Some foods, herbs and supplements can benefit dogs and cats in need of extra kidney support. Barbara Royal, DVM, CVA, shares five ways to use them: Prioritize hydration and circulation Feed appropriate food Provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support Keep micronutrients in balance Don’t forget about the microbiome Source: Animal Wellness, January 15, … [Read more...]
The dentistry gap
Dawn Singleton-Olson reinforces the importance of comprehensive oral healthcare assessment and treatment (COHAT) to address the nearly 70 percent of cats and 80 percent of dogs over the age of 3 have some form of periodontal disease. “Pet owners truly want what is best for their animals, but often don’t understand how critical dental care is to the overall health of their pet … [Read more...]
4 strategies to overcoming pet obesity
Laurren Zimmerman shares experiences gained as a certified canine athlete specialist and multi-time national finalist and winner across multiple organizations. She shares four important strategies pet owners can use to help their dog safely lose weight: Rule out underlying health conditions with primary veterinarian* Strength training with flexibility work Clean … [Read more...]
Not all scents safely make sense
The holiday season brings new visual stimuli to our environments. It also is commonly accompanied by a variety of seasonal smells in diffusors, candles and sprays. Some of these are toxic to pets. Source: Catnip, November 19, 2020. Link. Common essential oils that could prove toxic in the wrong dose include: Tea tree, citrus, pine, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, peppermint, sweet … [Read more...]
Discuss treatment plans to avoid surprises
Emily Shiver, practice manager, CVPM, CCFP, shares proven tips to help present treatment plans and their financial components. Note the physical alignment, transparency, empathy, outcomes and acknowledgement elements she highlights. Presenting treatment plans with empathy and compassion helps to eliminate some of the stress of this delicate discussion. It also potentially … [Read more...]
Steve Dale: Rats! They are everywhere!
Steve Dale helps explain the expanding issues with rats, their propensity to disperse leptospirosis and the priority of protecting dogs with lepto vaccines. Consider sharing his post on social media or in newsletters. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, November 28, 2020. Link. . . . this is the time of year when young rats born just a few months ago are seeking food competing … [Read more...]
Other small pets, an important segment to monitor
Pet ownership beyond cats and dogs may make up a small part of the industry’s focus, but trends in small pets mirror what’s happening in the marketplace. The popularity of reptiles and amphibians within the pet trade is simply on fire right now. . . ” - John Mack. founder and CEO of Reptiles by Mack Source: Petfood Industry, October 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Watch any two … [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...]
Animal Health Digest celebrates 5th anniversary
Source: News release, Animal Health Digest. Link … [Read more...]
Oral care at home, COHAT in the clinic
Opinion, Sponsored Content from Addison Biological Laboratory, Inc. Last week I asked the question, “What ever happened to COHAT?” an acronym Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment. The logic made sense and leads to reasserting the need for in-home oral health to be presented as a priority. Dental exams are a component of COHAT often required more frequently … [Read more...]
What ever happened to COHAT?
Opinion In INSIGHTS a year ago I wrote this: Establishing COHAT language could help build veterinary dentistry. Mixed practices can take the lead by applying the acronym in a multi-species environment and including COHAT assessments as a line item on invoices and vet records. Moving away from labeling oral care as dentals made sense then and still does.” Source: COHAT is … [Read more...]
2 powerful words to empower animal owners
We received overwhelming responses to Kirk Augustine’s opinion post last week. He reflected on what he heard during veterinary tech week and identified a primary impediment blocking the full use of certified veterinary technician skills < link >. He also shared a spoiler alert for the two powerful words referenced here. Source: Animal Health Digest. Link. Asking “WHAT … [Read more...]
Impediments to empowerment
OPINION National Veterinary Technician’s Week was filled with celebrations, acknowledgment and for me, discovery. Participating in two virtual roundtables encompassing virtual care and veterinary technician use, common threads became apparent as I listened: Veterinary teams are taxed and running on fumes Workflow and staffing models are in continual flux, including … [Read more...]
SID feeding of indoor cats may improve health
Obesity is the most common nutritional problem affecting cats. In research likely to surprise veterinarians and cat owners*, cats that ate one meal a day were more satisfied, which could result in less food-begging behavior. The study results also suggest cutting back feeding frequency could help reduce the risk of obesity by controlling cats' appetite and potentially making … [Read more...]
7 ways BtoB content can change everything
Guest contributor Brendan Howard educated and entertained dvm360 business section readers for years where he built a loyal following. He now freelances and agreed to share some of his business-to-business (BtoB) content expertise with animal health pros. Here’s a sample. You’ll find the rest of the article at the link. Source: 7 ways BtoB can change everything, October 8, … [Read more...]
Fall colors signal risks for horses
Fall leaves, especially red maple, can be toxic to horses, livestock and small ungulates. While we enjoy the colors and fall activities, a wind-cast limb from a maple could provide toxic leaves in the pasture. Toxins, especially those in red maple, damage the hemoglobin in horses’ red blood cells, so they can no longer carry oxygen. Affected cells may rupture, clogging the … [Read more...]
