Canine Influenza Update

H3N2, the new strain of Canine Influenza (dog flu) has been confirmed in Metro Atlanta. This is the same virus strain as the recent Chicago outbreak. We still do not know if this is an isolated dog, or if this will move into an outbreak. Thus far only one has been reported. We will keep Georgia dog owners updated as we know more.

Important Information

A bipartisan proposal to eliminate the federal tax on a Department of Agriculture program that pays off student loan debt for veterinarians working in underserved areas of the country is back before Congress.

On Feb. 10, Republican Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho and Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan introduced the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act (S. 440) to exempt VMLRP awards from a 39 percent federal income withholding tax, which would allow more veterinarians to participate in the program.

Owners whose dogs became ill after consuming pet jerky marketed by Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. or its Waggin’ Train subsidiary may be entitled to reimbursement for the treats, veterinary care and post-death expenses if those treats were made in or contained ingredients from China. 

 

The potential payout is part of a $6.5 million class-action settlement fund created last spring that allows Nestlé Purina and Waggin' Train to “move forward” without admitting guilt in an eight-year mystery about why the jerky seems to be sickening pets. 
 

Owners who purchased products made by Waggin' Train or the Nestlé Purina brand Canyon Creek Ranch have until April 1 to submit a claim. Illinois federal Judge Robert W. Gettleman is expected on June 23 to consider the class action’s merits.

 

The robust advances in pain management for companion animals underlie the decision of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) to expand on the information provided in the previous 2007 AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. The 2015 guidelines, now available, represent a consensus of expert opinions that summarize and offer a discriminating review of new research and knowledge.

"The management of pain is a crucial component in every veterinary practice," said Mark Epstein, DVM, DABVP (C/F) CVPP, guidelines co-chair. "Practices should be committed to educating the entire healthcare team about prevention, recognition, assessment, and treatment of pain. Alleviating pain is not only a professional obligation, but also a key contributor to successful case outcomes and enhancement of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship."