It is always a good idea for animal health pros to scan through new products. Treats, chew toys, a clear pet gate, a board game to play with a dog, car seat, functional supplements, special collars and more are featured here as winners of PPN's Editors' Choice Awards. Source: Pet Product News, October 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 7, 2024
Poopcopter is the world’s first aerial bound self-guided dog poop removal system, Fire Prevention Week, improving employee performance, dogs traveling, pet spending continues, the evolution of pet food processing and more . . . Note: The APPA is seeking speakers for The Pet Summit to take place from March 24th-26th, 2025, in Orlando, Florida alongside the Global Pet … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 3, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 26, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the September 26th AHD Bulletin – The story no one talks about: the cost to produce food. Link. Changing weather patterns call for a change in deworming habits. Link. Conservation advocacy soars in ‘24 Bird Photographer competition. Link. USDA network … [Read more...]
Charity Halloween pet costume contest to benefit the Veterinary Hope Foundation
This charitable event hosted by The Bridge Club aims to build excitement for the "Give is the Word" benefit in March 2025 during the WVC Annual Conference, while raising awareness for the Veterinary Hope Foundation. Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, practice managers, and anyone connected to the veterinary profession are invited to dress their pets in one of the … [Read more...]
WagWell debuts microbiome-friendly certified dog paw balm
Complimentary Commercial Content Paw Protector enhances paw health without disrupting the beneficial bacteria essential for healthy skin. It is certified as Microbiome Friendly by MyMicrobiome. It is clinically shown to dramatically improve the overall condition of dog paws within the first three days of use. Source: Pet Age, September 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Non-antibiotic approaches to canine recurrent UTIs
Various non-antibiotic measures show promise in managing canine UTIs and reducing the amount of antibiotics used to fight infections. The authors assert combining conventional veterinary medicine with complementary therapies may offer a more holistic approach to managing UTIs in dogs. Source: Innovative Vet Care, September 27, 2024. Link. A combination of approaches may … [Read more...]
Study: Most effective cooling method for hyperthermia in dogs
A hot day in the field or on the trail can quickly turn into a critical situation when a dog gets too hot. A small crossover study evaluated field-applicable cooling methods to treat this condition effectively. The voluntary head dunking method, which included controlled water ingestion, resulted in the lowest mean core temperature within the first five minutes … [Read more...]
Nonmedical pet services: A tangled web of competition
The high cost of pet food and of veterinary services top the list of significant challenges that pet owners currently face, writes David Sprinkle, referencing Packaged Facts’ February 2024 data. The high cost of nonmedical pet services such as grooming, boarding, daycare and training weigh in at a lower level, but these services remain part of the picture for a robust pet … [Read more...]
Success with supplements
Health and wellness trends are driving a pet supplement market positioned to surpass $2.7 billion <Link>. Many veterinarians are concerned about quality, writes Graham Garrison, who shares the opportunity to help practices realize revenue benefits that accompany selling supplements. Packed Facts’ survey <Link> indicates online purchases outpace in-store sales giving … [Read more...]
Holiday hazards for pets
Fall’s arrival welcomes gatherings for sports events and holidays. Many holiday hazards can harm pets. Determining what will harm pets makes it confusing. Pet owners are advised to prepare in advance. Source: Great Pet Care, September 20, 2024. Link. Photo by K E on Unsplash … [Read more...]
World Rabies Day is September 28th
On September 28th, we celebrate the 102nd birthday of Louis Pasteur by honoring his pioneering work in developing a vaccine against rabies. The anniversary of his birth has been designated World Rabies Day in remembrance of Dr. Pasteur and the millions of lives he continues to save with the rabies vaccine. Source: Global Alliance for Rabies Control. Link. Rabies is an … [Read more...]
Survey: Only 1/3 of Americans have natural disaster plans for pets
Hurricane Helene is in the news <Link>. Floridians are prepping for her effects. Preparations for natural disasters should include pets, but as the August ’24 Talker survey reveals, many pet owners have no plans in place for their animals. This article outlines important elements of a comprehensive disaster plan for pets. It is suitable for sharing on social media, in … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 23, 2024
FLOW Business Conference underway in Tucson, Arizona, pet startup funding slower, dogs on airplanes, pet night on Capitol Hill, loyalty programs have value, marketing on a small budget, ownership transition plans, and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Pet weight survey starts October 7th, includes horses
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention will collaborate with veterinary practices and teaching hospitals to collect and report the weight and body condition scores of dogs, cats and, for the first time, horses. Veterinary clinics interested in recording the weights and scores of patients seen during routine examinations may register at bit.ly/APOPsignup. Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
Federal bill seeks to expand HSA, FSA eligibility to include veterinary care expenses
The People and Animal Well-being (PAW) Act aims to support pet owners by making veterinary care more affordable under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Source: Veterinary Practice News, September 17, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Are antibiotics necessary for oral surgery?
Bacteremia is a recognized sequela of dental scaling and oral surgery in patients with severe periodontal disease. A small study sought to assess whether transient bacteremia developed after dental scaling, root planing and dental extractions, as well as whether the amount of bacteremia warranted antibiotics. Perioperative use of systemic antibiotics for dental procedures in … [Read more...]
