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By Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Life without animals, either in the wild or as pets, is nearly impossible to imagine. Think of a sky without birds, a forest without bears or deer, a sea without fish, or--for many of us--a home without a dog or cat or bird.
Some of us, such as farmers, veterinarians, or dog breeders, build our working lives around animals. But animals mean so much more than just a job or a business to so many of us. Animals will capture the interest of a small child and make adults feel healthier and more at ease. That could be why so many of us own pets.
Recent surveys have reported that Americans care for about 77 million pet cats. In addition, there are more than 43 million dog owners--and 65 million dogs--in the United States. Birds, fish, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, and reptiles of various sorts are also popular.
Some studies have indicated what all those pet owners already know intuitively--that people enjoy health benefits from the human-animal bond. It seems that pets can help people lower their blood pressure or cope with AIDS. Senior citizens and children receive enormous comfort from the companionship of pets.
Living with animals has many benefits, but to enjoy those benefits we also have to accept the responsibility for keeping the animals healthy. That's where the Food and Drug Administration plays a significant role. The focus of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine is animal health.
CVM reviews animal drugs before they can be marketed and after they are on the market to be sure that the drugs are effective and safe for the intended animal, a task that takes the talents of veterinarians, animal scientists, chemists, biologists, microbiologists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, statisticians, and epidemiologists. The center reviews all drugs that are intended for use in animals, whether a food-producing farm animal or a household pet.
CVM scientists will take that extra step to ensure animal safety. For instance, the center recently approved a drug to sterilize male puppies. It's a chemical alternative to surgical castration. CVM first determined that the product would work effectively, and that it could be used in a way that was safe for the puppies, but did not stop there. The reviewers realized that in actual use, veterinarians would have to use the proper injection technique to prevent injury to the puppy. Veterinarians would have to be taught the proper technique. To address that concern, the company developed training material for veterinarians, including a videotape that showed correct injection techniques.
The center monitors reports of adverse effects from the use of animal drugs on the market. If problems are discovered, CVM can require companies to send "Dear Doctor" letters to veterinarians to inform them of risks that have been identified, or to provide client information sheets so that pet owners clearly understand the risk and benefits of a product. For example, Pfizer Inc. responded to the center's request to develop a client information sheet for dog owners who give their dogs Rimadyl, a pain relief medicine. The drug is effective, but veterinarians and owners must be cautious using it. The client information sheet was written so that dog owners know what side effects to look for.
The center also has responsibility for the safety of livestock feed and pet food. If a problem is reported with pet food, the FDA investigates, and the center determines the cause and the seriousness of the problem. CVM also develops guidance on special diets, such as the raw meat diets that some dog specialists are recommending.
The FDA gives this much attention to the health of animals because we owe it to the animals in our care. But also, the health of animals is important for the health of people. As the article in this issue of FDA Consumer points out, sick animals can transmit diseases to humans, so keeping an animal healthy can also help keep humans healthy.
But, perhaps more important, animals and humans often develop strong bonds of affection and companionship. It's in our nature to protect what's important to us, so it's important to protect the health of our animals.
Stephen F. Sundlof, D.V.M., Ph.D., is director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.