The Wagging Tail

As more evidence is generated on the topic of Pet overweight/obesity, there is now little debate that this is a major health issue for our Pets in the US – the latest research is revealing alarming statistics. In fact, the prevalence of canine obesity has been reported at between 22.4 and 44 percent and between 19 and 52 percent for feline obesity ^(1-6)!

Over the next few months, the BARK team will focus on the on the topic of Pet overweight and obesity.  They will be conducting additional research on this health topic by evaluating trends and identifying risk factors associated with Pet obesity.  Their aim is to use the findings to better equip doctors with concise, succinct reports that enhance risk communication with their clients.  Since the goal of evidence-based medicine is to enhance clinical expertise in concert with consideration of patient needs and client circumstances, the BARK team will develop evidence-based tools to provide to Banfield hospital associates. For instance, client talking points will be written to incorporate evidence that PetNurses can use to educate clients on the dangers of having an overweight Pet. To integrate with the rest of the veterinary community, this research initiative will also include publishing a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) report, an exhaustive literature review (quarterly white paper) and results from these studies will appear in future blog postings on this site.

As a veterinarian, how are you addressing this epidemic in your clinic and how do you think we can address the under-diagnosis of overweight and obesity?  What questions do you have and want to see answered regarding this health topic?  How do you educate clients on the prevention of overweight/obesity in their Pets?  Post your inquiries here and we may pick yours to answer by leveraging our nationwide medical e-record database.

If you’d like to subscribe to the Banfield Applied Research and Knowledge (BARK) quarterly white paper, email us at bark@banfield.net and include SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

1. Burkholder, W.J. and P.W. Toll, Obesity, in Small Animal Clinical Nutrition,4th edition, M.S. Hand, C.D. Thatcher, R.L. Reimillard, P. Roudebush, M.L. Morris, and B.J. Novotny, Editors. 2000, Mark Morris Institute: Topeka, KS. p. 401–430.
2. Hill, R.C., Conference on “Multidisciplinary approaches to nutritional problems”. Symposium on “Nutrition and health”. Nutritional therapies to improve health: lessons from companion animals. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 2009. 68(1): p. 98-102.
3. McGreevy, P.D., et al., Prevalence of obesity in dogs examined by Australian veterinary practices and the risk factors involved. Veterinary Record, 2005. 156(22): p. 695-702.
4. Lund, E., et al., Prevalence and risk factors for obesity in adult dogs from private US veterinary practices. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine, 2006. 4(2): p. 177-186.
5. Lund, E., et al., Prevalence and risk factors for obesity in adult cats from private US veterinary practices. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine, 2005. 3(2): p. 88-96.
6. German, A.J., The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. Journal of Nutrition, 2006. 136(7 Suppl): p. 1940S-1946S.

Please be aware that The Procter & Gamble Company is recalling specific lots of Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten foods.  The recall affects all varieties of the 3 oz. and 5.5 oz cans of this product with expiration dates between September 2011 and June 2012 – affected cans have the dates September 2011 to June 2012 on the bottom of the can.

No other Iams foods are affected, and this recall is limited to Iams canned cat food in North America. The Procter & Gamble Company is recalling these specific lots because the product may contain insufficient levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1), an essential nutrient for cats.   Thiamine deficiency in cats can manifest with clinical symptoms including loss of appetite, salivation, generalized weakness, vomiting, weight loss, ventroflexion of the neck, ataxia, tremors, falling, circling and seizures. 

Diagnosis is made by history, physical examination, and response to thiamine supplementation.  Thiamine concentrations can be measured in whole blood (the sample must be frozen and protected from light during collection, storage, and shipment), or in food.   

Treatment requires thiamine, given either by injection or by mouth.  Recommended doses are 100 to 250 mg SC q 12 hrs or 2-4 mg/kg PO q 24 hrs.  Note that injections may sting, and rapid intravenous administration has been associated with anaphylaxis.     

