Exhibit 99

Patterson Companies Reports Improved Third Quarter Sales and Earnings

St. Paul, MN—February 23, 2006—Patterson Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq NMS: PDCO) today reported consolidated sales of $682,402,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 ended January 28, an increase of 7% from $638,005,000 in the year-earlier quarter. Excluding the impact of two acquisitions earlier in fiscal 2006, internally-generated sales rose approximately 4%. The third quarter of fiscal 2006 contained one less selling day than the year-earlier period, which reduced consolidated sales growth by an estimated one to two percentage points. Net income increased 8% to $54,004,000 or $0.39 per diluted share, from $50,137,000 or $0.36 per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2005.

Patterson Dental, Patterson’s largest business, reported sales growth of 6% to $531,884,000 in the third quarter. The September 2005 acquisition of Accu-Bite, Inc., a Michigan-based dental distributor, accounted for approximately three percentage points of Patterson Dental’s third quarter sales growth.

• Sales of consumable dental supplies and printed office products increased 12% in the third quarter. Excluding Accu-Bite, consumable sales were up 6%. Patterson Dental’s sales force grew to 1,542 at January 28, which includes the addition of Accu-Bite’s sales representatives.

• Sales of dental equipment and software were virtually unchanged in the third quarter. During this period, strong sales growth of digital radiography equipment and related software, including the line of CAESY patient education software, largely offset flat sales of basic equipment and modestly lower sales of CEREC 3D^® dental restorative systems. This portion of Patterson Dental’s business was confronted by a difficult year-over-year comparison, since sales of basic and new-technology equipment were very strong in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, having increased 30% from the third quarter of 2004.

• Sales of other services and products, consisting primarily of parts, technical service, software support, insurance e-claims and equipment contracts increased 13% in the third quarter.

Sales of the Webster Veterinary unit increased 14% in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 to $80,763,000. As expected, the December 2005 acquisition of Intra Corp, one of the nation’s leading developers of veterinary practice management software marketed under the IntraVet brand name, had a nominal impact on Webster’s third quarter sales growth. Sales of Patterson Medical, Patterson’s rehabilitation supply and equipment unit, increased 3% in the third quarter to $69,755,000. Excluding the impact of currency translations, Patterson Medical’s sales rose approximately 5%.

James W. Wiltz, president and chief executive officer, commented: “Patterson’s improved third quarter results were paced by continued robust sales of dental consumables and another strong performance by our veterinary business. Moreover, we believe the underlying strength of our dental equipment and software business was demonstrated by its ability to virtually equal its exceptionally strong sales performance in last year’s third quarter. We have implemented programs aimed at returning dental equipment sales growth to more historic norms. Equipment sales are showing signs of strengthening at this early point in the fourth quarter, but this improvement is not occurring as quickly as anticipated.”

He continued: “Our Webster unit is continuing to benefit from the expansion of its geographic marketplace through acquisitions and internal start-ups, in addition to a pharmaceutical distribution agreement with Pfizer. We are particularly encouraged by the strong sales growth of veterinary equipment during the quarter, reflecting the growing positive impact of Webster’s emphasis on this portion of its business. Webster’s equipment initiative was reinforced by the acquisition of the IntraVet software product line, which positions our veterinary unit to optimize the

benefits of digital radiography equipment and thus offer veterinarians a compelling, value-added technology solution. Finally, the third quarter performance of Patterson Medical was consistent with our forecast. This unit’s new management team is evaluating current operations and implementing new sales and marketing programs that are expected to result in stronger growth during the coming fiscal year.”

Wiltz added: “Patterson’s performance in fiscal 2006 has fallen short of our standards, but the corrective actions that we are taking make us optimistic about our future. We believe dental equipment remains one of our strongest long-term opportunities; the momentum of our veterinary unit is continuing to grow; and the process of strengthening Patterson Medical’s performance is well underway.”

Patterson is forecasting earnings of $0.40 to $0.42 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 ending April 29, 2006. As a result, the Company reduced its full-year earnings guidance to $1.42 to $1.44 per diluted share from $1.44 to $1.46 per diluted share.

About Patterson Companies, Inc.

Patterson Companies, Inc. is a value-added distributor serving the dental, companion-pet veterinarian and rehabilitation supply markets.

Dental Market

As Patterson’s largest business, Patterson Dental provides a virtually complete range of consumable dental products, equipment and software, turnkey digital solutions and value-added services to dentists and dental laboratories throughout North America.

Veterinary Market

Webster Veterinary is the nation’s second largest distributor of consumable veterinary supplies, equipment and software, diagnostic products, vaccines and pharmaceuticals to companion-pet veterinary clinics.

Rehabilitation Market

Patterson Medical is the world’s leading distributor of rehabilitation supplies and non-wheelchair assistive patient products to the physical and occupational therapy markets. The unit’s global customer base includes hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and dealers.

