USP <800> was created to help protect workers, patients and others in veterinary environments. It was published February 1, 2016 with an implementation date of December 2019. USP <800> involves facility changes, such as adding additional rooms to prepare hazardous drugs. It also involves a change in operations and how veterinary teams deal with drugs in their … [Read more...]
Reminder! National Veterinary Technician Week starts October 13
Next week we recognize the vital roles veterinary technicians provide to benefit veterinary practices, their clients and animal welfare. If you’ve not planned anything yet, you still have time. Source: AVMA. Link. National Veterinary Technician Week takes place in the third week of October each year. It was first celebrated in 1993. Also see: Where have all the nurses … [Read more...]
Embracing alternate sources for veterinary Rx
“We are not penalizing clients,” says Rebecca Kuester, LVT and practice manager, concerning writing prescriptions to be filled outside the clinic. Instead, clients receive education on counterfeit drugs, substitutions, product guarantees and online pharmacy options. Source: DVM 360, September 23, 2019. Link. . . . we put a special stamp on all our prescriptions heading out … [Read more...]
Adverse vaccine reactions in veterinary medicine: an update
Natalie Stilwell, DVM, MS, PhD, provides a review of the latest “need-to-know” adverse reactions information about vaccines for canine and feline patients. She reminds us that many cases are associated with either misuse of the vaccine or over-vaccination. Source: DVM 360, September 19, 2019. Link. Stilwell reviews a paper on the current understanding of adverse vaccine … [Read more...]
25 top feline-friendly cities
Real estate technology company, Redfin and pet insurance carrier, Trupanion recently announced the 25 most feline-friendly cities of 2019. The list includes cities in 18 states. Here are the top 5 cat-friendly cities: Corvallis, Oregon Spokane, Washington Orlando, Florida Bellingham, Washington Tulsa, Oklahoma Source: DVM 360, September 23, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
When dentals cause back pain (includes video)
Dental procedures can place extensive stress and strain on the bodies and minds of veterinary team members. These may lead to musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain. Poor posture and improper ergonomics cause repetitive strains that begin with nerve compression and inflammation. Over time they manifest trauma with accompanying aches, pains and fatigue. Veterinarians and … [Read more...]
A horse is like a bar of soap; examining hyaluronic acid data
Practicing evidence-based veterinary medicine is all well and good when the evidence is clear-cut, but the data on use of hyaluronic acid in horses are often ambiguous. Emma Adam, DVM, discusses the research, methods and challenges of managing cartilage health in equine joints. She wrestles with the data and implications of using corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid and … [Read more...]
What’s in the (pet food) bag?
Kristi Reimer Fender’s shares challenges veterinary teams face when advising clients on pet food for their pets. Her article focuses on clearing up a storm of pet food myths, misconceptions, guiding clients and how food is integrated as part of the human-animal bond. Kudos to the DVM team for assembling this valuable collection of resources. Here’s what it comes down to: A … [Read more...]
Acronym helps educate horse owners about colic
R.E.A.C.T. is the hallmark of a marketing effort to reduce the instance of critical colic cases in horses. Sarah Freeman, BVetMed, PhD, DECVS, FHEA, FRCVS, collaborated with the British Horse Society. She presented her work, the campaign and various educational materials at the West Indies Veterinary Conference. The acronym represents these indicators: R estless or … [Read more...]
Banfield adds telehealth tool, VetChat
Actress, author, singer and comedian Jane Lynch (Glee, Best in Show) is helping warn people about the dangers of seeking out random advice about their pets’ health from the internet. Her work coincides with Banfield’s launch of VetChat, a 24-hour veterinary advice platform, to wellness plan participants. Source: DVM 360, June 20, 2019. Link. Banfield has presented the new … [Read more...]
Evaluating pain in cats
Natalie Stilwell, DVM, summarizes a recent Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery article < link > reviewing the latest advancements in acute pain assessment in the cat. She reviews various scales to assess feline pain which is often masked by the individual cat. Source: DVM360 Magazine, April 12, 2019. Link. Stillwell discusses pain scoring instruments including: … [Read more...]
All cats NEED heartworm prevention
Mosquitos don’t ask permission before entering homes, offices or other facilities. Sustained transmission in northern states expands the distribution and expansion of Dirofilaria immitis, the filarial nematode that is transmitted via infected mosquitoes, writes Richard Gerhold, DVM, MS, PhD. He discusses prevention differences in dogs and cats. Diagnosing and treating … [Read more...]
Animal hoarding caused by multiple issues
Kirk Miller, DVM, helps us understand the issues around hoarding beyond those of the long-established crazy cat lady. He says what classifies a person as a hoarder isn’t a particular number of animals, rather it’s whether or not those animals are provided with sufficient care. Miller explains three types of hoarders and potential intervention approaches. The overwhelmed … [Read more...]
Fighting decision fatigue at home and work
Beckie Mossor, RVT, shares information about our growing understanding of decision fatigue. It is the worst when we have too many decision to make in a short amount of time, she writes. Decision fatigue affects individuals differently, and factors like sleep, nutrition and stress also help determine our mental stamina. She shares simple steps we can take to decrease the … [Read more...]
Senior pet diets warrant serious conversations
While every dog or cat that enters a veterinary or retail facility needs a pet diet, animal health pros may shy away from a discussion of individual pet diet needs. Especially true as pets age, nutritional recommendations are important at all stages of pets’ lives, but they’re critical as pets age. Animal owners are bombarded with marketing messages about pet diets. They need … [Read more...]
