Pono Pet Parents

Submitted by Michelle Barbieri, DVM

The HVMA is providing a landing page for resources for veterinarians, technicians, and pet owners called Pono Pet Parents. This information campaign currently focuses on cats, but the hope is that in the future, it can be expanded to dogs and more. Cat owners can learn about how to raise their beloved pets in a thoughtful way that strengthens their bond with their cats, keeps them happy and healthy, and benefits wild animals and our island home.

Resources are grouped by the following sections:

  • Ensure my cat has a happy home for life
  • Keep my cat safe indoors
  • Create an enriching home environment
  • Spay/neuter and microchip
  • Dispose of litter in the garbage
  • Learn about the unique Hawai’i environment I’m protecting

Pet owners can then take the Pono Cat Pledge, which includes a commitment to these activities. These pages are the result of a combined effort of humane society representatives on Oahu and Kauai, and local, state and federal conservation groups hoping to realize the shared goals of responsible pet ownership and wildlife and ecosystem health.

Please share this resource with your clients and colleagues. And if you have any feedback or want to help get involved with future steps in this information campaign, contact Michelle Barbieri.

2024 Hawaii Legislative Update

The 2024 legislative session is up and running! Several introduced bills may have direct impacts on veterinary practice in Hawaii. Here are the bills we are watching:

  • HB2086 / SB2749 RELATING TO HEALTH. Requires the administrator of the narcotics enforcement administration to make an emergency scheduling by placing xylazine into schedule III on an emergency basis. [HVMA working to include a veterinary use exemption]
  • HB1527 / SB2562 RELATING TO VETERINARY MEDICINE. Prohibits animal owners and their employees from performing any surgical procedures on the owner’s animal or animals. Prohibits the elastration, or castration via banding, of a pet animal. Provides that a violation of the prohibitions is a class C felony. Clarifies that the offense of cruelty to animals in the first degree does not apply to accepted veterinary practices and cropping or docking as customarily practiced when the procedures are performed by a licensed veterinarian.
  • HB1580 RELATING TO ANIMAL CRUELTY. Amends the criminal penalties for various animal cruelty offenses by increasing the category of offense
  • SB2114 RELATING TO FERAL ANIMALS. Prohibits the feeding of feral animals within a certain distance from Department of Education public school campuses; establishes fines
  • SB2564 RELATING TO PET ANIMALS. Prohibits insurers from refusing to issue, refusing to renew, canceling, or establishing higher rates for a homeowners insurance policy or dwelling fire insurance policy based on the breed of any dog that is kept on the premises. Requires any pet animal found on the premises during an eviction to be given to the owner or taken in by an animal control agency. Limits the monetary amount of pet deposits and pet rent. Clarifies that a provision allowing a lien on an animal to secure payment for caring for or feeding the animal does not apply to pet animals.
  • SB2692 RELATING TO DANGEROUS DOGS. Establishes requirements and penalties for owners of dangerous dogs. Allows for impounding of dangerous dogs under certain conditions. 

Please keep an eye out for calls to submit testimony on these bills in the near future. We will send out an alert once any of the bills that may impact veterinary practice are scheduled for a hearing. At that time testimony may be submitted online at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/.

2024 Veterinary Leadership Conference Materials

The following resources have been made available by the AVMA in light of several critical issues that have the potential to make a significant impact on the delivery of care to patients, the structure of the veterinary profession, and veterinary medicine as a whole. These resources include:

  • Veterinary Information Forum (VIF) presentations
  •  House Advisory Panel presentations
  • Workforce, Mid-Level Position & Telemedicine and VCPR backgrounders

Links:

AVMA Update – January 2024

AVMA is seeking member feedback on proposed updates to the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (PVME). Your voice matters! Submit your comments by March 4th, 2024 (you must be an AVMA member to access). 

We encourage you to pay particular attention to Section A, Part 4, Emergency Care, starting on line 151. The final wording may impact your own work life because in Hawaii, a veterinarian’s license can be revoked for failing to uphold the recognized principles of veterinary medical ethics adopted by both the HVMA and AVMA (HRS 471-10 (12)). Staying informed and engaged in shaping these guiding principles is crucial for protecting your practice while ensuring the highest ethical standards for animal care in our unique island community. Take action today by reviewing the draft PVME and sharing your feedback.

The House of Delegates met on January 4-6, 2024. Several resolutions were passed, updating and revising current policies ranging from pet loss support to animal safety. You can find the details here

AVMA has also published informative backgrounders on three hot topics in vet med: telemedicine and the VCPR, the veterinary workforce shortage, and the organization’s position on creating a mid-level practitioner position that would overlap duties of veterinarians and technicians. You can learn more on the AVMA blog

If you would like more information or have feedback for AVMA, feel free to reach out to one of us directly. 

