Novartis Products Shortage!

On January 9^th of this year Novartis Pharmaceuticals issued a voluntary recall of some of their over-the-counter human products including Excedrin, NoDoz, Gas-X Prevention Products, and Bufferin. Apparently, these medications contained stray tablets, capsules, or caplets from other Novartis drugs including prescription painkillers manufactured at the same facility. Now veterinarians are involved in the brouhaha with the revelation that the following drugs are or soon will be on back order: 

     ·         Interceptor Flavor Tabs® (heartworm preventive)
     ·         Sentinel Flavor Tabs® (flea control product)
     ·         Program Tablets and Suspension® (flea control product)
     ·         MilbeMite® (medication to treat ear mites)
     ·         Deramaxx® (pain relief medication) 

The backorders are the consequence of the closure of a Novartis manufacturing facility in Lincoln, Nebraska. The details are sketchy as of yet, but interruption of the production of such top selling drugs typically means one thing, sloppy quality control.   Novartis recently recalled some of their big-name over-the-counter human products. 

Their seemingly sloppy QC has spilled over to the Novartis animal health division as evidenced by the following letter recently delivered to veterinarians about Clomicalm®, a medication to treat separation anxiety in dogs: 

Dear Doctor: 

Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. is committed to delivering safe and efficacious veterinary products, and would like to inform you about a recent development involving CLOMICALM® (clomipramine hydrochloride) tablets. Due to potential packaging issues at our manufacturing facility, there is a rare possibility that a wrong tablet may be found in bottles of CLOMICALM®. Novartis has not received any reports where a patient experienced a product mix-up, nor has Novartis received any adverse events attributable to a product mix-up. However, as a precautionary measure, we would like to extend the following recommendations. 

1) Before dispensing CLOMICALM®, open each bottle and examine the contents for tablets that are broken or incorrect in color, shape or size (visual guide included). 

2) Post a copy of the Dear Valued Customer letter issued by Novartis Animal Health in your clinic (copy included). 

3) Distribute copies of the Dear Valued Customer letter to affected pet owners. Novartis Animal Health will send your clinic extra copies upon request. If you publish a clinic newsletter, please consider using the provided notice. 

4) Report any abnormal findings to Novartis Animal Health at 800-637-0281. 

5) Return affected product to Novartis Animal Health; call the aforementioned number for full details. 

6) Inform your clients who have already received CLOMICALM® to examine tablets and refrain from administering any that are questionable in color, shape or size; and to contact Novartis Animal Health to discuss product return of affected bottles.

7) Keep records of communication with pet owners in patient files. 

8) Ensure that any re-packaged tablet bottles are labeled with the product lot number. 

Novartis Animal Health requests that you complete and return the enclosed Response Card reflecting that you have read and understand these points, and have discussed them with your clients. 

Canine separation anxiety is a complex disorder that has great bearing on patient quality of life and the human-companion animal bond. Uninterrupted treatment is essential for successful management of this condition. Our veterinarians are prepared to discuss best practices with you in the event patients require alternative therapies, in order to minimize the risk of adverse events and potential relapse of signs. 

We thank you for your attention and cooperation regarding this important issue. If you have any further questions, please contact Technical Product Services and Pharmacovigilance at 1-800-637-0281. 

I suppose the one positive aspect of this letter for me is that I have been introduced to a really cool word that I will be adding to my repertoire, “pharmacovigilance”! This is little consolation for the fact that my pets are currently on Interceptor Flavor Tabs® which is easy to administer and has proven to be an effective preventative treatment.   

So, how will this aggravating development affect you and your pets? If you are treating your dog or cat with a Novartis Animal Health product, you would be wise to call or email your veterinarian to discuss a course of action as they are either already out of Novartis products or they are rationing what they have. Even internet companies such as 1-800-PETMEDS is limiting quantities they will send; if they have any to send at all.   If necessary your vet may recommend an alternative so as to avoid any interruption in your pet’s treatment. Competing brands, such as Heartgard, Trifexis, Iverhart Max, and Rimadyl, are among the list of medications that will likely be recommended.  

Novartis has offered no indication of when production might resume.

How to Choose a Pet Sitter

When it comes to hiring a pet sitter, how do you choose?

