Nancy Kerns speaks to the growing source verification and ethical source standards that are now part of pet food decisions. Suspicious of claims, she recommends looking for certification by a legitimate third-party auditor and references the number of companies that provide verification and certification of organic, socially, environmentally, and/or humanely responsible … [Read more...]
Not all shedding is normal (includes handout)
Animal health pros frequently get questions about excessive pet hair shedding. It is generally normal or seasonal, but there are times to be concerned. Darin Dell, DVM, shares perspectives on causes of shedding. Source: Vetted, January 16, 2018. The first step when faced with an exam for “excessive shedding” is to determine if there is obvious alopecia or true thinning of … [Read more...]
Kitten knowledge makes things easier on them and you
Two articles address the topic of dealing with kittens that are frequently found on our doorsteps. Consider the perspectives as you answer questions from those who wish to save an abandoned litter or adopt a new kitten. For would-be cat owners, this information can be new and helpful. Source: What You Should Do If You Find A Kitten. Modern Cat. I hadn’t realized that … [Read more...]
Osteoarthritis management update (includes video)
David Dycus, DVM, urges veterinary teams to consider multi-modal options for dealing with osteoarthritis. He recommends establishing a baseline through joint supplements, diet and especially, routine exercise. Each patient needs to be considered individually instead of using a standard plan. This is good material to review as a veterinary team to uncover different perspectives … [Read more...]
8 fun scent games dogs love
Smell is the most powerful sense dogs possess. It is fully developed at birth. Dogs have up to 300 million sensors compared to six million in humans. The part of the dog brain that analyzes smells is 40 times bigger in dogs than humans. As pet owners, we frequently forget to include scent games as part of activities with our animals. Steve Duno shares some that owners can play … [Read more...]
5 signs of canine boredom
Rather than whine around the house complaining there’s nothing to do, dogs who stay at home alone sometimes decide to amuse themselves with activities that are not funny to their owners. Teoti Anderson share five signs of dog boredom that are easily shared on websites or social media. Source: Modern Dog. Anderson shares five typical signs of dog boredom, as well as what … [Read more...]
Separation anxiety – a comprehensive package
Veterinary Medicine Essentials packages cover diagnostic steps, treatment plan guidance and the latest updates, plus resources to share with team members and animal owners. This collection of articles focuses on veterinary teams, yet it offers solid information for animal health sales pros. Source: Veterinary Medicine, June 15, 2017. The DVM360 team curated the best, most … [Read more...]
Groomer fired for rough dog handling
A Katy, Texas, dog groomer was fired by PetSmart last week after a viral video captured her rough treatment of a dog. Terah Leder, a customer, recorded the video on her cellphone and reported the mistreatment to the store manager and called PetSmart’s corporate offices. Source: Washington Post, February 3, 2018 (paywall), Houston Chronicle, February 2, 2018. In Leder’s … [Read more...]
VMX 2018 was no small undertaking
Almost as if produced by Disney, the VMX conference is certainly XXX-sized. So are the smiles of participants and exhibitors as both seemed willing to engage. The only drawback of a large footprint venue is that many participants are not ready for the amount of walking required. You know the tradeshow is huge when golf carts are used on main thoroughfares to transport attendees … [Read more...]
Opinion – Local delivery may be an option
During a seminar explaining pet owner purchasing behaviors and confidence indicators, a colleague leaned over to me and said, “Florists deliver flowers locally, also pizza and now groceries, why don’t DVMs deliver pet supplies the same way?” His observation interrupted thoughts throughout the day alongside memories of how we used to do things before specialized small package … [Read more...]
Nearly all pet owners bought food in stores in 2017
Physical stores are not dead, despite industry fears of e-commerce taking over. 88 percent of dog owners and 93 percent of cat owners bought products in the category in a retail location in the past 12 months, according “Pet Food in the U.S., 13th Edition,” a report from Rockville, Md.-based market intelligence firm Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com. The … [Read more...]
Microchips turn 30; adoption still slow
Great efforts have been poured into microchip technology. One can argue the chronology, but microchip technology has settled with dependable standards and equipment. Still, under 30 percent of dogs and fewer than 15 percent of cats are chipped. Various sources indicate that lost pets with microchips are returned to owners at rates two or more times higher than non-chipped … [Read more...]
3 reasons why you should bring your dog to work
Richard Moran discusses dogs at work in the context of them being good for our health. He speculates on the ups and downs of packs of dogs roaming a workplace compared to the hypothesis that dogs and work are a good combination and could lead to a happier and more productive culture. Perhaps love from a dog could help make the job better and make you more … [Read more...]
NSAIDs are wonderful options (includes video)
The NSAID product category generally represents 12 percent to 18 percent of dispensed product revenue for veterinary practices. When it comes to pain relief tools in the veterinary practice, Matthew Brunke, DVM, CCRP, CVPP, CVA, sings the praises of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs class. Reminder! Given the number of prescriptions now filled outside the veterinary … [Read more...]
Vets must be part of decision to use supplements to help cats with arthritis
Arthritis is inevitable as cats’ life expectancy increases. In one study, researchers analyzed X-rays of the spines and limbs of 100 middle-aged or elderly cats living in U.S. homes. The images revealed that 90 percent of those cats over the age of 12 showed radiographic signs of arthritis. A variety of over-the-counter nutraceuticals have gained widespread popularity for … [Read more...]
