Richard B. Ford, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVPM, reviews important considerations when dealing with rabies laws or a rabies-related issue for an individual patient. Confusion and challenges resulting from the state-to-state variation of rabies laws can negatively affect patient management decisions required in clinical practice. Source: DVM 360, September 30, 2023. Link. See … [Read more...]
Pet owners are NOT prepared to pay for veterinary care
Commentary including Sponsored Content “They didn’t say anything about this in the books,” wrote James Herriott in his 1972 bestseller, “All Creatures Great and Small.” Herriott introduced readers to the amazing variety and never-ending challenges of veterinary practice. He also introduced us to unrealistic expectations of animal owners. We submit that while the practice of … [Read more...]
6 best cat repellents of 2023, tested and reviewed
Contains Commercial Content The term, cat repellent, refers to a variety of products including sprays, adhesive tapes and panels, and even mats that deliver a mild static shock upon contact. Animal health pros are often asked how to keep cats from tearing up furniture and drapes or how to keep them off of counters, tables and shelves. This article reviews products that have … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen the Vet launches the Healthy Pet-keeping Seal program for pet care facilities
Complimentary Commercial Content IBPSA members attending the FLOW Business conference got to learn firsthand about a new, voluntary initiative positioned to promote the highest standards of pet care, ensuring the well-being of pets entrusted to facilities every day created by Dr. Jen the Vet. The program starts with a site visit for the enrolled facility by Dr. Jen the … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 2, 2023
IBPSA Pet Care Business Excellence Awards, storing employee information safely, small business grant for women, AI tools for better graphics and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 2, 2023. Link. Images from the 2023 IBPSA FLOW business conference are available in the Facebook group International Boarding and Pet Services Association members <Link>. … [Read more...]
Catching up with Veterinary Innovation Podcasts
Ivan Zak, DVM, and Shawn Wilkie remain dedicated to having good discussions with industry innovators. Their podcast series now exceeds 200 episodes and is an excellent library to monitor and gain insights about industry people and a cornucopia of new ideas, solutions and their motives. Recent podcasts covered: Hospitality as a discipline for animal health teams How … [Read more...]
Winner selected in X-Ray contest, People’s Choice voting opens
The judges have selected an overall winner in 2023 They Ate What?! X-ray Contest. However, the fun is not over as voting is open for the People’s Choice through November 30th. X-rays revealed a Nerf bullet, a child’s toy, earbuds, an adult sex toy, a holiday tree lightbulb, a snake in snake and more . . . Source: Veterinary Practice News, October 1, 2023. Link. Take a few … [Read more...]
October is National Pet Wellness Month
Pet health is important enough that the American Veterinary Medical Association and countless other organizations promote October with events and specials. Depending on your segment of the industry, there’s likely a site with resources for your specialty to help you communicate the importance of pet health with pet owners. Sources: AVMA. Link. National Today. Link. … [Read more...]
Could one Walmart store change the entire pet industry?
Mark Kalaygian, Pet Business’ publishing director and editor in chief, shares his perspective and concerns with Walmart’s announcement to open its first Pet Services center in Dallas, Georgia <Link>. As pet owners trade down in the brands they feed their pets, retailers like Walmart will inevitably see more opportunity to steal those customers away from independent pet … [Read more...]
Dental treats. Every crunch counts.
Fifty-five percent of treats dog owners buy are for dental care. Caroline Coile, PhD, says yes, then reminds us about xylitol and shares perspectives on the benefits of dental treats as a secondary oral health approach. Every crunch counts. Dogs can chew, chomp and lap their way to cleaner teeth. Use treats as a preventative following a professional cleaning.” - Caroline … [Read more...]
Study finds vegan cat food beneficial
Results from a study in Australia contradict the long-standing opinion that cats are obligate carnivores. Examining seven general indicators of illness, researchers found risk reductions with a vegan diet for all seven general illness indicators. Commenting on their research and other studies, the researchers found the evidence remarkably consistent, “Nutritionally sound … [Read more...]
Conditions missed by skipping urinalysis
There are conditions that can be missed if urinalysis is not performed, writes Candice P. Chu, DVM, PhD, DACVP. She says these three results can be missed without urinalysis: Proteinuria Glucosuria: Fanconi syndrome Bacteriuria: Subclinical bacteriuria Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2023. Link. Relatively inexpensive . . . urinalysis should be considered as … [Read more...]
Top 5 severe adverse effects of antimicrobials
ICYMI. Although mild adverse effects are reported with many antimicrobials, alarming and severe adverse effects are possible even with commonly used drugs, share authors Mackenzie Gray, DVM, and Kate KuKanich, DVM, PhD, DACVIM. They list their top serious antimicrobial adverse effects and prevention strategies to help ensure patient safety. Antimicrobials referenced with … [Read more...]
Purina calls on consumers to recycle pet food cans
Nestlé Purina PetCare is launching a campaign to get its consumers to recycle their aluminum and steel cans after use. The #PurinaRecyclesChallenge encourages pet owners to aim at the recycling bin when disposing of their used pet food cans instead of throwing them into the garbage. The challenge invites pet owners to film a “trick shot” of them banking a pet food can into … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 26, 2023
Pet food market export growth, India's pet care sector growing with innovation and adaptability, ESG in small business, YouTube SEO, recycling efforts, small gestures employees appreciate and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 26, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Cat treats evolving to become an important component of daily life
Includes Commercial Content For a cat treat to be considered functional, it must serve a greater purpose than a simple reward or snack given between meals, writes Dorothy Crouch. She says cat owners want to support the health of their cats through snacks that are tasty, satisfying and provide wellness benefits. Treats remain an integral tool to forging and cultivating the … [Read more...]
