Leptospirosis sp. is a zoonotic risk in humans and other mammals. Leptospirosis is most frequently recognized in cattle, swine, dogs, horses and wildlife. Cats are also being considered as more investigation takes place. Modern canine vaccines offer four serovars of lepto to help protect dogs and the infection risks are not restricted to large-breed dogs, male dogs, or dogs … [Read more...]
AAFP updates position statements on the responsible breeding and indoor/outdoor lifestyle of cats
Seeking to provide evidence-based guidance to veterinary professionals and cat caregivers to ensure the highest standards of care for feline companions, the AAFP issued statements to more realistically address challenges with feline husbandry. Included in the statements were: The AAFP does not condone the breeding of cats with inherent malformations, and any breed with … [Read more...]
Kitten season is out of control. Are warmer winters to blame?
For more than a decade, animal shelters across the country have noted kitten season starting earlier and lasting longer. Scientists, conservationists and cat advocates all agree unchecked outdoor cat populations are a problem, but they remain deeply divided on solutions. Whether longer periods of warmer weather or an increase in food sources, a large number of feral cats around … [Read more...]
FDA warns cat owners certain topicals can be toxic if licked
Social grooming, also called allogrooming, is a sign of social bonding and is associated with security, trust and love when cats lick their humans. However, topical medicines can cause harm to cats who like to lick their people. The FDA recently warned people about the possibility of fluorouracil poisoning in pets <Link>. Catnip’s eStaff shares information about … [Read more...]
The rights and wrongs of dog treats
Commentary Recent statistics classify the majority of pets in the United States; about 56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats, as overweight or obese <Link>. Our team has been outspoken about how treats are positioned, kcals in treats and addressing pet owner feeding and treating behavior <Link>. As we see new treats introduced, we routinely check on the kcals … [Read more...]
Cat’s behavior out of control? Seek help.
Your first response to this article might be, “Cats being cats . . . how would you know?” Seek help sooner rather than later, writes Zazie Todd, PhD, as most problems will take action to resolve. Common behavior issues in cats include toileting in unapproved places, scratching where it’s not wanted, not getting on with other pets and aggressive behavior. Todd references … [Read more...]
Purina’s $30 million investment in people, pets
Purina's charitable giving in 2023 focused on key areas that included connecting pets with youth to support mental health, and funding programs designed to keep people and pets together in times of crisis. Source: Pet Business, February 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Spring cleaning? Beware the toxic risks.
With warmer temperatures and increased daylight, homeowners get busy cleaning windows, washing decks, treating yards . . . generally freshening up their homes and yards. Those with pets need to be reminded many cleaning products contain chemicals that, in large enough amounts, can be toxic to humans and animals. Veterinary toxicologists share what and how much can be … [Read more...]
How cats see the world. Let’s review.
Paul Miller, DVM, DACVO, explains how cat vision works, from the way they see the world to how it shapes their behavior. Like dogs, cats are red-green color blind. Their night vision is about 5.5 to 7 times better than humans in dim light but humans are more than 10 times better at detecting motion in daylight. Miller shares some signs of eye problems in cats owners may notice … [Read more...]
A look inside Fear Free practices
International in scope, Fear Free methods are being adopted by veterinarians, veterinary technicians, groomers and trainers. One might say, Fear Free is a behavior modification program where people adjust to what makes animals comfortable in facilities retrofitted to reduce pets’ triggers and inherent fears. As such, Fear Free is a verb, denoting focused actions. As a noun, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 11, 2024
Pet business is resetting post Covid, Petco Love promoting vaccination during National Pet Vaccination Month, Global Pet Expo, guide to safe online transactions and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 11, 2024. Link. Record number of speaker applications for IBPSA FLOW Business Conference planned for September 24, 2024 - September 26, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona … [Read more...]
Mella Pet Care secures investment from Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban
Congratulations to the Mella Pet Care team for the success on ABC’s Shark Tank, televised on March 1st. Source: Mella Pet Care, March 4, 2024. Link. Watch a clip from the episode here <Link>. … [Read more...]
8 reasons to try grass seed cat litter
One type of litter showing up on retail shelves recently is grass seed cat litter. Grass seed litter sells between $1.00 and $10.00 per pound which is aligned with other litter types. Various online reviews we searched were positive with tendencies for tracking and potential allergies as concerns. We noted warnings to be sure pet owners did not purchase lawn grass seed … [Read more...]
Pet owner handout emphasizes the importance of pet oral health
Reinforcing the importance of home care and oral exams by veterinarians, this handout is built as a take-home to reinforce discussions in the veterinary hospital or for use in newsletters or social media. Source: Clinician’s Brief, February 2024. Link. The handout refers to different types of oral care products for at-home use and refers to the VOHC lists of approved … [Read more...]
AAFP announces new chronic pain educational toolkit
Developed by individuals at the forefront of treating pain in domestic cats, the AAFP Chronic Pain Educational Toolkit provides veterinary professionals with an easy-to-access and easy-to-use resource for understanding, diagnosing and managing chronic pain in cats. It adds to existing resources and provides guidance on improving the quality of life for cats with chronic … [Read more...]
