The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) filed a First Amendment lawsuit on Monday against the California Veterinary Medical Board, contesting the law that prevents veterinarians from using telemedicine to discuss patient health with pet owners unless they have already met face-to-face.

The lawsuit insists that prohibiting veterinarians from engaging in telemedicine violates veterinarians' and pet owners' First Amendment right and is detrimental to animal welfare—depriving animals of access to care throughout the state, according to a company 

. Additionally, the lawsuit requests to grant veterinarians the ability to use telemedicine based on their judgment and training.

"With a growing pet population, it is the San Francisco SPCA's top priority to ensure access to veterinary care for all animals in California, says Brandy Kuentzel, senior vice president and general counsel at the San Francisco SPCA in the release. "By limiting telemedicine, this law is restricting equitable access to animal care among California's diverse people and geographic regions."

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many states (including California) have loosened limitations on veterinary telemedicine. In Ontario, Canada, veterinarians have successfully incorporated the telemedicine practices the lawsuit seeks for about 3 years.

"The California Veterinary Medical Board is suggesting they don't trust veterinarians that they licensed to make sound decisions for animals," says Kuentzel. "The law not only restricts veterinarians and pet owners' constitutional right to free speech, but it also restricts a pet's access to veterinary care."

"People can use telemedicine for themselves and their children, so why not for their pets?" Kuentzel questions. "Telemedicine can be a vital tool to improve the lives of pets and the people who love them."

Articles

The city’s SPCA questions the legality of a law that restricts veterinary telemedicine use, currently prohibiting veterinarians from discussing patient health with clients virtually if they have not first met in person. 

San Francisco SPCA challenges restrictive telemedicine policy

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) subtly changed its name last month to the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, to better reflect its role as an international organization. 

The new name became official on April 9, 2021, and on April 12, 2021, the AAVMC began the process of updating signage, collateral materials, communication product mastheads, social media platforms, etc.

Though the modification appears faint, the new name now recognizes that international members are part of an American-based association, linked by a common accreditation system. The former monicker identified the colleges as American-based.

“Our international members told us that they wanted us to retain the word ‘American,’ indicating their association with the American accreditation system,” said Andrew T. Maccabe, DVM, AAVMC chief executive officer, in an association 

. “Because of that preference, the term ‘international’ was not included in the new name, even though institutions from throughout the world are eligible to qualify for membership.”

According to the release, AAVMC leaders have been circling around the idea of a name change ever since international veterinary colleges and schools became eligible for accreditation by the Council on Education (COE)—ergo qualifying for AAVMC membership.

Currently, 22 out of the 55 COE-accredited schools are outside of the US— 12 AAVMC collaborative and provisional members are not yet COE-accredited. 

The new name still preserves the original acronym and graphic appearance, "which has earned strong brand recognition among internal and external stakeholders," it says in the release. 

The process of implementing the new name is expected to take several months. 

The new name reflects the associations' evolving role as an international organization.

AAVMC revamps brand with new name 

Below please find the downloadable proceedings for the May Fetch Virtual, a dvm360® conference.

In March of 2020, in response to the growing spread of COVID-19, MJH Life Sciences

, the parent company of the popular veterinary continuing education conference series known as Fetch, quickly shifted our live events to a virtual platform and have since brought you and thousands of your colleagues the best continuing education throughout this year.

It is our hope that providing you these proceedings, coupled with the top-notch faculty we are featuring at this conference, that we are equipping you to be the best veterinary professional you can be. We at MJH Life Sciences

 sincerely hope you enjoy the next few days of brilliant presentations.

Also, we are excited to announce as vaccination efforts against COVID-19 ramp up across the country and globe, we will soon be hosting live, in-person continuing education conferences in Kansas City, Atlantic City, and San Diego. That’s great news for the veterinarians, veterinarian technicians, teams, and exhibitors who look forward to connect each year in person at our upcoming 

. In the event of an extended national quarantine or a local flare up that may necessitate the cancellation of a live event, as we have already demonstrated, we have the capability of quickly shifting live events to our established virtual platform in less than 24 hours.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out directly to our Chief Veterinary Officer, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, at achristman@mjhlifesciences, or Renea Lewis at 

May 2021 Fetch Virtual dvm360® Conference Proceedings

Elanco Animal Health announced the availability of 

 yesterday, the first-ever oral flea and tick treatment for cats. 

