You probably see patients with skin issues daily in your clinic, and you likely successfully treat most with tried and true medications and strategies. But, are you also successfully managing patients with difficult-to-control allergies, recurrent ear infections, or suspected autoimmune disease? These patients would most likely benefit from early dermatology referral and collaborative care, rather [...]
Nearly 50% of dogs older than 10, and 25% of dogs overall, will develop cancer. This staggering statistic reflects cancer rates in humans, and confirms cancer’s status as a leading cause of death in humans and pets. While cancer eventually claims many pet lives, diagnostics and treatments have evolved to the point that not every [...]
Most veterinarians are experiencing increased caseloads, and specialists are no exception. With more cases, working and scheduling efficiently are more important than ever. One important way to streamline your scheduling is ensuring that your clinic’s cases have been thoroughly screened, worked up with appropriate tests, and are ready for the next steps, but many referring [...]
Despite the availability of veterinary specialty services, many general practitioners are still hesitant to refer cases, often because they feel they will have failed as a veterinarian if they cannot solve their patient’s problem, fear losing practice or production revenue, or assume clients cannot or do not want to hear about more expensive options. In [...]
Human medicine has undergone a progressive departmentalization and specialization process, which provides for greater advancements and patient care options. The primary care physician still plays an integral role, especially in systems requiring referrals and coordination of care. More and more clients are demanding this high-level care for their pets, understanding that specialists can provide better [...]
Veterinarians today are facing more barriers to professional and personal happiness—compassion fatigue, burnout, mental health issues, mountainous debt, skyrocketing inflation—you name it, and it's a veterinary community problem. However, veterinarians also are now fortunate to have more business than they can handle, which allows for tremendous growth and the development of innovative solutions and new [...]
Veterinary specialists are in short supply, according to a 2018 JAVMA article and the anecdotal experience of many veterinary professionals. JAVMA pointed out that many graduating veterinary students apply for internships and residencies, but most aren’t lucky enough to match with a program and are forced to re-evaluate their career goals. Those who are accepted [...]
Millennial pet owners confirmed in a recent survey what most of us already knew—the human-animal bond is becoming stronger and pet owners consider their pets as family members, not simply possessions or companions. The survey also showed that 42% preferred cuddling with their pets over their romantic partners, 84% worry about their pets when they’re [...]
Veterinary specialty practice, which was once confined to teaching hospitals and universities, has been growing since the 1980s and is now widespread and commonplace. As younger pet-owning generations become accustomed to specialty offerings and demand higher, human-medicine-level care, veterinary specialty medicine continues to expand and provide ever-advancing diagnostics and treatments. Some clients, primarily older generations [...]
Stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue are long-overused buzzwords in the veterinary space, but mental health has become a more serious concern only recently. Recent veterinary wellbeing and burnout studies show veterinary suicide rates are rising, and veterinary staff are burning out faster than human physicians and most other professions. Stressed and burned-out staff who cannot [...]
