Addressing the opportunities groomers may have due to the veterinary shortage and advancing treatment options, Cliff Faver, DVM, reminds groomers to know what is acceptable and what is not for a groomer to do in their state of residence. Owners and veterinarians may expect groomers to express anal glands, treat ears and even scale teeth routinely, but some procedures are not … [Read more...]
Legislative updates, progress and the status of VCPR
The Bridge Club hosted a panel* to provide an update following legislative decisions in Arizona and California that have eased restrictions on virtual VCPR. The discussion included experiences from panel practitioners and members of the VVCA. Mark Cushing shared legislative experiences and offered perspective on which states are likely to move forward with a virtual … [Read more...]
2022 National Beef Quality Audit shows increase in quality and efficiency
Findings from the 2022 NBQA indicate producers are working to meet the demand for quality and efficiency while maintaining the need to keep safety a top priority. Conducted every five years, the latest results show that over time, attributes have been added to NBQA standards such as food safety, sustainability, animal welfare and the connection between producers and … [Read more...]
Rabies vaccination programs contribute to human and animal welfare
Kim Campbell Thornton shares the experiences of Arnold Plotnick, DVM, whose Mission Rabies work is a reminder to us how important rabies vaccination and prevention efforts are domestically and abroad. In addition to protecting animals from disease, vaccination programs can open up opportunities for domestic dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered.” Source: Veterinary Practice … [Read more...]
National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility holds ribbon-cutting ceremony (video)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate dedicated the long-anticipated National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility on May 24th. This new 48-acre facility at the northern edge of the Kansas State University campus will be one of the top laboratories in the world to study and diagnose animal diseases. The … [Read more...]
The June deadline is here!
More than 100 products will no longer be labeled OTC after June 11. They will then require a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. The majority are labeled for use in food animals. Sixteen are labeled for food and companion animals, and two are specific to companion animals, according to the FDA. The FDA states that "veterinarians are generally not required to examine … [Read more...]
Pay transparency laws: What small businesses need to know
Eight states have adopted pay transparency laws, writes Olivia Chen. Employer requirements vary based on number of employees in those states. As it currently stands, companies subject to pay transparency laws must post a "good faith" salary range, meaning a range that they reasonably expect they will pay for the role. However, that can still be negotiated in either direction … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 18, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 11th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from May 11th AHD Bulletin – Apologize properly when something goes wrong. Link. Cope wth work stress appropriately. Link. Your manners may need a makeover. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Have you tried it … [Read more...]
Akorn drugs must be discarded due to bankruptcy
Akorn Operating Company LLC filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on February 23, 2023. The Akorn Trustee is initiating a voluntary recall of various within-expiry human and animal products as a result of the closures and discontinuation of the quality activities of these marketed products. There are nine veterinary-specific drugs on Akorn's recall list while another 75 drugs … [Read more...]
Pet Business Special Report: The latest science behind CBD and hemp
Contains Commercial Content Nora Caley reviews the cannabidiol pet market segment sharing information from manufacturers who are conducting research to understand and support empirical evidence relative to the benefits and safety of the various products and plant sources. She also discusses some of the marketing challenges and methods used to promote CBD. Source: Pet … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club to discuss affect of new VCPR legislative efforts
The recent Arizona decision to legalize a virtual VCPR raises many questions about the future of the VCPR and telemedicine. To shed light on this topic, The Bridge Club will host a crucial conversation on June 8th to explore the affect of Arizona’s decision on veterinary medicine, access to care and ongoing state battles regarding the value of veterinary telemedicine. Join … [Read more...]
Pain management in cattle: Drug dilemma
With few pain-relief drugs on the market for cattle, producers and veterinarians must know their options, writes Heather Smith Thomas. The situation underscores the importance of the VCPR to provide the regulatory foundation for a practitioner to work with the producer to provide medications for extra-label use when considered necessary. One of the challenges in the U.S. is … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 8, 2023
Forbes’ takeaways from Global Pet Expo, affordability now a key reason for pet surrender in Australia, new law regulating the sale of pet insurance in Mississippi, global pet industry developments in Arabia and India plus more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 8, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
APHIS, USDA issue new regulations affecting pet birds
Commentary MyRightBird compiled an overview to help shed light on the new USDA/APHIS regulations that has ruffled feathers in the pet bird industry. They cite vague descriptions as one of the problems. The new rules seek to apply the standards of the Animal Welfare Act to ensure birds will be raised and cared for in conditions that protect their health and … [Read more...]
Acetaminophen clinical tip
Complimentary Content Veterinary Pharmacy Education provides distance education for pharmacists and pharmacy students to increase their competence to care for veterinary patients. Source: Veterinary Pharmacy Education, Instagram, April 21, 2023. Link. For information on course objectives, dates, tuition, or registration instructions … [Read more...]
