AVMA Announces Guidelines for Dogs and Cats Exposed to Rabies

The 2016 edition of the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control advises that dogs and cats exposed to rabies that are overdue for their vaccine can have a booster shot followed by an observation period, rather than be subject to quarantine or euthanasia.  

The compendium is a series of best practices that jurisdictions can choose to follow and in this issue also advises reducing the quarantine period from six months to four for unvaccinated cats and dogs exposed to rabies. Euthanasia has been the primary recommendation in the past for these animals because of the high risk of developing the disease. The other option being vaccination and quarantine.

While these updates will have an impact on the care and treatment of animals with lapsed or no vaccine history, the best protection against rabies is still regular vaccinations.

Read the entire release and vaccination study here.

Will the Drug Classification for Ketamine Change?

Ketamine, a drug often used to sedate dogs and cats for surgical procedures is being reevaluated by the World Health Organization. China has requested that Ketamine is changed to a Schedule 1 drug.

Dr. Patrick Hackett said, "For years, it's been a drug that some people on the streets would try to get a hold of. I think it goes by the street name of 'Special K,' or it used to." By moving Ketamine from Schedule 2 to Schedule 1 it would be in the same category as drugs such as cocaine and heroine. Hackett said, "It would take that drug out of our ability to use it on the pets in Knoxville or across the country. I've probably spayed and neutered 50,000 animals in Knox County using that drug. If it's no longer available, I'll have to use other alternatives that may not be as safe and certainly may be more expensive."

Ketamine is often used at Humane Societies and an increase in price is a large concern to financially concerned animal aid organizations. Executive Director of the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley, Amy Buttry said (regarding surgery cost), "We try to keep it really low so that as many people as possible will bring their pets in to have them spayed or neutered." Hackett said, "This drug has good uses, and the fact that a few people abuse it shouldn't be taken away from the masses that do enjoy the benefits of this drug."

The American Food and Drug Administration will be presenting their comments at the 36th Expert Committee on Drug Dependence in Geneva on November 16-20th.

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Animal Connections exhibit visits Purdue University

A traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibition marking the 150th anniversary of the American Veterinary medical Association made a stop at Purdue University last week. 

The display, entitled "Animal Connections: Our Journey Together," is housed on an 18-wheel truck that introduces visitors of all ages to the complex bond between humans and animals. 

Created to inspire the next generation of veterinarians, the exhibit uses a dynamic combination of interactive learning stations, films and touch screen videos, and three-dimensional settings to explore topics about animals in the one, on the farm, in the wild, at the zoo and in the veterinary clinic. 

Animal Connections is made possible by support from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation and founding sponsor, Zoetis. For more information, visit www.sites.si.edu/index.htm

Preventative veterinary care not hitting home with pet owners

According to a whitepaper recently released by Partners for Healthy Pets, the veterinary profession is putting more emphasis on preventative healthcare for pets, but the frequency of veterinary visits has not increased.

Data presented by Karen Felsted at the 2012 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies shows this trend is especially true for cats. The Partners for Healthy Pets paper, Reversing the Decline in Veterinary Care Utilization: Progress Made, Challenges Remain, claims that while veterinary professionals are getting the message about preventative care, it seems to be lost on pet owners.

READ MORE: Reversing the Decline in Veterinary Care Utilization: Progress Made, Challenges Remain

Executive Directors of both the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association found the results disappointing but remained optimistic.

"The fact that preventative care has gained traction among practicing veterinarians - and, more important, among veterinary educators - bodes well for the future," said Michael Cavanaugh, CEO of AAHA.

A survey of pet owners conducted by Urban Animal™ earlier this year determined that Cost of Medical care factor in the pet experience. Many pet owners have become increasingly concerned about some aspects of veterinary care, including the need for regular exams, the cost of care, and the stress and inconvenience of the exam experience.

READ MORE: Cost of medical care identified as biggest obstacle to a positive pet experience

Despite this trend, Partners for Healthy Pets believes veterinarians can thrive in today's economy and market for services. "But individual practices must meet challenges identified in the veterinary care usage studies in order to achieve their full potential."  

READ MORE: Partners for Healthy Pets reports elicit concern, optimism over preventative care statistics 

AVMF puts veterinarians in the spotlight with contest

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation received more than 700 nominees in the second annual "America's Favorite Veterinarian" contest. A panel of AVMF board members, animal health industry leaders and bloggers narrowed the list to 20 finalists based on community involvement, passion for the profession, ethics and connections to pets and owners. 

Those 20 finalists are now featured on a website where the public is invited to vote for their favourite between now and September 1. The 2014 winner, who will be announced in September, will receive a $500 cash prize, a community celebration at his or her clinic, a trip to the 2015 AVMA convention and a featured spot on the AVMF website for a year. 

READ MORE: Association helps veterinarians get their day in the sun

"We believed that it was a fun thing to do to highlight the relationship between a veterinarian, their clients, and animals," said AVMF Executive Director, Michael Cathey. "It is a very special relationship, and we pulled this contest together to honour that relationship.