keystone veterinarian volume 2
DESCRIPTION
The official publication of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical AssociationTRANSCRIPT
advancing animal welfare and human healthwhile ensuring the vitality of the profession
veterinariankeystone
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
VOLUME II, 2013www.pavma.org
pvmap e n n s y l v a n i a v e t e r i n a r y m e d i c a l a s s o c i a t i o n
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pennsylvania veterinary medical association
8574 paxton street
hummelstown, pa 17036
phone: 888.550.7862
fax: 717.220.1461
email: [email protected]
website: www.pavma.org
2013 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Kenton Rexford, VMDPresident
Sherrill Davison, VMD, MS, MBA, DACPVPresident-Elect
James Holt, VMDVice President
Ronald M. Kraft, DVMSecretary-Treasurer
Robert P. Lavan, DVM, MS, MPVM, DACVPMImmediate Past President
Mary A. Bryant, VMDAVMA Delegate
Charlene Miller WandzilakExecutive Director
advancing animal welfare and human healthwhile ensuring the vitality of the profession
pvmap e n n s y l v a n i a v e t e r i n a r y m e d i c a l a s s o c i a t i o n
in this issue3 GoldenRetrieverLifetimeStudy:JoinResearchHistoryintheMaking
7 AVMAUpdatesEuthanasiaGuidelines
9 2013AVMAVeterinaryWorkforceReportConfirmsExcessCapacityinUSVeterinary Profession
15 BuildtheImportanceofPreventiveHealthcareWithPartnersForHealthyPetsPowerTools
26 What'stheValueofYourPVMAMembership?
27 FreeOnlineTrainingforNationalAnimalHealthEmergencyResponseCorps
29 PVMAFactSheet:HotWeatherTipstoKeepPetsHealthyandCool
30 AnsweringClientQuestionsAbouttheDangersofZoonoticDiseases
34 PracticeSpotlight:UnionvilleEquineAssociates
what’s featured12 TheMoraloftheStory…Don'tKissYourChick
14 Doctor,HaveYouCheckedthePulseofYourWebsiteLately?
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6 Observations by Heather Berst, VMD “MakingWomenIntoLeaders”
8 ThePresident’sTwoCents by Kenton Rexford, VMD "WhoistheStateBoardofVeterinaryMedicine”
10 FromWhereISit by Charlene Wandzilak “ExcitingPVMAOpportunitiesontheHorizonforPennsylvaniaVeterinaryPractices”
16 PracticePearls by Wendy S. Myers "ExplainingFinancesWithConfidence”
18 InsidePADLS by Donna Kelly, DVM, MASCP, DACPV "SummertimeProblemsforPondFish”
22 PVFCornerstone "4thAnnualBarkinthePark5kRunand1MileDogWalk”
28 VeterinaryTechnologyCorner by Vicki Byard, CVT, VTS (Dentistry) "TechnicianDespair:TheMostPrevalentDiseaseinVeterinaryMedicine”
35 MemberNews "PVMARememberstoDr.HarryRozmiarek"
38 What’sHappening “EventsandEducation”
40 TheGrandFinale “CatBathingasaMartialArt”
AdvertisingIndex27 AlliedVeterinaryCremation
11 AtlanticCoastVeterinaryConference
9 AVMA-PLIT
38 Burzenski&Company,PC
17 CommunicationSolutionsForVeterinarians
7 DoveLewis
IRC Highmark
37 NateLynch&Associates,LLC
4 On-HoldSpecialists
19 PartnersForHealthyPets
39 PetMemorialServices
25 PNCBank
5 PulseVetTechnologies
20 pvmaAssureInsuranceAgency,Inc.
21 SimmonsVeterinaryPracticeSalesandAppraisals
33 StandardProcessVeterinaryFormulas
IFC ThompsonWoodRealty
RC TotalPracticeSolutionsGroup
32 TransFirst
15 VetCor
11 Zoetis
36 Classifieds
QuarterlyColumns
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WWW.PAVMA.ORG 3keystone veterinarian VOLUME II 2013
Golden Retriever Lifetime Study: Join Research History in the Making By Michael Guy, DVM, MS, PhD
InSeptember2012,MorrisAnimalFoun-dationlaunchedthelargestprospective
researchstudyeverconductedinveterinarymedicine.TheGoldenRetrieverLifetimeStudyisrecruiting3,000purebredGoldenRetrievers,theirownersandtheirveterinar-iansintoalifelongobservationalstudytoevaluatetheinfluenceofgenetics,dietandenvironmentontheincidenceofcancerandotherdiseases.
Wearepleasedthatsomanyveterinarianshavealreadyjoinedthestudyinbothroles—asveterinariansandasdogowners.MichaelLappin,DVM,ownerofTheAnimalHouseinBuzzardsBay,Massachusetts,hasfourpatientsinthestudyandalsoenrolledhisowndogIsaac.
“Ithasbeenheartbreakinginmy40yearsasapracticingveterinariantoseeyoung,seem-inglyhealthyGoldenRetrieversstruckdowninwhatshouldbetheprimeoftheirlives,”hesays.“IhavebeendrivenbytheneedtodoasmuchasIcantohelpthiswonderfulbreedenjoyalonger,healthierlife.”
BuildLong-TermRelationshipsWithYourClientsInadditiontohelpingtoimprovecaninehealth,theGoldenRetrieverLifetimeStudyprovidesanopportunityforveterinarianstobuildlong-termrelationshipswithdedicatedclients.TheMorrisAnimalFoundationstudy
teamhasobservedthatownerswhoenrolltheirdogsinthisstudyareextremelycom-mittedtocaninehealth.Manyhave,unfortu-nately,alreadylostadogtocancerandare,therefore,evenmorededicatedtoadvancingveterinarymedicinetobenefittheircurrentandfuturepets.
“IenrolledmyGoldenRetrieverJourneyinthestudybecauseIhavealwayswantedbet-terhealthformydogs,”saysNancyBishop,aveterinarytechnicianwhoisalsoparticipat-inginthestudy.“Ican’tthankMorrisAnimalFoundationenoughfortakingonthispioneer-ingstudytohelpmybelovedbreedandotherdogs.”
Everyyear,forthelifetimeoftheirenrolleddog,ownerswillcompleteadetailedonlinequestionnaireabouttheirdog’sdiet,travel,reproductivehistory,livingenvironment,exercise,andbehavior.Ownersmustalsotaketheirdogstotheirveterinarianannuallyforaphysicalexaminationandcollectionofblood,urine,feces,hairandnailclippings.
Theveterinarianenterstheexamresultsintoanonlinedatabaseandshipssamplestoabiorepositoryforlong-termstorage,wheretheywillbemadeavailabletofutureresearchersforadditionalstudies.SamplesarealsosubmittedtoAntechDiagnosticsforaserumchemistrypanel,atotalT4testandcompletebloodcellcountaswellasurinaly-sis,fecalanalysisandaheartwormantigen
Top Veterinary ParticipantsThank you to the veterinarians and their teams who have multiple patients participating.
FIVE PATIENTSDr. Scott Carpenter, Arvada West Veterinary Clinic, Arvada, CO
FOUR PATIENTS Dr. Michael Lappin, The Animal House, Buzzards Bay, MADr. Deborah Pickett, Bernville Veterinary Clinic, Bernville, PA
THREE PATIENTSDr. Douglas Davies, Broadview Animal Clinic, Denver, CODr. Tracey Jensen, Wellington Veterinary Clinic, Wellington, CODr. Renee Leton, El Camino Animal Hospital, El Camino, CADr. Margaret Levy, North Kingstown Animal Hospital, North Kingstown, RIDr. Kari Swenson, Gallatin Veterinary Hospital, Bozeman, MT
continued on page 39
test.AntechDiagnosticssendstestresultstotheveterinarianatnocost.
Clientsarealsoexpectedtobringtheirdogtotheirveterinarianforallotherhealtheventsthattakeplacewhilethedogisinthestudy,andtheveterinarianmustprovideMorrisAni-malFoundationwithabriefonlinesummaryofthefindingsfromtheseadditionalvisits.Ifadogdevelopscancerduringthestudy,theveterinarianwillcollectsamplesforevalua-tionandsubmissiontothebiorepository.
SouthernStatesLeadEnrollment Theaimisforparticipatingdogstobeevenlydistributedamongthefourgendergroups—intactfemales,spayedfemales,intactmalesandneuteredmales—andacrossfivegeographicregionsofthecontinentalUnitedStates:Northeast,South,Midwest,MountainandPacific.
AsofMay1,378dogswereenrolledintheGoldenRetrieverLifetimeStudy,andmorethan1,200additionaldogswerecompletingtheapplicationprocess.TheSouthernstatesareleadingenrollmentwith24percentofdogs.
DogsEligibleForEnrollment• Mustbeahealthy,purebredGolden
Retriever• Haveaverifiablethree-generation
pedigree
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2013 Board of Trustees(A= Alternate Trustee, T=Trustee)
District IAdam Hoover, VMD, TrusteeBeth Piersol, DVM, Alternate
District IILloyd Reitz, Jr., DVM, Trustee
Stacia McMahon Gilbert, DVM, Alternate
District IIIMary-Lynn McBride, DVM, TrusteeDawn Fiedorczyk, VMD, Alternate
District IVMichael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVR, Trustee
John Showalter, DVM, TrusteeAmanda Glass, DVM, Alternate
Sean Smarick, VMD, DACVECC, Alternate
District VDan Zawisza, VMD, Trustee
Alternate—Vacant
District VIAndrea Honigmann, DVM, Trustee
John Simms, VMD, TrusteeNathan Kapp, VMD, Alternate
Jeff Steed, DVM, Alternate
District VIIHeather Berst, VMD, Trustee
Christina Dougherty, VMD, TrusteeCasey Lynch Kurtz, VMD, Trustee
Theodore Robinson, VMD, TrusteeKimberley Hershhorn Galligher, VMD, Alternate
Kim Kovath, VMD, AlternateSteven Prier, VMD, Alternate
Tom Garg, VMD, Alternate
District VIIISusan Ackermann, DVM, Trustee
Ferdinand Visintainer, VMD, TrusteeMeg Alonso, VMD, Alternate Carlos Hodges, DVM, MS, PC
AVMA Alternate DelegateMike Topper, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Academic Veterinarian At-LargeColin Harvey, BVSc, ACVS
Veterinary Student At-LargeVacant
Production Animal Practice Veterinarian At-Large
Darcie Stolz, VMD
Equine Veterinarian At-LargeVacant
Public and Corporate Practice Veterinarian At-Large
Jules Benson, BVSc, MRCVS
Veterinary Technician At-LargeJOY ELLWANGER, CVT, BS, AAS
Editor: Heather Berst, VMDStaff Editor & Graphic Designer: Lori RaverStaff Editor: Charlene Wandzilak
Editorial CorrespondenceLetters to the Editor should be sent to PVMA, Attn: Lori Raver, 8574 Paxton Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036, fax 717.220.1461, or by email at [email protected].
Advertisingkeystone veterinarian is published quarterly by the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association. Inquiries about display advertising should be directed to Lori Raver at the address and phone number listed above. Advertising information is also available on our website, www.pavma.org. Contracts and insertion orders should be sent to the address listed above by the appropriate submission deadline.
Submission DeadlinesAll articles, classifieds, and display advertisements must be received by the deadlines listed to be considered for inclusion in the respective issue:
Volume III, 2013—September 1, 2013 Volume IV, 2013—October 1, 2013
Subscriptionskeystone veterinarian is mailed to all PVMA members at no charge as a member benefit. Subscriptions are available to non-members for $30 a year or $10 for a single issue.
Notice to ReadersNeither this publication nor PVMA assume responsibility for material contained in articles and advertisements published, nor does publication necessarily constitute endorsement or approval of the advertiser, product, service, or author viewpoint by the keystone veterinarian, its editors and publishers, or the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association. In addition, neither this publication nor PVMA guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any facts, views, opinions, recommendations, information or statements contained within this publication.
Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the permission of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association.
Copyright 2013: Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association.
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observations
Making Women Into LeadersByHeatherBerst,VMD,Editor
HaveyoureadtheNewYorkTimesBestsellerLean InbyFacebookCOOSherylSandberg?Thebookdiscussesthelackofwomenasleadersinbusinessandsolutionstothisdeficiency.Ithasreceivedalotofpressand
broughtupmanydifferingopinionsamongbothwomenandmen,soIdecidedtoreadit.IfinisheditintwodaysandI'mhopingmanyveterinariansdecidetoreadit.Ifoundthebookverysolution-orientedandthatMs.Sand-berghaddoneherresearchandremainedfact-based.Youmaybewonderinghowthisrelatestothekeystone veterinarian.Inaprofessionwhere78%ofcurrentveterinarystudentsarewomen,it'sextremelyrelevant.In2009,theAVMAreportedthatforthefirsttime,womenveterinariansexceedmaleveterinariansbyamarginof44,802–43,196.Thefutureofveterinarymedicinewillneedwomenleaders.
Therehavebeennumerousarticlespublishedoverthepastfivetotenyearsaboutwhythereisatrendtowardsmorefemaleveterinariansandwhatthismaymeanfortheprofession.Commontheoriesincludemorewomenaregettinghigherdegreesthanmen,andthatmenarepursingalternativecareerswithhighersalaries.Thefutureoftheprofessionmayincludemorepart-timeveterinarians,flexibleworkschedules,andanincreaseincorporately-ownedveterinaryhospitals.Wecandiscussalltheseitemsforyearstocome.Thefactremains,alargeportionofourprofessionismadeupbywomen,andthenumberswillcontinuetogrowoverthenext10-20years.
IwassurprisedwhenIlookedatthe2013AVMAExecutiveBoardmembers.Itincludes18people,twoofwhicharewomen.Inmycurrentrole,Igettovisitalargenumberofsmallanimalveterinaryhospitals,andalargeproportionofpracticeownersaremen.Iwonderifthiswillchangegoingforward?Typically,practiceowners,veterinaryschoolprofessors,andAVMAExecutiveBoardmembersareinthelatterpartoftheircareerandarepartofthegenerationthathadmoremaleveterinarians.Isitjustthesameasinotherprofessionsthattherearenotasmanywomenleaders?Ireallyhopeitistheformer.
Lean In hadafewkeyconceptsweallshouldthinkaboutinordertomakesuretherearemorewomenleadersintheprofession.Keythoughtsinclude:findingasupportivepartner,believinginyourself,sittingatthetable,don’tleavebeforeyouleave,andmyfavorite—whatwouldyoudoifyouweren'tafraid?
InPennsylvania,wehavegreatwomenrolemodels.WehavePVMA'sExecutiveDirectorCharleneWandzilakandtheUniversityofPennsylvania,SchoolofVeterinaryMedicine'sDeanHendricks.Therearealsogreatresourcesforwomenveterinarianswhowanttobeleaderstotakeadvantage.Thereseveraltrainingcoursesavailabletobeeffectiveleaders.ThereisthePennExecutiveVeterinaryLeadershipProgram,AVMAVeterinaryLeadershipConference,andVeterinaryLeadershipExperience.
Ihavechosenan"alternative”careerasaveterinarian,workingasaPracticeDevelopmentVeterinarianforHill’sPetNutrition.IhavebeenfortunatethatHill’sprovidesveterinarianswithtrainingthatmakesusbetterleaders.AfterreadingLean In,Iampreparedtositatthetableandleanintomycareerasaveterinarian.Ihopethatmanywomenveterinarianswhoaregraduatingnowwilldecidetodothesame.l
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AVMA Updates Euthanasia GuidelinesNewGuidelinesOfferExpandedAdviceForVeterinariansonPreferredMethods
ProvidedcourtesyoftheAmericanVeterinaryMedicalAssociation(AVMA),Schaumburg,Illinois
T heAmericanVeterinaryMedicalAssociation(AVMA)publishedthe 2013editionoftheAVMAGuidelinesfortheEuthanasiaofAni-
mals.Ledbya13-memberpanel,morethan60experts—includingveterinarians,animalscientists,behaviorists,physiologists,psycholo-gistsandanethicist—deliberatedmorethanthreeyearstocreatethe2013guidelines.
