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 $9,500. Blue received stereotactic radiation, a gold-standard radiation treatment for humans. Fortunately, Kavin held a pet insurance … [Read more...]
Improving the narrative on pet food
Pet food is deeply personal for many cat and dog owners and their choices are compounded by the explosion of choices. Raw, organic, fresh, frozen and nearly any other human food trend you can imagine make pet food choices challenging. Ernie Ward DVM, CVFT, says, “to successfully educate and avoid offending clients, veterinary professionals need to have a communication strategy, … [Read more...]
Universal PiMS integration and building an ecosystem using the Mella desktop app
Complimentary Commercial Content During this online event that takes place August 9, learn how the Mella thermometer integrates with PiMS systems. This empowers veterinary staff to include temperature screening with each exam and get that information into the PiMs records. Register here: Link. Source: Mella Pet Care, Linked In, July 25, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
More on blue-green algae: When in doubt, keep out!
Toxic cyanobacteria or, blue-green algae is primarily a concern during the summer months, when it can be found in small lakes or ponds. Dogs can be exposed while swimming in lakes, ponds and pools of water caused by seasonal flooding and standing water, like that in abandoned swimming pools. Dogs are exposed by drinking or licking toxic water. Drinking directly from a pond, … [Read more...]
Creating an outdoor space for dogs and their people, PACCC webinar
Dogs need to go outside, and we can help overcome the reasons we don’t want to let our dogs outside when the weather isn’t great.” Webinar participants will learn about solutions to make play yards and backyards safe, fun and clean 365 days per year. Free to those who register, PACCC welcomes pet parents and pet professionals for this informative webinar. Webinar: August … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 1, 2022
Million$ still available nationwide in Covid recovery small business grants, SEO strategies, pet cloning growth in China, digital marketing help and more . . . Also don’t miss the webinar featuring Fear Free’s Mikkel Becker: Pushing Play for a Fear Free Boarding and Daycare Stay with a dog stuck in a stop, rewind, or fast-forward state, September 13 at 12:00pm CT. … [Read more...]
When traveling with a pet, plan, plan, plan
Traveling with a pet can be fun but making it so for all the humans and pets on a trip takes sound planning. This well-illustrated article offers basic pet traveling tips and a reminder about all-important microchipping. Source: The Washington Post, July 23, 2022. Link. When planning a trip with your furry family members, there’s a lot to consider to ensure a successful … [Read more...]
Study provides more evidence that dogs can read our intentions
No surprise for most animal health pros. Findings from a preliminary study support the idea that dogs are tuned into our thoughts as well as our actions. Source: Science, July 21, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Toxidromes for working dogs, plus the Beagle Brigade
Here is a primer for first responders with little to no training in emergency care of working dogs and veterinarians who have very little training on recognition of the clinical signs of many of the toxic agents to which working dogs are exposed (*e.g., the Beagle Brigade). With the increase in working dogs in the field it is imperative that we provide them with a similar level … [Read more...]
Dogtopia catering to a new breed of pet owners
Instead of going all in with a human baby, millennials are easing into parenthood with pets, or starter babies, which the generation affectionately refers to as fur babies. Neil Gill, CEO, president of Dogtopia, says millennials are taking pet parenthood seriously and they are not going it alone. They are seeking services to help them cater to their dogs’ needs beyond the … [Read more...]
Seniors 4 Seniors pairing adults and cats in their senior years
The nonprofit Feline Urban Rehab and Rescue is run by the Seniors 4 Seniors program. Started in 2020, the program serves older people who want to adopt cats but face financial obstacles. FURR, based in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, has 11 pairs of senior citizens and cats, specifically chosen based on the cats’ dispositions and the applicants’ living habits and preferences. … [Read more...]
Microbiological quality and presence of foodborne pathogens in raw and extruded canine diets and canine fecal samples
A Chilean study sought to determine pet food safety based on the presence of zoonotic pathogens in extruded and raw meat-based diets. The researchers also sought to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp., C. jejuni, and L. monocytogenes in canine fecal samples. Moreover, the genetic relationship between bacteria isolated from pet food and fecal bacterial isolates was … [Read more...]
Veterinary summer: Back in full swing
Summer pet safety and traveling with pets is all about preparation and education, writes Dawn Singleton-Olson. She reminds us of ways clinics can reach out to pet owners and make sure they have the products on hand for prevention and treatment. Doing so will set them up for a successful summer especially if they are traveling with their pets. Source: Vet-Advantage, June … [Read more...]
The oral microbiome, new in the clinical practice of dentistry
Includes Complimentary Commercial Content The oral microbiome is an exciting and expanding field of research, writes Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, FAVD. He is looking to understand the role of the microbiome in the alteration of functional and metabolic pathways associated with the diseased states as results from Basepaws testing is analyzed. Basepaws Dental Health … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 21, 2022
Last week’s most read posts 7 important facts about mosquitos and horses. Link. Consolidation trends of veterinary practices acquired by corporate groups are important to observe. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, July 14, 2022. Link. =================================== Antivenin: Five myths to remember this … [Read more...]
Beware of blister beetles
Blister beetles secrete cantharidin to defend themselves from predators through a process called reactive bleeding. Cantharidin is also released when beetles are crushed. Blister beetles are members of a family of plant-feeding insects (Meloidae) that contain cantharidin, a toxic defensive chemical that protects them from predators. Accidentally crushing a beetle against … [Read more...]
Basic supplementation for cats and dogs
Shawn Messonnier, DVM, shares his basic supplement approach for a healthy dog or cat which include: a vitamin-mineral product that also provides immune and antioxidant support a fatty acid an enzyme and probiotic combination For older animals, a choline supplement should be added, as it may delay the onset of cognitive disorder CBD use is mentioned in a side … [Read more...]
Tostitos toes: Why dogs paws sometimes smell like corn chips
Frito feet; pup-corn paws; Tostito toes . . . vets have heard it all! Pseudomonas and Proteus bacteria are a type of yeast present in most dogs’ feet. Activated by exercise, the bacteria cause the smell when dogs sweat. Washing feet with warm soapy water is the first line of defense to reduce the odor. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. Indications of an infection needing … [Read more...]
Pet safety concerns with sunscreens
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center gets regular calls about sunscreen in the summer. Salicylates and zinc oxide are two primary ingredients in sunscreens that can cause issues with pets. Plus, the bottles and tubes complete with their exotic butters, oils and scents peak pet curiosities making them an ingestion risk on their own. Source: APSCA®pro via AAHA NEWStat. … [Read more...]
Study finds dog and human cognition similar
A study published in Animal Cognition identified six key markers of executive function in dogs, many of which overlap with the structures associated with human cognition. These include the ability to follow instructions, control physical impulses and use working memory. The study also found that dogs from breeders had higher levels of executive function than those from … [Read more...]