VMDiva

A lot happened in the veterinary community this year. Some news was widely published, like the emergence of swine flu and canine influenza, and other things seemed to slip under the radar. Reflecting on the implications of the changing veterinary world over the past year brings clarity and inspiration for 2010. The ever dynamic world of veterinary medicine affects every aspect of the world around it.  Below are some of the headlines we saw this year.

Swine Flu

If you haven’t heard of the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus you’ve been living under a rock. Swine flu emerged in April 2009 with the first cases erupting in Mexico. The first domestic cat with a confirmed case of H1N1 was reported in November 2009 followed  a month later by the first case in a domestic dog. In each of these cases, the pet contracted the influenza virus from its owner. There is no evidence of cat/dog to human transmission. Multiple swine herds were also affected in the United States.

Canine Influenza

If you missed the VMDiva article on canine influenza, read up! Canine influenza was not new in 2009, however, it gained national attention due to the ever expanding reach of the virus. By September 2009, over 30 states had reported cases of canine influenza.

Vetsulin^® No longer Available

Vetsulin^® insulin, produced by Intervet Schering-Plough, was recalled and veterinarians were advised to transition diabetic dogs and cats to alternative insulins. Vetsulin was one of the most widely used insulins in the veterinary field.

California Cities Rush to Ban Cat Declaws

Prior to legislative changes on January 1st, 2010 that would prevent cities and counties from regulating veterinary medicine practices, several California cities banned cat declaws. Included are Berkeley, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills. Both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the California Veterinary Medicine Association oppose the bans.

Court Denies Emotional Damages for Pet Loss

In a move that supports pets as property, a California court failed to award emotional damages for the death of a pet. An August 2009 ruling noted, “California law does not allow parents to recover for the loss of companionship of their children, we are constrained not to allow a pet owner to recover for loss of the companionship of a pet.”

Palladia Approved to Treat Inoperable Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs

Palladia (pdf), a new canine chemotherapeutic drug from Pfizer Animal Health, was approved by the FDA in June 2009. This drug is designed to treat mast cell tumors (MCT), a type of skin tumor that commonly metastasizes to the liver and spleen. This is the first veterinary specific chemotherapeutic for dogs on the market.

PETA Protests AVMA at Annual Conference

The annual AVMA conference was held in Seattle this year and PETA protested the aquaculture industry and the veterinary profession in response to the traditional “fish throwing” exhibition performed by the workers from Pike Place Fish Market during the conferences opening ceremonies. PETA representatives contended fish are “intelligent, sensitive animals” that should not be tossed. Author’s Note: The fish are always deceased prior to tossing and are then sold for human consumption.

Polo Horses Die From Drug Compounding Error

Twenty-one polo horses died at a Florida stable this April after they were given the incorrect dosage of a vitamin supplement. A compounding error accompanied by an illegal prescription for the drug catapulted this story into the headlines in April 2009.