Front-office hacks that make work easierMay 2, 2019Your client-care team members should be masters of multitasking and problem solvers. During my 22 years of coaching receptionists, I've discovered helpful tips and tricks that make running the front desk easier. You're going to want to get started now: 1) Get wireless headsets Because receptionists answer hundreds of calls daily, headsets will reduce back and neck pain caused from cradling phones on shoulders. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), doctors, chiropractors, and physiotherapists all advise using headsets. Studies show wearing a headset instead of holding the phone can improve productivity up to 43 percent.1 Headsets let receptionists talk and type, speeding up the time it takes to book appointments and process prescription refill requests. Headsets also can eliminate hold time. While wearing a wireless headset and talking with a client, the receptionist could walk to the pharmacy to confirm the pet owner's prescription refill is ready. A headset also keeps the microphone in the same position as receptionists move their heads and speak, so voices sound consistent to callers. Noise-canceling microphones can remove up to 75 percent of background noise, filtering out sounds of barking dogs and other ringing phones.1 Ask your phone equipment vendor which headsets are …
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Is the person you just hired a real CVT?May 2, 2019You don't have to be a human resources guru to ensure the person you're hiring is genuinely credentialed. Yet, fraud happens. When applying for a position, anyone can claim to be a credentialed veterinary technician/technologist (CVT) in good standing. But are they? It can be frustrating if you know someone who has falsely (either intentionally or through ignorance) represented himself/herself as a CVT to obtain a job. People who are CVTs in good standing have gone through a process to obtain these credentials (CVT, registered veterinary technician [RVT], licensed veterinary technician [LVT], or licensed veterinary medical technician [LVMT]). It's unfortunate when individuals apply for a position as a CVT (of any title) when they are unqualified. However, this is no excuse for the hiring manager not to perform due diligence in the hiring process, which includes verifying credentials. Defining proper job duties Hiring a new employee starts by defining the role of each team member, establishing a solid job description for the required expertise. These can be tweaked as needed for individual skill sets when a good fit is found. It is important to recognize the training CVTs receive. Ultimately, the requirements to be certified, registered, or licensed are …
IDEXX files voluntary dismissal in Vets First Choice lawsuitMay 2, 2019IDEXX Laboratories has dropped a lawsuit against two of its former staff members and Vets First Choice after alleging the employees took confidential material to their new employer. In a joint statement, Covetrus and IDEXX say they agreed to resolve the matter to an amicable resolution. The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice. (Covetrus is the newly formed company after Vets First Choice merged with Henry Schein.) Last August, IDEXX announced it was taking two former employees and Vets First Choice to court. The lawsuit stated Dan Leach and Agostino Scicchitano did not reveal they resigned from IDEXX to gain employment with Vets First Choice and engaged in alleged "actual and/or threatened misappropriation of trade secrets." Further, it claimed the two employees took private information from company computers when they moved to their new employer. In the statement, Covetrus and IDEXX acknowledge "their respective obligations to their customers and employees to take appropriate measures to safeguard and ensure proper handling of confidential information." IDEXX was seeking unspecified monetary damages, punitive damages, and legal fees. The company's lawyers were also asking for an injunction to block the defendants' "actual or threatened disclosure or utilization of IDEXX's trade secrets."
