Sponsored Content Oral Cleansing Wipes are a fabulous choice for in-between brushings and/or for hard-to-brush mouths, shares Vet Tech Sara from Deerwood Animal Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. Source: Addison Biological Laboratory. Link. … [Read more...]
Does dog park = cesspool? How to safely enjoy it!
Complimentary Sponsored Content Warmer weather, melting snow, greening grass all invite dog owners outside. Many will decide to take their dogs to dog parks. But are the dogs prepared for the inherent risks? Dawn Martin DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, and the Chatfields discuss the challenges of safely enjoying some of the benefits of a dog park. Note the discussion of risk assessment … [Read more...]
The power of “What Else?” and other follow-up questions
Powerful follow-up questions, asked in a timely manner, will double the impact, yield faster and more accurate results during interactions with clients, customers and colleagues. Patrick T. Malone shares we often miss the opportunity for enormously powerful follow-up questions that demonstrate our genuine concerns while providing us with more information about our clients’ … [Read more...]
Pet owners feeling the sting of inflation
Commentary Inflation in the pet consumables markets has been in the news recently. The January Consumer Price Index shows the price of pet food is up 15 percent from last year with pet and pet product prices up 12 percent. We’re sharing these article that reference the inflation trends so animal health pros can help pet owners focus on their pets’ essential and urgent … [Read more...]
New test strip quickly detects periodontal disease before it is visible
Complimentary Commercial Content OraStripdxTM, a revolutionary rapid test, was launched at VMX 2023 by PDX BIOTECH LLC. It was created to detect active periodontal disease in dogs and cats with no anesthesia or sedation required. In peer-reviewed studies, OraStripdx was found to be significantly more effective than visual awake exams in detecting active periodontal disease. … [Read more...]
Cost of Care Wheel is now 24/7 digital resource
Sponsored Content The popular veterinary practice-based Cost of Care Wheel tool from the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program is now available in an enhanced client-based online version that can be used anytime, anywhere. Discussing money is never easy but it is important to educate and urge pet owners prepare for their pet’s future health care needs, and how to pay for … [Read more...]
AskVet™ Launches VERA, the world’s first “Answer Engine for Animal Health”
Complimentary Commercial Content Move over Dr. Google! Search is old hat . . . VERA has answers VERA which stands for Virtual Engagement and Relationship Agent is powered by AI, ChatGPT and AskVet's database of over 1.5 million digitized conversations between veterinarians and pet parents. Developed to use natural language, the vetbot objectives are: to help pet parents … [Read more...]
Dental month considerations
Commentary Animal Health Digest actively promotes oral care, including dentistry as an important client education and animal health topic. We believe dental month is an opportunity for animal health pros to refresh their messages and educational efforts on the importance of oral care. The animal health message is not the only message on oral care each February. Use all the … [Read more...]
Keeping ahead of laminitis
Complimentary Commercial Content HAYGAIN® is sharing an informational leaflet horse enthusiasts can download. It reviews scientific literature and best practices in managing equine laminitis including: The laminitic foot Sugar and obesity Early warning signs of laminitis Balancing diet and welfare in laminitis cases Easing laminitic foot pain Source: … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s review their top articles from 2022
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Jen the vet and Jason Chatfield, DVM discuss five articles from 2022 in this episode of Chat’s with the Chatfields. American Foulbrood bee vaccine. Link. Fascinating way to immunize the hive through feeding the queen bee. Smart bandage heals wounds 25% faster. Link. Star Trek-like technology is on its way to communicate healing … [Read more...]
“Pets Age Faster Than People” facility poster available
Complimentary Commercial Content The importance of preventive health care exams is the core message of this new poster from the AVMA. The poster shows age in cats and dogs and correlates those ages to human years. Source: AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief, January 20, 2023. Link. Download the poster free as a PDF in a 8.5"x11" format or purchase the 18” x 24” poster … [Read more...]
The Neuroscience of trust. Management behaviors that foster employee engagement.
Commentary Although it’s five years old, this article about Paul Zak’s research on trust is relevant to current employment conditions and challenges. Note the eight measurable management behaviors that foster trust he identified. “To boost engagement and retention, treat people like responsible adults. Set a clear direction, provide the resources needed and get out of … [Read more...]
Advice for managing people with disabilities in the workplace
Commentary There’s an important distinction between being disabled and having a disability. Disabled is a category label while having a disability is situational and the differentiation is important! Comedian Josh Blue reminds his audiences that “the disabled community is the largest minority group on the planet . . . and the only minority group you can join at any time.” … [Read more...]
Managing equine osteoarthritis during cold weather
Complimentary Commercial Content With winter progressing, horses with osteoarthritis often experience pain, deformity, loss of motion and decreased function. OA can affect any joint especially the carpus, fetlock, hock and stifles. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health U.S. shares tips on recognizing OA, keeping horses moving, general winter practices and the option of using … [Read more...]
20 winning photos from the 2022 Dog of the Year Awards
Take a few minutes to smile and look at the antics of our canine friends in these 20 great photos. Each one is bound to make you feel good. Source: The Modern Met, January 12, 2023. Link. From high-action shots to dogs at work to pensive portraits, the winning photographs are a tribute to these special animals. … [Read more...]
Let’s get INTEGRATED! What is integrated medicine?
Complimentary Sponsored Content Drs. Jenifer and Jason Chatfield discuss integrated medicine with Michele Broadhurst, DC*, in the Chatroom. We noted the conversation at 30:40 about combining common prescription pain inhibition with animal-specific physical movement and adjunct treatments. . . . so would it be fair to say the prescription approach hides the pain where … [Read more...]
