We have heard conflicting reports about the potential spread of COVID-19 to and from people and animals, and between animals. Many government and industry officials have stated that there is no evidence that dogs and cats can transmit the virus to humans. Yet, as discussed by veterinary pathologists in a recent paper, the “absence of
Animal Health
COVID-19 testing in pets in light of two pet cats testing positive in New York
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Two pet cats in New York have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), as just announced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). See Confirmation of COVID-19 in Two Pet Cats in New York.
The cats,…
COVID 19 Update Telemedicine: Enhanced Tools Available for Veterinarians
FDA has recently announced it is relaxing its enforcement of telemedicine for veterinarians under two federal provisions: (1) when prescribing extralabel drug use; and (2) when prescribing medicate feed pursuant to the Veterinary Feed Directive. Both generally require an initial physical examination of animals prior to such prescription.
FDA only enforces certain regulations governing a…
Update: Universities and Colleges: Coronavirus Planning Must Include Protecting Animals on Campus
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
As concerns about coronavirus continue to escalate, universities and colleges have taken advantage of spring break to protect students and staff from circulating virus, and many are planning on remote teaching for the rest of the semester. For schools with students who remain at on campus residences and/or employees with service or emotional support animals,…
Updated: Coronavirus Response Plans for Veterinary Practices
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
As predicted, COVID-19 is spreading throughout the United States and globally. State and Federal governmental agencies have implemented emergency response plans for highly contagious diseases, and businesses of all kinds are working to protect their employees and customers while maintaining business continuity if the coronavirus continues to spread.
Today, as we prepare for a new…
CBD Product Sellers Beware: FDA Issued Warning Letters Claiming Certain CBD Products Are Unapproved New Human and Animal Drugs
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
On November 25, 2019, FDA posted 15 warning letters from the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) or the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) stating that certain products containing CBD were illegally labeled as dietary supplements and in many cases were also: unapproved new drugs, misbranded drugs, adulterated human foods, and…
The Dog Days of Summer at the New York Times-Part 2
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
In “Dogs Are Not Here for Our Convenience,” an op-ed by Alexandra Horowitz published by the NYT on September 4, 2019, Dr. Horowitz questions the “widespread policies of desexing dogs, [because] we are not just removing their gonads. We are changing their bodies, their health and their behavior-not always for the better.”
As previously discussed…
The Dog Days of Summer at the New York Times
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
Two articles were published about dogs (and cats) in the New York Times on September 4, 2019, that describe, in part, varying positions of a complicated issue-spay and neuter of pets in the United States—“Spaying, Neutering and Rescuing Lead to Drop in Pet Euthanasia” by author Alicia Parlapiano and “Dogs Are Not Here for Our…
Food Recycling in Hog Farming is Losing its Allure
By Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M. on
The Swine Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 3801, et seq.), enacted in 1980, regulates food waste fed to swine and helps ensure that it is properly treated to kill disease causing organisms. According to USDA,
The Swine Health Protection Act (SHPA) regulates food waste containing any meat products fed to swine. Compliance with this
…
State Restrictions on Pet Burials in Cemeteries Can Be Hard on Owners
By Fox Rothschild LLP on
Losing a pet can be hard for owners. However, it can be even harder for those owners to know that they will be separated from their beloved pets in their final resting place. In the U.S., households own about 89.7 million dogs and 94.2 million cats.[1] When looking at total pet ownership, including horses,…