No Small Thing Compounding pharmacies can help veterinary clinics fill many needs that lead to healthier outcomes. pg. 10 - The Veterinary Cooperative
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TVC RISEVET
September Issue 2020
No Small
Thing
Compounding pharmacies can help
veterinary clinics fill many needs that
lead to healthier outcomes. pg. 10
Join us for
TVC RISEvet™
virtual
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October 18th, 2020 October 25th, 2020
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September Issue 2020
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TVC RISEVET WWW.THEVETERINARYCOOPERATIVE.COOP
Contents
4 A Message from TVC
6 TVC News
10 No Small Thing
Compounding pharmacies can help
veterinary clinics fill many needs that
lead to healthier outcomes.
14 VetWatch Corner
Hospital Client and Patient Trends
16 Getting to Know
Your TVC Staff
18 COVID-19 and the
Human-Animal Connection
The coronavirus has reopened the
door for discussions about One Health
22 Industry News
WWW.TVC.COOP 3
A Message from TVC
Exciting Days Ahead
By Ginni Hamele, president of TVC
> As an account manager for CEVA, I have interacted with all managing all aspects of the Corporate
sorts of companies and organizations in veterinary medicine. But there was Business Unit, with a focus on develop-
one in particular I always looked forward to working with. If I had one word to ing relationships, defining the strategy
describe this group it would be “energy.” Its members were engaged, its future and managing the private label product
was promising, and its vision was something that aligned perfectly with what I suite. Prior to CEVA, I held positions
believe the veterinary profession needed. with Boehringer Ingelheim and GSK on
the human side.
I have a special place in my heart
I’m talking, of course, about you. The for the independent hospitals. I come
Veterinary Cooperative and its members from a family of entrepreneurs, family-
bring a tremendous amount of excite- owned businesses. I understand the
ment and energy to the profession. TVC unique challenges that they face and
as a Cooperative has a unique way of the pressures they’re under as we
approaching the veterinary market with continue to corporatize America. The
its support and resources dedicated to veterinary market is under that pres-
the independent veterinarian. The land- sure, as you know. But for those who
scape is changing, and hospital owner- are truly interested in maintaining small
ship is leaving the independent veteri- business ownership and maintaining
narian. I believe in the entrepreneurial their independent foothold, I want to
spirit, and my mission is to provide sup- help them not just survive, but thrive.
port to those veterinarians who wish to There’s a unique TVC already has a successful cul-
remain independent. challenge for ture in place. One of my goals is to find
The industry is changing rapidly. independent ways to strengthen that culture. I will
The environment, with the challenge hospitals as they try also work hard to increase engagement
of COVID, is changing the way inde- to navigate through from members, identify new resources
pendent veterinarians and everyone in this change, and and support for members, and enhance
veterinary medicine look at and execute TVC is well- relationships with our TVC vendors
their business. There’s a unique chal- positioned to help. to strengthen the individual member-
lenge for independent hospitals as they owned veterinary hospitals and Co-
try to navigate through this change, and operative as a whole. By focusing on
TVC is well-positioned to help. I gained valuable knowledge and ex- member engagement and enhanc-
So when the opportunity present- perience in the animal health indus- ing vendor relationships, it will create
ed itself to become TVC’s president, I try that I plan to put to work for you. more value and success for everyone
jumped at the chance. I’ve spent the In my most recent position for CEVA involved with TVC.
last nine and a half years at CEVA as Key Account Manager – Corporate
SANTE ANIMALE in various roles where Business Unit, I was responsible for Let’s get to work!
4 SEPTEMBER 2020 • TVC MAGAZINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TVC RISEVET
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TVC News This Month at the Veterinary Cooperative
TVC News
TVC Annual Co-op Owner’s TVC RISEvet™ Virtual Conference
Meeting Moves Virtual offers education on change management
With the health and safety of our Clinics, Board of Directors, TVC RISEvet Virtual – Business Breakout will be hosted
and Team Members in mind we have decided to move our October 18th, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, will en-
TVC Annual Co-op Owner’s Meeting to a completely virtual compass a two-part educational series on change manage-
experience in 2021. Many clinics joined us in this capacity ment. Now, more than ever, it is important to understand
in the past, and we are planning to make this year’s meeting how change can affect your clinic, staff, and clients. Sign-
an insightful and interactive blend of 2020 Co-op perfor- up for these CE opportunities and more here. TVC RISE-
mance and future initiatives. The new date will be Saturday, vet™ also features a Medical Breakout on October 25th,
January 30th at 2:00pm Central, followed by a two-hour 2020, sponsored by Virbac. TVC has opened up 500 free
virtual trade show. Registration for the meeting will open this seats to both weekends for any team member from a TVC
fall; access more information on the meeting here. partnered hospital. Reserve your spot here.
