Trends In Mobile Veterinary ClinicsJune 9, 2011Follow Veterinary Practice News on Twitter at @vetpetnews. A tight economy can encourage practical changes in the way some equine practitioners travel, store medications and supplies, and organize their practices. Mobile clinic and insert manufacturers can help veterinarians make the most of their chassis-mounted or insert clinics, whether new or reconditioned inventory. Steve Sinnard says veterinarians are choosing more versatile trucks for their practice vehicles. He is executive vice president of mobile veterinary clinic manufacturer Bowie International of Lake City, Iowa. Bowie and Porta-Vet joined forces some time ago and the Porta-Vet units have been manufactured in Iowa for more than a year now. “Veterinarians tell us they want more storage space,” Sinnard says. “They are buying trucks with crew cabs and extended cabs, so they not only have their mobile clinic in the back, they have more room in the cab for larger equipment such as ultrasound or digital X-ray equipment. “Shock wave and laser therapy equipment seem to be growing in popularity,” Sinnard said. “A bulk storage compartment in an insert unit will easily accommodate specialized equipment.” Dennis Van Roekel, DVM, owner of Van Roekel & Associates, an equine practice in Alva, Fla., has a …
SPONSORED CONTENTTake Control With ProHeart 12 (moxidectin)One dose offers year-long protection with a single injection, putting compliance in your hands. + Learn more
Mobile Vets Are Driven To SucceedJune 9, 2011 Affordability, practice requirements and revenue growth are important considerations when establishing a mobile veterinary clinic. Mobile clinics may be self-contained units, an insert or box, or chassis-mounted. They may provide just the basics—exam room, surgery area, standard equipment—or be colossal examples of today’s high-tech design, complete with the latest equipment. They roll along without overhead, property taxes or other real estate costs a brick-and-mortar clinic would require. Koni Wade, senior sales consultant for La Boit Inc. of Gahanna, Ohio, says each unit is customized with as much or as little equipment as a practitioner wants. “Of course,” she says, “the more options and upgrades you add, the higher the cost. For instance, more clients are putting digital X-ray in their clinics, which raises the complete cost by $40,000.” Without digital radiography, La Boit’s self-contained clinics usually are available for about $150,000. The base price starts at $104,495, with financing available and no down payment required, Wade says. “La Boit also provides working capital,” Wade says, “which is great for veterinarians just starting out and needing to keep as much of their cash in hand as possible to grow the business.” Satisfied Customer Seely …
Boosting Equine Joints’ Wear And Repair CycleMay 23, 2011 When the natural “wear and repair” process in a horse’s joints is disrupted, non-infectious degenerative joint disease (DJD) begins. This disease is a vicious cycle of destructive enzymes attacking the fluid and cartilage. Continued disruption to the joint fluid can lead to irreversible cartilage fragmentation, and eventually the complete destruction of the cartilage. DJD is estimated to cause one-third of all lameness cases. Balanced Joint A healthy equine joint is a complex system of internal and external tissues that provide stability and protect the joint while allowing for freedom of movement. During routine activity, a functioning balanced joint is in a constant state of wear and repair. As normal forces are exerted on the joint, cells are actively regenerating and repairing the components of damaged cartilage while replacing the synovial fluid in the joint. This constant renewal, repair and replacement cycle assures that no cartilage loss occurs and a functionally balanced, healthy joint environment is maintained. The synovial membrane is the inner layer that acts as a permeable barrier and is very important to the joint’s balanced “wear and repair” cycle. This membrane filters blood, excludes the protein and adds hyaluronic acid (HA) to form …
Breaking The Cycle Of Recurrent Urinary Tract InfectionMay 23, 2011 As much as any practitioner does, Dr. Joseph Bartges enjoys an engaging challenge that tests his veterinary skills. But if diagnosis and treatment dissolve into the “antibiotic alphabet game,” count him out. When treating recurrent lower urinary tract infections, he notes it’s easy to get caught up in such an A-to-Z game. You know the potential progression: Start with amoxicillin and hope to hit on something effective before working through to Zeniquin. “The practitioner may not even have proved that the patient has an infection,” says Dr. Bartges, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, Dipl. ACVN. Dr. Bartges is professor of medicine and nutrition and the Acree Chair of Small Animal Research in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee. If what has been diagnosed as a lower urinary tract infection is not responding initially, “Changing antibiotics is not the way to go,” he counsels. “Looking harder is a better option.” It’s time to do a urine culture by cystocentesis (to help ensure its accuracy), as well as perhaps take radiographs, do an ultrasound or MRI and get a full blood workup, say both Dr. Bartges and Ronald Lyman, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, founder and …
Convenience-Based Services: Are They The Right Choice For Your Practice?May 23, 2011 When evaluating additional services as a means to generate revenue, it is important to look beyond veterinary medicine and take advantage of opportunities to meet the needs of pet owners in other ways. In today’s world, convenience is the name of the game, and finding new avenues of revenue that make your practice a “one stop shop“ for pet owners can be an excellent decision. While the obvious and immediate benefits include increased revenue and visits, it is the potential long-term client loyalty resulting from additional interaction with your practice that provides the greatest value. Below are some of the more common convenience-based services that many veterinary hospitals offer. It is important to remember, though, that every practice is unique, and not all options are a good fit or practical to implement. And for those of you who already offer some or all of these services, a bit of revitalization followed by a new marketing campaign can bring improved earning potential to an existing revenue stream. Luxury Boarding While the majority of clinics offer boarding of some sort, the current demand is for upscale facilities that cater to four-legged family members—“family” being the key word. …