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This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company’s ability to control. The Company cautions shareholders and prospective investors that the following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements: competition within the dental, veterinary, and rehabilitative and assistive living supply industries; changes in the economics of dentistry, including reduced growth in expenditures by private dental insurance plans, the effects of economic conditions and the effects of healthcare reform, which may affect future per capita expenditures for dental services and the ability and willingness of dentists to invest in high-technology products; the effects of healthcare related legislation and regulation which may affect expenditures or reimbursements for rehabilitative and assistive products; changes in the economics of the veterinary supply market, including reduced growth in per capita expenditures for veterinary services and reduced growth in the number of households owning pets; the ability of the Company to maintain satisfactory relationships with its sales force; unforeseen operating risks; risks associated with the dependence on manufacturers of the Company’s products; and the ability of the Company to successfully integrate the recent acquisitions into its existing business. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary language set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For additional information contact:

R. Stephen Armstrong	Richard G. Cinquina
Executive Vice President & CFO	Equity Market Partners
651/686-1600	904/415-1415

Third Quarter Conference Call and Replay

Patterson’s third quarter earnings conference call will start at 10:00 a.m. Eastern today. Investors can listen to a live webcast of the conference call at www.pattersoncompanies.com. Listeners should go to this website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software. The conference call will be archived on Patterson’s web site. A replay of the third quarter conference call can be heard through March 2, 2006 by dialing 1-303-590-3000 and providing the 11054185 confirmation code.

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except for earnings per share)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	January 28, 2006			January 29, 2005			January 28, 2006			January 29, 2005
Net sales	$	682,402		$	638,005		$	1,919,946		$	1,794,185
Gross profit		240,969			227,328			667,427			635,924
Operating expenses		152,423			145,549			436,541			416,484
Operating income		88,546			81,779			230,886			219,440
Other expense, net		(2,279	)		(1,681	)		(4,678	)		(6,241	)
Income before taxes		86,267			80,098			226,208			213,199
Income taxes		32,263			29,961			84,602			79,743
Net income	$	54,004		$	50,137		$	141,606		$	133,456
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.39		$	0.37		$	1.03		$	0.98
Diluted	$	0.39		$	0.36		$	1.02		$	0.96
Shares:
Basic		137,804			136,924			137,552			136,728
Diluted		139,275			138,960			139,214			138,788
Gross margin		35.3	%		35.6	%		34.8	%		35.4	%
Operating expenses as a % of net sales		22.3	%		22.8	%		22.7	%		23.2	%
Operating income as a % of net sales		13.0	%		12.8	%		12.1	%		12.2	%
Effective tax rate		37.4	%		37.4	%		37.4	%		37.4	%
Return on net sales		7.9	%		7.9	%		7.4	%		7.4	%

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

	January 28, 2006		April 30, 2005
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and short-term investments	$	187,991	$	245,931
Receivables, net		312,954		317,168
Inventory		242,573		206,405
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		30,453		30,533
Total current assets		773,971		800,037
Property and equipment, net		125,019		97,178
Goodwill and other intangible assets		765,257		746,079
Other		156,523		42,007
Total Assets	$	1,820,770	$	1,685,301
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	145,236	$	160,954
Other accrued liabilities		140,121		141,307
Current maturities of long-term debt		20,027		20,027
Total current liabilities		305,384		322,288
Long-term debt		285,022		301,530
Other non-current liabilities		54,162		46,411
Total liabilities		644,568		670,229
Stockholders’ equity		1,176,202		1,015,072
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	1,820,770	$	1,685,301

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	January 28, 2006			January 29, 2005			January 28, 2006			January 29, 2005
Consolidated Net Sales
Consumable and printed products	$	406,447		$	365,408		$	1,224,797		$	1,122,411
Equipment and software		227,771			229,349			554,558			542,008
Other		48,184			43,248			140,591			129,766
Total	$	682,402		$	638,005		$	1,919,946		$	1,794,185
Dental Supply
Consumable and printed products	$	273,512		$	244,054		$	797,040		$	740,653
Equipment and software		215,146			217,521			520,858			509,104
Other		43,226			38,221			126,122			114,574
Total	$	531,884		$	499,796		$	1,444,020		$	1,364,331
Rehabilitation Supply
Consumable and printed products	$	59,397		$	55,960		$	194,984		$	185,824
Equipment		6,942			8,386			21,686			24,086
Other		3,416			3,162			10,435			10,048
Total	$	69,755		$	67,508		$	227,105		$	219,958
Veterinary Supply
Consumable and printed products	$	73,538		$	65,394		$	232,773		$	195,934
Equipment and software		5,683			3,442			12,014			8,818
Other		1,542			1,865			4,034			5,144
Total	$	80,763		$	70,701		$	248,821		$	209,896
Other (Expense) Income, net
Interest income	$	1,106		$	1,533		$	4,681		$	4,034
Interest expense		(3,470	)		(3,303	)		(9,656	)		(10,852	)
Other		85			89			297			577
	$	(2,279	)	$	(1,681	)	$	(4,678	)	$	(6,241	)

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended
	January 28, 2006			January 29, 2005
Operating activities:
Net income	$	141,606		$	133,456
Depreciation & amortization		16,967			20,239
Stock-based compensation		570			—
Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquired		(43,310	)		37,582
Net cash provided by operating activities		115,833			191,277
Investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment, net		(36,721	)		(22,590	)
Acquisitions		(39,228	)		(72,855	)
Distribution agreement		(100,000	)		—
Sale (purchase) of investments, net		11,377			(4,207	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(164,572	)		(99,652	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		2,176			(49,442	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	(46,563	)	$	42,183