Why does my pet need an annual exam?
VCPR: The Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship
Is pet insurance a good idea?
American Pet Health insurance Association is a good resource for this answer.
365 Pet Insurance is another source.
Do my pets have to be vaccinated against Rabies?
Rabies Vaccination Rule for Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets
Washington State rule, WAC 246-100-197, says:
- An owner of a dog, cat, or ferret shall have it vaccinated against rabies and re-vaccinated following veterinary and vaccine manufacturer instructions. An “owner” is any person legally responsible for the care and actions of a pet animal.
- Beginning January 1, 2012, all dogs, cats, and ferrets in Washington must have up-to-date rabies vaccines. Rabies is a deadly virus that can affect people and animals. Any mammal can get rabies. However, bats are the only animal in Washington known to carry rabies. In other states, raccoon’s, skunks, foxes, and coyotes are known to carry rabies.
- If you are a pet owner in Washington, the following information should answer many questions about the new rule that requires rabies vaccines for pet dogs, cats, and ferrets. Some cities and counties already required proof of rabies vaccination for pet licenses before the new state rule took effect. Contact your city or county animal control office or local health department if you have other questions.
Do I need a health certificate to travel with my pet?
If you are traveling by car within the United States, then you do not need a health certificate. Canada and Mexico are an exception – you will need one to visit either of these countries.
If you will be flying to any destination, you will need to contact your airline prior to travel to ask if a health certificate is required.
HEALTH CERTIFICATES
Thinking about traveling with your pet? Need a Health Certificate?
Winslow Animal Clinic is happy to help you with your pets health certificate needs for Domestic travel; including Hawaii, and international travel to Canada and Mexico. Due to the increasing complexity of the regulations and documentation, we are no longer offering health certificate services to other international destinations. To help ensure that you and your pet have pleasant and uneventful travel to your destination, we recommend using services that specialize exclusively in providing international Health Certificates and pet travel arrangements.
For your convenience, we have prepared a list of recommended full service pet travel companies:
Pet Transport Companies
Happy Tails Travel, Inc. – Tucson, AZ
Pet Relocation – Austin, TX
Pac Pet – Damascus, OR
Air Animal Pet Movers – Tampa and Orlando, FL
State and Government Agencies
U.S. Department of State
United States Department of Agriculture
Washington State Department of Agriculture
Why do I have to bring in my pet for an annual exam to get a prescription refill?
Guidelines for Veterinary Prescription Drugs from the American Veterinary Medical Association
Key Points
- Veterinary prescription drugs are labeled for use only by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Incidents involving the sale and use of prescription drugs without a prescription should be reported to the proper state authority and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Veterinary prescription drugs are to be used or prescribed only within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
- Veterinary prescription drugs must be properly labeled before being dispensed.
- Appropriate dispensing and treatment records must be maintained.
- Veterinary prescription drugs should be dispensed only in quantities required for the treatment of the animal(s) for which the drugs are dispensed. Avoid unlimited refills of prescriptions or any other activity that might result in misuse of drugs.
- Any drug used in a manner not in accordance with its labeling should be subjected to the same supervisory precautions that apply to veterinary prescription drugs.
The AVMA has prepared the following guidelines as a resource regarding the use and distribution of veterinary prescription drugs. Veterinarians making treatment decisions must use sound clinical judgment and current medical information and must be in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Veterinary Prescription Drugs
Veterinary prescription drugs are those drugs restricted by federal law to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian [Section 503(f) Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act]. The law requires that the drug sponsor label such drugs with the statement: “Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.”
Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship
A VCPRexists when all of the following conditions have been met:
- The veterinarian has assumed the 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 for follow-up evaluation, or has arranged for emergency coverage, in the event of adverse reactions or failure of the treatment regimen.
Veterinary Prescription Orders
Orders issued by licensed veterinarians authorize drug distributors to deliver veterinary prescription drugs to a specific client, or authorize pharmacists to dispense such drugs to a specific client. Veterinarians should assure compliance with relevant regulations (e.g. VCPR) of their State Board of Pharmacy and State Board of Veterinary Medicine, and applicable federal regulations.
Where can I bring outdated medication?
OUT-DATED MEDICATIONS DISPOSAL IN KITSAP COUNTY:
Kitsap County Sherriff Offices during regular business hours
1. Silverdale: 3951 Randall Way, N.W.
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2. Port Orchard: 614 Division Street, MS-37
Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.