VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTreating canine osteoarthritis without opioidsMarch 4, 2021There is no reason to mask dogs’ arthritis pain with drugs. There are several techniques available to veterinarians that not only safely and effectively treat osteoarthritis pain, they can address its root cause: inflamed and damaged joints.
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Resource gets down to brass tacks of veterinary opioidsOctober 23, 2020A newly released document aims to clarify rules and regulations surrounding the prescription and administration of opioids in veterinary medicine.
Oral opioids may be ineffective for dogsOctober 17, 2019Prescribing oral opioids for canine patients may not be the best way to manage their pain.
Caught in the crossfireNovember 19, 2018Opioids are the first line of treatment for animals with acutely painful conditions and surgeries. They are important in providing pain management with minimal and manageable cardiovascular and respiratory side effects. Veterinarians rely heavily on opioids for pain control and reduction of inhalation anesthetic dosages in veterinary anesthesia, incorporating drugs such as morphine, hydromorphone, buprenorphine, and fentanyl in sedation, anesthesia, and pain control in the perioperative period.
FDA releases new vet resource for prescribing opioidsAugust 23, 2018The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is launching a new resource guide for veterinarians prescribing opioids for pain management in animals. The issue has come to the fore due to the opioid crisis and the occurrence of people hurting their pets to gain access to the drugs. The FDA says it is committed to addressing the misuse and abuse of drugs on all fronts, with a significant focus on decreasing exposure to opioids and preventing new addiction by taking steps to encourage more appropriate prescribing, said FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, in an official statement. While any health care provider can take advantage of the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program for opioid analgesics, there hasn't been a lot of information tailored specifically to veterinary medicine, he added. "That's why we have developed a new resource containing information and recommendations specifically for veterinarians who stock and administer opioids," Dr. Gottlieb said. "Today, we're issuing important information for veterinarians to ensure they have additional context regarding the potential for people to misuse the products they are prescribing to their animal patients." The issue of abuse stems from the lack of opioids specifically approved for use in animals, …
What's on your radar?August 22, 2018Every year, I do my damnedest to fly up to 35,000 feet so I can take in the immensity of the oceans and the curvature of the planet. But it’s not just Hawaii I’m expecting to see emerge from the clouds. Believe it or not, I’m trying to soak in some perspective. And while what’s happening in the veterinary world may tend to fly below the radar at times like these, it’s never off my screen. Which got me thinking about some the issues I should be writing about. Here are a few:
