Americans Putting their Pets on Drugs

More and more Americans are prolonging the lives of their pets through medications, in some cases with the pet taking as many as or more drugs than its owner. One dog owner, Ann Gufford, estimates to have spent some US$ 5,000 over the last two years.

Gufford said it was worth it because "he's our baby, he's a family member, and I would want some-body to do that for me." She is not alone. Americans are using human remedies for ailments their pets are suffering like heart disease, arthritis and cancer.

Perhaps more worrisome is the fact that the remedies, such as Prozac or Valium for their pet's anxiety, are being bought at human pharmacies. In 2005, Americans spent US$ 2.9 billion on drugs for their furry family members.  As America has always led the way for Europe and the rest of the world in the past - take the ex-ample of music or industrial globalisation -, it only remains to hope that history will not repeat itself as regards this particular development. 
   
  

Heftnummer: 2007/02
Autor: Rothe, Fabian