HEALTH - US Postal Service Reports Increase in Dog Attacks

It’s dog bite prevention week and the US Postal Service has announced an increase in dog attacks last year.

In 2016, a total of 6,755 postal employees were attacked by dogs in calendar year - compared to 6,549 in 2015.

The statistics can’t be too surprising since pet ownership in the country is also on the rise.

“Even good dogs have bad days,” said U.S. Postal Service Safety Director Linda DeCarlo in Los Angeles, where postal employees suffered 80 attacks — more than any other city in 2016. “Dog bite prevention training and continuing education are important to keep pet owners, pets and those who visit homes — like letter carriers — happy and healthy.”

The Postal Service is just one organization promoting safety around dogs and bite prevention this week.

American Humane, American Veterinary Medical Association, Insurance Information Institute and State Farm Insurance, are also driving home the message that dog bites are a national issue and education can help prevent dog attacks.

Some tips from the Postal Service to keep their workers safe:

• If a letter carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors. Dog owners should keep the family pet secured.

• Parents should remind their children and other family members not to take mail directly from letter carriers in the presence of the family pet, as the dog may view the letter carrier handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture.

• The Postal Service places the safety of its employees as a top priority. If a letter carrier feels threatened by a dog, or if a dog is loose or unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a Post Office until the letter carrier is assured the pet has been restrained. If the dog is roaming the neighborhood, the pet owner’s neighbors also may be asked to pick up their mail at the area’s Post Office.

According to the CDC, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States.

More children and men are bitten, and the majority of dog-bite injuries occur at home with dogs that are familiar to them.

Some basic safety tips from the CDC.

Do:

• Remain motionless (e.g., "be still like a tree") when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
• Curl into a ball with your head tucked and your hands over your ears and neck if a dog knocks you over.
• Immediately let an adult know about stray dogs or dogs that are behaving strangely.

Don't:

• Approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Run from a dog.
• Panic or make loud noises.
• Disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• Pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
• Encourage your dog to play aggressively.
• Let small children play with a dog unsupervised.

With these tips, everyone can learn how to prevent dog bites and reduce the risk of illness and injury.

HEALTH - Cattle Veterinarians Asked to Provide Illegal VFD's

With the implementation of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) at the beginning of the year, it’s not surprising there have been a few challenges as farmers, feed mills and veterinarians adapt to the new regulations.

The AVMA and American Associ­ation of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) published a joint statement March 6 on the AVMA@Work blog warning that both organizations had received reports veterinarians had been pressured to issue veterinary feed directives for chlortetracycline-containing feeds in unapproved formulations or for unapproved indications.

The VFD was implemented to eliminate the use of antibiotics in feed for production purposes, ie: growth promotion and feed efficiency, and have them used judiciously and only when appropriate for specific animal health purposes.

The goal is to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Canadian officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control caution the “growing use of antibiotics in farm animals' food supply is worsening the problem of antimicrobial resistance – the phenomenon of bacteria becoming immune to antibiotics,” a Huffington Post article stated.

Both the AVMA and AABP are encouraging their members to educate themselves about the VFD and work with clients, producers and feed mills to ensure that everyone is following the Veterinary Feed Directive rules.

A common question in issuing VFDs for medicated mineral feed is determining whether the feed is a “free choice” or a “hand fed” feed.

“Hand fed” is designated when there is a concern for adverse drug reactions; the animals are fed daily in order for them to be observed daily.  

Feed – including mineral feed – can only be labeled as free choice when both the drug label and the feed formulation have been approved for this indication by the FDA.

Before the VFD was implemented, some feed mills and customers were using their own mineral formulation mix, adding chlortetracycline, and then feeding it as a free choice mineral feed.

Since the formulation was not approved by the FDA, the intake level and dose would be unknown; therefore this would be an illegal use.

The joint statement goes on to say:

“To date, no regulatory enforcement has occurred as a result of this activity; however, veterinarians who are asked to write VFDs for these mineral mixes that are clearly being used as free choice feeds are placed in a difficult position because this is not allowed under the VFD rules. Writing such VFDs is illegal, and veterinarians should not provide them.”

The organizations encourage veterinarians to talk with their producers and feed mills about the legal and illegal uses of medicated feeds so that everyone is familiar and stays in compliance with the VFD regulations.

HEALTH - More Pet Food Recalls

Concerns about pet food may be on the rise this year as more products have been recalled since InfoStream’s initial report in February.

Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food voluntarily expanded its recall of Hunk of Beef and is also recalling Evanger’s Braised Beef and Against the Grain’s Pulled Beef Products due to potential adulteration with pentobarbital.  

The 12 oz. cans of dog foods that are being voluntarily recalled have the following barcodes.  The numbers listed below are the second half of the barcode, which can be found on the back of the product label:

• Evanger’s: Hunk of Beef: 20109
• Evanger’s: Braised Beef: 20107
• Against the Grain: Pulled Beef: 80001

Consumers may return any can of these Evanger’s products to their place of purchase for a full refund for the inconvenience.

Customers may contact the company at 1-847-537-0102 between 10am and 5pm Central Time, Monday - Friday with any questions.

WellPet has initiated a voluntary recall of a limited amount of one canned topper product due to potential elevated levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone.

Recalled Product Details:

• Wellness 95% Beef Topper for Dogs – 13.2 oz
• Best-By Dates of 02 FEB 19, 29 AUG 19 and 30 AUG 19 (located on the bottom of the can)

These WellPet products have the potential to contain elevated levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone.

Elevated levels may affect a dog’s metabolism and can be associated with anxiousness, increased thirst, increased urinary output and weight loss.

However, with prolonged consumption these symptoms may increase in severity and may include vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid or difficulty breathing.

While multiple studies indicate that, for the vast majority of pets, symptoms are reversible once the pet stops eating product with elevated thyroid hormone, if your pet has consumed this product and has exhibited any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Camelle Kent, chief executive officer of WellPet, the maker of Wellness products, said, “We fully intend on maintaining the trust you have placed in us to keep your pets healthy and happy, and are removing this product as part of our ongoing commitment to quality and food safety.”

If you have any of the 13.2 oz recipe with these three best-by dates, please email WellPet at wecare@wellpet.com or call 1-877-227-9587.

Blue Buffalo is voluntarily recalling one production lot of BLUE Wilderness® Rocky Mountain RecipeTM Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs.

Like Wellness, this product has the potential to contain elevated levels of the beef thyroid hormones.

Wet Food for Adult Dogs 12.5 oz cans with a UPC code of 840243101153 and best before date of June 7, 2019 are impacted.

Consumers who have purchased this product should dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Blue Buffalo at 866-201-9072 from 8am to 5pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday, or by email at  CustomerCare@bluebuffalo.com for more information.

EuroCan Manufacturing is voluntarily recalling Lot Number 84 consisting of its individually shrink-wrapped, 6-pack, 12-pack and 25-pack bags of Barnsdale Farms®, HoundsTooth® and Mac's Choice® Pig Ears because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

The pig ears were distributed throughout the United States and Canada.

Consumers who have purchased any of the above-described Barnsdale Farms® pig ears should return product to the place of purchase for a refund.

Contact the company Monday – Friday from 9am to 5 pm Eastern Standard Time at (888) 290-7606 with any questions.

Stay on top of pet food recalls by visiting the AVMA or FDA websites.

HEALTH - Vets Want Pet Obesity Recognized as a Disease

(Fredericton SPCA)

In an October 2016 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 53.9% of dogs and 58.9% of cats were classified as overweight or obese by their veterinary healthcare professional.

“Obesity continues to be the greatest health threat to dogs and cats.” states APOP Founder, veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward on their website.

“Obesity is a disease that kills millions of pets prematurely, creates immeasurable pain and suffering, and costs pet owners tens of millions of dollars in avoidable medical costs.”

The American Medical Association officially recognized human obesity as a disease in 2013, and Ward, along with many other veterinarians, wants the same recognition for animals.

Ward is working with nutritionists, surgeons and other veterinary experts on a proposal that could be presented to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) as early as this summer.

The proposal will include a general definition of obesity, a clinical definition which includes a standardized body condition score scale, and best practices for treating obese patients and counseling pet owners.

If the AVMA declares that pet obesity is a disease, the hope is for greater awareness and acceptance of the need to diagnose and treat obesity.

More than 100 professionals from human and veterinary medicine, including Ward, attended the first Obesity Conference organized by World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s One Health Committee in November 2016.

The event addressed ways to prevent obesity in people and pets.

Ward believes obesity is a One Health issue since it is one of the most commonly diagnosed conditions in veterinary and human medicine.

If obesity is officially recognized by the AVMA as a disease, pet insurance companies may cover the condition one day.

