10 golden rules of cancer surgeryFebruary 20, 2019Surgery plays a critical role in the management of cancer. One significant advantage of surgery is a chance at an immediate cure—after a single session. No other treatment modality can offer that. Here are 10 rules that must be followed to ensure the best possible surgical outcome. Do the math: Surgery is only 10 percent of the entire story. What follows mainly pertains to skin masses, but it applies to any tumor, even intrathoracic or intra-abdominal. 1) Client communication Whenever a mass is discovered, it is important to take the time to prepare the client for the worst, while hoping for the best. Don't sugarcoat things. Don't make assumptions. Don't claim to have microscopic vision. Don't overpromise. Remember, for example, that a mast cell tumor is called "the great imitator" for a reason. It can feel like anything, including a lipoma. 2) Preop workup Even though we typically say you can't diagnose cancer by looking at blood work, it will occasionally show abnormalities, such as infection, hypercalcemia, or increased liver values. Staging the patient (i.e. determining the extent of the disease) is a mandatory part of the preop workup. Before surgery is ever considered, perform three views of the thorax …
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What veterinarians can learn from the Sears bankruptcyFebruary 20, 2019Sears, one of America's longest standing household names, recently raised the white flag and filed for bankruptcy. Started by Robert Sears in 1886, the company bearing his name clearly struggled in the past few years. The reasons are important and somewhat universal lessons to be applied. So how can veterinarians avoid mistakes that brought a 133-year-old iconic business to its knees? Adapt or die Sears was a pioneer in catalog sales, but slow to change with the times. More recently, it struggled to compete with Walmart and other big box stores. Similarly, veterinary practices face competition from multiple "players," including low-cost vaccine businesses (e.g. farm stores, feed stores, human pharmacies, pet stores), spay and neuter clinics, and even local family practices. This has profoundly affected the profitability of practices that relied heavily on "yearly shots," instead of focusing on the importance of (bi)yearly physical exams. Sadly, this philosophy made vaccines look like commodities, which means clients are likely to gravitate to the cheaper provider. Another factor that has historically affected revenue is the development of three-year vaccines. Again, those of us who didn't stress the value and importance of a (bi)annual exam are now facing clients who feel they …
Duck receives custom-made wheelchair to help it walkFebruary 20, 2019Walkin’ Pets has created it’s first-ever Duck Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair, a custom-built cart to help Merlin the duck get the exercise he needs.
FDA finds potential link between diet and canine DCMFebruary 20, 2019According to reports investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), a large proportion of diets in canine DCM cases—both grain-free and grain-containing—include peas and/or lentils in various forms as a main ingredient.
Early bird registration open for WSAVA/CVMA 2019 CongressFebruary 19, 2019The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) are partnering to host the annual international congress in Toronto, Canada, from July 16 to 19.
Trupanion to donate $5 on behalf of every visitor at WVC for pets in needFebruary 15, 2019Instead of giving out trinkets, a pet insurance provider will use its booth at the upcoming Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) in Las Vegas, Nev., to help animals in need.
Study shows African swine fever can be transmitted through feedFebruary 15, 2019New information is being learned about how the currently circulating strain of African swine fever (ASF) could spread in feed and feed ingredients.
Is there a gold-standard test for adverse food reactions?February 14, 2019Some of the most common conditions seen in small-animal practice are gastrointestinal complaints, such as vomiting and diarrhea, and skin problems, including pruritis.1 Among the many differential diagnoses for these symptoms are adverse food reactions (AFRs).
Iowa police officer charged with stealing narcotics from veterinary clinicFebruary 14, 2019An Iowa police officer has been charged with stealing drugs from a local veterinary clinic.
Report highlights growing pressure on pet industry to produce sustainable productsFebruary 14, 2019According to new report by the World Pet Association (WPA) and the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), only 23 percent of pet industry professionals rank their own sustainability program as effective, while 26 percent report they have no sustainability program at all.
