Among the 2019 Top 10 from DVM 360, was a handout on how to start brushing teeth. It linked to GIFs in an article that demonstrate the steps shown in the handout. In-home oral care is step number 1 for better oral health care. Check out these tools. Use them on social media, in newsletters and during examinations. Source: DVM 360, FIRSTLINE. Handout: Top 5 ways to start … [Read more...]
Veterinary technicians; heroes, heroines in scrubs
It’s been said, “the poop rolls downhill.” In most vet clinics, the technicians catch it. But these talented professionals frequently make the day, save a case and step in to help animal owners understand what’s going on. Kudos to the dvm360 staff for collecting some real-life experiences as the 2019 National Veterinary Technician Week approaches October 13-19. Source: … [Read more...]
Invest one minute to avoid bites, scratches (includes handout)
Phil Seibert, CVT, underscores the importance of prevention and caution for veterinary professionals. His tips for handling an injured or stressed animal in a vehicle are also applicable to waiting and exam rooms: Approach the patient from posterior side. Put a slip leash on the animal. Always apply a muzzle. Use a portable stretcher or cart. Source: FIRSTLINE, … [Read more...]
Beyond fireworks, be aware of noises that scare dogs
When fear and discomfort go unchecked, they can turn into trauma. Thunderstorms, travel, vet visits and even the banging of garbage trucks elicit nervousness, trembling and cowering from dogs who are noise sensitive. We list two resources for addressing noise sensitivity. Source: Veterinary Medicine, June 29, 2019. Link. Barbara Sherman, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, DACAW recently … [Read more...]
Brainwash your veterinary patients
Monique Feyrecilde, BA, LVT, VTS (Behavior), reminds us that pets are often unconsciously classically conditioned by their owners and by veterinary professionals. To efficiently change a conditioned response, you will need to use desensitization in conjunction with classical and operant counterconditioning. Source: FIRSTLINE, June 17, 2019. Link. Wield the benevolent … [Read more...]
Awkward doesn’t even begin to describe it
IF you talk to veterinary team members very long you’ll eventually hear about awkward situations they frequently encounter. The FIRSTLINE team gathered a few of these stories for this article. For salespersons and new clinic colleagues, stories like these are great icebreakers. To get a conversation started ask, “What happened this week that was awkward and challenging to … [Read more...]
Prepare for chickens before bringing them home
Local farm stores are now featuring baby chicks. Rachel Hurd Anger asserts it is imperative to be prepared before bringing chicks to a new home. She offers seven areas of preparation to ensure a nurturing environment. Consider this article for social media posts or e-newsletters to help animal owners prepare for new chicks as well as the Easter bunny. Source: Hobby Farms, … [Read more...]
Talking money, a team opportunity
Brendan Howard put some good thought to using Naomi Strollo’s assertions on talking money with clients. By making the topic a team challenge, there’s an excellent chance team members will be more likely to be more effective at presenting options to animal owners. Source: FIRSTLINE, January 30, 2019. Link. . . . reflect, discuss and get greater clarity and open … [Read more...]
Future is bright for veterinary technicians
There are plenty of doors waiting for you to open and explore, writes Ann K. Johnson, LVT. about opportunities for veterinary technicians. We agree! Veterinary medicine changes every day. Some days by leaps and bounds … others by micro-steps. There’s a place for veterinary technicians within all of these changes. Source: FIRSTLINE, June 2017. Link. Many technicians start out … [Read more...]
National Veterinary Technician week highlights vet techs
Our industry is celebrating the work of veterinary technicians all week long. The Firstline team offers free team training, appreciation and inspiration throughout this week. It’s a cacophony of notes, posters, videos and quotes to help make this entire week reflect the respect we have for the veterinary technicians and nurses on veterinary hospital teams. Source: FIRSTLINE, … [Read more...]
Hot pavement burns paws (includes video)
Hot pavement can have gruesome and painful consequences for dogs’ paws. Sarah Schweig offers burnt paw information worth sharing with pet owners in social media, blogs and on websites. Source: the dodo, June 11, 2018. Link. Put the back of your hand on the pavement, and if you can't keep it there for five seconds, it's too hot for your pup's feet. Also see: 9 tips on how … [Read more...]
3 recommendations for new kittens
Karen Primm, DVM, shares her recommendations for new kittens for a fun and happy home life after she’s covered the basics for the medical side. A hide-able, grazing-bowl-free option A good scratching post, along with a regimen of FELISCRATCH by FELIWAY® <save the couches> A carrier that opens on the top and front Source: FIRSTLINE, June 15, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
Lead with medicine, not money
Naomi Strollo, RVT, addresses money in the veterinary hospital. She says it is important to lead with medicine and then empower your client service representative to manage some cost conversations. She offers some tips for these conversations, including emergencies: Explain what you want to do. Don’t assume price is the problem. Focus on consent, not cost. Offer … [Read more...]
Heartworms are real
Some pet owners simply don’t believe heartworms are a risk for their pet. Erika Ervin, CVT, discusses how she approaches non-believers. Whether it is lack of knowledge, money or misinformation, heartworm protection remains critically important for dogs and especially cats. Source: FIRSTLINE, May 13, 2018. Link. At the end of the day, the only way to gain credibility with … [Read more...]
Vet tech nerd book works as a second brain
Julie Carlson, CVT, was tasked by her lab teacher to make a nerd book while in vet tech school. It is essentially a portable cheat sheet for day-to-day veterinary technician life in a note-card sized binder that fits in scrub pockets. Firstline has partnered with Carlson to start a series which will offer free, downloadable PDFs to use to put your own nerd book … [Read more...]
