Reading Advertisements in Veterinary Journals
In the most recent JAVMA in an Advantage advertisement–WARNINGS “For the first 30 minutes after application insure that dogs can not lick the product from application sites on themselves or other treated dogs and separate treated dogs from one another and from other pets to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion. Ingestion of the product by dogs may cause serious adverse reactions including depression, salivation, dilated pupils, incoordination, panting and generalized muscle tremors. Children should not come in contact with the application site for 2 hours after application.”
WORLD RABIES DAY. We need to add one more date to the already crowded September canine calendar–September 28 is WORLD RABIES DAY. This is an opportunity to educate about this deadly disease. A bit of Pennsylvania history. When sportsmen imported rabid raccoons into the Commonwealth to populate and thus increase coon hunting the disease rapidly spread to our cats and dogs, prompting the RABIES LAW. Unfortunately, rabies education (very competently accomplished by Dr. Bobby Jones, a public health veterinarian, and veterinarians John Cable and Max Van Buskirk [founder of the Lewisburg Veterinary Hospital] from the Bureau of Animal Industry) was driven by the annual rise in September dog bites. And, so another law was passed–The Dangerous Dog Law. This law-pair was largely due to our Senator Edward Helfrick–and both are still controversial. For example, in 2010 we are still in court battling misinformation and misinterpretation of the DANGEROUS DOG LIST. There are today 335 dogs on the state’s list. On the list a greyhound afraid of pit bull looking dogs, a poodle-Old English mix, and a 15 pound terrier mix. One dog killed a chicken, another nipped a boy. The bite only required a band-aid. Yet, in all cases the breeds were not removed from the list and required legal action and defense. Most important–the dangerous dog list is the major influence on homeowners’ policy rates. Dog organizations have been holding child safety education and rabies clinics. Now they need to explain the Dangerous Dog Law and LIST and demonstrate CGC training. A dog that bites is not always a dangerous dog. A CGC is the best insurance any dog can have against unfair discrimination. Make sure your insurance agency understands what the CGC stands for.
WE MUST WATCH HOW REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE TOM CORBETT interprets the new dog law flooring regulations. Will he allow them to stand as written or rule there must be solid flooring for all dogs? Governor Ed Rendell favors solid flooring for both puppies and moms. The dog law–all 873 pages of regulations takes effect July 1, 2011. Already 2/3 of the commercial kennels have disappeared from the Commonwealth. However, this does not mean that puppies are still not a cash crop. Larger kennels are out- sourcing their breeding dogs to smaller operations, even to individual homes. Backyard breeders–perhaps Pennsylvania’s new small business– now advertise “home raised” without having to adhere to temperature, ventilation and lighting regulations. Puppies can be raised in dark basements, in spare rooms, in sheds.
NO ACCESS. If you have ever had your dog taken out of the examining room away from you— veterinarian Nancy Kay writes that there are probably valid reasons for the decision. Some areas of the hospital are off limits due to such dangers as radiation. Some areas are private–set aside for grieving clients and yes, sometimes pets are better behaved without owner presence. Owner anxiety can be contagious. Also, the staff can not respond to owner questions and perform their jobs. And, of course, there is always the owner who feels he/she has to instruct the staff. Trust your veterinarian.
Sep 19, 2010 | | Uncategorized