SincethefirstPanelonEuthanasiawasconvened50yearsago,theAVMAGuidelineshavehelpedveterinariansprotectthewelfareofani-malsbysettingcriteriaforeuthanasiaandspecifyingappropriatemeth-odsandagents.Astheguidelineshavebecomeincreasinglyinfluential(andinsomecasesrecognizedasalegalstandard),theirspecificityandscopehaveincreased.
Specifically,the2013guidelinesacknowledgeeuthanasiaasaprocessthatinvolvesmorethanjustwhathappenstoananimalatthetimeofitsdeath.Inadditiontoprovidingmoreinformationabouttechniquesusedforeuthanasiaacrossabroaderrangeofspecies,thiseditionin-cludesattentiontoethicaldecision-making,providesdetailedinforma-tionaboutanimals’physiologicandbehavioralresponsestoeuthana-sia,considerseuthanasia’seffectsonthoseperformingandobservingit,andtakesintoaccountthepracticalityandenvironmentalimpactsofvariouseuthanasiaapproaches.
“Aswelearnmoreaboutanimals—theirphysiologyandpsychol-ogy—it’simportanttoupdateandsometimeschangeourapproachestoeuthanasiatoensurewecontinuetoprotecttheirwelfareasbestaspossible,”explainedDr.StevenLeary,chairoftheAVMAPanelonEuthanasia.“Thiswasthemostprofessionallydiversepanelontheeuthanasiaofanimalseverassembled.Asaresult,thelatestupdateofoureuthanasiaguidelinesoffersmuchmoredepthandbreadthofexpertiseintheaffectedspeciesandtheenvironmentsinwhicheuthanasiaisperformed.PanelmemberstaketheirresponsibilityextremelyseriouslybecausewerecognizetheAVMAGuidelinesareusedbyeveryonefromveterinariansinprivatepractice,tocaretakersonfarmsandresearchersinbiomedicalfacilities,tolawenforcement,togovernmentalregulators.”
ThefirsteditionoftheAVMA’shighlyrespected,authoritativeeutha-nasiaguidelineswasissuedin1963.Witheachupdate,theguidelineshavereflectedknowledgegainedthroughadvancementsinresearchandpracticalexperience.Newinthe2013editionare:
•Euthanasiamethodsforinvertebratesandotherlower-orderspecies;•Adviceonhumanehandlingofanimalsbeforeandduring
euthanasia;•Informationoncollectionofanimalsforscientificinvestigations,han-
dlinginjuredwildanimals,andremovalofanimalscausingpropertydamageorthreateninghumansafety;
•Additionalinformationaboutconfirmationofdeathanddisposalofanimalremains;and
•Flowcharts,illustrations,tablesandappendicesthatclarifyrecom-mendations.l
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the president’s two cents
Who is the State Board of Veterinary MedicineByKentonRexford,VMD,President
thepresident’stwocents
ManyveterinariansseemtobeuncertainaboutthePennsylvaniaStateBoardofVeterinaryMedicine.Forstarters,let’slookattheirmissionstatement:
"TheStateBoardofVeterinaryMedicineregulatesthelicensureandpracticeofveterinarymedicineintheCommonwealthofPennsylvania.Amongitsotherfunctions,theboardlicensesveterinar-ians;certifiesveterinarytechniciansandapprovesschoolsandcollegesofveterinarymedicineandveterinarytechnologyprograms.Theboardprotectsthepublicfrombeingmisledbyincompetent,unscrupulousandunauthorizedpersonsandfromunprofessionalorillegalpracticesbypersonslicensedtopracticeveterinarymedicine."
Itisimportanttounderstandthattheboardisneitheryourfriendnoryourenemy.Itisthedutyoftheboardtoinvestigatecomplaints;todetermineifthecomplaintisvalid;andtodetermineifanydisciplinaryactionisrequired.
Almosteverycomplaintreceivedbytheboardissentbyadisgruntledclient.Manyofthecomplaintsseemtohavetheirgenesisasaresultofmiscommunicationandpoorrecordkeeping.Themostcommonreasonsveteri-nariansareinvestigatedbythestateboardare:1. Criminalproceedingsagainstaveterinarian,e.g.DUI,misuseofdrugs,etc.,2. Failuretomaintainlicensure,3. FailuretoattendappropriateCE,4. Deathofapatientallegedlyduetomalpractice,5. Allegedmisdiagnosis,and6. AllegedDishonesty
Obviously,thebestwaytoavoidbeinginvestigatedbytheboardisnottohaveacomplaintfiledagainstyou.So,howdoyoudothat?Herearesomerecommendations:1. Obeyallstateandfederallaws,2. Keepyourlicensurecurrent,3. Completeatleast16hoursofapprovedCEannually,andkeepyourCEcertificates,4. Alwayspracticethehigheststandardofcare,5. Alwaysbehonestwithyourclients,6. Recommendreferraltoaspecialistwhenappropriate,7. Keepthoroughwrittenrecords,including,
a. Conversationswithclientsb. Testsorproceduresthatwereofferedc. Testsorproceduresthatweredeclinedd. Testsorproceduresthatwereperformede. Testresultsf. Patientmonitoringg. Referralrecommendations
8. Remembertomaintainopenandcompassionatecommunicationwithclients.
Ifacomplaintisfiledagainstyou,hereiswhattoexpect:1. Aninvestigator(notaveterinarian)willcontactyou,2. Theinvestigatorwillvisitandinspectyourhospital,3. Theinvestigatorwillallowyoutoreadthecomplaint,4. Theinvestigatorwillnotallowyoutophotocopythecomplaint,5. Youwillberequiredtoprovidecopiesofallmedicalrecords,6. Youwillberequiredtowritealetterthatsummarizesthecaseandaddressesthecomplaint(s),7. Iftheboardelectstopursuethecase*,youwillhaveahearing.Alawyerisrecommended,8. Youwillreceiveaverdictfromtheboard.
* Afterreviewingyourletterandyourrecords,theboardmayelectnottopursuefurtheraction.Inthiscaseyou willbeinformedoftheboard’sdecision.Itmaytakeseveralmonthsforyoutoreceivenotification.
Ihopethisishelpfuland,perhaps,alleviatessomeconfusionorstress.IfyouhavequestionsandwouldliketocontacttheStateBoardofVeterinaryMedicine,[email protected]
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WWW.PAVMA.ORG 9keystone veterinarian VOLUME II 2013
A majorstudybytheAmericanVeterinaryMedicalAssociation (AVMA)andconductedbyIHSHealthcare&Pharmainpartner-
shipwiththeCenterforHealthWorkforceStudiesattheStateUniver-sityofNewYorkestimatesanexcesscapacityofveterinaryservicesintheUnitedStates.Specifically,thereportindicatesthatthesupplyofveterinariansintheUnitedStatesin2012was90,200,andthatsupplyexceededthedemandforveterinaryservicesbyabout11,250full-timeequivalentveterinarians.
Theexcesscapacityestimatedinthereportdoesnotmeanthat11,250veterinarianswereunemployedduringthestudyperiod,butthat12.5percentofveterinarians’capacitytoprovideserviceswasgoingun-used.Ifcurrentconditionscontinue,thestudyprojectsthatthisislikelytopersistintotheforeseeablefuture.
Aveterinaryworkforcesurveyusedasapartofthestudyaskedre-spondentveterinariansworkinginclinicalpracticetocharacterizetheirlocalveterinarymarketandtheirpractices’capacityandproductivity.Fifty-threepercentofthosesurveyedsaidthattheybelievedtheywereworkingatlessthanfullcapacity.OnequestiontheAVMAhopestoanswergoingforwardiswhysomeclinicalpracticesareworkingatfullcapacityandothersarenot.
2013 AVMA Veterinary Workforce Report Confirms Excess Capacity in US Veterinary ProfessionProvidedcourtesyoftheAmericanVeterinaryMedicalAssociation,Schaumburg,Illionis
TheworkforcestudywasconductedusingexpertanalysisandthebestavailableexistingdatacollectedbytheAVMA,federalagenciesandotherorganizations,aswellastheaforementionedveterinaryworkforcesurvey.However,duringthestudy,majorgapsindatawereidentified.
Asaresultofthenationalstudy,theAVMAalsoannouncedthatithasdevelopedanewcomputersoftwaremodelthatwillhelppaintaclearerpictureofthecurrentandfutureveterinaryworkforce.
TheVeterinaryWorkforceSimulationModel,anAVMA-owned,propri-etarysoftware,willplayakeyroleinhelpingtheAVMAanditsrecentlyestablishedVeterinaryEconomicsDivisionproduceongoingupdatesthatwillenabletheassociation,veterinarians,veterinaryeducators,andotherkeystakeholderstobetterunderstandissuespertainingtothesupplyanddemandforveterinariansandveterinaryservices,aswellasoverallveterinaryeconomics.Theimprovedabilitytocollect,measure,track,andanalyzethisdatawillhelpfilllong-existinggapsinimportantinformationthataffectedthisstudyandothersinthepast.ThepresidentoftheAVMAwarned,however,thattheeffortstoseekmoreinsightsintotheissuessurroundingtheprofessionshouldnotdiminishtheimportanceofthisstudyanditsimplications.
continued on page 39
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from where I sit
Exciting PVMA Opportunities on the Horizon for Pennsylvania Veterinary PracticesByCharleneWandzilak,ExecutiveDirector
Inmylastarticle,ItalkedaboutthemanychallengesthatfacetheprofessionandhowPVMAisaddressingthosechallenges.Fromprofitabilitytonon-profitorganizations’competitionwiththeveterinarycommunityto
non-veterinariansinfringingonthescopeofpractice,weareworkingonyourbehalftohelpyouwiththedaytodaystrugglesofveterinarymedicinein2013.
IamhappytoreportthattheTaskforcesonNon-ProfitOrganizations/VeterinaryPracticeRelationsandScopeofPracticewillbemeetingonThursday,September12inHarrisburg.Ifyouareinterestedintheseefforts,Iinviteyoutoemailmeatcwandzilak@pavma.organdparticipate.AlsomeetingthatdaywillbeaYoungVeterinariansAdvisoryCouncilthatwehavecreatedtohelpusidentifywayswecanhelpveterinariansastheytransitionfromschoolandbegintheircareers.Ifyouareaveterinarianwhograduatedinthelastsevenyears,Iencourageyoutoparticipateor,ifyoucan’t,giveusyourinputonhowwecanhelpyou.IamexcitedaboutthisnewcouncilandthewaysthatthisgroupofindividualswillhelpusshapePVMAtoensureweareherefortheveterinaryprofes-sioninthefuture.
Inadditiontothoseefforts,PVMAisgettingreadytolaunchanumberofnewopportunitiesforveterinaryprac-ticesacrossthestatethatwillhelpyouwithprofitability.TheMemberServicesCommitteeandBoardofTrusteeshaveapprovedtwonewmemberbenefitsthatwillhelppracticeswiththeirdaytodayoperations.
Asyoumostlikelyknow,wepartneredwithCommunityVeterinaryPartners(CVP)thissummertoconductasurveyonbusinessbehaviorstoprovideregionaldataonsomeoftheissuesrelatedtomanagingapractice.Theresultsofthesurveywillbepublishedinthekeystone veterinarian inVolume3andtheinformationusedtoidentifywayswecanhelpyouwithsomeofyourneedsintheseareas.OurongoingpartnershipwithCommunityVeterinaryPart-ners(CVP)ismovingintoanewdimensionaswepartnertogethertoofferadiscountedrateforpracticeswhowanttojointheirMemberNetwork.TheMemberNetworkservicesinclude:
• Digitalmarketingandclientcommunications• Newclientgenerationthroughsocialmediamarketing,•Websiteandsearchenginemanagement,• Accesstogrouppurchasingdiscountsthatsignificantlysubsidizesmembershipcosts.(Estimatedannualsavingsofmorethan$1,000,dependingonpracticesize)
•Practicedevelopmentworkshopsandpeergroups,and• Preferredaccesstotheindustry’sleadingpracticemanagementconsultantsandserviceproviders.
Theseservices,whichenableevensmallpracticestoeffectivelymarketthemselvestothepublicandreceivegroupbuyingadvantages,willbeofferedtoPVMApracticeownersatasavingsof$500-$1,700offthepricesofferedtootherpracticeownerswhoarenotPVMAmembers.Thatmorethanpaysforyourannualdues!MoreinformationwillfollowinearlyfallafterthelaunchofthisnewbenefitattheKeystoneVeterinaryConference.Watchformoredetailsinthecomingweeks!
Inaddition,anothertremendouslyvaluableservicehasbeenapprovedthatweareexcitedtoofferbecauseitwillhelppracticesworksmarter,generatemoreincome,andhelpimproveclientloyalty.Comingthisfall,wewillbeofferingpracticestheabilitysettargetsforappropriatestaffinglevels,scheduling,andappropriatefees,andidentifyclientsatisfactionlevelsandhowtoimprove.Specifically,wewillbeofferingthefollowingservices:
• Practice Fee Guide:thisisapprovedforuseintheUnitedStatesandprovidessuggestedfeesthatmakesensetoclientsandoptimizepracticeincome.Auniquefeeguideisdevelopedforeachparticipatingpracticeand
continued on page 21
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The moral of the story …
Don’t Kiss Your ChickProvidedcourtesyofthePennsylvaniaDepartmentofAgriculture,thePennsylvaniaDepartment ofHealth,andtheUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture,Harrisburg,Pennsylvania
C hickenswearingclothes,sleepingonthe couch,andgettingkissed.
Itseemstobeagrowingnicheforanimalsthatusedtoberaisedonlyfortheeggsormeattheyproduce.Alongwithruralfamilies,subur-banitesandevencitydwellersarebuyingbabypoultryatfeedstoresororderingthemfromhatcheriesfortheexperienceofraisingtheirownfood.Andmanypeoplecan’tresistacutebabychickorducklingaroundEaster,buyingthemforyoungchildrentocuddle.
Babypoultrycanbepurchasedonlinefrommail-orderhatcheriesandshippeddirectlytoaprivateresidence.Theycanalsobefoundatmanyfeedstores,wherecustomersandchildrencanseethemdisplayedinsmallpensoreveninlivestockwatertroughs.Theseadorablefuzzycreaturesarehardtoresist,andinsomestores,childrencanreachintotheenclosuresandhandlethem.
Unfortunately,reportsofhumanSalmonella caseslinkedtobabypoultryhaveincreasedoverthepastyearandthishighlightstheon-goingriskforhumansalmonellosislinkedtobackyardflocksandpetpoultry.Salmonellosiscanoftenresultinamilddiarrhealdisease,butinsomepeoplecanbelife-threatening.TheCenterforDiseaseControl(CDC)discov-eredseveraloutbreaksofhumanSalmonella infectionslinkedtocontactwithlivechicks
andducklingsin2012.Asinglemail-orderhatcherywaslinkedtomanyofthecases,andseveraldifferentSalmonellasubtypeswereidentifiedasaresultoftheinvestiga-tion.Additionalcasesarebeinginvestigatedthisyear.
Preventionofhumansalmonellosisassociatedwithbabypoultryrequirescooperationamongtheveterinarycommunity,publichealthagen-cies,feedstores,hatcheries,andconsum-ers.TheCDChasmadeavailableapostertoincreaseawarenessoftheriskofSalmonella whereverbabypoultryaresold.Theposterhighlightsinformationsuchastheimportanceofproperhandwashingafterhandlingpoultry.Thisposter,whichisfeaturedonpage13,canbeprintedanddistributedbyveterinaryof-ficestoclientsinterestedinraisingpoultry,orbemadeavailableatfeedstoreswherechicksandducklingsaresold.Theinformationcanalsobesentoutfrommailorderhatcherieswillingtoparticipate.TheCDCalsoprovidespostersonpreventionofsalmonellosisfromhandlingofreptilesandfromhandlingofpetfoodwhichmaybecontaminated.
