Complimentary Content Data from more than 50,000 brachycephalic dogs in the Nationwide canine database has been published as a pair of white papers. The results reveal how brachycephalic and “extreme” brachycephalic dog breeds are at severely increased risk for comorbidities, including respiratory, gastrointestinal and spinal diseases. Our results highlight the need for … [Read more...]
Amazon Super Bowl commercial, not a good example of dealing with behavior issues
Commentary If you gritted your teeth at the Amazon ad depicting a family dealing with their dog’s separation anxiety during the Super Bowl, you are not alone. Daily Paws’ Jenna Stregowski, RVT addresses why a second dog may not be a good idea and what to do when dogs are not coping well with being alone. Getting a second dog is not the solution to fixing behavioral issues … [Read more...]
Ingredients to look for in dog food and treats
What do I feed my dog? This is one of the more routinely asked questions in veterinary clinics and retail. A well-balanced diet is vital to a dog’s health and well-being. Well balanced means matching nutrition and calories. Sydney Yankowicz shares perspective on helping clients make food decisions. . . . in general, pet owners can be advised to choose recognizable, whole-food … [Read more...]
Discussing the importance of puppy socialization with clients
Brie Blakeman, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, urges veterinary professionals to educate owners on the importance of adequate socialization for puppies so they learn what is safe and not safe when interacting with humans and other animals. Proper socialization helps to prevent unwanted behaviors like fearfulness, anxiety, and aggression which are not easily modified. Source: DVM 360, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 27, 2023
Growth in the pet daycare and housing market, pet food and treats more than 50 percent of spend on pets in 2021, pet toy trends to watch, realizing the power of tech, pet owners of all ages focused on pet nutrition and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 27, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
PAW Program provides aid to cancer patients with pets
The C-word diagnosis often devastates people and their families. Many face changes that tap their finances, energy and make it difficult to pay for pet food, veterinary care or pet services to support their pets’ health. CancerCare provides assistance for cancer patients. For pet owners in cancer crisis its Pet Assistance & Wellness Program offers a variety of resources … [Read more...]
Vet Watch Insight Report. 8.5 percent YTD practice revenue growth, other improvements
Commentary Growth in core vaccines, kennel cough vaccine and surgery at this point in the new year is good news. While invoices, patient and client numbers are still negative, these results are much improved over what was seen mid-November <Link>. Prevention medicine requires proactive communication.” Consider sharing this market information as part of employee … [Read more...]
How old is too old for dentals?
It is important to recognize that oral and dental disease often increases in incidence in older pets. Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, asserts since resolving these issues can improve the patients’ overall quality of life, managing the anesthetic risks of these patients, and concerns of their owners is critical. Seldom will a pet be too old to benefit from optimal care.” Source: … [Read more...]
A cup is a terrible way to measure how much we feed a dog
There are too many variables to effectively use volume as an accurate measurement of how much a dog gets to eat. Reminding us that dog food labels are challenging for pet owners to interpret, if not misleading, Nancy Kerns addresses feeding enough or too much. Kerns’ frequent articles about pet food make good posts for animal health pros to share with pet owners … [Read more...]
Chewy expands private label mix with new wellness line
Commercial Content Vibeful is Chewy’s first pet wellness brand. It features 20 supplements and vitamins crafted to complement a wide range of daily wellness needs to meet the growing consumer demand. These supplements boast no artificial ingredients and come in a variety of soft chews, liquids and powders, and in flavors like chicken, salmon and peanut butter. Source: … [Read more...]
National Justice for Animals Week is February 19 – 25
National Justice for Animals Week runs through Friday. The annual event raises public awareness around crimes committed against animals <Link>. Animal justice is not new. In an 1869 Supreme Court case, attorney George Vest*, later a U.S. Congressman from Missouri, represented an owner who sued a man for shooting his dog. Vest's "a man's best friend" closing argument … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 20, 2023
Women in the pet business, making the most of pay-per-click, promoting small business methods, preventing PTSD after pet loss, tax and insurance tips for small business, working smarter not harder and thoughts on the culture of <pet> domestication. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 20, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Time to review the 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
As National Pet Dental Month promotions end, animal health pros need to consider how pet oral care and dentistry will be presented during exams and in client communications. The AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats were updated in 2019 to outline a comprehensive approach in improving the oral health and often, the quality of life of their canine and feline … [Read more...]
Storytelling and the narrative in good patient care
Commentary Context can rarely be achieved in a 10-minute exam . . . period. The ability of a veterinary professional to understand a patient’s health status and determine treatment options requires the story of an event or life circumstances. Engaging the pet owner to share their observations and specifics is an important element in what is described as narrative … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 16, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 9, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from February 9th AHD Bulletin – Studying PRRS virus and its ability to percolate through soils. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Zoetis provides perspective, resources to transition OTC antimicrobials … [Read more...]