For starters make sure the sitter is insured and has references. If you feel overwhelmed by the large number of pet-sitting services that meet these criteria, here are some additional tips to help you narrow down your search: 

1.      What type of service is best suited for you and your pet? Most sitters offer home visits and they will visit your home one or more times per day. Overnight pet sitters sleep at your residence. If you would rather have your dog stay at the sitter’s home, look for someone who offers boarding and tour their home. If the sitter has a problem with this request; think twice about leaving your dog there.
2.      The best way to find a reliable pet sitter is to get referrals from others. Ask your friends and coworkers, or visit online bulletin boards or chat rooms for advice. You can also read pet sitter reviews on the internet; www.yelp.com and www.angieslist.com are two popular review sites.
3.      Beware of marketing gimmicks! A pet sitting service advertising that they’re “licensed,” can be misleading since there is no professional licensing for pet sitters. They’re probably referring to a standard business license – which most cities require for every business.
4.      Can the pet sitter provide written proof that he or she has commercial liability insurance (to cover accidents and negligence) and are they bonded (to cover theft)? A quick internet search of pet sitters in Savannah, GA produced 369 potential candidates, many of whom were college students and I didn’t see ‘insurance’ mentioned on any of the postings I looked at.
5.      Membership in a national pet sitters’ organization like Pet Sitters International (PSI) or The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) is a good start. Both organizations offer certification programs which require individuals to meet certain objective criteria through a course of study and testing. Most reputable sitters belong to at least one such group, since it’s a requirement for obtaining liability insurance. You must assess a candidate’s experience and professionalism for yourself.
6.      If your pets have health problems, look for someone who is familiar with the conditions and their treatment. Many sitters have trained in Pet First Aid/CPR. Certified pet sitters are required to know this. Some sitters have volunteered with animal shelters/rescue groups, where they’ve received training on common medical problems.
7.      Ask what will happen if the pet sitter experiences car trouble or becomes ill? Does he or she have a backup?
8.      Will the pet sitter provide related services such as in-home grooming, dog walking, dog training, and play time?
9.      Will the pet sitter provide a written service contract spelling out services and fees?
10.  If the pet sitter provides live-in services, what are the specific times he or she agrees to be with your pet? Is this detailed in the contract?
11.  How will your pet sitter know when you have returned home and that they are relieved of the responsibility for your pet/s’ care? 

If the above criteria have been met, the final test is your gut. Trust your instincts when choosing a pet sitter. If you get a good feeling after an initial phone call and/or email exchange, make an appointment for you and your pet/s to meet the candidate. If the person shows patience and affection toward your pet/s, and your pet/s like the person in return, chances are you’ve found a good fit!

THE CHRISTMAS PUPPY CONUNDRUM

Santa Claus is coming to town! Parents and relatives eagerly search for the perfect gifts, and dog trainers anxiously anticipate the influx of Christmas Puppy business that will be coming in the New Year. 

I’m not a scrooge and as a dog trainer I understand why people gift puppies at Christmas. Puppies are cute!  However, giving someone a puppy also gives them tremendous responsibility for another living soul. While puppies are cute, they can also be a major pain in the rear end.  They pee-pee and poo-poo everywhere, nip tender hands and feet with tiny needle teeth, and they chew anything and everything they can get their mouths on.  Puppies are a lot of work and regrettably they don’t look like puppies for very long.  Raising and training a puppy requires effort, patience and dedication. 

If you are absolutely determined to give someone a puppy for Christmas, consider first whether this action is in the best interest of both the puppy and the new puppy owner.  Realistically consider the appropriateness of the long-term consequences for both dog and dog owner. On many occasions I’ve seen well-meaning family members gift a puppy to grandma or granddad thinking it would provide companionship and good cheer. While some seniors are perfectly capable of handling the level of activity of a young pup and the hard work this care entails, there are far more who would no sooner be burdened with a puppy than they would a human baby. If you are certain your beloved grandparent would actually enjoy having a canine best friend, consider a mature dog instead. Most senior citizens do better with smaller dogs, and due to the current economy, shelters are over-burdened with perfectly suitable dogs whose only crime was that their owners could no longer afford to care for them. Gifting grandma with a carefully chosen six to eight-year-old Dachshund or Bichon mix, for example, would save a life while providing a calm, loving, and appreciative companion. 

If gifting a pup to your children, know going in that you are the one that will be burdened with the responsibility of daily care. Yes, it’s wonderful to contemplate little Johnny learning responsibility by cleaning up after the dog every day and little Cathy taking him for walks. However, you will be the one getting up in the middle of the night cleaning up the pup’s accidents. Children will be children, and again, you will be the mommy or daddy to a very young pup who needs constant care and attention. If you’re up for the task, terrific! If not, think about adopting a mature dog. Dogs are adolescents from approximately five or six months of age until around a year-and-a-half to two years, depending on the breed. You might not be able to subvert the dreaded adolescent phase of acquiring selective hearing and pushing boundaries with your offspring, but you can totally avoid it with a dog by adopting one who is already two or more years old. 

