VPN Plus+ ExclusiveThe ABCs behind the challenges of TPLOJuly 19, 2023Ask any small animal veterinarians what they consider the "gold standard" approach for cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs, and you will most likely hear, the "TPLO."1-7 From veterinary school forward, we hear from surgeons that the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) delivers a more rapid recovery and return to normal function, even when compared to other surgical techniques such as the tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) and the triple tibial osteotomy (TTO).8 In contrast to other procedures, the TPLO supposedly causes fewer complications, less meniscal injury, and slower progression of osteoarthritis. For those who are unfamiliar with this procedure and its history, the TPLO is a traumatic procedure, involving severing the tibia, changing the angle of the tibial plateau, and then plating the two parts of the tibia back together. By altering the dog's anatomy, the veterinarian hopes to stop the proximal tibia from thrusting forward during weightbearing and locomotion for canine patients whose cranial cruciate ligament has failed.9 Proponents claim this "restores normal limb function," but this is an impossible claim to defend.10 Altering structural conformation does not and cannot restore "normal" function for that dog, breed, or species. Moreover, one year after …
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VPN Plus+ ExclusiveCreative ways to schedule your teamsJuly 14, 2023One more consideration could be a game changer when looking at the team, efficiencies, and effectiveness when it comes to staffing: creative scheduling. Effective scheduling and staffing don’t have to be rigid. Rigidity in staffing is a cultural norm within veterinary medicine that we have all come to adopt as gospel. As managers and owners, we can step “outside of the box” we have built for ourselves and approach hiring, job descriptions, and scheduling creatively to meet the needs of both the practice and team members. Â
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveFirst National Pet Choking Prevention Day announcedJune 19, 2023The National Pet Choking Prevention Day campaign’s focus is to spread education to veterinarian professionals and pet owners about the everyday pet choking hazards around the home, the shocking statistics of how common (and avoidable) pet choking is, and the simple, yet important, ways we can come together to help eliminate these risks for beloved pets.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveExplaining the role of Approved Veterinary AssistantsJune 14, 2023According to PennWest California, the role of a CVT is to assist the veterinarian in a wide array of tasks- equating the role to a registered nurse in the human medical field.4 These tasks include medical/imaging procedures, anesthetic monitoring, and overall patient care. The role of an AVA is to assist the technician with these tasks—setting up supplies, running laboratory tests, assisting in physical exams, maintaining surgical and medical equipment. This could easily be equated to the role of a certified nurse assistant (CNA) in the human medical field.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveStudy shows equine clients drastically underestimate lifetime costsJune 8, 2023According to the Equine Lifetime of Care study, based on findings from 1,231 U.S. horse owners and nearly 30 equine veterinarians, horse owners nationwide deeply underestimate the lifetime of care costs for a horse, which ranges from nearly $300,000 to $924,000.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTips for adding a new graduate to your practiceJune 1, 2023The first, and most critical, element of adding a new graduate to your practice is accepting that daily practice life that must change: a new graduate completely alters the pace of the day. This acceptance is necessary from everyone. If that doesn’t make sense, thinking the receptionists, the technicians, and other doctors will be impacted, only the new graduate will be slower, you need to look at it in the context of a treadmill.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveA detailed look at ultrasound and vision – Part 2May 25, 2023Evaluate the cost of missing the lesion with respect to your patient, your pet owner client, your time, your team’s time, your image and report footprint, your reputation, and most of all how the cost of missing a lesion ultimately affects your art of veterinary medicine that you and your team have so painstakingly dedicated yourselves to all these years. Then look at these steps and knock off this checklist when looking at machines.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveDiagnosing cancer cases in general practice – 'Where do I start?'April 21, 2023Like most medical cases, a systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment is the best place to start. You do not need to know details of prognosis and survival times of every type of cancer to come up with a good diagnostic plan and starting point with your clients.
VPN Plus+ ExclusivePandemic technology, post-pandemicApril 12, 2023So much of what emerged during the pandemic and what is likely to stay is based in efficiency and sustainability. Most of these advancements make practices faster, leaner, more accurate, and greener. They offer incredible benefits and conveniences to the clients, the patients, the practice, the staff, and even the environment.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveNine affordable ideas to recognize your staffMarch 30, 2023Fortunately, showing your team how valuable they are doesn’t have to cost much to be meaningful. Here are some ideas that will put smiles on their faces, and warm their hearts, while having a gentle impact on the reality of your bottom line.
