Are pet homeowners abusing animals to get opioids? Colorado veterinarians see opioid epidemic now extending to pets — ScienceDaily

Though veterinarians can prescribe highly effective medicine, their position in curbing the opioid epidemic has been largely ignored. Researchers are calling for improved surveillance, extra analysis, and higher coaching in an editorial printed within the American Journal of Public Well being.

“The position veterinarians play in serving to scale back opioid abuse hasn’t been totally examined,” stated Lili Tenney, one of many lead investigators of the survey and the deputy director of the Heart for Well being, Work & Setting. “Our outcomes point out that we needs to be paying extra consideration to how opioid abusers are looking for their medicine — together with by way of veterinary clinics. We wish to see well being folks and wholesome pets.”

Opioid diversion and misuse is an issue affecting everybody within the veterinary clinic — from workers to pet homeowners to pets themselves. Of the 189 veterinarians surveyed, 13% reported that they’d seen a consumer who they believed had purposefully injured a pet, made them ailing, or made them seem like unwell. Near 45% of these surveyed knew of a pet proprietor or member of their crew who was abusing opioids; 12% acknowledged that have been conscious of a workers member diverting opioids or abusing them.

The Heart for Well being, Work & Setting crew and the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention are working to handle opioid misuse and animal abuse by educating veterinarians and their workers. Collectively, they designed a web based coaching that focuses on opioid prescription tips and greatest practices for veterinarians.

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Supplies offered by College of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Authentic written by David Kelly. Be aware: Content material could also be edited for fashion and size.