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Archive for the ‘Veterinary Medicine’ Category

Strong Fundamentals In The Animal Health Industry Will Drive Zoetis Shares To $200 And Beyond – Seeking Alpha

Friday, December 11th, 2020

Zoetis Inc. (NYSE: ZTS) is a leader in the animal health space, providing medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products to livestock and companion animals. After following ZTS for just over a year now, the company continues to impress me with strong earnings (even during the COVID pandemic), a strong management team, and continually innovating. With all of this in mind, I am increasing my previous price target from $175 to $200 by year-end 2021. As ZTS continues to prove they are the clear leader in this space, I think the stock price will continue to react positively. With this increased price target, I am also pricing in a potential drawdown of only about 6%, where shares could trade to roughly $150.

According to the companys annual 10-K:

Zoetis Inc. is a global leader in the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of animal health medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products with a focus on both livestock and companion animals. We have a diversified business, commercializing products across eight core species: cattle, swine, poultry, fish and sheep (collectively, livestock) and dogs, cats and horses (collectively, companion animals); and within seven major product categories: vaccines, anti-infectives, parasiticides, other pharmaceutical products, dermatology, medicated feed additives, and animal health diagnostics. For more than 65 years, we have been committed to enhancing the health of animals and bringing solutions to our customers who raise and care for them.

ZTS is a global leader in the animal healthcare space and has a proven track record when it comes to getting products to the market. With the companys extensive history, spanning roughly 65 years, the company has been able to develop market-leading products, build lasting relationships with customers, and improve the lives of animals. The company develops products for companion animals (dogs, cats, and horses) as well as livestock animals (cattle, swine, poultry, fish, and sheep). The company offers a diverse portfolio of products to each of the aforementioned groups of animals. Below is a basic breakdown of the companys offerings:

*Chart obtained from the companys most recent 10-K Statement.

The company operates in two distinct business segments, broken down by geographic region, including the United States and International. Both segments contribute almost equally to total revenue the company earns, but the US segment has a slight edge with 51% of overall revenue compared to 49% for the International segment. With over 300 different products and product lines that sell in over 100 countries, the company has an incredible presence in the global animal health market. This also ensures the company will remain relatively stable in times of economic uncertainty across various economies. To show this, the company states in their 10-K, in livestock, impacts on our revenue that may result from disease outbreaks or weather conditions in a particular market or region are often offset by increased sales in other regions from exports and other species as consumers shift to other proteins. Below is a breakdown of the companys revenue by geographic segment, species, and product category:

*All three of the above charts were obtained from the companys most recent 10-K Statement.

The various charts above show some very positive trends for the company. First, total revenue has increased an average of roughly 8% on an annual basis. With this, it is also important to note that there has not been a major increase/decrease in any of their reported segments leading to this extraordinary annual revenue growth. Also, the cattle industry has accounted for roughly 55% of total livestock revenue on an annual basis. In the companion animal industry, dogs and cats revenue has accounted for approximately 94% on an annualized basis, but the horse industry has been steadily increasing over the years as well.

In terms of revenue by product category, vaccines, and anti-infectives make up the majority of the total revenue. These two categories have accounted for 50% of total revenue in 2017, 48% in 2018, and 44% in 2019. Although decreasing, I attribute this to increased growth in categories such as parasiticides, dermatology, and animal health diagnostics. Each of these categories has seen incredible double-digit growth over the past few years. Zoetis has made a conscious effort to grow and expand their business and it is showing in this great growth on an annual basis.

Zoetis directly markets their products to veterinarians and livestock producers in roughly 45 countries across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America. The company also seeks out opportunities in emerging markets to establish a market-leading position. This is evident in markets including Brazil, China, and Mexico.

Continuing to expand and show that they are the leader in the animal healthcare space, ZTS acquired Platinum Performance in 2019, entering into the animal nutritional space. According to Inkwood Research, the global animal nutrition market was valued at $10888.81 billion in 2018 & is estimated to generate net revenue of approximately $18270.47 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.94%. This acquisition has allowed ZTS to have access to premium nutritional product formulas and a unique approach to the field of scientific wellness for horses, dogs, and cats (10-K).

In the animal health industry, there are various potential impacts that have an effect on the livestock and companion animal medicine/vaccine segment of Zoetis business. For the livestock segment, these factors include human population growth and increasing standards of living (especially in emerging markets), demand for improved protein nutrition, increasing urbanization, and increased focus on food safety. For the companion animal market, some factors influencing growth include economic development, increasing pet ownership, improved life expectancy of companion animals, and improved technological advances in medical needs of these animals.

The overall animal healthcare market is expected to grow at a strong 5.7% CAGR [and] was valued at $38.5 billion in 2017 according to Market Research Future (MRFR). According to the APPA National Pet Owners Survey4, nearly 67% of US households (84.9 million homes) have pets. The survey also estimates the average annual cost for owners of a dog and/or cat. Below are the results:

*Numbers obtained from the APPA National Pet Owners Survey.

On average, as can be seen above, having a dog and/or cat annually can become very costly. To get an even better idea of the total cost of having a dog and/or cat, I calculated the estimated lifetime expense using a 12-year life expectancy for dogs and a 14-year life expectancy for cats. I have estimated the lifetime expense for having a dog to be between $14,000-$18,000, while the lifetime expense for having a cat to be $10,000-$14,000. Even with this statistic, people are typically always willing to spend any money necessary for their pets. Many people consider pets to be a part of the family and thus, will spend money on them just as if they were a child.

With the animal health market expected to grow to $99 billion in 2020 the growth in pet adoptions and rescues because of COVID will have a positive effect on this number. I would estimate that the number could top $100 billion easily. In a recent interview with CNBC, Kristin Peck, Zoetis CEO, was asked about the trends in the companion animal market during the COVID pandemic. She stated, we saw 20% growth in our pet care business globally and I think, like everyone else in America, there are certainly three new dogs on my block, it is driving our growth somewhat. With this trend occurring, it is important to note that it will not be a one-off thing because having a pet is a long financial commitment. Another noteworthy statement Ms. Kristin Peck made during the interview was, we think there is sustainability in the pet care numbers because as more [pets] become part of families, they will get an integral role in that family...going home to the comfort of a pet who is always happy to see you is something I dont think people will easily give up.

Since the company is very exposed to international markets, it is important to understand where the company is getting their revenues. Below is a chart depicting where the company has their revenue by country:

*Chart obtained from the companys most recent 10-K Statement.

Breaking down the above chart, it is important to note a few things. First, the U.S. is the only market to contribute more than 10% of total revenue in each of the listed years. Also, there has been a consistent increase in countries outside the U.S. contributing more than $100 million in revenue over the previous three years. In 2017, there were eight countries, 10 countries in 2018, and 11 countries in 2019. This shows that by Zoetis getting into the emerging markets early, it is greatly impacting their financial results on a YoY basis.

With products sold in more than 100 countries and direct operations in 45 countries, Zoetis is very exposed to international markets. Emerging markets accounted for roughly 22% of total revenue for the company in 2019. Because the company is able to get into these markets early, it will continue to pay off in the long term. So, although it may take a while for profits to be seen, these markets will continue to be vital to the overall success of Zoetis.

The animal healthcare industry is extremely competitive; however, Zoetis is the largest company in this space in terms of revenue. But they still face intense competition both domestically and internationally. According to the companys 10-K, principal drivers of competition vary depending on the particular region, species, product category and individual product, and include new product development, quality, price, service, and promotion to veterinary professionals, pet owners, and livestock producers. I believe Zoetis is still positioned well to maintain their position as the global leader in the space.

Given the aforementioned drivers of competition, I think the three most important drivers for Zoetis will be market region, product quality, and promotion/marketing to veterinary professionals/pet owners. With the company already being a leader in emerging markets, it will be key for them to continue to monitor international opportunities in underdeveloped countries. As countries begin to see economic growth, there will be an increase in demand for pets, due to potentially more disposable income. With this demand will come the need for animal health products, such as medicine, vaccines, medicated feeds, etc. By having a proven track record in emerging markets already, it could potentially be easier for Zoetis to break into even more countries with their products.

Product quality will remain a key driver of success in this industry and will be a major determinant of revenue for the company. If product quality lags, in terms of how successful the product is, consumers could go to competing companies that offer similar products. But, if Zoetis can continue to maintain their current quality of products, which I believe is extremely likely, they are still positioned very well to remain the main leader in this space.

Being able to maintain impressive promotion/marketing tactics will drive revenue both internationally and domestically. Being able to reach pet owners specifically, there is an emotional angle the company can take. People want the best for their pets and want them to live a long, healthy life. If Zoetis can create tasteful marking materials to promote this life for pets, it will be crucial to the continued success of their products. When marketing to veterinary professionals, it will be key to be as open and honest as possible about the products. These professionals will be willing to do business with Zoetis as long as there is honest communication about products, and they continue to be of high quality.

Some main competitors of Zoetis include Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX). Both of these companies offer similar products and, in my opinion, are the two most relatable companies to Zoetis. Zoetis is the largest of these three companies with a roughly $77 billion market cap, while IDXX follows with about $40 billion in market cap. ELAN is much smaller than both of these companies but is also the newest in terms of time in the market and IPO date of September 2018.

There is minimal competition from generic products, but it can vary from market to market. Globally, there is no generic company that competes for market share, but there are a few smaller companies that compete against Zoetis for market share in certain countries. Most of these companies specialize in a few products and do not try to break into different markets. Veterinarians are typically at the forefront of prescribing and dispensing medicine, so having a positive relationship with these professionals could be beneficial in terms of generating revenue.

The company sells its livestock products directly to livestock producers, including beef and dairy farms. They also sell directly to veterinarians, third-party distributors, and various retail outlets that offer livestock products to their customers. For their companion animal products, Zoetis sells these products to veterinarians or third- party veterinary distributors that will sell the products to consumers. In 2019, the companys two largest customers accounted for 15% and 6% respectively, while no other major customer accounted for more than 6%.

The company has sales representatives that go out to different markets to meet with customers to provide in-depth information on the products and sell them. These specialists have advanced degrees in the medical field, so they are extremely trusted globally. They are also able to provide consulting focused on disease management and training/education on diverse medical topics. By having these direct relationships with customers, Zoetis is able to have a better understanding of global wants/needs. This allows the company to be better positioned moving forward because they are able to anticipate changing market conditions.

Strengths:

Zoetis is the largest animal health company in terms of revenue, as previously stated. This can be attributed to the companys diversified portfolio of products and trusted relationships with customers. The company has an immense portfolio of roughly 300 products and sells them in over 100 countries. This allows the company to be better protected in times of poor economic conditions in various countries. If there is an economic downturn in a market, the poor performance can be offset by an increase in export/imports of other countries, as previously stated.