VCA releases social impact reportMay 2, 2019Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) has released its first social impact report highlighting its fundraising achievements and commitment to veterinarians. This is part of the company's new series of annual reports, which will bring transparency to its animal welfare efforts. "We always strive to change lives for the better, and in the process, our own hearts are forever transformed, inspiring us to work ever harder for the pets who deserve nothing less than the very best we can give," says VCA cofounder and chief executive officer, Bob Antin. "We care. Since our founding in 1986, our unflagging commitment to pets has inspired us to go to ever greater lengths to ensure their health, safety, and happiness." One of VCA's main goals is to better the lives of animals across the U.S. and Canada through philanthropic outreach. In 2018, it raised $1 million in donations and provided more than $1 million in pre-adoption medical care to animal welfare groups across the U.S. During disasters such as the California Woolsey Fires and Hurricane Florence, more than 100 VCA hospitals helped out during the crisis. They aided with the evacuation of animals and provided no-charge health exams and vaccinations. VCA says it …
Blue Buffalo and Petco Foundation award cancer research grant to Morris Animal FoundationMay 1, 2019Blue Buffalo and Petco Foundation have joined forces to award a $250,000-grant to Morris Animal Foundation to fund its feline cancer studies. "Blue Buffalo is thrilled to partner once again with Petco Foundation to support Morris Animal Foundation in its fight against cancer, a terrible disease causing 50 percent of health-related pet deaths," says company vice-president, David Petrie. "Research is expensive, and we are proud to help fund studies that will lead to better health outcomes for dogs and cats." Cancer is the second leading cause of death in cats. In the U.S., more than 12 million pets are diagnosed with the disease every year. Since 1962, Morris Animal Foundation has funded more than 300 cancer studies and invested approximately $40 million. "We are deeply grateful for this meaningful gift, which will help us continue to advance cancer care," says Morris Animal Foundation president and chief executive officer, Tiffany Grunert. "It is through support like this that we're able to fund the best, most impactful studies, forging a path to a world where all cancers are treatable and more cures possible." Funding for Morris Animal Foundation has led to multiple breakthroughs and advancements in cancer care animals everywhere. This …
Purdue University to get new veterinary hospitalMay 1, 2019Pending formal approval, Purdue University is set to move ahead with the construction of a new Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The $108-million project will comprise small- and large-animal facilities, including new hospitals for equine and farm-animal patients. The current small-animal hospital will be renovated to modernize its facilities. "With this support, we can say Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine's dream of having a new state-of-the-art hospital facility will become a reality," says its dean, Willie Reed. Purdue has committed $35 million to the project and Indiana recently approved a $73-million appropriation. Currently, the facility serves more than: 16,400 patients through the small-animal hospital; 1,800 patients in the large-animal hospital; and 23,000 food animals and horses through on-farm visits conducted by the Food Animal and Equine Ambulatory Services.
HSVMA accepting applications for veterinary student scholarshipApril 30, 2019The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) Compassionate Care Veterinary Student Scholarship is now open for applications. Three scholarships ($3000, $2000, and $1500) will be awarded to veterinary students who have demonstrated an interest in and commitment to animal welfare, animal rights, or animal protection in veterinary medicine. Only first-, second-, and third-year students who are enrolled in an American Veterinary Medical Association- (AVMA-) accredited veterinary school in Canada or the United States can apply. Students must provide two letters of recommendation, their transcripts, and exhibit a need for financial aid. The deadline to apply online is May 31.
Elanco Animal Health to acquire Aratana TherapeuticsApril 30, 2019Elanco Animal Health has signed an agreement to acquire Aratana Therapeutics. The deal allows Elanco to integrate the Aratana portfolio of pet therapeutics into its companion animal therapeutics business. "Aratana has been one of the most innovative start-ups in animal health, bringing breakthrough solutions to the market," says Elanco president and chief executive officer, Jeff Simmons. "We look forward to putting greater energy behind these brands with our increased share of voice in the field and leveraging." The deal is structured as a stock-for-stock transaction and remains subject to customary closing conditions. The contract must be approved by Aratana stockholders and clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. "This proposed transaction acknowledges Aratana's contribution of pet therapeutics to the animal health industry, specifically recognizing our strong track record as a drug developer and our field team's unmatched expertise delivering innovation to veterinary specialists," says Aratana president and chief executive officer, Craig Tooman. "We believe Elanco will help expand our portfolio with its substantial resources and presence within the companion animal segment."
Is cranberry effective for treating UTIs?April 29, 2019Like most herbal remedies, cranberry has traditionally been employed for a wide variety of unrelated problems, ranging from diseases of the liver and stomach to blood disorders and even cancer.1 These days, however, it is pretty firmly established in the minds of pet owners—and many veterinary professionals—as useful for urinary tract infections (UTIs). It may be surprising, then, to learn there is little convincing evidence to support the effectiveness of cranberry in preventing or treating UTI. The question of whether cranberries, in some form, have value in treating or preventing UTIs is a pretty old one. In addition to historical claims among herbal medicine practitioners, there are scientific references on the subject going back to the 1960s.2 An early theoretical rationale for using cranberry to treat UTIs was it inhibited bacterial growth by acidifying the urine.3,4 However, later research has not substantiated this theory, and this rationale is no longer commonly used to explain the purported benefits of cranberry in preventing or treating a UTI.1,5 The more popular theory today is compounds in cranberry juice, particularly a group called proanthocyanidins, interfere with the attachment of some bacteria to the bladder mucosa, reducing colonization and the establishment of infection.6,7 This …
Brain Teaser: Can you solve this puzzle?April 29, 2019 Presentation Mass at the tip of the penis of a two-year-old Yorkshire. Challenge 1) Name two differential diagnoses if the mass is benign. 2) Name at least three differential diagnoses if the mass is malignant. 3) What is the "conservative" treatment (assume a benign tumor or a resectable tumor)? 4) What is the "radical" treatment (assume a malignant or non resectable tumor)? Check the answers on the next page.