Stopping the nighttime caterwauling
Commentary Mieshelle Nagelschneider offers cat owners some explanations and ways to reduce nighttime meowing in this article. The hours between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. are familiar even though I have no cat. Stray, inside-outside and feral cats frequent my neighborhood in those hours often waking Li’l Buddy whose sudden barking at the caterwauling is a startling sleep … [Read more...]
Covid drugs help cure Cyprus cats
More than a million cats freely roam the island of Cyprus. But, earlier this year stray, feral and pet cats were dying by the thousands. Lab testing confirmed feline infectious peritonitis that, if left untreated is almost 100 percent fatal. FIP is caused by a virus that infects cats, not humans, and is related to SARS-CoV-2. This similarity is enough that Covid antivirals are … [Read more...]
The expanding threat of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases in shelter dogs
A recent study from the University of Georgia suggests that shelter dogs in the eastern U.S. may be disproportionately affected by the relentless spread of ticks and mosquitoes to new regions. Climate change is a factor as carriers expand their ranges. The resulting risks affect dogs and humans alike. Source: Vet Candy, September 2023. Link. The study underscores the vital … [Read more...]
Vaccine hesitancy in pets: A look at adverse event rates
Vaccine hesitancy among pet owners is a concern for people and pets alike, especially if it results in reduced rabies vaccination coverage writes J. Scott Weese, DVM, DACVIM. He also acknowledges that concerns about adverse events are real but ultimately de minimis making the risk:reward worth it. Weese shares results from studies referencing adverse events in dogs and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 14, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 7, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the September 7th AHD Bulletin – 7 dangers dogs may face in the fall. Link. Leading behavioral change. Link. Cryptosporidium parasite is endemic to even the tidiest dairy farms. Link. Health management of early weaned beef calves. Link. Views of this … [Read more...]
Counting calories, treats, client education. Avoid the math.
There are lots of variables when calculating the maintenance energy requirement for a pet and its owner. One of them involves honesty about how many treats and how much table food must be accounted for in addition to any prepared diet. The math need not be scary since charts are available and are easy to share with pet owners. MER Calorie (kcal) needs = 1.6 [70 x (weight in … [Read more...]
Understanding head butting by cats
Cats headbutt to connect to familiar people, making headbutting a cat’s way of choosing a person. So, to a cat, headbutting makes the person special, writes Stuart Hovis, DVM. Cats have glands on their cheeks, forehead and chin that contain pheromones. When a cat headbutts, they are rubbing pheromones on the person. Source: Pet MD, March 11, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Enrichment ideas for senior pets
Enrichment doesn’t end because cats and dogs get old. Steve Dale shares the necessity of helping pets as they age and some ideas for pet owners to improve their senior pets’ last years. There’s increasing evidence that stimulation resulting from an enriched environment may delay or even prevent onset on canine or feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome, the pet version of … [Read more...]
Practical advice about heartworm preventative lapses
ICYMI. Andy Moorhead DVM, MS, PhD, Dip. ACVM, shares case examples that represent real-world lapse scenarios and offer guidance on heartworm diagnostics, management, client education and prevention. Not every lapse in preventive adherence . . . carries the same level of exposure risk, nor do the same set of diagnostic recommendations or client communication considerations … [Read more...]
Report from KVP International highlights sustainability efforts at Mars, MWI, Zoetis
Shared by an industry colleague, this Bowman Report Special Edition looks at sustainability in the veterinary industry. Contributions from Mars Veterinary Health, MWI Animal Health and Zoetis reveal the steps major animal health companies are taking to become more environmentally responsible. Also, a Packaged Facts analysis spotlights important insights into what consumers want … [Read more...]
Call to action: Educate the public about the cost of pet ownership
Commentary Veterinary teams are consistently criticized about basic pet care costs. Sadly, those same people rarely complain about the cost of new toys or treats and have no idea what basic care for pets costs annually. Pets provide joy and companionship, but costs can add up quickly, especially for first-time owners who don’t know what to expect.” – Adriana Morga Every … [Read more...]
Can geriatric dogs benefit from chiropractic care?
Bill Ormston, DVM, shares how chiropractic adjustments can benefit some of the age-related problems that affect dogs as they age. He offers perspectives on arthritis, diabetes, dental problems, kidney disease and canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Chiropractors don’t fix or heal animals; they help them function better.” – Dr. O Source: Animal Wellness, August 17, 2023. … [Read more...]
Yes, dogs and cats get dementia. How to spot signs of it.
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are common conditions as we age. They’re likely common in aging pets, too. Estimates range from 14 to 35 percent of the dog population age 8 and older may be affected. Nearly one-third of cats ages 11 to 14 and 50 percent of cats 15 and older are likely impaired. This article presents signs of dementia, medical conditions that mimic it … [Read more...]
Understanding the climbing cost of veterinary care (article, podcast)
Sharing her experiences working with animal owners, as well as her own pets, Jennifer Sperry, DVM, addresses reasons why veterinary care costs have increased. Among them are better educated and trained personnel, advances in medical technology, 24-hour monitoring, specialty care and meeting client expectations. . . . insured clients seem to be able to do more for their sick … [Read more...]