Hopefullythiseducationalinitiativeonsimplestepstoreducetheriskofsalmonellosisfrombabypoultrywillresultinareductionofthenumberofcasesinthefuture.Moreinforma-tioncanbefoundontheCDCwebsiteathttp://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/.l
W iththeeverincreasing populationofbackyardor
hobbypoultryflocks,veterinariansinalltypesofpracticesarefieldingquestionsaboutpoultryandseeingthemaspatients.ThepersonneloftheUniversityofPennsylvania,LaboratoryofAvianMedicineandPathology,NewBoltonCenterarereadyandwillingtoadviseveterinariansconcerningdifferentialdiagnosesandappropriatediagnostictestingrelatedtothesepoul-trycases.Birdownerstendtolookforinformationontheinternet,butsomeismisinformationandcanbedetrimen-taltothehealthofthebirds.
Overthepastseveralyears,thenumberofcasesofbirdspresentedtothediagnosticlabforpostmortemexaminationhasincreaseddramatically.ThemostcommonproblemshavebeenMarek’sdisease,Mycoplasmagalli-septicum,infectiousbronchitis,E.coli-relatedsalpingitis,andgrassimpaction.
WeareseekingalistofveterinariansthroughoutPennsylvaniawhowillseebirdsfromthesebackyard/hobbyflocksintheirpractices.PleasesendtheinformationtoDr.SherrillDavisonat [email protected] or call 610.444.4282.l
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Doctor,Have You Checked Your Website’s Pulse Lately?ProvidedcourtesyofPartnersForHealthyPets
F orthemostpart,theYellowPages(asa sourceforfindingaveterinarian)areon
lifesupport.Internetsearchenginesarenowresponsibleforthemajorityofsearchesforvirtuallyallserviceproviders.EvenpeoplewhousetheYellowPagesoftenfollowupbyreviewingapractice’swebsitebeforecallingforanappointment.
So,assumingyouhaveawebsite,youprob-ablyfeelthisarticleisnotforyou.Ifso,youmaybewrong.Arandomreviewofmanyvet-erinarywebsitesfoundthatatleast85%ofallcompanionanimalpracticewebsiteshaveroomforsignificantimprovementintermsofbeingattractivetopetowners.
That’snottosaythat85%arenotattractive.Indeed,manyareveryprofessionaland“at-tractive.”Theproblemisthatmostareattrac-tivetootherveterinarians,notpetowners!
Herearesomesimplestepsandquestionsyoucananswertoseeifyourwebsiteisinneedofhelp.
First,isyourwebsitecomingupnearthetopofInternetsearches?Here’sasimpletest:
UsingGoogle(oryourfavoritesearchengine)typein“veterinarians[insertthenameofyourtown].”Hit“search”andseewhathappens.Isyourpracticeoneofthefirst3-5practicesthatarelistedinthesearchresults?Ifnot,yourconditionis“serious.”Ifyourpractice’snamedoesn’tcomeonthefirstpage,yourconditionrequires“intensivecare.”Youdon’thaveawebsite?Condition:“critical.”
Next,lookatyourwebsiteandanswerthesesimplequestions:1.Whatappearsintheupperleft-handcorner
ofthehomepage?Isitaspecificcalltoac-tion,suchas“callusforanappointmentat[followedbyyourphonenumber]”?
2.Isapictureofyourbuildingaprominentfeatureonthehomepage?
3.Isthe“AboutUs”tabclearlyand prominentlydisplayed?(Ifthereisno“AboutUs”tabonyoursite,answer“no” tothisquestion.)
4.Doesthe“AboutUs”tableadtoaphotogalleryofyourdoctorsandkeystaff?
5.Doeseachpictureofthedoctorsandstaffincludetheteammemberwithapet?
6.DoesmostofthecontentassociatedwitheachDoctoronthe“AboutUs”pagetalkprimarilyaboutschoolofgraduation,specialmedical/surgicalinterests,involvementinassociations,awardsreceivedandthelike?
7.Ifyouhaveaphotogalleryonyourwebsite,arethereanypicturesofroomsorareasofthepracticeinwhichtheroomsareempty?(Thatis,pictureswithoutpeopleandani-mals?)Ifyoudonothaveaphotogallery,answer“no”tothisquestion.
8.DoyouhaveaFacebookand/orTwitterlogoonyoursite?
Scoring• Theanswerstoquestions1,3,4,5,and8shouldbeYes
• Theanswerstoquestions2,6,and7shouldbeNo
Ifyouscoredperfectly,congratulations!Yourwebsiteisprobablyingoodshapeandyoucanshiftyourprioritytootherpotentialareasofneedforyourpractice.Frankly,anythinglessthana100%correctscoremeansthatthereareopportunitiesforyoutomakeimprovements.
TheGoodNewsThePartnersforHealthyPetswebsite (www.partnersforhealthypets.org)hasanentirecategoryofhelpfultoolsonInternetMarketingandSocialMedia.Thesefreetoolscomeintheformoffunvideomodules,whichinturnareaccompaniedbydownloadablestep-by-stepinstructionsthateventechno-logicallychallengedpracticescanunderstandandfollow.
Thesetoolswillhelpyoucraftamessageforyourwebsitethatwillattractclientsandresultinthemcallingyouforanappointment.Theywilltellyouwhatittakestocreateatrulyclientattractingwebsiteandhelpensurethatyourpracticerisestothetopofsearchengineresults.Thetoolswillguideyouthestepstogetyouengagedinsocialmedia,includingFacebookandTwitter.
Finally,sitessuchasYelparegivingyourclientsanopportunitytocommentonyour
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practice–bothinpositiveandpotentiallyharmfulways.Thetoolswillhelpyouunderstandhowyoucanmonitortheonlinecommentsbeingmadeaboutyouandyourpractice,andgiveyouhelpfulideasonhowtorespondtocommentsmadebyothers.
Don’tPutthisOff!Everydaythatyourwebsiteisnotoptimizedforclientattractioncosts
younewclients.Takethefirststeptoday–visittheInternetMarketing&SocialMediasectionofthePartnersforHealthyPetsResourcesToolbox.l
Partners for Healthy Pets is dedicated to en-suring that pets receive the preventive health-care they deserve through regular visits to a veterinarian and is committed to working with you to enhance the health of your patients and your practice. Learn more about Partners for Healthy Pets and explore the Resources Toolbox at www.partnersforhealthypets.org.
Build the Importance of Preventive Healthcare With Partners For Healthy Pets Power ToolsProvidedcourtesyofPartnersForHealthyPets
Peoplehaveaspecialrelationshipwiththeirpets,andmostrecog-nizethatvisitingaveterinarianenhancesthatrelationship.Butyou
seeiteverydayinpractice–petownerswhohavebeenbombardedwithincorrectandincompleteinformationandareconfusedaboutwhat’sbestfortheirpets.Somuchsothattheymaynotfollowyourclinicaladvice,andmaynotbringtheirpetstocriticalpreventivecareappointmentsatall.
Asaprofession,wehaveagreatopportunitytohelppetsandpetown-ersenjoyalongerandhealthierlifetogether.
Veterinaryprofessionalsworkhardtoprovidethebestpossiblecaretopetssothattheyandtheirownerscanenjoylongandhealthylivestogether.PartnersforHealthyPetswasfoundedtohelpyoumakethepreventivehealthcareyouprovideevenmorepowerful.We’vedevel-opedtoolsandresources–availableatnocharge-thatcanhelpyoubuildbetterrelationshipswithownersandhelpthemunderstandthevalueofpreventivehealthcaresothatmorepatientscanbenefitfromwhatyoudobest.
IndividualpracticeinvolvementiskeyThePartnersforHealthyPetsPracticeResourcesToolboxwascon-ceivedtoprovidetheprofessionwithasoundmixofinformationandmaterialsthatcollectivelyelevatethelevelofpreventivecareofferedacrossthecountry.Eachofthetoolsandresourcesprovidedynamicwaystoreinforceapractice-widefocusonpreventivepethealthcare.Usedcollectively,theycanhelphealthcareteamsenhancecommunica-tionswithpetownersaboutthevalueofandneedforroutinecareandtakepreventivepethealthcaretoanoptimumlevelwithinyourownindividualpractice.
Makethedecisiontobeavoiceforvitality…oftheveterinaryprofes-sion,ofyourpractice,andofournation’spets!
It’seasierthanyoumightthink.
•AdoptandwidelycommunicatePreventiveHealthcareGuidelinestopetownersthroughyournewsletters,website,andwithineachpreventivecarevisit.
•Focusoncommunicatingthevalueandbenefitofpreventivepethealthcaretopetownersatallpointsofcontact,fromreceptionisttotechniciantoveterinarian.
•UsethetoolsandresourcesavailablefromPartnersforHealthyPetstohelpfindcommunicationgaps,trainstaff,andgathernewideasthatwillcomplimentcurrentprogramsandplans.
PartnersforHealthyPetsisdedicatedtoensuringthatpetsreceivedthepreventivehealthcaretheydeservethroughregularvisitstoaveterinarianandiscommittedtoworkingwithyoutoenhancethehealthofyourpatientsandyourpractice.LearnmoreaboutPartnersforHealthyPetsandexploretheResourcesToolboxatwww.partners-forhealthypets.org.l
Website'sPulsecontinuedfrompage14
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WhenTyson,a14-week-oldpitbullpuppywasplayingwithanotherdog,hefelloff
thecouchandfracturedhisleg.ThepetownerhadfundsavailableonhisMasterCardforthe$1,000surgerybutdidn’twanttomaxouthiscard.MaureenLovett,frontdesksupervisoratRutlandVeterinaryClinicandSurgicalCenterinRutland,Vermont,explainedfinancingthroughCareCredit.Theclientput$500onhisMaster-
Cardandfinancedtheremainingbalance.
“About25percentofourclientsneedalittleextrahelpbeyondtheircreditcards,”Lovettsays.Havingaccesstofinancingwasawin-winoutcomefortheclientandclinic.In2012,RutlandVeterinaryClinic’sclientsfinanced$208,550throughCareCredit.TheAAHA-accreditedgeneralpracticewithfourveterinariansalsooffersemergencycareandorthopedicsurgery.
Whenyoucommunicatewithconfidenceaboutfinances,moreclientswillacceptthelevelofcarethattheirpetsneed.HerearefavoritetipswhenIcoachteamsoncommunicatingaboutfinances:
Choose the right words.Say“treatmentplan”insteadof“estimate.”Treatmentplanemphasizesneededmedicalcare,whileestimateissimplyaboutmoney.Alsoupdateformsinyourpractice-managementsoftwaresotheyechotheterm“treatmentplan.”If“estimate”appearsonpaperwork,youmayslipbackintooldphrases.
Pick the right location to discuss finances.Duringanonsiteconsult,IobservedaveterinariandiagnoseGrade3dentaldiseaseinacatandtelltheclientareceptionistwouldgiveheranestimateatthefrontdesk.Thereceptionistcollectedpaymentfortoday’sservicesandthenhandedtheclientanestimatewithoutexplanation.Theclientdidn’tschedulehercat’sprocedure.Poordentalcomplianceof15percentcouldbearesultofwherefinancialconversationswerebeingheld.
Alwayspresenttreatmentplansintheprivacyofexamroomswhereclientscanaskquestionsandapplyforfinancingifneeded.AtAnimalHospitalSpecialtyCenterinHighlandsRanch,Colo.,twoprivatecheck-outdesksarenexttothelobbywhereeachexamhallwaybegins.EachcheckoutdeskhasacomputerwithInternetaccessandphoneincaseclientsneedtoapplyforfinancing.“Keeptheconversationpositiveandprivate,”advisesJillEdwards,clientservicesandmarketingmanageratthe10-doctorAAHA-accreditedreferralpracticeofferingsurgery,internalmedicine,oncology,specialtydentistry,emergencyandcriticalcare.“Iletclientsknowthatwedofinancingallofthetime.”
Explaining Finances With ConfidenceByWendyS.Myers,Owner,CommunicationSolutionsForVeterinarians,HighlandsRanch,Colorado
Topphoto:AHSCcheckoutdesk:FinancialconversationsoccurattwoprivatecheckoutdesksatAnimalHospitalSpecialtyCenter.JillEdwards,clientservicesandmarketingmanager,explainsCareCredittoclients.Secondphoto:Bodylanguage:AtAnimalHospitalSpecialtyCenter,KathyPershing,CVT,(right)usesasmilebooktoexplainadentalproceduretoVickiHeimerforher6-year-oldBostonterrier,Macy.Dr.EdEisner,DiplomateAVDC,performsspecialtydentistryatthe10-doctorAAHA-accreditedreferralpractice.Thirdphoto:Financingatcheckout:Alwayskeepfinancialconversationsprivate.JillEdwards,clientservicesandmarketingmanager,explainspaymentchoicestoclientsatAnimalHospitalSpecialtyCenter’scheckoutdesk.Bottomphoto:Paymentmethods:JillEdwardsprocessesaclient’scheckwithCertegyCheckServices,acheckauthorizationandguaranteeservice.TerminalsforCareCreditandcreditcardsalsoarelocatedatthecheckoutdeskatAnimalHospitalSpecialtyCenter.
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ExplainingFinancescontinuedfrompage16
continued on page 33
Delegate financial conversations to staff. Vet-erinariansmakemedicalrecommendationsbasedonpatients’needs—notcost.It’sbesttohaveemployeespresenttreatmentplanstoclients,removingdoctorsfrommoneycon-versations.Doctorsandtechniciansmayneedtocollaborateoncreatingthetreatmentplan,butteammembersdeliverfinancialdetailstoclients.Presentthetreatmentplanas“Thisiswhatyourpetneeds,”insteadof“Whichservicesdoyouwant?”
Use positive body language.Bodylanguageaccountsfor55%offace-to-facecommuncia-tion.1Don’tstandbehindtheexamtableandtalkacrossit.Clientsmightperceivethisface-to-facepostureasconfrontational.Instead,standattheendoftheexamtable,forminganL-shapebetweenyouandtheclient.Evenbetter:Standonthesamesideoftheexamtable,shoulder-to-shoulderwiththeclient.Thisbodylanguageiscollaborativeratherthanconfrontational.Thetechnicianwouldthensay,“Letmeexplainthetreatmentplanthatyourpetneeds.”
Coverthepricewithyourthumboraneducationalbrochure.Theclientneedstounderstandservicesbeforeseeingtheprice.Explaineachitem,pointingtotheleftcolumnthatlistsmedicalservices.Lastly,slideawaythebrochureorliftyourthumbtorevealtheprice.Presentservicefirst,pricelast.
“Whenexplainingfinancing,Ismile,maintaingoodeyecontact,leanforward,andcommu-nicatemycompassionbytouchingtheclient’sarmorhand,”Edwardssays.
Teach with visual aids. AtAnimalHospitalSpecialtyCenter,staffpointtodigitalphotoframesastheyexplainprocedures.Ifyouhavecomputersinexamrooms,createslideshowsorPowerPointpresentations.Whencomputershibernate,aslideshowcanpromoteservices.Anotheroptionistocreatephotobooksusingwebsitessuchaswww.costco.com,www.shutterfly.comandwww.apple.com.
Matchtheorderofphotostoyourtreatmentplansoyoucanadvancepicturesorpagesasyoudescribeeachservice.Forexample,showaphotoofatechnicianrunningin-housebloodworkwhileexplainingpreanesthetictesting.Sharepicturesofapulseoximeter
andEKGwhendescribingmonitoring.Imageshelpclientsbetterunderstandprocedures,andeducatedclientsaremorelikelytoacceptdoctors’recommendations.
Providetreatmentplansforsurgery,dentistryandhospitalizedcases.Atreatmentplanac-complishesthreegoals:1)Explainsneededmedicalcare,2)Estimatesthecostofcare,and3)Givesyoupermissiontotreat.Alwaysgetsignatures—evenfromfavoriteclients.Say,“Togetyourpermissiontoadmityourpettothehospital,Ineedyoursignatureonthetreat-mentplan.Wewillkeepacopyinyourpet’smedicalrecord,andI’llalsogiveyouacopytotakehomesoyouhaveinformationontheservicesandfeeswediscussedtoday.”
