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H1N1 UPDATES! (November 2009) Please check the AVMA website by clicking here for more up-to-date details! November 18, 2009 The Oregon state public health veterinarian has reported that a pet cat has died from presumed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection. The cat was one of 4 cats in the household and became ill approximately one week after a child in household had a flu-like illness. It developed labored breathing and was presented to a veterinarian on November 4. The cat was not coughing or sneezing but had pneumonia. The cat's condition deteriorated over the next 3 days, and it died on November 7. Samples were obtained and tested (PCR) positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Additional samples were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for confirmation and are still pending. At this time this is a presumed, not confirmed, case of 2009 H1N1 influenza infection. The three other cats in the household also became ill with different degrees of sneezing and coughing, but recovered from their illnesses. Samples collected from these cats were negative for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. November 17, 2009 A cat in Park City, Utah has become the second cat confirmed to be infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus. The cat's owner had previously been ill with the flu before the cat became ill. The cat was having trouble breathing and was taken to a veterinarian on November 3. A 'bedside' influenza test on November 6 detected the presence of type A influenza. Additional samples were sent to the Iowa State laboratory on November 9. A PCR test performed on the nasal swab was negative for 2009 H1N1 influenza, likely because the cat was no longer shedding the virus. The infection was serologically confirmed with a hemagglutination inhibition assay by the laboratory at Iowa State University on November 13. November 10, 2009 The State Public Health Veterinarian for Oregon has confirmed three more H1N1-infected ferrets. According to the statement: "In late October 2009, a client presented to a veterinarian in the Roseburg area with 3 of 9 ferrets who had become ill with an influenza-like illness. The family had human patients with influenza-like illness about a week prior to the illness onset on the ferrets. Two of the 3 ferrets presented with fevers (temp >103F), sneezing , coughing and had nasal discharge. Not all ferrets became ill at the same time, but 2-3 days after the initial 2 cases. Nasal discharge samples were collected on Oct 27th and were later reported as positive for Influenza A. Further testing at NVSL confirmed the isolates as pandemic influenza H1N1. All 9 ferrets have recovered well." View information on the Oregon VMA site. Hospira Brand Propofol and Liposyn Products - Recall (November 9, 2009) Attention: Anesthesiology, intensivist healthcare professionals, emergency veterinarians, and veterinarians! Hospira, Inc.and FDA notified healthcare professionals of the recall of 85 lots of Liposyn II 10%, Liposyn II 20%, Liposyn III 10%, Liposyn III 20%, and Liposyn III 30%, and 73 lots of Propofol Injectable Emulsion 1% products that begin with the lot numbers 79 and 80 because some of the containers may contain particulate matter. The source of the particulate matter has been identified as stainless steel equipment used in the manufacturing process. The affected lots were distributed between July 2009 and October 2009, and no other lots are affected by this recall. Since these particulate contaminants do not dissolve in blood they could potentially act as emboli and impede blood flow. Particulates may also cause mechanical damage to the body and may escalate damage through the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). Restriction in blood supply to tissues could lead to stroke, respiratory failure, kidney failure, liver failure, heart attack and/or death. Vetsulin insulin recall - calling all diabetic dogs and cats! (November 3, 2009) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine, in cooperation with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, has announced that Vetsulin® may have varying amounts of crystalline zinc insulin, the active ingredient, in the formula. As a result, use of the product could result in a delay in action of the drug as well as prolonged action, which could cause difficulty in managing diabetic pets. The FDA-CVM and Intervet/Schering-Plough "request that veterinarians closely monitor their patients receiving Vetsulin® for any changes in onset or duration of activity, or for any signs of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. The classic signs of hyperglycemia include increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss and lethargy. The classic signs of hypoglycemia would include disorientation, unsteadiness, weakness, lethargy, and seizures." While Intervet/Schering-Plough is working with FDA on resolving this issue, supplies may be limited. Therefore, veterinarians should consider transitioning their diabetic patients to other insulin products. In addition, FDA encourages veterinarians to report any adverse events with the Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health product to the company through the Technical Services Department at 1-800-224-5318.  Premium Edge Dry cat food - severe thiamine deficiency resulting in neurologic signs! (October 2009) Beware! Premium Edge Dry cat food problem - there's a thiamine (vitamin B) deficiency, and it's resulting in neurologic signs in cats! Go to our website for more info - in the meantime, please spread the word!  