Possibilities for veterinary technicians to provide in-home euthanasia discussed
Guest contributor - Catherine Haskins of The Bridge Club Nearly 100 animal health professionals joined for a virtual discussion of the opportunities, challenges and limitations veterinary technicians and the practices for which they work face providing in-home euthanasia for clients’ animals. In a survey conducted by The Bridge Club, 76 percent of the industry is in favor of … [Read more...]
Cushing, veterinary future so near, so far
“The only thing holding back the pet health care industry might be a fear of where the answers lead, and that’s understandable,” says Mark Cushing, JD. He discusses what he calls an “interesting” juncture in pet health care and shares areas of top priority: Younger generations Rules and regulations License portability Public policy Utilization of veterinary … [Read more...]
Guidelines for vaccines and antibiotic management in goats
While a niche in the U.S. veterinary world, multiple vaccines, antibiotic brands and other products are available specifically for goats, writes Jaclyn Krymowski. She shares information for goat owners which may also inform veterinary teams who rarely see goats and other caprines. Source: Backyard Goat, March 24, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Positive Pet Care Guide seeks to define, strengthen the veterinary team-client partnership
Commentary Setting expectations for team members and animal owners is basic to positive experiences and better animal health. The tenets of this new guide are relevant and appropriate for this period in our animal health industry. The key will be for veterinary teams of alll species to adopt and sustain the discussion of expectations internally and externally with animal … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 10, 2023
2022 pet industry sales and trends, pet industry’s hottest small businesses, trends from the 2023 Global Pet Expo, Apple Pay support for small business, compliance to laws and regulations while bootstrapping, elevating small business appeal and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites – April 10, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 6, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 30, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from March 30th AHD Bulletin – Pet-owning households on decline while spending remains strong. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Veterinarian helper wins digital ag hackathon Source: Cornell Chronicle, March … [Read more...]
EPA seeks to hand off pet pesticide regulation to FDA
Citing controversy, lack of action and resources to respond to untoward incidents with a popular flea coller, the EPA wants to relinquish its oversight of pet pesticide products. Under the current setup, the EPA is responsible for regulating pet pesticide products that are “not systemic,” or aren’t supposed to enter the bloodstream, while the FDA regulates “systemic” pet … [Read more...]
Are modified rabies PrEP recommendations for people backed by the latest findings?
Erica Tramuta-Drobnis, VMD, MPH, CPH, addresses the question, “Does scientific evidence support this decision, or is the basis made due to healthcare cost concerns, accessibility, and poor compliance?” in this article. Rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis recommendations were recently amended by the CDC. They replace the previous three-dose PrEP schedule with a two-dose … [Read more...]
DVM answers questions about FDA antibiotic prescription requirement
This article by Craig Payne, DVM, MS, is a good one to share with livestock producers, backyard poultry and goat owners, horse owners and beekeepers to explain the changes in how antibiotics can be accessed after June 11th. Payne answers a few questions producers may have about the latest antibiotic guidance from the FDA. The final phase of FDA’s implementation of the … [Read more...]
What veterinarians were talking about at AASV
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting is an important event for swine practitioners and the swine industry. The swine health topics discussed at the March 7 meeting included biosecurity, African swine fever, traceability, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and more, writes Jennifer Shrike. She provides an overview of the information speakers … [Read more...]
Miniature goats in the city
The self-sufficiency movements are bringing more farm animals into backyards. Farm stores often have mini goats for sale alongside chicks, ducks and rabbits during the Easter season. Jenny Rose Ryan discusses some of the boundaries and opportunities for including miniature goats in the city. For those with a decent-sized city lot a bit of know-how about local zoning and … [Read more...]
Legal obligations when growing your staff
Having more employees could trigger becoming subject to federal and state employment laws that you’ve been exempt from until now. Barbara Weltman shares trigger points, thresholds and steps to take to ensure compliance with federal law. State laws may have different requirements. Source: Big Ideas for Small Business, February 28, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Reminder – 101 days to get producers GFI 263 compliant
Livestock producers must establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship if they expect to treat livestock after June 11, 2023, when commonly used over-the-counter antimicrobials will require a prescription from a veterinarian as part of a valid VCPR. GFI #263 is slated for final implementation on June 11, 2023. Labels of the remaining over-the-counter antibiotics for … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 23, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 16, 2023. Link. Most read posts from February 9th AHD Bulletin – Cost of Care Wheel is now 24/7 digital resource. Link. Work is NOT your family. Link. New test strip quickly detects periodontal disease before it is visible. Link. Dos and don’ts of recognition. Link. Place keeper: … [Read more...]
National Justice for Animals Week is February 19 – 25
National Justice for Animals Week runs through Friday. The annual event raises public awareness around crimes committed against animals <Link>. Animal justice is not new. In an 1869 Supreme Court case, attorney George Vest*, later a U.S. Congressman from Missouri, represented an owner who sued a man for shooting his dog. Vest's "a man's best friend" closing argument … [Read more...]