canadian vet - K2 Animal Health Publishing

May/June 2012 Canadian Vet25
Industry News
Sled dog operator charged in wake of tougher legislation
In a case that sparked international outrage, a former sled dog operator has
now been charged over the mass slaughter of dozens of huskies two years
ago in Whistler, BC. The accused will appear in provincial court in May on
a charge of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to the dogs.
According to Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations
for the BC SPCA, the most complex investigation in its history was
conducted at a cost of $250,000, to determine whether some of the dogs
suffered unnecessary pain or injury prior to death. Ms. Moriarty said “We
found a number of instances where the evidence was sufficient to show dogs
did not die instantaneously.”
The killings prompted the provincial government to bring in a new code of
practice for sled dog operators in B.C. The legislation came after the slaughter of
almost 100 sled dogs owned by an outdoor adventure company near Whistler, BC.
The new regulations are contained in the province’s Prevention of Cruelty
Act. They establish legal requirements for things like housing, health,
working conditions and euthanasia. People convicted of animal cruelty face
a maximum $75,000 fine and up to two years in jail.
“Sometimes it takes these tragedies to change legislation, to bring
awareness to an issue, and that certainly happened here,” Ms. Moriarty said.
CVPM examination goes electronic
The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), which offers the
Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation, is pleased to
announce that the examination is now offered electronically and is readily
accessible to CVPM candidates across North America.
According to Christine Shupe, CAE, VHMA Executive Director, “The CVPM
program is growing and as it expands, electronic testing will allow the test to
be offered at a greater number of locations without compromising test security.
The testing sites will be extremely convenient and accessible to residents of
the United States and Canada.” Shupe also noted that the paper and pencil test
format was labour intensive, requiring several proctors and, in some cases,
extensive travel for candidates to sit for the test in designated locations.
Although the cost of the exam will increase to cover the cost of instituting
computer based testing, it will be offset by cost savings for candidates who
no longer have to travel to distant locations to sit for the test.
For more information about VHMA or CVPM, visit www.vhma.org.
New Iams Senior Plus
Iams celebrates the important role older pets play in our lives with the launch of
Iams Senior Plus – a unique formula created to help pets 11+ large breed play longer.
As pets enter the senior life stage, they are more susceptible to loss of
lean body tissue, a weakened immune system, reduced metabolic rate, and
increased dental concerns. To support the needs of the pet during aging, Iams
has developed a formula that specifically targets senior dogs and cats.
News Iams Senior Plus is designed to promote the quality of life as dogs
and cats reach the senior plus stage. It addresses common senior health
issues, including:
• Maintaining muscle mass
• Promoting ideal weight and body condition with a
special formula that helps burn fat
• Boosting immune health to healthy adult levels with
two times the antioxidants
• Maintaining healthy skin and coat health with Omega 6
• For dogs, helping to reduce tartar build up by up to 55
per cent with HMP (hexametaphosphate)
Bayer HealthCare launches ad campaign for pet owners
Bayer HealthCare is launching a national multimedia advertising campaign
in key markets across Canada. The campaign was created to promote Bayer’s
topical flea treatment, advantage ® , to Canadian pet owners and encourage them
to talk to their veterinarian about the risk fleas pose to their pet.
Bayer’s campaign objective is to inform dog and cat owners of the
importance of effective flea control. It also directs owners to ask their
veterinarians about advantage ® .
Advertisements will reach television viewers in the spring and fall,
reminding pet owners about flea season and asking them to visit their
veterinarian. advantage ® will also be advertised in transit shelters across
Canada. Web banners encouraging pet owners to talk to their veterinarian
about flea control will be placed on websites that animal lovers visit. Pet
owners will be directed to www.nofleas.ca to learn more about flea treatment
and control, urging them to discuss this with their veterinarian.
For more information contact Sophie Pilon at spilon@woodruffsweitzer.ca.
Royal Canin introduces CALM diets
Royal Canin Canada recently introduced CALM , a complete and
balanced diet for maintaining emotional balance in dogs and cats. The
new CALM diets may help relieve stress and anxiety in pets without
using medication. They provide the proper amount of three unique
ingredients to help reduce the pet’s anxiety
and create an overall calming effect.
Canine and feline CALM diets provide
nutritional support for pets in stressful
situations such as fireworks, thunderstorms, moves,
holidays, separation anxiety, etc.; provide
support for pets undergoing behavioural therapy
for anxiety; and provide nutrients for stress
related skin and digestive disorders.
Vaccination Equi-Planner
Equine Guelph has launched Vaccination Equi-Planner, sponsored by
Merck Animal Health. This is a useful tool designed for horse owners to
generate personalized immunization schedules for their horses. Horse
owners are asked to complete six questions that help determine individual
farm differences and risk factors, including: age, use, sex, exposure to
outside horses and geography. This data is then compiled in a program, and
a printable customized vaccination schedule is provided for each horse.
Owners are encouraged to review this with their veterinarian so that current
disease patterns and individual circumstances are also taken into account for
the best program to protect their horses.
To access the Vaccination Equi-Planner, see www.equineguelph.ca/
education/equiplanner.php.
Hill’s and CVMA launch Pet Dental Health Awareness campaign
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
(CVMA) recently launched the 2012 Pet Dental Health Awareness campaign
(PDHA) to increase awareness of the link between oral and systemic health.
“It takes combined teamwork from the health care team and the owner to
ensure proper pet dental health is achieved,” says Susan M. Jones, D.V.M.,
director of veterinary affairs at Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada. “The Pet Dental
Health awareness campaign educates and rewards the team and the owner, but
the dogs and cats who receive better oral care as a result are the real winners.”
The campaign rewards veterinary health care teams who take an active role
in discussing the importance of pet oral health with their clients and includes a
2012 PDHA kit and reward programs. The kit contains materials for both the
veterinary health care team as well as pet owners. The kit for the health care
team includes a program guide, shelf talker system, counter mat and ceiling
dangler. The kit for pet owners provides a brochure on proper dental care, pet
toothbrush kit, brushing quick reference card and cardboard smile stick.
“The CVMA is pleased to partner with Hill’s again on this important
wellness issue,” says Lloyd Keddie, D.V.M., CVMA president. “Proper dental
care is extremely important to the overall well-being of dogs and cats.”
For more information and to register to qualify for rewards, visit www.petdental.ca.