Bill says mandatory veterinary prescription writing will lower cost of pet ownership, encourage competition.
Much to the dismay of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the veterinary community in general, a new Fairness to Pet Owners Act has been introduced in Congress. The bipartisan bill—HR 4023—takes the position that the veterinary clinic is not the best place to buy pet medication and aims to “promote competition” by encouraging pet owners to comparison shop for their pets’ medications. HR 4023 would require veterinarians to provide clients with written prescriptions for domesticated household animals regardless of whether or not such a prescription is requested by the client. Further, veterinarians would be prohibited from charging a prescription-writing fee or asking clients to sign a liability waiver related to writing the prescription. Introduced by Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah)—who sponsored the last Fairness to Pet Owners Act in 2012, then HR 1406—and co-sponsored by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) Feb. 10, the bill is currently awaiting review by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The AVMA’s Governmental Relations Committee says it is reviewing the latest iteration of the bill. Absent from the new version is the requirement to provide written notification of a client’s purchasing options along with the prescription. Added to HR 4023, however, is an exemption for drugs administered while providing acute care—although Ashley Morgan, DVM, assistant director of the AVMA’s Governmental Relations Division, says the AVMA is unclear on what “acute care” means exactly. The AVMA has yet to issue an official stance, but the association issued an action alert encouraging its members to oppose the bill, saying, “It is burdensome and unnecessary to require a written prescription be provided, regardless of whether or not the client is having the prescription filled by the veterinarian. Clients already have the flexibility to fill a prescription at their veterinary clinic or off-site at a pharmacy of their choice.” Brakke Consulting senior consultant John Volk says the legislation basically encourages people to consider sources of pet medications other than a veterinarian. “If a veterinarian is obligated to write a script and tell [clients] they can fill it there or somewhere else, in fact the veterinarian is compelling them to look elsewhere and compare in a way that they aren’t now,” Volk says. Based on a study conducted by Brakke, he says, veterinarians may be vulnerable in this area. “Only 34 percent [of pet owners] would only buy from the veterinarian regardless,” Volk says. “We’ve got some pretty hard data that if given the choice there’s a good chance veterinarians are going to lose a fair amount of business.” At the same time, he continues, veterinarians still have the advantage of convenience. And there is already prevalent advertising directing pet owners to buy pet medications at online pharmacies or retail stores. “They’ve already advertised that they have these products,” Volk says. “There’s no shortage of awareness from a pet owner’s standpoint.” In a market of consumers who are very much aware of their options, the AVMA’s Morgan says the bill simply places an onerous regulatory burden on veterinarians. In fact, the AVMA led veterinarians and veterinary students to speak with legislators about the negative impacts of the bill during its annual Legislative Fly-In Feb. 9-11. They hope HR 4023 will meet the same fate as 2012’s HR 1406—it never made it out of committee. Morgan believes a helpful addition to the debate over mandatory prescription writing might be a promised but as-yet-unpublished report from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Gleaned from testimony and discussion that took place during an October 2012 public workshop, the report would provide the FTC’s findings on and recommendations for competition and consumer protection regarding the pet medication industry. Veterinarians and AVMA leadership participated as panelists during the workshop. “It seems premature to consider a ‘solution,’ such as this sweeping federal mandate, prior to publication of the report and clear identification of whether a problem actually exists,” the AVMA states in its action alert. U.S. House of Representatives Veterinary Medicine Caucus member Rep. Kurt Schrader, DVM (D-Ore.), agrees. “I think it would have been useful to wait for the FTC’s findings before introducing legislation,” Schrader says. “My principle concern has always been that this bill could lead to violations of doctor-patient confidentiality and allow uninformed retailers to make decisions about medication protocols without the patient or the doctor’s consent.” The AVMA and other state associations, including the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, have cited concerns about retail pharmacy mistakes when it comes to veterinary prescriptions. And while supporters of the bill claim that pet owners meet resistance when asking veterinarians to provide prescriptions, Morgan says the AVMA’s Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics state that veterinarians should honor a client’s request for a written prescription and a majority of states have a policy or law requiring it. “As a veterinarian for over 35 years, I always provided my clients a prescription upon request, and with veterinarians routinely polling as one of the most trustworthy professions in the country, it is difficult to understand why this bill is remotely necessary,” Schrader says. “To me this is a solution in search of a problem.” It’s yet to be seen if this session’s Fairness to Pet Owners Act will have any more success than its predecessor. It may be telling that many co-sponsors of the original Fairness to Pet Owners Act—Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.), Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.), Rep. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.), Rep. James Moran (D-Va.) and Rep. Walter Jones Jr. (R-N.C.)—are not listed as cosponsors of HR 4023. There is also no Senate version of the bill. By: Julie Scheidegger
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A pet parrot in India has been credited with helping catch the man who murdered its owner, a relative said Thursday.
