News! 

  • Tuesday, October 14, 2014 11:30 AM | Anonymous

    From AAHA NewStat August 2014


    A study published in theAug. 1 edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) looked at a small sampling of veterinary hospitals' use of electronic veterinary medical record (EVMR) systems. Despite the small sample size, the researchers came away with some big ideas about how the veterinary profession can better use EVMRs to improve animal health care.

    In the study, researchers surveyed 84 independent small animal veterinary practices in Massachusetts to learn about how these practices are using EVMRs, and discover perceived barriers to using EVMRs.

    They found that of the 82 practices that reported the type of medical record system they use, 17.1 percent used EVMRs only, 19.5 percent used paper records only, and 63.4 percent used a combination of both systems. Of those, large and medium-sized practices were significantly more likely to use EVMRs combined with paper records than were small practices, researchers reported. But when it came to only using EVMRs, small practices were similarly likely to do that compared to medium and large practices.

    Among the practices that only use paper records, researchers found many perceived barriers to adoption and use of electronic records. These included anticipated technological problems, reluctance to change, time constraints, and cost. 

    EVMR users missing key opportunities to improve health care

    According to the study, more than half of surveyed practices that used EVMRs only or in combination with paper records reported using them for business activities such as scheduling, automating client reminders, recording medical and surgical information, ensuring billing, automatic billing, providing cost estimates, reviewing veterinarian performance, and marketing. 

    Fewer than half of respondents using combined systems or EVMRs only reported using EVMRs for care credit, identifying EIDs, insurance, and research purposes. Additional uses reported by these groups included:


    • Interfacing with laboratory test results and email systems
    • Tracking clinical inventory
    • Storing diagnostic (radiographic, ultrasonographic, and endoscopic) images and videos
    • Accommodating patient discharge comments and client instructions
    • Communicating with referring veterinarians

    That a high percentage of respondents use their EVMRs for practice management purposes but less so for tracking and improving patient and population health "concerns us for several reasons," researchers wrote. 

    They pointed out that in human medicine, electronic medical records (EMR) "improve medical care and patient safety beyond the capacity of paper medical records to do so by reducing the number of medical errors associated with illegible handwriting, incorrect prescribing practices, and inappropriate use of tests and procedures. They can also be used to contribute to the early identification of emerging health problems and adverse health events."

    "These capabilities allow practitioners to tailor medical practice to the unique individuals or populations they serve by applying appropriate preventative medicine treatments and practices, identifying protocols effective for the reduction of adverse events and frequency and severity of disease, and practicing evidence-based medicine for the treatment of common diseases and conditions," researchers wrote.

    Recommendations for enhanced adoption and use of EVMRs

    Researchers said that in order to progress toward a better companion animal surveillance system for public health purposes, a growing goal within the animal health care world, there will need to be greater use of EVMRs. 

    They acknowledged that achieving enhanced adoption and use of EVMRs is no small task, and that it will take efforts from individual veterinarians, state boards, professional organizations such as the AVMA and AAHA, and public health-oriented institutions such as the CDC.

    As the usage of EVMRs evolves over time, researchers speculated that it could lead to linking between the systems of independent, stand-alone veterinary practices. The sharing of data from geographically disparate practices would enable monitoring and tracking patient health over large areas, leading to improved surveillance of diseases - particularly zoonotic diseases. 

    "The use of EMRs holds great promise for monitoring and improving the health of individual human and animal patients as well as human and animal populations," researchers wrote. "Independent veterinary medical practices have the potential to contribute to the veterinary medical profession's understanding of the natural history of and risk factors for diseases in animals, the effectiveness of treatments and procedures, and the prevention of modifiable diseases among animals and humans."

  • Tuesday, October 14, 2014 11:28 AM | Anonymous

    From AAHA NewStat August 2014


    Editor's note: This article was contributed by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP).