It’s better to forget the ice cubes for dogs
Depending on which Google search result you read, the vote on sharing ice cubes with dogs is 50/50, yes/no. Pam Nichols, DVM, CCRP, CFI, offers guidance on the topic in this article, ultimately saying not to offer dogs ice, including teething puppies. The main risk is tooth damage, she says. Giving a dog ice water, or just a handful of ice cubes, has no beneficial … [Read more...]
Vet care costs are skyrocketing. 8 people share their vet bill horror stories.
Commentary Deborah Vankin’s story relating pet owner experiences with veterinary care costs from survey results is not surprising. What is concerning is the bent toward negative experiences. Sadly, there is only one reference to pet insurance, especially when this month is National Pet Health Insurance Month which is promoted every year in September <Link>. Source: … [Read more...]
10 most popular vet apps for cat owners (2024 Update)
Apps can’t completely replace in-person vet appointments and annual checkups, but they can still benefit many cat owners, shares Jessica Kim. She classifies the most common types of vet app deliverables as providing 1) tele-triage services, 2) telemedicine services, and 3) veterinary clinic operations software. The reviews of the various app functions may provide some … [Read more...]
Study: Canine respiratory, digestive disease ‘strongly linked’
Dogs with respiratory disease may be at higher risk of digestive system abnormalities, according to a study from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. Researchers investigated the interplay between disorders in canine respiratory and digestive systems, finding 75 percent of dogs with respiratory disease were found to have one or more co-existing digestive … [Read more...]
Strategies to help manage cognitive decline in senior dogs (video)
Like people, older dogs can show signs of age-related cognitive decline, shares Jerry Klein, DVM. With a growing population of senior dogs, combining diet, physical exercise and behavioral enrichment can help combat cognitive decline and the more serious cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Source: AKC, August 28, 2024. Link. Any time an animal shows noticeable changes to his … [Read more...]
Why you should pet your dog first thing in the morning
Before getting out of bed for the first cup of coffee, start the day with five minutes of head pets and belly rubs. By making this a regular activity, you’re essentially teaching the dog that the day doesn’t begin until they have been petted and acknowledged. Plus, those few minutes before checking email, texts and schedules are good for our health too. Source: Better … [Read more...]
Let’s review. Dog park safety tips
Dog parks come in many shapes, sizes and terrain. Ashley Bates shares 11 tips to ensure pets and people have good experiences using these spaces. This article is good content for social media posts, newsletters and to share with your own commentary with local media. Source: Whole Dog Journal, September 5, 2024. Link. Before you go to dog parks know the rules. Some of them … [Read more...]
Automation to streamline its rabies vaccination, certificate processes
GlobalVetLink has developed a solution that simplifies the creation and submission of rabies vaccination certificates and ensures compliance with state and local regulations. GVL's Rabies Vaccination Certificates eliminates the cumbersome, time-consuming tasks associated with manual certificate management, saves time and reduces errors. Source: GlobalVetLink via PR Newswire, … [Read more...]
Chewy Q2 earnings results show app use growing, net sales increase
Chewy’s Q2 earnings call highlighted six percent net sales per active customer increase, 20 million active customers, six Chewy Health clinics in operation and 13 percent more unique customers using the Chewy app. Source: Digital 360, September 3, 2024. Link. Digital Commerce 360 projects that Chewy online sales will reach $11.59 billion in 2024. Also see: Chewy sees … [Read more...]
Eyeworm emergence in cats, dogs in the U.S.
Muscoid flies like the house fly and stable fly, along with drosophilid flies like fruit flies, can transmit eye worm nematodes in the genus Thelazia. Many eyeworm species have been identified in the United States in dogs, wildlife, horses and cattle. Heather D.S. Walden, MS, PhD, shares the discovery of Thelazia callipaeda infections in cats and explains the importance of … [Read more...]
The prevalence and diagnosis of feline heartworm infection
It is estimated that feline heartworm infection prevalence is five percent to 20 percent of the canine infection prevalence in the same area. The authors review the challenges of diagnosing feline heartworm infections, the differences in life cycle and clinical aspects of feline heartworm infection versus dog heartworm infection. Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, … [Read more...]
Heartworm fact sheet urges pet owners to Think 12
A convenient fact sheet from the American Heartworm Society urges pet owners to test annually for heartworm and commit to year-round heartworm prevention. The document is suitable for social media and newsletters. Heartworm preventative compliance remains challenging and requires routine reinforcement of the reasons and benefits. Source: Think 12, American Heartworm Society. … [Read more...]
Allergy season, real or not?
Many things cause dogs to be pruritic that may not be a true allergy. Cliff Faver, DVM, reminds us that a pet can be allergic to anything, even hypoallergenic products. He suggests groomers can play a major role in minimizing or preventing conditions often considered allergies by focusing on repairing the skin barrier. A strong skin barrier is an amazing thing and often the … [Read more...]
Advocacy helps pet owners discover benefits of choosing pet health insurance (Part 5)
Sponsored Content This series on how veterinary teams position and share the benefits of pet insurance has been well received. In this edition, Roberta Jaime shares how pet insurance is integrated into discussions with pet owners at Aloha Veterinary Hospital. Our doctor takes it further by writing recommendations directly onto the ASPCA Pet Insurance pamphlets during … [Read more...]