Veterinary ophthalmologists at Cummings Veterinary Medical Center < link >have started using corneal crosslinking to help spare animals’ eyes or avoid surgery. Corneal crosslinking was developed to treat a condition called keratoconus in people which animals don’t get. Veterinary ophthalmologists have found the crosslinking approach valuable in treating dogs and horses … [Read more...]
Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile now open
Travelers and their pets have a new lodging option in Southern Utah. It also represents another reason to ensure pets are vaccinated. Best Friends Animal Society has opened Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile <link>. The 40-room property is designed to be pet friendly and focuses on pets. Furnishings are built 18 inches or higher to avoid entrapment. Nightstands have … [Read more...]
5 important feline emergency procedures
Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC, DABT says there are five important feline procedures that every veterinarian should learn to perform. Practice is needed to build confidence says Lee. She explains why these procedures are critical and offers tips for improving skills: Gaining venous access Thoracentesis and abdominocentesis FAST and TFAST ultrasound Placing a … [Read more...]
Cat virus could be linked to feline cancer
Domestic cat hepadnavirus (DCH) has been found in certain types of hepatitis and liver cancer in cats, suggesting it might be the cause of the diseases. DCH was identified last year by researchers at the University of Sydney < link >. The virus is similar to hepatitis B in humans. We don’t know what causes most types of cancer, but if we know it’s triggered by a virus, … [Read more...]
Turning the corner on FIP (podcast)
Niels Pedersen, BS, DVM, PhD, has made solving feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) a career goal. Steve Dale spoke with Pedersen recently on Dale's Pet World radio show. They discuss the latest about FIP. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, October 18, 2019. Link. Pedersen shares how departing from vaccine research to take advantage of anti-viral drugs has resulted in promising … [Read more...]
25-pound cat takes over internet (video)
Videos of Cinderblock, an 8-year-old gray domestic shorthair, has captured the attention of social media users. A Facebook video of Cinderblock meowing while lazily using a treadmill has been seen more than 2.2 million times. The cat was relinquished by its owner to Britta Kiffney, DVM, at Northshore Veterinary Hospital in Bellingham, Washington < link > who posted the … [Read more...]
Functional foods’ effects on dog, cat health summarized (slideshow)
Pet owners are often faced with new information about the best way to feed their dogs and cats. Following human trends, pet food offerings are diverse and confusing. We share this article series for perspectives on pet food inputs, reasoning and trends. Source: Pet Food Industry, October 27, 2019. Link. A meta-analysis of functional foods research summarized 17 peer-reviewed … [Read more...]
CVPM focuses on client experience, retention to compete (video)
Dana Short, MS, CVPM, discusses how focusing on the client experience works in the practice she manages. For some practices, geographic practice saturation is a relevant situation and a limiting factor to practice growth. Customer experience management is a strategy this practice deploys to retain clients and their pets. Source: VHMA Practice Tips, October 2019. … [Read more...]
What to do when Fido gets high
Fido is finding the gummies and he likes them. So far this year, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has observed a 765 percent rise in calls about animals ingesting marijuana than for the same time last year. The Pet Poison Helpline reports a 448 percent increase in calls over the past six years. Veterinary and animal health professionals share what to do when dogs eat … [Read more...]
Veterinary euthanasia: the last act of love
Mike Paul, DVM, has always viewed euthanasia as one of the greatest responsibilities entrusted to veterinary professionals and a gift some veterinarians take for granted. He shares his experiences and perspective about euthanasia and leading the decision process, accounting for all involved. Source: DVM 360, August 20, 2019. Link. For veterinarians, humane euthanasia is a … [Read more...]
Pet Leadership Council announces the launch of Be Dog Smart
Be Dog Smart is a new consumer education initiative designed to help people make informed decisions about getting a new dog, whether from a professional breeder, shelter or rescue, pet store, friend or family member. Proper education about pet acquisition was identified as an area of importance for consumers in Pet Leadership Council (PLC) research. Responsible dog acquisition … [Read more...]
Still time to celebrate National Make a Dog’s Day
In its ongoing support of adoption efforts and general welfare, Subaru established National Make a Dog’s Day <link> that took place last Tuesday. However, the celebration goes through October 31. There’s still time to make a connection with a local dealership, make a contribution and make plans for next year’s National Make a Dog day. Source: Media Post, October 6, … [Read more...]
Cat snoring: normal or not?
Eric Barchas, DVM, offers simple guidelines for determining whether a cat’s snoring is a medical problem or not. The most basic and common health issue that leads to cat snoring is being overweight or obese. Source: Catster, September 27, 2019. Link. Cat snoring that becomes progressively louder or is linked to other symptoms such as sneezing, coughing or changes in appetite … [Read more...]
Toxic algae a concern as hunters hit the fields (videos)
One area of pet safety concerns is the growing challenge of toxic blue-green algae. While not actually algae at all, they are types of bacteria called cyanobacteria. The bacteria are normally present in many lakes and stagnant waters. Not all states report where the cyanobacteria have been found, some do. The risk is that these bacteria form poisonous toxins, microcystins, … [Read more...]
11 people foods that are OK for cats
Elizabeth Scott shares healthy treats using these human foods for cats: Lox Spinach Sardines Beef or chicken broth Blueberries Melon Cheese Chicken or turkey gizzards Fresh or frozen peas Nutritional yeast Eggs, cooked Source: Modern Cat. Link. INSIGHTS: Cat owners appreciate tips like this since so many felines are considered finicky. … [Read more...]
When the fur flies and how to stop cat fights
Cat fights are natural feline behavior. The key to stopping them lies in understanding why they are fighting in the first place. The author shares common causes for cat fights and how to address them: Hormones New cat smell Jealousy Territorial Proximity caging and positive behavior rewards Source: Catster, September 19, 2019. Link. Never reach in and try … [Read more...]
How many dogs does it take to change a lightbulb?
Tick or Treat? Brandy Arnold shares an old dog joke. As each breed answers the question, you’ll crack a smile. Source: Dogington Post, February 2012, Link. … [Read more...]
219 million people to dress pets for Halloween
The National Retail Federation annual survey results indicates there will a lot of four-legged pumpkins this Halloween with 172 million people planning to celebrate Halloween. Twenty-nine million of them plan to dress their pets in costumes. Animal health pros know Halloween is stressful for most pets before they get dressed up. We captured a selection of articles, tips and … [Read more...]
Ideas to stop the infernal caterwauling at night
Being awakened by household cats in the wee hours of the morning can irritate cat owners. If the cat is healthy, then behavioral interventions are possible. Cat behaviorist, Mieshelle Nagelschnider, offers tips to address that pesky meowing: Feed later in the evening Keep your cat awake more during the Reset your cat’s internal hunting time clock Ignore the … [Read more...]
No answer to, “How many cats are too many?”
There is no magic number at which “how many” becomes “too many.” It’s more like a magic threshold one crosses at which point life goes from being “feline-friendly” to “feline-unhealthy.” The author discusses various elements of healthy cat socialization, bonding, space and resources. Source: PureWow, October 3, 2019. Link. Commenting on too many cats in one household, … [Read more...]
2019 PAW Report offers great insight
Seventy one percent of cat owners in the United Kingdom (UK) would like to change at least one of their cat’s behaviors, according to the 2019 Annual Paw Report <Link>. Based on surveys of UK residents, the report has useful insights for us all. Per the report, there is a decline in juvenile pets receiving vaccinations, and, perhaps less surprisingly, a large portion of … [Read more...]
Stem cell use growing, more work to do
With clinical use of stem cells in veterinary orthopedics growing, Nicole S. Amato, DVM, DACVS, offers answers to the question, “What does the current evidence show regarding efficacy?” She discusses terminology, stem cells sources and harvesting and clinical impact. Amato’s discussion of advantages and disadvantages leads to a conclusion. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSCT) … [Read more...]
Key points on leptospirosis to share with animal owners
At the intersection of animals and humans, zoonotic diseases are public health concerns. Among them are multiple Leptospira species that can infect dogs, cats or human. These bacteria have worldwide distribution. The organisms are commonly shed in urine. Lepto infections are often initiated after ingestion of contaminated water. In one study, it was estimated that … [Read more...]
Top 5 keys to successful management of otitis externa
Ear conditions are usually listed in the top 10 reasons pets visit veterinarians < link >. Otitis externa is a common inflammatory condition that affects 15 percent to 20 percent of dogs and 4 percent to 7 percent of cats. Erin E. Aufox, DVM, and Elizabeth R. May, DVM, DACVD, explain their five steps to it: Classification Treatment Monitoring Maintenance … [Read more...]
Tighten up your bandaging skills (photo slides)
Tisha A. Harper, DVM, DACVS, discusses common complications associated with external coaptation*, and how can their occurrence be minimized. Along with general guidelines, she reviews common bandaging problems and complications. She also includes resources for educating clients about at-home bandage care. *External coaptation refers to the use of casts, splints, bandages, … [Read more...]
Commercial content: Antech launching AI-powered veterinary diagnostic
Antech Diagnostics will soon offer its RenalTech test across the VCA North American network of veterinary clinics and hospitals. The product will be the veterinary industry's first artificial intelligence-driven predictive diagnostic tool for companion animals, according to David Eaton, director of product development. RenalTech allows users to predict CKD (chronic kidney … [Read more...]
Adverse vaccine reactions in veterinary medicine: an update
Natalie Stilwell, DVM, MS, PhD, provides a review of the latest “need-to-know” adverse reactions information about vaccines for canine and feline patients. She reminds us that many cases are associated with either misuse of the vaccine or over-vaccination. Source: DVM 360, September 19, 2019. Link. Stilwell reviews a paper on the current understanding of adverse vaccine … [Read more...]
PHP reminder program successful in reactivating inactive clients
Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together? Focusing on the bond between the practice, the pets and their owners, instead of the services a practice provides, has proven successful. Two years ago, the Partners for Healthy Pets Inactive Client Program, a client-centric email reminder program was initiated. 1612 practices enrolled 126,576 previously inactive … [Read more...]
October is National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month reminds us of the responsibilities that come with ALL domesticated animals and pets. It us an opportunity to provide tips and tools to animal owners so they can be better prepared in the event of an emergency, illness or weather event. New smart home technologies can help keep dogs, cats and other domestic animals safe. Source: … [Read more...]
AKC expands safe grooming certification program
The American Kennel Club recognizes the health and safety of pets when outside of their owner’s care remains a genuine concern for pet owners. Supporting continuing education for groomers, the AKC has expanded its AKC S.A.F.E. Grooming Certification Program < link > with a Safety in the Salon Recertification Course. . . . recertification gives grooming professionals an … [Read more...]