BUSINESS - IDEXX Supports Human Animal Bond Research

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IDEXX, a world leader in veterinary diagnostic instrument development and manufacture; reference laboratory services; and dairy and water testing, has become an official supporter of the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI).

HABRI is a not-for-profit organization that maintains the world’s largest online library of human-animal bond research and information; funds innovative research projects to scientifically document the health benefits of companion animals; and informs the public about human-animal bond research and the beneficial role of companion animals in society.

“IDEXX is proud to support HABRI and its mission to advance human-animal bond research,” said Jonathan Ayers, Chairman and CEO of IDEXX Laboratories.

“IDEXX is committed to enhancing the health and wellbeing of pets and people alike by bringing to market the most advanced diagnostics and software in veterinary medicine. When we provide high quality care for pets, human health also benefits.”

Scientific evidence increasingly shows that pets improve heart health; alleviate depression; increase well-being; support child health and development; and contribute to healthy aging.

In addition, companion animals can assist in the treatment of a broad range of conditions from post-traumatic stress to Alzheimer’s disease to autism spectrum disorder.

“IDEXX is an innovative leader in pet health,” said Steven Feldman, Executive Director of HABRI. “By supporting HABRI, IDEXX is demonstrating its dedication to the human-animal bond and to keeping pets and people healthy together.”

With over 6,000 employees in 175 countries, IDEXX is a major player and their support of the relationship and health connection between humans and animals lends more credence, not just to HABRI, but to initiatives like One Health that is working to unite human and animal medicine.

By expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment, One Health Initiative hopes to accelerate biomedical research discoveries, enhance public health efficacy, expeditiously expand the scientific knowledge base, and improve medical education and clinical care.

Idexx Sees Organic Growth in First Quarter

Second Quarter to Begin Launching New Products 

Although the economic climate remains challenging for businesses, Idexx Laboratories continues to bring innovative products and services to their customers. This has resulted in a 10 per cent increase in revenues during the first quarter of 2012. 

To continue their success, Idexx has proposed to launch new products to expand the diagnostic capability of veterinarians.

To read the official Press Release, click here.

Increased Risk of Tick-Borne Diseases for People and Dogs

The tick season begins in April and lasts through November. As people and the country's 75 million dogs enjoy warmer temperatures, the dangers of tick-borne diseases threaten from the deep woods to urban parks.

According to experts and a leading Web authority on the subject, DogsAndTicks.com, regular screenings by a veterinarian and preventive medications are the best ways to protect pets and families from disease-carrying ticks.

The tie between canine and human exposure is closely related. A 2011 Institute of Medicine of the National Academies report describes it this way: "Animals, especially dogs, because of their close proximity to humans and the fact that they often present with similar signs of tick-borne disease, are often sentinels for human tick-borne diseases" (Elchos and Goddard, 2003).

Infected dogs are warning signs for their owners. Once pet owners and veterinarians know that a tick-borne disease exists in a specific area, they can take preventive steps to reduce the risk to nearby families and dogs. This knowledge is especially helpful, "because recognizing tick-borne illness in people is difficult" (Institute of Medicine).

The same is true for dogs. Signs of tick-borne diseases in dogs are often subtle or even imperceptible until it's too late for effective treatment, and pets across the country are at risk.

"Ticks in every U.S. state carry diseases," said William L. Nicholson, Ph.D., Division of Vector-Borne Diseases at the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the CDC.

So, pet owners everywhere?in both rural and urban areas?should have their dogs screened annually by a veterinarian for signs of tick-transmitted diseases. Lyme is the most widely known and common tick disease, but there are many others that ticks carry and can transmit to dogs and people. These include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis (sometimes known as "dog fever"), ehrlichiosis and some emerging diseases that can have devastating effects.

"There have been recent dramatic increases in tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever," said Nicholson.