This flavored chewable starts to kill adult fleas within 6 hours. In 12 hours, it kills more than 98% of fleas and 100% within 24 hours. It also provides fast-acting, sustained flea efficacy throughout the month in cats 8 weeks and older, according to a company

. Additionally, this small tablet provides cats and kittens 6 months and older with month-long protection against black-legged ticks.

“Even indoor cats are at risk of fleas and ticks,” says Tony Rumschlag, DVM, senior director of technical consulting at Elanco, in a company release. “It’s great to have a first-of-its-kind flea and tick option for cat owners who prefer oral administration or want to try something besides a topical.”

Credelio Cat contains the active ingredient, lotilaner, which has been shown to be safe and effective, when used according to label directions for killing fleas in cats as young as 8 weeks weighing 2 or more pounds, "so veterinarians can feel good about prescribing it to their patients," Rumschlag explains.

What’s more? Oral administration has been challenging in the past, but these tablets, with their rich vanilla and yeast scent and flavor, were specifically designed for cats. In fact, A US field survey revealed that Credelio Cat was successfully administered by 99.5% of cat owners.

The most commonly reported adverse effects associated with Credlio Cat administration include weight loss, rapid breathing, and vomiting. Additionally, lotilaner is an isoxazoline —a class of compounds that have been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, incoordination, and seizures.

Credelio Cat has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is available in 12- and 48- mg doses. 

To learn more about this new product, go 

1. Chappell K, Paarlberg T, Seewald W, et al. A randomized, controlled field study to assess the efficacy and safety of lotilaner flavored chewable tablets (Credelio™ CAT) in eliminating fleas in client-owned cats in the USA. 

r. 2021;14(1):127. doi: 10.1186/s13071-021-04617-5.

Credelio Cat has shown to safely and effectively kill fleas on cats 8 weeks or older and offers protection against black-legged ticks in cats 6 months or older.

First oral feline flea and tick treatment now available

A veterinarian recently discussed her challenges with curbside care with me. She explained that her team had finally adjusted to a new routine when one of her favorite patients was suddenly hit by a car and rushed into the clinic. Not only was she devastated, but her schedule was backed up for the rest of the day. There was so much she wanted to say to her clients that day but there was simply not enough time.

Perhaps the above story sounds familiar. In addition to curbside care challenges, many veterinary practices are experiencing a staff shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some staff have caught the novel coronavirus and have had to quarantine for 2 weeks. Sadly, some veterinary professionals or their loved ones have succumbed to the disease.

Amid all the chaos, pet ownership has skyrocketed. Although we are thrilled that telework is inspiring more pet adoptions, clinics are overflowing with clients who have tons of questions we don’t always have the leisure of answering. Maybe you feel like the time-crunched veterinarian I was speaking with recently. If you’re feeling pressed, these strategies may help you maximize your day so you can provide the best quality of care to patients and the best service to their owners.

Telehealth is a simple way to add more time back into your day. For example, daytime triage shortens hold times. If you offer triage after your clinic closes, you can support your clients without personally answering calls.

Telehealth video allows you to see the pet in its home environment, which is especially helpful when there’s a mobility issue. (Cats love not having to get into the carrier to go to their vet!) Virtual visits also free up exam room space, save the client travel time, and usually shorten the time it takes to make a diagnosis. Another lifesaver is software that enables virtual appointments and electronic medical records to be made.

But even with all the above, some clinics feel they don’t have time to explore telehealth options due to the conversion process involved.

Employing technicians and assistants correctly can significantly help veterinarians in a time crunch. Much upfront information gathering can be done separately from the visit, whether by connecting face-to-face virtually, via telehealth or by telephone.

According to Bob Lester, DVM, veterinarians see around 15 patients a day on average, compared with 22 by optometrists, 24 by general practitioners (GPs), and 30 by dentists.

Why the variation? Optometrists, GPs, and dentists employ a team health care delivery model. Lester explains that back-of-the-envelope math shows that a clinic would see a 13% increase in patients if technicians took care of 2 daily. This would allow doctors to take on 2 additional patients.

When time is of the essence, information needs to be provided in briefer segments. It may be tempting to say a lot at once or within a shorter time period, but pet owners absorb information better in small doses. Think of enjoying a small chunk of food and taking the time to chew through it. Likewise, your client needs time to “chew” over the information you share. Before you deliver another chunk, ensure they understood what you said. Given the time crunch, it may mean providing the next chunk by email, phone, or a follow-up visit.

