Today, in the Bay Area and across the country, dogs are more than just pets. In many cases, they are considered full-fledged members of the household, and their human guardians are always seeking new and better ways to keep them healthy.
Veterinary medicine is one sector of the economy that has benefited from this trend. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association reports that in 2006, “U.S. pet owners spent $18.5 billion on veterinary care, over-the-counter medications, and supplies other than food.”
The pharmaceutical industry has been quick to respond. Many drug companies are developing new pet drugs or searching for human medications that may positively impact pet health. Major drug companies such as Pfizer, Novartis, and Wyeth have even added animal health divisions.
Dog medicines have seen a boost in regulatory approvals over the past several months as a result of this growing interest in prescription drugs for pets. Due to recent approvals, veterinarians are now able to offer dogs new diet drugs, a skin cancer vaccine, and medications to ease separation anxiety, vomiting, and congestive heart failure.
Unfortunately, the rush to meet market demand can mean less emphasis on drug safety. Human drugs are sometimes repackaged and used without explicit approval for animals. In fact, most pet drugs were first developed for people, but it takes rigorous research to determine what will work in pets, and at what dosage. Even pet drugs that have gone through the FDA’s approval process can cause unforeseen problems.
Some of these problems are so widespread and dangerous that they make the headlines. Rimadyl, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribed for arthritis in dogs, is now linked to more than 3,000 pet deaths. Proheart 6, a heartworm medication, was pulled from shelves in 2004 after it was linked to fatalities. Overall, reported side effects from animal drugs have nearly doubled since 2000, according to FDA records.
Vets do not always mention possible side effects when recommending a new medication, so it is up to pet owners to ask questions and learn about the drugs their pets may be taking. And even though it is easy to turn to prescription drugs to help an ailing cat or dog, don’t count out other options.
Global Communications for Conservation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization created to aid conservation and environmental education programs worldwide. Its Center for Integrative Animal Health (CIAH) suggests trying other approaches to arthritis in dogs before turning to surgery and costly medications. CIAH Director Allen M. Schoen recommends nutritional supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, as they “not only help control pain, but also improve joint mobility and improve the damage to the cartilage that is part of the arthritic process.” He also suggests antioxidants, herbs like yucca and alfalfa, controlled exercise, and daily massages.
For an informative Q&A regarding pet drugs, visit www.fda.gov/cvm/AnimalDrugSafetyFAQ.htm.
Kaitlyn Osborn-Brown is a graduating senior at San Jose State. She spends much of her free time with her two-year-old Poodle-Bichon mix, Lola. Besides journalism, she is interested in animal rescue and donates time and resources at organizations like Hopalong Animal Rescue, where she adopted Lola.
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