    Feline house-soiling is one of the most common reasons why pet owners abandon or relinquish their cats. Unfortunately, these cats frequently end up in shelters where they are euthanized. The good news is that there are ways to prevent, manage, or resolve feline house-soiling behaviors. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has just released a brochure, “Feline House-Soiling: Useful Information for Cat Owners,” which describes the causes, treatment, management, and prevention of house-soiling. Cat owner education is the key to resolving house-soiling behaviors.

    The AAFP’s brochure emphasizes that cats do not urinate or defecate outside their litter box due to spite or anger towards the owner, but because it’s physical, social, or medical needs are not being met. The brochure gives cat owners practical tips and information on: 

    • Four basic causes of house-soiling – Medical causes and problems, feline idiopathic cystitis, marking behaviors, and environmental and social factors.
    • Designing the optimal litter box – Number of litter boxes, location and placement of boxes, size of box, type of litter, and management of the box.
    • Removing marking triggers – Spay or neuter, restrict potential threats of other cats, and clean thoroughly and frequently.  
    • Meeting the environmental and social needs of the cat.

    It also reminds cat owners to contact their veterinary practice immediately if their cat is exhibiting house-soiling behavior.   


    “If you are experiencing feline house-soiling with your cat, please contact your veterinary practice. You should work with your veterinarian to identify the causative factors for the house-soiling behavior and effectively address those factors to cease or markedly decrease the unwanted behavior,” advises Hazel Carney, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline). 

    “Cat owners should be educated about the basic causes and ways to prevent or manage house-soiling behaviors. This brochure is a complete and comprehensive tool with the purpose to educate thus decreasing the number of cats being abandoned or relinquished due to these behaviors, and allowing more cats to live long, happy lives in their current households,” said Heather O’Steen, executive director of the AAFP.

    The AAFP would like to thank Ceva Animal Health for their sponsorship of this brochure and their commitment to help the veterinary community enhance the lives of cats.

    About the American Association of Feline Practitioners

    The American Association of Feline Practitioners improves the health and welfare of cats by supporting high standards of practice, continuing education and scientific investigation.

  • Tuesday, October 14, 2014 11:24 AM | Anonymous

    From AAHA NewStat August 2014


    Just as American veterinarians have struggled with clients who are quick to consult "Dr. Google" before their own veterinarians, their British counterparts are dealing with many clients who flock to readily available online advice.

    The British Veterinary Association (BVA) surveyed 1,208 veterinarians - 689 of whom work with companion animals - to solicit their opinions about the impact of clients ranking Google higher than their veterinarians. A hefty 98 percent of survey respondents said they believe their clients change their behavior based on online research.

    Some respondents said they think that clients who consult Dr. Google before visiting a veterinarian are more likely to self-diagnose and treat pets, and that animals pay the price because their owners unnecessarily delay seeking professional veterinary care. 



    According to the BVA, one veterinarian related the story of a client who refused surgery for her dog "only to come back with the dog minutes later in a blind panic because the Internet had agreed with my advice." The same veterinarian lamented that some clients seem to think that a quick Google search is equal to a veterinary degree.

    The survey results align with 2011 Banfield Veterinary Care Usage Study findings revealing that 39 percent of pet owners in the United States turn to the Internet before contacting their veterinarians.

    Additional statistics uncovered by the BVA survey include:

    • 81 percent of respondents said they had clients who bring their pets in later than is advisable. Respondents pointed to financial issues, lack of understanding, and attempts to self-diagnose and treat pets as possible reasons.
    • 39 percent of veterinarians said clients' online research was unhelpful, 53 percent said it was equally helpful and unhelpful, and 6 percent found it more helpful than not.

    "It worries me to hear that so many people are relying on guesswork or unverified Internet sources for health advice for their pets," said Robin Hargreaves, BVSc, MRCVS, president of the British Veterinary Association. "While there is some useful information about pet behavior and health available online, particularly from the established animal charities, the best source of information for animal health concerns will always be your vet who knows your pet."