Vendor News
Spaces available for the “TVC & Merck During the month-long event, veterinary clinics are en-
Community Wellness Program” couraged to make affordable health and wellness within
If you prescribe Bravecto®, TVC has an email marketing in- reach for pet parents by bringing up conversations that
centive for you! Merck Animal Health and ALLYDVM have foster dialogue around pet insurance. TVC partners with
teamed up to help grow your business and increase the two trusted pet insurance partners, ASPCA Pet Health In-
number of clients who say “yes” to your recommendations. surance as PetPlan Insurance.
These email marketing campaigns aim to win-back laps-
ing clients, improve compliance, and produce more Bra- Royal Canin continues adding
vecto® sales. Plus, this a free opportunity, compliments to their educational lineup
of these two vendor partners and your affiliation with TVC. Our partners at Royal Canin are deeply committed to
Clinics who participated in the fall 2019 rollout of this providing industry leading education. Since the onset of
campaign saw a 59% increase in their Bravecto® sales! the pandemic they have offered weekly live, interactive,
Learn more & enroll here. broadcasts deliver hours of CE. The range of topics cov-
ers everything from “Radical Self Care for Radical Times”
National Pet Insurance Month to more medically driven discussions such as “Diagnos-
September is widely celebrated as “National Pet Insur- ing Feline GI Disease: Setting Yourself up for Success.”
ance Month” throughout the United States and Canada. See full schedule here.
6 SEPTEMBER 2020 • TVC MAGAZINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TVC RISEVET
Education & Events
All the Sales You’re Not Making
September 23rd, 2020 at 9am and 12pm Central
Although it is imperative to grow the markets you may already have a foothold in,
focusing only on what you already do well can be potentially detrimental to growth.
As an example, did you know that statistically many of the dog households you see
also have cats? Is your clinic seeing these cats? In business sometimes the biggest
gains come from the low hanging fruit, and often the lowest hanging fruit comes in
the form of underserved markets.
In this webinar, Royal Canin and TVC will walk you through turning the under-
served feline market into new patients. We will examine possible financial impacts,
and also discuss how this affects the best healthcare for our feline friends. While
addressing all this, we would like to shed some light on doing online pharmacy right,
Register for the Webinar
in a way that capitalizes on these new patients, and reinforces best healthcare.
TVC RISEvet™ Virtual Conference
Business Breakout: October 18th, 2020
Medical Breakout: October 25th, 2020
Join TVC for two education-packed days where we discuss how better business and
best medicine go hand in hand. TVC RISEvet™ has developed a top-notch line-up
of RACE-approved CE and other insightful offerings, aimed at equipping you with
the resources and know-how to become a forward-thinking hospital of the future.
These opportunities are free to Co-op Owners and anyone from their hospital.
Register for the Conference & Access Additional Details
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TVC News This Month at the Veterinary Cooperative
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8 SEPTEMBER 2020 • TVC MAGAZINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TVC RISEVET
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TVC Best Practice 10 SEPTEMBER 2020 • TVC MAGAZINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TVC RISEVET
No Small Thing
Compounding pharmacies can help veterinary clinics
fill many needs that lead to healthier outcomes.
> A veterinary clinic can provide the best veterinary medicine in the world, but if compliance doesn’t
happen at home with a pet’s medication, all that hard work may be jeopardized.
Take cats with thyroid issues. Melissa Duncan, office transdermal option is really nice,” she said. “It’s very effective. I
manager for Wisconsin-based Mukwonago Animal Hospital, would say that a majority of our thyroid cat patients go on the
said having the right treatment plan in place doesn’t always transdermal, just because it’s super easy and convenient to use.
translate into healthier pets because of the simple, but frus- It goes right on the inner ear flap twice a day. The cats seem to
trating, fact that the pet owners have a difficult time admin- like it, and tolerate it well.”
istering the medication.
