Animal Health - Busy Week!

Wow...these last 10 days have been almost unprecendented in the time I have been involved with the Veterinary News Network. I haven't seen this much animal/animal health related news since those scary two months of the pet food recall back in 2007.

Of course, the biggest news right now is the so-called "swine flu" that continues to rack up numbers of infected people as well as the numbers of countries it has reached. I imagine we will have a rough ride over the next 2 or 3 weeks until we get a handle on just how easily this flu is spread and where the true origin is. I normally reserve my thoughts for pet and animal topics, but this one is close enough and I am continuing to see some incorrect facts associated with it.

A couple of key points that need to be discussed: First, pork is ok to eat if you want to eat pork. I keep hearing and reading news stories about countries that are banning pork products from states and countries where this new flu has hit. I have not seen any evidence that this flu can be transmitted in that way and there aren't any pigs in the US who have exhibited signs of this flu!!! Plus, properly cooking pork products will destroy any virus. I don't know about you but I only eat my steaks medium rare, not my pork chops!

Second, take normal precautions, don't freak out. Wash your hands often, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and dispose of tissues in the trash. Hmmm...sounds like advice my mother gave me while growing up...I wonder why we need to be reminded of it again and again.

If you are sick, stay home, don't go to work/school/church and infect your friends, co-workers and neighbors. Above all, don't go hang out with any pigs!

And finally, there are no known instances of a dog or cat becoming infected with this flu bug. So, your pets should be perfectly safe!

We have a little ways to go yet with this latest medical emergency to hit...let's keep our heads on straight and not jump to any conclusions. As the story continues to grow, the Veterinary News Network will keep focused on the animal health aspect (if there is one) and you can always check in at PetDocsOnCall.com to get the opinion of one of our staff veterinarians.