Help Ensure that Veterinarians Can Provide Complete Care to Their Animal Patients

Veterinarians treat multiple species of animals in a variety of settings. Unfortunately, the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) makes it illegal for veterinarians to take and use controlled substances outside of the locations where they are registered, often their clinics or homes.

This means that it is illegal for veterinarians to carry and use vital medications for pain management, anesthesia and euthanasia on farms, in house calls, in veterinary mobile clinics, or ambulatory response situations.

Veterinarians must be able to legally carry and use controlled substances for the health and welfare of the nation’s animals, to safeguard public safety and to protect the nation’s food supply.

Read more on the AVMA web site.

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Leave the Chocolate Out of Rover’s Celebrations

Holidays and chocolate seem to go together. For birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, and many other holidays — chocolate is everywhere.

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There is someplace chocolate should never be, and that’s in your dog. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and can kill them. And since a lot of the chocolate treats might be the kids’, make sure to pass along the message to them to never give chocolate to Rover.

Read more on the FDA web site.

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Testimonial: Spring Naturals Nourishes Diabetic Pup

“Love in a bag!” is exactly what Angie Morphis and her Irish Setter, Shayne O’Malley, from Greensboro, NC, think about the Spring Naturals line of Grain Free Dry Dog Food. After being diagnosed with diabetes Shayne went from 104 lbs. to 83 lbs. in just a matter of months. Since switching to a Spring Naturals diet, Shayne has successfully maintained his new weight and feel satisfied, all while assisting with keeping his diabetes under control.

Shayne O’Malley. Photo © Angie Morphis

Initially, Morphis decided to try a Spring Naturals sample bag after confirming it included all the healthy ingredients she was looking for. And when Shayne “woofed Spring Naturals down like a T-bone steak”, she immediately picked up a larger 4 lb. bag.

It’s especially important that Shayne loves his food because Morphis uses it as a distraction when it’s time for the pup’s insulin injections. “Every evening at 6 p.m., I pour two cups of the Spring Naturals chicken flavor grain free dry dog food into his bowl,” explains Morphis, “and while he is munching down I give him his evening injection. He is so engrossed in his ‘treat’ he doesn’t even realize I’m giving him a mean, old shot.” She continues on to describe the Spring Naturals product as a “healthy, nutritious and great tasting dog food that has made our lives better. For me, it’s love in a bag!”

Image courtesy Spring Naturals

Spring Naturals is proud of Morphis and Shayne’s experience because it proves that their commitment to providing nutritious and palatable food for pets is making a difference. Since the line was launched, the brand has been recognized multiple times by leading trade magazines and The Whole Dog Journal.

Check out the entire line of the Spring Naturals Dry Food, Wet Food and Treats for dogs, both in whole grain and grain free formulas in flavors, including chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, and more.

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New Dumb Friends League Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic Hits the Road

As part of its goal to offer more spay and neuter opportunities for pets and reduce pet overpopulation, the Dumb Friends League (Denver, Colorado 80231; Castle Rock, Colorado 80109) recently unveiled its newest spay/neuter mobile clinic, the Meow Mobile. The new Meow Mobile gives the Dumb Friends League even more mobility to offer spay and neuter services for cats in underserved areas of metro Denver at reduced fees, subsidized by Dumb Friends League donors.

The Meow Mobile is a 33-foot, custom spay/neuter clinic built by LaBoit, a manufacturer in Columbus, Ohio. This state-of-the-art surgery suite on wheels has two surgery tables, a surgery prep table, built-in kennels and a fully functional office work space with computer.

“With the new vehicle, we will be able to access more neighborhoods to perform more surgeries,” said Outreach Manager Tracy Koss. “Thanks to this generous gift, we’ve been able to design a state-of-the-art vehicle from the chassis up and get important mechanical upgrades, as well.”

The Meow Mobile is a gift from longtime Dumb Friends League supporter Henry Roath, a retired attorney with a big heart for animals. In 2001, his capital campaign gift helped establish the medical center at the Quebec Street shelter, where roughly 8,000 pets a year are sterilized prior to adoption and thousands more receive lifesaving care.

“Henry has been so generous over the years,” said Bob Rohde, president and CEO of the Dumb Friends League. “We are truly blessed to have his support, helping us put more needed resources into medical care for pets in our shelter and in underserved areas of metro Denver.”