In many cases when a pet owner would try to force the Indeed, the simple act of compliance can have huge implica-
pills or the liquid down their cat’s throat, the cat would run tions for the health of a pet, and the success of a veterinary
and hide. “So the pet owners feel like their cats are getting practice. According to a recent study :
scared of them. ‘When they see me, they run from me.’ They > The rate of compliance for chronic medication is just
were losing that human-animal bond because of trying to 76%. That means 24% of pets aren’t being treated with
apply the medication.” the medications they need to live healthy lives – and in
Have you ever had a client complain about the difficulty in some cases, simply to live.
cutting up their dog’s medication into the correct doses? Do > Pet owners who are shown one or more ways to
you have pets who refuse to take the medication, and need administer medication had a significantly higher rate
some way to hide it? Are you dealing with a picky eater? What of compliance (73% vs. 59% for those not shown).
about a picky feline? Yet, only 43% of practices show pet owners how to
Whether it’s tiny tabs, transdermal gel applicators, pro- administer medication.
prietary flavorings, catnip scented formulations, or other sce- > 60% of owners would pay more for medication that is
narios, compounding pharmacies can help veterinary prac- palatable or easy to administer.
tices fill many needs that lead to healthier outcomes. > 93% of veterinarians say that compliance monitoring
Duncan said Mukwonago Animal Hospital uses Wedgewood has a positive impact on their practice.
Pharmacy for many of their common medications, including > 72% of pet owners would like to receive information in
transdermal methimazole. “For thyroid cat patients, a lot of cli- writing about their pets’ medication so they could refer
ents feel that it’s difficult to give their cats the medication, so the back to it.
WWW.TVC.COOP 11TVC Best Practice
Unique formulations and applicators can truly change the
ways in which you practice medicine and can change the lives
of your clients for the better.
Duncan said once the team at Mukwonago Animal Hospi-
tal began recommending the transdermal methimazole, com-
pliance in cats went up significantly. “Because it’s easier for
the clients to give their pets these medications, they’re more
willing to spend,” she said. “Yes, it’s more expensive to get a
compounded medication, but they’re more willing to do it if
they can see the results.”
Thyroid medications are just one of many areas where
Wedgewood Pharmacy solutions have helped with Mukwo-
nago Animal Hospital’s patients. Liquid compounds or tiny
tablets for small dogs that don’t tolerate pills are in demand
with clients. Wedgewood can also ship medications directly
to clients who request that feature. “Wedgewood is always
helpful if we have any questions,” Duncan said. “They’re will-
ing to go the extra mile, which can make all the difference
for our clients.”
What is compounding? Is compounding always an there is no interruption in proven
Compounding is the long- appropriate treatment option? therapy for a patient.
established tradition in pharmacy No. Compounding, like any other
practice that enables practitio- form of therapy, is not always the Is compounding legal?
ners to prescribe and patients to right choice for every patient. How- Who regulates compounding?
take medicines that are specially ever, thousands of patients rely on Yes! Compounding is an integral
prepared by pharmacists to meet compounded medications to meet part of the practice of pharmacy.
patients’ individual needs. A growing their needs when another treatment Compounding pharmacies, like
number of patients have unique option will not. Veterinarians may all pharmacies and pharmacists,
health needs that off-the-shelf prescribe compounded medica- are regulated by State Law and
prescription medicines cannot meet. tions when: the best therapy for a State Boards of Pharmacy. State
For them, customized, compounded patient is commercially unavailable, Boards of Pharmacy require that
medications prescribed or ordered the active ingredient is not available pharmacists have knowledge of
by licensed physicians or veterinar- in the desired strength or dosage and proficiency in compounding to
ians and mixed safely by trained, form, or a commercial product is on become licensed. Compounding is
licensed compounding pharmacists extended backorder and using the a fundamental feature of virtually
are the only way to better health. compounded preparation may mean every pharmacy curriculum.