  • Tuesday, October 14, 2014 11:20 AM | Anonymous

    From AAHA NewStat June 2014


    Veterinary hospitals and other animal care facilities in California may soon have more options available to them in the event an animal is abandoned while in their care.

    The ASPCA has successfully navigated Assembly Bill 1810 through both houses of the California Legislature, where it was passed unanimously, and on to the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown. According to the ASPCA, the legislation would remove the current state mandate requiring animal care facilities to euthanize any abandoned animals if a new home is not found within 24 days.

    Assembly Bill 1810 also would enable animal care facilities to transfer abandoned animals to local shelters, which is currently prohibited by California law.

    "Abandonment should not be a death sentence for animals," said Kevin O'Neill, senior state director of ASPCA Government Relations for the Western region. "Dogs and cats at spay/neuter clinics, veterinary offices, or any of California's many other care facilities should not face certain death simply because their owner fails to pick them up. It is imperative that we do all we can to ensure positive outcomes for these animals, and AB 1810 will do just that. We thank Governor Brown to take quick action on this bill to protect California's animals."

    According to Assembly Bill 1810, an animal can be considered abandoned if it is left at an animal care facility for at least 14 days without anyone coming to claim it. After 14 days, the person in custody of the animal must spend no fewer than 10 days trying to place the animal in another home, or turn the animal over to a public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or nonprofit animal rescue group - provided that the shelter or rescue group has been contacted and has agreed to take the animal.

    If the person in custody of the abandoned animal is unable to find a new home for it or turn it over to an appropriate animal welfare group, they can legally have the animal euthanized. And if the animal care facility has a veterinarian, the veterinarian can euthanize the animal provided they have adhered to the 24-day rule.

    The bill also specifies that an abandoned animal may not be used for scientific purposes or any other type of experimentation.

  • Saturday, February 08, 2014 3:25 PM | Anonymous
    The board of directors of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA) announced this week its support of the new American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) standard requiring general anesthesia with intubation for all dental procedures.

    ACVAA joins the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) in supporting the new AAHA standard.

    AAHA’s new mandatory dental standard went into effect Nov. 1. Hospitals scheduled for an accreditation evaluation on or after that date are required to use general anesthesia with intubation for all dental procedures in order to pass their evaluation.

    In a letter addressed to AAHA President Kate Knutson, DVM, and sent to veterinary trade publications, the ACVAA expressed its support of the AAHA standard.

    “The board of directors of the ACVAA sees some important issues related to [Professional Outpatient Preventive Dentistry] that we feel require our strong objection,” wrote Lesley J. Smith, DVM, DACVAA, chair of the ACVAA board of directors. “Specifically, we question the ethics of performing dental work in conscious patients due to the associated restraint methods and lack of analgesia. We therefore ask whether the benefits of POPD would, in fact, outweigh the risk of general anesthesia.”

    The ACVAA board of directors encouraged veterinarians concerned with anesthetizing patients during dental work to engage assistance of a Diplomate of the ACVAA.

    The statement from the board of directors comes as a response to a recent article published in the October 2013 edition of Veterinary Practice News (VPN). The VPN article analyzed whether Professional Outpatient Preventive Dentistry (POPD) can be done effectively in fully awake cats and dogs. The article included viewpoints from both opponents and proponents of POPD, concluding that anesthesia-free POPD is a better approach to good dental health for cats and dogs.

    AAHA’s 2013 Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats state that cleaning a companion animal’s teeth without general anesthesia is considered unacceptable and below the standard of care.

    The AAHA standard has come under fire from supporters of non-anesthetic dentistry, including companies that provide anesthesia-free dental services such as Pet Dental Services and Animal Dental Care.

  • Saturday, February 08, 2014 3:21 PM | Anonymous

    The legalization of medical marijuana spreading across the country has also led to a spike in marijuana ingestion accidents for the nation's pets, according to SFGate.com.

    Pet Poison Hotline, which services the U.S. and Canada, has observed a 200-percent jump in reported incidents of marijuana poisoning over the past five years, SFGate.com reported. 

