Survey: Clients Want to Know About ParasitesApril 30, 2015Originally published in the March 2015 issue of Veterinary Practice News Tens of thousands of dollars in additional revenue may be a series of phone calls away for U.S. veterinary hospitals. The Companion Animal Parasite Council and Bayer Animal Health in January released the results of a survey that found that 90 percent of U.S. pet owners want to hear about local spikes in pests such as disease-carrying ticks and heartworm-transmitting mosquitoes. Pet owners are willing to open their wallets, too, with 89 percent saying they likely would schedule an appointment to get their pet tested if a heightened parasite risk was communicated. The survey’s sponsors forecast that a two-doctor practice that informed clients about urgent parasitic risks in their home county and delivered related services could generate from $163,000 to $789,000 a year in extra revenue, depending on the level of pet owner response. “It’s amazing what some fairly simple changes can do financially for our profession,” said Karen E. Felsted, MS, DVM, CPA, CVPM, founder of president of PantheraT, a practice consulting firm in Dallas. She is the former CEO of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues. Dr. Felsted was joined by CAPC leaders Susan E. Little, …
SPONSORED CONTENTProtect your patients from the start.Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets) is the first monthly preventative of its kind. Combining three ingredients for month-long protection. + Learn more
Why Ticks Are Looming Large for Dogs and CatsApril 29, 2015Originally published in the March 2015 issue of Veterinary Practice News Ticks have been steadily spreading across the United States in recent years, their incidence growing rapidly right along with the white-tail deer population. It’s still a bit early to say for sure, but it doesn’t look like that spread will be slowing this year. A parasite forecast published each spring by the Companion Animal Parasite Council gives veterinarians and pet owners a good idea of what they can expect in the way of tick, intestinal parasite and heartworm prevalence. “We expect to see—unless intervention is increased—continued spread of the tick-transmitted diseases and some continued small climb in heartworms,” said Dwight Bowman, MS, Ph.D., a Cornell University veterinary parasitology professor and CAPC board member. Tick-transmitted agents that test (Lyme, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia) are increasing in the percentage of animals positive within an area—and the current ranges are expanding too, he said. It’s always hard to tell what a year will hold in terms of parasites. Extreme cold and dry weather have a significant negative effect on flea and tick populations, and while much of the northern half of the U.S. has experienced cold and snowy weather, it has not been …
Study Confirms Benefits of Pedicle Tie SpaysApril 24, 2015High-volume sterilization clinics may save time and money using a pedicle tie procedure when spaying cats, according to a first-of-its-kind study. Kirk Miller, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, a clinical instructor at the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, teamed up with four other researchers to compare the feline pedicle tie (PT) to traditional pedicle double ligation (PDL). They found that PT was safe, posed a very low risk of additional bleeding and slightly reduced the patient’s anesthesia time. Surgery took about two minutes less in PT cases. “Saving two minutes may not sound like much, but when you do thousands of these procedures every year, like we do, it can add up in savings of both time and money,” said Dr. Miller, who practices with the Oregon Humane Society in Portland. “Over the course of a year this may free up about two weeks of time for both the surgeon and anesthetist. “That increased efficiency means we can serve more animals, provide the care they need and make them eligible to find new homes.” The researchers performed ovariohysterectomies using the PT technique on 2,136 cats. They determined that the pedicle tie was effective at stopping blood flow through …
Vet Fired After Bragging of Killing CatApril 17, 2015 Facebook This photo appeared on Dr. Kristen Lindsey’s Facebook page. Click on the photo above to see the original image. (WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT.) We'll be posting updates as they come in. Read the original story. Update 6 (4/18/2015, 7:45 a.m. PDT): The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners posted on their Facebook page that they are aware of the situation regarding Kristen Lindsey, DVM, and request people write to them via email. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners has been made aware of the situation with one of our licensees. We will... Posted by Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners on Friday, April 17, 2015 Update 5 (4/17/2015, 6:45 p.m. PDT): KBTX.com has more reactions about the controversial killing. (Warning, video does contain GRAPHIC IMAGES.) Update 4 (4/17/2015, 6:15 p.m. PDT): There have been reports that the cat was being fostered by volunteer with True Blue Animal Rescue in Brenham, Texas. The organization has put up their own statement, …
Henry Schein Unleashes Puppy Gift BoxesApril 17, 2015Veterinary products distributor Henry Schein Animal Health will ship something different to practitioners. The Dublin, Ohio, wholesaler announced a long-term partnership Thursday with Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit group that pairs nearly 300 trained assistance dogs a year with disabled people. Boxes filled with grooming items, treats and other pet products will be sent to veterinary clinics for delivery to clients who raise puppies on behalf of Canine Companions for Independence. The Puppy Raiser Care Package, which also includes product coupons, is intended to reduce the costs that volunteers incur before the animals become full-fledged working dogs. Veterinarians will receive a plaque acknowledging their participation in the program, which is scheduled to start later this year. “The puppy raiser devotes so much time, energy and personal financial resources for the benefit of people needing assistance, so we think it is only fitting to support that generosity with this gift,” said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman and CEO of parent company Henry Schein Inc. “The veterinarian, as the health care partner of the puppy raiser, also contributes to the betterment of society by providing the care needed to ensure the puppy grows into a working assistance dog.” About 1,400 volunteer puppy …
