Do veterinarians really treat minor species such as earthworms, crickets, honeybees or abalone?
Yes, they do. Also, these species may be treated when they are sick, but not always by a veterinarian. Many times the owners of the animals are forced to treat them themselves to prevent disease or death. Minor species are typically treated with drugs not approved for them, because no such approved drugs exist. Although the legislation will not make drugs available for all species and for all needs, it will offer new options for drug sponsors to start developing additional products that FDA could approve or otherwise make legally available for use by veterinarians and by laypersons to treat minor species. Why should companies and the government expend resources on keeping minor species healthy? The effects of MUMS can go well beyond the health of individual minor species animals. Keeping these animals healthy is important for the animal’s welfare, for the prevention of the spread of diseases to other animals or humans, and because these animals often provide other benefits to humans. T