University of California, Davis ranked number one U.S. veterinary medicine schoolMarch 15, 2019University of California, Davis is the best school for veterinary medicine in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. The results were released as part of the 2020 U.S. News Best Graduate Schools Rankings. These are the 28 best schools for veterinary medicine: 1) University of California, Davis 2) Cornell University 3) Colorado State University 4) North Carolina State University 5) Ohio State University 6) Texas A&M University, College Station 7) University of Pennsylvania 8) University of Wisconsin, Madison 9) University of Florida 10) University of Georgia 11) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 12) Tufts University 13) Purdue University, West Lafayette 14) Auburn University 15) Iowa State University 16) Washington State University 17) Michigan State University 18) Virginia Tech, University of Maryland 19) Kansas State University 20) University of Missouri 21) University of Tennessee, Knoxville 22) Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 23) University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 24) Mississippi State University, Oregon State University (tied) 25) Oklahoma State University - Tuskegee University, (rank not published (RNP) - Western University of Health …
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CT or MRI? When to use each and whyMarch 15, 2019Use MRI for meningitis, encephalitis, fibrocartilaginous embolism, malignancy of liver tumors, muscle tears and strains, and cranial cruciate rupture, says Tony Pease, DVM, MS, DACVR, chief veterinary medical officer of the Western Veterinary Conference Oquendo Center in Las Vegas, Nev. For fragmented medial coronoid processes, dental disease, 3-D reconstructions, and small bone fractures, use CT, he advises. "In general, MRI can see more medically treated lesions, but CT and MRI can see lesions that are amenable with surgery," Dr. Pease says. "However, gastrointestinal lesions are questionable. The motion of the gastrointestinal tract makes large artifacts, as does metal (e.g. microchips), which is not a factor with CT as opposed to MRI." MRI is preferred whenever disease of the central nervous system is suspected, says Nathan C. Nelson DVM, MS, DACVR, clinical associate professor of radiology at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. "MRI has excellent ability to image soft tissue structures and is able to differentiate gray matter, white matter, nerves, and cerebrospinal fluid to a much greater extent than CT," Dr. Nelson says. "In any case, where brain disease is suspected—such as the acutely seizing dog or the dog with sudden behavior change—MRI is the …
Salt Lake City, Utah, tops the list of heartworm cities for February in the U.S.March 15, 2019Salt Lake City, Utah, was the number one city for heartworms in February according to Companion Animal Parasite Council's (CAPC's) top 10 list. The monthly report warns pet owners, veterinarians, and pet-related service providers of U.S. metropolitan areas with highest percentage increase in positive heartworm tests. CAPC is devoted to monitoring and reporting emerging threats to pets. "The new CAPC Top 10 Cities Heartworm Report demonstrates heartworm disease—transmitted by mosquitoes—is a national threat to pets who are increasingly vulnerable to this debilitating and potentially fatal illness in most communities across the country," says CAPC board member, Michael Yabsley, MS, PhD, FRES. These are the U.S. cities with the highest percentage increase in positive heartworm tests for February: 1) Salt Lake City, Utah 2) Alexandria, Va. 3) Riverside, Calif. 4) Topeka, Kans. 5) El Paso, Tex. 6) Paterson, N.J. 7) Chesapeake, Va. 8) Reno, Nev. 9) Modesto, Calif. 10) Boise, Idaho "It takes just one heartworm-infected dog in an area to become a reservoir of infection, increasing the number of infected mosquitoes and ultimately spreading the heartworm parasite to unprotected dogs and cats," Yabsley says. "This is why CAPC recommends monthly …
Second annual ALSC symposium to take place in Phoenix, Ariz.March 14, 2019Veterinarians looking to learn more about surgical CO2 lasers can get their fill at the American Laser Study Club (ALSC) symposium. Held in Phoenix, Ariz., from March 29 to 31, the event will feature the following laser-surgery techniques and photobiomodulation topics: • "A comparison between carbon dioxide surgical laser and non-laser excision of cutaneous and subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas and mast cell tumors in dogs"—Lori Agulian, DVM; • "Comparison of the hemodynamic response in general anesthesia between patients submitted to skin incision with scalpel and CO2 laser using dogs as an animal model"—Pedro Azevedo, DVM, MSc, Pst-Grd; • "Veterinary oral laser surgery: Ahhh!"—Noel A. Berger, DVM, MS, Dip. ABLS; • "Surgical lasers in veterinary medicine"—David S. Bradley, DVM, FASLMS; • "Laser therapy simplified: A quick review of what you really need to know"—David S. Bradley, DVM, FASLMS; • "Comparison of the influence of CO2-laser and scalpel skin incisions on the surgical wound healing process"—Miguel Carreira, PhD, MSc, DTO, Pst-Grd, DMD, DVM; • "Comparative study on the plasmatic CRP level variation in dogs undergoing surgery with CO2 laser and scalpel blade incisions in a pre- and post-surgical time-point"—Miguel Carreira, PhD, MSc, DTO, Pst-Grd, DMD, DVM;
Seven secrets for spring cleaning your practice and your lifeMarch 14, 2019Whether out of fear of missing out (aka loss aversion), getting in trouble, or that it might be useful someday, we accumulate an extravagant amount of stuff, both physical and virtual. We've all read articles about the importance of spring cleaning and how to declutter your life. Unfortunately, most articles usually focus on physical objects, rather than the multiple facets that make up your every day. Imagine how much better you would feel knowing you are free of all types of clutter, well beyond your secret junk drawer. We are going to help you do just. All you have to do is commit the desire and the time to do it. 1) Spring cleaning in your personal life Spring is a perfect opportunity to rid your life of toxic relationships (or any relationship) that infects it with negativity and bad influence. How much better would you feel if you got rid of them? In some cases, you may not be able to cut the ties completely. So stretch them! Make the necessary changes to get away from soul-sucking individuals and get closer to positive, happy, and compassionate people. 2) Spring cleaning in your home Remember this mantra of spring …
