Commentary Veterinary teams are consistently criticized about basic pet care costs. Sadly, those same people rarely complain about the cost of new toys or treats and have no idea what basic care for pets costs annually. Pets provide joy and companionship, but costs can add up quickly, especially for first-time owners who don’t know what to expect.” – Adriana Morga Every … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 24, 2023
Nationwide's new digital platform, Pet HealthZone©, human mental health benefits depend on balancing with the commitments to pet care, Bowie Barker opens national franchise for self-service grooming, SME research shows hiring inexperienced staff is costly to business, mental health tips for entrepreneurs and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, July 24, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Cost, convenience or optionality? Best fit or gold standard?
Kate Boatright, VMD, reviews new research that suggests that most pet owners do not want their options presented using a gold-standard first approach rather a judgement free spectrum of care set of options. Identifying whether the pet family’s primary concern is cost, convenience, or optionality is key to finding the “best fit." Source: AAHA NEWStat, February 6, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Nationwide seeking votes for 2022 Hambone Award
Nationwide created the Hambone Award to honor the strangest, most hair-raising pet insurance claim of the year. Each story highlighted is meant to exemplify the strength of our pets and their pet parents, and to spotlight the amazing skills of their trusted veterinarians. <the award> is also a way to highlight all the things that can happen—and have happened—and the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 4, 2021
Nationwide® partners with Walmart on first-of-its kind pet prescription program Source: Nationwide, January 29, 2021. Link. From the article: Preferred pricing and the opportunity to have claims for covered drugs processed at the counter of a major retail pharmacy is a first for the pet health insurance industry. How does reducing swine herds’ stillborn rate pencil … [Read more...]
Pet safety hurricane kit checklist available (infographic)
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and includes the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Hurricane Sally reached the Gulf Coast early yesterday morning. With it come risks to not only humans, but equally to pets. PetMD has provided an infographic and a helpful pet safety hurricane checklist for what to do before the storm and … [Read more...]
COVID-19 could be lemons or lemonade. We can make the difference.
March 2020: Update on SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 it causes Hundreds of coronaviruses circulate among animals including cattle, camels, bats, pigs, cats and dogs. Sometimes these viruses jump to humans (a spillover event) and may cause disease. SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. All three have origins in bats. SARS-CoV-2 causes the disease … [Read more...]
Dogs get sunburned just like us
Dogs’ coats protect against a lot, except the sun’s UVB and UVA rays. Yes, they can sunburn enough to warrant emergency treatment. Our friends at Nationwide offer tips on sunburn prevention and low- and high-res graphics that help create great reminders for bulletin boards, clinic counters, blogs, websites and take-home material. While these fair-colored and thin-furred dogs … [Read more...]
Nationwide offers free household pet toxins infographic
From antifreeze to dishwasher detergents, our houses hold innumerable items that are poisonous to pets. Nationwide offers a high-resolution PDF and HTML code of an informative infographic that is perfect for e-newsletters, printed newsletters, social media, websites and counter handouts. Source: Nationwide. These common household chemicals can cause serious injury to your … [Read more...]
Vomiting is not normal for cats
Most cat owners have experienced their pets vomiting. Jennifer Hawkins, DVM, uses routine history questions with clients when they bring their cats in for an exam. She details her response to one of those questions. Source: Nationwide One of those questions is whether vomiting is ever noticed. I received various responses. "No more than usual." How much is usual for a … [Read more...]