The School of Veterinary Medicine will face serious accusations of animal cruelty for the torture and eventual slaughter of millions, perhaps even billions, of eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult fleas from the animal rights group this week. From John Donne's squishing of "The Flea" to modern chemical weapon technology, the prejudice and hate for the parasites is centuries old.
Veterinarians treat the protest as yet another publicity stunt to be ignored. But studies have shown that use of drugs like Sentinel, an oral broad-spectrum anthelmintic for dogs, and Capstar, a flea treatment for cats and dogs, are directly responsible for the death of entire generations of fleas.
Often dressed up in fancy medical jargon like "preventive care" or "topical parasite treatment," it cannot be thought of as anything but a genocide and its ethical implications must not be ignored.
Perhaps most disturbing to the activists is the special two-lecture series, scheduled for October 31st and November 1st, on the prevention of both fleas and ticks. The lectures will only further the knowledge and ability of current veterinary students to continue the devastating assault on blood-sucking parasites in the future.
Points out one protester, "Preventing fleas doesn't just impact the fleas, it also removes any tapeworm eggs inside the flea that could otherwise infect the dog. Parasites are people too!"
As yet, no formal charges have been raised in the International Court of Justice; but with such public outcry, it is only a matter of time before the situation escalates.
In other news, the families of roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are considering filing a class action suit against the makers of Milbemax and Interceptor.
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