Revamping the New Product Showcase Award categories, the WPA named a winner in each of seven categories: Innovative (never-before-seen solutions) Lifestyle (products designed to improve pets’ health and well-being) Shelf Appeal (packaging that stands out and clearly conveys the product’s benefits) Point of Purchase (in-store displays that grab shoppers’ … [Read more...]
Billions being spent on convenience services, including pets
Americans love convenience services. A recent Finder.com survey shows a massive increase in spending across convenience categories. Although fewer reported spending on pet services, 29 percent of Americans spent $50.8 billion per year on pet services such as dog walking and grooming. This averages $703 per person, according to survey findings. Source: Pet Product News, … [Read more...]
When dentals cause back pain (includes video)
Dental procedures can place extensive stress and strain on the bodies and minds of veterinary team members. These may lead to musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain. Poor posture and improper ergonomics cause repetitive strains that begin with nerve compression and inflammation. Over time they manifest trauma with accompanying aches, pains and fatigue. Veterinarians and … [Read more...]
Age not a factor with dog owners trying newer dog food brands
EVERYONE tries new pet food brands summarizes the findings presented in this article. Marketing towards a specific pet owner age group may reduce a campaign’s effectiveness, according to research published in the Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services. The key message is to not target narrowly and that brands should sell to all buyers of the category.” - Peilin … [Read more...]
Beyond heartworm treatment fundamentals
The American Heartworm Society offers heartworm disease treatment guidelines that consist of combination therapy with melarsomine, doxycycline and a macrocyclic lactone. Brian Herrin, DVM, PhD, recently shared treatment tactics recommended by veterinary experts and gave an overview of less extensive and less expensive alternatives. Source: Veterinary Medicine, July 26, 2019. … [Read more...]
New interactive rabies law map available
Rabies laws vary by state and change often. With more pets traveling and being relocated, animal health pros can use the new rabies law map to view what the laws are in the 50 U.S. states and District of Columbia. Source: Policy Surveillance Program. Link. The map includes data on state-level pre-exposure rabies vaccination laws for domestic dogs, cats, and ferrets across … [Read more...]
Teach dogs to be calm and collected on walks
Tonya Wilhelm adds yet another resource to retraining dogs to stop lunging and barking on walks. The key, she says, is to identify his triggers and re-rain him not to react to them. She offers six steps to help committed owners set their dog up for success and suggests a ways to establish a training protocol. Buy the right walking gear Provide healthy treats and small … [Read more...]
A step-by-step guide to pet CPR
Pet owners need to know how to perform pet CPR. Only a few of them have taken a pet first aid class, writes Allison Faulkner. Her guide to performing CPR includes a video link from Pets America < link >. Faulkner’s guide is one of many videos about pet CPR. Consider using these resources in social media, newsletters and clinic websites. . . . emergencies like natural … [Read more...]
Commercial content from AAHA NEWStat
We captured recent commercially sponsored content below as featured in the newly reformatted AAHA NEWStat. Source: AAHA NEWStat. Link. Pet diabetes and the role of insulin pens, Merck Animal Health, 8/1/2019. Link. The evolution of pain management in pets brings better options for relief, CareCredit, 8/1/2019. Link. Pet owner compliance a barrier to heartworm … [Read more...]
Today is Check the Chip Day!
To remind pet owners to have their pets microchipped and to keep registration information up to date, AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) created “Check the Chip Day.” Heather Loenser, DVM, shared these top reasons to microchip pets: • You’ll improve your chance of being reunited with your pet • It’s quick • It’s inexpensive • It helps provide proof of … [Read more...]
AirBnb flies with traveling pet parents
Airbnb is a great option for traveling pet parents. Gerry Allen offers preparation tips to help travelers’ experiences will be smooth. Consider Allen's tips for social media posts and newsletters. Source: Animal Wellness, August 6, 2019. Link. Allen shares a summary of what to consider when selecting an Airbnb destination: The type of dwelling Are there other animals … [Read more...]
Top 5 methods for assessing tooth vitality (with slideshow photography)
Clinicians must be able to identify nonvital teeth to recommend appropriate treatment, writes Kendall Taney, DVM, DAVDC, FAVD. He shares his top 5 methods for assessing tooth vitality: Visual inspection of the crown of the tooth Sensibility and vitality testing Dental radiography Direct examination of the pulp Histopathic evaluation Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
Invest one minute to avoid bites, scratches (includes handout)
Phil Seibert, CVT, underscores the importance of prevention and caution for veterinary professionals. His tips for handling an injured or stressed animal in a vehicle are also applicable to waiting and exam rooms: Approach the patient from posterior side. Put a slip leash on the animal. Always apply a muzzle. Use a portable stretcher or cart. Source: FIRSTLINE, … [Read more...]
African swine fever virus inactivated by Virox products
Virox Technologies®, the creators of the patented technology Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide® (AHP®), recently conducted an independent efficacy test against African swine fever. AHP technology is found in the Intervention farm disinfectant, known as Intervención in Mexico, and Prevail disinfectants in Canada. The results give swine producers an improved option from the points … [Read more...]
Beyond Lyme, more tick-borne worries
The order Rickettsiales contain species Anaplasmataceae and Rickettsiaceae)that infect dogs, according to Brian Herrin, DVM. These intracellular bacteria pathogens are transmitted by a variety of tick vectors, maintained in wildlife and domestic reservoirs. They can cause clinical disease in humans, dogs and other domestic animals. Herrin discusses basic epidemiology, clinical … [Read more...]
