Michell Evans shares ideas with groomers for culling a client list. She addresses groomer safety, pet owner dependability and using waiting lists. Source: Groomer to Groomer, April 2020, page 48. Link. Consider implementing a weight limit. Large dogs take a toll on equipment, utilities and supplies. A waiting list is a useful method of telling people no without really … [Read more...]
Tips and tricks for managing feline allergies
Amelia White, DVM, MS, DACVD, offered VMX attendees insight about managing several types of allergies in cats. Developing a successful treatment plan for common allergies in them first requires an accurate diagnosis. She shared information in these areas: Feline allergies: causes and imposters Cats and their eosinophils Creepy crawlies When food’s the culprit … [Read more...]
Ticks bite, suck, drink and spit
Ticks are waking up across most of the U.S. They require blood meals to survive, to develop to the next stage in their life cycle and to reproduce, shares Edward M. Wakem, DVM. It is primarily, though not exclusively, through blood feeding that a tick can harm its host by acquiring disease-causing organisms from one infected host and transmitting them to another host. Ticks … [Read more...]
Coaching pet owners through unrelenting flea infestations
Joan Capuzzi, VMD, discusses how a comprehensive approach to stubborn flea infestations is needed to help clients gain control over their pet and the pet’s environment. The pet is the easy part. She shares ways to coach pet owners to treat the pet, treat the other pets and treat the environment. Source: DVM 360, April 7, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Attention sales … [Read more...]
Look out for misuse of ivermectin
What happens in a petri dish does not indicate efficacy or safety when used off label in humans warns, the FDA in reference to an Antiviral Research article. Animal health professionals should be on the lookout for the potential misuse of a human- and animal-prescribed antiparasitic drug thought to be a possible treatment for COVID-19. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April … [Read more...]
American Heartworm Society issues guidance for pandemic
Conditions under which a veterinarian can delay annual heartworm tests during the Covid-19 crisis is just one of the topics covered in new recommendations released by the American Heartworm Society. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 7, 2020. Link. The recommendations explore: scenarios when a veterinarian can delay annual heartworm tests, but can still prescribe … [Read more...]
We don’t know what normalcy will be
No one can say what a return to normalcy will look like, how long it will take to get there or if normal like 2019 is even achievable. New York Times Emily Bazelon moderated a panel discussion to seek answers and weigh morality. Five experts talked about the principles and values that will determine the choices. SOURCE: New York Times, April 10, 2020. Link. In the longer … [Read more...]
Fomites, pets, and transmission
Information and risk messaging about pet-to-human transmission may change as more information is collected. For now, there is no evidence that pets can serve as fomites for SARS-CoV-2. However, measures to prevent a pet becoming a fomite are important. Source: Clinician’s Brief, April 8, 2020. Link. Also see: COVID-19 in animals: Living systematic review, Worms & … [Read more...]
Feed pets for optimal dental health
One of the most important ways to improve dental health is to feed dogs and cats the correct diet writes Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT. She reviews the effects diets have on dental health and addressing some erroneous beliefs. Contrary to popular belief, the consumption of dry food does not provide enough mechanical abrasion to prevent the development of plaque and dental … [Read more...]
Rabies vaccinations essential! Lyme, Lepto, FELV situational.
Michael J. Watts, DVM speaks to vaccinations and their essential status during the pandemic. His comments about rabies vaccines are spot on. Backyard pets frequently encounter wildlife, so leptospirosis, Lyme and feline leukemia vaccines may be essential for some pets. Kennel cough vaccines are important to keep current for pets being boarded. Source: Culpeper Star-Exponent, … [Read more...]
Safety reminder about home appliances and animals in the home
We’re home more now. Chris Doscher reminds us that appliances can pose risks for pets in the home. Putting some simple precautions in place will ensure they stay safe. Including family members in the safety checks is also important. Source: Animal Wellness, March 4, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: This is a good reminder to share on social media or in newsletters. … [Read more...]
Flea and tick wars: the time is NOW
Leigh Hofmeister, DVM, provides a short history of flea and tick challenges before the modern-day preventatives hit the marketplace. She compares oral and topical forms and reinforces the need for clients to use them to protect their pets. Let’s try to keep the flea and tick wars between brands and not return the battleground to the environment versus the pet. Reports in … [Read more...]
Ferrets, cats, some dogs susceptible to COVID-19 infections
Scott Weese, DVM, shares important information about ferrets and SARS-CoV-2 from a recent study. They can get sick and become fomites. He also summarizes a new study that looked at susceptibility of a wider range of animals including dogs, cats, ferrets as well as pigs, chickens and ducks. Ferrets and cats remain our main focus, both in terms of keeping infected people away … [Read more...]
6 Reasons for Hair Loss in Cats
With few exceptions, alopecia is a symptom of a disease or condition in cats. Kellie B. Gormly talked with veterinarians and shares common reasons cats lose their hair. Cat owners will appreciate information like this during the social distancing period. Share it on social media and in newsletters. Source: Catster, March 3, 2020. Link. Common reasons for hair loss in cats … [Read more...]
Monitoring blood glucose in patients
There is no single method or combination tests shown to have significant clinical benefits, writes Thomas Schermerhorn, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM). He stresses the importance of a monitoring program that is practical and tailored to meet individual patient needs and owner abilities, circumstances and treatment goals. Source: Clinician’s Brief, November 2019. Link. Reliance on a … [Read more...]
