Stealing Vet Drugs

According to a statement by Stanford Hospital and Clinic website, 1 %( one percent) of the world’s human population has some form of epilepsy (Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, 2013).The percentage of dogs with epilepsy is approximately 4% (four percent) (inconclusive). (Dennis O'Brien, 2002)The statistics show that dogs are three times more likely to have some form of epilepsy than humans. In a study published in Plos One conducted at the University of Helsinki by Professor Hannes Lohi and his group, a gene region has been identified in chromosome 37 that which if homozygous (having identical alleles for a single trait), increases the risk of epilepsy by seven-fold . ( Lohi, et al., 2012) This study was conducted on Belgian Shepherds, a breed which has a high rate of epilepsy. In light of this initial data, breeders now have some basic evidence that there is genetic link to epilepsy. Basically with or without these findings, dogs should never be bred if one has any illness that can be inherited by their offspring. Dr O’Brien goes on to state that a typical canine epileptic seizure lasts about two minutes. According to the book “A Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook”, “Phenobarbital continues to be the single most effective drug for treating epilepsy in dogs.” (Eldredge, et al., 2007). Phenobarbital is a drug prescribed for human epileptic seizures as well. Phenobarbital falls into a class of drugs known as Barbiturates. According to the National Institutes of Health (US), “barbiturates are a type of depressant drug that cause relaxation and sleepiness. A barbituate overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication. This is life threatening”. (Perez & Zieve, 2012). The article further states “Barbiturate abuse is a major addiction problem for many people” “However, those who become addicts usually start by abusing medication prescribed for them or other family members.” Not only are people abusing phenobarbital for human consumption, there are studies that show veterinary medications such as phenobarbital is being abused as well. According to a 2002 article in The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law titled “Novel Cases: Malingering by Animal Proxy”, there are pet owners who are reporting false symptoms in an effort to obtain certain veterinary drugs. The article specifically states “In a veterinary setting, malingering takes on a different twist. Instead of misrepresenting illness in themselves, clients (pet owners) report false symptoms in their pets to veterinarians”.  (LeBourgeois III, et al., 2002) The article further states “We propose that veterinarians, like their medical counterparts, are potential targets of malingering by their clients for drugs of abuse. Because of their familiarity with this condition, psychiatrists may have a role in training veterinarians to recognize malingering on the part of their human clients. The authors of the aforementioned article have labeled this an actual behavior by humans. Five specific cases of this are documented in this report denoting five different medications; Tranxene (Benzodiazepine), Winstrol tablets (Anabolic Steroid), Levothyroxine (thyroid supplement), Hycodan (opiate), and Amitriptyline (anti-depressant). In all these cases, persons attempted to dupe a vet into writing more prescriptions, and all were denied.

              On May 1, 2013, I interviewed my friend (and my dogs’ Vet) Doctor Pasquale Meleleo DVM, owner of Pleasant Plains Animal Hospital, (Staten Island, NY). Dr Meleleo claims there is a problem of dog and cat owners attempting to obtain meds for falsely claimed ailments. He stated “Pain management meds are the most popular drug targeted by people”. He went on to discuss his policy of conducting random drug tests of his own employees. “I test for potential ketamine abuse by my staff randomly at least once a month”. Ketamine is a drug used for veterinary use as an anesthesia (with other sedatives) and for pain management. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Ketamine is as a street drug called “Special K”. In a released statement, the DEA states “Ketamine distorts perceptions of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control. A “Special K” trip is touted as better than that of LSD or PCP because its hallucinatory effects are relatively short in duration, lasting approximately 30 to 60 minutes as opposed to several hours”. (Drug Enforcement Administration, August 2011).

     On June 10, 2013, I interviewed a personal friend; Donna who owned a Chihuahua (now deceased) named Sparky which I knew suffered from seizures. After the first seizure, Donna took Sparky to a vet, Dr Theresa Cavallero. Dr Cavallero diagnosed Sparky with epilepsy. Dr Cavallero prescribed a 30 day prescription of phenobarbital BID (twice daily). According to Donna, although on the meds Sparky’s seizures were increasing in frequency. Donna called the vet and requested another prescription of phenobarbital. The vet’s office instructed Donna to bring Sparky to the office for blood test to rule out liver damage to the dog (from the phenobarbital). In addition to the blood test, Dr Cavallero must examine Sparky in order to get another prescription of phenobarbital. Donna inquired why, she was told that phenobarbital is a controlled substance and Sparky must see Dr. Cavallero. Donna didn’t have the money to pay for the additional blood work and Vet visits every 30 days; Dr Cavallero had donna sign a waiver for the meds, and she only had to bring sparky for a visit once a year. In Donna’s opinion, Dr. Cavallero ordered the monthly blood for two reasons. The blood tests were for both the liver and to ascertain whether or not Sparky was actually being given the phenobarbital.

      Various media outlets have reported about break-ins at Veterinary clinics all over the US. 10/23/2006, Noblesville, Ind; police were investigating a rash of break-ins of veterinary clinics. Police believe the thieves may have been targeting the drug Ketamine. (spencer, 2001)  March 29, 2010 Marlette, MI, An investigation into the theft of drugs during a recent break-in at a Marlette veterinary clinic has resulted in the apprehension of three male subjects. Two vials of ketamine were found on the suspects (BARRINGER, 2010). In my research, I have found many stories on the subject as drug enforcement agencies in the US and Europe start cracking down on medical providers freely writing prescriptions for abused drugs, addicted person will start looookinking elsewhere to obtain prescriptions to feed their addictions. Staff at veterinary clinics must be educated in order to recognise when somebody is looking for drugs for themselves while using their pets as excuses.
Philip K Greis

Works Cited

Lohi, H. et al., 2012. Identification of a Novel Idiopathic Epilepsy Locus in Belgian Shepherd Dogs. PLOS ONE, 7(3).

BARRINGER, C., 2010. Drugs stolen during break-in at vet clinic. The Banner, 29 March, p. 1.

Dennis O'Brien, D. P., 2002. Understanding Your Pet's Epilepsy. [Online]
Available at: http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/basics/basics_index.html
[Accessed 15 June 2013].

Drug Enforcement Administration, August 2011. KETAMINE, s.l.: Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section.

Eldredge, D. M., Carlson, L. D., Carlson, D. G. & Giffin, J. M., 2007. Epilepsy. In: B. Adelman, ed. Dog Owner’s Home VETERINARY Handbook. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Publishing, pp. 369-370.

LeBourgeois III, H. W. M., Foreman, T. A. M. & Thompson Jr., J. W. M., 2002. Novel Cases: Malingering by Animal Proxy. [Online]
Available at: http://www.jaapl.org/content/30/4/520.full.pdf
[Accessed 17 June 2013].

Perez, E. M. & Zieve, D. M., 2012. Barbiturate intoxication and overdose. [Online]
Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000951.htm
[Accessed 16 June 2013].

spencer, T. R. 6. N., 2001. Vet Clinics Targeted In Rash Of Break-Ins. Noblesville, Ind: s.n.

Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, 2013. Epidemiology (the numbers) of Epilepsy. [Online]
Available at: http://stanfordhospital.org/clinicsmedServices/COE/neuro/epilepsy/patientEducation/causes.html
[Accessed 15 june 2013].