Traditionally we write about animal rights related articles on this column.  This month we are deviating from that tradition and would like to write about debut of a company that deal with drugs and vaccines for livestock and pets.  The drug and pharmaceutical behemoth Pfizer recently spun off Zoetis, a new outfit that will concentrate on livestock and pets.  Three-fourths of its business will be livestock related including antibiotics while the remainder of the new company will concentrate on pet related matters.  The world’s largest drug maker, Pfizer will retain 83 percent control interest of the new company.

Zoetis joins a growing group of pet and livestock related companies that include Merck, Eli Lilly, Monsanto, Mead Johnson, Idexx, VCA Antech and Germany’s Virbac.  Products manufactured by Zoetis will be available in 120 countries.  As the world’s largest producer of animal medicines and vaccines, Zoetis will control 19 percent of the world animal-health market.

Zoetis will concentrate on animal medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and genetic testing.  The animal offerings will cater to companion animals such as cats, dogs and horses while farm animal products and services will be dedicated to cattle, fish, poultry, sheep and pigs.