Learn How To Improve Practice ComplianceApril 8, 2010 Denver-based Communications Solutions for Veterinarians, a consulting firm that helps practice owners improve compliance, client service and hospital management, will offer a compliance summit in nine cities, starting April 27 in Worcester, Mass. The “How You Can Dramatically Improve Compliance” one-day program teaches ways to quickly increase compliance in veterinary hospitals. Designed as a team-training event, participants have an opportunity to exchange ideas with other practice leaders during breakout sessions. By having a veterinarian, practice manger, lead technician and lead receptionist participate, veterinary practices are able to hone in on compliance challenges and find solutions, organizers said. Ideally, the goal is to maximize compliance every patient visit, and to achieve this, the summit covers seven key topics. First, how to conduct a compliance audit and understand industry benchmarks. In addition, participants learn to set standards of care that encourage compliance; coach a team on how they can influence compliance, assess client compliance in the exam room through medical records, track codes in veterinary software, and take thorough patient histories; set prices for wellness services and drugs, including competing with internet pharmacies; promote 12 packs of preventatives and encouraging year-round dosing; and strengthen reminder and callback systems …
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Trephination: Get More Cells And Less BloodApril 8, 2010 Sure it’s an old article1, but it explains a very practical and simple way to increase the yield of fine needle aspirates. Once supplies are gathered (see box), the needle is connected to the IV extension set, which is connected to the air-filled syringe. Cool people place the IV extension set around their neck rather than letting it dangle or be in the way. Supplies Needed: Glass slides. 22 G needles, short for superficial masses, long for deeper masses. IV extension set (14 inches are enough). 12 ml syringe containing at least 5 ml of air. Note: The IV extension set and the syringe can be reused multiple times since they should not become contaminated. The patient is sedated if needed, and the biopsy site is scrubbed aseptically. The needle is held like a pen in one hand, and the mass is held in the other hand. The needle is placed inside the mass and moved quickly …
Webinar To Raise Awareness Of Anaplasmosis Risk Among Cattle ProducersApril 7, 2010 This spring, Alpharma Animal Health of Bridgewater, N.J., a global animal health company, will offer an online webinar that discusses the status of anaplasmosis in the United States. The webinar is based on an expert panel that convened in 2009 featuring Dr. Hans Coetzee and Dr. Denny Hausmann, experts with vast experience managing the disease and incorporating new strategies for diagnosis and control. Each case of this tick-borne disease is estimated to cost about $400 per animal, and the total cost to the industry is estimated at $300 million in the United States, according to Alpharma. Awareness of anaplasmosis is becoming increasingly important as the disease now appears well beyond the areas that are considered endemic; anaplasmosis now has been diagnosed in all of the contiguous 48 states. New research shows that anaplasmosis is more complicated and multi-faceted than many veterinarians and producers may have believed. While producers in the southern U.S. – where anaplasmosis is considered endemic – are familiar with the disease, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest cow-calf survey (USDA-NAHMS Beef Study) reports that, overall, 14 percent of producers know some basics about the disease; 16 percent are “fairly knowledgeable” about it; …
Animal Health And Wellness Forum In Las VegasApril 2, 2010Health and Wellness for Companion Animals, a three-day conference in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Luxor Hotel and Casino, will cover a range of topics from food, treats and supplements to veterinary and OTC pharmaceuticals for pets. The event kicks off June 14 as part of the Pet Industry Advisory National Forum Series. Day one revolves around business innovations in drugs, supplements and therapies. Scheduled to speak are the following: Todd Brodersen, president of Same Page Consulting, on how to market and sell to the veterinary market; Chris Ragland, president and CEO of Axxiom LLC, on key product and usage trends in the pet health market; Travis Meredith, DVM, MBA, Dipl. ACT, president of Alliance Veterinary Centers, on meeting the evolving need of the aging pet population; Steve Malone, global director for prescription diet marketing, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, on the Hill’s-Novartis osteoarthritis marketing partnership: case study; Tom Schwarzer, professional services veterinarian, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., on novel approaches to disease management; Julia Stephanus, Summit Vetpharm president and CEO, on pet product packaging and tracking innovation; Jerome Gainer, Virbac AH Inc., senior manager regulatory affairs, on how to establish and keep a good working relationship with regulatory agencies; and finally, Ted …
FDA Approves Drug For DogsApril 1, 2010 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Roseland, N.J.-based Intervet’s new animal drug application for the veterinary prescription use of Posatex (orbifloxacin, mometasone furoate monohydrate, and posaconazole) Otic Suspension for the treatment of otitis externa in dogs. Effective as of April 1, 2010, this drug is for treatment of otitis externa associated with susceptible strains of yeast (Malassezia pachydermatis) and bacteria (coagulase-positive staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis). The conditions of use in dogs include specific dosage amounts according to weight. For dogs less than 30 pounds, the required dosage is four drops once daily into the ear canal. For dogs weighing more than 30 pounds, the dosage should be increased to eight drops into the ear canal, according to the FDA. Federal law restricts this drug solely for use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. <HOME>