Treatmentplansshouldstatefinancialpoli-ciessuchas“Paymentisduewhenservicesareprovided.Depositsmayberequiredforemergencies,infectiousdiseasecasesandnewclients.Foryourconvenience,weacceptcash,checksandmajorcreditcards.WeofferCareCredit,apaymentplanforqualifyingclients.”
Accept everything. Themorechoices,themorelikelyyou’llgetpaidrightnow.Aclient
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inside padls
Summertime Problems for Pond FishByDonnaKellyDVM,MASCP,DACPV,NewBoltonCenter,UniversityofPennsylvania,SchoolofVeterinaryMedicine,KennettSquare,Pennsylvania
Summertimecanbringsevereproblemsforpondfish.Themajorityofthesearewater
qualityissues.Theycanbesevereenoughtocausedramaticlossestostockorcancausestressthatleadstosecondarybacterial,fun-gal,andparasiteinfections.
MostofthesummertimeaquaticreferralstoPADLSareduetooxygendepletion.Thiscancausecatastrophiclossesinthepond,some-timesupto100%.Thereareseveraldifferentcauses.Over-crowdingandlowwaterlevelsaretheprimarycauses.Summertimeheatcauseswatertoloseitsabilitytoholdoxygen.Ninetydegreewaterinapondwilldropthe
dissolvedoxygentoabout7ppm,whichcankillsomeornamentalfishbreeds,especiallywhencombinedwithotherdissolvedoxygenloweringproblems.Pondsthatarelocatedhighabovesealevelcanbehitharderbecausetheynormallyhavelowerdissolvedoxygencontent.Mostfrequently,theselossesoccurinlargefishandhappenovernight.Powderandliquidalgaetreatmentscandepleteoxygenandcancauseovernightdieoffs.Largersetupsshouldhaveaback-upplanforaerationshouldtherebepoweroutagesbroughtonbysummerstorms.
Droughtbringswaterloss.Noadditionofwaterandincreasedevaporationleadtodecreasedpondwatervolumeandfishandplantcrowding.Thewaterqualitychangesasaresult,usuallyconcentratingammonia,nitriteandcarbondiox-idelevels.Ifthesearenotatlevelshighenoughtokillthefishoutright,theycausestress.Sec-ondaryinfectionssetinandcanleadtodeath.
Theadditionofnewfishcanleadtoover-crowdingandproblemswithbiomass/carryingcapacityofthepond.Fishofthecurrentpopu-lationneedtobeassessedfornewgrowthsizebeforeadditionalfishareaddedtothepond.Fishcanoutgrowapond’scapacity.Ifthecur-
rentfishhavegrowninsize,theremaynotbeadequatespace(watervolume)inthepondtosupportadditionalnewfish.Thesameistrueforplants.Additionofnewplantscanover-crowdthepondandloweritsoxygencarryingcapacity.Plantscanaddoxygenduringtheday,however,atnighttheyuseoxygen.
Overfeedingfishduringtimesofheatcancauseexcessiveorganicmaterialresultinginincreasedplantgrowth,increasedfishgrowth,andade-creaseintheamountoxygenpresent.Overfeed-ingornamentalfish,withoutharvestingorthin-ning,canleadtoexcessivefishgrowth.There
arenonaturalpredatorsinthisinstancetohelpthenaturalbalanceofthepond,soovercrowd-ingandexpandedbiomasscreateproblems.Fishaggressionandinjurycanoccur.Stressandsecondaryinfectionsarecommon.
Rapid,heavyrainscanquicklychangethewater’scondition,makingtheenvironmentunpleasant.Dependingontheamountofrain,pHchangesandtemperaturechangescanoccur.Heavyrainscandisturbthebottomsedimentstirringupheavyparticulatemat-terinthewaterthatmakesfishrespirationdifficult.Displacementofsecondarybacterialpathogenstooverwhelmingburdenscanbedetrimentaltofish.Rainwaterrun-offcanintroducechemicals,suchaspesticides,her-bicides,andpetroleums,intothepondwhichcanbetoxictothefish.Run-offcanbringinexcessivedirt,causingincreasedorganicmaterialandparticulatematter.
Hotsummerheatwavescausethewatertem-peraturerise.Thiscanbeextremelybadwithsmall,shallowpondsandornamentalcontainerponds.Temperaturescangethighenoughtokillfish.Factorinlackofaerationanditisaperfectsituationforcausingfishmortality.
Eventstowatchforthathinttoimpendingproblemsare:asuddenstopinfishthatfeed,fishbreathingatthesurfaceofthewaterespeciallyintheearlymorning,arapidcolorchangeinthepondwatertobrown/black/gray,asuddenputridodortothewater,ex-tendedhotandovercastweather,die-offsofalgae,andperiodsafterheavyrains.Addition-alsignsforsecondarydiseaseswouldincludeabnormalfishbehaviorandskinlesions.
PreventionoftheseitemsincludesusingagoodwaterchemicalassaykittotestthepH,nitrates/nitratesandsulfates,properfunction-ingaerators,waterreplacement,andavoid-anceofusingchemicalsintheareaaroundthepond.Abackupplanforpoweroutagesisbeneficialdependingonthesizeandtypeoffishrearingoperation.Washedinorganicde-bris(leavesandsticks)shouldberemovedassoonaspossible.Waterrun-offrouteshouldbediverted.AnyquestionsorsubmissionscanbedirectedtoPADLS-NBC610.444.4282.l
Donna Kelly is a staff veterinarian with the Univer-sity of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center in the Laboratory of Avian Medicine and Pathology. She is board certified in poultry medicine and pathology with the American College of Poultry Veterinarians and microbiology with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. She is the aquaculture specialist for the Pennsylva-nia Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System.
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Youcan’thelpbutsmilewithpvmaAssure’sdentalplan!WeofferastatewidedentalprogramthroughUnitedConcordiawhichoffersexcellentcoverageataffordablerates.
Forunder$400ayearorapproximatelya$1.00aday,youcanenjoycomprehensiveindividualdentalcoveragewhich includessomeofthesebenefits:• 100%coverageforalldiagnosticandpreventiveservicesincludingcleanings,X-rays,andexams• 100%coverageforbasicserviceslikefillings,simpleextractions,endodontics,andoralsurgery• 70%coverageformajorsurgicalandnon-surgicalservices• 50%coverageforinlays,crowns,prosthetics,andrepairs• 50%coveragefororthodontics
Inaddition,thereisnomedicalunderwritingorwaitingperiodforbenefitstobecomeeffective.
Tocheckoutmoreinformationonspecificcoveragesandrates,scantheQRcodewithyourmobile deviceorgotowww.pvmaassure.comandclickon“Products”andselect“DentalInsurance.”
Totalkwithoneofourrepresentativesaboutgettingstartedonaquoteortoansweranyquestions,pleasecontact [email protected],call1.888.612.7659,orvisitwww.pvmaassure.comandclickon“RequestforMoreInformation.”
Affordable Rates and Great Coverage!
pvmaAssure’s dental plan gives you something to smile about
pvmaAssureInsuranceAgency,Inc.istheofficialin-house,full-serviceinsuranceagencycreatedbythe
PennsylvaniaVeterinaryMedicalAssociation(PVMA)toserveitsmembers.pvmaAssureisanintegral
partofPVMA’scontinuingpromisetodeliverthehighestlevelofserviceandloyaltytoourmembers
andtheveterinaryprofession.pvmaAssure
our promise your health
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comeswithaprojectionofhowitcanimprovethepractice’sincomeandstimulatethedemandforservices.
• Practice Diagnostic Reports:thisreportwillhelppracticeownersanalyzerevenueandexpenditurenumbers.Itwillalsoidentifyhowmuchyoucouldearnifyouadjustyourfeesorreduceyourexpens-es.Theaveragesavingsorincreasedearningsactuallyachievedbyotherpracticesutilizingthesereportshavebeen$30,000-$100,000+range.
• Client Satisfaction Surveys: Theseareutilizedwithinasinglepracticetodeterminewhattheirclients’experiencesarelike.Thishelpsnipproblemsinthebudsothatyoucanproactivelymakechangesthatmakeclientshappyandasaresult,loyaltoyourpractice.Thefinalreportcanalsobeusedasabaselineforthepracticetodetermineiftheservicelevelimprovesfromyeartoyear.Inthiseconomy,itisessentialforclientsfeelthattheyaregettingvaluefortheirmoney.Priceonlybecomesanissueintheabsenceofperceivedvalue.
Asanassociateveterinarian,youmaysay"howdoesthishelpme?"Ifpracticesaresuccessful,everyonewins.Ownersareinabetterpositiontomakeimprovements,paybettersalaries,andteammoraleimproves.
AnotherexcitingchangethatIamveryencouragedbyistheinclusionofallmembersoftheveterinaryteaminourassociation.In2014,ifapprovedbyourmembersinafewweeksatourAnnualBusinessMeet-ing,wewillbebringingtheentireveterinaryteamunderthePVMAumbrellawhenwecreatenewmembershipcategoriesforveterinarytechniciansandveterinaryassistants.Wealreadyhaveacategoryforpracticemanagersand,obviously,wewerefoundedwithveterinariansatthecoreofeverythingwedo.Thischangewillenableustooffersomethingtoeveryoneintheveterinaryteam.TheentirepracticeteamwillbeabletobePVMAmembersandenjoythemanybenefitsandser-vicestargetedtoeachgroupandtotheteamaswhole.FromtargetedcontinuingeducationtomakingCVTs,veterinaryassistants,andpracticemanagersevenbiggerassetstopracticetodiscountprogramswhichsaveeveryonemoney,thisinclusiveapproachtomembershipwillhelpboththeveterinarycommunityandtheassociationbecomestronger.
Thesearejustafewofthenewinitiativesunderwaythatwillbecomingsoon.Wearealsoevaluatingpracticemembershipmodels,otherben-efitsandservicesthatcanhelppracticessavemoney,andevaluatingotherpartnershipstohelpushelpyoubetter.Keepyoureyesopenformoredetailsontheseexcitingopportunities.Inthemeantime,pleasefeelfreetoshareyourideas,suggestions,andinputwithmebyemail-ingmeatcwandzilak@pavma.orgorcallingmeat1.888.550.7862.
Enjoytheselastdaysofsummer.Ilookforwardtospeakingwithyouallinthefallandthenewthingstocome!l
ExcitingPVMAOpportunitiescontinuedfrompage10
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5k Run & 1 Mile Dog Walk4th Annual Bark in the ParkBark in the Park
7:00am—Registration;8:30am—5kRun.9:00am—DogWalk
9:30am—CostumeContest
Sunday, October 27, 2013, City Island (Riverview Pavilion), Harrisburg, PA
BarkinthePark,theannual5kRunand1MileDogWalkofthePennsylvaniaVeterinaryFoundation(PVF),raisesmoneyforTheLastChanceFund(TLC),afundwhichraisesmoneythroughdonationstohelpensureasourceoffundingfortheveterinarycareofabused,neglected,orinjuredunownedcompanionanimalsthatmightotherwisebeeuthanizedorsurrenderedtoananimalshelterthatisalreadyoverburdened.BarkintheParkisafunwaytogetthewordoutaboutTLCandtogaincommunityawarenessaboutsuchanimportantcause.TolearnmoreaboutTLCandPVF,visitwww.pavetfoundation.org.TobecomeaparticipatingpracticeinTLC,[email protected].
• $25perperson(includest-shirt)• $10perchild(11&under)
Pre-register by October 15, 2013Registeronlineatwww.pavetfoundation.orgorbymailusingtheformonbackwithyourpayment.AfterOctober15,pleaseregisteronracedayfor$30(adults),$15(children);t-shirtsarenotguaranteedbutmaybeavailableonafirst-come,first-servedbasis.
Follow these Easy Steps:1. Registeratwww.pavetfoundation.org.It’sfast,easyandefficient.
Youarealsowelcometoregisterbymailusingtheformonbackorinpersononraceday.
2. Setagoalandstartcollectingpledgesinhonorofyourdog,cat,orotherfavoritepet.EverydollaryouraisegoesdirectlytosupportTheLastChanceFund.
3. Celebratewithusoneventday!Walkorrunwithyourdog.Wearaphotoofyourcatorotherfavoritepet.Enjoyafun-filledmorninghonoringalltheanimalsinourlives.
5K Run—8:30amFetchyoursneakers,dog,anddogleashorcomealoneandrun!Ifyouandyourdogarebothabletocomfortablygothedistance,dogsarewelcometojointheirownersonthe5krun.PleaseseeEvent Guidelinesforspecificrules.
Pre-Registration
Registration Options—Something for All Motivation LevelsOne Mile Dog Walk—9:00amRegistrantsmaychoosetoparticipateintheonemilewalkandmaybringtheirdogalongforthefun.
• Waterwillbeprovidedforbothyouandyourdogalongthecourse• Walkorrunwithonlyonedogperperson• Runonlyifyourdog(andyou)cancomfortablygothedistance• Usea6-footorshorter,non-retractableleash
Event Guidelines• MakesureyourdoghascurrentIDandrabiesvaccinationtags• Bringbagsandcleanupafteryourdog• Bringdogsthatare6monthsorolderonly.Unaltereddogsmayattend iftheyhavepreviouslybeeningroupsettingswithotherdogs.
PrizesPrizeswillbeawardedtotopoverallfastestmaleandfemalerunnersandthetopthreemale andfemalerunnersinthefollowingagegroups:
• 11andunder • 12-19 • 20-39 • 40-59 • 60+
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WWW.PAVMA.ORG 23keystone veterinarian VOLUME II 2013
7:00am—Registration;8:30am—5kRun.9:00am—DogWalk
9:30am—CostumeContest
Sunday, October 27, 2013, City Island (Riverview Pavilion), Harrisburg, PA
Dress Up For Our Halloween Costume Contest!Haveevenmorefunonracedaywhenyouand/oryourdogdressupincostumeandpartici-pateinourcostumecontest!Prizesinseveralcategorieswillbeawardedtoindividuals,dogs,individualswithdogs,andgroups.Prizeswillbeprovidedforallcontestwinners!CostumeContestdetailswillbepostedonPVF’swebsite,www.pavetfoundation.org,bySeptember1.
Help PVF by Getting PledgesPledges may be made online at www.pavetfoundation.org or by using the form on page 24..
Collect Pledges for Great PrizesWanttohelpmore?ParticipantscanhelpraiseevenmoremoneyforTheLastChanceFund(TLCFund)bygettingpledgesfromtheirfriends,family,andco-workers.Makesureyournameisonallpledgeformsandcheckstoensureyouaregivencreditforpledges!Themorepledges,themoreprizesyoucanreceiveandmorehelpforhomelessanimalsinneedofveterinarycare!Pledgescanbemadeonlineorapledgeformcanbedownloadedatwww.pavetfoundation.org.
Pledge Level Prizes• $150—BarkintheParkwaterbottle• $250—BarkintheParkbaseballhat• $500—BarkintheParkfleecevest(besuretosupplyyourshirtsize)• $1,000—AppleiPodTouch8GB• $3,000—WiiConsolewithWiiFit• TopFundraiser(exceeding$3,000)—Everythingaboveplusyouwill
berecognizedasTopDogattheBarkinthePark2012andbefea-turedin2013’spromotionalmaterials!
PearlwasayoungShihTzuwhowasbroughttoTrooperVeterinaryHospitalwitha proptosedeye(eyeoutofthesocket)thatwashorriblyinfected.Itwasimperativethatshehaveaneyeenucleation(surgicalremovaloftheeye)asquicklyaspossible.Herinfectionwassevereandtheeyecouldnotbesaved.Herfamilylovedherbutcouldnotprovideforhermedicalneedsorherfutureveterinarycare.Inadditiontothesurgeries,painmedications,andfollow-upcare,sheneededvaccines,heartwormtesting,parasitetreatments,andstillneededtobespayed.Pearl'sfamilymadethedifficultdecisionto relinquishherinhopesthatshecouldreceivesurgery,recovertogoodhealth,andhaveanewlovingfamilywhocouldprovideforherneedsinthefuture.ThankstotheTLCFund,Pearlhasahappyending!
