With the recent passage of legislation regulating commercial breeding operations in Virginia and Tennessee, “North Carolina has become a bit of a safe haven for puppy mills,” said Kimberley Alboum, director of the Humane Society of the United States’ North Carolina chapter. Therefore, North Carolina is considering a bill regulating commercial dog breeders, similar to a bill that has been passed by the Iowa Senate. The Iowa Senate recently approved a bill requiring adequate feed, water, housing facilities, sanitary control, grooming practices and veterinary care for cats and dogs in commercial breeding facilities.

North Carolina’s bill would require commercial dog breeders with 15 or more intact female dogs and 30 or more puppies to register with the state. It would also require commercial breeders to meet standards of care, including provisions for daily exercise, adequate veterinary care, shelter and record-keeping.

The law would give animal-control and other law-enforcement officers another tool to combat animal cruelty other than existing cruelty and neglect laws that are difficult to enforce. It would give reputable breeders consistent standards to meet instead of the existing hodgepodge of local ordinances that now govern dog-breeding operations in some counties, according to state Sen. Don Davis, D-Wayne, the bill’s primary sponsor.

At puppy mills, dogs are bred for quantity, not quality, so unmonitored genetic defects and personality disorders that are passed on from generation to generation are common, according to the Humane Society. This situation results in high veterinary bills for people who buy those dogs and the possibility that unsociable or maladjusted dogs will be disposed of by their unprepared owners.

March 10, 2010

When veterinary professionals consider the question of pets traveling on airplanes, the first thing that comes to mind may not be human allergies.

But that is a major concern for the authors of a recent editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ). According to the article, Canadian air travelers “lost their access to dander-free flights in July 2009,” when Air Canada did away with a ban on small pets in the cabin.

“It’s understandable that owners prefer to keep their small pets close when traveling and that airlines are keen to compete for their business,” the article reads. “But about 1 in 10 people have allergies to animals. Many will have an allergic reaction when they’re trapped in an enclosed space, often for hours, close to an animal.”

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) said it recognizes that pet allergies can be a serious health concern for some people, but it does not have a position on pets in airplane cabins.

From AAHANewStat

Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) has released its list of the top 10 medical conditions for which claims were submitted last year for dogs and cats. VPI received more than a million claims in 2009.

The most common ailment in dogs? Ear infection, coming in at nearly 68,000 claims. And in cats? Lower urinary tract disease, with a total of 3,700 claims. Here’s the complete list:

Top conditions in dogs

1. Ear infection

2. Skin allergy

3. Skin infection, or hot spots

4. Gastritis, or vomiting

5. Enteritis, or diarrhea

6. Bladder infection

7. Arthritis

8. Soft tissue trauma

9. Noncancerous tumor

10. Eye infection

Top conditions in cats

1. Lower urinary tract disease

2. Gastritis, or vomiting

3. Chronic renal failure

4. Hyperthyroidism

5. Diabetes

6. Enteritis, or diarrhea

7. Skin allergy

8. Periodontitis, or dental disease

9. Ear infection

10. Eye infection

And the top 10 human medical conditions that affect pets

Allergy sufferers know the frustration of fighting off the sniffles and sneezes when allergy season rolls around. But humans aren’t the only ones who suffer from allergies—pets do too. In fact, allergic reactions were the No. 1 source of pet insurance claims for “human” conditions in 2008, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance. Here’s the entire list of the most common conditions that affect both people and pets.

1. Allergies—63,761 claims

2. Bladder infection—23,915 claims

3. Arthritis—19,537 claims

4. Diabetes—8,590 claims

5. Skin cancer—2,114 claims

6. Gum disease—1,748 claims

7. Acne—705 claims

8. Stomach ulcers—584 claims

9. Cataracts—495 claims

10. Laryngitis—382 claims

Allergies were also one of the top pet insurance claims in 2008 among all pet medical issues, not just ones that also affect humans. Skin allergies accounted for the second-most claims among dogs, and the sixth-most claims among cats.

From: DVM Newsmagazine

H.R. 669, also known as the Non-native Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act has potential ramifications for all exotic species and for all people who own or work with exotic species. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association the underlying intent of the proposed legislation is to “ establish a risk-assessment process to prevent the introduction into, and establishment in, the United States of non-native wildlife species that will cause economic or environmental harm or harm to other animal species’ health or human health” The bill has been defeated in the House of Representatives as originally presented but will likely be reintroduced with more specific wording to address the issue of invasive species.