Source: Wedgewood Pharmacy website, frequently asked questions: www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/learning-center/
faqs-for-veterinarians.html.
12 SEPTEMBER 2020 • TVC MAGAZINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TVC RISEVETSM
VetWatch Corner by
The goal of VetWatch is to deliver the critical information needed by practices to better assess the scope, velocity, and significance
of developments in their local market areas. Users of the site have the option of viewing dates from 1 or more of 236 geographic
markets across the United States, making it possible for practices to follow not only national trends, but also the trends within their
unique markets. VetWatch is brought to you by Animalytix.
Hospital Client
and Patient Trends
> Weekly updates from ~6,000 practices across
the US for pet owner visit and revenue trends. For the week
ending September 5, the YTD practice revenue improved
with YOY growth of 3.5% for the ~4,000 reporting prac-
tices. In this new sample, only total invoices continue to lag
behind prior year to date.
Overall, 203 of 236 reported zones posted net revenue
growth for the week vs prior week’s year to date. This contrasts
with total invoice counts which remain slightly below PY results
at (-2.3%) with only 37% (88 / 236) of market areas reporting
parity or above 2019 YTD totals.
Across all regions, Indianapolis, IN was the only new market
zone meeting or surpassing the “Return to Revenue” threshold
this past week. The “Return to Revenue” threshold has now been
met by 89% or 188 of 236 market zones reported year to date. minimum of 10 or more reporting locations are present in each
Note – with this new sample we are showing results in reported region or regional aggregate.
all 236 Vetalytix Market zones; to accommodate the smaller We are pleased to welcome Animal Care Technologies
sample size, several zones have been combined to assure a as the newest Partner organization for the VetWatch initia-
tive through their provision of Practice
Metrics on behalf of ~ 4,000 veterinary
practices each week.
Animal Care Technologies is pas-
sionate about improved care for
animals, enhanced customer expe-
riences and innovative resources for
developing the veterinary staff. With
their custom development & data so-
lutions, multimedia production and
content licensing services, Animal
14 SEPTEMBER 2020 • TVC MAGAZINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TVC RISEVETCare Technologies provides a wealth of support services for quality of the people in their practice, the care they give,
private practitioners, technical colleges, corporate hospital the information they receive to ultimately provide the best
groups, government agencies, and universities. ACT has possible care available today. The Animal Care Technologies
been helping individuals, educators, and business owners team can be reached at info@4act.com or via their website
from small to large for over two decades to enhance the at home.4act.com
WWW.TVC.COOP 15Trends
Getting to Know
Your TVC Staff
to TVC, I had worked for a smaller like to take an extensive backpacking
cooperative/distributor, so I had an trip out west somewhere. I also en-
idea of what a cooperative was. I joy birdwatching and stand up paddle
also did some work with exotics and boarding. When I am not busy in the
have a science background. Within outdoors, I prefer to hang with my fur
just a few days of joining the team, baby Mizmae, family, and friends.
I knew that TVC was truly committed
to strengthening opportunities for the Tell us about your pets:
independents in the industry. I really I currently have one dog. She is a
care about helping others and mak- rescued mixed terrier. I was her third
ing an impact. I feel TVC allows me to but forever home. She loves to go on
do that. Being from a small mountain hikes with me, and even swims out to
town, I know how important it is to me on the paddle board. We are quite
support my local businesses. At TVC, the match.
Name: I feel I can support all of our indepen-
Sidney Allen dent clinics on a daily basis, learning What is your hope for 2020:
new skills and applying those skills 2020 has been pretty tough for everyone
How long have you been at TVC: to help our clinics better utilize their so far. I hope to end the year learning
I believe I started in July of 2017. Let memberships. I am glad to be a part and growing even more with my team. I
me check with Brittany to confirm. HAHA of such an incredible team. feel our commitment and teamwork will
continue to strengthen our organization
Why did you choose What do you do in your free time: for our clinics. The more support and
to join the TVC team: Being from the mountains opened my knowledge we have the more we can
When I started at TVC, I was pretty passion for hiking, discovering water- offer to our owners to better their op-
fresh in the veterinary industry. Prior falls, and backpacking. I would really portunities in such unique times.