Is Palliative Surgery Ethical?April 1, 201004/12/2010 - Reflections of a Modern Dinosaur 03/29/2010 - I Don't Want to Put Him Through This 03/15/2010 - Who cares about the diagnosis? You've heard of palliative chemotherapy. Sure, there are cases where we hope for a cure or a remission (think lymphoma). But in many cases, chemo is offered to increase survival despite a grim prognosis. And you've heard of palliative radiotherapy. For example, four fractions could be given to a dog with osteosarcoma when amputation is not possible for the patient or not acceptable to the owner. Is there a treatment called palliative surgery? Is it doable? Is it ethical? Triple yes. There are many situations where palliative surgery can be offered. Here are a few recent cases. Sadie, a 10-year-old golden retriever presented with a hemoabdomen. Ultrasound or radiograph suggested a ruptured splenic mass, likely cancerous. If we offer to perform a splenectomy, then we are offering a form of palliative surgery. With hemangiosarcoma, the patient could die within three to six months. The owner elected splenectomy. Beaches, a 13-year-old mix breed dog, was diagnosed with recurrent malignant melanoma at the commissure of the lips. Besides the constant bleeding from self-trauma, she was otherwise doing very well. Because this …
Upcoming Pet Food Industry Events To Spotlight TrendsApril 1, 2010 Educational sessions on the latest trends, professional roundtables and networking opportunities are the focus of the pet food industry’s upcoming international events – Petfood Forum and Petfood Workshop. The forum is April 12-14, with the workshop immediately following, April 14-15. The events are at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill. Petfood Industry magazine said the return of these exclusive, premier events offers businesses a chance to grow globally. Leading industry experts and suppliers are among the featured guests. The forum will also feature keynote speaker Joel Silverman, dog trainer and host of Animal Planet’s “Good Dog U” and author of “What Color is Your Dog?” In addition, Packaged Facts’ David Lummis will present the Petfood Market Outlook 2010-2011. A new highlight is the executive roundtable – Why is safety the most critical issue for the pet food industry? The educational sessions focus on nutrition, marketing, packaging and safety. The Petfood Workshop: Hands-on Nutrition, immediately after the forum, will focus on nutrition. Attendees can participate in interactive discussions on canine/feline nutrition, ingredients, processing considerations and formulation – plus an Ask the Nutrition Experts panel. <HOME>
Reflections Of A Modern DinosaurApril 1, 2010I was very disappointed by the disappearance of the print edition of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. Remember? That was in December 2003! Since then, several other journals have disappeared from mail boxes. The good news? Fewer unread journals gathering dust in our offices. And fewer killed trees. The bad news? Probably less circulation, obviously less sharing within clinics, possibly less readership. I suspect that many people read a journal whenever they have a break, between consultations, before bedtime or maybe even on the (ahem) throne. The same feeling of disappointment was recently expressed by Colin F. Burrows, an internist at the University of Florida vet school and Editor in Chief of the excellent Clinician's Brief journal (January 2010 editorial). Our colleague wondered if that feeling makes him a dinosaur. Many of his readers say they are proud to be dinosaurs, too: .A vet in NewYork: "I find reading off a computer screen difficult and tiring. … Half of my journal reading is done spur of the moment." A vet in Pennsylvania: "Most of my reading is done late at night or during short, slow spells at the office." A vet in New Jersey: "It is so …
Homotoxicology–Homeopathy With A ‘Twist’March 31, 2010 Since controlling animal pain and suffering is a cornerstone to practicing good medicine, questions naturally arise about which interventions will offer optimal analgesia with the fewest side effects. Physical medicine treatments such as acupuncture and massage offer clear benefits for musculoskeletal pain. Biochemical alternatives based on herbs and supplements are gaining recognition because of their safety, effectiveness and overall tolerability. A third approach, homeopathy, maintains a loyal following. In terms of homeopathy’s cousin, homotoxicology, one product can boast a growing evidential foothold. This star player carries the trade name Traumeel. Traumeel, developed by Heel Inc. in Germany about 80 years ago, ranks among the most popular alternative medicines in Germany, bought by millions.1 It comes in tablet, ointment, gel and oral solution formulations. Each contains low levels of twelve botanical substances (such as marigold, witch hazel, chamomile, comfrey, echinacea and St. John’s wort) and even lower amounts of two minerals (Hahnemann’s soluble mercury and calcium sulfide). Each preparation has reportedly been studied in at least one randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, although independent replications lack extensive research.2 The box plainly displays the terms “anti-inflammatory” and “analgesic” on the front panel. The package insert resembles …
American Association Of Equine Practitioners’ Foundation Sets Funding DeadlineMarch 30, 2010The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Foundation said it will accept funding applications until May 1. Applications are reviewed by the AAEP Foundation’s advisory committee and board in July. Consideration for funding is given to those requests that are dedicated to the mission and objectives of the foundation, with priority emphasis given to applications that have the most impact on the health and welfare of horses on a national and international level, or where emergency funding is needed. “For-profit” groups or individuals will not receive funds. The foundation said it takes requests for emergency or equine disaster relief support at any time. Application instructions, requirements and selection criteria are available on the foundation’s website. <HOME>
