Learn how IDEXX is enhancing the lives of animals, people, and the planet.

IDEXX: Contributing to something bigger

 interviewed Editorial Advisory Board member Stephen Cital, RVT, SRA, RLAT, VCC, CVPP, VTS-LAM (Res. Anesthesia), who enlightened us on the latest trends and innovative findings regarding CBD in veterinary medicine, plus the tangible research that is currently or soon-to-be-published confirming the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD.

“There seems to be this path of whatever is explored in human medicine, we start to explore in veterinary medicine," Cital told dvm360. 

"We’ve seen a lot of that with osteoarthritis studies that have been coming out, certainly seizure studies that are coming out, and I think what’s kind of exciting right now is there are a handful of dermatological studies coming out right now in cats and dogs,” he added.

Videos

Experienced veterinary technician, Steve Cital,  RVT, SRA, RLAT, VCC, CVPP, VTS-LAM (Res. Anesthesia), offers his expert insight on a hot topic in the veterinary world—CBD. 

Shedding light on CBD in veterinary medicine 

To kick off the well-deserved weekend, we're bringing the latest industry news right to your fingertips.

In her recent talk at the 2021 virtual Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), Kara Burns, MS, Med, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) shared 

4 different strategies for building resiliency

 in veterinary medicine during challenging times.

Learn the numerous ways you can "show up" and celebrate your LGBTQ+ team members, how to demonstrate appropriate allyship, and much more with these 

Veterinary student Jove Jacob from our Student Ambassador Program breaks down why 

investigators are examining the properties of urine

 to determine the causes and effects of diseases.

 of The Vet Blast Podcast, Christopher Shapley, DVM, talks about the ins and outs of veterinary acupuncture and why owners are beginning to lean toward this treatment approach for their pets. 

Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) recently 

 from the Bank of America to build a new veterinary school. 

The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) 

 of its 2021 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) Pet Pitch Competition. 

Stay tuned on our social media pages and here at dvm360.com for more veterinary news.

Articles

News wrap-up: This week’s veterinary headlines, plus how to build resiliency 

, Allison Karr, a veterinary assistant from NorthStar VETS Animal Hospital, broke down the pet blood bank donation process step-by-step, plus shared a few success stories the blood bank has seen, including her own dogs’ rewarding donation.

“It’s really great to see [patients] come in low and dragging and barely responsive and then to watch them walk out tail wagging—it’s just an incredible feeling to know that your pet helped make that happen,” she told dvm360.

A New Jersey animal hospital gave dvm360® a deep dive into its pet blood bank donation process, plus a few success stories of satisfied patients and pet owners. 

Behind the needle: A closer look at veterinary blood banks 

Many clients are filled to the brim with questions surrounding veterinary acupuncture. Among the most common is: Does it hurt? According to Christopher Shapley, DVM, a specialist in veterinary acupuncture and herbal medicine, the simple answer is no. 

"The needles are so thin and inserted so easily that it is a virtually painless experience," he tells Adam Christman, DVM, MBA. He adds that pain typically only lasts for less than a second in areas that have high stagnation or exhibit more pain. After that, the experience is refreshing.

Shapley also addresses the recent influx of clients seeking both acupuncture and herbal medications for their pets and explains how alternative therapies are becoming more accepted by pet owners and within human and animal medicine. 

“Even in human medicine, we’re moving [from] ‘I have pain, take a pill,’ to ‘I have pain, I want alternative treatments.’ That same feeling is going to their pets,” says Shapley. 

Listen below to learn more about Shapley’s expert knowledge about acupuncture, plus his insight on why more pet parents are leaning towards herbal medications and integrative therapies.

Podcasts

On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, Dr Christopher Shapley covers the ins and outs of veterinary acupuncture and why pet parents are migrating towards this treatment approach. 

Episode 54: The secrets behind veterinary acupuncture 

Pride Month has arrived and to celebrate, we want to amplify the voices of all the LGBTQ+ veterinary professionals. To help raise awareness and spread visibility, we've selected 3 informative articles that are chock full of ways you can "show up" for your LGBTQ+ colleagues, promote appropriate allyship, and nurture a safe and inclusive environment that everyone can shine in.