Concerned pet owners who have purchased Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten foods with these codes should discard the product – please make sure the contents of the can are destroyed in such a way that no other pets can inadvertently eat the food. For further information veterinarians should call P&G at 800-535-8387.  Clients/Pet owners can call P&G at 877-340-8826.

Summer 2009. This was the first summer that I participated in Banfield’s Student Job Program as a veterinary student.  I was ecstatic to finally be putting together the information that I had worked so hard to learn during the previous year at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine with the real life scenarios that I would be faced with on a daily basis as a veterinarian.  I was also excited to work with two of my classmates, who were also participating in the Student Job Program at the same location as me – the Banfield in South Sacramento, Calif.  And as it turned out, South Sacramento was the ideal location to teach us not only about the veterinary world through real-life cases, but also, to give us a unique glimpse into some of the economic hardships that some clients face in regards to their Pet’s medical care.

One of the best experiences I had during my program was helping my classmates through a stepwise process starting from proper examinations and how the hospital runs, to catheterization and pre-surgery help, to becoming full-fledged anesthesia nurses.  The doctors in the practice allowed for us to medically learn not only why certain procedures were necessary, but also the emergency protocols.  As a PetNurse, I had not learned this aspect of the details.  It was this program that made the difference.  This program allowed me to walk step-by-step through cases with the doctors to test what I already knew and then add to it.  Amazingly, each day I kept feeling like the puzzle that is the veterinary world was slowly being pieced together, and each day, it made me want to learn more. 

There were so many cases that stuck with me, but one in particular, regarding a small eight-week-old puppy named Nemo, was my most satisfying.  Nemo came in with neurological symptoms of the Distemper Virus.  Surely, the owner thought he was a goner.  She had financial limitations in his care and was almost ready to put him down.  With the little faith she had left in his survival, she put his treatment in the hands of the doctors at the Hospital at South Sacramento.  The doctors allowed us to join in on both his treatment and care, and miraculously, he survived.  It was one of the most meaningful cases we had, because it not only reiterated why I wanted to go into Veterinary Medicine, but also the gift we have as practitioners.   My journey is only beginning, but the lessons I learned in my student job program will always stay with me.

It took a rat, a hairless rat to be precise, to teach me one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned while working in a veterinary hospital.

The rat’s name was Newt and her owners loved her. I personally have never loved a rat, so this was all new to me.  We’d initially seen her for an abscess on her face.  I can’t tell you for certain what we actually diagnosed for Newt, but I know at one point we discussed an eye infection.  I can tell you that an eye infection does not make a rat cuter.  We eventually had to remove the eye in surgery.  I can also tell you with great certainty that a hairless rat does not get cuter when you remove an eye.

We had issues with keeping Newt warm post surgery.  I remember one of our PetNurses, Lesley, who isn’t particularly fond of rats, carrying Newt around the clinic tucked up next to a rubber glove full of warm water.  Again, this did nothing for the “cuteness” of Newt.  I found the whole thing strange.  Why so much effort for a rat?

Two surgeries and a lot of love didn’t do the trick and in the end the infection got the best of Newt.  I remember being astonished by the great lengths everyone was going to, just to save this one hairless, scarred little rat.  At one point, Newt’s parents even fashioned an Elizabethan collar out of a pop bottle in an attempt to keep Newt from ripping out her stitches.  That’s dedication.  I remember hearing the sadness in Newt’s parent’s voices when they called to tell us that she had passed.  They were grieving deeply.  It was right around that moment that I finally got it.  Newt wasn’t just a hairless, scarred rat to them, or maybe she was, but it didn’t matter.  She was family.  They cared about her and loved her, so when she needed help they provided all they could for her.  And so I learned something that October.  Treating Pets like family means all Pets, even the not-so-cute ones.  Because one man’s rat is another man’s Newt.

As communications director, I’ve watched the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of American (NAVTA) grow and evolve over the last few years, and I’m excited to tell you about our plan to change the platform of our conference in 2010. We’re switching to a yearly format, and we’re offering professional development for all veterinary technicians and vet tech students. (In previous years, the conference was a much smaller forum including only vet tech leaders and specialists). With these changes, NAVTA aims to engage on a whole new level with vet techs, and to promote and support the career of veterinary technician. 

