Veterinary Science and Animal Care

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top vets taking cash from drug firms Government advisers on the safety of animal medicines have financial ties with the drugs companies. More than half of UK's Veterinary Medicines Directorate experts - 26 out of 48 - are part-funded by drug companies. Many are paid for consultancy work, given research grants or hold shares. Richard Young, of the Soil Association, said “There is a cosy pro-industry culture running through the regulatory framework. Because of this there is a tendency for committee members to look upon products in a non-critical way.” Sixteen members have links with companies that produce or recently produced controversial organophosphates - used to kill animal parasites. There is evidence that these chemicals can cause brain damage and depression in people who come into contact with them. Hundreds of farmers claim to have been severely affected. The directorate's committees have concluded that the chemicals are safe, although there is no suggestion that members have not acted independently. Lucy Johnson, Express Newspapers, July 2000

“Why the insistence on annual vaccinations? There is no evidence to prove the programme is either essential or effective. With over six million dog owning families in the UK, and vaccines varying from £15 to £30 a time, the vaccine programme is a highly lucrative part of veterinary practice. Some sources suggest that as much as 30% of veterinary practice profit is obtained from vaccination. SmithKline Beecham recently sold its animal health division for £920M. It is hard not to become cynical as to why the veterinary profession and the drug companies do not want the problems of vaccine related illness properly investigated.” Chrissie Mason PhD, author of 'They Shoot Horses, but Vaccinate Dogs.' www.positivehealth.com

“Although the British government was informed that the polio vaccine was contaminated at the time, they took the decision to use it anyway. Once it was decided it was too risky to continue using the contaminated vaccine on the UK population, it was sold overseas to unsuspecting 'foreigners'. So God help your dog.” Catherine O'Driscoll, author of 'What Vets don't tell you about Vaccines' Abbeywood Publishing 1998

“Most 'vet recommended' foods pay mightily for the “honour”. Pet food companies tell the vet, “We'll send you to Hawaii for a week of golf if you sell and endorse our pet food.” You are miles ahead if you understand the pet food label yourself and take the time to learn some basic nutritional concepts. It's not that complicated! Find out for yourself, trust your own judgement and ignore what people say who are getting paid to say it.” Ten Things the Pet Food Industry do not Want you to Know. www.petextra.com

“Feathers, a by-product of poultry meat processing, are pressure cooked with steam until they are an edible gel, which makes them an acceptable feed grade ingredient. This is given International Feed Number 5-03-795, and can then appear on a label as a 'poultry by-product'. Ingredients assigned to IFN 5-14-508 include heads, feet, underdeveloped eggs, intestines, feathers and blood. Today's regulations allow the entire mix or any part of it to appear on a label as poultry by-products. When a pet food label's list of ingredients shows the word 'by-product' you can be assured there is NO measurable amount of meat in the ingredient. If the ingredient contained enough meat that could be measured, the pet food company would proudly list the MEAT, not just the by-product of that meat's production.. When I combined my love for animals with the knowledge I'd gained through research it became apparent that I needed to become 'The Animal Advocate'….” William D Cusick, The Animal Advocate. http://home.att.net/~wdcusick/06.html

“Bulk Klean…the ultimate food service grease removal system. The container can either be pumped or lifted and then emptied into a specialized truck, eliminating spills. Hot, high-pressure water mixed with detergent is then used to clean, deodorize and disinfect, leaving the container sanitized and looking new.” Excerpted from National By-products Inc. sales literature, aimed at restaurants and other fast-food outlets. www.nationalby-products.com/greaseoutdoor.htm (The contents of the container is often left untouched for up to six weeks. It is then added to the commercial foods bought for cats and dogs.)

“The problems associated with a commercial diet are seen every day at veterinary establishments. Chronic digestive problems, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and inflammatory bowel disease are among the most frequent illnesses treated…Rendered animal fat, restaurant grease, or other oils too rancid or deemed inedible for humans are sprayed on to make an otherwise bland or distasteful product palatable. Manufacturers are masters at getting a dog or a cat to eat something she would normally turn up her nose at.” US Animal Protection Institute, 2000 www.api4animals.org

'They Die Piece by Piece' It takes 25 minutes to turn a live steer into steak at the modern slaughterhouse where Ramon Moreno works. For 20 years, his post was "second-legger," a job that entails cutting hocks off carcasses as they whirl past at a rate of 309 an hour. The cattle were supposed to be dead before they got to Moreno. But too often they weren't." They blink. They make noises," he said softly. "The head moves, the eyes are wide and looking around." Still Moreno would cut. On bad days, he says, dozens of animals reached his station clearly alive and conscious. Some would survive as far as the tail cutter, the belly ripper, the hide puller. "They die," said Moreno, "piece by piece." By Joby Warrick. Excerpted from 'In Overtaxed Plants, Humane Treatment of Cattle Is Often a Battle Lost' Washington Post, April 10, 2001

Insecticide Causes Mad Cow Disease “Pharmaceutical interests in the UK are ignoring scientific research that shows the insecticide used in the UK government's own warble-fly campaigns triggered the UK surge of 'Mad Cow' disease….The politically well-connected British pharmaceuticals group, ICI has the financial and political clout to block research into any cause other than the infective model. Indeed no substantive alternative research has been done. British BSE disease management and research bodies have taken decisions that do not seem guided by spirited scientific enquiry.” Fintan Dunne, Kathy McMahon, www.mercola.com/2000/dec/17/bovine_spongiform_disease.htm

“I am appalled at the pointless slaughter of thousands of animals in Britain and Europe, in an irrational plan to halt foot and mouth disease. Culling is a savage display of ignorance perpetuated by government compensation. Animals in British farms have been injected with hormones and antibiotics, kept in crates and cages so that they cannot move around and have now suffered needlessly in this epidemic. Ignorance reigns as money is the route to this daunting display of savagery.” Dr Tanya Ritchie. Sunday Times, 18th March, 2001

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