Phil Zeltzman, DVM, reminds readers that veterinary medicine can be provided only when exchanging services for money. Since clients are sometimes afraid of being sold or potentially afraid of the veterinary profession, he discusses the need to allay those fears by confidently providing recommendations as an expert advisor. To get a firm yes, make something emotional happen … [Read more...]
X-ray contest 2017 – winners and runners-up
Animal health pros across all segments of the market enjoy seeing the images and frequent absurdity of what animals eat. Bones, necklaces, hair bands, charms, drain plugs and foam bullets are few of the items found in this year’s contest photos and images. Source: Veterinary Practice News, September 29, 2017. The 2017 annual X-ray contest didn’t fail to deliver on the most … [Read more...]
Help clients understand therapeutic diets
Elisa Jordan writes about discussing therapeutic diets with clients and addressing their benefits, effectiveness, cost and necessity. Emphasizing the medicinal qualities of such diets help pet owners understand exactly what they’re paying for and how they’re actually treating their pets. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 25, 2017. A problem surrounding these diets, … [Read more...]
“Let cats scratch” says the AAFP
Revising its previous 2015 position statement on declawing, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) now strongly opposes onychectomy as an elective procedure. The AAFP’s position stresses the need for veterinary teams to educate cat caregivers, as many are unaware that declawing is a surgical amputation of the third phalanx. Scratching is a normal feline … [Read more...]
Lone star tick is rapidly migrating
Lone star ticks have been implicated in a handful of zoonotic illnesses (not Lyme disease) that are serious to humans and animals. Experts in human allergy, parasitology, and entomology joined to discuss the lone star tick, its geographic spread and the zoonotic diseases it can transmit during the AVMA 2017 convention in Indianapolis. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August … [Read more...]
Put down the phone
Wendy Myers suggests ways to get clients and staff members to hang up their phones and listen. Addictive cellphone use is a growing problem and contributes to declining listening and retention skills. Try a collaborative rather than confrontational approach when dealing with smartphone use. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 23, 2017. Distracted clients may be … [Read more...]
Your dog’s as fat as you
Obviously, no animal health professional would ever say that. But many are afraid of offending obese clients in the process of discussing their pet’s obesity. Ernie Ward, DVM, presents the dynamics of discussing obesity and shares communication strategies to avoid possible client embarrassment. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 9, 2017. Reframe the discussion in … [Read more...]
12 individuals receive awards at AVMA convention
Eleven veterinary professionals and one lifelong feline health advocate were recognized for contributions that have made a positive, lasting impression on veterinary medicine. Source: Veterinary Practice News, July 26, 2017. These outstanding individuals represent the best and the brightest in veterinary medicine,” said Tom Meyer, DVM, AVMA president … [Read more...]
Opinion – Tufts studies patient-therapy animal risk
This topic has taken a long time to surface. Personally, I’ve often wondered about zoonotic risks from taking therapy animals into hospitals and nursing homes. While human patients receive many benefits from animal visits, the reality is that facilities are not monitoring or managing the risks. Guidelines for safety, health and monitoring do exist, with one set from the AVMA … [Read more...]
10 tips to clip like a pro
Veterinarians rarely pay much attention to clipping and clippers, but they should. Poor technique and cleaning can affect the outcome of the surgery. Clipping patients extends well beyond surgery. And, clippers are a common source of frustration. Yet they are frequently abused, poorly cleaned and dropped regularly. Source: Veterinary Practice News, June 21, 2017. When all … [Read more...]
Compliance to payment card standards matter
This article sounds the alarm to awaken veterinary practice owners to a hidden liability that threatens the very livelihood of a practice—its ability to collect revenue. As much as 90 percent of revenue comes through credit and debit card transactions. Losing this service could devastate practices and businesses. The ability to scan a card does not make the business … [Read more...]
Ditch postcard reminders, embrace digital
Wendy Myers asserts that it's time to ditch postcard reminders and look into texting and emails to communicate with patients. She references the dental business trends and suggests we abandon the status quo of “We’ve always sent postcards” and dip into the digital revolution. Source: Veterinary Practice News, June 14, 2017. Texts have a 99 percent open rate, and 95 percent … [Read more...]
Canine Influenza Virus questions in 2017
The million-dollar question about the current H3N2 outbreak is whether it will worsen or fizzle out — and how many dogs will be affected. Steve Dale discusses the challenges in the dog show world and beyond. Source: Veterinary Practice News, June 7, 2017. The H3N2 virus exhibits extremely high mobility and low mortality, and an estimated 3 to 5 percent of dogs infected die. … [Read more...]
Fungal disease threatens wild and captive snakes
More than a dozen species of captive and wild snakes in at least 15 states have been affected by what’s being called snake fungal disease (SFD). Researchers are exploring the disease, including its epidemiology, how it grows, how it is transmitted, how to treat it and even which disinfectants work or don't work against the primary fungus associated with it, Ophidiomyces … [Read more...]
Parasites likely to win again in 2017
There’s that “c-word” again – compliance. Don Jergler indicates mild weather and lackluster client compliance continue to favor parasites. He discusses fleas, ticks and heartworm, including perspectives from the Heartworm Society and major manufacturers of for pets and parasite control products. Source: Veterinary Practice News, May 2, 2017. While part of the U.S. is under … [Read more...]
