Spreading The WarmthAugust 31, 2009 Like most veterinary technicians, Brad Schaefer tackles a daily to-do list that’s long and varied. Still, there’s no hesitation when he’s asked to name his least-favorite duty. “I’m not a fan of euthanasia cases,” says Schaefer, head veterinary technician at River Road Animal Hospital in Southport, N.C. Luckily, he notes, there’s a task at the other end of the care spectrum. With lightning speed, Class IV laser therapy swings the balance of …
Education Center - SponsoredPRP Therapeutics: Common Indications and Dosingby • VetStem, Inc.Today, the veterinary practitioner has many product choices for regenerative medicine. It is important to understand how and why these products work in the area of interest to maximize your patient's opportunity for success.
In-House Lab Equipment Passes TestAugust 31, 2009 What could be more important than making your clients’ clinic experience as convenient as possible? How about better protecting the health of their pets by adding capabilities to your practice? Of course, nothing says you can’t do both, notes Gary D. Norsworthy, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (feline practice). Convenience and cutting-edge care are at the heart of his clinic’s shift to in-house lab analysis. Dr. Norsworthy’s hospital, Alamo Feline Health Center in …
Dealing With Daily DilemmasAugust 21, 2009 I received some responses regarding my August column about “Food Inc.,” a documentary film released this past summer. No doubt, there are animal welfare issues in the field of food animal production that will put some veterinarians at odds with other veterinarians. Part of my job is to raise awareness of issues that affect our profession and how we serve society. The information quoted in my article came from the documentary. …
Some Disturbing Food For ThoughtAugust 6, 2009 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that food-borne illness affects 76 million Americans annually; 325,000 adults and children become sick enough to be hospitalized and 5,000 die. Reading List “Fast Food Nation,” . “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food,” . “Stuffed …
Foods Can Play Role In Allergy CareAugust 5, 2009 From elimination diets to hydrolyzed foods, novel proteins to Chinese therapy, many tools serve the quest to identify and treat food allergies in pets. But in the end, doesn’t solving the riddle of a pet’s allergic reactions really come down to the uncertainties of trial and error? Hana, a 7-year-old female Leonberger, was presented to Dr. Signe Beebe in March. Hana was covered with bald patches and sores caused by …
Planning Pet Care Can Help Clients Pay BillsJuly 10, 2009 Follow Veterinary Practice News on Twitter at @vetpetnews. Most veterinarians didn’t go to school to become financial planners. Yet, many spend lots of time discussing finances with their clients. After all, veterinary care costs money, and when that money isn’t available, the pets ultimately suffer. Making a Case for Insurance On the surface, pet insurance may seem …
Why Is Deception So Common?June 30, 2009 It has always bothered me when doctors and nurses blandly tell dying human patients that they will be “OK.” I am also bothered when I hear veterinarians and their support staff tell pet owners that their pet is going to be “all right” despite a poor prognosis looming overhead. We may feel guilty if we take away a person’s hope, but should we lie about reality? Deception is all too common a habit …
Vets Offer Tips On Keeping Pets Calm For July 4 FireworksJune 26, 2009With the Fourth of July around the corner, a day of energetic festivities often involving fireworks and loud noises, veterinarians are promoting tips on how to keep pets calm during the holiday. For instance, Rolan Tripp, DVM, founder of the Animal Behavior Network, has made available to veterinarians free lobby posters and hand outs outlining canine fireworks noise phobia. Dr. Tripp defines noise phobia as “an excessive, unreasonable fear response to …
80% Reimbursement: A Straightforward Model For Pet Health InsuranceJune 25, 2009Pets Best Insurance In an 80:20 insurance plan, the insurance carrier reimburses 80 percent of eligible veterinary costs to the insured client after the deductible. The client is responsible for his 20 percent co-payment and deductible. There may also be per-incident, annual and lifetime limits, and the client is responsible for payment if these are exceeded. An 80:20 plan provides all parties with easy to understand rules regarding how much is being covered by the …
Learn About Continuing EducationJune 10, 2009 When it’s time for veterinarians and staff members to log required continuing education hours, they have multiple options and even more opportunities for professional development in their areas of interest. Large national and regional conferences are wonderful places to acquire a lot of CE in a short time while networking with peers. But for those who can’t get away from the practice, there are other options as well. Short Hops Most state …