HEALTH - Plethora of Pet Food Recalls

If it seems like there have been an awful lot of pet food recalls this year, it’s because there have been 21 products recalled in the first month and a half of 2017.

 

Compared to 39 pet food products recalled March through December last year (10 months), according to the AVMA’s animal food recalls and alerts webpage.

The most recent is Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Healthy Weight, Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables dog food which was voluntarily pulled by the company due to possible metal contamination.

The affected cans are 12.5oz with a UPC code of 8-40243-10017-0, and expiry date of August 3, 2019.

PetSmart’s Grreeat Choice Adult Dog Food with Chicken & Rice, 13.2 oz cans were recalled last week due to metal contamination that could be a choking hazard.

This month there has also been two types of dog food recalled due to the potential presence of pentobarbital, a drug that is most commonly used for pet euthanasia.

The affected dog foods are:

• Against the Grain Pulled Beef w/ Gravy Dinner, 12 oz can, Lot #2415E01ATB12; second half of the UPC code is 80001; and expiration date of December 2019.

• Evanger’s Hunk of Beef Canned Food, Lot numbers that start with 1816E03HB, 1816E04HB, 1816E06HB, 1816E07HB, and 1816E13HB, and have an expiration date of June 2020. The second half of the barcode on these products reads 20109, which can be found on the back of the product label.

Other pet foods recalled in 2017:

• Rogue All Purpose Rabbit Pellets

• Blue Ridge Beef Turkey with bone, 2lb package

• 9Lives Meaty Pate Chicken & Tuna, 13oz, 12/case

• 9Lives Meaty Pate Seafood Platter, 5.5oz and 13oz

• 9Lives Meaty Pate Super Supper, 5.5oz and 13oz

• 9Lives Meaty Pate with Chicken and Seafood, 4-pack of 5.5oz pkgs

• 9Lives Meaty Pate with Chicken and Tuna, 5.5oz

• 9Lives Meaty Pate with Chicken Dinner, 5.5oz

• 9Lives Meaty Pate with Liver and Chicken, 4-pack of 5.5oz pkgs

• 9Lives Meaty Pate with Ocean Whitefish, 5.5oz pkg

• 9Lives Seafood Poultry Variety Pack, 5.5oz

• 9Lives Meaty Pate with Chicken & Tuna, 4-pack of 5.5oz pkgs

• EverPet Mixed Grill Dinner, 13oz pkg

• Special Kitty Beef and Liver Dinner, 13oz pkg

• Special Kitty Classic Tuna Dinner, 13oz pkg

• Special Kitty Mixed Grill Dinner (w/ & w/o printed wrap), 13oz

• Special Kitty Super Supper, 13oz pkg

A large number of pet food recalls in 2007 resulted in a decrease in trust in the pet food industry.

Today a growing number of class action lawsuits against pet food companies, for incorrect labeling of ingredients, falsely claiming to be made in the US or requiring prescriptions for diets that contain no drugs or other legally controlled substances, could indicate that distrust continues.

For complete details and up-to-date information on pet food recalls, visit the AVMA or FDA websites.

HEALTH - Veterinarians Invited to Apply for AVMA Congressional Fellowship

Veterinarians interested in shaping public policy around issues such as animal welfare, food safety, and public health are invited to apply for the AVMA Congressional Fellowship Program.

The AVMA brings veterinarians to Washington, D.C., as congressional fellows, to spend a year in the office of a member of Congress advising on policy issues.

Applicants should have the following qualifications:

• Be an advocate for veterinary medicine
• Have an interest in public policy and/or politics
• Demonstrate competence in an area of veterinary medicine
• Exhibit an interest in applying scientific knowledge to address societal/public policy issues
• Have the ability to analyze, identify, and easily explain core scientific issues to a variety of audiences
• Be an AVMA member and U.S. citizen
• Possess the ability to pass a government background investigation.

The fellowship program provides an opportunity to help animal health and welfare on a national scale, not just local.

The selection process is conducted in 3 phases that occur between February and April.

• Phase 1: Selection Committee reviews applicant's application materials and selects individuals to move to Phase 2.
• Phase 2: Participants are given a case study that must be completed over two days. Selection Committee reviews and selects candidates for Phase 3.
• Phase 3: In-person interview with the Selection Committee at the GRD offices in Washington, DC.

The fellowship program is sponsored through the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which works to place qualified, scientific experts in congressional offices where they are needed.

To date, more than 60 veterinarians have participated in the AVMA program.

