Complimentary Sponsored Content – Part 1 of a February 2021 series Our industry has continually improved health insurance products, treatments, and methods over time that better the lives of animals and owners. Surprisingly, owner acceptance of pet health insurance remains low despite evidence insured pets receive health care more frequently. Moving beyond low … [Read more...]
2021 AAHA/AVMA Telehealth Guidelines for Small-Animal Practice
These jointly produced guidelines are designed to support the AVMA’s Guidelines for the Use of Telehealth in Veterinary Practice. Developed by a joint task force the result is a how-to resource offering step-by-step, ready-to-implement recommendations to better integrate Connected Care (telehealth) into small-animal practice. Throughout, references are made to components of … [Read more...]
COWBEL aims to unify learning for veterinary professionals around the world
The Consortium on Workplace-Based Education and Learning launches to provide an effective veterinary clinical educational experience at locations around the world that are not on a campus, also known as distributed learning. Distributed learning in veterinary educational terminology is a term used to describe a method of clinical year instructional delivery at locations that … [Read more...]
VVCA updating memberships, launching interactive VVCA Community
Member support and engagement are basic tenets of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association. A new, interactive VVCA Community will provide member-only engagement, peer-to-peer conversations, increased learning, exclusive interviews and networking groups. Updating current membership information and registering is required. The VVCA upgrades will further support telehealth and … [Read more...]
We bungled. Consolidate That! is from Veterinary Integration Solutions
Sometimes we learn as much from our errors as our successes. The importance of proofreading was reinforced for our AHD team in last week’s Bulletin. It is a stark reminder that errors can be easily made even with a structured process in place. Last week we announced Consolidate That!, the new podcast from Veterinary Integration Solutions < link >. However, we bungled … [Read more...]
Q-4-2020 Veterinary Innovation Podcasts now available
Here is the latest list of podcasts since our October 6, 2020 post. < link >. Shawn Wilkie and Ivan Zakharenkov, DVM, continue to provide animal health pros access to discussions with animal health innovators. Listening to podcasts is an excellent way to learn from progressive animal health who are inventing the next iterations of animal health. Wilkie and Zakharenkov … [Read more...]
NEW app for the puppies!
Complimentary Content from Purina Purina announced a new app for puppies, well, for their owners. 😉 The My Pup app promises to help pet owners train, learn and grow with their puppy, offering week‑to‑week guidance, articles, videos and expert tips. Source: Purina, December 21, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: We’ve not yet reviewed this app. However, it may help to fill some of … [Read more...]
Updating clinic materials yields a new book for pet owners
Complimentary Commercial Content Sometime last spring, Marty Greer, DVM, JD, shared she was working on updating her clinic materials for pet owners while her practice was closed during the early days of the pandemic. She offered the same Bridge Club networking group a welcome surprise in early December. Her materials updating work had expanded into a new book for puppy … [Read more...]
RFD-TV celebrates 20th anniversary (includes video)
Complimentary commercial content Founder Patrick Gosch’s conviction from 20 years ago is certainly as true today as ever. He set out to connect city and country for with rural programming that was being ignored by urban broadcasters. Today, Rural Media Group is the world’s leading provider of multimedia content dedicated to the rural and Western lifestyle. RFD TV is … [Read more...]
VVCA unveils Veterinary Telemedicine Regulatory Map
Mark Cushing, JD, and Ali McIntyre, executive director of VVCA, share work done with the Animal Policy Group research team that helped create the most definitive, comprehensive and accurate state-by-state map of all laws and regulations, including COVID guidance from governors, about telemedicine or virtual care. <the map> is a living, breathing tool . . . not just for … [Read more...]
Opportunities, optimism for veterinary hospitals into 2021
Complimentary content from IDEXX Jay Mazelsky, president and CEO at IDEXX, recently shared his thanks and optimism in a LinkedIn post citing important trends from his company’s data insights. “Veterinary hospitals are providing more care for pets,” he said. A recent IDEXX study showed 77 percent of pet owners agreed that taking care of their pet’s health is as important as … [Read more...]
Telemedicine platforms expanding reach to animal owners
Complimentary Commercial Content The rush to meet pet owners in the cloud and expand veterinary virtual care has two new advances this week according to company press releases. whiskerDocs announced they will start telemedicine in four states beginning January 1. VCPR will be established virtually. FirstVet, brings on-demand telehealth to American animal owners’ … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen discusses what to know about dog flu
Complimentary video content Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, talks influenza in the latest video edition of Is This a Thing? With flu season upon us, she reviews all the influenzas, their origins, the interesting creatures that get flu and how they ALL fit together. Source: Dr. Jen the Vet, You Tube, November 25, 2020. Link. If your dog has not been … [Read more...]
Manage change proactively in veterinary practices
Complimentary Commercial Content from Covetrus Software Services, North America Covetrus has created a how-to resource to help teams transform with the rapidly changes in today’s veterinary climate. Navigating What's Next: How to Manage Change in Your Veterinary Practice, offers tips and insights that will help you: Recognize the need for change and identify the signs … [Read more...]
New guide for sustainable acquisition and integration of veterinary practices
Complimentary Sponsored Content from Veterinary Integration Solutions The rapid growth in the demand for veterinary services, coupled with aging veterinary practice owners and changing expectations from veterinary employees, promises to fuel ongoing practice acquisition by … [Read more...]