Having trusted customers and lasting relationships with customers is extremely important in the animal health space. The company has positive relationships with suppliers and that is able to mitigate the risk of products not getting out to market quickly. The company also has positive relationships with customers, such as veterinarians and third-party distributors, which allows their products to be well-known. Something that doesnt go noticed is how they send sales representatives and medical specialists to prospective markets to help educate people on their products and the medical industry overall. By doing this, they are breaking into international markets very well and it is showing in their revenue generated by emerging markets. This is a key strength for the company because they are actively engaging with clients and/or potential clients to help get products/knowledge to underdeveloped countries.

The final important strength the company has is that they are able to quickly identify and break into emerging markets effectively. As the global leader in the animal health space, it is vital for Zoetis to be able to consistently be able to get into new and emerging markets. By being able to get into these markets early, such as Brazil, China, and Mexico, they have been able to see a strong increase in revenue for these markets. When emerging markets do well, citizens of those countries can see an increase in disposable income, increasing standards of living, and increased demand for improved nutrition (animal protein).

The company also has impressive growth strategies in place to continue growing their business. First, Zoetis seeks to enhance [the] customer experience (10-K) by providing a personalized experience to customers so they have the best opportunities and knowledge to care for animals. This is specifically seen in the companys commitment to sending employees out into the field for consulting and education purposes. The company has also acknowledged the importance of digital and data analytics as a growing part of the healthcare industry. Zoetis has been actively investing in digital technology to complement their portfolio of products to help better care for animals.

Weaknesses:

One weakness I noticed when evaluating the company was that they have lost a small amount of market share due to an increase in smaller, more niche companies. To counter this, Zoetis will need to develop stronger communication between the executive team, employees on the ground, and market participants to better anticipate the demands of the overall market. By already having their employees on the ground and actively speaking with customers, it is vital for them to understand the smaller, more niche market, as well as the broad industry overall. As they remain the overall leader in the animal health space, it would be nice to see them take back some market share from some of the smaller, more niche companies. Since they havent it tells me that they have either gotten too comfortable with their position in the market, or they do not see the need to develop niche products. Either way, they are losing out on an important market that could add immense value to their business.

Opportunities:

A big opportunity for Zoetis will be further enhancing and developing their online platform. Companion animal customers are having the ability to bypass veterinarians and seek medication for their pets by themselves in certain markets, the U.S. included. Zoetis has an online platform for this, but growing this business will be important, especially during a time when people are increasingly less likely to leave their homes. For their current platform, third parties host and support the platform, so they are essentially paying a company to have their online platform. Given the size of Zoetis, I think it is definitely reasonable for them to find the talent and skillset of people to keep this an in-house job. This will save them money and will allow them to have full access/control over their platform.

Once the COVID pandemic begins to slow, it will be important to see how Zoetis is able to respond. With people being able to get back to work and economies globally recovering, more people will be in the market for animal health products. Again, this will be seen increasingly across their investments in emerging markets, but also as well as well-established economies. As people begin looking for animal health products, it will be important for Zoetis to be able to reach this market.

Threats:

With an increase in overall competition, it puts downward pressure on revenue and overall sales for Zoetis. If there are similar products on the market which cost less, consumers may be more willing now, more than ever, to take that product, regardless of brand name. The COVID pandemic has had this effect on various industries, but specifically in the healthcare industry because of the potential costly expenditures people face. Another threat is that generic companies are able to imitate products and sell them for less, again, putting downward pressure on Zoetis. This has the greatest potential to have a negative effect on the company in lower-income and emerging markets.

Zoetis reports FY2020 Q3 results on November 5, 2020. The company had a very impressive quarter, with companion animal product sales up 20% and livestock animal products up 9%. This also led to an impressive 20% growth in net income. This can be attributed to the impressive results seen by parasiticides such as Simparica Trio, Revolution Plus, and ProHeart 12, as well as a growth in sales for the U.S. cattle market and Chinese Swine market. The Swine market had been hit hard due to an outbreak of African Swine Fever, which had consistent negative impacts on the companys results. As this outbreak is beginning to slow, it will become a key driver of the companys results moving forward. It will be important to recognize how the company responds in the next quarter or two to get a better idea of how well the company will be able to do in this market. The companys new products, including Simparica Trio, Revolution Plus, and ProHeart 12, saw 4% growth for Q3. This is a positive trend I believe the company will be able to maintain moving forward due to an increased need for products with more people having pets.

During the companys Q3 earnings call, Kristin Peck, CEO, stated, this year has shown once again that animal health is a steady and reliable sector, even in times of economic hardship. Around the world, there will be a consistent need for nutrition (animal protein) and companionship from animals. Especially moving out of a COVID world, more people than ever before have companion animals. These animals will need medicine, food, vaccines, etc. and people will be purchasing these products for them.

Ms. Kristin Peck later stated:

in the third quarter, we achieved an important milestone for our pipeline for pain management in pets... there's been limited innovation in this area over the last 20 years, and we're excited by the potential of monoclonal antibodies, or mAbs, to be the next breakthrough in long-term pain management.

In September, the company received positive opinions on their latest mAb, Librela, from the Committee for Veterinary Medical Products in Europe. The company is looking to have Librela on the market in the first half of 2021, which could be a major catalyst for the stock.

Preliminary FY 2021 Estimates Look Strong:

The company typically puts out in-depth fiscal year results in February annually, but there were some mentions of fundamental trends/projections on the latest Q3 earnings call. Mr. Glenn David, CFO, stated:

the long-term fundamentals of the industry remain very strong with increasing pet ownership and also animal protein consumption continuing to grow... COVID has proven that this industry remains extremely resilient and were still able to grow very rapidly and operate very profitably even during these times.

Seeing how the industry has continued to outperform during this difficult economic time has been extremely promising. This trend shows that no matter what, the animal health industry will always have some kind of demand for medicines, vaccines, food, etc. Mr. Glenn David later continued to say, there are some things were very excited about including continued growth in Trio, continued growth in our [dermatology] portfolio, and the approval of our mAb portfolio". Because of the positive outlook for 2021, although very early, I believe the company will be able to continue to have very good long-term value and outperform the overall market.

Growing Companion Animal Healthcare Market:

While the overall animal healthcare market is expected to grow at a 5.7% CAGR, as previously stated, the companion animal healthcare market is expected to grow at a 7.2% CAGR. The main reasons this industry is projected to have great growth is because there are increasing pet adoptions globally, there are more government initiatives focusing on animal health, and there is growing technological advances in the space. As more people have pets, the more likely they are to be willing to spend more money on them. Pets can be considered part of the family, such as an additional child, or the only child in many households across the world. This territory comes with accepting any responsibility to provide a quality life for that animal, just like you would a child.

The vaccine industry is a major contributor to this overall projected CAGR in the companion animal industry. According to Mordor Intelligence, diseases related to companion animals are more probable to get transmitted to the human population. The bite caused by dogs and cats develops many infections in humans... so the majority of the pet owners get the animals vaccinated regularly. Being this as it is, humans will continue to vaccinate their pets, not only to keep them safe/healthy, but to keep their family, friends, and others safe as well. Given an increase in pet adoptions, this segment of the industry will continue to be a key driver as well.

The companion animal healthcare market in the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing region in the world. Zoetis is positioned nicely to be a key player in this market because they are already well-established in the region. The company obtained approval in various Asia-Pacific markets for Simparica Trio. This will be another key driver of success moving forward for the company.

Strong Management Team:

Zoetis management team has been one of the top teams, with multiple positive reviews, for years now. Ms. Kristin Peck, CEO since January 2020, has been with the company in various leadership roles since their IPO in 2013. According to Glassdoor reviews, Ms. Peck has an 81% approval rating as the companys top executive. Only roughly three months into her tenure as CEO, her 100-day plan got upended by the COVID pandemic and she, along with other members of the management team, had to quickly adjust their plans for the future. In an interview with McKinsey and Company, when discussing the COVID pandemic, she stated, the executive leadership team had to pivot... 80-90% of my time was centered on protecting our colleagues and customers. This pandemic was detrimental to various companies, and CEOs/executive teams had to find a way to manage. This is no light task, especially for a CEO who has only been in their role for roughly three months.

In the midst of the pandemic, Zoetis was in the middle of their largest product launch to date with Simparica Trio. Ms. Peck stated, All of our R&D programs remained on track through this. It took a lot of creativity to keep testing sites and laboratories open, to find virtual ways of launching a new product to customers across the U.S. through webinars, and to engage with customers and pet owners. It definitely required some reallocation of resources. Ms. Peck didnt allow the COVID pandemic to impact the business too much and it shows in her commitment to customer safety and having a massive new product rollout during this time. This is exactly the kind of leadership that will continue to drive the company in the right direction and will allow the company to remain a leader in the space.

As the pandemic was beginning to slow and people were able to return to work, it was another challenge in itself to make sure customers and colleagues were still going to be able to remain safe. I believe a lot of our success was from empowering local leaders to make the decisions they needed to, stated Ms. Peck. The executive team realized that every environment was different and that they would need various plans in place to ensure the safety of everyone. In manufacturing sites, they had access to full PPE, so it was more of how to keep the people in the sites in smaller groups and deciding how to stagger shifts efficiently and effectively. On the companion animal side, it was much harder because there is much more human interaction, and they are typically in smaller environments. Instead of making the decisions for a companywide policy, the executive team determined it was best to give the local leaders the ability to make the decisions they thought was best for their area.

Finally, during this time, Ms. Peck has begun having more of an open dialogue with colleagues, wanting them to feel heard and supported during this time. The executive team sent out various surveys trying to determine what colleagues thought they were doing well and not-so-well during the pandemic. The executive team then tried to implement as much of what they could into becoming better. Building on this, Ms. Peck has begun weekly communication with colleagues even saying she has felt the need to overcommunicate and find channels to talk to people on or do virtual market visits. I think this will be key even moving out of the pandemic. Having an open dialogue with various colleagues across various markets will allow the executive team to remain on top of everything going on with their team.

To correctly value ZTS, I have built and developed various financial models. First, I wanted to build a basic comps analysis model to get an idea of how ZTS was trading relative to their biggest competitors. I chose to use ELAN and IDXX as comparisons to ZTS. Next, I analyze various trading/pricing metrics, such as EPS, ROE, ROA, P/E, Payout Ratio, and Dividend Yield. I analyze these metrics over a 3-year period to get an idea of relative trends in their financials. After determining how the company is priced relative to competitors, I build a full-projection model. For this model, I project out each line item the company lists on their financial statements over the next 5-years. This allows me to have a better idea of the companys financials moving forward. By doing this, I am able to build my Basic Assumptions model and full-DCF model. Both of these models lead to an estimated share price and a bull/bear case. Below is a breakdown of my various models.

