Our years-long vet, Dr Alf Burt of Marine Drive Vet in North Vancouver, is one of the dwindling number of vets who won't try to up-market your fear and love. Years ago I read a vet magazine and was angered by many of the articles which explained how to prey on clients' love and weakened emotional states to sell unnecessary procedures. Not only is this crooked, but it further victimizes the animal and the owner by subjecting them to prolonged distress and fear.

Then there are the vets who are cashing in on the billion dollar voodoo medicine market by selling powdered or distilled petals and roots and leaves and animal parts like shark cartilage. We have photos of dogs treated with herbs instead of real medicine that are horrifying: we believe the owners and the vets should have been charged with cruelty under the PCA Act.

I'd like to know if the BCVMA is concerned about the increasing predominance of vets who sell unwarranted and unproven medicines and procedures.