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IDEXX: Contributing to something bigger

Orthopedic conditions can be painful and impact a pet's daily life, making early detection and intervention key to increasing the number of successful patient outcomes. To help refine your orthopedic skillset, we have selected 3 video interviews spotlighting renowned veterinary professionals who impart sound advice ranging from diagnosing and treating orthopedic issues to tailoring your approach to various patient demographics. 

From the ins and outs of performing an orthopedic exam on felines to orthopedic ailments that can be treated through veterinary rehabilitation—there’s something for everyone. Happy watching!

 Philippa Pavia, VMD, DACVS-SA, shares pointers on performing successful orthopedic exams particularly for cat patients.

Orthopedic ailments affecting young and old pets

: David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS-SA, highlights common conditions that impact young and old pets, plus he divulges which breeds are susceptible to these ailments.

Various veterinary conditions that can be treated with rehabilitation

Kirsten Oliver, VN, DipAVN (Surgical), CVT, CCRP, CVPP, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation),

outlines orthopedic issues that can be treated through rehabilitation, and each method benefits pets.

Articles

3 videos featuring expert insight on veterinary orthopedics. 

3 Must-sees on veterinary orthopedics

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has rolled out a nationwide education and awareness campaign urging veterinary teams, their clients and the general public to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

, the initiative was encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—which understands the critical part veterinarians play in society and public health. In addition, surveys have revealed that an estimated 90% of AVMA members are currently vaccinated, thus displaying the value veterinary professionals place on preventive care, and their confidence in the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.

"We want our veterinary staff, animal owners, and our communities to be safe and healthy, and that's why we join our colleagues in human medicine and science in actively promoting the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine," said José Arce, DVM, president of the AVMA, in the release.

"Veterinary medicine has a clear public health mission," Arce continued. "In fact, when we take our Oath, we specifically commit to the 'promotion of public health.' Encouraging preventive health care, including vaccination, is part of that commitment. Especially with flu season underway and the approach of winter, we strongly encourage vaccination to protect overall public well-being."

The campaign is planned to go through late December and will feature a wide array of printed and digital materials available for AVMA members (eg, a social media toolkit, brochures, and posters for veterinary lobbies and offices) encouraging staff, pet owners, and the public to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. These resources can be found here: 

"Veterinarians are healthcare providers trusted not only by their clients but by the public at large, we understand the power of vaccines, and we have been enlisted as COVID vaccination providers in some areas," said Arce.

"We recognize that vaccination is a choice and that not everyone may be able to receive one. But we are uniquely qualified to share the importance of preventing and controlling disease in both animals and people. Protecting public health is part of a veterinarian's responsibility and appropriate preventive care, including vaccinations, goes a long way towards protecting public health,” he continued.

AVMA launches national awareness campaign to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. November 22, 2021. Accessed November 29, 2021. https://www.avma.org/news/press-releases/avma-launches-national-awareness-campaign-encourage-covid-19-vaccinations

The organization is urging veterinary team members, their clients, and the public to receive vaccinations. 

AVMA national awareness campaign encourages COVID-19 vaccinations

During an interview at the New York Vet Show conference in New York, New York, Becky Mossor, RVT, disclosed insight as to why she believes some veterinary technicians may struggle when talking to clients about parasite prevention.  

View the video below for the entire discussion. The following is a partial transcript

I think from a technician standpoint, a lot of times we feel like a salesperson when we are trying to talk about preventatives to our clients. We know that it can be an added cost and expense and a lot of our clients have a misunderstanding about how frequently they need to use preventatives. 

Videos

In a recent interview with dvm360, Beckie Mossor, RVT, shed light on the variety of challenges veterinary technicians face when broaching parasite prevention with pet parents. 

Talking parasite prevention with clients 

In an interview at the 2021 Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference (ACVC), Brian H. Herrin, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), outlined multiple symptoms and signs that veterinary professionals can look out for if they suspect a patient is infected with a tick-borne illness.

Brian H. Herrin, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology): 

I am not trying to motivate [clients] to be scared [of tick-borne diseases] or anything, but when we are thinking about things to look for, is the dog bleeding or bruising...sometimes if their joints hurt we often refer to [this] as shifting leg lameness, where the left leg might hurt and by the time they get to the appointment it is the right front leg and [clients] swear it was the other one.

During an interview at the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference, Dr Brian H. Herrin reviewed warning several signs that may appear in patients with tick-borne illnesses.

Signs and symptoms of canine tick-borne diseases

Access.Vet—a Miami-based, veterinarian-designed telehealth platform empowering independent and large veterinary practices to offer remote and virtual care for clients and patients—has announced that its veterinary telehealth platform was a finalist at the 2021 South Florida Harvard Business School Alumni Angels Association Pitch Competition. The company competed against 25 other startups for funding from 1 of the largest angel investment groups across the globe. 

According to a company release, Access.Vet released its free, cloud-based solution in June 2021 to veterinary practices and clinics nationwide, which was particularly timely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What's more, the company’s remote care platform includes integrated audio, video, text, payment gateway, ePrescription, seamless PMS integration, and more features on any PC, Laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

“The 2021 South Florida Harvard Business School Angels (HBSAA) event was the ideal forum to demonstrate Access.Vet’s solution and the dynamic capabilities of our veterinary virtual care platform. We are excited to bring the future of cloud-based veterinary telehealth to our clients throughout the U.S.,” said Tom Link, president and CEO of Access.Vet, in the release.

“It was an honor to present to this selected panel. Being named a finalist was high praise indeed. We look forward to the next HBSAA event,” he continued.