Meet Pearl
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Usethisformorvisitwww.pavetfoundation.orgtouseouronlinefundraisingtool.
4th Annual Bark in the Park Pledge FormBark in the Park
ALL PLEDGES SHOULD BE COLLECTED AND PROVIDED ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT OR ONLINE BY OCTOBER 15, 2013.
SPONSOR’S NAME STREET ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP PLEDGE AMT
Example:PetLover 123BeagleLane Harrisburg,PA17111 $50.00
13_Volume_2.indd 24 8/7/2013 2:06:27 PM
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what's the
VALUEof Your PVMA Membership ?
other benefits• keystone veterinarian(officialpublicationofPVMA)—$30• 20%discountondisplayadsinkeystone veterinar-
ian—$45-385• Freeclassifiedadsinkeystone veterinarian—$35-300• FreeVetBytesweeklye-newsletter—$500• FreeAroundtheCapitolweeklye-newsletter—$200• Discountedlegalservices/consultation—upto$500 (10%discountupto$5000inservicesannually)
• Freenewgraduateemploymentcontractreview(within firstthreeyearsofgraduation)—$300
• Freeclassifiedadsforreliefveterinariansonwebsite—$35-300
• DiscountedclassifiedadsonVeterinaryCareerNetwork— $25-200
• ReducedCostBookProgramwithPriorityPress— $14-55(includes:Contracts,Benefits,andPractice:Manage-mentfortheVeterinaryProfession,LegalConsentsforVet-erinaryPractice,LawandEthicsoftheVeterinaryProfession,andJobDescriptionsandTrainingSchedulesfortheVeterinaryTeam)
Ifyouhavequestionsregardinganyofthebenefitsor
serviceslistedorhaveanideaforanewbenefit,contact
• Discountedwebsiteadvertising—$300• InsurancesavingsthroughpvmaAssure,PVMA'sinsuranceagency—$50-$500+(includeslong-termcare,disability,life,andhealth,dentalandvision)
• EnergyPlusBuyingGroupaverageannualenergybillsavingsforhomeowners—$225
• DiscountedHersheyparktickets(averagesavingsforfamilyoffour)—$40
• Discountedcustomimprintingforcardsandstationery(10%discount)—$25-100+
• 24/7/365exclusiveadvocatetorepresentyouandyourinterestswiththelegislatureandregulatoryagenciesandwithyouinmindineverythingwedo!—PRICELESS
Total Potential Other Discount Savings: $3,735
$$$
additional savings for practice owners!• EnergyPlusBuyingGroupaverageannualenergysavingsforprac-
tices—$500
• Discountedon-holdmessagingsystems—$25-125
• Discountedbankcardprocessingservices—$200-1,000+
• InsurancesavingsthroughpvmaAssure,PVMA'sinsurance full-service,in-houseagency—$500-$1,000+(includesemployeebenefitpackagesandbusinesspropertyandcasualty)
Additional total savings for practice owners: $3,525
(basedonnon-membervs.memberveterinarianfullconferenceregistrationrate)• WinterConference—$50• SpringClinic—$50• KeystoneVeterinaryConference—$80• 3RiversVeterinarySymposium—$65• PracticeManagementWebinarsandotherCE opportunities—$30-500
Total Potential Annual Educational Discount Savings: $545
educational discounts
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WWW.PAVMA.ORG 27keystone veterinarian VOLUME II 2013
Sometimes even the best clients need reminded. Visit www.pavma.org/factSheets.aspx
to download our client fact sheets.
PVMA FACT SHEETS
Free Online Training for National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps
W henananimalhealthemergencyoccurs,animmediate responseisnecessarytoprotectbothanimalsandpeople.The
UnitedStatesDEpartmentofAgriculture's(USDA)AnimalandPlantHealthInspectionService(APHIS)willlooktomanysourcestoobtaintheveterinarypersonnelneededtohelpmeetthecriticialstaffingout-breaksandotherdisasterswhichaffectlivestock,poultry,companionanimals,andwildlife.Morevolunteersareurgentlyneededtoassureadecisiveresponsetoanypotentialanimalhealthcrises.
CurrentUSDANAHERCstaffing:Veterinarians 955AnimalHealthTechnicians 3,102TotalMembers 4,057
FreeNAHERCVeterinarianandTechnicianTrainingOnline
NoNAHERCnumberisrequiredandnocontinuingeducationhoursareawardedforthistraining.Thetrainingisavailabletoyouincludes:IncidentCommanSystemsBiosecurityCleaningandDisinfectionExoticAvianDiseasesHealthandSafetyPPEFADPReP/NAHEMSAI-EMDVesicularDiseases
Toaccessthisfreeonlinetraining,visithttp://naherc.sws.iastate.edu/.
* NAHERCtrainingdoesnotcountasAPHISApprovedSupplementalTrainingtowardsrenewalintheNationalVeterinaryAccreditationProgram.l
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Technician Despair
The Most Prevalent Disease in Veterinary Medicine ByVickieByard,CVT,VTS(Dentistry),President,PetEDVeterinaryEducationandTrainingResources,Warminster,PA; www.PetEDVeterinaryTraining.com
V eryrecently,Iwaschargedwiththetask
ofspeakingtoagroupoftechnicianstooutlineways
thatthey,astechnicians,couldsupporttheirdentistrypatientsduringanesthesia.Wediscussedthingslikebalancedanestheticprotocols,protocolstailoredtothespecificpatient,anestheticmonitoring,properendo-trachealtubecuffinflation,pop-offocclusionsafetyvalves,calculatingyouremergencydrugsaheadoftime,regionalnerveblocks,etc...Half-waythroughthislecture,IclearlyfeltthatIwaslosingthem.Allofasudden,therewasnolight,nosparkintheireyes.WhenIaskedwhatthisdiscomfortwasabout,oneattendeesaid,“Thelecturewasgood,butitjustmademereallysad.”Acrossthecountry,Ihavemetthistechnicianoverandover.Theysharewithmethattheygotocontinu-ingeducationbuttheyareneverallowednorempoweredtoeffectchangeswithinthepractice.Whattheyareallexperiencingisalearnedhelplessness.
AresearcherbythenameofSeligman(1975)wasstudyingescapelearningandfoundthatdogs,forcedtostayinaboxwheretheywererepeatedlyshocked,soongaveupandstoppedtryingtoescape.Notsurprising!
Moreover,65%ofthedogsdidn'ttrytoes-capethenextdaywhentheboxwasmodifiedsotheycouldeasilyleave.Theyjustlaydownandwhined.Theyhadlearnedhelplessness.
Withthewords;“itjustmademereallysad”,freshonmymind,IthoughtIwouldremindusofsomethingveryimportant.Whetherwechosetobeveterinariansorveterinarytechnicians,wechoseveterinarymedicineasourvocation.NoticethatIintentionallyusethewordvocation.Tosome,thatwordmayconjureacareerwithreligiousovertones.Instead,let’sconsidertheoriginoftheword;Latinvocation-,vocatiosummons,romvocaretocall,fromvox:voice.
Mostofuschoseveterinarymedicineasourvocation.Technicianschosetopursuethisfielddespitethewarningsoflowincomeandinmanycases;lessthanstellarbenefits,challengingworkingenvironments,crazyhoursandpersonalrisk.Thosethatpursuedtheirdoctorateinveterinarymedicinedidsodespitemanyofthesametherealities,plusahugepersonaldebtduetotheeducationre-quired.Weallchosetowalkthispathdespitethesesacrifices.Wedidsobecausethevoiceinsideofuscalledlouderthanthosewarningus.Thatmeansweareallchasingadream.Thatdreamwastohelpthosethatcannot
helpthemselves,ouranimalfriends.
Irecentlyreadthat“thepracticeteamisthegreatestassetthepracticehas.Eachpersonmatters,regardlessoftitleorrole.Itisthroughtherecognitionandunderstandingofeachpositionintheteam,aswellasrespectandadmirationfortheparteachpositionplaysinthedeliveryofmedicalcare,thattheteamcan
begintomakeadifferenceinthelivesoftheirpatientsandinliveseachother.”Iwouldbesoboldastogoonestepfurtherandsaythatthemostundervaluedassetisthesparkintheheartsofthetechnicians.Withcarefultendering,thatsparkwilligniteafirethatcanfueleachpracticetounexpectedgrowth.
So,Iwouldaskthepracticemanagersandownersreadingthis;doyouthinkyouareutilizingyourtechnicianstotheirfullestcapacity?Ifnot,why?Iwillbetitisbasedinfear.Thetruthisthatveterinarytechniciansareanoftenuntappedresourcewithinyourpractices.Whenyouempoweratechniciantoperformthedutiesthattheyaretrainedandquitecapableofproviding,youincreasetheirjobsatisfaction,youmaintainanenvironmentofchangeandgrowth,youincreasetheirconfidence,anditspeaksvolumesaboutyourbeliefintheirtalents.
Howdoesonemaketheleaptoallowtheirtechnicianstoblossomfullyintotheirrightfulroleswithinthepractice?Ittakestraining,mentorshipandappropriatefeedback.Train-ingisalwaysavailableinoneformoranother.Mentorshipisusuallythegreatestchallenge.Wecaneasilyslipintotherutof;itisjusteasierifIdoitmyself.But,therealityis,thisleavestheteamunbalancedandstagnant.Theveterinarianisassumingboththeirownresponsibilitiesandthoseofthetechni-cian.Thenhalftheteamisoverstressedandburnedout,andtheotherhalfisfrustratedanddemotivated.
I,forone,havebeenblessedtoworkforapracticeownerthathashadunwaveringbeliefinme.WhenIthinkbacktoanexperi-encewhenhedemonstratedthat,ittakesmeback30someyears.HewasonrotationsatPennasastudent,andIwasonmyextern-shipthroughHarcumCollege.HehadtogetabonemarrowsamplefromtheiliaccrestofanOldEnglishSheepDog.HewanderedintothewardsandaskedifIcouldhelphim.I
When you empower a technician to perform the duties that they are trained and quite capable of providing, you increase their job satisfaction, you maintain an environment of change and growth, you increase their confidence, and it speaks volumes about your belief in their talents.
continued on page 39
veterinarytechnologycorner
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WWW.PAVMA.ORG 29keystone veterinarian VOLUME II 2013
pvmafactsheet
Hot Weather Tips to Keep Pets Healthy & Cool
Do not leave your pet alone in your car Vehiclesheatquicklyinthesun,andanimalsleftinthemcansuccumbtoheatstrokeinaveryshorttime.Heatstrokeislifethreateningforbothdogsandcats.Signstowatchforare:heavy,loudbreathing,astaggeringgait,andabrightredtongueorgumtissue.Ifheatstrokeissuspected,gettheanimaltoacoolplace,putcoldcompressesonhisbelly,orwethimdown.Thisisamedicalemergency—takehimtoyourveterinarianasquicklyaspossible.
Limit exerciseTopreventhimorherfromoverheating,don’tletyourdogexerciseinhotweather.Ifyouwanttorunwithyourdog,doitinthecoolhoursoftheearlymorningorlateevening.
Keep coolDogsandcatsneedacool,shadyplacetosleepduringhotweather,aswellasplentyofclean,freshwater,accessibleatalltimes.Feedyourdogorcatinthecoolerhoursoftheday.Olderanimalshaveahardtimeinhotweather,sobeextrasensitivetotheirneedsduringthehot-testhoursoftheday.
Vaccinate! Besurethatyourpet’svaccinationsareuptodate.Parvovirus,anillnessthatflourishesinhotweather,canbefataltodogsthathavenotreceivedtheirvaccinations.Also,besureyourpet’srabiesvaccinationsarecurrent.Duringthesummermonths,petsoftenspendmoretimeoutdoors,andthechancesofencounterswithwildlife(possiblerabiescarriers)increase.
INFORMATIONPROVIDEDCOURTESYOFTHEMATTHEWJ.RYANHOSPITALOFTHEUNIVERSITYOFPENNSYLVANIA,SCHOOLOFVETERINARYMEDICINE
Beware of heartworms It’sheartwormmedicationtime.Ifyourdoghasn’tbeentestedforheartwormthisyear,seeyourveterinarian.Heartwormistransmittedbymosquitoes,butitcanbepreventedbyadministeringamonthlypreventivebetweenJuneandNovember.
Grooming Keepyourpetwell-groomed.Dailybrushingorcombingletsyoucheckforfleasandticks.Fleascancauseallergicreactionsand““hotspots”indogs.Hotspotsarelarge,wetlesionsthatappearsuddenlyinareaswherethedoghasscratched.Seeyourveterinarianforfleaandtickpreventivesorifa“hotspot”appears.
Keep ‘em leashed! Leashessavedogs’lives!Keepyourdogonaleashwhenyouarewalk-inghimsohecan’trunintotrafficorchasecatsandsquirrelsorotherwildlife.
Fireworks PlaywithyourpetinsteadofstrokinghimtofendoffJuly4thfireworkfears.Playingagamewithyourpetwhenheshowsearlysignsofanxi-ety,likepacingortrembling,candistracthimfromthestressorand,inthelongterm,teachhimtoassociatethatsamestressorwithpositivethingssuchasplayandtreats.Pettinghimislikelytomakenodiffer-ence—and,infact,itmayreinforcethatattention-seekingthatcomeswithnervousness.
Keep a lid on the picnic food Keepdogsawayfrompicnicgarbage.Ingestingcorncobsandchickenandotherbonescanbelife-threatening.Also,accordingtotheASPCAanimalpoisoncontrolcenter,thepeels,fruit,andseedsofcitrusplantssuchaslemons,oranges,limes,andgrapefruitscontainvaryingamountsofcitricacid,limonin,andvolatileoilsthatcancausegas-trointestinalirritationandresultinvomitinganddiarrhea.Thestems,leaves,andseedsofapples,cherries,peaches,andapricotscontaincyanogenicglycosidesthatcancausevomitingandlossofappetitewheneateninlargeamounts.Inseverecases,weakness,difficultybreathing,hyperventilation,shock,andevendeathcanoccur.
Guard the pool Ifyouhaveaswimmingpool,donotleaveyourdogunattendedinthepoolarea.Notalldogscanswim—theycandrowniftheyfallintothewater.
Keep windows secure Useaheavyscreenonwindowsorkeepthemclosedifyouhavecats.Duringthesummer,thenumberofcatssufferingfrom“highrise”syndrome,orfallingfromwindows,increasesdramatically.Contrarytomyth,catsdonotlandontheirfeetwhenfallingfromheights.Themostsevereinjuriesoccurwhencatsfallfromsecondorthirdfloorwindows.
pvmap e n n s y l v a n i a v e t e r i n a r y m e d i c a l a s s o c i a t i o n
advancinganimalwelfareandhumanhealthwhileensuringthevitalityoftheprofession
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Answering Client Questions About the Dangers of Zoonotic DiseasesProvidedcourtesyoftheAmericanVeterinaryMedicalAssociation(AVMA),Schaumburg,Illinois
It'scommonknowledgethatwildanimalscanspreaddiseaseslikerabies,butmanyclientsareunawarethatzoonoticdiseasescanbe
spreadtotheirfamilybypets.ThefollowingQ&Acanbeusedtoan-swerclientquestionsaboutzoonoticdiseasesandhowtohelppreventthemintheirhouseholds.
Q: What is the risk that I or my children will become infected?A:Theriskislow,ifyouusecommonsenseandgoodhygieneandkeepyourpethealthy.
