Farewell to a Dear Friend; the Katrina Question; and New Info re Advantix
Each of us has memories of Riley Cuff. We could each write a chapter on what this good friend meant to us. He defined love and generosity. For me, he will always be smiling at his many friends and he will ride in the most grand parade in God’s kingdom!
QUESTION ONE FROM CAGNEY. Why didn’t the 2010 CENSUS ask questions about cats and dogs–companion animals? It would help form pet evacuation plans now mandatory in disasters We could call it –THE KATRINA QUESTION. Why is this important? It has been proven that the evacuation of pets is a necessary factor in the rapid and safe evacuation of people. It is so important that everything be looked at to make pet evacuation safe. For example, studies are currently ongoing on safe carbon dioxide levels in refrigerated carriers used to evacuate pets.
NO HAM FOR EASTER. The FDA is investigating Dynamic Pet Products REAL HAM BONES. Many reported problems and even deaths. At present the company is refusing to recall them or issue warnings.
AS BAYER GOES RETAIL WITH ADVANTAGE AND K9 ADVANTIX– WILL VETERINARIANS TURN TO ADVOCATING VACCINES? In February 2010, Bayer decided to sell Advantage and K9 Advantix directly through pet speciality retailers and Web sites. According to an article in JAVMA veterinarians reacted with a mixture of emotions. Many who had lent their authority and expertise to promoting the Bayer products felt misused. And, perhaps they should. When it comes to using a preventative that is poisonous the best advice logically would come from someone who knows the patient and his health as well as his lifestyle. Cheaper is not always better if misuse could contribute to trauma and or death. Also, this Bayer business move could signal the beginning of a new decision process among veterinarians about which drugs vet practices will dispense in the future. (Advantage is for use on dogs and cats for the control of fleas. Introduced in 1996 the active ingredient is Imidacloprid. K9 Advantix is for use on dogs only and controls fleas, ticks and mosquitos. Introduced in 2002 the active ingredients are Imidacloprid and permethrin. The Bayer products are applied to the skin/coat. )
A new vaccine, available only through veterinary clinics, claims to give dual protection against lyme disease. Intervet/Schering Plough Nobivac Lyme vaccine is given twice 2 to 4 weeks apart with a one-year booster. It appears to be Lyme-specific whereas other preventatives kill not only other insects but parasites. I have no idea about the vaccine’s cost or if it is widely available locally. As more and more diseases are carried by insects, protection of our dogs, cats, ourselves and our environment present many challenges both with regard to cost and side-effects. For example, in addition to Lyme disease where there is a river or a wet season we have the danger of heartworm. And, leshmaniasis, a potentially fatal disease affecting both people and animals, is now found in Montana, carried by sand flies! In short, just because Bayer made a decision based on a poor economy, pet owners should not plan to treat their best friend’s health as an economic decision. Veterinarians must always be part of the human-pet bond. Their oath and ethics do not vary with the economy. Further, we need to remember that state budget cuts affect pet health care. The poor economy leads to higher vet student tuition which down the road will mean higher veterinary expenses for the dog and cat sharing your home.
Apr 05, 2010 | | Uncategorized