16 SEPTEMBER 2020 • TVC MAGAZINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TVC RISEVET800.824.3703 mwiah.com
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unusual order sizesTrends
COVID-19 and the
Human-Animal Connection
The coronavirus has reopened the door for discussions about One Health
> It is not easy to find something good to say about COVID-19. which allows it to be more easily trans-
However, at least the pandemic has drawn the attention of the public and gov- mitted within its new host species. The
ernment to two important issues: 1) the role of animal-human contact in disease point at which the transmission rate of
transmission, and 2) the importance of infection prevention practices in impeding it. the pathogen in the new host species
is increasing may be referred to as the
tipping point for an emerging disease.”
More emerging diseases are likely
to pop up, according to experts.
“The increased interaction of hu-
mans and domestic animals with wild
animal populations has been a concern
of veterinarians for over a hundred
years,” said Dana Varble, DVM, chief
veterinary officer, NAVC. “The emer-
gence and importance of leptospirosis
is a great example. Increased interac-
tions with wildlife mean that disease
transmission is more likely. It is simply
a numbers game – the odds haven’t
It has also reopened the door for said that the COVID-19 pandemic is changed, but the interactions have.”
discussions about One Health, that is, probably the most recognizable exam- Wildlife and ecosystem health are
the concept that humans, animals and ple of an emerging disease that likely often negatively affected as more de-
the world they inhabit are inextricably resulted from a spillover event, which mands are placed on natural resources
linked – and that the health and welfare occurred in China. Evidence suggests a to support the needs of an ever-increas-
of one impacts the health and welfare common lineage with a SARS-like coro- ing human population, added Howe.
of the others. navirus found in horseshoe bats, but it is “Wildlife habitat may be lost as a result
not known what species of animal, if any, of extreme climatic events (wildfires,
served as an intermediate host for the drought, flood) and changes in land use
The tipping point virus as it passed from its wildlife host to patterns, such as deforestation,” he said.
Despite isolated incidences of some cats humans, he added. “Encroachment of urban areas into
and tigers (in zoos) testing positive for “Once the pathogen can infect and rural and wild areas results in increased
SARS-CoV-2, the focus throughout the replicate in the new host, it has the po- opportunities for interactions between
outbreak has been on wild animals and tential to be transmitted within that new humans (and their domestic animals)
the threats they can pose to humans. host species,” he said. “As the patho- and wildlife, sometimes in a crowded
John Howe, DVM, president of the gen continues to adapt to its new host and unhygienic environment, such as
American Veterinary Medical Association, species, it replicates more efficiently, live wildlife markets,” he said. “This, in
18 SEPTEMBER 2020 • TVC MAGAZINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TVC RISEVETturn, provides more opportunities for vi- Even so, COVID-19 has reinforced They may seldom think in terms of One
ruses and other pathogens to ‘spill over’ among veterinarians some important Health, “but everything from flea and
to humans or their domestic animals.” lessons about infection control and the tick prevention, to rabies vaccinations
use of personal protective equipment. and ringworm treatment has a One
“The relative risk of acquiring infec- Health impact.”
Closer to home tion from a sick pet versus a healthy One Health has even broader impli-
Companion animals are more likely human (client or colleague in the cations.
to be the “victims” of spillover events, workplace) has had to be addressed “A healthy relationship with animals
though they do have the potential to and appropriate protocols developed,” has a positive impact on healthy child-
pass on viruses to humans, said Jane said Sykes. “Improved disinfection and hood development; alleviating stress,
Sykes, BVSc (Hons), PhD, DACVIM, hand hygiene in veterinary practices anxiety and depression; increasing
MBA, chief veterinary medical officer has also been a positive outcome of mobility; and reducing risk of heart-
for UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teach- the pandemic.” related health issues,” said Ilana Hal-
ing Hospital. Rabies is especially wor- perin, DVM, CVA, Community Medicine
risome. Other viruses with potential Service, UC Davis Veterinary Medical
for spillover are influenza viruses and One Health and companion Teaching Hospital. Such relationships
coronaviruses. (When speaking about animal veterinarians can also benefit individuals with PTSD.
