Full Moon Drive Your Pets Crazy?
We have all heard the anecdotal stories from hospitals, news outlets and police reports stating that a full moon always brings the “crazies and loonies’ out of the woodwork.
We have even personally observed bizarre behavior and said, “Must be a full moon.”
Well, I recently came across a study completed by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Although the report was originally published last year, I found it to be very interesting.
The study was completed by Raegan J. Wells, DVM; Juliet R. Gionfriddo, DVM, MS, DACVO; Timothy B. Hackett, DVM, MS, DACVECC; Steven V. Radecki, PhD Veterinary Medical Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
The purpose of the study was to determine the frequency of canine and feline emergency visits with respect to the lunar cycle.
The study was based upon the clinical records of 11,940 dogs and cats that were evaluated on an emergency basis during an 11-year period.
The emergency types were categorized as animal bite, cardiac arrest, epilepsy, ophthalmic, gastric dilatation-volvulus (a twisting of the digestive tract that leads to partial or complete obstruction and a reduction in blood supply), trauma, multiple diseases, neoplasia (the formation or existence of tumors) or toxicosis (the harmful effects of a poison, including any disease).
The results were…
“Of 11,940 cases, 9,407 were canine and 2,533 were feline. Relative risk calculations identified a significant increase in emergencies for dogs and cats on fuller moon days (waxing gibbous to waning gibbous), compared with all other days.”
The study went on to report…
“The results suggested that more emergency room visits occurred on fuller moon days for dogs and cats. It is unlikely that an attending clinician would notice the fractional increase in visits (0.59 and 0.13 more canine and feline visits, respectively) observed in this study at a facility with a low caseload. If the study is repeated at a facility with a robust emergency caseload, these results may lead to reorganization of staffing on fuller moon dates.”
So the next time that your dog howls, without any obvious reason, at the full moon, maybe it is more than a coincidence.
Lunar cycle effects causing injury or illness to your pets?
Who knew?
Maybe we need to watch our pets a little more carefully during a full moon.
I dunno…can’t hurt, can it?
You are responsibile for your Pet's medical care
If you are like most pet owners in the United States, you treat your pet more like a family member than an animal.
If you are willing to allow your pet to sit with you on your sofa (or lap) to watch television, eat from your plate during meals and sleep in your bed, you are among the majority of pet lovers.
Don’t forget then, that these same pets need your protection and help in other areas and many individuals have prepared Medical Power of Attorneys for their Pets to be used in an emergency situation. Most pet owners regularly and confidently use their local veterinary for medical care and prevention.
However, one couple in Naples, Florida is claiming that a routine trip to the veterinary has turned into a legal nightmare. Naples couple sues vet.
Nancy Hamerling of Naples says she took her 5-year-old Maltese dog (Jake) to a vet for an examination and rabies shot and never got him back.
Three days later, she learned that Jake had been put up for adoption and was gone. Employees at the clinic, however, contend Jake never had an appointment and their office was used only as a place to surrender the dog to a nonprofit adoption group that works with one of its employees.
Hamerling and her husband, Robert, have sued the clinic to get Jake back. A woman, who works at the clinic, said that the Hamerlings brought their dog in and asked how to place him up for adoption because they were moving to a condo that did not allow pets; the Hamerlings deny they’re moving.
According to the Principles of veterinary Medical ethics of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Veterniary Medical Ethics, the veterinarian-client-patient relationship is the basis for interaction among veterinarians, their clients, and their patients…exists when all of the following conditions have been met:
The veterinarian has assumed responsibility for making clinical judgments regarding the health of the animal(s) and the need for medical treatment, and the client has agreed to follow the veterinarian’s instructions.
The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal(s). This means that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal(s) by virtue of an examination of the animal(s), or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal(s) are kept.
The veterinarian is readily available, or has arranged for emergency coverage, for follow-up evaluation in the event of adverse reactions or the failure of the treatment regimen.
Other ethical policies of the AVMA state that veterinary medical records are an integral part of veterinary care and that the records must comply with the standards established by state and federal law. The medical records are the property of the practice and the practice owner. The original records must be retained by the practice for the period required by statute. Ethically, the information within veterinary medical records is considered privileged and confidential. It must not be released except by court order or consent of the owner of the patient. Veterinarians are obligated to provide copies or summaries of medical records when requested by the client and should secure a written release to document that request.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society , the best way to find a good veterinarian is to ask people who have the same approach to pet care as you. Start with a recommendation from a friend, neighbor, animal shelter worker, dog trainer, groomer, boarding kennel employee, or pet sitter. Check the Yellow Pages under "Veterinarians" and "Animal Hospitals," where important information may also be provided about hours, services, and staff. You can also search for veterinarians in your area at Pets 911.
You should treat a trip to the veterinarian, just as you would a trip to any other physician, whether for you or another family member. You may learn to rely on their judgment and trust them.
But understand your responsibility to your pets regarding their diagnosis, medications and treatment. You need to speak on their behalf.
Medical care is just another piece of the puzzle that completes the picture of the planning for your pet’s future