ATTENTION ROCHESTER AND SURROUNDING AREA DVM's I just received confirmation that the Premium Edge Cat food is deficient in thiamine (the level in the tested food was 1.5 ppm - should be >5 ppm). These cats should be supported in the hospital, if needed, on IV fluids and injections or oral supplementation of thiamine until their neurologic signs resolve and they are eating well. Please let me know if you have any cases - we are trying to compile a list for the company. Again the foods are Premium Edge Finicky Adult and Hairball with 0501 in the production code. Have the owners bring in the bags - we would like the product info to confirm the cases for reimbursement from the company We are currently seeing cats (13+) with acute neurologic signs that are due to a yet unidentified problem with PREMIUM EDGE CAT FOOD. The cats were all eating either the Finicky Adult Cat or Hairball formula. Best by dates on the 6 and 18lb bags range from October to December BUT all the sick cats were eating food with 0501 in the production code. Premium Edge is produced by Diamond Pet Foods. We are working closely with the company to figure out what is making these cats sick. We have also been in contact with toxocologists and nutritionists at Cornell. Symptoms have included; decreased appetite prior to neurologic signs, vomiting, vestibular-like ataxia, dull mentation, a subtle positional ventral nystagmus, dilated pupils,decreased to absent PLR and menance, blindness, seizures, head & neck weakness with ventral flexion, postural rigidity, circling, increased respiratory rate, hypothermia. Overall labs have been unremarkable. So far MOST of the cats have responded to supportive treatment with fluids and have slowly improved over 36-72 hours. As of this email, there have been no reported deaths directly related to the clinical signs. What we need from the veterinary community...PLEASE be on the lookout for any cats that fit this description. Treat supportively and give them time to recover. Have the owners bring in their bags for the product info and codes (this is critical for proving you have an affected cat). Save a sample of the food labeled in the freezer in case additional samples are needed. Please email me or contact me at Stone Ridge if you see a neuro cat that is eating Premium Edge food. The company has indicated they will financially cover these cases. I will be happy to assist in any way I can and can put you in contact with the company's VP and or DVM's if you have additional questions. Dr. Simon Kirk has see a large number of these cats as VSES as well and would be available if you have questions.(simonkirky@hotmail.com, VSES 424-1277) I will update everyone with testing results as they are made available. My contact info: Stone Ridge Veterinary Hospital 550 Center Place Drive 585-227-4990 bigyellowdog98@hotmail.com Thank you - Susan Hubbard, DVM Propofol recall! Two lots of propofol (31305429B and 31305430B), a generic form of the anesthetic Diprivan (Yes, the same drug that Michael Jackson overdosed on), have been recalled! Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is recalling these two lots after testing by the FDA revealed elevated levels of endotoxins. These two tainted lots were discovered after post-operative patients who had been treated with propofol complained of chills, fever, and other flu-like symptoms. Any medical professionals who have these 100mL vials from these lots are asked to stop using the product immediately and return them to their distributor. Any adverse reactions possibly related to the use of propofol should be reported to the FDA via their MedWatch program by phone (1-800 FDA-1088), fax (1-800-FDA-0178), or on the web (www.fda.gov/medwatch). At the same there, Teva Animal Health has been issued an injunction filed by the FDA for failing to comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations. As a result, their St. Joseph, Missouri facility has been shut down, and they ahve been fined (up to $7.5 million per year!). Check out more on this important FDA injuction by clicking here. This applies to all pets owners, because Teva also products DVM Pharmaceutical products (i.e., DermCaps, common veterinary shampoos, etc.).  Flea and tick preventative: how to apply the product safely! With all the concern about the EPA spot-on issues, it's important to apply flea and tick preventatives appropriately and carefully! When it comes to properly using and applying flea and tick medications, here are some important considerations: 1. Make sure you know the exact weight of your pet before purchasing a product. Your vet should allow you to weigh your pet for free! This is important because a lot of toxicities seen with flea and tick medication are from inappropriate dosing. Never guess your pet's weight. As a comparison, keep in mind that one gallon of milk weighs approximately 8 pounds. 2. Read the package directions, and then read them again! Despite the small print, it's important to know how to properly apply the flea and tick product. We see lots of inadvertent, unintentional toxicities from pet owners applying the product onto the wrong sized animal, the wrong species (putting a dog product on a cat), and by the wrong route (i.e., some people accidentally give the product orally instead of dermally on the skin!). 3. If you have both cats and dogs, beware. Certain types of flea and tick preventative are very safe for dogs, but very toxic to cats. Using a "small dog" product on a cat can result in life-threatening tremors, seizures, and even death if untreated! If you just applied the product to your dog, and your cat grooms or rubs himself onto the dog (and ointment), toxicity can occur! Separating pets until the product is completely dried is important! 4. When in doubt, call for help. If you think you applied the product erroneously, or if your pet develops adverse reactions, call your veterinarian immediately. In addition, there is often a medical information phone number listed on the packaging - these are typically open 24/7, so when in doubt, call for medical advice! 5. Make sure to always store the box, packaging, and tubing all together, so you have all the information in one area. After using the product, hang on to box for few days, in the event of a reaction. 6. Never, ever split the product. In other words, don't buy a big dog flea and tick product to split and apply onto two medium-sized dogs. This is very dangerous, and the product is not labeled or intended to be split this way.  |
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