeks to check the weanlings progress. Although he had suffered two episodes of intermittent anorexia and diarrhea in the following weeks, the physical exam was within normal limits. Ultrasound showed no evidence of intestinal edema and the serum chemistry was improved with only a resolving hypoalbuminemia. A mild leukocytosis with neutrophilia and anemia were still present on hematology and treatment was continued symptomatically. All NSAID's were discontinued at this time. Additionally a fecal sample for Lawsonia intracellularis was submitted with pending results. EQUINE PROFILE PLUS 14 tests per rotor This rotor provides the following parameters: ALB, AST, BUN, CA, CK, CRE, GLE, GGT, GLOB, K+, NA+, TBIL, tco2, TP DECEMBER 2007 / JANUARY 2008 6
One of a Kind! 5-PART DIFFERENTIAL CBCS ON THE NEW VETSCAN HM5 The Abaxis VetScan hematology line of instruments took a great leap forward with the introduction of the all new VetScan HM5 analyzer in September. The HM5 is capable of performing 5-part differential CBCs on three species, (cat, dog and horse) and 3-part differential CBCs on seven other species. The eosinophils are counted directly using a special combination of reagents and impedance technologies. In addition, the HM5 can perform analyses on pre-diluted samples for all the species, allowing users to accurately analyze highly concentrated blood samples. This flexibility makes the HM5 unique for the veterinary marketplace. The VetScan HM5 provides impressive reproducibility in its measurements, in within day trials, intra-instrument trials and between three independent veterinary universities. Table 1 shows the total percent variation shown across nine instruments at multiple facilities with multiple operators. All the CV s are extremely low, some of the lowest variability in the veterinary hematology marketplace. All of these samples were run with normal level controls. Table 1 Low Variability (%CV) in HM5 CBC with multi-day, multi-instrument precision. Parameter WBC NEU LYM EOS HGB RBC % CV 1.70 2.39 3.73 2.14 1.48 1.73 In addition, the reproducibility between live patient samples is impressive. When triplicate runs are plotted against each other, the three replicates are almost entirely identical in all three runs. In Figure 1, the NEU result for replicate 2 (X axis) is plotted against replicate 1 or 3 (axis). This representative plot shows that the two lines almost entirely overlap, indicating that both replicate 1 and 3 are identical to replicate 2. Replicate 1 also overlaps with replicate 3 since all the pink dots nearly overlap the blue dots. Figure 1. High Precision of Live Canine Samples on the HM5 DECEMBER 2007 / JANUARY 2008 7
Dog WBC Figure 2 highlights the accuracy of the HM5 on WBC, LYM and EOS differentials in canine samples. In addition, the HM5 s performed admirably on all the species. Each HM5 data point is an average of triplicate runs and the Advia instrument (pathology lab) is an average of duplicate runs. In the plots shown, the HM5 results matched the pathology lab instruments extremely well. The EOS measurement is an independent, direct measurement in the HM5, not an estimate as in other analyzers, and the results correlated very well with the pathology lab. Dog LYM Within this brief space, you have received merely a glimpse of the VetScan HM5s tremendous accuracy and reproducibility. The VetScan HM5 should prove to be a worthy alternative for practices seeking 5-part differential CBCs on an in-house analyzer. To learn more about the VetScan HM5 or host a live demo, contact your local Abaxis representative for more information. Dog EOS Figure 2. High Correlation vs Pathology Lab Instrument on Canine WBC (A), LYM (B) and EOS (C) Counts DECEMBER 2007 / JANUARY 2008 8
CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT JORG MAYER, DR MED. VET.: TUFTS CUMMINGS SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE The analyzer truly expanded my service and I can offer comprehensive diagnostics, where I had to choose a few parameters in the past due to limited volume of blood available in small birds, reptiles and mammals. The ability to get a liver specific and liver sensitive test in about 12 minutes makes you a much better clinician. Thank you Abaxis." Dr. Jörg Mayer, Dr. med.vet., Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental and Population Health at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts. Director of Exotic Services and Clinical Assistant Professor at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Mayer is currently conducting a study on captive geckos (Rhacodactylus ciliatus) using the VetScan Chemistry Analzyers using the Avian Reptilian Profile Plus. The data obtained from this study will be published in a peer reviewed journal (e.g. The Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery) and thereby the data will be accessible to a wide range of national and international veterinarians working with this species. Education 1999-2000 Masters of Science in Wild Animal Health Royal Veterinary College, London and The Zoological Society of London, United Kingdom 1998-1999 Zoological Medicine Internship Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, Rhode Island, USA 1993-1996 Doctoral Thesis Department of Anatomy and Histology Veterinary University of Budapest, Hungary 1991-1997 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary University of Budapest, Hungary A Sampling of Publications (peer reviewed) Mayer J. 2007 Use of behavior analysis to recognize pain in small mammals. Lab Animal Vol.36, No.6 June 2007 pp.43-48 Mayer J., Knoll C., Innis C., Mitchell M. 2005 Characterizing the Hematologic and Plasma Chemistry Profiles of Captive Chinese Water Dragons (Physignathus cocincinus). Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery. Vol. 15 No.3 pp. 16-23 Mayer J. 2005 Comparison of different methods applicable for the reptilian urolith analysis. Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery. Vol. 15 No.1 pp. 31-35 Mayer J. 2004 The Importance of Understanding the Natural History of Novel Species Used in Research. Lab Animal Vol.33, No.9, Oct. 2004. pp. 32-34 Simova-Curd S., Nitzl D., Mayer J., Hatt J.M. 2006 A clinical approach to renal neoplasia in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Journal of Small Animal Practice 47 (9), 504-511 Sanchez-Migallon DG, Mayer J, Gould J, Azuma C 2006 Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Thymoma in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine, Volume 15, Issue 2, Pages 79-164, pp 138-144. Feigin K., Mayer J., Solano M., 2006 What is your diagnosis? JAVMA, Vol. 228, No.12, June 15, 2006 pp. 1865-1866 Dr. Mayer is also a Member of the Editorial Board for Compendium magazine (peer reviewed journal) (since Jan. 2006) Member of the Editorial Board for Lab Animal magazine (peer reviewed journal) (since Nov. 2005) Member of the USDA Ferret Working Group (since Oct. 2005) Member of the Editorial Board for the ExoticDVM Veterinary Magazine and the International Conference on Exotics (ICE), Lake Worth, FL (2001-2003) AVIAN / REPTILE PROFILE PLUS 12 tests per rotor This rotor provides the following parameters: ALB, BST, BA, CA, CK, GLOB, GLU, K+, NA+, PHOS, TP, UA DECEMBER 2007 / JANUARY 2008 9
DECEMBER 2007 / JANUARY 2008 10
EDITORIAL STAFF Valerie Goodwin Director, Marketing Veterinary Medicine VetCom Editor 510-675-6604 valeriegoodwin@abaxis.com Craig M. Tockman, DVM Director of Professional Services, Abaxis, Inc. Veterinary Care Center, St. Louis, MO 800-822-2947, ext. 1422 craigtockman@abaxis.com Win A Free Upgrade! SUBMIT A CASE STUDY AND WIN! If you have a case study that includes how your in-clinic laboratory system has made a difference, and your case study is published in VetCom - you can WIN! Baerbel Koehler Abaxis Sales and Marketing Manager for Europe, Africa and the Middle East Darmstadt, Germany +49 6151 350 79 0 baerbelkoehler@abaxis.de Kent Adams, DVM Abaxis Advisory Board Member Equine/Large Animal Practitioner kentadams@abaxis.com WHAT YOU WILL WIN! You will be given a choice of a Free Upgrade! You Choose: a. HMT to an HM2 b. HM2 to the all new HM5 c. VetScan Classic to VS2 Don J. Harris, DVM Abaxis Advisory Board Member Avian/Exotic Practitioner donharris@abaxis.com HOW TO ENTER! Send your case studies to Valerie Goodwin. E-mail: valeriegoodwin@abaxis.com Mail: Valerie Goodwin Marketing Director, Veterinary Medicine Abaxis, Inc. 3240 Whipple Road Union City, CA 94587 (Open to owners and principals of veterinary practices, research facilities, academic environments, and pharmaceutical/biotech companies. Instrument being upgraded must be returned to Abaxis.) DECEMBER 2007 / JANUARY 2008 11
ABAXIS, INC. 3240 Whipple Road Union City, CA 94587 Telephone: 510-675-6500 Fax: 510-441-6150 vetscansales@abaxis.com www.abaxis.com VetCom is now available online, bringing you the latest in diagnostic insights for the entire clinic and enlightening you with a monthly case study full of interesting information and much, much more. For a printer-friendly version of VetCom to share with your colleagues, visit our website at www.abaxis.com. To sign up for additional Abaxis information please email Valerie Goodwin at valeriegoodwin@abaxis.com. Your contact information (name, address, and email address) is maintained in our database of contacts in order to keep you abreast of our current and future work, or related issues that may be of interest to you. If you do not wish to receive further materials from us, you can call (800) 822-2947 or email us at abaxis@abaxis.com to be removed from the list. We work hard to ensure that your experience with Abaxis is a positive one. If you have any questions about this privacy policy or your dealings with our site, or materials you may have received, or to update any of your personal information or if you wish to be removed from our list please contact us at Abaxis, Inc., 3240 Whipple Road, Union City, CA 94587or email vetscansales@abaxis.com. You can unsubscribe from our contact database by replying to the e-mail with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply call (800) 822-2947. For more on our Privacy Policy please visit our website at www.abaxis.com.