As previously stated, for my comps analysis, I wanted to compare ZTS to ELAN and IDXX because each of these companies offer a similar animal health portfolio. Below is my model:

*Created by the author using data gathered from the companys respective 10-Qs.

Based on the above data, I determined ZTS is trading at a relative discount to these competitors. ZTS has the lowest EV/EBITDA of the three companies and has the lowest EV/EBIT and P/E ratio compared only to IDXX. I could only compare them to IDXX for these metrics because ELAN has negative metrics for both. I do not think the premium currently being paid for IDXX is warranted, and that a greater premium for ZTS, given their large market cap and market-leading position, is warranted. To see where ZTS could be trading, I chose to average the metrics to determine where the companies could be trading. Below are the results of that process:

*Created by the author using average data obtained from the Comps Analysis model.

The above data shows all three companies' averages in the far-left box and the metrics I chose to use to value ZTS in green. I decreased the metrics because IDXX really skewed the data to the upside and I did not that the averages were always representative of how the company should be valued. I also did not include ELAN in the averages for EV/EBIT and P/E since they were negative. Taking the implied prices with the respective metrics, I came to an intrinsic value of roughly $123, signifying about 35% upside potential from current trading levels.

When building out my ratio analysis, I am looking for trends over a three-year period. Specifically, I am analyzing EPS, ROS, ROE, ROA, P/E, Payout Ratio, and Dividend Yield. In addition, I also build a very basic credit analysis model to better understand the companys overall financial stability and estimate their overall credit rating. Below are the results of the two models:

*Created by the author using data gathered from the companys 10-K Statements.

Each of the indicators above represents a big part of the overall credit rating a company receives from S&P or Moodys. Based on the companys values I have calculated, I think the best credit rating for ZTS would be BBB, indicating the company is in a strong financial position. However, I dont like that the company is becoming very highly levered. This is seen in the Debt/Asset ratio specifically and how it is incredibly high around 73%. Some of the best ratios above, however, include ROE, ROA, and EBITDA Margin. A high ROE indicates that the company is deploying shareholder capital extremely well, while a high ROA indicates the company is very efficient at using their assets to generate profits. I think if ZTS can decrease their leverage, as they have slowly been doing throughout the past few years, they will continue to prove their stock deserves a premium.

Below is my overall Ratio Analysis model:

*Created by the author using data obtained from the companys 10-K Statement.

The company hasnt been extremely consistent over the past three years. ROE has fluctuated partly due to drastic increases in Net Income. The change in Net Income from 2017-2018 was due to 3% price growth of products, increased demand for products, the acquisition of Abaxis, and new product volume growth, as per the 2018 10-K. Although not a very strong dividend yield, I think the company can benefit from keeping it consistent right around .50%. This will allow investors to project out their dividend payments and feel comfortable about consistently receiving them. This will contribute to about a 21% payout ratio, which I think is very reasonable for the company.

For my Basic Assumptions model, I start by calculating the companys Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) and determine appropriate growth trends on a per-sales basis. Next, I project out the important income statement/balance sheet items to get a better view of the company moving into the next 5-year period. After having these line items completed for a 5-year projection, I am able to build out a basic DCF and APV model to calculate an intrinsic value for the company.

Below are my models of a projected income statement/balance sheet and results of the basic DCF/APV models:

*All of the above charts were created by the author using data gathered from the companys annual 10-K Statements and calculated projections.

Based on the above information, I determined ZTS has a fair value of around $188, which signifies roughly 19% upside potential from current trading levels. However, to get an even better idea of the potential price levels of the stock, I created a sensitivity analysis to determine a true bull case and bear case estimate. Below are the results of that model:

*Created by the author using data gathered from the Basic Assumptions model.

As a bull case, meaning, if the company is able to hit all of the above metrics I have predicted, the stock could be trading at roughly $213. On the other hand, if the company falls short on a number of key metrics, the bear case estimated stock price is calculated as roughly $154. In the near term, this is a key pull-back level to watch for. Trading right around $159 now, the bear case calculation signifies only 4% downside potential as opposed to 34% upside potential with a price target of $213. I decided to use a +/- 10% forecast error in determining the bull/bear case estimates. I chose this percentage because I wanted to make sure I got enough downside risk, especially continuing in a COVID environment.

My full-projection model is very in-depth as I project out each line item for the income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet on a 5-year basis. By building this model, I am able to get an in-depth look at how I think the companys financials will look into the foreseeable future. As opposed to showing each statement, I will include just my projected income statement here. Below are my projections:

*Created by the author using data obtained from the companys 10-K Statement.

After building out this model, I use this data to build my full-DCF model. This is a more in-depth DCF than in my Basic Assumptions model and it is a 10-year model, rather than a 5-year model. Below are the results:

*Created by the author using data obtained from the full-projection model.

Based on the results of this model, the intrinsic value for ZTS is $227, signifying a 43% upside potential from current trading levels. Using a terminal growth rate of 2%, a decrease from my estimated 4.75% in my full-projection model, allows me to have a better margin of safety in building the model. Decreasing the terminal growth rate also allows the price to be respective of medium-term potential and doesnt let the price get too inflated. I pulled in the WACC of 6.16% from my calculations in my Basic Assumptions model.

Further emphasizing this idea, I created a sensitivity analysis based on the results of these results, determining how the price would change given an increase/decrease in terminal growth rate and WACC. Below are the results:

*Created by the author analyzing different terminal growth rates and WACCs.

More:
Strong Fundamentals In The Animal Health Industry Will Drive Zoetis Shares To $200 And Beyond - Seeking Alpha

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Poughkeepsie To Host Winter Wonderland Drive Thru – Patch.com

Friday, December 11th, 2020

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY Pulaski Park in the city of Poughkeepsie will be the site of a "Winter Wonderland Drive Thru."

The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 23 and Dec. 24.

According to a city spokesman, First Ward Common Councilman Chris Petsas came up with the idea and is being helped by Sixth Ward Councilwoman Natasha Cherry and the city administration.

Mayor Rob Rolison said everyone is excited about the free family-fun event.

"COVID-19 has made it hard for people to gather, but this holiday event will be safe and will undoubtedly bring joy to many," he said.

The public can enter the park on Washington Street in their vehicles and enjoy lighted trees and decorations and see Santa Claus and his elves. No one will have to leave their cars to see the displays.

People are asked to wear masks to the event.

Read the original:
Poughkeepsie To Host Winter Wonderland Drive Thru - Patch.com

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Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine treats social media famous patient Brisket the Bull – Tuskegee University

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

December 04, 2020

Contact: Anissa Riley, College of Veterinary Medicine

Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine students recently had the opportunity to assist veterinary large animal clinicians and surgeons in the medical treatment of a social media famous patient who goes by the name, Brisket the Bull. Brisket was given a clean bill of health on December 1 from the veterinary medical teaching hospital and then released to his owner.

The eight-year old Brahman bull is owned by Judy Presley, formerly from Tennessee but now a resident of Luverne, Alabama. Presley bought Brisket at a sale barn when he was just two years old. Over the years, she has raised and trained him to accept a halter, saddle and to be ridden. Brisket has a very gentle temperament and is nationally recognized for his owner's ability to trail ride and show jump with him.

Brisket had a two-month history of an abscessed prepuce in which the abscess was treated by a private practice before being brought to the veterinary hospital for a sheath resection, which was a surgery successfully performed by Dr. Jeannine Bellamy, veterinary medical teaching hospital director, and myself providing the anesthesia, said Dr. David McKenzie, professor and large animal clinician in the Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department.

The students assisted in the medical aftercare in which Briskets healing progressed well and led to a recent successful discharge. Briskets owner Judy was very pleased with the services of the college in treating Brisket and offered to have the students take pictures with him and be shared on Briskets Facebook and fan social media pages.

We are proud of our students and thankful to our large animal veterinary medical clinicians for providing quality healthcare for our bovine clients. Being exceptional is what we are striving to be here at Tuskegee and have our clients be pleased with the veterinary services provided to our patients while preparing our students to be career-ready veterinarians upon completing the veterinary curriculum, said Dr. Ruby L. Perry, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

To learn more about the College and the Tuskegee Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, visit http://www.tuskegee.edu/vetmed and http://www.tuskegee.edu/vetcare.

2020 Tuskegee University

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Medicine expert joins faculty of Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine – KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

AMARILLO and LUBBOCK, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) The following is a news release from Texas Tech University:

Say the words New York and most people will think of the large, metropolitan area that is the financial and shopping center of the U.S. Few, if any, say agriculture.

Yet if you get outside of the main city, the state of New York is an important contributor of agricultural products in the country. The state has a $3.6 billion agricultural industry with more than 35,000 farms producing products from apples and cabbage to milk and cheese, grapes, maple syrup and cauliflower.

It is here where Emily Sundman was raised and saw firsthand the critical role agriculture has on the state and the importance of those who care for farm animals. This became the foundation for a career supporting animal health.

That career now brings her to West Texas as the latest member to join the faculty of the newTexas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarilloas an assistant professor of medicine. She began her duties on Tuesday (Dec. 1).

I am thrilled to join the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine in time to welcome the inaugural class, Sundman said. Working at the School of Veterinary Medicine is a career dream realized in order to further veterinary care for our large animals.

Sundman has spent much of her career involved in agricultural industry research and development, inventing ways to directly and positively impact animal health and assisting practicing veterinarians who seek to do the same.

Since December 2013, Sundman has served a role in clinical development for Kindred Biosciences, which takes strategies that are safely used for human therapeutics and applies them to the development of animal biologics, such as monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins.

From 2013 to 2017, she oversaw the clinical development phase, including efficacy and safety, of new animal pharmaceuticals for approval by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP). She also designed and executed clinical studies and was primarily responsible for pharmaceuticals for use in horses, dogs and cats.

She was promoted to Senior Clinical Development Manager in 2017, where she was responsible for the approval of Zimeta IV for use in controlling fever in horses in the U.S. She served in this role until September, when she was promoted to Associate Director of Clinical Development, increasing the responsibilities for early phase strategy and development of products for USDA and CVMP approval.

Sundman also has been co-owner and veterinarian at Picolino Ranch since 2015. The ranch, located in Lipan, Texas, specializes in the breeding and development of Aberdeen cattle, raising them to become accustomed to the pastureland and climate associated with North Texas. Since 2013, she has served as an emergency equine ambulatory veterinarian serving in Davis, California, and later the Lipan areas.

2020 has shown us the importance of innovation, saidGuy Loneragan, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. To help with and prevent COVID-19, the call went out for new therapies and for new vaccines. Innovative products are now arriving, and society has benefited from this research and discovery. Veterinary medicine is no different. Our animals large and small benefit from new therapies and new preventatives. Dr. Sundman will add to our schools vibrant research and discovery efforts. She also serves an important role helping our researchers design the best possible trials to test new discoveries. We are so lucky Dr. Sundman has joined our school. We will benefit so very much from what she contributes.