13 things dogs hate that humans do (video)
Inconsistencies, forcing dogs into uncomfortable situations, changing food too quickly and ignoring dogs’ health needs are included in the items in this informative video. Use video content like this to engage pet owners on social media or in newsletters. Add assertive comments or pet care reminders from your own hospital or pet services business. For example: “Puppy classes … [Read more...]
Environments cats find friendly
A cat’s behavioral responses are directly related to its emotions. A cat-friendly environment minimizes the cat’s protective emotions and improves the experience for the cat, the caregiver, and the team, writes Kelly St. Denis MSc, DVM, DABVP, who focuses on the veterinary hospital in this article. The information is also applicable to boarding, daycare and pet services … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 4, 2024
Petflation outpacing national inflation rate, Door Dash to deliver pet supplies, nurturing vendor relationships for growth, little things that count, AI in small business and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 4, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
9 pet companies listed as fastest-growing U.S. private companies by region
Inc. magazine’s 2024 Regionals list honors the fastest-growing privately held U.S. companies by region over a two-year period which includes emerging veterinary hospitals, pet franchises, pet insurance and other product manufacturers. Source: Pet Product News, March 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
2023’s top 25 pet retailers
Rising competition from online and non-specialty retailers companies on the 2023 list added more than 200 stores to top retail competitors. Store conversions and acquisitions along with organic growth helped them avoid contraction and optimize economies of scale. NOTE: Consider reading the comments from four top growth companies who share their experiences in managing for … [Read more...]
Fire doesn’t discriminate. Neither do these vets.
Dr. Deb Zoran, a veterinarian and leader of Texas A&M’s Veterinary Emergency Team, faces long days and short nights as the Texas wildfires rage on. Originally on a narrow mission to aid the search dog sent with A&M’s search and rescue team, Shelton and other volunteers heeded officials’ pleas for help from more veterinarians. They’re still there. The veterinarians … [Read more...]
Home delivery, autoship important offerings for veterinary clients
ICYMI. Ordering online is rapidly becoming an expectation. Already, convenience is table stakes. Malinda Larkin shares takeaways from survey results presented by Brakke Consulting. The survey looked at consumer preferences and behaviors in pet medicine purchasing, customer satisfaction with different channels and service expectations, and the competitive landscape versus major … [Read more...]
Are veterinarians obligated to discuss pet insurance? (podcast)
Alyssa Watson, DVM, and Beth Molleson, DVM, debate the role of the veterinary team when it comes to pet owner education and discuss if pet insurance is an obligation. Their consensus: Pet insurance is not an obligation. Educating pet owners on the lifetime costs of veterinary pet care is important. Source: Veterinary Breakroom, Clinician’s Brief. February 2024. … [Read more...]
Veterinarians launch pet treats and chews certification program
In an industry where pet owners seek the best for their furry companions, VetEvaluated aims to be a trusted authority, offering a rigorous certification process that involves expert evaluation by experienced veterinarians. Current certification is available for consumable pet treats and chews at this time. VetEvaluated Certification assessments cover: Digestibility … [Read more...]
Webinar to address cutaneous adverse food reactions
AAHA and Hills will offer a free CE webinar to update veterinary teams confronting skin issues from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. MDT, March 14, 2024. Presenter Sara Hoff, DVM, MPH, Dip. ACVD, expects to cover novel proteins plus: Latest data on CAFR prevalence and risk factors Advanced diagnostic techniques for accurate identification Proven strategies for managing … [Read more...]
The role of technology in reducing stress for cats in veterinary medicine
Innovative solutions are emerging to minimize stress and create a more comfortable experience for cats during veterinary visits writes Craig Wallace. He shares the potential of incorporating telemedicine, AI, calming interventions, and other innovative solutions. With these, veterinary professionals can create a more compassionate and stress-free environment for cats, … [Read more...]
Chatfields and Joseph J. Wakshlag, DVM, PhD, share updates on using hemp, CBD for pets
Commercial Content included It seems everyone is talking about hemp and CBD for pets and there are several considerations for veterinarians. Studies are showing CBD and CBDA can be helpful in certain conditions common to pets and potentially with livestock. Topics include pain, stress, anxiety, inflammation, itching plus dosing and quality issues with so many sources of … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 26, 2024
Best pet care apps, NerdWallet survey shows pet insurance in 24 percent of pet owners, elements of scaling in small business, American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group introduces two new online training programs for veterinary assistants, franchise or independent choices and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Partnerships advancing Petco’s transition from transaction to engagement focus
Like it or not, pet owners seen by veterinary teams two or three times per year may visit a pet retailer a dozen or more times per year. Petco is tapping into the inherent emotion of the pet sector to create a sense of shared experience and loyalty in its customers, shares Nicole Silberstein. She shares a look at Petco’s strategies, partner alignments, services roster and … [Read more...]
Over-the-counter meds & pet poisoning perils
Renee Schmid, DVM, DABVT, DABT, joins Drs Jenifer and Jason Chatfield to discuss the often-overlooked dangers of common over-the-counter medications for pets. Pain medications like Advil, Tylenol, Aleve and aspirin top Dr. Schmid’s list of OTC medications that frequently cause issues for pets. Schmid notes that a high number of calls they receive at the Pet Poison Helpline … [Read more...]