From the AHD archives, Stephanie Colman shares her investigation into the most environmentally friendly ways to dispose of our dogs' feces. Source: Animal Health Digest, August 15, 2017. Link. Despite desires to contribute less overall product to landfills, the most realistic method for safe pet waste disposal is still putting it in the trash. … [Read more...]
Dog food myth-busting
Nancy Kerns addresses the seven most common dog food myths and misconceptions. Source: Whole Dog Journal, January 2021. Link. . . . read the fine print on the labels. Which nutritional adequacy standard does each candidate meet? How much fat and protein do they contain? What ingredients are they made of?” Also see: Do dogs have taste buds? Pet MD. Link. … [Read more...]
Colgate investing in fastest-growing unit: pet food
Colgate-Palmolive Company is investing heavily in three U.S. manufacturing facilities to support and grow its Hill’s Pet Nutrition unit. Hills accounts for a fifth of Colgate’s revenue and over the past 12 months has driven about 70 percent of its growth. Source: Bloomberg, August 23, 2022. Link. The success of the Hill’s revamp will hinge on its ability to compete in the … [Read more...]
2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines focus on what’s essential for each individual dog
Complete with a mascot, infographic and guidelines-at-a-glance poster, the newly published 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines will help veterinarians and their teams create personalized and comprehensive vaccination plans for individual patients. The guidelines contain updates on recommended vaccination protocols based on age, lifestyle, and the increasing prevalence of … [Read more...]
KCAHC #AHSummit22 exceeds expectations
Kudos to the KCAHC team; Corridor committee; Spencer Breithaupt, Chairman; panel participants; speakers and presenting companies. Congratulations to: Scott Campbell, DVM, who was awarded KCAHC Iron Paw <Link> Vidium Animal Health for being selected as the 2022 Innovation Award recipient for @vidiumah which provides veterinarians and pet owners more tools to manage … [Read more...]
Those may be tears of joy from your dog
New research from Japanese scientists suggests that a dog’s eyes may well up with tears of happiness when reunited with its owner after a period of absence. Tears in dogs have not been linked with emotion before. We found that dogs shed tears associated with positive emotions . . . oxytocin was discovered as a possible mechanism underlying it . . . “ - Takefumi … [Read more...]
The latest in diagnosis and management of Malassezia dermatitis
Skin conditions are always in the top 10 reasons dogs and cats see a veterinarian. The yeast genus Malassezia is always secondary to another skin disease, writes Paul Bloom, DVM, DACVD, DABVP. He shares his expertise in identifying and treating Malassezia when present with other skin diseases. Source: DVM 360, August 19, 2022. Link. Disorders that affect the barrier … [Read more...]
Unidentified parvo-like virus killing dogs in Michigan
All animal health pros need to be aware of this situation. The unidentified virus affects puppies and older dogs. When the animals are tested by veterinarians, the initial test for parvo is negative. Usually, the dogs die within three to five days. Dogs have been sent to The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsy, which did show parvo. The … [Read more...]
What pet owners need to know about vital signs
Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM, Oncology), reviews recent research about vital signs and explains how pet owners can help their veterinarian obtain accurate vital sign measurements including home blood pressure, temperature and overcoming fears. Source: Schwarzman Animal Medical Center via AAHA NEWStat, August 17, 2022. Link. Tactile assessment of nose temperature is … [Read more...]
Client sticker shock (video series)
Complimentary Sponsored Content We’ve heard about sticker shock in the context of judging a client’s pocketbook for years. Recently, several sources have analyzed and shared cost of care information associated with pet ownership. The intent of these studies is to help veterinary teams understand the costs of caring for pets and to help them proactively discuss costs with pet … [Read more...]
Client trust, human-animal bond and meeting client concerns
The last article in a three-part series from Wendy Hauser, DVM, pulls together the challenges veterinary teams face when dealing with clients’ expectations and paradigms. Twenty four percent of dog owners and 35 percent of cat owners don’t seek regular health care for their pets according to the AVMA. The primary reasons were the expense and the lack of the perceived value … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 18, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – 10 years and counting elevating care for cats. Link. Get ready! All livestock antibiotics will be prescription-only in 2023. Link. Changes coming to compounded animal health medication. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, August 11, 2022. Link. =================================== Dog … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club to discuss ending the puppy mill battle
TBC live event on Zoom: August 24th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CDT. Register here <Link>. Professionals in veterinary practices often see firsthand both inhumane and humane operations. This conversation with Mark Cushing, JD ,is about ending the puppy mill battles and why they can’t all be humane, along with what the future holds for puppy mills. Source: The Bridge … [Read more...]
National Dog Day is August 26
There is still time to promote National Dog Day. The National Today website offers fun facts about dogs and their owners. Source: National Today. Link. Scroll down to see the top 3 Dog Day survey insights. … [Read more...]
Don’t forget to check the chip
Check the Chip Day was celebrated August 15th. By encouraging clients to have their pets microchipped, veterinary hospitals can improve the odds that a pet that goes missing while in their care will be found. . . . regularly updating contact information on the pet’s microchip is almost as important as implanting the chip itself.” Source: AAHA NEWStat, August 11, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Tooth resorption in cats and dogs
John R. Lewis, VMD, DAVDC, discusses the phenomenon of tooth resorption in cats and dogs. Investigative studies indicate 20 percent to 70 percent of cats experience resorption. TR can be classified as internal resorption or external resorption. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 11, 2022. Link. Know there is a staging system developed to describe the severity of the … [Read more...]