Sundman earned bachelors degrees in history and biology from Syracuse University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University in 2012. At Cornell, she was influenced greatly working by professor and veterinarian Lisa Fortier. Thats where Sundman said she got a good look at what true veterinary research was like.

Sundman has been a Diplomat of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Equine Practice) since 2019.

Dr. Sundman brings a unique background to our program from industry and research, which will help guide our faculty in their programs, saidJohn Dascanio, senior associate dean for academic and student affairs. Combining that experience with her clinical background allows for application toward clinical practice, enabling her to serve as a great mentor to the school and to the faculty. We welcome her to her new role with the school.

Sundman joins a growing and vibrant team of faculty and staff at the School of Veterinary Medicine. Additional team members will continue to be added over the next few months as the school prepares to welcome its inaugural class in the fall of 2021.

Thanks to the generosity of Amarillo and communities across Texas, and the commitment of legislators from around the state, the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo was established in 2018. In September 2020, the school was granted a Letter of Reasonable Assurance, from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education and has begun the admissions process in preparation for classes to begin in August of 2021.

The School of Veterinary Medicine will recruit and select students with a passion to serve rural and regional communities. Its curriculum is focused on the competencies and skills necessary for success in practice types that support these communities. Texas Techs innovative and cost-efficient model partners with the wider community of veterinary practices across the state to provide clinical, real-world experiential learning.

(News release from Texas Tech University)

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What to know about cherry eye in dogs – New Castle News

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Spotting a red bump in the corner of a pets eye is a concerning but not uncommon experience for many dog owners. Colloquially called cherry eye, this bump may be a prolapsed gland of the nictitans, also known as the third eyelid.

Dr. Sean Collins, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says that ophthalmologists dont entirely understand why the gland of the nictating membrane sometimes protrudes from its original position but it is believed to be a result of a weakness in the connective tissue responsible for holding the gland in the correct position.

This condition can happen to any breed of dog but is seen most commonly in certain breeds, including the American cocker spaniel, English bulldog, Lhasa apso, and the Pekingese, Collins said.

Pet owners who spot a red swollen mass in the inner corner of their pets eye, large or small, should bring it to their veterinarians attention promptly. In addition to causing irritation to the dog, this condition can have lasting consequences when left untreated.

Without correction, chronic prolapse can lead to conjunctivitis (pink eye) and ocular discharge (liquid coming from the eye), Collins said. It has also been shown that with correction, dogs are less likely to develop low tear production later in life.

Low tear production can result in multiple problems if left untreated. In addition to pain and decreased vision, corneal ulceration may also develop, which can become infected and result in a ruptured eye. This condition responds well to tear stimulant therapy in most cases, but lifelong medication is usually required.

Story continues below video

Your veterinarian will be able to confirm whether your pet has cherry eye and can develop a treatment plan that works best to resolve cherry eye and reduce the potential for ocular issues as your dog ages.

Initial therapy may consist of topical anti-inflammatory therapy if local inflammation may be contributing to prolapse of the gland, he said. If a short course of medical therapy does not work or re-prolapse develops, surgical repositioning is indicated. There are numerous surgical techniques to reposition the gland with overall high success rates.

If surgical treatment is required, Collins stresses that this treatment will benefit your pet in both the short- and long-term.

Surgical repositioning is very important if initial medical therapy fails, as the gland is responsible for about 30-50% of the aqueous tear production in the dog, he said. We commonly see low tear production in the same breeds that develop a prolapsed gland of the nictitans. It has been shown that dogs with surgical repositioning of the gland have a lower chance of developing low tear production later on in life compared to those where the gland has been excised or remains chronically prolapsed.

Unfortunately, there are no known preventative measures to protect against cherry eye in dogs, Collins says. This condition can develop in both eyes, usually before the age of 2. The best way pet owners can protect their furry friend is to remain vigilant in monitoring their pets health and to bring concerns to their veterinarian promptly in case an issue does arise.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvm.tamu.edu.

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Veterinarians at OSU develop vaccine technology that could protect against COVID-19 and measles at the same time – 10TV

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Two veterinarians from OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine took a measles vaccine and added the COVID-19 spike protein as a response to the global pandemic.

COLUMBUS, Ohio Ohio doctors are working to develop vaccine technology to protect us from COVID-19.

Dr. Jianrong Liand Dr. Stefan Niewiesk from Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine took a measles vaccine and added the COVID-19 spike protein as a response to the global pandemic.

The resultwas a vaccine that is shown to protect against both measles and COVID-19 in at least animals.

The next step is testing humans.

The vaccine could be particularly helpful in developing countries, as it does not require the same refrigeration as the mRNA vaccines.

"We think the measles virus is a very good vaccine because it has a long-standing safety record. It has been instrumental in reducing the measles virus worldwide," Niewiesk said. "We think that given all the data it makes a very effective vaccine. Also, given the fact, it protects life-long against measles virus infections so ideally (and we do not know this yet) it would also protect for a very long time against COVID-19."

Biological E. Limited and the Ohio State Innovation Foundation announced an exclusive license agreement on Tuesday for the vaccine technology.

The company will be responsible for the evaluation and further development, including the commercialization of the vaccine candidate(s).

Translating this vaccine platform into the hands of a global vaccine company for further evaluation and development is a critical step and we are excited that Biological E has taken on this role, said Dr. Patrick Green, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Mahima Datla, Managing Director of Biological. E. Limited added, "BE has been working to develop a safe and effective vaccine for the COVID-19. BE is very happy to help further this innovation and expand that effort."

To read more about the technology, click here.

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USDA Awards Grant To Texas A&M To Develop AI-Based Wildlife Monitoring – Texas A&M University Today

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Purple martins on one of the new nesting box systems.

Doug Bonham, Field Data Technologies

A research team led by the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) has been awarded a nearly $700,000 Conservation Innovation Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop a new artificial intelligence-based wildlife monitoring system.

The Conservation Innovation Grant program, under the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, supports the development of new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands.

The grant will be used by principal investigator and CVMBS associate professor Dr. Donald Brightsmith and his team to integrate camera, image and sensor data to create a tool to monitor wildlife that are typically difficult to observe, including pollinators, reptiles, amphibians and nesting birds.

Currently, landowners do not have many options for measuring their wildlife conservation efforts, such as setting up nesting boxes for birds or preserving areas of natural land, besides bringing in teams of scientists for hand surveys, a costly and lengthy process. Since private land makes up so much of the U.S., landowners efforts play a key role in the countrys overall wildlife management and conservation.

Brightsmiths team, in conjunction with colleagues from the University of California, Santa Barbara, the University of Hawaii and private industry, is working to develop a low-cost and easy-to-use system that will allow producers to monitor wildlife on their land and understand how their actions directly affect the local environment.

Part of our grant is to make it so a typical landowner can easily use a laptop or phone app to see the information that came in from a specific camera, such as where that camera is on a map; the weather, temperature, light, and humidity there; and the critters that were at that camera, Brightsmith said.

Commercial wildlife cameras already allow landowners to monitor wildlife on a small scale, but by using artificial intelligence to aggregate and analyze data from a number of cameras and locations, landowners will be able to see a much more complete picture.

The camera system will photograph the scene and, whenever there is a significant change, forward images to a central computer that will use artificial intelligence to identify species, behaviors and trends. According to Connie Woodman, a member of Brightsmiths team and graduate student in the CVMBS Department of Veterinary Pathobiology (VTPB,) this process would traditionally take scientists dozens of hours to conduct surveys and sort through photos.

Baby chickadees inside a nesting box.

Doug Bonham, Field Data Technologies

If this sort of technology could be available at low cost or free to farmers, it could really impact the ability to see if conserving farmland and private land is working, Woodman said. Its just too expensive to have a hands-on survey for every property owner who wants to apply for government support to maintain wild lands and wildlife populations.

The camera system will be used in three different setups a ground setup to monitor reptiles and amphibians, a veil trap setup for insects and a bird nesting box setup. In all three uses, the animals photographed will be free from any harm or human interference.

One of the other objectives within this is if landowners are doing land management activities like cutting, spraying, or planting, they will be able to look at the data coming in to immediately see how those changes in the ecosystem have impacted key reptiles, amphibians, birds and bees, Brightsmith said.

An early version of the nest box setup has already been deployed in the Pacific Northwest by collaborators within Field Data Technologies and is providing invaluable data on chickadee and purple martin nesting behaviors.

Its doing more than just taking photos; its spitting out data. How many eggs? When was there a change? How many times is the nest being visited? How many times does a chickadee investigate a nest box before it decides that its good enough? Woodman said. With that data we can tell a land manager, The chickadee started visiting the nest boxes X weeks before it used them. So if you wait until June to hang up the box, you wont get any use this year.'

While the grant will directly support the technologys creation and use in supporting landowners, Brightsmith hopes that the technology will one day also be adapted to create systems that could survey for invasive species and agricultural pests, monitor wildlife recovery after natural disasters, and more.

If we build a technology thats fairly straightforward to train the AI, someone else can take our platform and tweak it, he said. Our objective is to create a system that has unlimited potential.

The system will initially be tested in Arizona, California, Texas and Montana to see how it works in different environments. The team has already partnered with producers and other landowners near Austin, San Antonio and southern California to see how the technology holds up around large animals like cattle.

Along with Brightsmith and Woodman, collaborators on this grant include Drs. Chris Evelyn and Katja Seltmann, from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration; Dr. Ethel Villalobos, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa; and Doug Bonham, senior electronics engineer at Microsoft and the founder and president of Field Data Technologies of Essex, Montana.

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Research resuming on campuses – American Veterinary Medical Association

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Chris Cramer, PhD, said in early November the University of Minnesota had reached about 80% of its research output prior to the pandemic.

Dr. Cramer is vice president for research and leader of a research group in the Department of Chemistry. He said the university is keeping lower numbers of people in laboratories and other research sites as well as restricting work involving human participants in uncontrolled environments, such as grade schools.

Otherwise, weve been pretty successful in bringing back most of the stuff that would require someone to come to campus, go to a field site, whatever it might be, he said.

Early this year, university research leaders described how their institutions delayed the start of new research, reduced staffing in research facilities, and added safety measures to ongoing studies.

By late spring, universities were publishing and implementing phased plans for resuming research, each with their own plans on how to protect investigators, participants, and the public.

Texas A&M Universitys Division of Research, for example, published in June plans for how investigators could resume research involving human participants and other clinical studies, as well as published overall research plans including an update as the fall semester began.

Johns Hopkins University officials published their JHU Return to Research Guidance on June 12, with limits on the time and activities allowed on campus, reduced capacity in laboratories, and added responsibilities for reducing transmission risks. The guidance states that some projects may proceed at a slower pace, and some studies may be lower priorities.