Cone of shame study raises welfare implications
Nearly 80 percent of pet owners reported a poorer quality of life in their companion animals while an Elizabethan collar was worn. The effects were captured in a range of welfare domains including nutrition, environment, health, behavior and mental state. Client awareness education was recommended. Source: Vet Candy, February 29, 2020. Link. Owner thoughts were captured on … [Read more...]
Fomite control: you, me, us, them, plus where they have been
Fomite: fo-mite Noun (plural fomites) (medicine, epidemiology). def: An inanimate object capable of carrying infectious agents (such as bacteria, viruses and parasites), and thus passively enabling their transmission between hosts. < link > Media coverage, though sometimes raucous, is a necessary tool to help communicate the importance of the need for societal … [Read more...]
BabelBark/BabelVet® announces free support to transition to telehealth
Complimentary Sponsored Content Fueled by shelter-in-place orders and social distancing recommendations, medical professionals are turning to telehealth platforms to maintain client-patient interactions and screen to determine if a physical visit is needed. Telehealth in today’s COVID-19 context is relatively new. Vertical integration is a mainstay of platforms in general, … [Read more...]
Getting cats to take a pill (Video)
Videos attract attention of animal owners. Pilling cats is easy for veterinary team members but, some pet owners get unnerved by that mouth full of teeth. Consider using one of these videos to support proper pilling at home. Also, including a reminder about oral care would be applicable since the cat owner will be looking at the mouth cavity while pilling. If your database … [Read more...]
Feline antiviral drug for FeLV, FIP is now being tested against SARS-CoV-2
A Singapore startup is testing its antiviral drug, RetroMAD1, against the SARS-CoV-2 beta-coronavirus that causes COVID-19. A spokesperson for Biovalence Technologies, the company that developed the drug, believes its drug could treat Covid-19. He said several scientific papers had revealed that a specific mutation of Sars-CoV-2 bears similarity to how dengue, Ebola, FeCoV and … [Read more...]
AAHA’s NEWStat: Special COVID-19 edition
See what AAHA provides for member practices to deal with the impact of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Source: AAHA NEWStat, March 17, 2020. Link. How to communicate with staff and clients about COVID-19. AAHA responds to COVID-19 virtually What’s up with that dog in Hong Kong who keeps testing positive? Plus, visit NEWStat’s COVID-19 page for regular updates and new … [Read more...]
Owner contact guidelines algorithm for COVID-19 pandemic
Brief Media’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Indu Mani DVM, ScD, shares the algorithm developed by J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, for the benefit of veterinary clinic teams, their clients and animals. It is a step-by-step COVID-19 protocol for receiving patients in small animal veterinary clinics. Keep disinfecting and be safe.” – Indu Mani, DVM, ScD Source: Clinician’s Brief, … [Read more...]
Diagnosing cat constipation, obstipation and megacolon
Diagnostic flow charts help identify the reasons a cat has difficulties in the litter box. Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Dr. Olah’s charts are excellent resources when coaching new DVMs. … [Read more...]
Using massage to relieve pet anxiety
Regan Macaulay shares how she believes massage works to ease anxiety in pets. She shares massage strokes that can be used on a pet in the comfort at home to help relieve anxiety. Importantly, she urges pet owners to contact their veterinarian before using massage. Source: Animal Wellness, February 25, 2020. Link. Massage therapy stimulates the release of oxytocin, serotonin … [Read more...]
Pet care tasks often overlooked
In the midst of the COVID-19 disruption lies opportunity. With door traffic slow, staff can be redirected to conduct outreach. With more pet owners homebound and accessible by phone, addressing overlooked pet care tasks could produce great results. Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell shares tips from veterinarians about often overlooked pet care tasks. From flea, tick and heartworm … [Read more...]
Train the whole team on dentistry, oral care
Midmark’s Danielle Heberle, CVT, VTSH (Dentistry), provides sound reasoning for total clinic team dentistry training in this SPARK video. She discusses the practice development opportunities as well as Midmark’s training services. Traditionally we have seen that the client care people get left out of the education process. It is sad considering how integral these staff members … [Read more...]
Groomers may hesitate to groom senior dogs
Michael Evans responds to a groomer’s concerns about older dogs in this edition of Ask the Grooming Tutor. He reminds us that dogs older than seven years have some aches and pains. This is certain after the age of 10 years and absolutely after 15 years. Younger dogs can be helpful during grooming appointments while older dogs are frequently incapable of helping with their … [Read more...]
2019 Triennial Heartworm Symposium selective summary
Marisa Ames, DVM, DACVIM, provides an informative and actionable summary from the September 2019 heartworm symposium. The topics in the presentations and poster included: Heartworm vectors and transmission Heartworm prevention Heartworm pathology Heartworm diagnosis Wolbachia and heartworm treatment protocols . . . a strong correlation was noted between … [Read more...]
Dental tools for dogs
Dental month promotions are over, but oral health care and plaque control efforts remain a daily habit. Emily Watson writes about various dental tools and products available to help pet owners stay current with oral care. Her approach to using a dental toy as a reward is unique and worth sharing. From our idea files During a recent discussion with an industry colleague … [Read more...]
Video shows how to remove ticks
Pet owners will appreciate this video about removing ticks from pets. It could also lead to better tick testing if a pet gets sick after a bite. Share it on social media and in newsletters. Upload it to your website and re-share it routinely from now through fall. Source: PetMD. Link. Ticks can transmit deadly diseases to a pet within as little as 24 hours of latching on, so … [Read more...]