The owner, a 55-year-old woman, was stabbed to death and her jewellery stolen at her home in the northern city of Agra on February 20. The woman's relatives grew suspicious when her caged bird became agitated whenever her nephew, Ashutosh Goswami, was in the home or his name was mentioned. The family started calling out different names to the parrot, who stayed silent until the nephew's name was used, said the woman's brother-in-law Ajay Sharma. "Whenever the name of Ashutosh was taken, the parrot shrieked and behaved abnormally and gave sufficient indication of (him) being involved," Sharma said. "This information was passed to police," Sharma told AFP. The nephew, 35, who also had a bite mark on his hand from the woman's dog, was arrested and charged on Tuesday along with an accomplice after the murder weapon and the jewellery were recovered, a local police officer said. Shalabh Mathur, senior superintendent of Agra police, acknowledged the bird called "Heera" -- which means diamond in Hindi -- proved useful. "We got a lot of help from the parrot to zero in on the murderer," Mathur was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency. The Whippet is one of the most popular of the hunting dogs. A member of the sighthound class of hunting dogs, it is bred to hunt by sight. The Whippet's keen wide range of vision gives it the ability to zero in on its prey, whereupon it breaks into a fast run to apprehend it. What makes this breed truly outstanding is its particular affection for humans. Athletic and enthusiastic while at exercise or play, the Whippet is docile and tranquil at home, and especially patient with children and friendly with guests.
Physical Characteristics The Whippet possesses a lean body with long legs, enabling it to run at a very high pace to cover a lot of ground within a very short time with the smallest amount of energy expended. They have a low to the ground pace that is free-moving and vigorous. Their double-suspension gallop and flexible body language enable them to run easily at a speed that is much faster than any other breed. In full motion, the Whippet's body is fully extended, with all four feet off the ground. Indeed, this type of suspension gait enables the Whippet to virtually fly over land. Standing at an ideal height of 18-22 inches, the Whippet has a medium-sized, clear curved body, which is square-proportioned, with a slightly tucked in waist, and a bit longer than taller. The neck is long and muscular, supporting a long, slender skull and muzzle. These are the essential physical characteristics of the Whippet. Highly agile, these dogs can quickly change direction as needed. Always alert, Whippets have a very keen expression to their face, an effect that is quite pleasing. The coat is close to the body, accentuating its elegant and proud carriage. The Whippet's short coat and skin type make it a good fit for people with mild allergies. This breed produces a light oil on its skin, resulting in less dander and minimal shedding. Personality and Temperament The Whippet is one of the more obedient breeds, known for its ease in adapting to home life. Ease of training, gentle temperament, and a friendly nature make the Whippet an ideal companion dog. Best suited for energetic families who can make the time to play with them regularly, the Whippet repays this attention with affection and a high degree of faithfulness to their masters. Whippets quite enjoy a quite evening relaxing at the foot of their masters, as well as being in the company of vivacious, though not overly rambunctious, children. Running outdoors freely is one of the Whippet's favorite activities, but care must be taken to protect them from areas that are open to street thoroughfares. Care Whippets do not require a great deal of maintenance. However, as an athletic breed, they do need to be taken out for exercise regularly, with a combination of running and walking. Because they are natural sprinters, they cannot run for prolonged distances, but they thrive when they are able to run with some freedom and space to get to their top speeds. These dogs love to play in the snow but cannot stand cold weather for a long time and cannot be kept as outdoor pets owing to their short coats and lack of heat retaining body fats. The main part of their time should be in a warm environment, with an access to a soft bed inside the house. Regular grooming should be part of overall care, though Whippets do not tend have the typical body odor that is associated with dogs, again owing to their short, fine coat. Health Whippets generally have a life-span of about 12 to 15 years. Like many sighthounds, they are sensitive, and prone to barbiturate anesthesia and lacerations. Some of the problems that can occasionally be seen in this breed are eye defects and deafness. Eye problems are a major health concern for this breed. Hence, eye tests should be part of their regular health screenings History and Background The most popular of the English sighthounds, the Whippet is also hallmarked as a true racer. However, they have failed to reach the level of popularity the Greyhounds have in the field of racing. Having a keen eye, developed sense of smell, and flexible body, the Whippet can easily track its target, run it down, and deliver it safely to its master. Whippets are directly related to the Greyhound, and are though to be a crossing of Greyhound and