zoonotic transmission of bacterial dis- “Companion animal veterinarians deal “Learning about One Health can
eases, common concerns for domestic with zoonotic diseases – diseases help solidify a veterinarian’s under-
animals are leptospirosis, bartonellosis, spread between animals and their in- standing of our role in supporting the
salmonellosis, brucellosis, and plague, teraction with humans and environ- human-animal bond by supporting
she added.) ments – every day,” said NAVC’s Varble. companion animal health and can help
Domestic farmed animals
If companion animals present relatively little “spillover” mosquitos can then feed on and pass on to animals
threat to people, domestic farmed animals and wild and humans.
animals are a different story. Parasites are likely the most common spillover
Avian influenza, which can spread from domesticated disease from domesticated animals to humans, he said.
animals to humans, continues to receive much attention, Fungal organisms are also common (ringworm being the
said John Howe, DVM, president of the American Veteri- best-known example) and can be transmitted from pets
nary Medical Association. These viruses can spread from to humans and vice versa.
many different species, including wild waterfowl and Dana Varble, DVM, chief veterinary officer, NAVC, said
farmed poultry. This same grouping of viruses can also that new species of ticks are being introduced in areas and
infect swine. widening their range. “Heartworm, a mosquito-borne dis-
Mosquitoes are the source of West Nile virus ease, is seen today in areas where it didn’t exist years ago,”
(WNV), which affects domesticated animals (mainly she said. Temperature, humidity, water, plant species and
birds and horses) and as well as humans, he added. wildlife changes introduce those diseases to new areas.
Birds and horses cannot directly pass this disease Tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, also pose an
to humans, but they can be a reservoir for it, which increasing threat to human and animal health, she added.
WWW.TVC.COOP 19Trends
make our work yet more meaningful support their pets and thereby their might be stressing a client’s cat and
and rewarding,” she said. own physical and mental health.” causing its urinary tract disorder, or
By obtaining a complete in-depth Said Howe, “Veterinarians are keenly where in the environment a client’s dog
client interview, thereby gaining a bet- aware that an animal’s environment might have picked up a microbe that is
ter understanding of the home envi- can impact its health and welfare in now making it sick. In this latter case,
ronment, veterinary professionals can both negative and positive ways. This is the veterinarian will also be able to
improve patient outcomes by assess- one reason why companion animal vet- educate the dog’s owner about human
ing risk factors for some diseases, said erinarians ask clients about their pets’ health risk, too.
Halperin. “By incorporating our under- lifestyle. ‘How many cats do you have? “As leaders in their community, com-
standing of the home environment and Are they indoors only? How many lit- panion animal veterinarians can also
client abilities and limitations into our terboxes are available? Does your dog collaborate with others to develop pro-
treatment plan, we can set the client up spend a lot of time outdoors and if so, in grams using a One Health approach,” he
for success in following through with what type of environment? Do you have said. Such programs could address pub-
medical recommendations. any new pets or new housemates?’ lic and environmental health needs; for
“We can also identify high-risk indi- “Answers to these and other ques- example, dog-bite prevention, disaster
viduals, such as immunocompromised, tions help companion animal veterinar- response and preparedness, and green
young, or elderly clients, and help them ians discern what in the environment building and business certification.
One Health Act
Although introduced months before the COVID-19
outbreak, the Advancing Emergency Preparedness
through One Health Act (S.1903/H.R. 3771) has special
application to it.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representa-
tives in July 2019 by two veterinarians – U.S. Reps.
Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) and Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), and in the
Senate last June by U.S. Sens. Tina Smith (D-Minn.)
and Todd Young (R-Ind.), explained John Howe, DVM,
president of the American Veterinary Medical Associa-
tion. The AVMA is leading the charge to build support for
it, he added. particular, exotic small mammals,” said Howe. “Others
The bill would establish a One Health Program – although not able to infect companion animals – may
that brings together the expertise of multiple federal be brought into the United States in the bedding or in the
agencies in order to better prepare for and respond to carrier used to transport companion animals, particularly
emerging infectious diseases, Howe explains. dogs, from other countries.
One objective of the One Health Act is to advance “As such, companion animal veterinarians are on
surveillance of priority zoonotic diseases and their trans- the front line of defense against zoonotic diseases and
mission between animals and humans. “Some zoonotic should be recognized in the One Health framework as a
diseases may be transmitted by companion animals – in key player in surveillance efforts.”
