Convenience-Based Services: Are They The Right Choice For Your Practice?May 23, 2011 When evaluating additional services as a means to generate revenue, it is important to look beyond veterinary medicine and take advantage of opportunities to meet the needs of pet owners in other ways. In today’s world, convenience is the name of the game, and finding new avenues of revenue that make your practice a “one stop shop“ for pet owners can be an excellent decision. While the obvious and immediate benefits include increased revenue and visits, it is the potential long-term client loyalty resulting from additional interaction with your practice that provides the greatest value. Below are some of the more common convenience-based services that many veterinary hospitals offer. It is important to remember, though, that every practice is unique, and not all options are a good fit or practical to implement. And for those of you who already offer some or all of these services, a bit of revitalization followed by a new marketing campaign can bring improved earning potential to an existing revenue stream. Luxury Boarding While the majority of clinics offer boarding of some sort, the current demand is for upscale facilities that cater to four-legged family members—“family” being the key word. …
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Viewing Forms Of RegretApril 18, 2011 It is amazing to work in a profession that allows us to help people and pets every day. A number of clients have expressed an emerging type of wistful regret about their pets recently. I believe it’s because the recession has deepened for so many people, but there may be more to it. Money-Related Regret? Marisol Ramirez truly loves her 14-year-old shepherd-chow mix, Murda, who is being successfully treated for splenic lymphoma. Murda presented with two significant co-morbid conditions, severe osteoarthritis and degenerative myelopathy with mild posterior ataxia, but remains in an extended stable remission. On a recent recheck, Marisol said Murda indicates that she wants to go outside, but once out, immediately wants to come back in. We explained this most likely stems from a common condition in geriatric dogs. Murda was probably exhibiting signs of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, which might respond to medication and/or a diet change to Hill’s b/d. This odd behavior has frustrated Marisol and she feels guilty about reacting sternly on a few occasions. She also feels compelled to stay at home with Murda so she can watch her closely. When I asked her why she feels so strongly …
Softer Alternatives To Traditional E-collars AboundApril 18, 2011 Consumer demand for people-friendly surgical recovery collars is changing the way veterinarians look at their supply and sales, according to several e-collar manufacturers and suppliers. “Consumers are saying, ‘Oh, my poor baby, I don’t want to put a satellite dish on him. And I don’t want my coffee table or my walls banged up,’” says Gabe Martinez, business manager for KVP International, manufacturer of recovery collars and other surgical supplies. “So veterinarians needed something not only to protect animals but keep owners happy.” Irwindale, Ca.-based KVP International manufactures a variety of recovery collars. “Soft e-collars look cool and they are people-friendly,” says Martinez, adding that it’s a major reason soft e-collars are becoming so popular. Some of the latest soft collars don’t limit pets’ peripheral vision, ability to eat, drink or sleep, or cause damage to walls and furniture. “Rigid collars are definitely not animal-friendly,” says Frank Banesse, southeast regional training manager for MWI Veterinary Products of Meridian, Idaho. “Soft e-collars offer a better design and give animals a better life during their recovery.” Peter Kross, DVM, owner of Rivergate Veterinary Clinic in New York City, stocks collars of all brands and sizes …
Regardless Of The Lab, Accuracy Is Top PriorityApril 18, 2011 Whether a clinic uses reference laboratories exclusively or combines them with in-house diagnostics, there’s no denying the benefits testing advances have brought to the industry, patients and clients. Results in about 15 minutes for in-house tests and next-day results on most reference laboratory tests mean faster diagnosis and treatment options as well as expediting the identification of zoonotic, contagious and emerging diseases. Board-certified veterinarians with advanced training in diagnostic work in reference labs along with medical technologists and specially trained veterinary technicians. The expertise of reference laboratory staff makes outside labs an appealing option to many practitioners. But manufacturers of in-house laboratory equipment note that accuracy is their priority and their machines are accurate, easy to use and maintain. “The design and capabilities of newer technologies have resulted in overall improvements and enhancements to the work flow and streamlining of laboratory processes,” says Liz Whitney, DVM, a technical writer and industry outreach coordinator for Heska Corp. of Loveland, Colo. “Newer productivity features, such as integration with practice management software programs, help to improve the processes of the diagnostic team, save time and reduce operational costs.” Dr. Whitney says the ability to customize panels …
A Graduation Gift From A Globe-trotting VeterinarianApril 18, 2011 Thanks to the vision and tenacity of Richard Nap, about 2,200 graduating U.S. veterinary students will receive a complimentary copy of “VetCoach: Career Reflections of Veterinary Professionals,” a book co-written by more than 100 veterinarians from 26 countries. In the book, distributed by VCA Animal Hospitals, veterinarians share their most useful tips with students and new graduates. (Full disclosure: I was kindly invited to write for the book.) Its goal is to encourage young veterinarians to try new things and explore new avenues by stepping out of their comfort zones. The mission of VetCoach, a not-for-profit organization, is “to inspire and motivate students by sharing professional career reflections from one generation to the next.” “The current generation has much of the experience that the new one entering the profession is lacking,” Dr. Nap explains. “Students typically have a limited network and no or little international exposure. “Students tend to stick to the comfort of what and who they know: family, friends, city and school. The challenge was to create a platform available to graduating students.” Courtesy of Richard Nap, …