Getting pets ready to move about the country
Brian A. DiGangi, DVM shares five top tips for traveling with animals. He recommends: Review travel regulations Explain the importance of preventative care Recommend permanent identification Identify and mitigate travel specific risks Discuss steps and protect behavioral health and welfare Source: Clinician’s Brief, January 2018. Clinicians play an … [Read more...]
Opinion – Defining telehealth in veterinary medicine
Telehealth, says the AVMA, has emerged as a prime opportunity for veterinarians to deliver health information and care to clients via technology. Emerged? Haven’t we been doing this for years? The key here is to define and segregate actions. Telehealth is an overarching term describing the delivery of health information, education or care REMOTELY. The AVMA has created an … [Read more...]
2018 is the year of the dog flu
Steve Dale tackles the topic of Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) and the information that shows CIV is expanding across the country more rapidly than ever. This is a topic for team meetings with veterinary teams, retailers and sales groups. Source: Steve Dale’s Pet World, January 22, 2018. The partners tracking dog flu are doing it right. The problem is that most clients don’t … [Read more...]
Puppy Bowl XIV, Animal Planet on February 4 at 3 p.m. ET. (includes video)
Team Ruff vs. Team Fluff airs ahead of Super Bowl LII (6:30 pm ET) for the 14th year. This year will feature more puppies than ever – 90 players – from 48 shelters and rescues from 26 U.S. states and territories. The teams will compete for the coveted Lombarki Trophy. For the first time ever, Animal Planet will also premiere Puppy Bowl Presents: The Dog Bowl. The Dog Bowl … [Read more...]
Opinion – Dental month; long in the tooth
While February is National Pet Dental Health Month, dental health should be a daily ritual for pet owners all year long. Yeah, right! For longer than the three decades I’ve been working in animal health, we’ve promoted dental care, regular oral exams and periodic cleaning. Yet, approximately 75 percent of dogs and cats over the age of three have periodontal disease. Despite … [Read more...]
How to fly with cats
Catnip addresses air travel with felines and offers tips to help make this experience as worry-free as possible. The most important things are to plan ahead and arrive early at the airport on travel day. Source: Tufts Catnip, March 2017. Airlines have a wide range of different policies concerning cats traveling in the cabin, so it is essential to contact the carrier well in … [Read more...]
Queens are righties, Toms are lefties
Female cats are more likely to be right-handed than males, research suggests. Research published in the Journal Animal Behavior, January 2018 presented these highlights: Lateralized spontaneous behavior in the domestic cat was explored for the first time. Cats showed a lateral bias for behaviors of stepping down and stepping over. Animals showed no significant … [Read more...]
Cesar: Your dog is an addict
Our brains and our dogs’ brains have been designed to reward us for experiences that release certain chemicals that make us feel good. Whether we’re consciously aware of it or not, dogs and humans return to those experiences for the pleasure we get. Cesar discusses unhealthy habits and how to address them with our canine companions. Source: Cesar’s Way, January 21, … [Read more...]
Ideas for cats who won’t eat
Finicky cats were made famous by 9 Lives’ spokescat Morris in the 1970s. JaneA Kelley offers some tips for getting today’s Morrises back on feed. Information on this common issue will be appreciated in social media posts, newsletters or as website content. Source: Catster, January 17, 2018. Here are some things to try when a cat won’t eat: Make sure the cat is healthy … [Read more...]
Canine fecal transplants; phut, sputter, gag.
Coprophagic dogs are bad enough. Still, there may be some benefit to fecal microbial transplantation to aid in adjusting the microbiome of our canine friends. And we thought veterinary nurses had it bad enough doing stool floats! This area of microbiome science is advancing, so we share the information with you for your consideration before a dog owner comes to you with a … [Read more...]
Opinion – Eliminating declaws adds nail challenges
First, I support eliminating declaw surgeries. I’ve been there, done that and wished I hadn’t. But, indoor cats just don’t wear down claws as easily as indoor/outdoor or outdoor-only cats. During a recent visit with a Ceva colleague, I asked about nail trimming guidance beyond the benefits of FELISCRATCH™ and dedicated scratching poles. We did a quick Google search and I was … [Read more...]
Canine parvovirus 101
CPV emerged in the 1970s and is still a menace to unvaccinated dogs.The virus itself is small and nonenveloped, making it one of the most robust viruses affecting animals. Because of its environmental persistence, both indirect and direct contact can efficiently spread the virus. When protected by organic matter, the virus may remain infectious for months. Source: … [Read more...]
“Leave it,” an important K9 training basic
One of our objectives for curating content for animal health pros is to support behavior training. Annie Phenix is a force-free trainer who addresses the “leave it” training dog owners find challenging. This article is suitable for printing for puppy classes or as social media content. Source: Dogster, January 10, 2018. There are some cues we must teach our dogs that could … [Read more...]
New directory aims to make reporting animal abuse easier
The lead post in the January 16, 2018 NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly references information on a new national directory of agencies that investigate animal abuse. The directory represents more than 6,500 counties, cities and towns across the U. S. and identifies which agency follows up on reports of suspected animal cruelty, abuse and neglect, according to a release from the … [Read more...]
Cross-matching is important for first blood transfusion (includes video)
Kenichiro Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), discusses cross-matching and blood transfusion perceptions and myths. If transfusion records are not appropriate, or if a new veterinary practice assumes a patient has never received a transfusion and they do another mismatch, that could result in very serious consequences or even death. Source: American Veterinarian, January 15, … [Read more...]