Last year alone, the two Dumb Friends League mobile units spayed and neutered 6,635 owned cats and dogs, with the Meow Mobile sterilizing 1,800 cats alone. Since the outreach program began in 2005, more than 36,000 owned cats and dogs have been spayed or neutered.

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Updated Cumulative Veterinary Adverse Drug Experience Reports

In the spirit of openness and transparency, the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has created and posted these ADE summary reports for the public. CVM has posted the Cumulative ADE Summaries Report so that veterinarians and animal owners can have easily available access to information about signs that have been associated with drugs. These reports will be updated on a monthly basis. This summary report does not include electronic submissions. We are currently developing this capability and will include electronic submissions at some point in the future.

ADE Report Description

The primary purpose for maintaining the CVM ADE database is to provide an early warning or signaling system to CVM for adverse effects not detected during pre-market testing of FDA-approved animal drugs and for monitoring the performance of drugs not approved for use in animals. Information from these ADE reports is coded and entered into a computerized FDA/CVM ADE database. CVM scientists use the ADE database to make decisions about product safety which may include changes to the label or other regulatory action.

The Center’s adverse drug experience (ADE) process takes into consideration confounding factors such as:

• Dosage
• Concomitant drug use
• The medical and physical condition of animals at the time of treatment
• Environmental and management information
• Product defects
• Extra-label-uses

However, the specifics of these complex factors cannot be addressed in these reports.

The CVM ADE reporting system depends on detection of adverse clinical events by veterinarians and animal owners. For information on ADE reporting, see Veterinary Adverse Event Voluntary Reporting. For information on how CVM reviews an ADE, see Data Analysis for Adverse Drug Events Reported to CVM.

Read more on the CVM web site.

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Medication Errors Happen to Pets, Too

With pets, as with people, medication errors can happen. And just as it does with people, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looks out for mistakes that can harm animals. There are numerous opportunities throughout the treatment process for veterinarians and their staff, pharmacies, and pet owners to make medication errors that can harm pets.

Learn more about the kinds of medication errors that can occur in treating animals, and specific steps you can take to make sure that doesn’t happen to your pets.

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Oh Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Winter Pet Safety Tips from Montgomery County Humane Society

From the Montgomery County Humane Society (Rockville, Maryland 20850)

Clean Your Pet’s Paws Please

Paws can accumulate a conglomeration of snow, ice, salt, and ice-melting chemicals while your pet frolics outside. Your pet’s feet are extremely sensitive, and it is very important to clean their paws with a damp cloth to prevent frostbite, burns and potential poisoning. In a grooming effort, animals will lick their paws only to be poisoned by these low to moderate toxic snow and ice removers. Frostbite is primarily characterized by gray, white, or reddish skin and may have a scaly appearance.

Preventative Measure: To help protect paws, try coating them with a bit of cooking spray before walking in the blistery cold.

“Mommy, I Am Hungry….”

During cold months, animals (especially dogs) may need additional food because they burn extra calories trying to keep warm. Please pay close attention to your pet’s appetite and increase portions accordingly.

Cats + Fan Belts = Danger

Seeking warmth and shelter, cats crawl in parked vehicles and curl up near the engine. When the car is started, the outcome is tragic. This is one of the many reasons why the Montgomery County Humane Society recommends that cats should be indoors-only.

Preventative Measure: In order to prevent cats from being seriously injured or killed, honk the horn or knock on the hood several times before starting the vehicle.

Skidding Cars

Pets that run loose are in danger of being hit or killed by skidding vehicles. Snow and ice make it more difficult or impossible for drivers to stop their vehicles.

Preventative Measure: Keep your pets on a leash or in a fenced in yard.

Read more Winter Pet Safety Tips on the Montgomery County Humane Society web site.

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Cold Weather Poison Alert for Pets

From the Pets Without Parents Animal Shelter (Columbus, Ohio 43214)

It’s a fatal attraction: puddles of sweet-tasting antifreeze on driveways and garage floors are hard for thirsty pets to resist. Just one teaspoon of ethylene glycol — the toxic ingredient found in antifreeze — is deadly to a 10-pound cat, and about five tablespoons will kill a Labrador retriever if the antidote isn’t given in time, say veterinary toxicologists. “The most important thing to know about antifreeze is you have a really narrow window for treatment,” said veterinarian Dr. Justine Lee, associate director of Pet Poison Helpline, a call center staffed by animal health care professionals who provide treatment advice to owners nationwide. The antidote must be given to dogs within eight hours after ingestion and cats within three hours, she said. Otherwise, the pet’s chances of survival are slim.