Why your front-desk team sucksMarch 13, 2019Do you remember the first time you told a pet owner her dog was dying? You were sweating bullets, struggling to find the right words, and tried your best to be honest and compassionate. I'm going to have a similar conversation with you. Your front-desk team is in critical condition. If you don't resuscitate your employees, client relationships will die. Every client interaction begins and ends with your client-care team. From the phone call to book an exam to collecting payment at checkout, your front-office staff impacts your hospital's revenue and client relationships. Here are your team's ailments and how to cure them: 1)They don't know your standards of care. As a mystery caller, I explained I had recently moved from another state and received an email from my previous veterinarian that my dog was due for a checkup. I asked which vaccines would be needed in our new community and the cost. The employee replied, "The shots are always up to you, but we usually do leptospirosis, distemper, rabies, and bordetella." Describe core vaccines with confidence, rather than "shots are up to you." Miscommunication of basic medical information is commonplace. In another call about a 16-week-old kitten, …
Veterinary Dentistry Specialists expands with new clinic in Chadds Ford, PaMarch 13, 2019Dogs and cats in Chadds Ford, Pa., will now have access to advanced dental care by board-certified veterinary specialists in dentistry and anesthesia. Veterinary Dentistry Specialists (VDS) is opening a second clinic, expanding its services from its original location in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Owned by Carlos Rice, DVM, DAVDC, Veterinary Dentistry Specialists is one of few dentistry practices where a full-time, board-certified veterinary dentist and a full-time, board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist work alongside each other. Veterinary dentist and Veterinary Practice News columnist, John Lewis, VMD, FAVD, DAVDC, and veterinary anesthesiologist, S. Bryce Dooley, DVM, MS, DACVAA, will be at the helm of the new clinic. "We spent a large amount of time and resources creating a facility showcasing the future of veterinary dentistry," Dr. Lewis says. "I think it's safe to say this facility rivals even the best medical facilities for humans. We are excited to open our doors and provide concierge-level care for pets in the region." VDS offers advanced services for the care of orofacial conditions and diseases, which affect the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face. The services cover tooth restoration, periodontal surgery, oral oncologic surgery, jaw fractures, salivary gland diseases, endodontics, orthodontics, palate surgery, etc. There are …
Zoetis's K-9 Courage Program honors retired veteran dogsMarch 13, 2019Today is National K9 Veterans Day, and Zoetis's K-9 Courage Program has partnered up with Mission K9 Rescue to celebrate four-legged veterans. K-9 Courage supports approximately 650 dogs every year by providing the owner of each dog with a $300 debit card, which can be put toward veterinary expenses. The "Paws and Give Thanks" campaign focuses on retired military and police dogs that have had an impact on the safety of the public and continue to live happily with the help of the program. "K9 Veterans Day is the perfect time to honor retired working dogs for their brave service, which too often gets overlooked or taken for granted," says Zoetis Petcare marketing executive director, J. Michael McFarland, DVM, DABVP. "Partnering with Mission K9 Rescue provides Zoetis Petcare with the opportunity to give back to even more retired military and police dogs, which have dedicated their lives to provide us with protection, happiness, and freedom, both at home and abroad." Mission K9 Rescue is a nonprofit organization that works to rescue, reunite, re-home, and rehabilitate retired working dogs. Since 2014, the organization has saved and transported hundreds of retired war dogs from overseas. Mission K9 Rescue has also donated …
Synchrony acquires Pets Best to expand CareCredit platformMarch 12, 2019Pets Best will now operate under Synchrony's CareCredit to offer pet parents more options to pay for veterinary care. "With Pets Best, we now have unique insight into the fast-growing pet health insurance market and can offer pet owners more choices for their pet's care," says CareCredit CEO, Beto Casellas. "This acquisition will further strengthen our strong veterinary relationships by giving veterinarians the ability to offer comprehensive financial options and a seamless customer experience." Pets Best has more than 125,000 pet health insurance policies, more than one million claims processed, and payouts of $200 million in claims. "CareCredit has unmatched expertise with consumer financing in the veterinary industry, and their digital-first, customer-focused culture perfectly complements our priorities," says Pets Best president, Chris Middleton. "Joining forces with CareCredit, we can quickly scale our offerings and provide a full suite of financing options to our customers, benefiting veterinarians, pet parents, and ultimately pets for the long term." As a result of the acquisition, CareCredit will offer consumers comprehensive care for their pets by merging financing and insurance options.
Osteosarcoma: Beyond amputation and euthanasiaMarch 12, 2019When a patient is diagnosed with osteosarcoma, we tend to focus on three options: • the "gold standard," i.e. amputation with or without chemotherapy; • what many call palliative care, meaning pain medication and rest; or • euthanasia. But what if amputation is not an option? What if chemotherapy or radiation is out of the owner's financial capabilities? Or a couple of medications are not enough to numb the pain? What if visible metastasis to the lungs is already present? Bob Stein, DVM, pain management guru and founder of the Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia Support Group (www.vasg.org), recently shared another valid option.* "With my suggested approach, we can often provide quality of life to even large-breed dogs for six to 12 months and sometimes more than 20." Let's detail Dr. Stein's protocol. Pamidronate Pamidronate, a bisphosphonate, is an injectable drug that is inexpensive and easy to administer (ref: TM Fan et al. JVIM 2007). It helps to reduce pain (in 30 to 50 percent of patients), inhibit bone osteolysis, and has potential cancer-suppression effects by impeding proliferation and inducing apoptosis. The drug has a wide safety margin and can even be used on patients with renal or …