Fear Free tips to handle big dogs
Mikkel Becker offers some tips to avoid injury while handling, lifting, restraining and caring for large and giant-sized canines. She says to consider the following strategies: Avoid the wrestling match. Evaluate your default. Dig for the root. Do your future self a favor. Replace restraint. Pharmaceuticals could be your friend. Treat yo’ patient. … [Read more...]
Stop pets’ progression to aggression
Mikkel Becker discusses the challenges of avoiding scratches, bites and wrestling with animals needing veterinary care. She references the Fear Free approaches that use multimodal practices. They address fear, anxiety and stress in ways that reduce distress while keeping pets and veterinary teams safer. Source: Firstline, April 10, 2018. (Link) When you use tools to offer … [Read more...]
Sit Ubu, sit – good dog! (includes video)
At the end of every episode of Family Ties and other UBU productions, Gary Goldberg’s black lab was flashed along with the famous phrase, “Sit Ubu, Sit!.” Pet owners want their dogs to be like Ubu. Mikkel Becker shares a mat training method to help get the sit behavior going. Her video includes comments from Gary Landsberg, DVM. Source: Firstline, November 14, 2017. What we … [Read more...]
Impostor syndrome sneaks up on everyone
It’s likely every animal health pro feels like a fraud from time to time. Ciera Miller, CVT, VTS, speaks to us all in her article on the imposter syndrome. Source: Firstline, October 26, 2017. Impostor syndrome, a concept where an individual is marked by an inability to recognize their accomplishments and lives with a constant fear of being a “fraud,” is extremely … [Read more...]
Fear is worse than pain for animals
Dani McVety, DVM, writes that humans can rationalize pain and the anxiety of negative emotions that accompany the anticipation of it. Animals cannot rationalize, she says. She quotes Temple Grandin, PhD, who says, “The single worst thing you can do to an animal emotionally is to make it feel afraid … fear is so bad for animals I think it’s worse than pain.” Source: … [Read more...]
Awesome dentistry tools
Our industry has been pushing pet dental care for more than 20 years. Greater understanding of the human-animal bond is helping to grow the potential for dental care. Mary Berg, BS, RVT, RLATG, VTS, a well-known dental educator, talks about three handy products and reinforces the use of a soft bristle brush. Source: Firstline, August 4, 2016. See Berg’s review of: … [Read more...]
Why technicians leave—and what you can do about it
Julie Carlson’s overview of veterinary technician work dynamics is important, especially in with the new veterinary nurse direction and how salespersons interface with technicians and office staff. Practice owners and managers need to look at this from a retention management perspective. Sales and marketing persons will find opportunities in the comments on respect, inclusion … [Read more...]
Microchip comparison matrix
Microchipping remains a controversial subject with pet owners. To help, comparing microchips is easy with the chart in this infographic. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9 percent of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were … [Read more...]
The truth about tick control
Why clients don't buy tick control and other information is presented in this infographic. My pet never goes outside and other excuses. Source: Firstline, June 20, 2017. What veterinary clients don't know about tick control can hurt them. Here's a look at who's buying tick control, why clients resist and more. INSIGHTS: July and August are the heaviest summer vacation … [Read more...]
Partnering with a trainer is a no-brainer (audio recording)
Though many studies have shown a link between pet behavior and health, most veterinary professionals don’t jump for joy at the thought of behavior consultations. Educator Mikkel Becke explains the Humane Hierarchy developed by Utah State University psychology professor Susan Friedman, PhD. This model incorporates the expertise of trainers and veterinary … [Read more...]
Help pets get through thunderstorm phobia
Thunderstorm phobia is a panic disorder commonly seen in adult dogs which is generally triggered by a storm. The panic lasts the duration of the storm and often continues from 30 minutes to days. Dogs often anticipate the storm before it hits. Source: Firstline, May/June 2017, page 32. Dr. E’Lise Christensen, DACVB, offers at-home behavior modification strategies … [Read more...]
Veterinary clinic and trainer partnerships, a no brainer (includes recording)
Pet relinquishment and euthanasia are inextricably linked in our industry. But, handing out business cards of trainers is not the best option to ensure pet owners get the support they need. This article speaks to a partnership between trainers and the vet clinic. A similar relationship could also benefit independent retailers as big box pet chains already offer behavior … [Read more...]
Corporate medicine, discussing big-medicine benefits
See what a group of animal health professionals told Firstline editors about the pros and cons of corporate medicine. Choices, choices, choices! Source: Firstline, May 3, 2017. DVM360 editors created a panel made up of regular contributors, new faces and industry veterans, who together create a spectrum of voices that represent the many angles of this issue. They wanted to … [Read more...]
Timing euthanasia and hospice (includes videos)
Mary Gardner, DVM, discusses the educational needs for pet owners as pets reach the time for hospice or euthanasia. “You have to make sure you educate the owner about the disease the pet is facing and the progress that the disease is going to present to the family and to the pet,” she says. Source: Firstline, April 12, 2017. Remember clients are experiencing an emotional, … [Read more...]
New chart helps find the right dental treats
The treat market gets more crowded every day. Differentiating one dental treat from the next is challenging. Not all canine dental treats are created equal. The chart in this article will help dog owners find the best chews for their pets. Source: Firstline, March 16, 2017. Eleven canine dental treats have been awarded the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s (VOHC) Seal of … [Read more...]