Veterinarian enrollment open for 2018 Diabetes PetCare AllianceSeptember 14, 2018Merck Animal Health, Purina, and Zoetis are joining forces for the fifth year in a row to support the Diabetes PetCare Alliance. The program provides free diabetes education and diagnostic tools to veterinarians and owners. Last year, sponsors lifted the enrollment cap on participating veterinary practices; as a result, the number of cases diagnosed through the program increased significantly, from approximately 300 pets in 2016 to 535 in 2017. Studies show that while believed to be underdiagnosed, diabetes mellitus affects an estimated one in 230 cats and one in 300 dogs. Since 2014, the alliance has helped veterinarians screen thousands of pets for diabetes and, in turn, jump-started management and monitoring of newly diagnosed patients. The program is timed to prepare veterinary practices for Pet Diabetes Month in November. Veterinarians who enroll in the Diabetes PetCare Alliance program gain access to tools and resources related to diabetes awareness and screening. In addition, clients whose pets are diagnosed during the program period receive a free disease management kit from participating clinics. The kits include the following: One AlphaTRAK 2 Blood Glucose Monitoring System from Zoetis One 6-lb. bag of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management …
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VetMedTeam RACE-approved CE examines patient health trendsSeptember 6, 2018VetMedTeam, an online resource offering free continuing education to veterinarians, credentialed veterinary technicians, and practice team members, is hosting a RACE-approved, 1 interactive credit course on evolving patient health trends. "By the numbers: Examining top health risks for dogs and cats," led by Mary Rothlisberger, ACAS, MAAA, associate actuary at Trupanion pet insurance company, is scheduled to go live Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. Eastern. The webinar will highlight current medical condition trends for veterinary patients, including by age and size, as well as some popular purebred dog breeds, and shares how teams can incorporate this information into patient services, from diagnosis to client education. Further, Rothlisberger will share analytical data from Trupanion medical database records, including expected treatment costs. For those unable to attend the live webinar, VetMedTeam will notify members when a free self-study course becomes open for enrollment. All who enroll in the live webinar, regardless of live attendance, also will receive emailed information. Membership in VetMedTeam is free and open to all members of the veterinary practice team as well as veterinary and veterinary technology students. Click here to register for the webinar; click here to find answers to FAQs. Email …
AAHA releases preventive care protocol publicationSeptember 6, 2018The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has released a new publication, developed with the support of an educational grant from IDEXX—Promoting Preventive Care Protocols: Evidence, Enactment, and Economics. "A focus on preventive care can give pets a greater chance at longer and healthier lives. Pet owners are more receptive than ever to engaging in conversations on preventive care and innovation in diagnostics, diets, and treatments," said Janice Trumpeter, DVM, AAHA deputy CEO. Preventive care exams remain a veterinary professional's best chance to influence good outcomes throughout a pet's lifetime, according to AAHA. Through these hands-on moments with patients and regular consultations with pet owners, practitioners can provide advice, preventive care services, and additional recommendations tailored to individual pets, the association said. The new publication features results of various studies and concludes that regular health checks and screenings improve detection and allow for early therapeutic intervention. Notably, it includes findings from a landmark big-data analysis of preventive care profiles from IDEXX. Analysis from 268,817 patient samples across more than 5,000 North American veterinary practices revealed that veterinary professionals who screen pets regularly find significant results in all adult life stages that require further action. The publication also …
Increase in DCM in dogs may be linked to dietJuly 19, 2018Instances of canine dilated cardiomyopathy may be correlated to specific ingredients in pet foods, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Heartgard producer launches feline parasiticideJuly 16, 2018A new monthly heartworm disease prevention product for cats has been announced by Boehringer Ingelheim. Applied topically, Centragard (eprinomectin and praziquantel transdermal solution) can also treat and control hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms.
What's the deal with CBD?July 16, 2018Perplexed or annoyed by the consideration of medical marijuana in veterinary medicine? I was. As a veterinarian who finds controlled substances a total pain to manage, I was put out by the prospect of one more item I had to oversee meticulously.
Giving oral health a stronger biteJuly 13, 2018Over the past few decades, growing awareness among both veterinarians and pet owners alike about the importance of good oral health for companion animals—combined with clinical advances, better dental instruments, and more home dental care options—is brightening the dental health outlook for companion animals.
Use a joint approach to osteoarthritisJuly 9, 2018As they age, approximately 20 percent of dogs experience osteoarthritis, a condition exacerbated by excess weight as well as by stress on joints from working or performance activities. Breeds such as golden and Labrador retrievers are overrepresented, but degenerative joint disease isn’t limited to highly active dogs or even to old dogs.
Is tramadol an effective analgesic for dogs and cats?June 26, 2018Awareness of the importance of analgesia for veterinary patients has increased significantly over the past two decades. It is widely considered important, for medical and ethical reasons, to provide effective pain relief for dogs and cats, whether their pain is due to surgery, injury, or chronic medical conditions.
4 scientific articles to use in everyday practiceJune 25, 2018What would you consider to be the definition of a classic scientific article? In my mind, it is an article that changes the way you think. It is an article that changes the status quo. That changes the way you practice—the very next day.
