VPN Plus+ ExclusiveWhen is a canine seizure a brain tumor?March 24, 2023The neurological exam can be broken into hands-off and hands-on sections. In a patient with seizures, and, therefore by default, a neurolocalization of the prosencephalon, evaluating the patient’s mentation, how they navigate the room, postural reactions, and cranial nerve testing will be the most informative parts of the exam.
SPONSORED CONTENTThe Case for Year-Round Heartworm Prevention and Affordable OptionsVeterinarians are often more than just clinicians - they’re advisors, educators, and, increasingly, financial counselors. In today’s economy, pet owners may hesitate to invest in year-round prevention due to budget constraints; but, skipping even a few months of heartworm protection can have serious consequences. + Learn More
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveA detailed look at ultrasound and vision – Part 1March 9, 2023The consistently best results for your practice depend on your ability to thoroughly investigate key issues surrounding the ultrasound machine, those who drive it, and those who indirectly utilize it. Rapid selection of an ultrasound machine, or one given to you in a lab deal without thorough investigation, more often than not leads to suboptimal utilization and frustration in your clinical sonography curve and implementation. It may even result in machine quiescence in practice.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveHealing through farm or pharma?March 3, 2023If insufficient research exists for a particular herb or herbal mixture, then how can you confidently prescribe it for patients? If an animal experiences an untoward outcome and a client complains to the veterinary board, who does the agency contact? You. Without scientific evidence available to defend your approach, claiming to be “certified” in a field such as Chinese herbal medicine may fall flat without facts to back up what you learned to do.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveWhy title protection mattersFebruary 9, 2023The justification behind title change efforts is multi-faceted. Title change is an effort to simplify public education and understanding of what the veterinary technician's role on the team is. Some proponents believe a title change will translate into better pay for vet techs. Others believe a new title will end the pervasive title misuse currently occurring at all levels within the veterinary profession.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveBoomers, gen-xers, millennials, oh my!February 1, 2023When discussing management methods and styles, generational differences are often overlooked, but can be a huge asset to encouraging teamwork. Indeed, the backbone of the veterinary field is teamwork, so becoming knowledgeable about how individual teammates think and interact will be a benefit to management.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveConsider end-of-life care as a careerJanuary 26, 2023A survey launched in the summer of 2022 explored the personalities and career paths of veterinarians who have devoted the next chapter of their careers to EOL. In collaboration with the IAAHPC, the survey sought to identify what facets of death care appeals to veterinarians in particular. The questions and choices reflected what the survey authors (the authors of this article) already knew to be general motivators and situations found in the end-of-life industry. While themes regularly emerged, a study had yet to reveal the data necessary to understand EOL professional drivers.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveTotally tubular feeding tipsJanuary 12, 2023Early enteral feeding is supported by preserving gastrointestinal integrity, reducing bacterial translocation, and improving immune function.3 Successful support and management through assisted feeding methods involves identifying those most likely to benefit from nutritional support, making an appropriate nutrition assessment, early intervention, proper tube selection for length of time nutrition support is needed, implementing an effective nutrition plan, and follow-up.
VPN Plus+ ExclusivePreparing to launch your brand onlineDecember 8, 2022Whether you have been in business for years or are planning on debuting your new brand in 2023, there are steps you can take to prepare your brand for its online launch. Each brand is unique. Increasing awareness, reaching existing or new clients, and aligning with your business’s key performance indicators (KPIs) are all incentives for launching or relaunching your brand’s online presence.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveQuestions about anti-nerve growth factor drugsDecember 1, 2022When the guidelines first showed up, most veterinarians couldn’t even access antiNGF mAB drugs. The feline version, frunevetmab, received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval on January 13, 2022, but it remained unavailable to most veterinarians well into the summer. We still do not know when, or if, the canine version will receive a green light from the FDA.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveA primer on 19 common chicken diseases and treatmentsNovember 24, 2022With poultry becoming popular backyard pets, you may have clients also ask you about their chickens, when they come in with their dog or cat. While clinics may not be seeing poultry as their patients, it is not a bad idea to be at least familiar with the basics of poultry medicine and be able to provide some guidance about chickens or other poultry.