Pit viper envenomation in a dog
A venomous bite is called an envenomation. Venomous snakes found in the U.S. include rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins and coral snakes. Each year, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S., and about five of those people die <Link>. According to the Morris Animal Foundation, approximately 150,000 dogs and cats in … [Read more...]
The three most common and preventable canine maladies
With simple observation and proactive management, dog owners can prevent the three conditions that most frequently compromise dogs' quality of life, writes Nancy Kerns. She says many dogs will suffer from one of these common disorders: Obesity Dental disease Over-long nails Source: Whole Dog Journal, August 9, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Note the cutlines under the … [Read more...]
Cave explorers rescue lost dog from 500 feet underground
Comments: How Abby the dog was rescued will put a smile on your face that lasts all day. The photos alone are worth a look. A long-lost dog awaited Gerry Keene when he was 500 feet underground exploring caves near Perryville, Missouri, recently. The dog was skinny with matted fur and was curled up on a rock slab, too weak to even whimper. Keene knew he had to save her and … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 15, 2022
Home Again celebrates 3 million lost pets being reunited, Hands2Paws app aims to match owners with their perfect dog breed, pet app engagement jumps 73 percent over previous year, Pets at Home sees omnichannel and subscription sales rise, Chewy expands insurance offering with launch of CarePlus and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 15, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Reasons for optimism in the animal health market
Based on recent industry figures, things are looking up for the animal health market, says Graham Garrison, who shares industry figures and estimates that bolster confidence in the pet care segment. <factors contributing to U.S. pet industry growth> include a heightened focus on pet health and wellness among pet owners in closer contact with their pets, a ramped-up … [Read more...]
Best ways to help overweight dogs lose weight
Opinion The last paragraph of this article makes it shareworthy. The tips on ways to address obesity in dogs are good and worth reinforcing. There’s little doubt that a large percentage of U.S. dogs are overweight. Final words: It’s the responsibility of us to help our dogs maintain a healthy weight. It’s up to pet owners to feed nutritious and healthy foods and treats and … [Read more...]
Seasonality and geography of diabetes mellitus in dogs
Sharing key points from a published research study involving nearly 1,000 dogs with diabetes mellitus, Vet Candy highlighted: Dogs were diagnosed with DM significantly more in the winter and northern USA compared to all other seasons and all other geographic regions, respectively. The prevalence of juvenile onset among dogs with DM was 2.8%. The proportion of dogs … [Read more...]
Free – Level Up: Pain Management virtual summit August 16th
Complimentary Content Veterinary professionals will have the opportunity to learn the most up-to-date and effective methods of pain management at NAVC’s Level Up: Pain Management Summit Tuesday, August 16, 2022. The summit features three, hour long sessions hosted on VetFolio at no charge. Participants will learn the most up-to-date and effective methods of pain … [Read more...]
Otitis externa cheat sheet
Complimentary Sponsored Content from Dechra U.S. Ear problems are frequently in the top 10 reasons pet owners see a veterinarian. Darin Dell, DVM, DACVD, created a handy guide full of useful information for examination, cytology and treatment options for dealing with otitis externa. Source: Dechra U.S. Download here <Link> … [Read more...]
Diabetes is not a death sentence
Complimentary Sponsored Content Richard Stone DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), returns to the Chatfield Show to discuss diabetes in pets. The conversation covers information for pet owners who need to know about their diabetic pet and the differences between dogs and cats. Source: Chats with the Chatfields, YouTube, May 11, 2022. Link. (47 minutes) Diabetes in dogs and cats is … [Read more...]
Tear stains, eye boogers and gunk
Allergies, infections, hairs, blocked tear ducts and yeast are reasons dogs eyes can get gunky or stained. The author explains the reddish stains are caused by iron released from the breakdown of red blood cells which becomes part of a pigment-containing molecule called porphyrin. Porphyrin is in dogs’ tears and causes the actual staining. The author shares a few tips to … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 8, 2022
Pet-related franchising is thriving, Dr. Poop’s health analysis for owners, leveraging small business press releases, the whys of zoomies, Mars seeking to make pet travel easier and more. . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 8, 2022. Link. Also see: Help! Why does my dog eat poop? Whole Dog Journal, May 23, 2022. Link. Stopping poop eating it is more a matter of managing … [Read more...]
Customer education is an important competitive differentiator
Commentary We routinely see articles promoting BtoC engagement and education in the retail sector. Veterinary teams can benefit from similar activities and from engaging those who are actively educating pet owners. Working with active influencers can help promote the importance of regular veterinary care and improve education efforts by those advocates engaging animal owners … [Read more...]
The price of canine cancer treatment stunned her
Kim Kavin’s 12-year-old mutt, Blue, was diagnosed with a tumor. An oncologist offered hope, but it would be expensive. Kavin had already $2,000 in three days and the next CT scan was going to be $2,500. Radiation therapy after that would be $9,500. Blue received stereotactic radiation, a gold-standard radiation treatment for humans. Fortunately, Kavin held a pet insurance … [Read more...]