various hunting terriers. Their development is thought to have begun in earnest in the mid to late 1800s, when the demand for a breed with the abilities of a Greyhound became more pronounced. Most working class families could not afford to keep Greyhounds, however, so the smaller, less demanding Whippet filled that need. The Whippet quickly proved itself useful to the family larder. Expert at coursing (hunting) for rabbits and other small game, the Whippet grew in popularity, and the breed was fine tuned over the years, gaining breed recognition from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1888, and The Kennel Club of England in 1891. For a time Whippets were also employed for entertainment purposes, especially after the public's fancy with the more barbaric sports of bull baiting and dog fighting passed. Their sight and speed made them sporting fun for enclosed hunting games, whereby peasants competed for the largest number of rabbits that could be snapped up by their Whippets within a closed area. Called "snap dog" contests, even this relatively composed sport drew the ire of animal protectionists, who felt that it was unsporting to enclose the rabbits for hunting, giving them no hope for escape. During the historical Industrial Revolution the Whippet began to be bred in larger numbers. This was mainly due to the fact that rural workers who were moving to the industrialized areas needed a mode of entertainment for themselves. Referred to as the poor man's race horse, Whippets were used for "rag racing" contests by coal miners and factory workers. Over time, they came to be more commonly kept by families as companion dogs rather than solely for entertainment. Similar to the program for low-income or disabled seniors, Meals on Wheels for Pets offers assistance to people who are struggling to feed not only themselves but also care for their pets, sometimes the only companionship they have.
We know that the human-animal bond can be very strong. During Hurricane Katrina, many people would not leave their homes because they couldn't take their pets with them. They opted to face a very dangerous situation so as not to abandon their pets. Situations like these continue, so much so that when historic floods hit my part of Colorado last year, the National Guard made a point of evacuating people with their pets. They realized it was the only way that many people would leave. But what would you do if you could not afford pet food? In the past, many people were left with only one option — taking their pets to the local animal shelter. However, these facilities are overrun and often must euthanize healthy animals. According to the Humane Society of the United States, three to four million dogs and cats are euthanized each year. In recent years, workers from Meals on Wheels have begun to notice that their clients were giving some or all of their food to their pets. This can result in the person not getting the proper nutrition he or she needs and may be dangerous for the pets as well. Owners are often unaware that some human foods can be toxic to pets. Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chocolate, avocados, and macadamia nuts are just some of the foods that can be deadly to animals. Fatty foods (like some cuts of meats and bacon grease) can cause problems ranging from mild digestive tract upset to very serious cases of pancreatitis. Bones are especially dangerous to dogs in that some types (like chicken or turkey bones) can splinter, potentially causing serious damage to the mouth, esophagus, or intestinal tract. Bones can also cause gastrointestinal obstructions. Digestive tract upset may occur when dogs eat a variety of different foods as they tend to do better on a consistent diet. Over the past 15 years or so, several animal groups have partnered with the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) to provide pet food in addition to feeding seniors. In 2006, MOWAA established a program called “We All Love Our Pets” (WALOP), a national initiative to help provide high quality meals for both seniors and their pets. People who qualify for Meals on Wheels will likely qualify to receive pet food as well. Most of the pet food comes from donation bins in pet stores and markets. Organizations and individuals can also give money to Meals on Wheels. There is never enough food in these programs, and donations are always welcome. Other sources for pet food for low income owners include pet food banks and pantries, which are found in almost every major city in the United States. Additionally, Pets of the Homeless is a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides pet food and veterinary care in communities across the United States and Canada. This group states that 5-10 percent of the 3.5 million homeless people in the U.S. have pets. Feeding their pets is one way to help the homeless. As the cost of food skyrockets and the average median income remains the same, it gets more difficult to feed ourselves and our pets. These programs help keep owners and pets together during the difficult times when we need each other the most. One of the questions that veterinarians hear most frequently after diagnosing a patient with cancer is, “Why?” Owners usually don’t mean this in the existential sense, but they do want to know what factors contributed to their pets coming down with this most dreaded of diseases.
