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Teenagers Possibly Using Drugs Meant to Induce Abortions in Cows
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The Executive Director (Kim Brown Pokorny) of the Wisconsin VMA contacted the AVMA recently about reports that teenagers were using a “medication meant to induce abortions in cows” to abort unwanted pregnancies and avoid parental knowledge or the cost of an abortion. The drugs mentioned included prostaglandins, Cystorelin, Factrel, Gonadorelin, and Lutalyse. [note: of the drugs mentioned, only prostaglandins and Lutalyse would be likely to induce abortion based on the drug’s actions. The other products mentioned are GnRH products.] The information received by the WVMA apparently originated from the Care Net Pregnancy Center of Green County; they have confirmed to the WVMA that they sent the notice. The text of the original email from Care Net was also published in the Monroe Times newspaper on February 6, 2009. The WVMA ED contacted the district school nurse and verified they have received reports of this abuse. According to Ms. Pokorny, the school is interviewing students to determine the scope of the problem. She will share the results with us when they are made available to her. In addition, contact with the county health department revealed they had heard anecdotal reports of the misuse of the drug. Ms. Pokorny also reported to the AVMA that the district school nurse had told her they had been receiving calls from the media all day. The WVMA is concerned that this issue will rapidly snowball with media attention, and could quickly develop a national impact.
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Concerns and the potential implications of this:
· Teens that hear of the drugs through the grapevine (online forums, chat rooms, etc.) and from media reports may be tempted to try this, whether or not it is effective.
· Many teenagers volunteer and/or work at veterinary hospitals, and may have access to these products.
· Veterinarians may come under fire for being “irresponsible” about dispensing the medication to producers and therefore making it readily available.
· If there is a perception that this drug is readily available at veterinary clinics and animal facilities, the risk of break-ins and theft could increase.
· This situation underscores the need for veterinarians to remain vigilant about dispensing medications.
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Talking Points:
- The AVMA has been made aware of anecdotal reports that a pair of teenagers used a veterinary product (a prostaglandin) to abort an unwanted pregnancy. We are investigating these reports in conjunction with the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, and will provide additional information as we receive it.
- Prostaglandins are commonly used in veterinary medicine, primarily to regulate animals’ estrous (heat) cycles. In animals, these medications can cause mild to severe abdominal pain, sweating and hyperthermia (increased body temperature), diarrhea, and abortion. The products are labeled for use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
- When these products are dispensed to animal owners, it is standard practice for veterinarians to inform the animals’ owner of the risks associated with handling the products. In addition, the product labels include instructions for proper handling of these products.
- Whether or not these rumors prove true, this situation underscores the need for veterinarians to remain vigilant about storing, distributing, prescribing and using veterinary products that can pose human health risks.
- The situation also underscores the need for food animal producers to be vigilant about all veterinary drugs they may be storing or using at their facilities.
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We will keep you updated as we gather additional information. If you have any questions regarding this issue and/or this e-mail, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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Thank you,
Kim
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Kimberly Anne May, DVM, MS, DACVS
Assistant Director, Department of Professional
and Public Affairs
Communications Division
American Veterinary Medical Association
1931 N. Meacham Rd, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 285-6667
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