Oral care; a New Year’s resolution for veterinary teams, pet owners
Opinion and Sponsored Content Asserting the importance of oral care is as important as discussing vaccines and flea, tick and heartworm prevention. Pet oral care is a critical component of healthy pet stewardship. Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) remains an opportunity for veterinary clinics to educate pet owners on the importance of oral care at … [Read more...]
Lifescient, Inc., developing long-acting injectable drug delivery platform
Complimentary Commercial Content Seeking to relieve the challenges of daily dosing of prescription medications, Kamalesh Rao and his team at Lifescient have developed a promising drug delivery platform to administer medication via a long-acting injectable for companion animals. LAIs will offer: Freedom from the stress and commitment required of daily dosing … [Read more...]
A better way to calculate a dog’s age in human years
Complimentary Content The long standing 7 to 1 ratio for calculating dog age in human years is flawed, writes Brooke Bundy. She shares some variables for making age comparisons and a new dog age calculator to understand the different stages of a dog's life. The tool also provides insights like average life expectancy, weight and height for more than 100 dog breeds. Try … [Read more...]
Talk with Terry at VMX about streamlining paperwork, saving time
Sponsored Content Talkatoo is an affordable, subscription-based, HIPAA-compliant dictation software, made for veterinary clinics to save time entering medical records. It works in all practice management software, in any browser, on any email platform and beyond. Veterinary teams are spending more time with patients and less time typing, thanks to Talkatoo” – Talkatoo … [Read more...]
CE – Tailoring services to clients’ needs
Sponsored Content – earn RACE-approved CE Credit Wendy Hauser, DVM, presents an online course that examines how to identify what clients value, and ways to create a tailored approach to create alignment and meet the needs of veterinary teams and pet owners. Client expectations have been evolving over the past decade. The ‘fit’ between veterinary hospitals and clients isn’t … [Read more...]
BuddyID™ announces a Partnership with FirstVet & the launch of BuddyID™ collar tag
Complimentary Commercial Content Microchip ID Systems, a leader in the animal microchip and companion pet registry industry, is announcing its partnership with FirstVet. FirstVet will provide telehealth services to Microchip ID Systems customers that register their companion animals to the BuddyID™ registry and sign up with FirstVet. The company is launching a … [Read more...]
Research: Dogs’ tails not used as counterbalance
Commentary Docking dogs’ tails remains a topic of debate <Link>. This research sheds light on one of the rationales used to argue against tail docking. Many carnivores use their tail to make them more agile on the hunt but questions about dog tail use have remained. New research identified that the use of a dog’s tail during jumping activities achieves very low … [Read more...]
Limited-ingredient diets, beyond food allergies and sensitivities
Commercial references included The health benefits of limited-ingredient products go beyond pinpointing food allergies and sensitivities, writes Pamela Mills-Senn. She recommends pet specialty retailers strive to emphasize other benefits from limited-ingredient diets. Source: Pet Business, December 1, 2022. Link. Pet specialty retailers need to scrutinize the ingredients … [Read more...]
Anthropomorphism, a threat to animal welfare
Commentary Anthropomorphism, giving human characteristics to a non-human entity, has long been a part of the human experience. In this article from Protect the Harvest, the authors discuss consequences from expecting an animal to emulate human traits. Just as we should not expect a human child to act like a dog, we should not expect a dog to act like a human child, as they … [Read more...]
Handling tardy clients
Opinion Staying on schedule is a multi-faceted challenge in all medical professions. Ben Spinks, MBA, CVPM, SPHR, addresses chronically late clients and ways to appeal to them. The written policy, grace period and early arrival for check-in are all good guidance. However, being on time and on schedule is also the responsibility of practices’ scheduling commitment. It can … [Read more...]
Manuka honey and silver in animal wellness and wound care
Commercial Content included It is common for pet owners to use over-the-counter antibiotic creams when their pet has a skin infection or a wound which often leads to overuse of antimicrobials. Lucas Pantaleon, DVM, MS, DACVIM, MBA, shares ways medical-grade manuka honey and silver are used as a first line defense for treating skin microbiome issues. Source: Pet Age, … [Read more...]
Cannabinoids in veterinary medicine (video)
Complimentary Content For those who did not join live, The Bridge Club’s in-depth conversation with experts from across the profession addressed questions it has about cannabinoids. Cheryl Good, DVM, moderated conversation with guests: Mark Cushing, J.D. CEO, of Animal Policy Group Jeffery Pollard, DVM, DABVP, from the advocacy committee, Veterinary Cannabis … [Read more...]
Tips to preserve joint health and manage equine arthritis
Includes Sponsored Content Horses eventually develop some degree of arthritis. It is inevitable but with careful management coupled with understanding risk factors and preventing the worst types of arthritis horses can be kept comfortable and reasonably productive. Source: EQUUS Extra, Volume 73, 2022. Link. Topics include: Fitness vs. overwork NSAIDs and … [Read more...]
Narcolepsy in pets: what you need to know
Sponsored Content Annette Louviere, DVM, shares what is known about narcolepsy in pets and how to deal with it to keep them safe. Narcoleptic episodes often occur during moments of excitement or over-stimulation. If you’ve seen a dog running at the park and then suddenly collapse into a heap for a quick snooze, it’s possible that pup has narcolepsy.” Source: Wisdom Panel™, … [Read more...]