Laser Therapy Helps Heal Victim’s BurnsApril 18, 2011 By all odds, the spunky little Jack Russell mix with the incredibly bright eyes and growing affinity for chasing birds really shouldn’t be alive today. She was locked in a crate at home when the building caught fire, generating so much heat that the plastic crate lid melted and dripped, leaving her with nasty burns over most of her body. The lone reason she even made it as far as the St. Charles Hospital and Clinic in St. Charles, Mo., was that the ambulance she rode in after being rescued happened to be outfitted with an oxygen mask for small animals. It was the only one of 22 in the area so equipped. “Her burns were extensive and she was unconscious when she got here,” recalled Mike Crecelius, DVM, a small-animal practitioner who treated her at the clinic. “Her prognosis was quite poor.” That now, five months later, the puppy is doing quite well is a testament to a number of factors—among them the attentive care of clinic staff, a swiftly implemented care plan that included laser therapy, and, in no small measure, the will to survive exhibited by the dog herself. …
Infection Type, Cause Determine Otitis CareApril 15, 2011 Otitis externa in canines can stem from myriad causes, including allergies, parasites and foreign bodies. Thus, any dog can develop an ear infection. However, certain breeds are at greater risk than others. In these instances, owner education and preventive measures can be critically important. Carlo Vitale, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, a veterinarian at San Francisco Veterinary Specialists in California, says allergies—primarily atopic dermatitis and, to a lesser extent, food allergies—represent the greatest otitis risk factor in dogs. The breeds he sees as most prone to ear infections are those with a higher incidence of atopic dermatitis, including most terriers, Labradors, golden retrievers, Dalmatians, Shar Peis, chow chows, Shiba Inus and pit bulls. Marcia Schwassmann, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, a veterinarian at Veterinary Dermatology Center in Maitland, Fla., notes that the breeds in which veterinarians most commonly see allergy-related ear infections will differ by region, as popular breeds and types of allergens are not consistent across the country. Every veterinarian might have a unique list of the breeds that seem most prone to allergies—and thus, ear infections. Nicola Williamson, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, owner and practitioner at Veterinary Dermatology of Richmond in Virginia, also says allergies represent the greatest …
Promote Or Don’t Promote Pet Health Insurance?March 21, 2011 Unexpected veterinary bills often exceed what the average pet owner can finance with discretionary income. In those cases, insurance often means that euthanasia isn’t the most humane option. “A year and a half after we insured our dog, he was diagnosed with nasal cancer and given only a two-month prognosis without treatment,” says Barbara Borah of Glendale, Calif. “We researched our options and sent him to Colorado State University for radiation. Even though CSU charged less than half of its (usual) radiation fees, there is no way we could have afforded it without insurance. “We are happy to report that our dog just celebrated his 17th birthday and has already survived twice as long as the Colorado vets estimated he would.” Still, some pet owners find insurance for pets a superfluous cost and vow to start saving specifically for their pets’ veterinary expenses. “People have good intentions of creating a savings account for their pet, but it rarely works out as they plan,” says Jack Stephens, DVM, founder and president of Pets Best Insurance in Boise, Idaho. “Depending on when the funds need to be pulled, you might not have enough to cover the …
Get The Facts About PACS Before BuyingMarch 21, 2011 With 36 to 40 percent of practices already using digital imaging, and 90 percent of those hospitals utilizing a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), colleagues looking to upgrade are investigating which PACS product would best suit their needs. While vendors tend to be the common route in which veterinarians learn of their PACS options, some preliminary research gives practitioners a base from which to form questions and make decisions. “Veterinarians should do legwork before contacting a vendor and research not only the different technologies but the software and the capabilities it can deliver with PACS,” says Fotine Sotiropoulos, DVM, marketing manager for digital imaging at Idexx Laboratories of Westbrook, Maine. “Understanding the hospital’s needs and PACS capabilities will help the veterinarian ask the right questions and make an educated decision about the purchase. For example, does the system come with a full PACS? Is the PACS able to handle multiple modalities, such as digital dental or ultrasound? Does the software provide the option to integrate with their product integration modules (PIMS)?” With a full PACS costing about $60,000, including hardware, software and support fees, veterinarians want to be satisfied with their purchase, says Emery …
Diet Beats Surgery For Urolith RemovalMarch 18, 2011 For years, Jody P. Lulich, DVM, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM, and his colleagues at the Minnesota Urolith Center have strongly advocated for non-invasive dissolution of uroliths in cats. Struvite is the most common urolith in cats, accounting for about 46 percent of feline urinary stones, according to data from the Minnesota Urolith Center. And for struvite uroliths, non-invasive nutritional management is the most effective treatment, Dr. Lulich says. Dietary dissolution is more compassionate and carries less risk, Lulich notes. For the owner, it’s less stressful than seeing her beloved companion undergo general anesthesia, and much less costly. Surgical or laser removal of uroliths can cost upward of $2,000. Newer research suggests that not only can nutritional management work more quickly than was previously established, but that even a food designed for long-term maintenance of urinary tract health can dissolve struvite uroliths, too, says S. Dru Forrester, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM. Forrester is a scientific affairs representative at Hill’s Pet Nutrition of Topeka, Kan. Hill’s special dietary formulas, even dry versions, can dissolve struvite stones in as little as two weeks in some cats, Forrester says, eliminating the expense, pain and stress of surgical options. “It’s …