Employment opportunities in veterinary profession exploding
The 2013 National Research Council comprehensive study of current and future workforce needs in the veterinary profession concluded there was little evidence of workforce shortages in most areas of the profession. Today however, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate a projected increase of 15,000 veterinarian positions will be needed between 2016 and 2026. While it’s very … [Read more...]
Reexamining the early spay-neuter paradigm in dogs
Veterinarians must always be open minded and ready to challenge the status quo when new information challenges how we practice, writes Mark Goldstein, DVM. Goldstein and Michael Petty, DVM, CVPP, CVMA, CCRT, CAAPM, respectfully discuss their disagreements about the medical and societal need for early spays and neuters in America's pets. In the end, it really falls on the … [Read more...]
CAPC initiative aims to spread heartworm awareness, action
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) now offers the Top 10 Cities Heartworm Report, a monthly compilation of the U.S. metropolitan areas that have experienced the highest percent increases in positive heartworm tests that month. The group <link> expects this new report, in conjunction with its monthly parasite forecast maps < link >, will spark conversations in … [Read more...]
The future is female
Adrienne Wagner provides a celebration of women in veterinary medicine through a collection of thoughts and advice from female DVMs. The professionals were asked how they would answer this question: What one message do you have for the women of veterinary medicine? Loving animals isn’t enough to be a good veterinarian. You have to also love the people and the business. –Dani … [Read more...]
Time to focus on heartworm
Spring is six days away. With it the mosquito populations will build as will heartworm disease risks for pets. DVM 360 gathered a selection of articles, tips, tools and resources to help renew heartworm knowledge with team members. Consider these resources as you educate dog and cat owners on the importance of year-round heartworm prevention. Source: DVM 360, March 2, 2019. … [Read more...]
Firm dental recommendations nearly tripled compliance
John Jeffreys, RVT, CVPM, < link> took the initiative to adjust how dental recommendations were being presented. By moving from low-pressure suggestions to a more needs-based dialogue, the practice grew dental revenue in a short time. . . . it is our job to educate the client and make a firm recommendation for what their pet needs. Source: DVM 360, January 10, 2019. … [Read more...]
Animal health industry poised for growth
Increased pet adoption, livestock ownership plus milk and meat consumption fuel the growth of the animal healthcare market, according to an abstract from Open PR. In the U.S., the AVMA’s November 2018 Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook spotlights shifting patterns of pet ownership and points to unmet healthcare needs among America’s pets. There are near-unlimited … [Read more...]
Educational debt is common for DVMs (infographic)
The 2018 dvm360 Student Debt Survey results showed that student debt loads are common through the years. The survey also sought to understand how DVMs are managing this debt and how they feel about it. Source: DVM 360, November 8, 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Take a few minutes to understand the colors in legend. A significant number of DVMs are pinching pennies, not saving for … [Read more...]
An upside to a disturbing canine blood donor story
Beyond the negative press about a canine blood supply company is a significant community-based opportunity. The public exposure of housing conditions for donor dogs prompted Dr. Nicholas Dodman to ask dog lovers to consider the best practices for blood donation. Veterinarians can encourage their clients to volunteer large, healthy dogs occasionally to have their blood drawn … [Read more...]
6 tips for managing canine and feline diabetes
Even though diabetes is treatable, pet owners are asked to do a lot to manage their pet's disease, making communication with the veterinary team essential, writes David Bruyette, DVM, DACVIM. He shares six ways you can help your clients manage their insulin-challenged pets. Source: DVM 360, November 18, 2018. Link. Explain the goals of therapy for diabetic pets. Go … [Read more...]
Human nurses take exception to using ‘nurse’ in veterinary medicine
The debate about the veterinary nurse initiative continues. Rachael Zimlich explains some of the objections from the human nurse perspective. We are not suggesting any pet owner will confuse a staff member in a veterinary clinic or hospital as a human healthcare practitioner. The issue at hand is the title 'nurse' and the connotations and respect that come with that … [Read more...]
A look at Amazon in the pet consumables market
Zak Watts and Mike Bassani, director and consumables lead for Amazon Pets respectively, joined presenters during the inaugural NAVC E-Commerce Summit that took place September 19 in Kansas City. Amazon defines consumables as food and healthcare products such as parasite prevention and litter will be Amazon’s focus. Other pet items are available, but will not be critical. The … [Read more...]
Veterinary management service agreements can be torture
The legalization of veterinary management agreements operated by veterinary management organizations allows non-veterinarians a way to sidestep laws prohibiting lay ownership of professional practices, writes Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD. The MSA/MSO structure has been widely adopted as acceptable and legal. . . but is anybody checking to see whether the required separation … [Read more...]
Rx for cyberbullying in veterinary practice (includes videos)
Communication is a key element to managing cyberbullying preventatively and reactively. The first line of defense is a knowledgeable team trained to respond appropriately if and when a social media storm blows in. The first thing to do is to make sure that everyone on your team is aware of the situation and that you have all the information and all the facts before making a … [Read more...]
AAFP releases first cat-specific anesthesia guidelines
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has released the profession’s first feline-specific anesthesia guidelines. According to the AAFP, a standardized, evidence-based approach for administering anesthesia helps ensure a patient’s safe and predictable perioperative response and recovery. Empirical evidence shows that cats undergoing anesthesia have a higher … [Read more...]