
What Other Practices Are Being Discouraged by the AVMA?
A similar circumstance occurred this past August at the 2012 AVMA Conference when the AVMA made an announcement discouraging veterinarians from recommending Raw or Undercooked Animal-Source Protein in Cat and Dog Diets for our patients. The AVMA’s anti raw-food feeding stance is legitimately founded on concerns about the potential for disease causing microorganisms (primarily bacteria and parasites) that could be spread between pets and people. I understand the AVMA’s concerns, as we veterinarians must strive to promote our patients’ wellness without putting the health of our patients’ human caretakers at risk. My experiences managing immunocompromised patients, including my own dog Cardiff, who has Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia, and the pets undergoing oncology treatment at the Veterinary Cancer Grouphave led to my recommendation of cooked animal-sourced proteins over raw. What are your perspectives on the AVMA’s discouragement of homeopathy and undercooked animal-source protein diets?