The application deadline is Friday, February 10th.

Pet Ownership, Guardianship, and the Unintended Consequences for Abused Women

Are pets property?

According to a recent ruling by a Saskatchewan judge, they are. This is in line with other rulings regarding how pets should be treated during the dissolution of a marriage or common-law relationship.

Pets are property, and the courts do not get involved in who gets “custody” of the toaster.

It seems straightforward, and many people agree with the judge’s line of thought.

Following up on his ruling, Justice Danyliuk stated that, “To consume scarce judicial resources with this matter is wasteful. In my view such applications should be discouraged.”

But the issue of whether pets should be treated as sentient beings who have guardians, or property that is owned, is fraught.

Many organizations that investigate incidents of animal cruelty support laws recognizing that animals feel pain (sentient beings) and subsequently have penalties reflect this.

Pets have been gaining legal rights over the last several years, and although large organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Kennel Club oppose any move towards granting pets legal personhood, the issue continues to come up in North American courts.

Vets worry that the move to personhood could impact their ability to perform veterinary medicine.

As the AVMA points out, could it become illegal to spay or neuter pets because of “reproductive rights”? Could vets or pet guardians be sued for providing what someone else might consider inadequate care?

There are fears that a shift to guardianship from ownership would leave people at risk of egregious state intervention, and would violate their human rights and interfere with their relationships with their pets.

And there is the concern expressed by Justice Danyliuk in the recent Saskatoon case, that treating pets as sentient beings more akin to children than to toasters, would clog up a court process that already faces frequent delays.

Treating pets like children and asking the courts to determine their care after divorce would add yet another strand to the Gordian knot of relationship dissolution.

But there are two critical aspects to the guardianship vs. ownership debate that must be addressed, even if it does add time and complication to divorce proceedings.

The first is whether non-human beings can be persons at all.

India has taken steps towards granting dolphins personhood (though these are first steps only), and the Nonhuman Rights Project in the United States is also pursuing personhood status for some animals.

Corporations, of course, have been granted legal personhood throughout the United States.

Although it has yet to be determined whether nonhuman animals will be granted personhood rights, the door is creaking open.

The other aspect relevant to treating pets as sentient beings rather than owned property, regards the well-established link between domestic abuse and the abuse of pets.

Pet custody has a significant impact on women’s ability to leave abusive situations.

Abused women are 11 times more likely to witness their pets being abused, according to a large 2007 study.

As Kerri Froc at the Canadian Bar Association’s National Magazine reports, threats of violence against pets “one tool in abusers’ arsenal of emotional abuse and control.”

The issue of personhood, and of whether the relationship with pets is one of owner or guardian, intersects with other legal issues.

While it is clear that pets are not children (no matter how much they are loved and doted on), it is also not clear if treating them as property is the best way to continue.

About Tiffany Sostar

Tiffany is a writer, editor, academic, and animal lover who came late to her appreciation of pets. At 18, a rescue pup named Tasha saved her from a depression and she hasn't looked back. She has worked as the canine behaviour program coordinator for the Calgary Humane Society, and was a dog trainer specializing in working with fearful and reactive dogs for many years. She doesn't have any pets right now, but makes up for it by giving her petsitting clients (and any dogs she comes across on her frequent coffee shop adventures) extra snuggles.

HEALTH - AVMA Offers Free Suicide Prevention Training

This weekend the AVMA is launching a training program to help members identify and aid individuals who may be at risk for suicide.

While the underlying causes are still unknown, veterinarians experience high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, as well as death by suicide.

The program is not intended to replace professional assistance but is designed based on the QPR - question, persuade and refer - method that can be used to recognize the warning signs of someone in crisis.

This 90-minute, self-guided online program, will teach individuals how to establish a dialogue and assist those in crisis to seek professional help.

The program officially launches tomorrow, November 19th, which coincides with International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.

In partnership with the AVMA PLIT and AVMA Life, the Association is opening up a limited number of free registrations for AVMA and Student AVMA members.

“This pilot program demonstrates the AVMA’s commitment to moving forward in helping our profession become more healthy,” said Dr. Marci Kirk, assistant director for recent graduate initiatives at the AVMA.

This suicide prevention training is part of a larger movement to offer more support to veterinarians.

As reported in InfoStream, the Ontario Veterinary College launched AWAR2E group to provide a multi-pronged approach to mental wellness, and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine is the first vet school in Canada to have a trained social worker available for students.