The hazy predicament of pot for petsDecember 27, 2018Cannabis is legal in many states, but it’s still illegal under federal law, which puts veterinarians who believe their patients can be helped by cannabis or cannabis extracts in a precarious position.
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How kennel design can help boost clinic revenueDecember 19, 2018To maximize short- and long-term boarding potential, it helps to understand the various kennel designs and materials, gate options, and available accessories. One of the first decisions to make is whether the kennel will comprise an on-the-floor system with a drain or an above-the-floor system. Generally speaking, the former can provide more flexibility to configure the kennels to fit a building’s footprint and it also is usually less expensive than an above-floor design. There are situations, though, that sometimes require an above-floor system, particularly when digging drains is not an option.
Deworming debateDecember 19, 2018Hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, roundworms, and heartworms. They are intestinal and circulatory parasites no one wishes to encounter. Yet, they’ve squirmed their way into too many pets to continue practicing status quo programs.
What causes gastric dilatation volvulus?December 19, 2018Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) is a complex, scary, life-threatening emergency. We sometimes tell pet owners that we don’t really know what causes GDV, but that is not exactly accurate.
Digital cytology: The future of clinical pathologyDecember 14, 2018Digital radiography can change how we practice medicine and creates a whole new paradigm for accessing veterinary expertise. Additionally, many major veterinary labs now scan histological sections for remote pathologist review.
Idiopathic osteomyelitis/osteonecrosis of the jaw in dogsDecember 13, 2018Osteomyelitis of the maxilla, mandible, or incisive bone, can occur due to severely diseased teeth in an area, but some cases don’t seem to be simply the result of an extension of periodontal or endodontic disease. These cases are often more than just osteomyelitis. Instead, they show evidence of dead bone, often in the form of a sequestrum, a necrotic piece of bone that may want to come out in one large piece during surgical exploration. In the absence of any history of radiation therapy or bisphosphonate administration, these cases are best described as idiopathic osteomyelitis/osteonecrosis. When they enter your exam room, you will smell what’s going on before you are able to see it.
What is screening and is it beneficial?November 30, 2018Screening is the use of diagnostic tests in apparently healthy individuals with no clinical symptoms.1-2 Its purpose is to detect asymptomatic disease with the presumption that this can allow earlier, more effective intervention and will reduce suffering and delay or prevent death.
Cannabis debate: Giving veterinarians a voiceNovember 22, 2018On an increasing basis, veterinarians across the country are faced with questions about the use of cannabinoids to treat their clients’ pets. In my own practice, it seems not a day goes by that a pet owner brings up the subject or asks whether cannabinoids can help their dog or cat.
Cancer tech's futureNovember 22, 2018Veterinary oncology imaging has evolved greatly over the past decade, allowing for earlier detection, improved treatment, and more successful outcomes. Veterinary Practice News reached out to three prominent veterinary oncology centers around the U.S. to discuss imaging equipment, promising research, and what the future holds in this important field.
Responses to the virtual mailbagNovember 16, 2018It has been a little over a year since I took over this column from Dr. Narda Robinson, and I have enjoyed the opportunity to explore many interesting topics through the lens of evidence-based medicine (EBM). One core element of EBM is substantive, critical debate, and discussion about the merits and limitations of published research evidence. Every stakeholder, from clinicians to researchers to those in industry to the owners of veterinary patients, will have a different mix of goals and perspectives. The interplay among different sets of biases is one of the mechanisms for cutting through bias generally and achieving an accurate understanding of nature that informs safer and more effective patient care. One of the strengths of science is that it requires a community process.