Differing views create Lyme wars
Endemic or not in any geography is no longer easy to define. It seems the medical community is at odds with its approach to diagnosis and treatment. Parallel to the human discussion is the ongoing debate about vaccinating dogs. These two articles are helpful resources for making decisions about Lyme prevention, treatment as well as addressing animal owner questions. One thing … [Read more...]
Pay attention to arthritic dogs’ diets
Arden Moore shares information from two veterinarians that will help some dogs with arthritis. Both agree that keeping dogs trim is a top priority. Food heals or harms . . . what and how much you put in a dog’s food bowl does impact the dog’s quality of life.” Source: Dogster, July 8, 2019. Link. Jean Hofve, DVM, identifies these five safe “arthritis-fighting” foods: … [Read more...]
Pig ears recalled
Lennox Intl Inc. voluntarily recalled its Natural Pig ears because they may be contaminated with Salmonella, according to an FDA posting. The recalled products affected were shipped to nationwide distributors and/or retail stores from May 1 to July 3, 2019. Salmonella can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products . . … [Read more...]
Cancer, yards and pets
Weed killer and other common lawn maintenance chemicals are dangerous for family pets. According to a study from Tufts University, bladder cancer, convulsions and other conditions have been linked to exposure to insecticides and fertilizers. It is important to educate owners about potential dangers in their yards. Source: St George News (via NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly), … [Read more...]
Lyme disease, an unlikely bioweapon
Recent public communications fueled talk of lyme disease being a bioweapon that escaped or was placed into ticks. Ticks can indeed carry infectious agents that could be used as biological weapons but there has been no release of the Lyme disease agent or any other onto American soil, accidental or otherwise, by the military, writes Sam R. Telford III, ScD. Source: The … [Read more...]
Dogs benefit from a balanced microbiome
Audrey Cook, DVM, reviews the importance of a dog’s gut microbiome and the consequences when it becomes imbalanced or altered. This is good information for social media posts, newsletters and websites. Source: The BARK, July 2019. Link. Dysbiosis occurs when a healthy microbiome becomes disrupted. . . . disruptors include many medications, particularly antibiotics; … [Read more...]
Beyond fireworks, be aware of noises that scare dogs
When fear and discomfort go unchecked, they can turn into trauma. Thunderstorms, travel, vet visits and even the banging of garbage trucks elicit nervousness, trembling and cowering from dogs who are noise sensitive. We list two resources for addressing noise sensitivity. Source: Veterinary Medicine, June 29, 2019. Link. Barbara Sherman, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, DACAW recently … [Read more...]
Spay and neuter everything . . . brings health risk to some dogs
In spite of a growing body of research, shelters remain steadfast in the “spay and neuter everything” mantra. Sarah Zhang has summarized information that suggests, to DVMs, that when done in some large breeds when they are young, spaying and neutering are linked to obesity and potential cancers later in life. . . . when to spay or neuter should be a case-by-case decision, even … [Read more...]
What’s in the (pet food) bag?
Kristi Reimer Fender’s shares challenges veterinary teams face when advising clients on pet food for their pets. Her article focuses on clearing up a storm of pet food myths, misconceptions, guiding clients and how food is integrated as part of the human-animal bond. Kudos to the DVM team for assembling this valuable collection of resources. Here’s what it comes down to: A … [Read more...]
Diagnosing skin lesions: an image gallery
Fans of the various veterinary TV programs recognize how frequently clients visit clinics with pet that has an unknown skin thingy. Alexander Werner Resnick, VMD, DACVD, gives animal health pros a resource of an image gallery of primary skin lesions to help understand basic lesions and their patterns of presentation. Primary lesions result directly from the disease process; … [Read more...]
Socializing dogs is an important responsibility
A recent trip to a big box pet retailer with our Morkie underscores Brianna Alex’s message about canine socialization. It is a critical component of training our pets. I’m not sure Alex’s five tips covers an excited, barking dog in the toy aisle, but she offers counsel every pet owner should receive. Her tips include: Take the dog for walks Expose the dog to different … [Read more...]
Opinion – Set the right expectations for puppy owners
In the last two decades, animal health pros have become increasingly aware of the number of puppies that get returned or surrendered. Most of these pets are returned because of normal behavior issues that new owners are not prepared to face. More than 1 million households give up their pets every year — and it’s not, by and large, because those animals aren’t loved or wanted.” … [Read more...]
New companion animal targeted GBS screening panels available from Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific launched three new AgriSeq targeted genotyping by sequencing (GBS) solutions that allow customers to genotype canines and felines while learning disease and parentage information about their pets. The ready-to-use panels achieve high call rates with reproducible genotyping results. Simple, high-throughput workflow on the Ion Torrent next-generation … [Read more...]
Pet economy estimated to balloon to $75 billion in 2019
Denise Power highlights the surge in spending on pets. She outlines perspectives from Petco, Walmart, APPA, TD Ameritrade, Realtor.com, Bark and several specialty dog food companies. What we see happening is a transition from pets being ‘man’s best friend’ to ‘family’s favorite child.’” – Nick Konat, Petco Source: CO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, July 9, 2019. Link. Expect more … [Read more...]
Sundowner’s syndrome, part of canine aging
Sundowning in dogs presents itself much like similar symptoms from Alzheimer’s disease in humans with physiologic changes to their brains and central nervous systems as they age. This may account for behavioral changes and symptoms of cognitive dysfunction. Loss of vision and/or hearing can also cause similar symptoms, says Adrienne Pincetl, DVM. Canine cognitive dysfunction … [Read more...]