Isaac Pessah, PhD, associate dean and professor of molecular biosciences at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, said the university had been ramping up research after a substantial reduction early in the pandemic. The university maintained studies deemed essential, continued breeding irreplaceable animal lines, and maintained other animal populations while pausing new studies unrelated to COVID-19.

Starting June 1, UC-Davis officials allowed up to 33% of research personnel on-site for time-sensitive studies, with distancing and personal protective equipment requirements. Starting Oct. 30, the allowances expanded to all studies that need on-site access.

The next phase, whenever that may come, would allow two-thirds of research personnel on-site, resumption of field research, and expansion of all research activities.

Dr. Douglas K. Taylor is senior veterinarian in the Emory University School of Medicine Division of Animal Resources and a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine. He said in late October that Emorys research-use mouse populationthe bulk of the institutions research animal populationwas down about 15% from early March, when it was at an all-time high. The volume of research at the institution also was down about 15%.

We are certainly not back where we were in the beginning of the year, he said.

Dr. Joyce Cohen, associate director of animal resources at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and associate professor in the Emory University School of Medicine Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, said the primate research facility, in contrast, remained insanely busy.

We never really slowed down much during COVID, she said. We stopped doing new projects, but we didnt stop any ongoing projects with nonhuman primates.

Dr. Cohen said that, as the pause on new projects ended, more investigators started studies amid a torrent of ongoing research. The primate research center closed the fiscal year with more than $88 million in grant income, a record high.

Were having problems because of monkey shortages, she said.

In a typical year, Yerkes officials would be able to supplement their rhesus macaque population by buying more. But pharmaceutical companies are competing for all domestic sources of rhesus macaques because importation channels closed during the pandemic.

The Atlantic reported Aug. 31 that China provided 60% of the 35,000 monkeys imported to the U.S. in 2019 but halted those exports early this year.

Dr. Cohen said the center expanded its breeding colony, but each macaque can give birth only each spring, following a six-month gestation period. They become viable for research at 3 years old and optimal for studies at 5.

Dr. Taylor said the physical distancing rules at Emoryand most research institutions he knows oflimit the number of researchers in a procedure room. Dr. Cohen said all of Yerkes animal resource staff had returned with staggered shifts, and researchers have adjusted with unusual schedules to reduce laboratory occupancy.

We still have constraints with PPE, she said. Its still challenging. Weve been OK. Weve been able to get things, but its never a guarantee that well have enough face shields or enough masks.

Dr. Cramer said the pandemic also continues to hinder research among people whose work depends on travel, such as investigators in the humanities, social sciences, and geology. The university removed a previous restriction on domestic travel but continues to restrict international travel.

Veterinary researchers, in particular, struggled this year with deciding how to continue clinical trials involving pets and how they should protect pet owners, Dr. Cramer said. A Missouri resident might own a dog with cancer and travel to Minnesota to participate in a clinical trial, he said.

Should we have them do that, given the challenges associated with it for the individual? he said. And then, of course, how do you protect your staff and people in the veterinary clinic?

By early November, the volume of clinical trials in the veterinary clinic almost met the volume from before the pandemic, in part because travel is less uncertain, Dr. Cramer said.

In the spring, researchers and spokespeople at several universities indicated in interviews with JAVMA News they had reduced breeding of research animals, and a few depopulated mice in efforts to reduce the risks to human health. One institution sent livestock used in teaching laboratories to market earlier than planned.

Some news reports published at that time gave the impression research institutions were implementing widespread euthanasia of research rodents. Dr. Cohen said that, while some institutions euthanized research animals early in the pandemic, she thinks that was rare and institutions more often paused rodent breeding during the uncertain early months.

Dr. Pessah said research scientists across the UC-Davis campus, including the veterinary school, wonder whether the campus administration had been responsive to concerns about delays in studies unrelated to COVID-19.

But we are also very cognizant of safety as we move forward to ramp up, he said. So there are mitigating programs that have been put in place, especially for more junior faculty thatif your research has been delayed to the point where it has an impact on your ability to fulfill the missions in your grantsyou can apply for bridge funding to try to mitigate those delays.

The Office of Research leads that effort in cooperation with the deans, Dr. Pessah said. The amount available will depend on demand.

Most of the studies out of the School of Veterinary Medicine, though, met the definition of essential research because they deal with topics such as food animal health and food safety or require ongoing data collection to avoid massive losses, Dr. Pessah said.

Weve had a very open line of communication with all researcherswhether they use animals, cell lines, or a combinationto make sure that their essential research continues and their safety is maintained, he said.

As theoreticians, Dr. Cramer and the members of his research group work from home, in doing so following an order from Gov. Tim Walz that all people can work from home when possible. For other teams, the most challenging aspect tended to be deciding how to schedule workspace in ways that give people appropriate distance from one another while considering the space usually needed for their work.

When the fall semester began, though, new researchers needed training on laboratory techniques.

Sometimes, you need to be standing side by side with somebody, Dr. Cramer said. So, weve had to think about what things should be delayed in terms of training new people. Can we come up with techniques to deliver training without requiring folks to be too close to one another for too long a period?

For now, some of the trainers have relied on video-based training, whereas in-person instructors simply stood further away during their lessons and added plexiglass barriers, he said.

Though some researchers at the University of Minnesota developed COVID-19, none of those infections were traced to their workplaces or co-workers, Dr. Cramer said.

As for the research animal population, the University of Minnesotas mouse population was about 80% of its pre-pandemic total and climbing, Dr. Cramer said. Activity in the vivariums remained down to provide distance between researchers.

Dr. Taylor said that, for research institutions, business was returning to normal. He said researchers at Emory remained dedicated to their work and know it is important.

The work goes on, he said. The animals need to be taken care of. The research needs to move forward.

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Study: Bartonella Infection Associated With Psychiatric Symptoms and Skin Lesions – NC State News

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Bartonella bacteria are increasingly recognized as an emerging infectious disease threat. A new study by North Carolina State University researchers has found additional instances of Bartonella infection in humans who exhibited neuropsychiatric symptoms, a subset of whom also had skin lesions. This research adds to the body of evidence that not only can Bartonella infection mimic a spectrum of chronic illnesses including mental illness but also that dermatological symptoms may accompany infection.

Bartonella henselae is a bacterium historically associated with cat-scratch disease, which until recently was thought to be a short-lived (or self-limiting) infection. There are at least 30 different known Bartonella species, of which 13 have been found to infect humans. Improved methods for detecting Bartonella infection in animals and humans it is notorious for hiding in the linings of blood vessels and potentially the skin has led to the diagnosis of bartonelloses in patients with a host of chronic illnesses.

In 2019, Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt, Melanie S. Steele Distinguished Professor of Internal Medicine at NCState, published a case study involving an adolescent boy diagnosed with rapid onset schizophrenia, who had accompanying skin lesions. After Breitschwerdts research group documented Bartonella henselae infection, the patient received antimicrobial therapy and all neuropsychiatric symptoms resolved.

The new study is a follow-up to the 2019 work and is published in the journal Pathogens. Thirty-three participants suffering from neuropsychiatric symptoms ranging from sleep disorders and migraines to depression and anxiety enrolled in the study. Twenty-nine of 33 participants were found to have Bartonella infections based upon serology and enrichment blood culture polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Twenty-four of the 29 Bartonella-positive participants (83%) reported the appearance of skin lesions during their illness.

Skin lesions ranged from cutaneous eruptions to red, irregular linear lesions randomly located on various parts of the patients body. Many of these lesions resembled striae distensae (stretch marks); however, typical risk factors for striae distensae, such as body building activities, obesity, pregnancy, prednisone treatment and other known disease associations, were either infrequently or not reported by study participants.

This research, a follow-up to our initial case report of Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), was initiated to further investigate a possible association between neuropsychiatric illness, skin lesions and a bacterial infection of emerging biomedical importance, Breitschwerdt says. We hope that this research will enable physicians to suspect connections between disparate symptoms involving the nervous system and skin that could be associated with an underlying bacterial cause.

Breitschwerdt is the first and corresponding author of the research, which was supported by the Bartonella/Vector-Borne Diseases Research Fund at NCStates College of Veterinary Medicine. NCState research technician Julie Bradley, postdoctoral researcher Erin Lashnits, and research professor Ricardo Maggi, as well as dermatologist Paul Reicherter of the University of Missouri Kansas City Truman Medical Center, contributed to the work.

-peake-

Note to editors: An abstract follows.

Bartonella Associated Cutaneous Lesions (BACL) in People with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9121023

Authors: Ed Breitschwerdt, Julie Bradley, Ricardo Maggi, Erin Lashnits, North Carolina State University; Paul Reicherter, University of Missouri Kansas CityPublished: Online Dec. 7, 2020 in Pathogens

Abstract:Bartonella species are globally important emerging pathogens that were not known to infect animals or humans in North America prior to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Ongoing improvements in diagnostic testing modalities have allowed for the discovery of Bartonella species (spp.) DNA in blood; cerebrospinal fluid; and the skin of patients with cutaneous lesions, fatigue, myalgia, and neurological symptoms. We describe Bartonella spp. test results for participants reporting neuropsychiatric symptoms, the majority of whom reported the concurrent development of cutaneous lesions. Study participants completed a medical history, a risk factor questionnaire, and provided cutaneous lesion photographs. Bartonella spp. serology and Bartonella alpha proteobacteria enrichment blood culture/PCR were assessed. Within a 14-month period, 33 participants enrolled; 29/33 had serological and/or PCR evidence supporting Bartonella spp. infection, of whom 24 reported concurrent cutaneous lesions since neuropsychiatric symptom onset. We conclude that cutaneous lesions were common among people reporting neuropsychiatric symptoms and Bartonella spp. infection or exposure. Additional studies, using sensitive microbiological and imaging techniques, are needed to determine if, or to what extent, Bartonella spp. might contribute to cutaneous lesions and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients.

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New research marketing campaign part of CSU progress report to Board of Governors – Source

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

CSU System CFO Henry Sobanet provided an update on Gov. Jared Polis budget request including a $494 million general fund increase to public higher education to restore operating support for colleges and universities to the $825 million funding level of fiscal year 2020. If approved, the CSU System would receive $101.6 million. The governors request also allows up to a 3% increase in resident, undergraduate tuition rates.

Budget Each spring, typically in May, the Board finalizes the budget for the coming year. During the bimonthly meetings leading up to budget approval, the Board receives financial updates which model multiple scenarios reflecting updated projections of factors such as enrollment trends and the anticipated funding for higher education from the legislature.

The Board reviewed models for the Education and General Budget which assume state funding at the level of fiscal year 2020, a slightly greater than typical enrollment decline from fall to spring, and tuition increases of 0% or 3%. Given ongoing financial challenges, including those from COVID-19, the CSU models project a fiscal shortfall in the range of $19.7 million to $28.6 million. Consistent with the Governors budget request, there are no salary increases included in the current CSU budget modeling for FY2021. The Board continues to implement its multi-year strategy of managing the shortfall created by COVID-19. At the February meeting the Board will further discuss how to resolve a shortfall if those revenue projections hold steady after updates to enrollment figures and new state revenue projections.

