With headquarters in Cuijk, the Netherlands, AUV Veterinary Services is a distributor of pharmaceuticals, pet foods, small equipment and disposables to more than 2,000 veterinarians in Belgium and the Netherlands. They also operate a consulting business for vet practices and an educational service for veterinarians and their staff. AUV Veterinary Services reported net sales for 2011 of approximately $270.4 million and has 200 employees.

Stanley Bergman, chairman and CEO of Melville, N.Y.-based Henry Schein, shared, “AUV will provide Henry Schein entry into the Dutch and Belgian animal health markets as the category leader. This important addition will further our Pan-European strategy of providing animal health practitioners across the continent with the products and services needed to operate more efficient practices and provide high quality care.”

The transaction between Henry Schein and AUV Veterinary Services is pending regulatory approval, with the deal expected to close later in the quarter. Financial terms of the transaction were not revealed.

The pharmaceutical manufacturing business belong to AUV Group will be sold this month to United Kingdom company, Dechra Veterinary Products. AUV Group is privately held and has a major stake in the Netherlands-based pet health insurance plan, Petplan, and its holding company, Veterfina BV.

Henry Schein, Inc., is touted as the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners. With their five businesses (dental, medical, animal health, international, and technology), they serve almost 775,000 customers worldwide including animal health practices.

For more information about Henry Schein, Inc., visit www.henryschein.com.