Muzzles are one of the more effective safety tools veterinary teams use. Dr. Michael Miller shares his ideas about muzzling and dealing with clients whose dogs can benefit from muzzling. Source: DRANDYROARK, October 31, 2018. Link. . . . some people think when we muzzle a dog, it’s cruel. It’s not. It’s a matter of safety. We all love animals and love the patients we work … [Read more...]
5 end-of-life myths about pets – BUSTED
Cherie Buisson, DVM, CHPV, has devoted much of her time to veterinary hospice and palliative care. She routinely hears many end of-life-myths. She shares five of them with comments to help animal health pros better understand end-of-life care. They’re not in pain because they’re not crying If pets are eating, they have a good quality of life There is a perfect time … [Read more...]
Andy Roark DVM, discusses happiness in veterinary medicine (includes video)
Dr. Andy Roark talks realistically about moments of joy and the elements of happiness from his perspectives as a veterinarian. Known for his comical approaches, Roark is thoughtful and pragmatic in this video. Source: DrAndyRoark, October 4, 2017. Link. If we look and think that we should be snuggling puppies and kittens all day, we’re always going to feel like our lives … [Read more...]
Should you believe the article you just read?
It only takes a single click to spread information like wildfire, says Nicole Palumbo, DVM. A 2012 University of Illinois graduate, Dr. Palumbo is clearly part of the social media generation. Her article offers animal owners guidelines on what is appropriate to share about veterinary medicine. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, September 9, 2017. Check your sources before spreading … [Read more...]
Should you believe that article you just read?
Nicole Palumbo, DVM, speaks out about internet articles, their sources and whether they are believable. Addressing pet owners, she cautions, “When it comes to social media, we all have to be careful with what we share and what we believe is to be true.” She offers some guidelines to influence you on what is appropriate to share about reporting on veterinary medicine. Source: … [Read more...]
Your dog doesn’t need the gluten-free menu
Jackie Parr, DVM, discusses all things gluten, human and pet, in this Q/A article. She reminds us that dogs and cats do not get Celiac disease and generally don’t need a gluten-free diet. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, April 29, 2017. So when would I avoid feeding gluten: You happen to see a very rare case of gluten sensitive enteropathy in an Irish Setter puppy You are … [Read more...]
The latest from Dr. Andy Roark (recorded interview)
Hear Dr. Roark talk about social media as a "relationship accelerator" in a recent interview with DVM 360 on Your Veterinary Voice. The interview and other topics are part of his recent newsletter. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, August 2, 2017. Dr. Roark on such topics as social media as a "relationship accelerator," that scary E-word (entrepreneurship) and new graduates coming … [Read more...]
4 things YouTube makeup tutorials taught me about vet med
Lauren Smith, DVM, relates learning how to use makeup applies to veterinary medicine. She shares a solid, cross-topic reference worthy of reading past the whimsical title. She talks about: A solid base is key Use the right tools Personalize your colors Loosen your grip Source: Dr. Andy Roark, April 18, 2017. There are lessons to be found everywhere, even in … [Read more...]
Are you failing your patients in this major way?
Dawn Crandell, DVM, DVSC, DACVECC, calls for a shift in veterinary medicine. It isn’t about the medicine. It is about the way veterinary hospital teams view their patients. The shift, she says, is all about getting rid of dominance behavior. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, December 1, 2016. The pervasive silent influence of the dominance mindset is getting in the way of us doing … [Read more...]
DVMs lie to themselves
Veterinarians lie to themselves, according to Dr. Andy Roark. He says, “There’s one particular lie that undermines the way we practice, communicate and provide patient care. It affects how we educate veterinarians and how we operate our clinics.” Here’s the lie: If we just tell average pet owners what’s best for their pets, they’ll do it. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, August 27, … [Read more...]
Dr. Roark explains anal sacs
Dr. Andy Roark explores – not expresses – the four things pet owners need to know about anal glands. The video clip offers a fun discussion. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, August 24, 2016. He discusses: What are anal sacs or glands? Why are they there? How do they cause problems? What can we do to keep them healthy? … [Read more...]
Quitting is not failure
Andy Roark, DVM, MS, shares an experience and perspectives with a veterinary technician working in a challenging practice environment. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, August, 4, 2016. That’s why the goal in life should never be to overcome all obstacles, but rather to recognize which obstacles should be overcome, and which ones you should just turn and walk away from. We have three … [Read more...]
Giving it away doesn’t work
“Giving discounts on the fly can backfire,” asserts Andy Roark, DVM. “Time and time again, it’s a habit that gets DVMs into trouble. Worse, it’s a practice that’s strangling struggling vet practices and damaging our profession as a whole.” Source: Dr. Andy Roark, May 21, 2016. Most vets understand that giving away products or services means the clinic makes less money. … [Read more...]
Meeting job struggles
There are some pretty direct and candid posts in this week’s newsletter from Dr. Andy Roark in addition to a chuckle and a smile or two. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, May 5, 2016. The grass isn’t always grass on the other side, Sarah Boston, DVM, DVSC, DIPL ACVS: a frank discussion of working challenges with some colorful language to boot. Top 5 ways veterinary technicians … [Read more...]
Practice like you are being sued
Nicole Palumbo, DVM, offers perspective after reviewing information following a colleague’s death. She shares 10 disciplines for communication and record-keeping that can help should a suit arise. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, April 23, 2016. I didn’t want to become a paranoid veterinarian, but I did want to use that feeling of being under investigation to better myself. These … [Read more...]
Veterinarians get bad online reviews
Dr. Andy Roark indicates an older article has resurfaced in online communities. He takes us through three reasons respected veterinarians get bad online reviews: Guilt and sadness mutate Pets are amazing and miracles happen Second opinions have advantages Source: Dr. Andy Roark, November 15, 2015. More and more veterinarians I know and respect are getting … [Read more...]
Vets + nutrition ≠ lack of knowledge
Amy Farcas, DVM DACVN takes on perceptions that veterinarians do not know much about nutrition. She presents a strong case that veterinarians’ nutrition deficiencies are not knowledge-based. Instead they represent a communication issue. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, March 10, 2016. While nutrition is absolutely present in the veterinary curriculum in the US, talking about … [Read more...]
4 gifts from veterinary medicine
It takes time to see where Dr. Andy Roark is going with this metaphor. Considering we’re nearing the end of the first quarter of 2016, we need to see how well we have been taking care of our dog team. All animal health pros should heed the wisdom here and consider if it is time to rotate our dogs. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, September 15, 2015. On your first day working with … [Read more...]
Blog posts spur debate, discussion
Dr. Andy Roark provides perspective about recent posts he wrote about technicians and low cost clinics. He notes that two articles got amazing amounts of attention. Both were cheered by thousands of readers, stirred discussion and debate, and rubbed some people the wrong way. Review the articles and Dr. Roark’s commentary. Then you can decide. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, … [Read more...]