20 SEPTEMBER 2020 • TVC MAGAZINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TVC RISEVETBUSINESS BREAKOUT: OCT 18TH
SEE WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA!
CE Lecture #1: Making the Recommendation Your Clients Want
CE Lecture #2: Unlocking the Hidden Profits of Pet Food
CE Lecture #3: Successful Digital Marketing
CE Lecture #4: Hot Tips to Reduce Inventory Costs & Boost Revenue
CE Lecture #5: Creating a Climate for Change
CE Lecture #6: Leading Others Through Change
Mini Lecture: Efficacy, Legality, & Creating Connections through Technology
Mini Lecture: Data Driven Decisions Beyond The Abstract
MEDICAL BREAKOUT: OCT 25TH
GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR WHOLE TEAM!
CE Lecture #1: New Dental Insights for your Practice
CE Lecture #2: The Lump in the Living Room
CE Lecture #3: New Directions in Otitis Externa Management
CE Lecture #4: Veterinarian Wellbeing Study II
CE Lecture #5: Nutritional Management of Atopy & Food Allergy
Panelist Discussion: How to Become a Hospital of the Future
Mini Lecture: The Art of Contract Negotiation
Mini Lecture: Feline Friendly Clinics & Cat Curiosities
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& LEARN MORE!Industry News
Study shows common causes of heatstroke in dogs WVC conference rescheduled
Exertion or exercise – including walking, After receiving survey results, Viticus
playing, or running with their owners – Group has decided to reschedule the next
was the cause of nearly three-quarters WVC Annual Conference from February
of heatstroke cases in dogs, a new study to September 2021. This is meant to al-
found. Researchers from Nottingham low attendees and organizers to plan and
Trent University and the Royal Veterinary adjust to post-pandemic circumstances,
College analyzed the clinical records including vaccine distribution and travel
of more than 900,000 U.K. dogs. They safety. Viticus Group is also adding a vir-
found that 1,222 had received veteri- tual component to the 2021 conference,
nary care for heatstroke at some point making it their first hybrid event. More
during their lives, with almost 400 af- details will be available in future months.
fected in a single year. Just over 14%
died from their heatstroke. Hot weather alone was responsible for 13% of cases, while
traveling or being left in hot vehicles accounted for 5%, Vet Surgeon reports.
NAVC opens registration for VMX 2021
NAVC announced that VMX 2021 will take place January 16-20 in person in Or-
lando at the Orange County Convention Center. It will also take place, for the first
time, virtually, through the VMX Virtual platform, which features interactive educa-
tional programs, networking, and a 3D Expo Hall. “The health and safety of VMX
participants is paramount and the NAVC is introducing new safety measures and
working closely with the Orange County Convention Center, our host hotels and
Visit Orlando to make sure we provide a safe and healthy experience for everyone
who comes to VMX,” said NAVC CEO Gene O’Neill. More information on the con- Big dogs face more
ference is available at navc.com/vmx. joint problems if
neutered early: study
Heavier mixed-breed dogs have higher
North Carolina dog that died after ‘acute’ health risks if neutered or spayed early, ac-
illness tests positive for coronavirus cording to new research from the University
A North Carolina dog that died after of California Davis. The study found mixed-
suffering an “acute illness” earlier this breed dogs weighing more than 44 pounds
month has tested positive for the corona- as adults are at higher risk for one or more
virus, officials said. The death could mark joint disorders if neutered before one year
a rare, potentially fatal case of COVID-19 of age. Dogs weighing up to 43 pounds
in a pet, but it’s still unclear if there were had no increased risk for joint problems.
other underlying conditions that contrib- It’s standard practice in the United States
uted, NBC reports. Most dogs that have and much of Europe to neuter dogs by six
contracted the disease are asymptomatic months of age. This study, which analyzed
or show only slight signs of infection, said 15 years of data from thousands of dogs at
AVMA spokesperson Michael San Filippo. While that seems to indicate the virus is not a the university’s teaching hospital, suggests
major problem for dogs, “we have more to learn, like how it might combine with other dog owners should consider their options
conditions to cause more serious problems,” San Filippo said. carefully, UC Davis reports.
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