The ultimate goal is to create lists of approved and unapproved species to be imported into the United States as determined in part upon scientific data. A recent roundtable discussion in the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery (JAMS, Dec. 2009) allowed several veterinarians with strong ties to the avian and exotics community to voice their opinions on H.R. 669. One concern with the bill is a lack of scientific data available on the numerous non-native species that already exist in the pet population in order to make determinations of potential invasiveness. Another concern is the costs, manpower needed and lack of zoological research facilities available to properly make these important determinations on the future of what species will be allowed as pets in this country.

As currently written H.R. 669 would ban from sale or ownership any animal that ended up on the unapproved list regardless whether it was imported or captive bred in the United States. Current owners would be allowed to continue owning such a pet until the end of its natural life, but would not be allowed to acquire any other animals of the unapproved species. Breeders of unapproved species would be required to cease such activity which would put a potential hardship on people who have depended on this species pet popularity for their livelihood.

If you read my blog earlier this month on the booming Burmese python problem in the Everglades then you can understand the intent of this bill. Those of us with an interest in exotic species want to ensure that the process used to determine the proposed approve and unapproved species lists is approached with adequate time, resources and study.

Peter G Fisher, DVM

A recent article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA 234(10), 2009) reports the results of an extensive literature search where the authors identified published reports regarding zoonotic pathogens. A zoonotic pathogen is a disease causing organism (pathogen) that can be transmitted from animals to man (zoonotic potential). It has been estimated that 64% of the more than 1400 recognized human pathogens are zoonotic, and that 73% of 177 emerging pathogens have originated in animals. Think SARS, swine and avian influenza viruses, and the new H1N1 influenza virus to name a few.

Sixty-six articles were considered relevant for review, forty-four of which looked at the prevalence of serum antibodies (a measure of the body’s immune response to foreign material) against certain zoonotic diseases in veterinarians as compared to control groups (people without a high level of animal exposure). Of these 44 studies it was found that 37 (84%) identified an increased risk of zoonotic pathogen infection among veterinarians. The article goes on to suggest that veterinarians could serve as biological sentinels for these pathogens, and could inadvertently spread them to their families and communities, as well as other animals for which they provide care.

It is interesting to note that the most recent issue of the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine (JEPM 18(4), October 2009) is devoted to Parasites and discusses how the import of exotic species, particularly reptiles, runs the risk of bringing new parasitic diseases into the United States. Some of these parasites are most likely to be contagious to man and thus zoonotic. What can be done? Number one, more rigorous attention to hygiene in every day practice needs to be addressed by all veterinarians who tend to be lax in their use of personal protective equipment. As well, stricter controls by the United States government on exotic species imports, including more rigid quarantine and health assessments before these animals are released to the pet trade. Unfortunately, a great number of exotic species are illegally imported into this country and therefore receive no health assessment prior to entering the pet trade. Something to think about before your next visit to the local pet shop.

Peter G Fisher, DVM

In last month’s blog I reported on the top dog names of 2009. The website, The Daily Beast, has predicted the top dog names of the future based on current popularity trends. In general, pet owners have turned toward naming their pets with names that would be suitable for human members of the family. In fact the most popular lists of baby and dog names are not that dissimilar. This “humanization” of pet names follows the trend that pets are truly family members vs. just companions. The up and coming list:

1. Casey

2. Riley

3. Bella

4. Bailey

5. Shadow

6. Coco

7. Pepper

8. Dakota

9. Chloe

10. Oliver

11. Luna

12. Sophie

13. Charlie

14. Lulu

15. Louie

From: thedailybeast.com

2-17-10

The graduating veterinary class of 2010 will be made up of around 77-78% female veterinary students. This high ratio of female to male veterinary students has been consistent for the past several years after decades of ever-higher female enrollment in colleges of veterinary medicine. In the mid to late 1980’s veterinary colleges graduated approximately equal numbers of men and women, but since that time women graduates have dominated. Why is that? Several theories are batted around in the profession. Is it because women in general have been drawn to the health sciences with similar numbers seen in the psychology and pharmacy professions? Is it the lower salaries that starting veterinarians can expect to earn in respect to other health professionals? Or is it the affinity women have in general for companion animals such as dogs, cats and horses? Some fear that veterinary medicine is not part of the conversation when male students look at career choices.