Q: Are certain people more likely to catch these diseases and become sick?A:Yes.Peoplewhoseimmunesystemsaren'tworkingnormallyareathigherriskofcatchingthesediseasesandbecomingsickbecausetheirimmunesystemscan'tfightoffinfectionsaswellashealthypeople.Veryyoungorveryoldpeople,peoplewithdiseasessuchascancerorHIVinfection,andpeoplewhoarereceivingmedicaltherapyormedications(suchaschemotherapyorsteroids)thatcanaffecttheirimmunesystemsshouldbeespeciallycarefularoundanimals.
Q: Are certain animals more likely to carry these diseases?A:Yes,butanyanimal(orpet)cancarrydiseaseiftheybecomeinfected.Forexample,birds(includingchicks)andcertainspeciesofreptilesandrodentsmaybemorelikelytocarrySalmonella,atypeofbacteriathatcancauseintestinalproblemsandotherinfections.Sal-monellacanalsobecarriedbyotheranimals(includingdogs,cats,andhorses)andpeople.Hamsterscancarryavirusthatcancausenervoussystemdisease.Catscaninfectpeoplewithanorganismthatcausestoxoplasmosis,adiseasethatcancauseproblemsforpregnantwomenorpeoplewithpoorlyfunctioningimmunesystems.Dogroundwormscaninfectpeopleandcauseskinproblems,blindness,ororgandam-age.Healthypetsofanyspeciesarelesslikelytobeinfectedandpasstheinfectiontoyou.
Q: Should I even get a pet, if there's any risk it could give me a disease?A:Petsprovidemanybenefitsforpeople,includingcompanionshipandprotection,andpetownershipisaveryrewardingexperience.Manypetownersconsidertheirpetstobemembersoftheirfamilies.
Thedecisiontogetapetisapersonaldecision,andshouldbebasedonanumberoffactors,includingyourfamily'slifestyle,livingarrange-ments,andothers.Althoughthepossibilityofdiseaseisanimportantfactortothinkabout,theriskislowandoftenconsideredtobeout-weighedbythebenefitsofpetownership.Additionally,therearemanysimplethingsyoucandotominimizeyourrisk.
Q: How can I prevent my pet from making me sick?A:Therearemanysimplestepsyoucantaketopreventyourpetandyourfamilyfromgettingsick.
• Firstofall,healthypetsaremuchlesslikelytocarrydiseasesthat caninfectyou.Takingyourpettotheveterinarianforregular check-ups,vaccinations,anddewormingisasimplewaytokeep themhealthy.Keepingyourpetsfreeoffleasandticksisalso important.Ifyouarebuyingapet,don'tpurchaseapetthatlooks illorunhealthy.• Don'thandleyourpet'sstoolorurine.Weardisposablegloves(or glovesthatcaneasilybedisinfected)whencleaningthecat'slitter box,anduseascooperorsomethingtocoveryourhandwhen pickingupafteryourdog.• Cleanupafteryourpet.Keepyourcat'slitterboxclean,andkeep youryardfreeofdogwaste.• Afterhandlingyourpet,oritsfoodorbedding,orcleaningup afteryourpet(evenifyouwerewearinggloves),thoroughlywash yourhands.Thisisespeciallyimportantbeforeyoueatanything. Makesurechildrenknowtowashtheirhandsaftercontactwith anyanimal,orwashyourchildren'shandsforthemiftheyarenot abletodoit.• Don'tletyourpets(orchildren,forthatmatter)comeincontact withstrayorwildanimals.Theseanimalsaremuchmorelikelyto havediseasesthatcaninfectyourpetandpossiblyinfectyou.• Don'tletyourpetslickyouinthemouth,andteachchildrennotto puttheirmouthsonanimalsorputanypartoftheanimal'sbody intheirmouth.• Keepyourfamilyhealthy.Ifthepeopleinthefamilyarehealthy, theyarelesslikelytobeinfected,evenifthepetbecomes infected,becausetheirimmunesystemsarehealthy.
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Q: I just read a news article that says families with children under 5 years of age shouldn't own pets like hamsters, lizards, turtles, hedge-hogs, etc. We already have one of these as a pet. Should we get rid of it?A:Althoughthatdecisionisuptoyou,ween-courageyoutodiscussitwithyourveterinar-ian.Often,therearesimplethingsyoucando,suchasfollowingtheguidelineslistedabove,thatwillkeepyourfamilysafeandallowyoutokeepyourpet.Ifyoudecidethatyoucannotkeepyourpet,pleasefindyourpetasuitablehome.Turningapetlooseoutsideisnotgoodfortheanimalortheenvironment.Eventhoughmanyspecieskeptaspetswereoriginallywildanimals,theynolongerhavetheinstinctsthatallowthemtosurviveinthewild.Yourveterinarian'soffice,localanimalshelter,petrescue,orotherorganizationcanhelpyoufindanewhomeforyourpet.
Q: I'm thinking of getting a pet, but I have young children. What's the best pet to get? Should I get a pet at all?A:Gettingapetisnotadecisionthatshouldbemadelightly.Itisabigresponsibility.Itisveryimportanttogetapetthatbestfitsyourfamily'slifestyleandneeds.Insomecases,thebestdecisionistopostponegettingapetuntilthechildrenareolder.However,manyfamilieshaveyoungchildrenandpetsandhavenothadanydifficulties.Veterinariansareverygoodsourceofinformationonpetselec-tion.Inaddition,theAVMAhasanumberofbrochuresaboutpetselection:theycanbeviewedathttps://ebusiness.avma.org/EBusi-ness50/ProductCatalog/productcategory.aspx?ID=132.
Q: What are "nontraditional" pets?A:Manypeopleconsiderdomesticcatsanddogstobetraditionalpets;anyotherspecieskeptasapetisconsiderednontraditional.Examplesincludeamphibians(frogs,toads,etc.),fish,reptiles(turtles,lizards,snakes,etc.),birds,ferrets,rabbits,rodents(rats,mice,gerbils,hamsters,guineapigs,chinchil-la,hedgehogs,etc.).
Q: Do "nontraditional" pets make good pets?A:Theycertainlycanmakegood,evengreat,petsforresponsiblepetowners.Someoftheseanimalsrequirespecialcareorhousing,soit'simportanttothoroughlyresearchanyanimalyouconsidergettingforapet—thisincludescatsanddogs,too.Somepeoplehaveallergiestocatsand/ordogs,andnon-traditionalpetsofferthesepeopleoptionsforhavingapetthatdoesn'ttriggertheiraller-gies.Inaddition,manyofthesenontraditionalpetscanformstrongbondswiththeirowners,andowninganontraditionalpetcanbeveryrewarding.
Q: What animals do not make good pets?A:Wildanimalsarenotgoodpets;theycanbedangerousandaremorelikelytocarrydiseases.Skunks,rac-coons,foxes,squirrels,coyotes,wildbirdsandotherwildanimalsshouldbeleftinthewild;iftheyarein-jured,theyshouldbecaredforbylicensedwildliferehabilitators.Zooanimals(includ-inglionsandtigers)arenotgoodpets,either;theseanimalsrequirespecialcareanddiets,andcanbedangerous.Nonhumanprimates(monkeys,chimpanzees,etc.)arenotgoodpetsbecausetheycanbedangerousandaremorelikelytocarrydiseasesthatcaninfectyouandyourfamily.
Q: I have questions about a specific type of pet. Where should I go?A:Yourveterinarianisthebestsourceofinformationaboutpets.
Q: What about the animal kept in my child's classroom? Should I tell my child not to handle it? Should I tell the school to get rid of the animal?A:Classroompetsprovideveryvaluablelearn-ingexperiencesforchildren,andkeepingthepethealthyisjustasimportantforclassroompetsasitisforfamilypets.Childrenshouldbetaughthowtohandlethepet(s)andtaughtproperhygiene(suchaswashingtheirhandsafterhandlingthepet).Ifyouhaveconcernsabouttheclassroomanimals,youshoulddis-cussthemwiththeschoolandaveterinarian.
Q: Should I keep my child away from petting zoos or any other activities that involve ani-mals until they are older?A:Thisdecisionisuptoyouandyourfamilytodecide.Pleasekeepinmindthatanimalsoffervaluableeducationalopportunities.Animalsoffercompanionshipandteachchildrenresponsibilityandrespectforalllivingthings,andstimulatetheircuriosityandinterestinlearning.Ifyouchoosetoallowyouryoungchildrentoparticipateintheseactivities,adultsupervisionisnecessarytoensurethatthechildrenareexposedtotheanimalsinasafemannerandgoodhygienepracticesarefollowed.l
OTHER RESOURCES
Visiting Animal ExhibitsTheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)haveguidelinesforfamiliesvisitinganimalexhibits.Theseguidelines,includingdirectionsforwashinghands,canbeviewedat
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ AnimalExhibits/.
Healthy Pets, Healthy People
http://www.cdc.gov/HEALTHYPETS/
World Health Organizationhttp://www.who.int/zoonoses/en/
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membernews
Welcome New Members
pVMAwelcomesthefollowingnewmembersandthanksthemforjoiningPVMA!(April12–
July31,2013)
Active-RecentGraduateNicoleCarolla,DVM,TurtleCreek,PAMichelleSobieray,VMD,Hazleton,PALaurenO'Connell,DVM,PleasantGap,PAChristopherCorrado,DVM,Saylorsburg,PABrittanyZeitlin,DVM,Holland,PARobertoGonzalez,DVM,Lansdowne,PAJaimeMorey,BVM,Mohnton,PAAnnaLeppien,DVM,York,PANicoleSczypiorski,DVM,Philadelphia,PAAaronRaski,DVMLauraPollock,DVM,PortMatilda,PAAndrewHeller,DVM,Philadelphia,PAAmyGealy,DVM,Warren,PAEllenHaynes,DVM,Penndel,PAJordanAssenmacher,DVM,Pittsburgh,PAChelseaCameron,DVM,NewCumberland,PA
ActiveTraceyBrown,DVM,Tionesta,PASalvadorGalindo,DVM,CenterValley,PA
WilliamLaSota,VMD,Heidelberg,PAMichelleKrosnar,Harrisburg,PACraigClifford,DVM,Malvern,PAMeganGarrison,BVSc,Cheswick,PAJeanieDonahue,CVT,WilkesBarre,PACarolynSutor,VMD,Gladwyne,PAFernandoMotta,DVM,Grantville,PAKathrynPapp,DVM,Harrisburg,PAMeredithMaczuzak,DVM,Philadelphia,PADonnaRiddle,VMD,BlueBell,PAKateVickery,VMD,Malvern,PA
AssociateCarol-AnneMcPeek,DVM,Ewing,NJPhilippeCoudrai,VMD,Sicklerville,NJ
IndustryPartnerAlaineKalder,VIPPetCare,Windsor,CAChris,Konell,KonellInsurance,Inc., Phoenixville,PAPhyllisShaw,CVT,Zoetis,UpperDarby,PA
PracticeManagerLisaMalkin,Mechanicsburg,PAKatinaPalm,Stewartstown,PA
EileenFerragame,Mohnton,PAMaryMcCarty,StateCollege,PA
PracticeManagerWilliamEhrig,Dunkirk,MDRachaelGross,Elizabethtown,PA
We want to know!Doyouhaveamarriage,abirth,orothereventinyourlifeorpracticeyouwanttoshare?Tellus!WelovetosharemembernewswithinthePVMAfamily.EmailLoriRaver at [email protected].
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maypayaportionincashandsplitthebalancebetweenVisaandAmericanExpress.AnotherpetownermaychoosefinancingthroughCareCredit.WhileAmericanExpress,Discoverandthird-partyfinancingcompaniesmaychargeslightlyhighermerchantrates,wouldyouratherhave95%oftheincomeorzerodollars?Tolimitriskswhenacceptingchecks,useacheckauthorizationandguaranteeservicesuchasCert-egyCheckServices(www.askcertegy.com).
Present financing.WhenLucie,a6-year-oldchocolateLabradorretriev-erhadalife-threateningbloatat3a.m.,thepetownerbroughthertoAnimalHospitalSpecialtyCenter.Dr.RobVonau,aboard-certifiedsurgeon,performedemergencysurgery.“Clientsarethrilledwhentheylearnweofferaccesstofinancing,”Edwardssays.BesideshelpingLu-cie’sfamilygetlife-savingsurgery,third-partyfinancingalsoenhancesthefiscalhealthofpractices.ClientsatAnimalHospitalSpecialtyCenterfinanced$477,544throughCareCreditlastyear.
Don’treservefinancingforemergencies.Havingaccesstopaymentop-tionssignificantlyimprovedpetowners’abilityandwillingnesstopayforveterinaryservices,accordingtoaCareCreditstudy.2ClientswhousedCareCreditspent93%moreperyearand47%moreperpetattheirveterinarypracticesthanclientswithoutCareCredit.2
Multi-petfamiliesmayneedtofinancepreventivecare.Adogownerspends$248peryearonroutineveterinarycare,whileacatownerspends$219.3Inafamilywithtwodogsandtwocats,annualvet-erinaryspendingwouldaverage$934.Let’ssaybothcatsalsoneeddentalcleanings.AccordingtotheAAHAVeterinaryFeeReference,7thedition,theaveragedentalcaseis$427.Nowspendingforpreventivecareanddentistrytotals$1,788.Thefamilycouldchoosesix-month,no-interestCareCreditpaymentsof$298each,oroptforextendedpaymentswithinterest.
Remember,thefirstnoisnotthefinalno.Ifaclientcan’taffordcare,presentfinancingaswellastheoptionofco-applicants.Say,“Iunder-standyou’reconcernedaboutthecostofSophie’sdentalprocedure,whichis$600.WeofferCareCredit,apaymentplanforqualifyingcli-ents,whichhassixmonthsofdeferredinterest.Would$100permonthbetterfityourfamily’sbudget?”
WhenLovett’s10-year-oldGermanshepherdwasdiagnosedwithdegenerativemyelopathyandcancer,shewasabletoaffordspecialtycarethankstofinancing.“RainagotalotofsupportivecarethankstoCareCredit,anditalsohelpedkeepmybillsundercontrol,”shesays.
ExplainingFinancescontinuedfrompage17
NowLovettsharesherpersonalexperiencewhenclientsfacefinancialdecisions.
When bills reach $500, check out in exam rooms.Imagineaclientcheckingoutatthefrontdeskwitha$1,500orthopedicsurgerybillandanewclientwaitinginthelobbyoverhearstheconversation.Thenewcomermightassumeyou’reexpensiveanddecidenottoreturnforfuturecare.
Anotherclient’screditcardgetsdeclinedatthefrontdeskandpeoplewaitinginthelobbyeavesdrop.Theembarrassedclientcouldfallvictimtoneighborhoodgossip.
Justasyoucheckoutclientsinexamroomsforeuthanasia,dothesamewhenabillis$500orgreater.Explainservicesfirstandpricelast.Concludewith,“Foryourconvenience,we’lltakecareofpaymentintheexamroomtoday.Weacceptcash,checks,majorcreditcards,andCareCredit.Whichpaymentmethodwillyouusetoday?”Whenthecli-enthandsyouhiscreditcard,walktothefrontdesktoswipethecardandreturnwiththereceipttobesigned.YoualsocouldusecomputersinexamroomswithcardswipesormobiledevicessuchasSquareUp(www.squareup.com).
Trainyourteamtohaveconfidentfinancialconversations.WendyPrin-gle,practicemanageratRutlandVeterinaryClinic&SurgicalCenter,en-rolledemployeesinmyPhoneSkillsCoach(www.csvets.com/training.htm)andawebinaron“ExplainingFinancesWithConfidence”(www.csvets.com/webinars.htm).“Wetrainforcommunicationskillsduringstaffmeetings,”saysPringle.“Wehaveclearguidelinesforemployeesonourfinancialpoliciessoclientsgetthesameanswersnomatterwhotheytalkwith.”
Role-playingandscriptsbuildskills.“Leadbyexample,”advisesLovett.“Employeesfeelmoreconfidentwhentheyseeanotheremployeedoitprofessionallyandsuccessfully.”l
References:1. PsychologistAlbertMehrabian.Wikipediawebsite.http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Albert_Mehrabian.AccessedFebruary4,2013.2. BrakkeConsulting.TheImpactofCareCreditPaymentOptionsonVeterinary
Hospitals.July2011.Accessatwww.carecredit.com on11-04-12.3. Felsted,K.Dowellnessplansmakefinancialsense?PartnersinWellness
supplementtoDVMNewsmagazine,April2012.