Faculty Representative Report Professor Stephanie Clemons discussed CSUs nation-leading sustainability ranking and the successful in-person fall semester. Clemons is retiring, and Faculty Council will designate a new representative who will fill the role starting at the Boards February meeting.

Student Representative Report ASCSU President Hannah Taylor shared priorities that Associated Students of CSU are focusing on including: a petition drive for a ballot initiative to change the citys You+2 policy to ME+3; health initiatives including mass ordering of thermometers for students, mental health support, flu shot promotion; and support for Rams Against Hunger. Taylor also discussed ASCSUs mentor program for academics and a partnership with Rocky Mountain Student Media to do monthly fireside chats shared online on the CTV YouTube channel.

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How to talk to pet owners about preventive care – Jill Lopez

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Disease prevention is integral to practicing high-quality veterinary medicine. We aim to maintain pet health, yet we are often faced with sick animals whose owners were unaware of the importance of ongoingpreventive and wellness care. We need to focus on educating clients about the importance of disease prevention at every wellness appointment, but especially with new clients and at new pet appointments.

Improving Health and Quality of Life

Keeping pets happy and healthy is the ultimate goal of the veterinarian and pet owners partnership. Talk to the owner about how preventive care improves their pets longevity and quality of life. Consistently remind owners that preventive wellness checks are essential to meeting this goal. Communicate that unremarkable wellness exams are a sign of success, not wasted time or money.

Emphasize to clients that proactive disease screening is an important part of preventive care. Early diagnosis can simplify the treatment of many types of diseases, reducing costs and the long-term morbidity of many diseases. Overall, early intervention improves prognosis and the patients quality of life.

Preventive Care Benefits

Another important point of discussion is that disease prevention saves money. Even simple health issues can quickly become expensive if treatment has been delayed or postponed. Meanwhile, more serious health issues and emergencies are often a major financial burden to many clients. With wellness care, we can avoid some of these emergencies.

Reducing Zoonotic Risks

Furthermore, good preventive care that includes parasite control and vaccinations such as rabies and leptospirosis can reduce the incidence of zoonosis, avoiding the associated health impacts and healthcare costs.

Using Examples To Support the Benefits

Choosing an example to contrast the consequences of the disease with the simplicity of prevention or early intervention is a powerful way to educate the client on the benefits of preventive care. Some good examples include parvovirus, heartworm disease, leptospirosis, chronic kidney disease, or tumors.Picking ones that are most relevant to the individual patient create the most impact in the discussion.

If we can emphatically communicate the importance of disease prevention, we can see many more patients for regular wellness visits. This will provide us with better business, happy clients, and improved pet health.

Read more from the original source:
How to talk to pet owners about preventive care - Jill Lopez

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PET TALK: Seeing the signs: What to know about cherry eye in dogs – Houston Chronicle

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Spotting a red bump in the corner of a pets eye is a concerning but not uncommon experience for many dog owners. Colloquially called cherry eye, this bump may be a prolapsed gland of the nictitans, also known as the third eyelid.

Dr. Sean Collins, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, says that ophthalmologists dont entirely understand why the gland of the nictating membrane sometimes protrudes from its original position but it is believed to be a result of a weakness in the connective tissue responsible for holding the gland in the correct position.

This condition can happen to any breed of dog but is seen most commonly in certain breeds, including the American cocker spaniel, English bulldog, Lhasa apso, and the Pekinese, Collins said.

Pet owners who spot a red swollen mass in the inner corner of their pets eye, large or small, should bring it to their veterinarians attention promptly. In addition to causing irritation to the dog, this condition can have lasting consequences when left untreated.

Without correction, chronic prolapse can lead to conjunctivitis (pink eye) and ocular discharge (liquid coming from the eye), Collins said. It has also been shown that with correction, dogs are less likely to develop low tear production later in life.

Low tear production can result in multiple problems if left untreated. In addition to pain and decreased vision, corneal ulceration may also develop, which can become infected and result in a ruptured eye. This condition responds well to tear stimulant therapy in most cases, but lifelong medication is usually required.

Your veterinarian will be able to confirm whether your pet has cherry eye and can develop a treatment plan that works best to resolve cherry eye and reduce the potential for ocular issues as your dog ages.

Initial therapy may consist of topical anti-inflammatory therapy if local inflammation may be contributing to prolapse of the gland, he said. If a short course of medical therapy does not work or re-prolapse develops, surgical repositioning is indicated. There are numerous surgical techniques to reposition the gland with overall high success rates.

If surgical treatment is required, Collins stresses that this treatment will benefit your pet in both the short- and long-term.

Surgical repositioning is very important if initial medical therapy fails, as the gland is responsible for about 30-50% of the aqueous tear production in the dog, he said. We commonly see low tear production in the same breeds that develop a prolapsed gland of the nictitans. It has been shown that dogs with surgical repositioning of the gland have a lower chance of developing low tear production later on in life compared to those where the gland has been excised or remains chronically prolapsed.

Unfortunately, there are no known preventative measures to protect against cherry eye, Collins says. This condition can develop in both eyes, usually before the age of 2. The best way pet owners can protect their furry friend is to remain vigilant in monitoring their pets health and to bring concerns to their veterinarian promptly in case an issue does arise.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvm.tamu.edu.

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PET TALK: Seeing the signs: What to know about cherry eye in dogs - Houston Chronicle

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Pet talk: Seeing the signs: What to know about cherry eye In dogs – Marshall News Messenger

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION Spotting a red bump in the corner of a pets eye is a concerning but not uncommon experience for many dog owners. Colloquially called cherry eye, this bump may be a prolapsed gland of the nictitans, also known as the third eyelid.

Dr. Sean Collins, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says that ophthalmologists dont entirely understand why the gland of the nictating membrane sometimes protrudes from its original position, but it is believed to be a result of a weakness in the connective tissue responsible for holding the gland in the correct position.

This condition can happen to any breed of dog but is seen most commonly in certain breeds, including the American cocker spaniel, English bulldog, Lhasa apso, and the Pekinese, Collins said.

Pet owners who spot a red swollen mass in the inner corner of their pets eye, large or small, should bring it to their veterinarians attention promptly. In addition to causing irritation to the dog, this condition can have lasting consequences when left untreated.

Without correction, chronic prolapse can lead to conjunctivitis (pink eye) and ocular discharge (liquid coming from the eye), Collins said. It has also been shown that with correction, dogs are less likely to develop low tear production later in life.

Low tear production can result in multiple problems if left untreated. In addition to pain and decreased vision, corneal ulceration may also develop, which can become infected and result in a ruptured eye. This condition responds well to tear stimulant therapy in most cases, but lifelong medication is usually required.

Your veterinarian will be able to confirm whether your pet has cherry eye and can develop a treatment plan that works best to resolve the issue and reduce the potential for ocular issues as your dog ages.

Initial therapy may consist of topical anti-inflammatory therapy if local inflammation may be contributing to prolapse of the gland, he said. If a short course of medical therapy does not work or re-prolapse develops, surgical repositioning is indicated. There are numerous surgical techniques to reposition the gland with overall high success rates.

If surgical treatment is required, Collins stresses that this treatment will benefit your pet in both the short- and long-term.

Surgical repositioning is very important if initial medical therapy fails, as the gland is responsible for about 30-50% of the aqueous tear production in the dog, he said. We commonly see low tear production in the same breeds that develop a prolapsed gland of the nictitans. It has been shown that dogs with surgical repositioning of the gland have a lower chance of developing low tear production later on in life compared to those where the gland has been excised or remains chronically prolapsed.

Unfortunately, there are no known preventative measures to protect against cherry eye, Collins said. This condition can develop in both eyes, usually before the age of two. The best way owners can protect their furry friend is to remain vigilant in monitoring their pets health and to bring concerns to their veterinarian promptly in case an issue does arise.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be found on the Pet Talk website. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvm.tamu.edu.

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Pet talk: Seeing the signs: What to know about cherry eye In dogs - Marshall News Messenger

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Global Veterinary Medicine Market to Get Expansion admist COVID 19, Scope With Advanced Technologies Top Key Players and Forecast 2020-2027 – The…

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Global Veterinary Medicine MarketIndustry Trends and Forecast to 2028 New Research Report Added to Databridgemarketresearch.com database. The report width Of pages : 350 Figures: 60 And Tables: 220 in it. Global Veterinary Medicine Market describes complete industry Outlook with in-depth analysis. This report also Includes the complete analysis of each segment in terms of opportunity, market attractiveness index and growth rate, top players and new comers in industry, competitive landscape, sales, price, revenue, gross margin, market share, market risks, opportunities, market barriers, and challenges.key statistics on the market status. which give the clear idea about the product differentiation and an understanding of competitive landscape Globally.

Global Veterinary Medicine Market Research report comprises of a brief summary on the trends and tendency that may help the key market players functioning in the industry to understand the market and strategize for his or her Organisation expansion for this reason. This statistical surveying report examines the entire market size, market share, key segments, growth, key drivers, CAGR, historic data, present market trends And End User Demand, environment, technological innovation, upcoming technologies and the technical progress in the industry.

Veterinary medicine marketis expected to reach a market value of USD 45.6 billion by 2027 whilegrowat a potential rate of 7.15% in the forecast period of 2020 to 2027. Growing number of pet adoption will help in the growth of theveterinarymedicine market.

Get Sample Report + All Related Graphs & Charts @https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-veterinary-medicine-market

Major players

The major players covered in the veterinary medicine market report are Merck & Co., Inc., Ceva, Vetoquinol S.A., Zoetis, BoehringerIngelheim International GmbH, Bayer AG, Elanco.,Nutreco N.V.,Virbac., Kindred Biosciences, Inc., BiogenesisBago, infocusrx., NEOGEN CORPORATION, Hester Biosciences Limited., Cargill, Incorporated., ADM Animal Nutrition,among other domestic and global players.

Patient Epidemiology Analysis

Veterinary medicine market also provides you with detailed Customization Available: Global Veterinary Medicine Market

market analysis for patient analysis, prognosis and cures. Prevalence, incidence, mortality, adherence rates are some of the data variables that are available in the report. Direct or indirect impact analysis of epidemiology to market growth are analysed to create a more robust and cohort multivariate statistical model for forecasting the market in the growth period.

Increasing prevalence of veterinary professionals, growing demand of pet insurance, increasing initiatives by the government as well as private regarding animal health, rising consumption of meat and mandatory vaccinations, growinglivestockpopulation as well as pet ownership rates will likely to enhance the growth of the veterinary medicine market in the forecast period of 2020-2027. On the other hand, increasing research and development for procedural advancement will further boost various opportunities that will lead to the growth of the veterinary medicine market in the above mentioned forecast period.

