Partial Digital Amputation (Onychectomy/Declawing)
- Veterinarians have the right to refuse to perform non-therapeutic PDA surgery. The NBVMA supports the position that Veterinarians should educate their clients about reasonable and effective alternatives to feline declawing and discourages the procedure. However, veterinarians retain the right and responsibility to use professional judgment for a humane and ethical outcome for their patients. If the declawing procedure is performed, whether therapeutic or due to lack of viable alternatives, post-operative pain management must be provided as per NBVMA current practice standards. In addition, it is understood that the animal will be confined to a safe secure environment and not allowed to run at large outdoors.
UPDATE : 14.04 (b) Effective July 1, 2019, it is considered unprofessional conduct for a veterinarian in New Brunswick to perform Partial Digital Amputation (“PDA”), commonly known as declawing or onychectomy, of cats except when this procedure is performed due to a reason of animal health, which exception is not considered to be in contravention of this By-Law.
Cannabis
- The New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association (NBVMA) is closely monitoring developments in cannabis therapies, as well as the governmental changes in policy of this controlled drug. The current scientific understanding of the pharmacology and physiology of cannabis products is incomplete and evolving. As legislature is changing, the NBVMA strongly councils pet owners that are considering usage of cannabis products on their pets to consider that there is no safe and effective treatment/dosage at this time.
CVMA Cannabis Update – Summer 2020: https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/news-events/news/cannabis-update-summer-2020%20
Raw Pet Foods
- Given the documented Public and Animal Health risks posed by the feeding of raw meat/egg-based diets to pets, the New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association (NBVMA) feels that recommending such diets for companion animal consumption is unsafe. Should a client insist on feeding such foodstuffs, it would be prudent to advise them of the risks and document in their animal’s medical record a notation as to the diet fed in the event of future illness sustained by the pet and/or individuals within the household related to the consumption of raw meat/eggs.
The Delivery of Veterinary Emergency Service in Rural Areas
- After-hour coverage and the delivery of emergency services are becoming an increasingly critical issue in rural areas of the province. This is a national concern, as several factors including resources, geography, and economics have contributed to a diminished availability of professional staff and emergency care in under-serviced areas.
Please be aware what after-hours services are available to you before an emergency arises. Emergency and critical care services, as for humans and by necessity, are generally centralized in urban centers. Production animal response times may also be delayed due to the availability of professional staff to cover certain districts.
All professionals, including Veterinarians, are experiencing fatigue-impacted decision-making effectiveness. Appropriate work-life balance is thus essential for the provision of safe and productive services. The NBVMA request the Public’s understanding and cooperation as it deals with professional staffing limitations in light of the ongoing challenges outlined above.