WendyS.MyersownsCommunicationSolutionsforVeterinariansandisapartnerinAnimalHospitalSpecialtyCenter,a10-doctorAAHA-accreditedreferralpracticeinHighlandsRanch,Colorado.Shehelpsteamsimprovecomplianceandclientservicethroughconsulting,seminars,[email protected] or www.csvets.com.
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membernews
Practice Spotlight: Unionville Equine Associates
UnionvilleEquineAssociates,P.C.orUEAhasprovidedservicetotheequinecommunityforover30years.Thepracticewasfoundedin1978byJohnW.Lee,Jr.,DVMasanequine-smallanimal
practice.OriginallylocatedinChaddsFord,Pennsylvaniathepracticequicklygrewandin1984thesmallanimalportionwassold,Dr.StevenBerkowitzjoinedDr.LeeandtheequinesectionofthepracticetomovedtoWestGrove.PatriciaE.Blakeslee,VMDjoinedthemshortlyafterin1989.Thenin1994,thethreepartnerspurchasedUEA’scurrentlocationinOxford,PA.Theonetimefamilydairyfarmwasconvertedintomuchneededofficespaceandanoutpatientfacility.Thepracticecontinuedtogrowoverthenextfewyearsaddingseveraladditionalpartners,SusanA.Crane,VMD,ChristineM.Foster,DVM,andMarkT.Donaldson,VMDDACVIM.
Aftermanyyearsofdiscussion,UEAbegantheofficialplanningofanewstateoftheartequineclinicandsurgicalfacilityin2007.Thefirststepinconstructionwasthecarefuldismantlingoftheolddairybarnsothebeamscouldberecycledandusedintheconstructionofthenewbuilding.ThegroundbreakingceremonywasheldintheFallof2011andtheofficialgrandopeningofUEAwasheldonAugust17,2012.Thenewfacilityfeaturesabusinessoffice,anoutpatientsectionorexamhallthatincludesspacious,privateexamroomsandasurgicalsuite.Thesurgicalsuitecontainsamonorailsystemtomoveahorsethroughinduction,surgeryandrecovery.Inaddition,severalbiosecuritymeasuresweretakensuchasseparateHepaairflowfiltrationsystemandsealedrubbermatfloors.Alsoincludedarespaciousstallsforpostsurgicalcasesincludingamareandfoalstall.Areproduc-tioncenterwasalsoconstructedwhichincludesfourstallseachhavingtheirownprivateturnout.Additionaloutdoorfacilitieswereaddedwhichincludeanoutdoorridingarenawithall-weatherfootingandaroundpen,whichcanbeutilizedduringpre-purchaseandperformanceevaluations.
UEA’sstaffhasgrownovertheyearstonowincludetenveterinarians,includingtheirownequinesurgeonRicardoLoinaz,VMD,fourveterinarytechniciansandsixofficeprofessionals.ToreadmoreaboutUnionvilleEquinegotoueavet.com.l
UEA
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membernews
PVMA Remembers Dr. Harry RozmiarekDr.HarryRozmiarekpassedawayunexpectedlyonSaturday,June15,2013.HegraduatedtheUniver-
sityofMinnesotawithhisveterinarydegreein1962andfromTheOhioStateUniversitywithhisPhDin1976.Inthemilitaryfor20years,hewasfirststationedinFortMeyer,VA,wherehetendedtoJohnF.Kennedy'sfamilydogandIrishdeer.HealsoworkedinThailandwhereheconductedinfectiousdiseasere-searchwiththeSoutheastAsiaTreatyOrganization(SEATO).HewaslaterthedirectoroftheUSArmyMedi-calResearchInstituteofInfectiousDiseases(USAMRIIDinFrederick,MD,beforeretiringfromtheArmywiththerankofColonel.
AftertheArmy,Dr.Rozmiarekspentthenexttwodecadesinacademiaasaprofessoroflaboratoryanimalmedicine.In1983hewenttoTheOhioStateUniversitywhereheservedasProfessorofLaboratoryAnimalMedicineandDirectorofUniversityLaboratoryAnimalResourcesthrough1986.In1987hejoinedtheUniversityofPennsylvaniaasUniversityVeterinarianandProfessorandDirectorofUniversityLaboratoryAnimalResources.HeretiredfromtheUniversityofPennsylvaniain2004.HewastheDirectorofLabora-toryAnimalMedicineandFacilitiesattheFoxChaseCancerCenterinPhiladelphia,Pennsylvaniafrom2004untilhisdeath.
Dr.Rozmiarekwastherecipientofnumerousawardsduringhiscareer,includingthePVMALifetimeAchievementAwardin2009.HeissurvivedbyhiswifeJane,childrenEdward,Daniel,Carol,andAndrew,aswellasfivegrandchildrenandfourbrothers.DonationsinhismemorymaybemadetotheharryRozmiarekAnimalScienceScholarshipFundandmailedtoSalemFiveBank,495CabotStreet,Beverly,MA01915.PVMAextendsitsdeepestsympathiesto Dr.Rozmiarek'sfamilyandfriends.l
D r.LauraSmileyRogatzpassedawayonMay15,
2013,fromkidneycancer.SheandBillco-ownedGwyn-eddVeterinaryHospitalinLansdale,Pennsylvania.Lau-ra’slifewascenteredonfam-ily,friends,andanimals.ShegrewupinRiverdale,NewYork(sheremainedaloyalYankeesfan),surroundedbycats,dogs,andothersmallanimals.HerloveofanimalsledhertoMontana,whereshegraduatedfromMontanaStateUniversityandownedahorsenamed“Snipe”.ShereceivedaMasterofSciencedegreeinEthology(animalbehavior)attheUniversityofConnecticutandthenstudiedMolecularandDevelopmentalGeneticsatFoxChaseCancerCenterinPhiladelphia.ShegraduatedfromtheCornellSchoolofVeterinaryMedicinein1987,receivingthehighlycoveted“GentleDoctorAward“.Aftergraduating,LauradidaninternshipandresidencyattheAnimalMedicalCenterinNYC,culminatinginherattainingDiplomatestatusintheSpecialtyofInternalMedicine(ACVIM),withparticularinter-estincomplexinternalmedicinecasesandcriticalcaremedicine.WhereverLaurawas,shehadtheuncommonabilitytodevelopextraordinarilydeepandloyalfriendships.SheissurvivedbyherhusbandDr.WilliamP.Rogatz,hersonAiden,hermotherLois,andhersisterAndrea.DonationsinhermemorymaybemadetoStrayCatBlues,Inc.,POBox8,Colmar,PA18915,orWorldWildlifeFund,125024thStreet,NW,Washington,DC20037.PVMAextendsitsdeepestsympathiestoDr.SmileyRogatz'sfamilyandfriends.l
PVMA Says Goodbye to Dr. Laura Smiley Rogatz
PVMA Welcomes Henry Berger
CongratulationstonewparentsPVMAmemberDr.StephanieBergerandhusband,Brad,andgrandparentsPVMAPast PresidentDr.LarryGersonandwife,Barb,astheywelcomeHenry.HenryarrivedonSaturday,July13weighing8pounds,12ounces.Henryjoinsoldersister,Ellie.
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continued on page 37
Classified AdsVeterinariansSEEKING EMPLOYMENT—Seniorcitizenveterinarian,stillhardworkingandconscientiousisseekingpart-timeemploymentinsouthcentralPennsylvania.Dr.DeborahStone.717.334.9549.
DO YOU LIKEweekendsoffandnooncalltime?Busy4-doctorsmallanimalpracticeseekingafull/part-time,friendly,energetic,well-roundedveterinarianwhowantstopracticequalitymedicineandsurgery.Potentialtoearn$100,000plusperyear,401k,healthinsuranceandmanyotherbenefits.Newgraduateswelcome.Ultrasoundexperienceaplus.CallDr.BethCrombieat570.523.3640oremaillvh@dejazzd.com.
FULL-TIME ASSOCIATE veterinarian—buy-inpotential.3-doctor,full-servicesmallanimalhospitalinscenicBerksCounty.Practiceshigh-qualitystandardofcare.Exceptionaldoctor/supportstaffratio.Excellentbenefitandcompensationpackage.Visitwww.antietamvet.com.Emailresumetoavah@dejazzd.comorfaxto610.779.6079.
ASSOCIATE VETERINARIANwantedforfast-paced,fullservicecompanionanimalpracticerecognizedforexceptionalcompassionatemedicalandsurgicalanimalcare(JamesHerriottphilanthropicphilosophy).DuckHollowAnimalHospital,establishedin1981,alsoprovidesservicestonumeroushumanesocietiesandsheltersincludingseveralfacilitiesintheCaribbeanaswellascareforlocalserviceandpolicedogs.LocatedinUniontown,PA,onehourfromPittsburgh,weareclosetoOhiopyleStatePark,SevenSprings,andNemacolinWoodlandsResortprovidingawidevarietyofrecreationalactivities.Recentgraduatesconsidered.Buy-inpotential.Salarybasedonexperience.Fax724.437.7850;[email protected].
PEACEFUL PET Passage,apetend-of-lifeserviceinsouthcentralPennsylvania,isseekingcaringveterinarianstojoinusinourmissionofbringingprofessionalismanddignitytotheend-of-lifepassingofcompanionanimalsinthecomfortableenvironmentoftheirhomes.Pleaseviewourwebsiteatwww.peacefulpetpassage.comandifinterestedinlearningaboutopportunities,[email protected] orphone717.691.9214.
VIP PETCAREisseekinglicensedveterinarianstoworkasindependentcontractorstoprovideaffordable,high-qualitycaretoimprovethelivesofpetsandthepeoplewholovethem!Wearehiringveterinariansforournon-emergencyclinicsinPennsylvania.Dutiesincludeprovidingvaccinations,microchips,blooddrawsanddeworming.Ourhighly-trainedstaffisresponsibleforthegeneralclinicoperationsandrecordkeeping,allowingtheveterinariantofocusonthepatient.Thisisagreatopportunityforaveterinariantogainfieldexperience,increaseclientcommunicationandeducationskillsandearnlucrativesupplemental
income.PleasecontactAlaineKalderatalaine@vippetcare.comformoreinformation.
PracticeConsultantPRACTICE SALESandappraisals—Whypay8-10%incommissionstohelpyousellyourpractice?Ourcompanyhastheknowledgeandexperiencetoproducesignificantsavingsforyou.Calltoinquireaboutourrates.Noobligation.Practicevaluationsstartingat$2500.ArkBusinessConsulting.AlanGlassman,VMD;DavidCherst,CPA,MBA.610.283.3476.
Relief VeterinariansRELIEF VETERINARIANneededforbusy,state-of-the-art,6-doctorsmallanimalgeneralpracticeinBucksCounty,PA.Practicehasdigitalradiographs,ultrasound,fullin-houselaboratory,electronicmedicalrecords,andexperiencesupportstaff.PractitionermustbeaskilledsmallanimalclinicianwithexcellentcommunicationskillsandbelicensedinthestateofPennsylvaniaandcarryAVMA-PLITinsurance.PleasecontactDr.Woodatdr.wood@newtownvet.netformoreinformation.
ENERGETIC VETERINARIANrelocatedtothearealookingforpart-timeorreliefworkinsmallanimalpracticesinLancaster,Berks,andLebanonareas,aswellasportionsofDauphin,York,Schuylkill,andLehighcounties.Comfortableprovidingbothroutineandemergencycaretosmallanimals,includingbirdsandpocketpets.PleasecontactDavidJ.Henzler,DVM,PhD,at717.341.4357,[email protected].
SMALL ANIMAL reliefveterinarianneededforoursmallanimalpracticelocatedinbeautifulSouthCentralPA.WearecurrentlyaoneDoctorpracticewhoisseekingaReliefVetforabout6monthsbeginninginSeptember2013.Ifinterestedpleasecontactusat717-573-4569oremailyourCVtoneedmorevet@frontiernet.net.
S. RAE BRAUDAWAY, DVM.OSU2007,internshiptrained(UniversityofMinnesota),4+yearsinsmallanimalreferralemergencypractice.Availableforreliefandpart-timeworkinsmallanimalclinicswithin100milesoftheWilkes-Barre/Plainsarea.Competentmedicalandsurgicalskills,practicesprogressivehigh-qualitymedicine.517.599.1221,[email protected].
RAJU KACHAM BVSc,veterinarianwith5yearsofexperienceinsmallanimalmedicineandsurgery.LicensedandavailableforreliefveterinarianservicesinbothPennsylvaniaandNewJerseystates.Pleasecontactmeat484.560.7714(cell)[email protected].
SAFI CHAND, DVM.Compassionate,productivesmallanimalveterinarian,stronginterpersonal,medicalandsurgicalskills,>5yearexperienceinreferral/ER,exotics,availableweekends,weekdaysandnights.413.636.9209;[email protected].
EXPERIENCED, SURGICALLY-COMPETENT veterinarianavailableforreliefemployment.York,
Adams,Lancaster,Dauphin,Cumberland,andFranklinCounties.AllanHill,VMD,717.723.6559.
BONNIE J. MILLER DVM.Veterinarianwith25+yearsexperienceinsmallanimal,pocketpets,avian,reptileandexotics.LicensedinMDandPA.APHIScertifiedandhaveacurrentDEAcertification.Proficientinsurgeryaswell.York,Lancaster,Gettysburg,Harrisburg,andsurroundingareasinPA.NorthernBaltimoreCountyandsomepartsofHartfordandFrederickCounties.717.739.8400.
DONALD W. STREMME, VMD.Experiencedveterinarian(35+years)availableforsmallanimalandexotic(birds,pocketpets,reptiles)reliefworkinPhiladelphiaareaandSouthJersey.Willconsiderotherareaswherelicensed,too.Licensed(includingDEAandUSDA-APHS)inPA,NJ,NY,FLandCA.Emailto [email protected].
KATHRYN WEST, DVM,UF‘94.Smallanimalandexotic/non-traditionalpetwork,[email protected].
EXPERIENCED VETERINARIAN,1987Penngradseekspart-timeemploymentwithin30-45minutesofthePottstown/Quakertownarea.Specialinterestsinsurgery,diagnosticimaging,exotics.Professional,reliable,neatappearance.CallJacquelineBurke,VMDat610.754.1155oremail [email protected].
LOOKING FOR relief:VeterinarianneededforTuesdayandorThursdayevenings.Approximatehoursare4hourweeklywithopportunityforfurtherrelief(vacations)Contact:ProvidenceVeterinaryHospital,Chester,PA.215.620.2407.
MJ POTTER, UP 97.Experienceinsmallanimalinternalmedicine,criticalcare,oncology,andgeneralsurgery.AvailableforlongorshorttermreliefinDelaware,Chester,Lancaster,[email protected].
WILLIAM KEER, DVM,Wisconsin‘99Providingveterinaryreliefservicesandimprovingcolleagues’qualityoflifeineasternPennsylvania.Pleasecontact me via email at [email protected].
THE VISITING VET!ExperiencedreliefveterinarianavailableforqualitycoverageinChesterCounty,NorthernDelaware,southernLancasterCountyandsouthernNewJersey.Smallanimalandpocketpets.Softtissuesurgeryandemergencycoverage.LicensedthreestatesandDEAcurrentcertificate.Onedayorregularshort-termpart-time.Referencesavailable.Contact:SandraFargher,VMD'91,[email protected].
