More communication needed regarding disposal of pet pharmaceuticals.

More communication needed regarding disposal of pet pharmaceuticals.New research found that more than 60 percent of veterinary care professionals do not counsel their clients when it comes to the environmental stewardship aspect of medicine disposal. New research from Oregon State University found that more than 60 percent of veterinary care professionals do not counsel their clients when it comes to the environmental stewardship aspect of medicine disposal -- findings that are troublesome but also represent an opportunity to dramatically reduce watershed contaminants. "People are just starting to understand the impact that discarded pharmaceuticals and personal care products have on the environment," said the study's corresponding author, Jennifer Lam, who worked on the research while a graduate student in marine resource management at Oregon State University.

AVIAN INFLUENZA IN THE U.S.

The most dangerous characteristic of avian influenza is its ability to mutate quickly from a low-pathogenic disease of the respiratory tract to a high-pathogenic disease with mortality rates up to 100%, explained David Swayne, DVM, PhD, research veterinarian with the USDA. Once these low-pathogenic strains enter a commercial poultry flock, the virus circulates throughout the flock and has the potential to mutate into the high-pathogenic H5 and H7 strains, which spread rapidly resulting in high mortality levels. As early as 1987, low-pathogenic forms of avian influenza (AI) were identified in flocks of wild birds in the US that experienced very little infection or mortality. Even though low-pathogenic strains of AI are not known for high mortality, co-infections with other respiratory diseases including infectious bronchitis and infectious bursal disease can increase production losses and mortality levels. In early 2015, highly pathogenic H5 strains of AI spread quickly between flocks and poultry farms across the US resulting in the destruction of approximately 48 million chickens and turkeys. Low-pathogenic AI was also reported in turkey flocks in Indiana in January 2016 and in Missouri in April 2016. “The AI virus can be spread through various paths including clothing, vehicles, dust and windblown particles,” Swayne said. “The exact pathway of infection may never identified.” Poultry producers quickly learned the importance of biosecurity during the 2015 outbreaks and began implementing strict protocols in an effort to help slow the spread of the disease. Education is the key to early detection of an AI infection. It is critical that everyone involved in poultry production — from the farm workers and veterinarians to the testing labs — is educated and trained to identify the signs of AI. “The AI outbreak in Indiana [in early 2016] began in ducks and birds of prey as a low-pathogenic strain,” Swayne explained. “Once it entered the commercial operation, it began circulating and mutated into a highly pathogenic H7 strain.” Increased surveillance on the part of poultry producers and veterinarians helped identify the 2016 Indiana outbreak before it became widespread, he added. The Missouri outbreak in late April was still being investigated at the time of this report. Vaccination programs for AI remain a hot topic for poultry producers worldwide. Swayne said because the US can’t live with highly pathogenic AI, the best solution for control is complete eradication of the disease or a “stamping-out” program involving humane euthanasia and ecologically sound disposal. In other countries with poor infrastructure and limited diagnostic and testing programs, vaccination for AI is often the only viable option for poultry production. Culled from poultry health today.

RODENTICIDE POISONING IN DOGS.

Dogs are curious animals,running and rumbling through stuff and especially tasting and chewing all sorts.The responsibility of the pet owner is not only the nutrition and health of the pet, they must ensure environmental safety. 

Pets should be protected from harmful chemicals,irritating fluids and compounds that are generally harmful to them.

The cases of poisoning in pets are accidental and majorly from sheer carelessness where the pet owner keeps stuffs that are harmful to pets lying around.Its a known fact that stuff poisonous to dogs are usually household items that are non poisonous to man, so the point is for the pet owner to know what stuff to leave around and what stuff to hide/keep away. 

 Dogs get rodenticide poisoning in areas where rodent baits are commonly used and where there is a lack of proper disposal of dead rats. 

When de-ratization is to be carried out,the baits must be properly laid in areas where the pet will be restricted and a proper disposal mechanism must be enforced to prevent poisoning. 

Dogs usually get poisoned by ingesting the bait directly or by ingesting the dead rodents. The signs of rodenticide poisoning are 1) weakness 2) inappetence 3) bleeding in mouth and anal region.

The first step is to induce vomiting; using hydrogen peroxide, followed by a vitamin k injection to stop bleeding.

Give pet cool water to flush system. 

 When rodent control is to be carried out its in the interest of all to lay baits strategically.