Have you ever dealt with a salesperson who rattled off a product’s benefits and rushed quickly to the sale? Your client is not purchasing a refrigerator, but rather entering into a long-term relationship with your clinic. That makes the “check” part an essential ingredient in your client discussions. Your responses will determine whether a relationship is ongoing or off-putting.

Even in good long-term relationships, there will be times when your clients are not complying with your recommendations. Was it because you provided too much information at once? Did they not understand? It’s your job to find out and make the necessary adjustments.

Let’s face it. Some client conversations are uncomfortable. That’s why choosing your words carefully is key. Avoid using offensive terminology. For example, pet obesity can lead to a wide range of medical conditions if not addressed properly. The problem? Many clients get confused or frustrated by the word “obese.” I recommend using vocabulary such as “a healthy weight,” as it takes the focus off the pet’s girth. Discussing body condition scores can also help guide your client to a data-based assessment. In some cases, you might use your hands to illustrate an ideal weight.

Additionally, try to avoid using “you statements,” as they can cause some clients to become defensive. Some examples include, “You’re being unreasonable,” or “You should call first,” or “You ought to switch to a prescription diet.”

Using alternative “I statements” is a great way to express your concerns while connecting emotionally with your client. For example, after sensing resistance, you might consider saying, “I want to work with you to find the right remedy.”

There is so much to say and so little time to say it. For more efficient and productive appointments, make full use of technology, technicians, and assistants, and choose your words carefully. This will not only save time but build strong and long-lasting veterinarian-patient-client relationships.

Dr Carolyn C. Shadle is the founder of Interpersonal Communication Services, Inc. Passionate about communicating with clients and teammates, she writes extensively and presents at conferences and hospitals frequently about various aspects of practice management. These include communicating in the virtual world, inclusive communication, gaining confidence when engaging with clients, and managing difficult conversations. She can be contacted at www.veterinariancommunication.com.

. April 2021. Accessed April 26, 2021. https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/technicians-and-technology/

Being pressed for time can make you feel like your ship is sinking. Navigate the waves with these useful communication techniques.

So much to say, so little time

So many people are wasting time debating the “veterinary technician” versus “veterinary nurse” terminology. My thoughts? I honestly don’t give a hoot—I feel like it makes no difference to the public or nurses. What 

 worth fighting for is improving veterinary medicine education and shaping it to empower technicians.

I’m most passionate about discussing the numerous opportunities for technicians outside the clinic. It’s often drilled into our heads that we can’t do anything without a veterinarian (eg, perform surgery, make diagnoses, and prescribe medications), but that can be misleading. I challenge all veterinarians and licensing boards to think outside the box because this new movement of solo RVTs, The Vet Tech Society Movement, is spreading like wildfire across the country. My goal is to educate you on all the ways technicians 

As technicians, we play an integral role in assisting veterinarians in clinical settings. However, we should always encourage and uplift those technicians who wish to pursue a career outside of the practice. For example, I aid dozens of clients daily, on a call, or via Zoom. I educate them on how to supplement their income (or replace it, if they so choose) and create a more flexible work schedule.

Many of my clients have received a lot of pushback from veterinarians and their licensing boards. Some states go to the extreme, stating that an RVT outside of a clinic cannot be considered a registered technician. I would ask those who believe this to look at my business and explore what I do and how I am changing veterinary medicine.

I recently received a call from a frantic new client whose cat had developed Horner syndrome due to a ruptured eardrum from medication. Although her veterinarian had created a treatment plan, the owner was too nervous to medicate her cat. She was planning on leaving for a 7-day trip and asked the veterinarian if she could board and medicate her cat. But as there was no staff on-site on Sunday, she was told no.

On the bright side, 1 of her friends referred her to me. Soon after I received her call, I set up a consultation to discuss her cat’s needs and the veterinarian’s plan. She was very nervous initially, but I put her mind at ease by informing her about the treatment options for Horner syndrome. I updated the family regularly while they were away, as well as the veterinary practitioner. The cat recovered beautifully because she had access to a technician who was able to administer her medication properly.

I know things can’t drastically change in a day or even a year, but as a solo RVT and coach, I am an advocate for us and for change. New rules, new freedoms. Let’s do this!

Serena Pudelski, RVT, is a self-employed veterinary technician and owner of The Traveling Tech and Pet Consultant.

Why technicians are more than just in-clinic workers, plus a look at the many opportunities available to RVTs.