Step-by-step guide to abdominal palpation in dogs and cats
If you’ve ever wondered what a veterinarian is feeling for when examining a dog or cat, this guide helps explain it. A good abdominal palpation can catch all kinds of hidden problems but it takes practice and skilled hands to know which organs are normally palpable or nonpalpable and to identify abnormalities. Source: Clinician’s Brief, November 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Advocate for dental health all year long
Oral pet care is no longer merely a revenue booster. It has become an important consideration in the overall health of pets. Marshall Beggs, DVM, asserts the need to include a detailed update on pets’ dental health with owners during exams and to assist with decision making. Source: Veterinary Practice News, February 9, 2023. Link. Seeing is believing, and nothing motivates … [Read more...]
Cost of Care Wheel is now 24/7 digital resource
Sponsored Content The popular veterinary practice-based Cost of Care Wheel tool from the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program is now available in an enhanced client-based online version that can be used anytime, anywhere. Discussing money is never easy but it is important to educate and urge pet owners prepare for their pet’s future health care needs, and how to pay for … [Read more...]
How to ensure plaque does not convert to tartar
Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ, explains the importance of brushing pets’ teeth as it turns into tartar in less than a minute. Consider this video for social media, newsletters or play it for clients during exams. Ideally, brush pet’s teeth every day, but don’t wait longer than 3 days . . .” Source: Linked In, February 8, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Mental stimulation and enrichment matter to dogs
Mental stimulation is key help develop dogs’ cognitive behavior, as well as their overall well-being. Physical exercise is great and necessary for a dog, but it’s only half of the equation. It doesn’t take complex toys, it’s mostly just simple, fun games with its owner.” Source: AKC, January 2009. Link. Many of the hyperactivity and destruction problems dog owners struggle … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 13, 2023
TODAY looks at the booming pet industry (video), results from 2023 Pet Care Innovation Prize for start-ups, challenges with supporting assistance animals, transitioning to franchise ownership, social media for small business, amplifying online marketing, avoiding burnout and more . . . Source: IBPSA FastBites, February 13, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: The landing page for … [Read more...]
Does spaying or neutering change behavior?
Don’t think spaying or neutering a dog is going to prevent or solve all his or her behaviors that you find problematic, writes Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA. Statistical analysis of a huge population of spayed and neutered dogs says that it won’t. Source: Whole Dog Journal, September 21, 2022. Link. Also see: The latest on age and gonadectomy, AHD, March 29, 2022. … [Read more...]
Cost, convenience or optionality? Best fit or gold standard?
Kate Boatright, VMD, reviews new research that suggests that most pet owners do not want their options presented using a gold-standard first approach rather a judgement free spectrum of care set of options. Identifying whether the pet family’s primary concern is cost, convenience, or optionality is key to finding the “best fit." Source: AAHA NEWStat, February 6, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 6, 2023
FDA seeking to better regulate CBD products for pets, franchising pros and cons, competing for top talent against big companies, AMEX financial management tools for small businesses, cost of living impacting pets, and five charts* on inflation, convenience, health and wellness. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 6, 2023. Link. * Consumers are increasingly shopping online … [Read more...]
Heat islands, warm fronts and preventive care
Commentary It was 65O F in the Kansas City area earlier this week. My pup was lying on the deck basking in the sunshine and then it happened . . . a couple flies and some gnats began buzzing around the winter killed garden. Would a mosquito be next? In the INSIGHT article referenced here, Suzanne Whitaker, DVM, reminds us of the importance of year-round preventatives, … [Read more...]
AskVet™ Launches VERA, the world’s first “Answer Engine for Animal Health”
Complimentary Commercial Content Move over Dr. Google! Search is old hat . . . VERA has answers VERA which stands for Virtual Engagement and Relationship Agent is powered by AI, ChatGPT and AskVet's database of over 1.5 million digitized conversations between veterinarians and pet parents. Developed to use natural language, the vetbot objectives are: to help pet parents … [Read more...]
Dental month considerations
Commentary Animal Health Digest actively promotes oral care, including dentistry as an important client education and animal health topic. We believe dental month is an opportunity for animal health pros to refresh their messages and educational efforts on the importance of oral care. The animal health message is not the only message on oral care each February. Use all the … [Read more...]
AVMA sponsors National Pet Dental Health Month
The AVMA shares dental health is a critical part of pet’s overall health, noting dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems. Check out the AVMA dental care resources on the AVMA website which promote home care, share what to expect at the veterinary clinic, support anesthesia and urge pet owners to have their pets’ mouth checked annually. Source: AVMA. … [Read more...]
Dogs may benefit from shoes during weather extremes
Dog shoes can protect dogs’ feet during weather extremes. Proper sizing is important as well as a break-in period to avoid chafing. Wearing shoes does change a dog’s ground reaction forces and pressure distribution. Source: Whole Dog Journal, January 17, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
31 dog food and feeding myths debunked (infographic)
Compiling an exhaustive list of dog food myths, Sarah Ann Taylor provides a look at animal owner perceptions that are not credible. The infographic is nicely done and worthy of consideration for social media and newsletters, as well as a topic during team meetings in veterinary clinics and retailers. Sadly, the infographic is not easily downloaded separately or printable for … [Read more...]