What the future may hold for televeterinary practiceOctober 4, 2018As a veterinary futurist, it seems to me the rate of change in our profession is increasing, which could lead to an economic boon for practically every segment of the veterinary profession. I believe the greatest opportunity for the profession in the coming decades is providing veterinary education, experience, and expertise remotely to pet owners in the emerging middle class in developing countries. Remote teleconsulting regarding food and nondomestic animals will likely increase, but in light of the human-animal bond, I believe the explosive growth will be in helping inexperienced pet owners access companion animal health care.
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Improving the veterinary experience for catsSeptember 6, 2018It's doubtful any kind of service business is capable of receiving a near-perfect satisfaction rate, including most veterinary practices—except for those that are certified as Cat Friendly Practices (CFP). In January, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) announced the results of its 2017 Cat Friendly Practice Survey, which found a 99 percent satisfaction rate among participating veterinary clinics. The CFP program is a collaboration of feline experts who provide guidelines to ensure a more positive and less stressful veterinary experience for cats and their owners. According to Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, MS, DABVP, AAFP co-chair of CFP, it was a long time coming. "There was recognition that the experience of cats and their owners just hasn't been good enough, and there are ways we can do better," Dr. Colleran said. "Seeing more cats and providing better healthcare, and thus a better quality of life for those cats, is possible." "Using low-stress handling techniques on cats minimizes high stress in the veterinary team. It's a safer and more effective way to practice," said Jan Yaroslav, RVT, VTS (dentistry), of Mangrove Veterinary Hospital in Chico, Calif. Most importantly, when cats panic and their cortisol levels skyrocket, the quality of the exam isn't …