The number of dogs exposed to tick diseases also is increasing. Between 2006 and 2010, nationwide studies show a 30 percent increase in the rate of dogs exposed to tick-transmitted diseases (Little and Bowman, 2006; DogsAndTicks.com).

Though rare, some tick-borne diseases can be fatal in both pets and people. More often, though, they can cause bleeding disorders, central nervous system dysfunction and kidney failure in dogs, and flu-like symptoms, including fatigue and headache, or even the loss of limbs in humans. And, according to the CDC, laboratory results for tick-borne illness in people are often negative on the first sample and require a second test two to three weeks later to confirm inspection. Further, children are more susceptible to infections due to their immature immune systems.

People who want to learn more about how to protect their families and pets should consult their veterinarians and DogsAndTicks.com, a helpful website with information about tick diseases and tick-bite prevention. Since early diagnosis and treatment are keys to longer and higher-quality lives for dogs, DogsAndTicks.com also teaches people how to recognize difficult-to-distinguish signs of infection and remove embedded ticks.

The veterinarians and veterinary parasitologists who support and develop content for DogsAndTicks.com are committed to educating pet owners about the prevalence and risks of tick-borne diseases. The website does not endorse any individual product but serves as an informational source, with tools that include interactive prevalence maps for tick-borne diseases based on diagnostic screenings from across the country.

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a global market leader in pet healthcare innovation, helping practicing veterinarians around the world advance medical care with a broad range of diagnostic products and services. IDEXX created DogsAndTicks.com  as a resource for pet owners.

For further information: Robyn Caulfield, +1-913-663-4200, robyn@bcsthinktank.com

IDEXX Laboratories Announces First Quarter Results

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDXX), today reported that revenues for the first quarter of 2011 increased 9% to $292.7 million, from $268.5 million for the first quarter of 2010. Organic revenue growth, as defined below, was 8%. Earnings per diluted share ("EPS") for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 increased 13% to $0.62, compared to $0.55 for the same period in the prior year.

Organic revenue growth excludes the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which increased revenue growth by 1%, and revenue from acquisitions subsequent to December 31, 2009, which increased revenue growth by less than one percent.

"Overall for the quarter, our revenue growth was solid and our strong earnings growth was slightly above our expectations in January," stated Jonathan Ayers, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "In an economic environment that remains challenging, our 8% organic revenue growth is a testament to our success in continued innovation and strong commercial execution across our markets around the world. Earnings were slightly ahead of our expectation in January largely due to somewhat higher revenues, particularly in instrument consumables, livestock and poultry diagnostic kits and laboratory services, as well as our achievement of operating efficiencies."

"Market response to our ProCyte Dx(R) hematology analyzer, launched in the third quarter of last year, continues to be very positive with 235 placements in the first quarter. ProCyte Dx(R) provides reference lab quality test results in just two minutes and is a key enabler of our real-time care strategy, working seamlessly with our Catalyst Dx(R) chemistry analyzer. Our pace of innovation continues this month with the launch of a new SNAP(R) test kit, SNAP(R) fPL?, an in-clinic test that will help veterinarians rule in or rule out pancreatitis in cats in just ten minutes. This test can be used in conjunction with our Spec fPL(R) test run in the reference labs, which permits further diagnosis and refinement of treatment options."

"Continued stable market conditions, coupled with our solid first quarter results and recent weakening of the U.S. dollar, lead us to increase our earnings guidance for 2011, while we maintain our organic revenue growth outlook of 7-8%."

ABOUT IDEXX
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is a leader in pet healthcare innovation, serving practicing veterinarians around the world with a broad range of diagnostic and information technology-based products and services. IDEXX products enhance the ability of veterinarians to provide advanced medical care, improve staff efficiency and build more economically successful practices. IDEXX is also a worldwide leader in providing diagnostic tests and information for livestock and poultry and tests for the quality and safety of water and milk. Headquartered in Maine, IDEXX Laboratories employs more than 4,800 people and offers products to customers in over 100 countries.