Welcome Lucca Veterinary Data Services as Supporting Sponsor
Sponsorship Announcement Please welcome Lucca Veterinary Data Services as a Supporting Sponsor of Animal Health Digest. Lucca’s founder, Clint Latham, JD, helps uncover the mystery of data security for DVM’s across the country. His efforts support independent IT professionals while simultaneously providing security and data insights to veterinary practices and … [Read more...]
Normal is now. Live in it.
COMMENTARY Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said multiple times Covid-19 will be with us deep into 2021. While it would be great if we could fill football stadiums, participate in concerts and sit next to neighbors in our favorite church pews, it is unrealistic to safely do these things for the foreseeable future. … [Read more...]
Back to school time . . . maybe?
Commentary Historically, the end of August includes the rush to finish vacations, prep children for school, fall sports practices and moving young adults onto college campuses. Animal health pros often find themselves with extra time as Labor Day arrives and animal owners are focused on other things. This year? Who knows? One of the traditional activities to occupy this … [Read more...]
Scientists reveal pheromones are key to harmonious pet relationships
Researchers discovered using dog and cat pheromones could be key to a happy household where both are living. Relationship challenges between a new pet and an existing pet is one of the main reasons for cats and dogs get taken to shelters for rehoming. Thought to be the first research of its kind, the results suggest that using the dog-appeasing pheromones had a more … [Read more...]
Chickens, Salmonella sp. and people
Raising chickens comes with built-in health risks for them and their keepers. In the United States, the CDC reports increased popularity of backyard poultry flocks has been associated with increases in live, poultry-associated salmonella outbreaks. Arizona veterinarian Stephanie Lamb, a boarded specialist in avian medicine, discusses the ins and outs of salmonella in … [Read more...]
Telemedicine content missing new VVCA references
Commentary More content appears nearly every week on telemedicine. In animal health there is an organization, albeit relatively new, that has been organized to help define virtual care in animal health and frequently not referenced in published content. That organization is the Veterinary Virtual Care Association < link > whose mission is to elevate the standard of … [Read more...]
Integrated pest management key to fly control
It is documented flies cause losses in beef, dairy, small ruminant and swine production. They are also a nuisance at home, around backyard animals and in stables. Janna Block, North Dakota State University Extension livestock systems specialist, discusses the importance of using the right type of fly control at the right time for the right duration to control pests … [Read more...]
Void in urban livestock veterinary care due to lack of facilities, interest or experience
Research results indicate an increasing demand for veterinary services for poultry and livestock in cities and suburbs and a need for ongoing continuing education of practitioners, as well as the animal owners according to UC Davis research. This segment of agriculture has been largely overlooked by the veterinary community in North America.” - Dr. Alda Pires “The health and … [Read more...]
Email and chat etiquette for 2020 and beyond
Defining etiquette as a customary code of polite behavior, Myka Meier shares six guidelines for communicating via email and chat. It is a primer for virtual communications that is applicable now and in post-pandemic work habits. Know your audience Don’t leave colleagues hanging Minimize your multi-messaging Keep most communications concise Sign on and off with … [Read more...]
Helping cattle stand the heat
Every summer, livestock media sources of all types feature piece about heat stress in cattle. Whether cow-calf, feeder or dairy cows, heat can damage their ability to maintain their rate of gain or milk production. The combination of hot temperatures, high humidity, and lack of air movement can result in severe cases of heat stress for cattle. When temperatures remain above … [Read more...]
For hospital managers, numbers speak louder than words!
Veterinary practice managers generally track and report on a number of Key Performance Indicators. These critical figures provide valuable insights into how the practice is performing and specific factors that influence performance over time. This group of highly motivated animal health pros have received considerable support from their association in recent months. The VMHA … [Read more...]
Behavior problems are too common in dogs
Confirming what we already know, a Finnish study of 13,000 pet dogs found that nearly three-quarters of them have behavioral issues. The study focused on seven issues: noise sensitivity fearfulness compulsion fear of surfaces or heights inattention/impulsivity separation related behavior and aggression. Over a quarter of the dogs were fearful of fireworks … [Read more...]
Dang those flies!
Flies are a nasty nuisance. Whether on the farm, acreage or in the backyard, they are an insidious challenge for animal owners and people alike. It’s summer. When the temperatures go up, fly numbers rapidly increase. If not controlled, adult flies continue to lay eggs and increase the fly population. Managing larvae and adult flies should be a continuous process. Every … [Read more...]
Dogs and hot summer weather
Heat and sunshine can be deleterious to the health of our dogs. The articles collected for this post all refer to taking precautions with dogs during summer. Given the number of new pet adoptions recently, reinforcing this information with pet owners is important. Source: Can Dogs Get Sunburned? PetMD, June 1, 2020. Link. It’s actually very important to put sunscreen on … [Read more...]