From reading tips on displaying support for LGBTQ+ individuals in and out of the clinic to learning the details of PrideVMC’s Pride 2021 Event Calendar—there’s something for everyone. Happy Pride Month!

Supporting the LGBTQ+ community in the veterinary world and beyond

: Showing your support for LGBTQ+ colleagues is tremendously impactful! Discover these 3 methods for demonstrating allyship during Pride Month and year-round.

PrideVMC promotes the LGBTQ+ veterinary community

: From building a mentorship program to creating scholarship opportunities, learn the great strides PrideVMC is taking to foster a more diverse and inclusive veterinary community.

PrideVMC announces Pride 2021 Event Calendar

: PrideVMC teamed up with PrideSVMC to release the Pride 2021 Event Calendar which includes celebratory virtual events, networking opportunities, digital campaigns, and beyond. Check out the details and view the schedule.

To honor this monumental month, we're bringing you 3 articles that highlight numerous ways you can support and celebrate your LGBTQ+ veterinary team members. 

3-Must reads for Pride Month

Marketing is not a one-person job, but rather a team effort, according to a leading expert in the field who recently presented at the 2021 virtual Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX).

During the presentation, Louise S. Dunn, founder of Snowgoose Veterinary Management Consulting, and Eric Garcia, a digital strategist at Simply Done Tech Solutions, FL, explained the significant difference in using teamwork for a clinic’s marketing plan.

“People like to contribute; they like to be part of a team...so what we can do is encourage them to get involved without giving them the entire load,” Dunn argued.

Dunn noted that every employee plays a critical role to move through the marketing plan in a timely manner. “When people think of your practice, what pops up?” she asked the participants. “It’s important that they can visualize someone they trust.”

While everyone must play a role, each one comes with its own responsibilities. The owner, or coordinator of a veterinary practice, recognizes their responsibility in overseeing the marketing plan as a whole. They are also in charge of monitoring the budget, she said.

“Without a coordinator, it becomes everyone’s job and no one’s job—there needs to be a figure watching over the entire process to ensure that everything aligns correctly with the mission,” Dunn said while detailing the role descriptions. Receptionists can focus on identifying clients/patients, as well as taking pictures for the website and social media. Technicians produce content ranging from social media posts to email campaigns to promotional ads. Associate veterinarians focus on a case-by-case basis, producing patient-specific content and personalization.

As with any collaboration, Garcia emphasized the advantage of dividing the work evenly and accordingly. Assigning tasks based on individual strengths offers security in creating a well-rounded and sturdy marketing campaign.

Garcia suggested conducting meetings at least once a month for an hour. 

In this session, he noted participants can:

. Consider the steps that need to be taken in order to complete a task, and draw out the priorities and responsibilities of each member.

. Where does the company want to be in 1 year? In 3 years? More importantly, what do you have to accomplish to get to that point?

Bring perspective from ALL areas of the clinic

. Being open to the opinions and ideas of all departments not only allows all voices to be heard but also brings new perspectives on how to tackle a problem.

. To stay organized and on schedule, setting deadlines is most important in staying on track.

“You want to make sure everyone’s on the same page in terms of goals and objectives,” said Garcia. “And bringing everyone together to expand upon ideas makes for strong marketing.”

When creating a successful marketing plan, Dunn explained the necessity of keeping the company’s mission in mind, as well as their target audience. “If your message is not sincere and not woven into your actions and plan, it simply won’t work,” Dunn argued, “Everything you do is to attract new clients and attain old clients.”

Giving your team the proper tools to excel and reach beyond the target audience is essential. Investing in technology (cameras, video equipment), creating social media accounts, and opening communication for feedback all assist in the bigger picture of client care. Applications such as chat features on the website and customized messages/reminders prove to your audience that you’re working toward the goal of increased communication and satisfaction. These consist of but are not limited to website updates, social media engagement, reputation management, email campaigns, lapsing client calls, and blogging.

2 specialists discuss the importance of marketing at veterinary practices and the emphasis of teamwork in the marketing scene. 

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IDEXX: Contributing to something bigger