Carolyn Naun (Hawaii Delegate) 
Jenee Odani (Hawaii Alternate Delegate) 

Maui Wildfire Burn Zone Access Granted

The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association would like to thank Adjutant General Kenneth Hara and Brigadier General Steve Logan with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency for their efforts working with MEMA (Maui Emergency Management Agency) and Maui Humane Society to help Animal Search and Rescue teams gain access to previously restricted areas on Saturday August 26th. We acknowledge that efforts to search for pet animal survivors are necessarily secondary to ensuring the safety of personnel entering the burn zone and safely securing human remains. 

It is important to clarify that steps to provide for animal survivors in the burn zone were taken even when Animal Search & Rescue teams were not allowed access. A FEMA veterinarian has been stationed in the burn zone supporting the canine search teams, and she oversees the delivery of any animals found alive by first responders to the Maui Humane Society for medical care. Food and water were left in various areas throughout the burn zone for any other animals that were hiding from the response teams. 

We encourage all who want to provide care to animals in this or future disasters to complete the free FEMA training (ICS 100/200 & IS 700/800) and Community Emergency Response training so they can understand how to best participate in response situations and help their communities.

Updates on Pet Transport Off Maui

Updated Aug 17, 2023 – All information posted here is subject to change

USDA APHIS has provided the following information for transporting pets off Maui.

Maui Humane Society
Maui Humane Society is providing free health certificates and free air kennels for residents that need them to leave the island. 

OGG to HNL only
Kamaka Airlines – possible discount on flights

OGG to Continental USA
– Alaska Airlines – OGG to Seattle and LAX. Assisting with Maui shelters relocating pets. They recommended shelter groups send them a request. They are considering discount requests to pet relocation groups.
– Hawaiian Airlines – OGG to SEA and LAX (non-stop flights, no kennel limitations); OGG to SFO and SAN (non-stop  with max 28” height kennels)

HNL to LAX
– Pacific Air Cargo – book through IPATA Pet Transport Company
– Aloha Air Cargo – book through IPATA Pet Transport Company; accepts giant breeds, also flies to Seattle
– American Airlines Cargo (PetEmbark) – PetEmbark@aa.com; 1-800-227-4622, (only between HNL and continental US)

Local IPATA Pet Transporters
Island Pet Movers

– www.islandpetmovers.com/contact (please fill out inquiry)
– exotic pets, cats and dogs, fish on case-by-case basis
– discount Aug 15-25, OGG to HNL to LAX, $65 to HNL, $225 to LAX (100-500 size kennel); no breed restrictions to LAX
– other mainland locations $375 – $575, airport and breed restrictions apply
– utilizing Kamaka Air and Pacific Air Cargo
– crates and health certificate exams discounted 30%

Tails of Hawaii
– 808-676-9663 option 3
– tailmovers@tailsofhawaii.com
– Exotic & pocket pets, potbelly pigs, cats and dogs, birds, NO fish
– may offer discount for moves on case-by-case basis, submit request to
tailmovers@tailsofhawaii.com
– offering discount on health certificate issuance in HNL for those impacted by Maui wildfires

REMINDERS FOR VETS
Category I Accredited Veterinarians authorized through our National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) are NOT able to issue health certificates for pet birds or pet pot-bellied pigs.  Those animals would need to be examined by a Category II Accredited Veterinarian.  If AV’s have more questions as to which Category they are authorized, to please refer to the following website and feel free to reach out to the local NVAP Coordinator: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/nvap/ct_category1-2

For pets going to the mainland US, please issue a rabies vaccine certificate. 

Further VEHCS information and guidance:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/vehcs-info

Canine Influenza Detected in Hawaii

We wanted to alert our membership that canine influenza (H3N2) was detected on Oahu in four dogs from three families at two separate clinics. All affected dogs had been recently boarded at a single facility. Canine influenza virus can cause respiratory disease in dogs that can resemble kennel cough. Less commonly, more severe illness can be observed, especially in dogs that have an underlying health condition. 

At this time, there does not seem to be any known spread to other dogs in the local community. Transmission of H3N2 canine influenza virus from dogs to cats has been reported in other outbreaks. To date, there is no evidence that transmission to humans can occur. 

Veterinary clinics should take precautions to avoid transmission of the virus between dogs. The AVMA recommends that dogs with clinical signs suggestive of respiratory disease be separated from other dogs. This includes the waiting area, facility entrance/exit, examination/treatment area, and hospitalization ward. Personnel should wear personal protective equipment and disinfect the facility and potential fomites with an appropriate disinfectant. Many commonly used disinfectants are effective against influenza viruses. The EPA maintains a list of products that are registered for use against influenza viruses. 

