Rethinking euthanasiaAugust 21, 2018As veterinarians, we need to rethink what a meaningful and spiritual honor it truly is for us to oversee and minister compassionate euthanasia services for beloved pets.
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IDEXX-Direct rapid overnight service expands to rural US vet practicesAugust 21, 2018IDEXX Laboratories Inc., announced its U.S. reference laboratory division will expand its rapid overnight service, known as IDEXX-Direct service, to thousands of rural U.S. veterinary practices. A new, state-of-the-art reference laboratory in Louisville, Ky., offers veterinary hospitals the latest possible patient sample pick-up time with next-morning results, the company stated. The advanced laboratory and expanded IDEXX-Direct service are part of a national network of laboratories and logistics that serves more than 20,000 customers in the U.S. Set to open in September, the laboratory is intended to complement the company's other reference laboratory in Memphis, Tenn., which supports IDEXX-Direct service and is also located near a national carrier hub. "Before IDEXX made this major expansion with a new national carrier, we'd need to wait an additional 24 hours or more if we missed our pick-up window—but we don't always have time to wait for a result," said Ken Greene, DVM, owner of Philema Animal Clinic in Leesburg, Ga. "There are important tests we can only get with IDEXX, and this later pick-up option will help us to get results faster and ultimately provide better care." For more information on IDEXX Reference Laboratories, visit idexx.com.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever epidemic at US border, study saysAugust 21, 2018A study published by the School of Veterinary Medicine at Universidad Autonoma de Baja California and the University of California, Davis says ticks are causing a deadly Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) epidemic in Mexico, and health officials are concerned it could spread to the U.S. Dr. Luis Tinoco-Gracia, a research professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Universidad Autonoma de Baja California and director of the Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Sciences, in Mexicali, Mexico, and colleagues from the University of California, Davis published the report in the September 2018 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's public health journal. The RMSF epidemic began in 2008 in Mexicali, adjacent to the U.S. border in Baja California. In 2014, a fatal human case was reported in Imperial County, Calif. In 2015, the Mexican Ministry of Health declared an epidemiologic emergency, which as of 2018 has affected approximately 4,000 people. Since that time, four people who have been carrying the disease and crossed the border to the U.S. have died. Overall, since 2000, the incidence of RMSF in the U.S. has increased markedly, the study authors said. "Overall, since 2000, in …
BabelBark gains $4.5 million Series A funding to spur growthAugust 20, 2018BabelBark Inc., a pet related software developer, has announced the completion of its Series A funding target, reaching a sum of $4.5 million. Launched in 2016, BabelBark connects pets with pet care businesses (i.e. veterinary practices, trainers, shelters, groomers, walkers, pet sitters, boarding kennels, and more) through a digital platform with a mobile application. It offers activity monitoring as well as connection to primary care and emergency veterinary services, medical records and medication reminders, regional/local pet service providers, and products designed to help pet parents monitor and manage their pet's unique needs. Since the beginning of 2018 the company has seen a 300 percent growth in the number of dogs connected to the multifaceted platform resulting in additional funding that surpassed the original target of $2.9 million. The surplus will be used toward the company's global expansion as well as more marketing resources and recruiting top talent. "We are excited for this strong financial support from both of our new and existing investors who share our vision to connect everyone in a pet's life," said Roy Stein, founder and CEO. "We are ahead of our targets in every parameter and this funding expansion will help us reach more than …
Meeting the CKD nutrition challengeAugust 20, 2018Chronic kidney disease is seen in 28 to 31 percent of geriatric cats and 7 percent of dogs. While there’s no cure, many studies show dietary management with a therapeutic renal diet containing high-quality protein and reduced phosphorus can help to slow progression and give pets with CKD better quality of life by decreasing the body’s production of waste products and maintaining normal blood pressure.
Nonsurgical treatment of CCL tearsAugust 17, 2018The message was from a colleague, a veterinary surgeon who was referring a Tosa Inu to Georgia Veterinary Rehabilitation Fitness and Pain Management, my rehabilitation-only practice outside Atlanta, for bilateral CCL tears. The owners had declined surgery for Mei Mei, a very lean 8-year-old 160-pound intact male who lumbered into my office with a significant limp in his left hind leg and short striding in the right hind. After confirming what my colleague had found—bilateral cranial drawers, medial buttressing, effusion, and a significant click on the left side—I discussed how to treat a torn CCL with the owners. As a board-certified rehabilitation specialist, I am the first person to recommend nonsurgical treatment for cases in which it is indicated, and in my opinion, this was not one of them. I have had great success treating torn CCLs conservatively in dogs less than 30 pounds or less active, older, and generally smaller dogs. Although not an active dog, Mei Mei certainly wasn’t small. However, Mei Mei’s owners were moving out of state in 11 days to an area with dozens of acres. He had not healed well from a mass removal on his hip the month prior and had chronic skin infections. Surgery was out of the question.
VIN Foundation enhances veterinary Cost of Education MapAugust 17, 2018The VIN Foundation, a nonprofit that provides tools and resources to support veterinary students and veterinarians throughout their careers, has updated its Cost of Education Map, which was developed to help preveterinary students make better informed decisions when applying to veterinary school. Veterinary school costs vary widely among schools and within schools depending on whether the applicant qualifies for a discounted seat based on residency. The foundation said its goal in generating this tool is to enable students to apply smarter, seeking the high-quality education they desire at the most reasonable cost. New to this latest version of the Cost of Education Map: Information for United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand veterinary schools International residency options The ability to compare costs from any number of schools side by side Clear labeling of AVMA-accredited schools Improved layout with veterinary school costs summaries Updates to all school data "It is our job to provide preveterinary students with the most reliable information available so they are able to make the most informed decision when choosing a veterinary school," said Richard Headley, VIN Foundation board president. "The Cost of Education Map provides vital information critical in helping prevets determine …
Doing veterinary dentistry rightAugust 17, 2018According to many veterinary professionals, the single greatest piece of advice for purchasing dental equipment is: don’t skimp.
Veterinary practice trends webinar highlights further industry consolidationAugust 17, 2018In just five years, 25 percent of veterinary practices, accounting for half of all veterinary visits, will be corporately owned, according to Brakke Consulting. During a webinar presented at the end of June, "Hot Topics in Veterinary Practice," Brakke senior consultant John Volk said myriad variables were contributing to the trend: looming mass veterinarian retirement, fewer vets wanting to own practices, low interest rates and high interest for investors, and more. The webinar also discussed the largest veterinary consolidators; Banfield Pet Hospital and VCA lead the way with nearly 2,000 practices; National Veterinary Associates counts more than 400 clinics, and VetCor has more than 200. Something corporate outfits can offer that consumers want is the convenience of pet health plans, which allow pet owners to pay in regular installments, increase clinic visits and revenue, improve patient care, attract new clients, and build a bond between the practice and the client. To counteract corporate sales, Volk said associates should work with a current owner, partner with others, and focus on one- and two-doctor practices. Other sectors of the profession mimic the consolidation trend. The top five animal drug manufacturers, Bayer Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, Elanco Animal Health, …
Diabetes and dental diseaseAugust 16, 2018As veterinary practitioners, we see our fair share of diabetic patients who require extensive dental work. The goal with these patients is to improve their quality of life and, in some cases, improve glycemic control by removing a source of chronic infection in the form of periodontal disease. The challenge is to “do no harm” in the process. Invariably, oral surgery will set back the appetite of any patient. Lack of appetite becomes a bigger issue when a patient has diabetes and is supplemented with injectable insulin.