Unfortunately, the answer is usually something along the lines of “We just don’t know” or the equally unsatisfying “It’s probably some combination of genetics, environmental factors, and bad luck.” There are times when a more specific answer can be offered. For example, with injection site sarcomas or cancers associated with retroviral (FIV and FeLV) infections, but those instances tend to be the exceptions rather than the rule. In the future, veterinarians may be better able to answer the “why” question. Scientists at Colorado State University (my hometown University — go Rams!) have discovered a family of cancer-causing viruses in several U.S. populations of bobcats, mountain lions, and domestic cats, raising questions about whether these previously undetected viruses could be the root cause of some cancers found in housecats. According to a press release about the research: Scientists tested nearly 300 individual blood samples from cats in three geographic regions in Florida, Colorado, and California [animal shelters across the United States collected and shared blood samples from domestic cats]. They found significant numbers of each species infected, indicating widespread distribution of the newly identified viruses, which are in the same family of gammaherpesviruses that can cause lymphoma and Kaposi’s sarcoma in people, especially those with HIV-AIDS and other immune-suppressing conditions. It is not yet known whether the novel feline viruses are associated with diseases in bobcats, mountain lions, and pet cats, but the link between gammaherpesviruses and disease in other species clearly raises the possibility, scientists said. “We think there’s a chance these viruses could be doing something similar in cats,” said Ryan Troyer, a research scientist in CSU’s Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology. “Discovery of viruses and virus transmission is important because it can help us understand common and emerging diseases in animals and people. That’s the first step to stopping infectious disease.” The route of transmission remains unknown, but could occur when the animals fight in the wild, Troyer said. Interestingly, each of the three viruses was found predominantly in one feline species (the bobcat virus was also identified in some mountain lions). The domestic cat “version” was detected in 16% of samples from across all the study sites. Infected cats tended to be male and older than uninfected cats, which fits with the theory that fighting is an important mode of transmission. The importance of this work remains to be seen, but the identification of three new feline viruses from a family known to cause cancer and other serious diseases in many species may help explain why some cats develop cancer and others remain healthy. Med-Vet International Issues Nationwide Recall of Veterinary 1/2cc U-40 Insulin Syringes Due to Mismarked Syringe Barrels February 20, 2014 - On Feb. 14, 2014 , Med-Vet International initiated a nationwide recall of 140 boxes of 1/2cc U-40 insulin syringes. The syringes have been found to be labeled with 40 units per 1/2cc syringe and they should be marked with only 20 units per 1/2cc, which potentially could result in lower than prescribed doses of insulin. Animals receiving subtherapeutic doses of insulin may exhibit signs and symptoms consistent with hyperglycemia including, but not limited to dehydration, increase in thirst, increase in urination, malaise or lethargy, and urinary tract infection in addition to increasing the risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis. The long term failure to adequately control blood glucose levels can result in vision problems, neuropathy, and damage to the pancreas. Consumers who have these insulin syringes should quarantine all products subject to recall. In addition, if you may have further distributed this product, please identify the customers at once and notify them at once of this product recall and to quarantine the product. Recalled 1/2cc U-40 insulin syringes were manufactured May, 2012 and distributed from Jan 2013 to Feb 2014 to consumers, animal hospitals, animal shelters, farmers, and veterinarians. The following 1/2cc U-40 insulin syringes have been recalled:
Med-Vet International voluntarily recalled the syringes after becoming aware of the mislabeling. Med- Vet International has notified the FDA of this recall action. No injuries have been reported to date. Med-Vet International is notifying its distributors and customers by email and recall letter and is arranging for return of all recalled 1/2cc U-40 insulin syringes. Med-Vet International distributed the 1/2cc U-40 insulin syringes nationally to veterinarians and customers. Consumers with questions may contact the company via telephone at 1-800-544-7521 between the hours of 9am and 5pm central time. Consumer may also contact the company via e-mail at customerservice@shopmedvet.com. A stray dog found himself in a lucky situation when he wandered into the Milwaukee Brewers spring training camp in Phoenix, Arizona. The lost pup showed up at the team’s training camp on Feb 17th looking a little grubby and worn down. Staff members decided to post photos of the canine in an attempt to reunite him with his owner. Unfortunately, no one claimed the dog. Turns out he had already stolen the hearts of the players and staff, so they decided to keep the homeless dog. According to the team’s blog, the canine was named Hank, after legendary Milwaukee Brewers player Hank Aaron. Hank was taken to the vet where he received his shots and a bath. He even got to spend a day at the Team Store where he received plenty of team gear and got his very own team jersey; a dog-sized jersey, of course. He now spends most the day roaming the offices and playing fields, greeting players and staff. He can also be seen on the field with the team during their workouts. At the end of day, the lucky pup goes home with different members of the organization. Hank is now a valuable member of the team and is even being called the Brewers’ unofficial spring training mascot. An Alaskan Husky is not in actuality a breed of dog, but rather a category of dog. All breeds of highly efficient sled dogs fall under the Alaskan Husky category, as the Alaskan is the breed of choice for world-class dog sled racing and sprint competition. The majority of Alaskan Huskies have pointy ears and a tail that curls over their backs.