The best test to diagnose acute clinical infections is the PCR test on deep nasal (preferred) or pharyngeal swabs. Viral shedding peaks early in the infection, so the test is of highest value within the first 1-2 days of the onset of clinical signs. Avoid using cotton-tipped wood shaft swabs for sample collection because those materials may inhibit the PCR reaction. Please check with the laboratory ahead of time for their preferred storage tubes; in general, avoid using tubes with additives or gel media.

If you know of any confirmed cases, please contact Hawaii Department of Agriculture at hdoa.vls@hawaii.gov. HVMA leadership is monitoring the situation and can be reached at: public_relations@hawaiivetmed.org. There is also a private Facebook page for HVMA members (veterinarians only) and a specific chat thread to discuss this topic. The Center for Food Security and Public Health has an excellent review of canine influenza. The AVMA and the CDC also have good information available on their websites. 

70th Annual Conference – Registration Open!

This year the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association’s 70th annual conference will be held in-person from November 9-12th, 2023 in Honolulu, Hawaii at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel.

We are welcoming back our colleagues from Japan for the first time since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic shut down international travel. In addition to Japanese-translated sessions, we will have hands-on laboratories on orthopedic surgery, point of care ultrasound, and successful CPR techniques.

Lecture topics include ophthalmology, neurology, dentistry, emergency and critical care, swine and ruminant medicine and surgery, business, and wellbeing.

HVMA will also hold our 70th Annual Business meeting on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 12pm. This meeting is open to active HVMA members as well as any interested veterinarians in Hawaii.

Please check here for conference schedule, lab information, and accommodation information. Registration is now open; we hope you will join us this fall!

DEA Scam Alert: Criminals Targeting Medical Professionals

The Drug Enforcement Administration sent out a warning regarding a widespread fraud scheme where criminals are posing as DEA agents. Scammers are calling doctors and other medical professionals demanding money, and threatening jail and revocation of medical licenses.

DEA personnel will never contact members of the public or medical practitioners to demand money or any other form of payment, will never request personal or sensitive information, and will only notify people of a legitimate investigation or legal action in person or by official letter. No legitimate federal law enforcement officer will demand cash or gift cards from a member of the public.

Don’t become the victim of a scam. Learn more about how to protect yourself and report fraud here.

Update on Maui Wildfire Response

August 14, 2023

Remember that disaster response is a marathon, not a sprint. Here is an update communicated to us by the team working under Maui Humane Society (MHS). 

Due to the severity of the fire and limited access following the event due to safety concerns, there were not nearly the amount of burn survivors as was anticipated. Most likely, those that could be saved have already been rescued, though the field teams are still looking. Thankfully many people were able to evacuate with their pets.

The next phase will include long term community outreach for those who are now living in Lahaina, Napili, and Kapalua, as they no longer have vets on the west side of the island. MHS is leading this effort. They and other nonprofit organizations will have mobile units in West Maui starting tomorrow that will need to be staffed. There won’t be a need for many trained vet professionals all at once, but more likely over a long period of time. We will be helping MHS coordinate the pool of volunteers.

If you are interested, please fill out this online form with your interest/availability in longer term volunteer efforts.

There have been many, many hours of meetings attended by HVMA leadership, Dr. Aleisha Swartz (primary HVMA liaison to HiEMA/ State Emergency Support Functions), Dr. Nate Lam (volunteer), MHS staff, all government agencies (county, state, fed) and non-governmental organizations (e.g. American Red Cross, ASPCA). We are doing our best to identify needs and respond appropriately in a rapidly changing and challenging situation. The right people are getting in place for the long term plan. Emergency management meetings are discussing the following considerations: getting feed & water to livestock whose pasture has burnt, disease management from decomposition, marine pollution, trapping feral/strays when they re-emerge, short and long term sheltering and feeding of displaced people and pets, keeping families together with pets, veterinary needs, etc.

HVMA’s role in this emergency currently is supportive to governmental agencies and organizations like MHS that are acting under the emergency declaration. We are making every effort to coordinate volunteers, gather information on needs, and share information on resources and identify information and needs gaps. We are also coordinating support offered from national organizations such as AVMF. Most of our time and work is remote and we may need remote volunteer support for this as well, as the board is all volunteering their time to coordinate this effort.

A call to action- if your HVMA membership is not current please RENEW today! The more members we have, the stronger we are in times like this, and the more resources we have to support these efforts.

We hope this helps with some of the questions and anticipation out there. Thanks again for all your care, concern, kokua, and patience! We are proud to be a part of the HVMA and the Hawaii vet community. Let’s continue to make our community stronger!

Your HVMA Board