10 inventory myths and mistakes
Phil Zeltman, DVM, tackles 10 myths and mistakes about inventory. Of his 10, these are true in almost every practice or inventory dependent business: Being reactive rather than proactive I know how much of each product we need Not having someone in charge Source: Veterinary Practice News, March 27, 2017. Having more inventory than needed costs your veterinary … [Read more...]
Dispose of powdered gloves now
The FDA ban on powdered gloves went into effect on January 18, 2017. This means that any powdered surgical gloves, powdered patient exam gloves and absorbable powder for lubricating surgical gloves sold and in possession of veterinary clinics and animal surgical centers fall under the ban and should be disposed of. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 3, 2017. According … [Read more...]
Pet insurance is a win for vets and pets
When veterinarians invest in learning about and recommending pet insurance, the result is a win-win-win — for pets, clients and the veterinary hospital. Source: Veterinary Practice News, March 28, 2017. The topic of pet insurance is confusing for many pet owners, so they often ask their veterinarian for help. When clients ask for advice, here are key things to convey: … [Read more...]
Universal canine vaccination eliminates human exposure to rabies
MSD Animal Health/Merck Animal Health has announced the publication of a new study in the journal Vaccine. It demonstrates that universal canine vaccination is an effective public health policy for eliminating human rabies exposure. The study reviewed examples of a successful One Health collaborative strategy that focused on elimination of canine rabies as the most expedient … [Read more...]
Equine asthma syndrome review
David Ramey, DVM, reviews the various causes of equine asthma syndrome, a new term to describe airway conditions characterized by inflammation and airway hyperreactivity. Among them: broken wind, heaves, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and IAD (inflammatory air disease). Source: Veterinary Practice News, February 27, 2017. Depending on the clinical signs and … [Read more...]
Joining an organization can help animal health pros
Multiple organizations advocate for the animal health profession and provide an array of services and benefits to members. Keith Loria sorts out the acronym alphabet soup and explains who is who and who does what. Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 31, 2017. Veterinary professionals, regardless of specialty or job path, can join an association—or multiple … [Read more...]
10 secrets to keep your veterinary nurses happy
Phil Zeltzman, DVM, DACVS, CVJ, went behind the scenes and has deep, confidential conversations with veterinary surgery and anesthesia nurses. From these discussions he developed a list of behaviors that will keep them smiling. Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 27, 2016. How to keep your surgery and anesthesia nurses happy during the new year and beyond: Get … [Read more...]
Kirby’s Rule of 20
The Kirby’s Rule of 20 is a classic checklist of 20 important patient parameters. Its creator, Rebecca Kirby, double board-certified in internal medicine and critical care, is the former owner of Animal Emergency Center in Glendale, Wisconsin. This checklist would help create good discussion at an upcoming practice team meeting. Don’t forget to discuss what it means to give … [Read more...]
Weird stuff clients say – vet tech edition
Just for fun! Here are some of the strangest things vet technicians have heard clients say. Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 2, 2017. The strangest things vet techs have heard clients say. … [Read more...]
AVMA report says veterinarian market still robust
The 2016 AVMA Report on the Market for Veterinarians, released in late October examined these categories: Employment, unemployment, and underemployment Income, present value of the veterinary degree Causes of negative well-being: debt, job/career satisfaction and income Expenditure patterns Burnout scores Health Source: Veterinary Practice News, November … [Read more...]
13 things the mentally strong DON’T do
Whether applying to your personal, volunteer or professional life, Amy Morin’s list of things not-to-do can help us unlock our full potential. She says, “…letting go of the bad habits helps you work smarter, not harder.” Source: Veterinary Practice News, December 2016, page 33. We all have the ability to build up our mental toughness. Here are 13 things mentally tough … [Read more...]
Behavior drugs, nothing to fear
Veterinary teams are slowly getting over their concerns about using behavior drugs. The debate about animal anxiety continues but, “it should have been dead decades ago,” says Nicholas H. Dodman, BVMS, Dipl. ACVA, Dipl. ACVB. Client acceptance is stronger now as more humans use anti-anxiety and depression medications. Source: Veterinary Practice News, November 8, … [Read more...]
R E S P E C T retains clients
Steven Pearson, DVM, shares five ways to ensure your veterinary practice can meet clients' needs. He reminds us all that time is valuable, regardless on which side of the exam table you stand. He says practices must provide high-quality services in a relaxed and consistently respectful manner to reach their full potential. Source: Veterinary Practice News, November 1, 2016. … [Read more...]
Managing with the new overtime pay laws
A new federal requirement effective December 1, 2016 raises the minimum salary needed to exempt most employees to $47,476 per year. Beyond the doubling of the current level, there are specific job categories or exemptions where overtime rights are considerations. Source: Veterinary Practice News, November 2016. Cover page, continued on page 28. It is important to review the … [Read more...]
Be cautious around horses
Equine veterinarians have higher rates of injury than other occupations, including those in construction, the prison service, and firefighters. Further, an Australian study data reported that while there have been significant decreases in injury and death in workplaces traditionally viewed as dangerous, such as mining and construction over the past several decades, there has … [Read more...]