After the event, Tony Kremer, DVM, cofounder of Access.Vet, remotely provided an in-depth overview of the company and hosted 1-on-1 sessions with investors.

“As a practicing veterinarian and hospital owner, I am pleased to be able to offer a broad range of veterinary clinical experience in a wide variety of veterinary care settings,” said Kremer.

“Dr. Kremer understands how telehealth and virtual care can improve pet clinics,” Link added. “His industry knowledge is invaluable to our customers, client practices, clinics, and hospitals.”

Access.Vet a finalist at Harvard Business School Angels Pitch Competition. News release. Access.Vet. November 29, 2021. Accessed November 29, 2021.

The company displayed its breakthrough veterinary telehealth platform for among the world’s largest angel investment groups. 

Access.Vet is a finalist at Harvard Business School Angels Pitch Competition

November marks National Pet Diabetes Month. Consequently, awareness is being raised about this lifelong condition affecting approximately 1 in 300 adult dogs and 1 in 230 cats in the United States

 to ensure veterinarians provide companion animals with proper diagnosis and treatment options so they can live fulfilling lives.

Diabetes keeps pets from producing or utilizing insulin appropriately, which prevents the conversion of food to energy; as a result, extra sugar remains in the blood resulting in lethargy and other health-related complications.

 Though this disease has no cure, it can be managed with treatment and monitoring so pets can continue to thrive.

Although canines and felines can acquire diabetes at any age, diabetic dogs are usually between 4 and 14 years and receive diagnosis from 7 to 10 years, whereas cats with diabetes are typically older than 6 years old.

 In dogs, diabetes occurs in females twice more than males.

Additionally, a study from the Journal of the American Veterinary Association

 revealed that certain canine breeds were at higher risk for developing diabetes including Samoyeds, miniature schnauzers, miniature poodles, and pugs.

Another risk factor is obesity, and aging dogs and cats may develop other diseases (eg, canine hyperadrenocorticism, feline hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis, heart disease, kidney disease; and urinary tract and skin infections) that may lead to diabetes, or that can greatly affect their response to treatment.

 Additionally, long-term use of medications including corticosteroids is a diabetes risk factor.

Early diagnosis is critical to helping pets live longer, healthier lives. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association,

 hallmark signs of pet diabetes include the following:

Weight loss (though appetite may increase)

Chronic or recurring infections (eg, skin and urinary tract infections)

The treatment for diabetes is typically straightforward— through a general health examination, a urine test for glucose or ketones, or a blood test that detects glucose levels.

However, additional blood tests can rule out other medical conditions, and urine cultures can eliminate the possibility of a urinary tract infection.

Advise pet owners to manage their pets’ lifelong diabetes with daily doses of insulin, glucose monitoring, attention to diet and exercise, and regular veterinary checkups. The main goal of monitoring diabetes involves keeping a pet’s blood sugar near normal levels and avoiding life-threatening levels that are too high or too low. Each patient is unique, so they will require an individualized treatment plan consisting of a new diet and medications.

The Diabetes PetCare Alliance is a partnership between Merck Animal Health, Zoetis, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, and veterinary professionals nationwide. It has been working since 2014 to inform clients about diabetes and facilitate the screenings for thousands of pets.

Veterinary practices that joined the alliance gained access to downloadable resources for educating clients and raising awareness of the condition, thus increasing the number of pets screened for the disease during National Pet Diabetes Month and beyond. Clients whose pets receive diabetes diagnoses will get a free diabetes management kit which includes

One AlphaTRAK 2 Blood Glucose Monitoring System from Zoetis

One 6-pound bag of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management, Feline Formula for cats, or Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Dry Formula for dogs

One 10 mL vial of Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension) from Merck Animal Health

 Although clinic enrollment occurred from September 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021, clients with companion animals receiving diabetes diagnoses are eligible to receive the kits from November 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition, however early detection and proper treatment can allow pets to continue to lead happy lives. The Diabetes PetCare Alliance is helping pet parents across the nation identify diabetes in their beloved companion animals, so they can jumpstart treatment and keep pets healthy.

McCann TM, Simpson KE, Shaw DJ, Butt JA, Gunn-Moore DA. Feline diabetes mellitus in the UK: the prevalence within an insured cat popula- tion and a questionnaire-based putative risk factor analysis. J Feline Med Surg 9:289-299, 2007. doi:10.1016/j.jfms.2007.02.001

Catchpole B, Ristic JM, Fleeman LM, Davison LJ. Canine diabetes mellitus; can old dogs teach us new tricks? Diabetologia. 2005;48(10):1948-1956, 2005. doi:10.1007/s00125-005-1921-1

Pets with diabetes can live happy, healthy lives. Pet Diabetes Month. Accessed October 5, 2021. https://usa.petdiabetesmonth.com/

Diabetes in pets. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed October 5, 2021. www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/ diabetes-pets

Hess RS, Kass PH, Ward CR. Breed distribu- tion of dogs with diabetes mellitus admitted to a tertiary care facility. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000 May 1;216(9):1414-1417. doi:10.2460/ javma.2000.216.1414. PMID: 10800511.

Enrollment opens next month for the 2021 Diabetes PetCare Alliance Program. dvm360®. August 5, 2021. Accessed October 5, 2021. www. dvm360.com/view/enrollment-opens-next-month- for-the-2021-diabetes-petcare-alliance-program

A general overview of canine and feline diabetes, plus the efforts
the Diabetes PetCare Alliance is making to diagnose affected pets and provide clients with the proper resources.