Physical Characteristics Alaskan Huskies resemble Siberian Huskies in appearance. Males range from 40 to 60 pounds and females average 35 to 48 pounds. Because the Alaskan Husky is more a general category than a strict breed, it comes in any color and any pattern of markings. The Alaskan Husky is larger and leaner than the similar looking Siberian Husky. Where Siberians often have blue eyes, or a combination of blue and brown, Alaskans’ eyes are generally brown. It has good vision and a strong nose due to the inclusion of sight-hound in their genetics. Swimming and retrieving do not come naturally to the Alaskan Husky, but it can jump up to six feet from a sitting position. Personality and Temperament The Alaskan Husky tends to vary as much in temperament as it does in appearance. It is often affectionate with people as well as other dogs, and is are known for their enthusiastic cuddling. Though the Alaskan Husky is usually thought to be a "jumper," it usually jumps on people out of affection, not dominance. The Alaskan Husky is loyal but fiercely independent, and will not stick close if let off-leash. It is an adventurer at heart and loves car rides and changes in routine. It can be willful and mischievous, and difficult to housebreak without a firm hand leading them. If you don’t have a lot of time to spend with a dog, an Alaskan Husky will not be the breed for you. Care An Alaskan Husky’s coat tends to be self-cleaning, much like the similar Alaskan Malamute or Siberian Husky. Therefore, it doesn’t tend to get stinky and only need infrequent bathing. Shedding occurs once a year as a seasonal event during spring; it does not lose hair year-round. The Alaskan Husky is extremely energetic, with seemingly unquenchable endurance. It does not do well in an urban apartment environment as it need a constant source of exercise. A spacious home with a large yard is ideal for the Alaskan Husky. Health The Alaskan Husky lives approximately 12 to 15 years. It is generally considere to be healthy breed, but tends to fall victim to certain strains of genetic health problems similar to those found in purebreds. These may include progressive retinal atrophy, which culminates in blindness and hypothyroidism, and a congenital deformation of the larynx, which causes the dog to make a wheezing sound when breathing; earning Alaskan Huskies the nickname "wheezers." History and Background The Alaskan Husky, though not a recognized breed on its own, originates from the cross-breeding of multiple other breeds. The purpose of breeding an Alaskan Husky is to create the best working dog possible, so the bloodlines will depend on the specific purpose the Alaskan Husky will be used for. A racing sled dog, for instance, may be any combination of husky and purebred pointer or hound, depending on the need for distance or sprinter speeds. Originally, Alaskan Huskies were developed by mushers (the human dog sled racers) from the different bloodlines of native Inuit dogs. Some of the main breeds used now in developing Alaskan Huskies include the Eskimo dog, Siberian Husky, Greyhound, and German Shorthaired Pointer. Let Fido Find His 'Inner Dog'
We just love to take our dogs with us wherever we go. In the car, to the beach, for walks, a swim. And now, there’s something else you can do with your dog -- Yoga! Dubbed "Doga," it seems this new craze is taking the nation by storm. There are books and DVDs and even classes to be had … Getting "Down" with Downward-Facing Dog Strange as it may seem, yoga for dogs makes sense. Just watch how your canine buddy stretches -- it's as if they were built for it. And it’s not only good for Rover’s health, flexibility, and relaxation, but yours, too. Loving the Limelight It should come as no surprise that your dog will love the attention a doga class offers. An instructor (or you) will watch his every move and guide him gently into the proper positions. And even if your dog isn't down with the doga, he'll still have a good time peacefully checking out all the ladies in the room. Plus, he'll be with you -- his favorite person in the whole wide world. Reaching Equilibrium We all lead super busy lives, and sometimes it’s hard to squeeze in exercise and quality "together" time with your favorite pooch. That’s why Doga is perfect. You get to workout, relax, your dog gets to exercise, and best of all, you both get to spend time ... together! If Doga is something you’re interested in, check and see if there’s a class offered in your neighborhood. Or, pop your favorite yoga workout into the DVD player, get your dog, and just start doing it. You’ll be surprised how quickly both of you become relaxed. Doga. It’s not just for dogs. |
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