Rising number of counterfeit drugs, rising occurrences of various infections will likely to hinder the growth of the veterinary medicine market in the mentioned forecast period.

This veterinary medicine market report provides details of market share, new developments, and product pipeline analysis, impact of domestic and localised market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, product approvals, strategic decisions, product launches, geographic expansions, and technological innovations in the market. To understand the analysis and the veterinary medicine market scenario contactData Bridge Market Researchfor anAnalyst Brief, our team will help you create a revenue impact solution to achieve your desired goal.

Grab Your Report at an Impressive 30% Discount! Please click Here @https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-veterinary-medicine-market

Global Veterinary Medicine Market Scope and Market Size

Veterinary medicine market is segmented on the basis ofproduct, animal type, mode of delivery and end-use. The growth among segments helps you analyse niche pockets of growth and strategies to approach the market and determine your core application areas and the difference in your target markets.

Veterinary Medicine Market Country Level Analysis

Veterinary medicine market is analysed and market size information is provided by country by product, animal type, mode of delivery and end use as referenced above.

For More Insights Get Detailed TOC @https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-veterinary-medicine-market

North America dominates the veterinary medicine market due to prevalence of favourable government policies along with rising initiatives to improve animal health while the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at the highest growth rate in the forecast period of 2020 to 2027 because of expansion of manufacturing facilities and vaccination for livestock animals.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impacts the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as new sales, replacement sales, country demographics, disease epidemiology and import-export tariffs are some of the major pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of sales channels are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.

About Data Bridge Market Research:

An absolute way to forecast what future holds is to comprehend the trend today!Data Bridge set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.

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Global Veterinary Medicine Market to Get Expansion admist COVID 19, Scope With Advanced Technologies Top Key Players and Forecast 2020-2027 - The...

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Endemic Corruption Is Reason Behind Alarming Wildlife Trafficking From Nigeria – Voice of America

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

ABUJA - Corruption has made Nigeria the biggest smuggler of ivory and pangolin scales from central and West Africa to Asia, according to a report by the Environmental Investigation Agency. The London-based group says in the past five years, Nigeria has been implicated in global seizures equating to 4,400 elephants and hundreds of thousands of endangered pangolins.

Aaron Olamilekan, a Nigerian wildlife advocate, spoke as he held a dead pangolin he bought from a group of local hunters arriving from a hunt on the outskirts of Abuja.

"They tell me why most of them hunt. It's based on poverty; there's no good job for them, there's no government support for them. So, they have no choice than to go into the wild," Olamilekan said.

The hunters sell the animals in exchange for cash.

But Olamilekan sometimes intercepts them, negotiates and rescues endangered species.

Animals returned to wild

He runs a sanctuary where he says animals can be resuscitated and nurtured before they're released into the wild.

"The ecosystem is being tampered with because all these animals have a role to play in our environment, so killing them will cause a future disaster," Olamilekan said.

Illegal hunting for trade is the major reason that endangered species such as elephants and pangolins are in constant decline.

Since 2015, Nigeria has been the main exit point for pangolin scales and elephant ivory from the continent to many parts of Asia, where they are prized for decorative purposes or their alleged but unproven medicinal uses.

Smugglers take ivory, scales

A recent report by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) shows more than 30 tons of ivory and 167 tons of pangolin scales have been smuggled through the country in five years.

The EIA blames corruption by Nigerian border or port officials for the illegal trade. Shruti Suresh is a senior wildlife campaigner at EIA.

"Corruption which exists within certain public sectors is helping organized crime to thrive and traffic ivory, pangolin, and several other species." Suresh said. "We need political will at the highest level of government to prioritize this issue."

Nigeria is a member of several international conventions protecting endangered wildlife, including the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES).

Laws rarely enforced

Nigerian authorities continue to pledge their commitment toward protecting wildlife even though laws meant to safeguard endangered species are rarely enforced.

The EIA wants Nigerian authorities to take stricter measures against poachers and smugglers, noting that uncontrolled trade during this period of the coronavirus pandemic could be potentially dangerous.

For the moment, wildlife advocate Olamilekan will be saving as many endangered animals as possible.

More here:
Endemic Corruption Is Reason Behind Alarming Wildlife Trafficking From Nigeria - Voice of America

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Vivos Inc to Present at The 13th Annual LD Micro Main Event Conference December 15, 2020 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time – GlobeNewswire

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Richland WA, Dec. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vivos Inc. (OTCQB: RDGL``), Vivos Inc (RDGL), a company that has developed an Yttrium-90 based injectable brachytherapy device, for the treatment of tumors in animals and in humans, today announced that it will be presenting at the 13th annual LD Micro Main Event investor conference on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 8:00 AM PST / 11:00 AM EST. Mike Korenko, CEO of Vivos Inc., will be presenting to a live virtual audience.

Register here:ve.mysequire.com/

The Main Event will feature a new and unique format, with companies presenting for 10 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A by a panel of investors and analysts.

"The time has finally come to do something different in the virtual conference world. Lets see if we can pull off something that can be enjoyed by both executives and investors alike, stated Chris Lahiji, Founder of LD, now a wholly owned subsidiary of SRAX, Inc.

The Main Event will take place on December 14th and 15th, exclusively on the Sequire Virtual Events platform.

View Vivos Incs profile here http://ldmicro.com/profile/RDGL

View Vivos Incs site here: http://www.RadioGel.com

About Vivos Inc. (OTCQB: RDGL)

Vivos Inc. has developed an Yttrium-90 based injectable brachytherapy device, for the treatment of tumors in animals (Isopet) and in humans (Radiogel). Brachytherapy uses highly localized radiation to destroy cancerous tumors by placing a radioactive isotope directly inside the treatment area using the companys proprietary hydrogel technology. The injection delivers therapeutic radiation from within the tumor without the entrance skin dose and associated side effects of treatment that characterize external-beam radiation therapy. This feature allows safe delivery of higher doses needed for treating both non-resectable and radiation-resistant cancers.

Radiogel is a hydrogel liquid containing tiny yttrium-90 phosphate particles that may be administered directly into a tumor. The hydrogel is an yttrium-90 carrier at room temperature that gels within the tumor interstitial spaces after injection to keep the radiation sources safely in place. The short-range beta radiation from yttrium-90 localizes the dose within the treatment area so that normal organs and tissues are not adversely affected.

Radiogel also has a short half-life delivering more than 90% of its therapeutic radiation within 10 days. This compares favorably to other available treatment options requiring up to six weeks or more to deliver a full course of radiation therapy. Therapy can be safely administered as an out-patient procedure and the patient may return home without subsequent concern for radiation dose to family members.

The Isopet Solutions division used university veterinary hospitals to demonstrate the safety and therapeutic effectiveness for different animal cancers. Testing on feline sarcoma at the Washington State University was completed in 2018 and testing on canine soft tissue sarcomas at the University of Missouri was completed in 2019.

In 2018 the Company obtained confirmation from the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine that Isopet is classified as a medical device according to its intended use and means by which it achieves its intended purpose. The FDA also reviewed the product labeling which included canine and feline sarcomas as the initial indications for use. The FDA does not require pre-market approval for veterinary devices so no additional approval is required. Following the demonstration phase, Vivos is able to generate revenue through the sale of Isopet to University animal hospitals and private veterinary clinics.

Isopet for treating animals uses the same technology as RadioGel for treating humans. The Food and Drug Administration advised using different product names in order to avoid confusion and cross-use.

CONTACT:

Vivos Inc.Michael K. Korenko, Sc.D.President & CEOMKorenko@RadioGel.com

About LD Micro/SEQUIRELD Micro began in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource to the microcap world. What started as a newsletter highlighting unique companies, has transformed into the pre-eminent event platform in the space. For more information, please visitldmicro.com.

The upcoming Main Event will be highlighting a new format that will benefit both executives and the investors tuning in from all over the globe.

In September 2020, LD Micro, Inc. was acquired by SRAX, Inc., a financial technology company that unlocks data and insights for publicly traded companies. Through its premier investor intelligence and communications platform,Sequire, companies can track their investors behaviors and trends and use those insights to engage current and potential investors across marketing channels. For more information on SRAX, visitsrax.comandmysequire.com.

ContactsInvestor Relations Contact:Brett MaasHayden IR, LLCbrett@haydenir.com646-536-7331

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Vivos Inc to Present at The 13th Annual LD Micro Main Event Conference December 15, 2020 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time - GlobeNewswire

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Drake is selling a candle that smells like … Drake, and more of this week’s weirdest news – Napa Valley Register

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Astronauts are harvesting fresh radishes grown in space, a delicious prospect that also could help seed food production efforts for longer-term missions to the moon and Mars.

The Advanced Plant Habitat cultivates radishes, a plant that is nutritious, edible and has a short cultivation time.

On Monday, NASA flight engineer Kate Rubins pulled out 20 radish plants grown in the space station's Advanced Plant Habitat, wrapping them in foil for cold storage until they can make the voyage back to Earth next year.

Radishes are the latest type of fresh produce to be successfully grown and harvested in zero gravity, joining "Outredgeous" red romaine lettuce, green lettuce, Chinese cabbage, lentils and mustard, according to a NASA fact sheet.

"I've worked on APH since the beginning, and each new crop that we're able to grow brings me great joy because what we learn from them will help NASA send astronauts to Mars and bring them back safely," said Nicole Dufour, the Advanced Plant Habitat program manager at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in a news release.

Food for future space missions

Back on the ground, scientists at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida are growing radishes in a control group set for harvest on December 15. The researchers will compare the space-grown radishes to the veggies grown on Earth, checking on how space produce measures up on providing the minerals and nutrients astronauts need as they prepare for longer trips.

Meanwhile, astronauts will repeat the radish experiment in the heavens, planting and harvesting another round of radish crop to give scientists more data to draw from.

With their short cultivation time, radishes present potential advantages as a food source for future astronauts embarking on deep space missions in years to come. The radishes grow quickly, and they can reach full maturity in 27 days.

The root vegetables also don't require much maintenance from the crew as they grow.

astronaut and flight engineer Kate Rubins checks out radish plants growing on the space station as part of an experiment to evaluate nutrition and taste of the plants.

"Radishes provide great researchpossibilities by virtue of their sensitive bulb formation," said Karl Hasenstein, a professor of biology at the University of Louisiana and the principal investigator on the project, in a news release.

Researchers will analyze the effects of carbon dioxide on the radishes as well as how the vegetables acquire and distribute minerals, according to Hasenstein, who has run plant experiments with NASA since 1995.

Astronauts have grown 15 different types of plants on the station, including eight different types of leafy greens. And NASA has already tested more than 100 crops on Earth, identifying which candidates to try out next in space.