The most common source of ethylene glycol is automotive engine antifreeze or coolant. The toxic substance is also found in some air conditioners, imported snow globes, paints, solvents, and color film processing solutions. Cabin owners in colder regions of the country frequently put antifreeze in toilets to prevent the pipes from freezing while the vacation home is unoccupied.  Initially, animals appear drunk after imbibing antifreeze. Warning signs include staggering, lethargy, increased thirst, vomiting and possible seizures. However, that drunken state is short-lived, and it may appear as though the pet is recovering when he or she is actually in grave danger: Internal damage is worsening as abnormal crystals form in the kidney, ultimately causing the organs to shut down. Once an animal has already gone into kidney failure, there is almost nothing you can do. If caught in time, the prognosis for recovery is excellent. A blood test confirms if an animal has antifreeze poisoning and whether treatment is needed. Owners should expect a 72-hour hospital stay for poisoned pets, along with a high veterinary bill.

A better alternative is to protect your pet from accidental exposure in the first place by immediately washing antifreeze spills off driveways and keeping automotive products high on shelves out of reach. More than a dozen states — including Arizona, California and New Jersey — now require manufacturers to add a bittering agent to antifreeze to deter children and pets from drinking it. However, the ASPCA says there’s no published data demonstrating that adding a bittering agent to antifreeze effectively works in repelling dogs, and such products may give pet owners a false sense of security. When using any winterizing or antifreeze product, clean up well and keep all products away from pets.

For more information visit peteducation.com or contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (800) 213-6680.

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Holiday pet tips from the Dumb Friends League to keep your holiday merry and bright

From the Dumb Friends League (Denver, Colorado 80231)

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season in full swing, there can be lots of extra temptations around the house for curious cats and dogs. Fortunately, with a few extra steps, you can help keep your pet safe and enjoy a holiday full of cheer.

Here are some general tips when it comes to decorating your home:

• Make sure to pick up ornament hooks, tinsel and ribbons.
• Keep lit candles out of your pet’s reach, high on a counter or table so they cannot be knocked over.
• Popular holiday plants and flowers, including poinsettias and mistletoe berries, are poisonous to pets.
• Keep pets in a quiet room when having guests over, especially if your animals get nervous around strangers or crowds.
• ALWAYS make sure that your pets have proper identification—such as a collar/ID tag and a microchip ID implant—in case they do escape or become lost.

If you have a Christmas tree, keep these tips in mind:

• Beware of gifts under the tree that might contain unsafe food items – especially chocolate.
• Make sure to keep the water stand covered, as pine sap mixed with water can be toxic to pets.
• If your cat is tempted to play with ornaments, decorate the bottom third of your Christmas tree with non-breakable plastic or wooden ornaments.
• Consider decorating only the top two-thirds of your tree to eliminate the temptation altogether.

Like people, pets are drawn to food! If you are planning on hosting any parties, remember these safety tips:

• It’s best to give your pet appropriate food instead of table scraps.

• Keep holiday food—particularly chocolate, raisins and onions—away from your pets. They can lead to illness and potentially be fatal.
• No hungry dogs near the turkey! Turkey bones can easily choke pets.
• If your pet does ingest any of these, contact your veterinarian immediately.

About the Dumb Friends League

As the leading animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region, the Dumb Friends League has been helping pets and people in the Denver metro area and beyond for 101 years. The Dumb Friends League has two shelter locations: its main shelter at 2080 S. Quebec St. in Denver and the Buddy Center at 4556 Castleton Court in Castle Rock. For more information about the Dumb Friends League, visit the Dumb Friends League web site or call (303) 751-5772.

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Thanksgiving and Pets

From the Rutland County Humane Society (Pittsford, Vermont 05763)

Will your home be busy and have lots of people coming and going this holiday?  Make sure in the confusion of people coming and going your pet doesn’t look for a chance to escape.  Never leave toddlers or babies alone with a pet and if your pet isn’t happy around children make sure he has a “safe” area where he can get away from them.  And while a piece of lean turkey won’t hurt your pet, other holiday foods can cause gastrointestinal upset and some may be toxic.

The Rutland County Humane Society has a variety of programs to benefit the people and animals of Rutland County.

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