U.K. Vet Techs Ready for 2016 Microchip LawApril 16, 2015English veterinary technicians are sufficiently trained to implant microchips in dogs and will not require additional skills when microchips are mandated in 2016, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons reported today. Technicians in Wales and Scotland are likely to receive a similar waiver, the organization stated, but dog breeders across the United Kingdom who lack proper training will have to complete a course if they want to implant microchips themselves. Mandatory microchipping was introduced in Northern Ireland in 2012 in an effort to return more stray dogs to their owners. The governments of England, Wales and Scotland passed similar legislation that set a microchip deadline of April 6, 2016, for all dogs at least 8 weeks old. Owners of dogs without a microchip could be fined. The British Veterinary Association is publicizing the requirement and prepared information posters that practice owners may place in their clinics. “We need to work hard to make owners aware of the new law throughout this year, with animals microchipped as far in advance of the deadline as possible,” said BVA President John Blackwell, BVSc, MRCVS. The U.K. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) excused veterinarians from microchip training but considered requiring …
NexGard Approved to Fight Brown Dog TicksApril 16, 2015Brown dog ticks, beware. Merial Ltd. has won permission from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to add a label claim stating that the canine medication NexGard (afoxolaner) protects against a fourth tick species. The monthly preventive’s newest target is the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), which is found throughout the lower 48 states and is linked to diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. The Duluth, Ga., veterinary drug manufacturer in 2014 was allowed to promote NexGard’s effectiveness against black-legged (Ixodes scapularis) and lone star (Amblyomma americanum) ticks in addition to the initial claim for the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). The prescription-only chewable tablet also is indicated to kill fleas. “When used as directed, NexGard has been shown to kill ticks all month long,” said Merial’s director of veterinary medical affairs, Doug Carithers, DVM. “Plus, it has the added benefit of killing fleas.” NexGard is not the only canine drug formulated to kill four common tick species. Merck Animal Health last year released a similar medication, Bravecto (fluralaner). Nexgard recently was named a 2015 Best New Product in the household category as part of a consumer survey conducted by Better Homes …
How to Avoid the Iatrogenic Jaw FractureApril 13, 2015Originally published in the March 2015 issue of Veterinary Practice News? Not a subscriber? Subscribe today! If you extract enough firmly rooted mandibular canine teeth in your lifetime, basic anatomy suggests that you may find yourself to be the creator of an iatrogenic jaw fracture. The root of the mandibular canine tooth of dogs and cats makes up a large portion of the rostral mandible and it is nearly twice as long as the crown of the tooth. Bone is very thin between the lingual surface of the root and the caudal symphysis. Photos © 2014 John R. Lewis, NorthStar VETS. Radiograph of an iatrogenic jaw fracture that occurred during attempted extraction of the left mandibular canine tooth in a cat. Iatrogenic jaw fractures that occur during canine tooth extraction tend to be parasymphyseal fractures rather than symphyseal separations. Forces required to deliver this tooth root may also, in some cases, be sufficient to result in fracture of the bone. Here are some tips that I’ve learned on how to avoid iatrogenic fracture. Dental Rads Take dental radiographs and adjust your therapeutic approach accordingly. Dental radiographs are important from both diagnostic and therapeutic …
Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease or Canine Influenza hits MidwestApril 8, 2015You’ve seen the news: Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD) has hit Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, with 5 dogs reported dead and thousands more infected. The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is recommending that dog owners take immediate, precautionary measures to prevent exposure to the virus. Dr. Donna Alexander, director of Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control has been reviewing data on the flu and stated, “The summary of those hospitals that reported through the CVMA to our offices and those who reported directly to this office indicates that 73% of those responding note an increase in CIRD. For those that supplied exact number of animals, we can report that there have been 1,013 cases of CIRD since January and 5 mortalities. The age of the animals presenting vary but show more severe forms in dogs under 1 year of age and greater than 7 years of age. Few veterinarians are submitting diagnostic specimens for evaluation. Of those submitted for PCR or other testing, the majority came back negative, some are still pending. Of those reporting positive, 93% are positive for canine influenza.” The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) describes canine influenza as “a highly …
10 Tips for Veterinary Surgery LoversApril 7, 2015Originally published in the March 2015 issue of Veterinary Practice News You don’t have time to make every mistake in your career, especially in surgery: A mistake could cause significant harm to a pet, get you in a sticky situation or cost your patient his life. These suggestions are meant to start a reflection, not to offend anyone. They apply to new grads as well as seasoned surgery lovers. 1) Make it Big “Big surgeons make big incisions.” Unless you are performing minimally invasive surgery, don’t make mini-laparotomies. Sure, you can remove a spleen or a gastric foreign body through a short incision. However, stopping there would be a disservice to your patient; that’s only half of your job. The other half is to perform a thorough laparotomy, from the liver to the bladder. 2) Perfect Your Suture Pet owners will never appreciate how flawless a surgery you performed on Kiki. The only thing they see, and they may see for the next 10 years, is your skin suture. So work hard at crafting the prettiest skin suture possible. Learn how to close dead space. Strive to appose skin spots neatly. Strive to get rid of dog ears. Figure out where you …