"Growing a range of crops helps us determine which plants thrive in microgravity and offer the best variety and nutritional balance for astronauts on long-duration missions," Dufour said.

Years of research with space crops

The latest experiments build upon ongoing research growing and harvesting plants in space.

Researchers at NASA began experiments using its Vegetable Production Systems growth chambers back in 2014 shortly after they were delivered to the space station.

Some of the early experiments with red romaine lettuce resulted in a paper, published this March in the journal Frontiers in Plant Science, showing that space lettuce was safe to eat.

In August 2015, NASA shared a video that features American astronauts Dr. Kjell Lindgren and Scott Kelly floating aboard the station, saying "Cheers" and eating the space-grown treat.

"Tastes good," Kelly said.

Getting space agriculture right matters because the nutrients in the prepackaged food that astronauts currently eat in space degrade over a period of time, NASA said.

Getting humans to Mars and back safely over a two- or three-year mission requires growing food along the way. That not only gives astronauts more of a vibrant supply of fresh nutrients on the voyage; it also serves an emotional need as they tend to crops that are both a figurative and literal taste of home, according to the agency.

The NASA Artemis program aims to land the first woman and next man on the moon in 2024, and to establish a sustained presence on the moon by 2028. From there, the agency will be poised to begin staging its next big leap, to Mars.

But before we make it to the red planet, we've first got to make a tasty green space salad.

CNN's Ashley Strickland contributed to this story.

Continued here:
Drake is selling a candle that smells like ... Drake, and more of this week's weirdest news - Napa Valley Register

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Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Partners With MANRRS to Increase Diversity in Veterinary Profession – Business Wire

Friday, December 4th, 2020

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pet owners represent a much more diverse population than the veterinary professionals who care for them and their animals, a gap the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA)1 and the Association of American Veterinary Colleges (AAVMC) 2 are working hard to fill. Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) is committed to being part of the solution and is proud to announce a new partnership with Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). This collaboration will further RUSVMs long-term commitment to increase diversity in the veterinary profession and strengthen the pipeline of highly qualified, diverse students pursuing an education in veterinary medicine.

The partnership will introduce RUSVM to MANRRS chapters across the U.S. with MANRRS members gaining access to exclusive webinars and virtual workshops from RUSVM to increase exposure to the profession. Additionally, qualified students may apply for a newly launched MANRRS scholarship. The partnership will also help establish a professional chapter of MANRRS at RUSVM that will create mentoring opportunities for current RUSVM students and enhanced networking opportunities. To learn more about this partnership, click here.

It is vitally important that the field of veterinary medicine is representative of the communities that we serve, and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine is thrilled to take this important step toward increasing diversity in the field, said Sean Callanan, MVB, CERTVR, MRCVS, PHD, FRCPATH, DIPLECVP, dean of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. As one of the most ethnically diverse AVMA-accredited veterinary schools, the partnership with MANRRS will provide new opportunities for prospective, current and former students, and pave the way for a more diverse workforce.

According to an American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) report, more than one-third of African Americans surveyed own a pet. However, the vast majority of practicing veterinarians in the U.S. are white3, highlighting a disparity in the diversity of the profession and the people that they serve.

While facing the dismal reality that more than 85% of Veterinarians are white, MANRRS is committed to partnering with RUSVM to provide underrepresented students access to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, said Ebony Webber, chief operating officer for MANRRS. Provided that MANRRS is one of the only and largest organizations focused on diverse talent in agriculture, our student and professional members expect MANRRS to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in areas where minorities are needed to help solve the worlds biggest challenges relating to animal health.

RUSVM, supported by its parent company, Adtalem Global Education, is committed to cultivating a culture of diversity and inclusivity and creating a diverse global workforce that reflects that culture. To learn more about Adtalems commitment to diversity and inclusion, click here.

About Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) is an institution of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE; member S&P MidCap 400 Index). Founded in 1982, RUSVM is committed to preparing students to become members and leaders of the worldwide public and professional healthcare team and to advance human, animal and ecosystem health (One Health Initiative). RUSVM offers postgraduate Masters, Ph.D. and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs accredited by the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board. Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine confers a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, which is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE), 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173, Tel: 800.248.2862. Ross Veterinary Clinic is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information visit http://veterinary.rossu.edu/ and follow RUSVM on Twitter (@RossVetSchool), Instagram (@rossvetschool) and Facebook (@RossVetSchool).

About Adtalem Global Education

The purpose of Adtalem Global Education is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success, and make inspiring contributions to our global community. ATGE (NYSE: ATGE; member S&P MidCap 400 Index) is a leading workforce solutions provider and the parent organization of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, OnCourse Learning, Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. For more information, please visit adtalem.com.

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/adtalemglobaleducation/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/adtalemglobal Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AdtalemGlobalEducation Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adtalem/

About Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)

As an organization, MANRRS strives to continue making long-lasting connections with companies such as Valent to support initiatives surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. MANRRS also promotes and implements initiatives which foster inclusion and the advancement of members of ethnic/cultural groups underrepresented in agricultural, natural resource sciences, and related fields; and stimulates interest in and provide exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Mathematical fields for youth from underserved communities. For more information, visit http://www.manrrs.org and follow MANRRS on Twitter (@NationalMANRRS), Instagram (@NationalMANRRS), LinkedIn (@NationalMANRRS), and Facebook (@NationalMANRRS),

1 https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/diversity-and-inclusion-veterinary-medicine

2 https://www.aavmc.org/programs/diversity/

3 https://datausa.io/profile/soc/veterinarians#:~:text=85.9%25%20of%20Veterinarians%20are%20White,or%20ethnicity%20in%20this%20occupation.

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Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Partners With MANRRS to Increase Diversity in Veterinary Profession - Business Wire

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Dairy Cattle Specialist Added To Veterinary Education – Texas A&M Today – Texas A&M University Today

Friday, December 4th, 2020

Benjamin Newcomer is the VERO programs first and only faculty member specializing in dairy cattle.

Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Benjamin Newcomer has been hired by the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) Veterinary Education, Research, & Outreach (VERO) program as the first and so far, only faculty member to specialize in dairy cattle.

Its a specialty much-needed in Texas. He will be located at the West Texas A&M University campus in Canyon.

Newcomer was raised in Guatemala, and saw the importance of rural agricultural communities and the importance of animal care from an early age. He went on to earn his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Florida.

One thing I really like about veterinary medicine is that every days different. Theres always something new. It never gets humdrum, Newcomer said. My dad was an agriculture teacher, so I had always been exposed to cattle growing up and just loved being outside and loved the people who usually work with cattle.

Newcomer worked at a large dairy practice in central California practicing dairy production medicine. He spent two years working through the Christian Veterinary Mission to support local farmers in Central Africa before returning stateside to join the faculty of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

VERO, a partnership between the CVMBS and West Texas A&M, brings veterinary students to the heart of one of the most productive animal agricultural regions in the world, opening opportunities for students to collaborate in hands-on projects with industry partners and stakeholders both in the region and across the nation.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Newcomer to the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and VERO faculty. He brings to our program an exciting combination of dairy practice experience and teaching skills that will allow VERO to continue providing first-class, hands-on education to our students, saidDr. Susan Eades, head of the CVMBS Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department. His experience in working in the industry will also help the program continue in its mission of strengthening community relations and the veterinary field.

Newcomers affinity for dairy production medicine meshes well with the goals of VERO, which serves the Texas Panhandle region by training highly qualified veterinary students with the rural animal medicine skills required to meet the regions needs.

Dr. Newcomers skills reach almost two decades of experience in multiple states and countries, said Dee Griffin, director of the VERO program. He is perhaps the most academically prepared clinical dairy management professor in the U.S.

The extremely large dairies we have in the Texas Panhandle and High Plains are extremely sophisticated. Dr. Newcomer is one of the few veterinarians in the U.S. we could have recruited who is capable of navigating the level of expertise required to work with dairies of this magnitude and be able to develop a dairy clinical veterinary and management program for our CVMBS students.

Newcomer believes that the history and tradition of Texas A&Ms veterinary program is unrivaled.

Were known for producing quality veterinary graduates, Newcomer said. The VERO program, in particular, is geographically situated in a growing area with lots of cattle where students can get hands-on experience, and that made this position really attractive to me as an educator.

The work of VERO and its supporting veterinarians, like Newcomer, is vitally important to supporting the stability of the nations food supply. The Texas Panhandle is home to the third-largest milk producing area in the nation, in addition to roughly 13 million head of cattle more than any other state. The Texas Department of Agriculture values this industry at $12.3 billion.

Ensuring we have a safe and sustainable food source is important and its something that we sometimes take for granted, Newcomer said. Theres a lack of exposure if you havent grown up around agriculture and you just assume our foods going to be there.

Over the past 10 years, the Texas Panhandle has become one of the major dairy areas, and there are lots of producers and veterinarians who would love to have students come by and get involved, he said. VEROs nicely situated where we can make those relationships and get those students out for those experiences.

Excerpt from:
Dairy Cattle Specialist Added To Veterinary Education - Texas A&M Today - Texas A&M University Today

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Local veterinary clinic sees increase in visits during the pandemic – WKBN.com

Friday, December 4th, 2020

They have also instituted protocols to keep visitors and themselves safe

by: Brandon Jaces

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A lot of people are working from home and one positive to that, or PAW-sitive, is that individuals get to spend more time with their pets.

So theyre noticing when theyre scratching or when they might not be eating, versus they were at work all day so they may not have seen whats going on at home, said Courtney ONeill, doctor of veterinary medicine at the Austintown Veterinary Clinic.

Theyre doing their best to keep up with everyone. She said each doctor sees around 15 to 20 patients per day.

Each patient takes longer because we have to get a patient from a car, get the history, were doing exams back in the treatment area, so were trying to minimize the time that our staff and our doctors are in a room with a person, ONeill said. Deep cleaning the rooms after each appointment.

To accommodate as many people as possible, theyre allowing people to drop off their pets so that they have more time to see them, run diagnostics and help as many animals as they can.

Theyve also instituted some protocols for visitors to follow, which include calling from the parking lot when they arrive, one person per pet allowed inside, mandatory face coverings and rescheduling if people dont feel well or have been exposed to the coronavirus. Each exam is done back in a treatment room, instead of in a room with the owner. Staff will check people out from the exam room, theres a 24-hour notice for prescription refills or written requests, and patients must call from the parking lot for medication and food pick-ups.

We can absolutely get the pet from your car, and you can stay in the car so you dont even need to come in, ONeill said as an option for visitors. Were doing payment over the phone so you dont even need to come in and slide your credit card. We can keep as much distance as youd like.

More stories from WKBN.com:

Read more from the original source:
Local veterinary clinic sees increase in visits during the pandemic - WKBN.com

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