It is interesting to note that in human medicine and dentistry the graduating classes are made up of just under 50% women. Why the disparity with veterinary medicine? Again, look at the above theories for potential answers. Some feel human medicine provides much more bang for the buck. Regardless, our profession in general is trying to reflect today’s societal demographic with some schools reaching out to male and minority students. Some fear a shortage of food animal veterinarians, a segment of the field that has been historically more male oriented due to the physical intensity of the work, is one reason to recruit more males into the veterinary work force.

Bottom line- look for more women veterinarians to be treating your companion animals in the future and if you’re a guy with an interest in the profession there has never been a better time than now to pursue those dreams.

Peter G Fisher, DVM

From the February 15, 2010, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Neurologic diseases are common in the rabbit, and recognition of these conditions is becoming more frequent, in part because many pet rabbits are living longer. Several rabbit neurologic diseases, in particular encephalitozoonosis (see our information on Encephalitozoon cuniculi), have zoonotic potential which means they may infect humans (in most cases immunosupressed individuals such as HIV + or transplant patients). The most common causes of neurologic diseases in rabbits include otitis interna (inner ear infection), pasteurellosis and other bacterial infections, encephalitozoonosis, migrating fly larvae, cranial or vertebral trauma, spondylosis, heat stress, and toxemia.

Signs of neurologic disease in rabbits include behavioral changes, head tilt (torticollis or wry neck), tremors, limb weakness or paralysis, and seizures. Head tilt, usually an indication of vestibular or balance center dysfunction, can be central (involving the brain) or peripheral (involving the inner ear), and was the most common clinical sign noted in a recent retrospective study of rabbits with neurologic disease.

Incoordination, rear leg weakness, and paralysis can also be caused by central (brain or spinal cord) or peripheral nerve disease. Subtle or overt behavioral changes, such as increased pain sensitivity, may be caused by central or peripheral disease, while seizures and rolling indicate brain lesions. Differentiation of the causes of brain and spinal cord inflammation is challenging and sometimes more than one cause is present in the same animal.

In addition to case history and breed, age and sex information, it is essential to perform a thorough neurological examination to localize the underlying lesion and determine whether the disease is local or multifocal/diffuse. The neurological examination will help the clinician form a differential diagnosis list and aid in directing appropriate diagnostic procedures. Putting all this information together helps the veterinarian determine what diagnostic tests are best suited for the rabbit case at hand and may include radiographs (x-rays), blood work or serology.

Peter G Fisher, DVM

There are perhaps tens of thousands of Burmese pythons living in Everglades National Park and the Big Cypress National Preserve, two huge wildlife habitats that encompass much of the southern tip of Florida. The problem is that these are non-native species that have been, for the most part, intentionally dumped there by pet owners that got more snake then they bargained for when they purchased the snake as a much smaller juvenile from the pet trade. The warm, humid swamps of South Florida are very similar to the predatory snake’s native Asian habitat and they have moved in with a vengeance. They are thriving in this protected wilderness and disrupting the delicate ecosystem in the process. A python can grow to 250 pounds and stretch over 23 feet, making it powerful enough to strangle and eat many species native to the Everglades including alligators, deer, bobcats, birds, rodents and other native snakes. These native species are hard pressed to compete. Not to mention what an encounter with one of these monsters would do to your wildlife viewing and kayaking experience in the Everglades!

Park officials have their hands full in trying to hunt down and capture members of this growing army of giant snakes. To help in the fight against these oversized constrictors the Miami Metro Zoo hosts a Pet Amnesty Day that allows pet owners to turn in unwanted non-native snakes rather than releasing them in the wild. To learn more tune in to the Nature Channel Sunday, February 21 at 8 PM.

Peter G Fisher, DVM

A woman from the town of Wilkes-Barre, located in Northeast Pennsylvania, has been convicted of animal cruelty for ear and neck piercings in kittens that were subsequently marketed on the internet as “Gothic Kittens”. The lawyer for Holly Crawford, a 35 year old dog groomer, tried to argue her case by stating that parents allow children to get piercings (and in many cases actually have the piercings performed on toddlers without the child’s consent), so why should kittens have a higher level of protection?

This defense was unsuccessful and Crawford was convicted this past Wednesday (February 3, 2010) of one misdemeanor count and one summary count of animal cruelty. She was acquitted of her two separate accounts of animal cruelty. Sentencing is set for March 31.

Peter G Fisher, DVM