    Karl Jandrey, DVM, assistant clinical professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, said he has personally observed an increase in poisonings. According to Jandrey, the animal hospital at UC Davis went from treating four pot poisoning patients in 2010 to 27 over the past year.

    "There's been an increase as marijuana becomes more acceptable in public and less of an underworld thing," Jandrey said. 

    Jandrey's observation is seemingly supported by a 2012 study published in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care linking the growing number of medical marijuana cardholders to the number of poisoned dogs, SFGate.com reported. According to the study, two Colorado hospitals saw a fourfold increase in poisoning incidents over six years.

    San Francisco veterinarian Lori Green, DVM, who said her clinic treats up to three dogs a week for marijuana toxicity symptoms, warned pet owners to watch what they leave within reach of any nearby pets.

    "Be aware that it might not be your animal but someone else's," Green said. "They will eat anything you leave out."

  • Saturday, February 08, 2014 3:15 PM | Anonymous
    The Pet Nutrition Alliance is bringing nutrition tools to the veterinary professional with the launch of a new go-to website for credible pet nutrition resources.

    The new website, the first of its kind go-to resource for credible pet nutrition information, was revealed Jan. 19 at the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) conference in Orlando, Fla.

    Veterinary professionals know that proper nutrition plays a crucial role in keeping a pet happy and healthy. Good nutrition enhances pets’ quality – and quantity – of life by helping prevent diet-associated diseases, as well as helping pets respond to disease and injury. The Pet Nutrition Alliance seeks to promote the importance of nutrition by equipping veterinary health care teams with the information they need to tackle nutrition in their practices, and to ensure every pet receives a nutritional assessment at every veterinary visit.

    The newly launched website offers a collection of tools for veterinary professionals to use in their practices and in educating clients. Resources include:

    • Online educational training on weight loss programs
    • Web conference on pet foods
    • “Healthy Weight Protocol” diagnostic tool
    • Feline and canine assessment forms
    • Physical exam checklists
    • Feeding guides and charts
    • Body and muscle condition score charts
    • Educational nutrition pamphlets for pet owners
    • Step-by-step instructions on reporting pet food complaints
    • Weight translator tool
    • Printable client information sheets
    • Articles on communicating with clients about weight and nutrition

    “With obesity and weight-related diseases on the rise, education about proper nutrition for optimal pet health is more important now than ever before,” said Kate Knutson, DVM, chair of the Alliance. “Veterinary health care teams need tangible tools they can use to meet this challenge head-on. Our vision in launching these resources is to bring a variety of credible, vetted nutrition tools to veterinary professionals so that they can better address nutrition in their practices.”

    Veterinary professionals can access the Pet Nutrition Alliance website to take advantage of the nutrition resources available.



  • Saturday, February 08, 2014 3:09 PM | Anonymous

    Veterinarians contemplating extra-label or off-label drug use in animals sometimes encounter gray areas or tough-to-answer questions.

    To help veterinarians remain confident that they are staying within the rules, the FDA has published a comprehensive guide titled "The Ins and Outs of Extra-Label Drug Use in Animals: A Resource for Veterinarians."

    According to the FDA, the resource will help veterinarians to accurately define extra-label use, gain insight into the legalities surrounding extra-label use, and learn how to meet the FDA requirements that govern extra-label drug use on animals.

    The article includes links to several additional resources and focuses on five key points from theAnimal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA), which veterinarians must observe in order to prescribe approved human and animal drugs for extra-label uses in animals. According to the FDA, these key points are:

    • Valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship
    • General conditions for extra-label drug use
    • Conditions for extra-label drug use in food-producing animals
    • Compounding
    • Drugs prohibited from extra-label uses in animals

    In addition to the above points covered in the FDA article, the agency also recommends that veterinarians who work with food animals become familiar with the 2012 guidance document titled "The Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals."  

© REVTA
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software