Choosing the right puppy or adult dog for another person can be a daunting proposition. When choosing a dog for someone else; the breed, temperament, activity level, and sociability with other animals must all play into the decision making process. Beyond all of that, “chemistry” between the human and the dog must exist. Rather than bestowing the actual dog on Christmas day, here’s a suggestion that still allows for the “wow” factor: Buy grandma and granddad the cutest stuffed dog you can find and tie a big red bow around its neck with an appropriate Christmas card that explains how the stuffed dog is a surrogate for the real one. Upon reading the card, the recipient can learn where the real dog will be coming from. For example, your Cocker Spaniel puppy will be arriving from a carefully selected breeder and will be arriving in approximately two weeks. An even better idea is to plan a date for the family to go to the local shelter or humane society to pick out a dog together. By presenting your gift in this way you are providing an “out” for the potential recipient who may have no interest in taking on the numerous responsibilities that come with caring for a dog.  For example, what if your retired parents have plans to travel more and you are unaware of those intentions?  Gifting a dog without warning could complicate those plans greatly and potentially create an uncomfortable scenario of guilt on the part of your parents for either having to politely decline the gift or for having to leave their sweet little dog alone.  What about the poor dog?  They are social creatures and need stable companionship.  Do you want to be responsible for placing that type of stress and anxiety on a helpless animal?  Of course you don’t!     

A final consideration: Even though your thoughtful gift might not come with “some assembly required,” it does come with work required. Consider gifting a bit of help from a professional trainer. The Victoria Stilwell Positively dog trainer network or  The Association of Pet Dog Trainers are responsible places to start your search. Your gift card could include the trainer’s assistance in choosing a dog, and/or a private session or two in the recipient’s home. Getting the dog off on the right paw will help to ensure that your “gift” will be cherished for many years to come. Merry Christmas!

Halloween is a silly and fun day for children and families, but for family dogs, it can be a stressful and even treacherous time of year. Canine Therapy Center offers pet owners some commonsense advice to help keep their feline and canine friends safe, and reduce anxiety during this spooky time of year. 
 

• Don't leave your dog in the yard unsupervised on Halloween. Unfortunately, not everyone is a dog lover and vicious pranksters may tease, injure, steal or even kill your dog on this night.
• Don’t forget the cat!  Keep your cats indoors several days before, during and after Halloween. This is especially true for Black cats that become prime targets for children's pranks and cruel acts.
• Walk your dog before trick or treating begins and grip to the leash securely. Halloween masks and screaming kids can freak dogs out so it’s best not to subject them to such experiences.
• Keep trick or treat candy away from pets. This is especially true for dogs and chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine, a naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean. Theobromine increases urination and affects the central nervous system as well as the heart muscle. While amounts vary by type of chocolate, it's the theobromine that is poisonous to dogs. Tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can also be hazardous if swallowed.
• Candle lit pumpkins and pets can be a bad mix: they may knock it over and cause a fire. Curious kittens and playful puppies especially run the risk of getting burned.
• If you choose to dress your dog or cat in costume, pay close attention to their willingness to participate. If they resist being dressed-up, stop doing it. It puts too much stress on the poor animal.
• If you do elect to dress your pet in costume, make sure the costume isn't irritating or unsafe; it should not constrict movement, hearing, or your pet’s ability to breathe or bark. Also, there should not be tiny, dangling or easily chewed-off parts on the costume that your pet could choke on. Dress your pet several times before Halloween to acclimate him or her to wearing the costume. Pour on the positive attention and make it fun!
• Do not allow the costume to obstruct your pet's vision; even the most tolerant animal can get snappy when he or she can't see.
• For the sake of all parties concerned, dogs and cats should be confined during trick or treat time. The sudden increase in traffic of strangers in bizarre attire ringing the door bell and knocking on the door is certain to excite your dog and unnerve your cat.
• If you elect to allow your dog to be a trick or treat greeter, be very careful that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside. If your door allows, remove the top half of your screen/storm door and pass the candy through the opening.
• As always make sure your dog or cat is wearing proper identification. Collars with ID are good, but you should also consider having your animal micro-chipped so that if they escape or become lost, you increase the chances of someone returning your beloved pet.
• If you are certain that your dog can handle the excitement and/or stress that goes along with family trick or treaters (and an adult), be careful that he doesn't become overheated or chilled (in colder climates).