Viewing Forms Of RegretApril 18, 2011 It is amazing to work in a profession that allows us to help people and pets every day. A number of clients have expressed an emerging type of wistful regret about their pets recently. I believe it’s because the recession has deepened for so many people, but there may be more to it. Money-Related Regret? Marisol Ramirez truly loves her 14-year-old shepherd-chow mix, Murda, who is being successfully treated for splenic lymphoma. Murda presented with two significant co-morbid conditions, severe osteoarthritis and degenerative myelopathy with mild posterior ataxia, but remains in an extended stable remission. On a recent recheck, Marisol said Murda indicates that she wants to go outside, but once out, immediately wants to come back in. We explained this most likely stems from a common condition in geriatric dogs. Murda was probably exhibiting signs of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which might respond to medication and/or a diet change to Hill’s b/d. This odd behavior has frustrated Marisol and she feels guilty about reacting sternly on a few occasions. She also feels compelled to stay at home with Murda so she can watch her closely. When I asked her why she feels so strongly …
Softer Alternatives To Traditional E-collars AboundApril 18, 2011 Consumer demand for people-friendly surgical recovery collars is changing the way veterinarians look at their supply and sales, according to several e-collar manufacturers and suppliers. “Consumers are saying, ‘Oh, my poor baby, I don’t want to put a satellite dish on him. And I don’t want my coffee table or my walls banged up,’” says Gabe Martinez, business manager for KVP International, manufacturer of recovery collars and other surgical supplies. “So veterinarians needed something not only to protect animals but keep owners happy.” Irwindale, Ca.-based KVP International manufactures a variety of recovery collars. “Soft e-collars look cool and they are people-friendly,” says Martinez, adding that it’s a major reason soft e-collars are becoming so popular. Some of the latest soft collars don’t limit pets’ peripheral vision, ability to eat, drink or sleep, or cause damage to walls and furniture. “Rigid collars are definitely not animal-friendly,” says Frank Banesse, southeast regional training manager for MWI Veterinary Products of Meridian, Idaho. “Soft e-collars offer a better design and give animals a better life during their recovery.” Peter Kross, DVM, owner of Rivergate Veterinary Clinic in New York City, stocks collars of all brands and sizes …
Regardless Of The Lab, Accuracy Is Top PriorityApril 18, 2011 Whether a clinic uses reference laboratories exclusively or combines them with in-house diagnostics, there’s no denying the benefits testing advances have brought to the industry, patients and clients. Results in about 15 minutes for in-house tests and next-day results on most reference laboratory tests mean faster diagnosis and treatment options as well as expediting the identification of zoonotic, contagious and emerging diseases. Board-certified veterinarians with advanced training in diagnostic work in reference labs along with medical technologists and specially trained veterinary technicians. The expertise of reference laboratory staff makes outside labs an appealing option to many practitioners. But manufacturers of in-house laboratory equipment note that accuracy is their priority and their machines are accurate, easy to use and maintain. “The design and capabilities of newer technologies have resulted in overall improvements and enhancements to the work flow and streamlining of laboratory processes,” says Liz Whitney, DVM, a technical writer and industry outreach coordinator for Heska Corp. of Loveland, Colo. “Newer productivity features, such as integration with practice management software programs, help to improve the processes of the diagnostic team, save time and reduce operational costs.” Dr. Whitney says the ability to customize panels …
A Graduation Gift From A Globe-trotting VeterinarianApril 18, 2011 Thanks to the vision and tenacity of Richard Nap, about 2,200 graduating U.S. veterinary students will receive a complimentary copy of “VetCoach: Career Reflections of Veterinary Professionals,” a book co-written by more than 100 veterinarians from 26 countries. In the book, distributed by VCA Animal Hospitals, veterinarians share their most useful tips with students and new graduates. (Full disclosure: I was kindly invited to write for the book.) Its goal is to encourage young veterinarians to try new things and explore new avenues by stepping out of their comfort zones. The mission of VetCoach, a not-for-profit organization, is “to inspire and motivate students by sharing professional career reflections from one generation to the next.” “The current generation has much of the experience that the new one entering the profession is lacking,” Dr. Nap explains. “Students typically have a limited network and no or little international exposure. “Students tend to stick to the comfort of what and who they know: family, friends, city and school. The challenge was to create a platform available to graduating students.” Courtesy of Richard Nap, …
Laser Therapy Helps Heal Victim’s BurnsApril 18, 2011 By all odds, the spunky little Jack Russell mix with the incredibly bright eyes and growing affinity for chasing birds really shouldn’t be alive today. She was locked in a crate at home when the building caught fire, generating so much heat that the plastic crate lid melted and dripped, leaving her with nasty burns over most of her body. The lone reason she even made it as far as the St. Charles Hospital and Clinic in St. Charles, Mo., was that the ambulance she rode in after being rescued happened to be outfitted with an oxygen mask for small animals. It was the only one of 22 in the area so equipped. “Her burns were extensive and she was unconscious when she got here,” recalled Mike Crecelius, DVM, a small-animal practitioner who treated her at the clinic. “Her prognosis was quite poor.” That now, five months later, the puppy is doing quite well is a testament to a number of factors—among them the attentive care of clinic staff, a swiftly implemented care plan that included laser therapy, and, in no small measure, the will to survive exhibited by the dog herself. …