Mark Five episode 5: the role of vet technicians, vet nurses in telemedicine
Complimentary content from VVCA Mark Cushing, JD, addresses the empowerment or restriction of veterinary technicians or vet nurses as telemedicine grows in veterinary practice. Although it is an area that has been widely debated, he clarifies areas to consider: The 3 NOs for vet techs/nurses Types of supervision of vet techs, vet nurses by DVMs Use of these … [Read more...]
Zoetis video celebrates human-cattle bond
Commentary For those of us who grew up in or near the country, the Born of the Bond YouTube video clearly celebrates the commitment, connection and efforts of cattlemen and cattlewomen to their animals. It is as moving as some messages from the companion animal segment. Source: Born of the Bond, YouTube, Zoetis, October 29, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: The human animal … [Read more...]
To pigs, water is much more than something to drink (webinar)
Complimentary commercial content Water, quality water is a core element to our existence and life quality. While the webinar focuses specifically on swine, much of the content is applicable to all monogastrics. The central role of water in the body, water requirements, water delivery and water quality issues are discussed by John F. Patience, PhD, Professor at … [Read more...]
VVCA in virtual care driver’s seat
Complimentary content The Mark Five: Policy Off Leash series continues with the third and fourth editions. In the third edition, Mark Cushing, JD, shares critical information about how the FDA views telemedicine. The discussion focuses on off-label prescriptions and traditional VCPR in the FDA regulations. The FDA rule is limited to extra-label drug prescriptions and was … [Read more...]
Comprehensive pet healthcare
Complimentary Content from The team at MWIAH compiled a list of 10 elements that build a solid foundation for animals’ health. It demonstrates the strategic view animal health pros must take to improve the foundation of veterinary medicine and animal health services. . . .core products, services, and companion veterinary expertise work together to give pets longer, … [Read more...]
The first MiQLab diagnostic system placed at University of Pennsylvania
Complimentary commercial content “We are very excited to be placing our first completed commercial MiQLab system in the Penn Vet [school] microbiology laboratory for their evaluation. This is a tremendous step in delivering our technology into the veterinary market and beyond,” stated Dr. Jack Regan, LexaGene’s CEO and Founder. Designed for in-clinic, point-of-care, … [Read more...]
VVCA Mark Five series: VCPR Changes Since COVID-19
Complimentary Content In this second Mark Five video, Mark Cushing, J.D. covers the complex subject of how Covid affected telemedicine VCPR policies. Fortunately, veterinary medicine was declared essential across all of the United States. Three different types of took actions that affected they did something about telemedicine VCPR policy: 17 states suspended their … [Read more...]
Burnout Survey reveals high risk of veterinary technician burnout
A second portion of Dr. Ivan Zak’s dissertation reveals veterinary technicians have a dangerously low level of job satisfaction, which is substantially worse than doctors’ satisfaction rates. Source: Veterinary Integration Solutions, November 9, 2020. Link. Often, techs are the undervalued force in the clinic setting and are stretched thin with the heavy caseload, excessive … [Read more...]
VMX moves to June 2021
Citing the commitment to the promotion of public health clearly stated in the veterinarian’s oath, NAVC has moved the dates and format of the 2021 VMX. The new, fully integrated hybrid VMX Live and Virtual event VMX 2021 will now take place June 5th to 9th. Source: NAVC, November 9, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: We applaud NAVC’s decision. … [Read more...]
Finding someone who will choose to work for you
Complimentary Commercial Content Our industry needs more animal health professionals, especially ones who can work as veterinarians and veterinary nurses and techs. But, what does your employee wanted ad represent? is your ad all about you? Or does it express why someone will enjoy working for you? It's a Job ad, not a Job description!” That’s the premise of the … [Read more...]
VVCA series addresses telemedicine questions, challenges
Responding to feedback from veterinarians, veterinary techs and nurses, the Veterinary Virtual Care Association created a series of short videos by Mark Cushing, founder and managing partner of the Animal Policy Group, and co-founder of the VVCA. In the first video he reviews the policies that govern veterinary telemedicine. His focus is on the basics of the veterinary client … [Read more...]
Disease du jour: Eastern equine encephalitis
Disease Du Jour content is sponsored by Merck Animal Health EEE is one of the most dangerous diseases on the planet for both horses and people," said Maureen T. Long, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, of Eastern equine encephalitis during her Disease Du Jour webinar/podcast. She emphasizes the role of veterinarians in surveillance of EEE in protecting humans, including the importance of … [Read more...]
Clearing the air via filtration
Complimentary Commercial Content If we have learned nothing else in 2020, the risks from aerosolized infection agents should be near the top of the list. This article covers how Purafil, a Filtration Group company, adjusted its technology and focus to the pandemic along with a look at the importance of air filtration moving into 2021 and beyond. Source: Vet Advantage, … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen translates Covid-19 and pets!
Complimentary Content Covid-19 is the latest topic on Is this a thing? hosted on YouTube by Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM. She works through a review of coronaviruses and discusses SARS-CoV-2. She addresses the common questions from animal owners and reviews recent papers about animal to animal infections. Source: Dr Jen the Vet, YouTube. Link. Chatfield … [Read more...]
Younger veterinary professionals are more vulnerable to burnout
Complimentary Content Dr. Ivan Zak released the first results of the Burnout Survey, conducted as part of his MBA dissertation. The survey reveals some predictable outcomes, proving that burnout is one of the more important issues negatively affecting the veterinary profession. Zak found a disturbing direct correlation between the age of the respondents and the burnout … [Read more...]