HOW DOyouspellrelief?JerryGodfry,DVM!Ihavebeenaveterinarianfor38yearsandhaveownedmyownpracticeinChesterCountyforthepast30years.IhavesoldmypracticerecentlyandIamcurrentlyavailabletoworkasareliefveterinarianinPhiladelphiaandthesurroundingareas.Iamanexperienced,reliabledoctorthatwouldfityourneeds.Myexperiencerangesfromcatsanddogstobirdsandreptiles.IamlicensedandaccreditedinPAaswellas
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federally-accredited.Iworkwellwithnewstaffandamabletoworkabusyschedule.AvailablefordayandeveningshiftsinadditiontoSaturdaysandsomeholidays.Willtravel45-1hourifneeded.Pleasecontactifinterested.610.506.6494.
EquipmentForSaleBOWIE ULTRA 6.Verygoodcondition.FitsshortbedSilverado.$5500.Formoreinformation,[email protected].
VINTAGE OPERATING TABLE for sale. Square pedestal base with tilting, swivel and height adjusting stainless steel “V” table. The wheeled pedestal is the classic turquoise green color. The table measures approx. 58” in length and 25” high. Must be picked up, located in central PA. For more information, please call 804.895.1632.
EquipmentForSaleCENTRAL BUCKS COUNTY: new 56-stall equine training/rehab facility on 58 unpreserved acres with indoor and outdoor riding arenas, ADA compliant main barn with $300K sprinkler system and 7 drive-in, roll-up doors for easy access. Features include multiple paddocks, 1 acre pond, 1.5 mile training track along perimeter, wash bays, tack rooms, offices, additional outdoor stalls and pastures. Other uses could include rescue operation, camp, boarding. Land is sub-dividable or can be preserved. Website: http://4506newhope.epropertysites.com/indexGo2.htm. For more details contact Linda Emerson, Coldwell Banker Hearthside, Realtors, 186 Main Street, Hellertown, PA 18055. Office: 610-838-0440; Cell: 610.291.3841; or [email protected].
ClassifiedAdscontinuedfrompage36
PracticesForSaleNORTH OF PITTSBURGH—greatlocation!Healthy,soloestablishedpracticewithnoafterhourscalls.Well-maintainedrealestatealsoforsale.Formoreinfo,contact www.simmonsinc.comor888.881.7084(listingnumberPA211C).
SMALL ANIMALpracticeinnorthcentralPennsylvaniaforsale.Ruralyetgrowingarea.Uncludeshospitalfacilityandlargeboardingfacility.Excellentopportunityforoneortwodoctorpractice.Ownerwishestoretire.Pleasecontactthroughemail at [email protected].
PRACTICES FOR SALE nationwide: CovingtonCounty,AL:SA,3,000sfon+1acre;CollierCounty,FL:SA,2-examroomsw/roomtogrow;ManateeCounty,FL:Well-established,SoloSAw/RE;PalmBeachCounty,FL:SA,2,500sf,3-examrooms;DawsonCounty,GA:SA,3,200sf,2-examroomsw/RE;WarrickCounty,IN:SA,2,200sf,2-examroomsw/RE;OnondagaCounty,NY:ProfitableER3-examrooms;PiedmontArea,NC:SA,4,000sf,4-examroomsw/RE;WinstonSalem,NC:Start-Up.5,500sfw/RE;ElPasoCounty,TX:SA,2,500sf,3-examroomsw/RE;CabellCounty,WV:ProfitableSA.3-examroomsw/RE;OurservicesincludeBuyerRepresentation,SellerRepresentationandValuations.PSBROKER,INC.1.800.636.4740.PSBROKER.COM.
LOWER ALLENVeterinaryClinicforsale.Allsmallanimal.Ownerretiring.LocatedinLowerAllenShoppingCenter,CampHill,PA.PleasecallEdgarLoy,VMD,at717.975.9711.l
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ownedcompanionanimals.Fulldetailsandonlineregistrationwillbeavailableat www.pavetfoundation.org/BITP.aspx.
november2013November 2-3, 20136th 3 Rivers Veterinary Symposium OmniWilliamPennHotel,Pittsburgh,PA12HOURSOFCONTINUINGEDUCATIONCREDIT
3RiversVeterinarySymposiumwillreturntoPittsburghinNovem-ber.Theprogramwillincludethefollowingtracks:companionanimaldentistry,criticalcare,orthopedic,surgery,internalmedicine,bovine,equine,veterinarytechnician,andpracticemanagement.Fulldetailsandonlineregistrationwillbeavailableatwww.pavma.org.
february2014Saturday, February 8, 201410th Annual Winter ConferenceACEConferenceCenter,LafayetteHill,Pennsylvania
9HOURSOFCONTINUINGEDUCATIONWILLBEOFFERED
The10thAnnualWinterConferencewillreturntothePhiladelphiaareain2014.Multipletrackswillbeoffered,includingcompanionanimal,equine,practicemanagement,bovine,veterinarytechnician,andmore!Fulldetailsandonlineregistrationwillbeavailableatwww.pavma.org.l
septmeber2013September 18, 2013PVMA District 2 Dinner Meeting PineBarnInn,Danville,PA1.5HOURSOFCONTINUINGEDUCATIONCREDITChristopherWeisner,DVM,willspeakon"AnotherItchyDog:NewUnderstandingofthePathophysiologyofAllergicSkinDisease".Recentinformationregardingthepathophysiologyofallergicskindiseasewillbediscussedandcaseexampleofcaninepruriticskindiseasesandtheirdif-ferentialdiagnosiswillbepresented.Thereisnocosttoattendbutyoumustpre-register.District2includesPotter,Clinton,Lycoming,Columbia,Northumberland,Union,Cameron,Tioga,Montour,andSnyderCoun-ties.Onlineregistrationisavailableatwww.pavma.org.
october2013October 27, 20134th Annual Bark in the Park 5k Run & 1 Mile Dog Walk CityIsland,Harrisburg,PAFetchyoursneakers,dog,anddogleashorcomealoneandrun!Ifyouandyourdogarebothabletocomfortablygothedistance,dogsarewelcometojointheirownersonthe5krun.GetpledgespriortoracedaytobenefitTheLastChanceFund(TLC)ofthePennsylvaniaVeterinaryFounda-tion.TheTLCFundprovidesfundsforthecareofabusedorneglectedun-
Events & Educationwhat’shappening
Bark in the Park
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• Beyoungerthan2yearsofage• ResideinthecontiguousUnitedStates
RuthM.Roberts,DVM,owneroftheSunDogCatMoonVeterinaryClinicinJohnsIsland,SouthCarolina,sayssheisparticipatingwithherclientbecausesheadmireswhatMorrisAnimalFoundationisdoing.
“Wecanfinallycompareapplestoapplesandhaveanopportunitytostackupwhatwe
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followedhimtothetreatmentroomwherethedogstood.HeaskedifIhadeverprovidedlocalanesthesiaforabonemarrowaspiration.IsaidthatIhadnot.Hethenproceededtoexplaintheprocesstome:thematerials,thedrug,appropriateneedleselection,etc.Thenhewalkedmethroughtheprocedure.HestoodthereandguidedmewhileIdidit.Hethenperformedtheaspiration,tellingmewhattoexpectandthenshowedmehowtomaketheslideoncethesamplewasob-tained.Itisimportanttonotethatthatverymemorybringsbackthosefeelingsoftheracingheartandnervousnessofthechallengetotheresultantexhilarationofsuccess.IthasalsobeenaroadmapIfollowtothisdayasaninstructorandtrainer.
Thatexperienceprobablytook10minuteslongerbecausehewasteaching.But,Iwalkedawayfromthatexperiencefeelingchallenged,trusted,andself-confident.Thatguidanceandmentorshiphavebeenprovidedformethroughoutmycareerbythatman,Dr.MarkFox,and,ithasnotbeenonlygiventome.Hehassupportedbothveterinariansandtechniciansaliketostretchandgrow.Dr.Foxlaiddownafounda-tionoftrustandresponsibilitythathasenabledthepracticetogrowandchange,andithasalwaysreflectedbackasahigherstandardofcareforourpatients.
Thegoodnewsaboutthismostprevalentdiseaseinveterinarymedi-cineisthatitiscurable.Aswithalldiseases,wefirstneedtoidentifyit.Lookintotheeyesofyourtechniciansandseeiftheyareexcitedtobeatwork.Doesheorshelookliketheyarelivingtheirdream?Oncediagnosed,thetreatmentrequiresadeepbreathoftrustandtheawarenessthatsomeoneoncetrustedyouwhenyouwerenewtoany
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skill,whetheritwasateacher,anemployerorevenanunsuspectingclient.l
believemayinfluenceeachdog’schancesofde-velopingadisease,ornotdevelopingadisease,andseeifthosetheoriesholdup,”shesays.
YouCanHelpinManyWaysMorrisAnimalFoundationstillneedsthehelpofdedicatedveterinarianstoreachthere-cruitmentgoalof3,000dogs.Youcanregisteryourselfasaveterinarianwillingtopartici-pate,andyoucanalsoincreaseawarenesswiththefollowingsteps:
“Asaveterinarian,Iwouldhopepolicymakersacrosstheprofession,in-cludingthoseresponsibleforexistingveterinarycollegesandthoseplan-ningfutureeducationalprograms,closelystudythereportandcarefullyconsideritsimplications,”saidAVMAPresidentDr.DouglasG.Aspros.
“Whenwesaythere’s12.5percentexcesscapacityinthesystem,wecantakethatasareliablefinding.Whatwedon’tknowiswhatthatpracticallymeansinvarioussectorsoftheprofession,”saidAspros,addingthattheassociationisfullycommittedtoconductingfurtherresearchontheprofessionandveterinaryeconomics.
TheAVMAemphasizedthatthereportanditsfindingsareastartingpointandnottheendofitseffortstoensureadequateaccesstoveterinaryser-vicesandtheeconomicviabilityoftheveterinarymedicalprofession.
VeterinaryWorkforcecontinuedfrompage9
1. ReviewyourclientdatabaseforownersofGoldenRetrieversyoungerthan2yearsofage
2. Contactthoseownersandencouragethemtoapplytothestudy
3.Helpusspreadtheword–tellyourclientsandcolleaguesaboutthestudyandpro-videbrochuresinyourwaitingroom
Bepartofresearchhistory.Joinusatwww.CanineLifetimeHealth.orgoremailusat4Dogs@CanineLifetimeHealth.orgifyouhavequestions.l
“TheAVMAconductsstudiesandgathersinformationtoinformstakehold-ersintheveterinarymedicalprofessionandveterinarymedicaleducation,”saidDr.LinkWelborn,chairoftheAVMA’sWorkforceAdvisoryGroup.“Thecollectionofmoreaccurateinformationleadstoamoreinformedprofes-sionmakingthebestpossibledecisionsnecessarytoservetheprofes-sion,animalsandsociety.AstheAVMAcontinuesitseffortstoinformtheprofessiononthedevelopmentofarobustworkforce,itwillalsoseektheactiveparticipationofkeyveterinarystakeholders.Acontinuedeffortwillbecriticaltobetterunderstandthecomplexdynamicsandtrendsassoci-atedwiththeveterinaryworkforceandveterinaryeconomics.”
The2013U.S.VeterinaryWorkforceStudy,aswellasacompanionreportissuedbytheAVMAWorkforceAdvisoryGroup,titled“Implica-tionsofthe2013VeterinaryWorkforceStudyandRecommendationsforFutureActions,”areavailableontheAVMA’swebsite.l
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WWW.PAVMA.ORGVOLUME II 2013 keystone veterinarian40
thegrandfinale
Laughter Is the Best Medicine
finalwordsofwisdom
SAY CHEESE!
Somepeoplesaycatsneverhavetobebathed.Theysaycatslickthem-selvesclean.Theysaycatshaveaspecialenzymeofsomesortintheir
salivathatworkslikenewandimprovedWisk—dislodgingthedirtwhereithidesandwhiskingitaway.I'vespentmostofmylifebelievingthisfolk-lore.Likemostblindbelievers,I'vebeenabletodiscountallthefactstothecontrary;ie:thekittyodorsthatlurkinthecornersofthegarageanddirtsmudgesthatclingtothethrowrugbythefireplace.
Thetimecomes,however,whenapersonmustfacereality;whenhemustlooksquarelyinthefaceofmassivepublicsentimenttothecontraryandannounce:"Thiscatsmellslikeaport-a-pottyonahotdayinJuarez."
Whenthatdayarrivesatyourhouse,asithasinmine,Ihavesomeadviceyoumightconsiderasyouplaceyourfelinefriendunderyouarmandheadforthebathtub:• Knowthatalthoughthecathastheadvantagesofquicknessandutter
disregardforhumanlife,youhavetheadvantageofstrength.Capital-izeonthatadvantagebyselectingthebattlefield.Don'ttrytobathehiminanopenareawherehecanforceyoutochasehim.Pickaverysmallbathroom.Ifyourbathroomismorethanfourfeetsquare,Irecommendthatyougetinthetubwiththecatandclosethesliding-glassdoorsasifyouwereabouttotakeashower.(Asimpleshowercurtainwillnotdo.Aberserkcatcanshredathree-plyrubbershowercurtainquickerthanapoliticiancanshiftpositions.)
• Knowthatacathasclawsandwillnothesitatetoremovealltheskinfromyourbody.Youradvantagehereisthatyouaresmartandknowhowtodresstoprotectyourself.Irecommendcanvasoverallstuckedintohigh-topconstructionboots,apairofsteel-meshgloves,anarmyhelmet,ahockeyfacemaskandalong-sleeveflakjacket.
• Prepareeverythinginadvance.Thereisnotimetogooutforatowelwhenyouhaveacatdiggingaholeinyourflakjacket.Drawthewater.Makesurethebottleofkittyshampooisinsidetheglassenclosure.Makesurethetowelcanbereached,evenifyouarely-ingonyourbackinthewater.
• Usetheelementofsurprise.Pickupyourcatnonchalantly,asiftosimplycarryhimtohissupperdish.Catswillnotusuallynoticeyourstrangeattire.Theyhavelittleornointerestinfashionasarule.Ifhedoesnoticeyourgarb,calmlyexplainthatyouaretakingpartinaproducttestingexperimentforJCPenney.
• Onceyou'reinsidethebathroom,speedisessentialtoyoursurvival.Inasingle,liquidmotion,shutthebathroomdoor,stepintothetubenclosure,slidetheglassdoorshut,dipthecatinthewaterandsquirthimwithshampoo.Youhavebegunsomeofthewildest45secondsofyourlife.Catshavenohandles.
• Addthefactthathenowhassoapyfur,andtheproblemisradicallycompounded.Donotexpecttoholdontohimformorethattwosecondsatatime.Whenyouhavehim,however,youmustremembertogivehimanothersquirtofshampooandrublikecrazy.He'llthenspringfreeandfallbackintothewater,therebyrinsinghimselfoff.(Thenationalrecordisthreelatherings,sodon'texpecttoomuch.)
• Next,thecatmustbedried.Novicecatbathersalwaysassumethispartwillbethemostdifficult,forhumansgenerallyarewornoutatthispointandthecatisjustgettingreallydetermined.Infact,thedryingissimplecomparedtowhatyouhavejustbeenthrough.That'sbecausebynowthecatissemi-permanentlyaffixedtoyourrightleg.Yousimplypopthedrainplugwithyourfoot,reachforyourtowelandwait.(Occasionally,however,thecatwillendupclingingtothetopofyourarmyhelmet.Ifthishappens,thebestthingyoucandoistoshakehimlooseandtoencouragehimtowardyourleg.)Afterallthewaterisdrainedfromthetub,itisasimplemattertojustreachdownanddrythecat.
• Inafewdaysthecatwillrelaxenoughtoberemovedfromyourleg.Hewillusuallyhavenothingtosayforaboutthreeweeksandwillspendalotoftimesittingwithhisbacktoyou.Hemightevenbecomepsycho-ceramicanddevelopthefixedstareofaplasterfigurine.
• Youwillbetemptedtoassumeheisangry.Thisisn'tusuallythecase.Asarule,heissimplyplottingwaystogetthroughyourde-fensesandinjureyouforlifethenexttimeyoudecidetogivehimabath.But,atleastnowhesmellsalotbetter.l
"Oneofthekeystohappinessisabadmemory.
—Rita Mae Brown
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