British Columbia Bans Ear Cropping

British Columbia joins most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia by banning cosmetic ear cropping of dogs. Ear cropping is considered to be an unethical practice and any person that continues to crop ears will receive disciplinary action.

College of Veterinarians of British Columbia’s (CVBC) College Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Larry Odegard said, “Ear cropping is an unnecessary procedure unless carried out in cases of injury or for reasons of health concerns.” There are no known welfare or medical benefits from ear cropping and there are known behavioural consequences; specifically communication with people and other dogs.

Several breed associations are against the ban stating that purebred breeds will not be saved for future generations if their ears were not cropped. Veterinarians and scientists have stated that cosmetic surgery is a human alteration and is unwarranted. Odegard said, “Veterinarians have an ethical responsibility to the animals they treat. Ear cropping goes against that responsibility.” The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is also against canine cosmetic surgery. The CVMA regularly encourages breed associations to change their breed standards so that cosmetic surgeries no longer occur. In the United Kingdom, dogs with cropped ears are prohibited from competing.

The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ CEO, Craig Daniell said, “For nearly two decades we have been on record opposing procedures such as tail docking, ear cropping, devocalization and declawing that impact an animal’s ability to experience good welfare and to express natural behaviours.”

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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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Pet Recovery Suits Now Available at Retail Locations

Recovery suits are now available in the pet retail market due to consumer demand. The suits, made by Suitical International, offer animal protection that reduces stress and discomfort. The Recovery Suits can be used for wound protection, controlling nursing from lactating females, and incontinence or during a heat cycle. The suits are made to fit your pet’s body shape and is available in different sizes and designs.

Melvin Kok, Designer and CEO of Suitical International said, “More and more owners are moving away from the ‘cone of shame’ and towards a more animal-friendly alternative. The suit is breathable and lightweight. Yet at the same time, it protects wounds, bandages and areas of irritation. It can also be used when the animal is in heat or suffering from light incontinence. Because you don’t want to keep running to the veterinarian for all those little ailments but don’t mind stopping off at the pet store, making the suits readily available in the pet stores seemed like the ideal solution.”

   

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Lincoln County Humane Society Clinic Completes Ten Thousand Surgical Procedures

On  May 4th, 2015, the Lincoln County Humane Society Animal Clinic (LCHS) in Ontario completed its 10,000th surgical procedure! The surgical sterilizations are part of a province-wide goal to end pet overpopulation; learn more about OSPCA Spay/Neuter services. Kevin Strooband, Executive Director of the LCHS says “the Lincoln County Humane Society euthanasia rates have gone down significantly with our clinic’s success, and our progressive and creative adoption programs”.

Unsterilized animals can increase overpopulation, tens of thousands of dogs and cats are found homeless each year in Ontario. Overpopulation also contributes to pet neglect and abuse. Tanya Firmage, OSPCA Chief of Humane Programs & Community Outreach, states “the Ontario SPCA has seen huge success in our Spay/Neuter Services program. Our shelters across the province have seen a reduction of cat intake of 19% and in our Barrie Branch a reduction of cat intake of over 50%, this is proof that spay/neutering pets helps reduce the pet overpopulation.”

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