ADVISORY/Experts Available to Discuss Annual Vaccinations for Pets and Possible Health Risks.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2002

TOPIC: Surfacing evidence of health risks are causing some veterinarians to rethink annual vaccinations in pets, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal. Although vaccines licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are tested to ensure pets are protected from diseases such as distemper, rabies and parvovirus, the tests do not examine long-term side effects of the vaccines. Various universities are conducting studies after a sharp increase in cats with cancerous tumors located between the shoulder blades where vaccinations are given. Dr. Larry Glickman, professor of epidemiology at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, Ind., is currently studying possible links between autoimmune disease in dogs and over-vaccination, the article says. Some veterinarians are doing 40 percent less vaccinations than five years ago, according to the article. EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts to comment on this story:

Mr. Will Novak, DVM, MBA, Diplomate ABVP is chief medical officer of Banfield, The Pet Hospital, the nation's largest private veterinary practice that includes more than 400 hospitals and clinics in 37 states, caring for more than 1,000,000 pets per year. He is board certified and qualified to speak on all aspects of pet health and the veterinary industry. PR: Jeff Muir ([e-mail], 503-345-5124).

Dr. Kent Van Kampen is the president and chief operations officer of Vaxin, Inc. Van Kampen brings a wealth of experience in the field of vaccinology, especially in the research, development and commercialization of vaccines. From 1976 to 1980, Van Kampen was the Head of the Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences at Utah State University. He is the co-editor of a book and the author of over 70 scientific publications. Dr. Van Kampen holds a doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University and a Ph. D. in Comparative Pathology from the University of California, Davis. He is a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. 205-943-8621; PR: Word Arrangement ([e-mail], 205-595-4346).

Professor James W. Lloyd, of Michigan State University, is an expert regarding veterinary medicine. 517-353-9559; 517-355-1855 (University PR Phone)

Professor Lawrence Hutchinson, of Pennsylvania State University, can share his expertise on topics such as veterinary medicine and animal health. 814-863-2160

ExpertSource cannot guarantee the immediate availability of these experts or their familiarity with this specific issue.

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