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...]
New cannabis resource from AVMA
A new document for AVMA members provides comprehensive background information to help understand the legal aspects of cannabis use in animals; field questions and advise clients who are interested in marijuana therapies for their pets; and identify toxic exposures. Source: AVMA, January 10, 2018. Cannabis: What Veterinarians Need to Know addresses a broad range of important … [Read more...]
Donating a pet’s body is alternative to burial, cremation
The passing of a cherished pet is something every pet owner dreads. Yet, it is something most of eventually face. In addition to burial or cremation, educational memorial programs or willed body programs are offered at several veterinary universities in the United States. Modeled similar to human cadaver donation programs, pet owners can donate the body of their beloved dog … [Read more...]
Autopsies by general practitioners can help owners (photographic guide)
Many pet owners want to know why their pet passed away. A limited cosmetic necropsy may produce a reason, add closure and potentially alert the veterinary staff of local risks. Source: Clinician’s Brief, December 2017. The term “autopsy” is widely preferred in the pathology community, particularly to emphasize the primary goal of unifying human and veterinary medical … [Read more...]
Back to school on heartworm
The American Heartworm Society (AHS) is strengthening efforts to bring the latest heartworm information directly to veterinarians and veterinary nurses via scientific symposia and proceedings. Heartworm University, a traveling four- to six-hour symposium taught by AHS faculty, provides practical clinical information in an interactive format that enables presenters to address … [Read more...]
Alternatives to declawing becoming mandatory
The tide is turning against cat declawing, writes Steve Dale in a piece for Fear Free Happy Homes. Denver recently became the first city outside California to ban declawing surgery. When cats scratch (an innate behavior), they send an aromatic message via the pheromones delivered by glands in the paws, as well as a visual message: those long claw marks. The ability to offer … [Read more...]
Cat flehmen response or cat stinky face is highly scientific
The cat stinky face isn’t necessarily a snooty sneer. It’s way more scientific than that. “The flehmen response is a type of sniffing, but instead of using their nostrils, cats inhale the air through their open mouths,” Dr. Sasha Gibbons says. “Cats use the flehmen response to detect chemical stimuli, such as pheromones, that are present in urine and feces, or areas that cats … [Read more...]
Editor’s Choice Awards, Pet Product News
Each year, Pet Product News seeks to honor innovative products that strengthen the relationship between pets and people. If your role is in the non-OTC categories, knowing about these products may help you address concerns from a pet owner or even rationalize your own inventory choices in advance of mass merchandising pressures. Source: Pet Product News, January 2018, page … [Read more...]
Pet owners prefer to buy from brick-and-mortar stores
Pet Food in the U.S., 13th Edition states that about 88 percent of dog owners and 93 percent of cat owners admit to buying food for their pets from a store within the last 12 months. One demographic most comfortable with non-traditional purchasing options is millennials. This group was more likely than any other to buy items through a website or app for home delivery or … [Read more...]
Enrich the lives of older pets. Don’t ignore them.
The cold that has enveloped most of the U.S. lately has no doubt exacerbated some aging symptoms in older pets. Older animals may suffer from osteoarthritis or neurologic conditions that limit physical activity. Beyond physical activities, cognitive issues increase, sensory capabilities decline and anxiety may follow as older pets often become ignored. Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
What to know about bathing cats
Bathing a cat sends chills to most cat owners and veterinary teams alike. Still cats sometimes truly need a good bath. JaneA Kelly looks at five times you should wash your cat and how to make cat baths as stress free as possible. Source: Catster, December 26, 2017. In some cases, you can just clean your cat using unscented, hypoallergenic wipes or dry shampoos rather than … [Read more...]
Organic pet food tops interest level across ethnic boundaries
Understanding pet ownership is important to implement sound business strategies and to understand customer preferences. Branded surveyed 14,755 U.S. residents and found that nearly 66 percent of respondents own at least one pet. However, pet ownership differed by self-reported ethnicity. Source: Petfood Industry, December 22, 2017. In a related survey, Branded analysts … [Read more...]
1st NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly for 2018
The veterinary technician/nurse role development is rapidly being expanded and professionally recognized. Two posts from their bi-weekly e-mail will interest most animal health pros: The importance of veterinary social work Top veterinary dentistry tips for 2017 Source: Animal Health Bi-Weekly, January 2, 2018. INSIGHTS: Like human prevention, animal dentistry … [Read more...]