eLetters: Practicing veterinary medicine without a license [CMAJ

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eLetters: Practicing veterinary medicine without a license
In response to: Pathology in the Hundred Acre Wood: a neurodevelopmental perspective on A.A. Milne

JoAnn Schuh
Email: schuhj@bainbridge.net
Affiliation: Applied Veterinary Pathobiology
Posted on:December 20, 2000

Whereas the authors are free to diagnosis the psychosocial problems of Christopher Robin, diagnosis of the other inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood requires a license to practice veterinary medicine. Diagnosis and treatment of both physical and behavioral problems in animals, including animals used as aids for humans (1,2), requires the appropriate training to understand the interaction of physical, behavioral and environmental factors that might contribute to the apparent abe(a)rrant behavior. In some cases, the clear physical deformities of the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood account for the behavior. High level tail loss in Eeyore may have resulted in damage to the cauda equina with subsequent chronic pain and his depressive demeanor. By brown bear standards, Pooh is a dwarf with pica. Congential panhypopituitarism and secondary endocrine dysfunction including hypothyroidism (suggested in a previous e-letter) explain a lot about Pooh. Tigger is simply exhibiting cat-like behavior that does not appear to need intervention (unlike attacking, spraying, inappropriate voiding and self-mutilation). Piglet, Kanga and Roo are also exhibiting species-appropriate behavior and heightened environmental awareness is common and expected in free-ranging animals.

Care also needs to be taken in the proposed treatment as none of these medications is licensed for use in the species under discussion. The HPB would probably frown on the recommended off-label usage.

I enjoyed the article but in the future, I would encourage the authors to consult with a qualified veterinarian to avoid misdiagnosis. I look forward to future analyses from these authors including Alice in Wonderland (schizophrenic??) and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (post-traumatic stress syndrome??).

1. Blackmore, D. K., Owen, D. G., and Young, C. M. (1972). Some observations on the diseases of Brunus edwardii (species nova). Vet.Rec. 90, 382-385.

2. Butterfield, R. M., Hunt, D. N., and Rossdale, P. D. (1989). Prolonged recumbency in a small horse (Equus caballus var roccianus) with unusual sequelae. Vet.Rec. 124, 384-349.