Client checklist: Controlling canine influenza virusAugust 10, 2018With summer underway, plenty of dogs are enjoying fun in the sun with their canine companions, play-fighting and sharing water bowls. Of course, accompanying summer vacation is the increased risk of infectious diseases and other illness. Canine influenza virus (CIV) is at an all-time high this year, with reported cases in at least 46 states. As such, it is more important than ever for veterinarians to warn their clients of some of the tell-tale signs of the illness. Here are some suggestions for helping clients protect their pets from illness year-round, courtesy of Zoetis. Identifying clinical signs Symptoms of CIV are similar to those of other bacterial and viral causes associated with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD). Much like humans, signs of the virus often vary from dog to dog and can last for several weeks. Some symptoms to look out for include: Reduced appetite High fever Cough Runny nose Lethargy Additionally, CIV has no seasonality, so owners should keep an eye out for these symptoms throughout the year; however, it is especially important to keep watch during the summer when dogs tend to spend more time outdoors, socializing with other dogs. Considering treatment options If an owner suspects …
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New-mover marketing makes a lasting bottom-line impactAugust 6, 2018Pursuing the entrepreneurial dream of small business ownership is a challenging but rewarding endeavor, particularly in the veterinary industry. Inevitably, there will be speed bumps along the path to success, not the least of which is attracting new clients. One of the best ways to gain the attention of potential customers is to capitalize on new movers. Successfully implementing new-mover marketing campaigns can make a notable difference in a veterinary clinic's long-term success. New-mover marketing professionals partner with local businesses to create an enticing welcome package for new movers. As a family settles into a new home, they will find a convenient collection of special offers delivered right to their door that encourage the family to patronize local businesses. Even in today's increasingly technological world, marketing offers for new movers that are delivered directly to mailboxes consistently outperform email and mobile offers. Market trends indicate Americans are on the move More than 40 million Americans will move this year alone, and one in three renters move at least once each year. Today's economy is quite robust—meaning companies are hiring and people are frequently moving to pursue new job opportunities. Boomerang buyers also are coming out in full force. Those …
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.
Will death do you part?July 7, 2018There’s an underlying expectation among pet owners that veterinarians understand the human-animal bond is everlasting. As such, how a veterinarian handles this end-of-life process can determine the client’s future relationship with the practice.
Are small-town clinics on the way out?July 6, 2018Veterinary practice ownership, like the continental drift, is gradually moving and shifting across our time. The trend now points toward increased corporate ownership and practice consolidators, whereas previously there were more private, solo-owned practices.
Four steps to improved veterinary client complianceJuly 6, 2018Approaching veterinary client compliance is a multipronged process that includes determining who your client is, assessing your team, assessing the practice, and more. As a veterinary practice management consultant, I regularly meet veterinary professionals who struggle with client compliance. Why won't they accept our recommendations? Why don't they get it? How can I make them understand? They just don't want to pay. These are all common problems I am asked to help solve. Determine who your client is Before you attempt to increase client compliance, you have to figure out who your clients are. What does your target audience look like? What demographic are you serving? How does that compare to the mission and goal of the practice? If there is a disconnect between the type of pet owner coming in to your practice and what your practice is trying to deliver, success is going to be harder to achieve. Assess your team The second part of increasing client compliance is having a team that is well trained in interpersonal skills, communication styles, and fostering relationships with clients, pets, and each other. Creating a supportive culture and fostering comradery are the first two steps to having team members who …
Mission: Possible?July 5, 2018In the U.S., roughly 179 million households include pets. With the addition of 2.05 million U.S. farming operations and the millions of livestock being raised, the growing demand for veterinary services is a no-brainer.
10 pitfalls of an incomplete handbookJuly 4, 2018The employee handbook is an important tool for veterinary employers, yet many veterinary employers still do not have one, and those that do often have one that is outdated or inadequate.
Find a culture crush, not a culture clashJuly 2, 2018Veterinary hospitals employ many talented medical professionals, but it’s an establishment’s culture that really sets it apart. When applying for a position within a veterinary practice, will any job do or are you looking for the best long-term fit?
Patterson Veterinary, Cure Partners, launch NaVetor cloud-based PMSJune 28, 2018Patterson Veterinary and Cure Partners have formed a new business, Technology Partner Innovations LLC, which is launching a cloud-based practice management software, NaVetor. "NaVetor was designed to be beautifully easy," said Ali Hashmat, CEO of Cure Partners. "The software was created uniquely for veterinary practices to follow veterinary professionals' work day and workflow." NaVetor's features include: Quick-view dashboard – Important information consolidated into a single view Appointment calendar – Customizable display to quickly schedule or reschedule appointments Whiteboard – Snapshot view of everything happening in the veterinary practice Electronic medical records – Create and maintain paperless medical records for each patient Billing and financial management – Streamline administrative processes and easily manage the business side of practice Inventory – Manage inventory electronically to take the guesswork out of ordering and reordering Reporting – Manage the business and identify growth areas Conversion and training – Onboarding and support Visit navetor.com for more information.