I personally feel very passionate about the career of veterinary technician – and I know that with the right training and development opportunities, veterinary technicians will be empowered to invest in themselves and the career they’ve chosen.  At NAVTA Annual Conference there will be courses aimed to help vet techs at any stage of their career to develop professional and leadership skills, and to expand their career options.  (Note: This does not replace traditional lab CE at local and national conferences.)

Here’s just a few of the exciting new features that I’m looking forward to at this year’s NAVTA conference: 

• Speakers Skip Lineberg & Emily Bennington will be teaming up to teach one session on making the right first impressions– and attendees will receive a copy of their new book “Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job”
• Aundray Collins, professional image consultant, will be on-hand to answer questions, and one lucky attendee will win a consultation & “attire makeover” valued at $250
• Stan Krejci will guide participants, via a multifaceted and personal approach, through positioning yourself on a board of your peers, focusing on effectively working toward common goals

Whether you plan to spend your career in a veterinary clinic, move into sales, education or various leadership roles within the field of veterinary medicine (i.e. serve on a local board, found a specialty group, support a non-profit, etc.), it’s important to you, the profession, and the Pets in your care to stay fresh on your skills. Looking forward to meeting you at this year’s conference!

The 2010 NAVTA conference is November 12-14, 2010.  For more details or to register, visit http://www.navta.net/index.php?pr=Annual_Conference.

The Banfield Applied Research and Knowledge (BARK) team has compiled a heap of data about national, regional, state and age-based prevalence of fleas and ticks, as well as factors associated with flea and tick infestation in dogs and cats. These findings have been shared with other members of the veterinary community, industry and hospital teams, but we’d also like to share them with you!

From noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8th, the BARK team will present the first in the “BARK & Bite” series in Hannah’s Place at our World Headquarters, with exclusive research scoops (pun intended) and specific information on prevalence in Oregon and Washington, as well as prevention.  Plus, all attendees will receive one FREE tube of FirstShield for your Pet! 

If you have any questions about the BARK & Bite, or about any of the BARK team’s other research, please e-mail BARK@banfield.net.

Date: Tuesday, June 8th

Time: noon – 1:00 (bring your lunch)

Where: Hannah’s Place at the Banfield World Headquarters at 8000 NE Tillamook St., Portland, Ore. 97213

How many of you are smiling and enjoying work right this minute?  Come on. Let’s be honest: you are reading this BLOG which means work is not stimulating you.  Are you really excited to go to work each day?  How great would it be if you laughed at least once every day at work?   Do you work better if you are having fun?  I think so. Veterinary medicine allows me to help Pets and that is what I live for. But of course, it can be very stressful dealing with disease and illness.  I hope each day that my work fulfills me, but let’s face it, it is easy to get drained.  So how do I keep my bucket filled?  The answer is simple: HUMOR.

I try infusing a little humor into everything I do.  Here are a few ideas to help your team get through the day.  PLAY WORK BINGO:  Simply fill out a few cards for your team members with spaces that have items such as “answered the phone in 2 rings,” “made a client smile today,” “signed up a Pet on a wellness plan,” etc.   Once the card is full, the team member yells bingo and gets a prize.  PLAY WORD INFUSION:  First pick a product such as Firstshield and offer a challenge to your team who ever is able to infuse Firstshield flea and tick education into the most client interactions today gets a Starbuck’s coffee break. Finally, my favorite game is SPECIMEN KING, where  each associate saves the best or weirdest or grossest specimen to show the doctor. 

Fun can be a great motivator, release tension and even create communication and trust. Enjoying work can lead to productivity, higher retention and owning your place of business.  I work harder when I am having fun. So then next time  you are at work I challenge you to try a little levity. Maybe tap a co-worker on the shoulder and yell “TAG YOUR IT!” and run away.  Think about it.

When I began my career I was single and childless. I now have been married for 11 years and have two small children. As my life has changed, I’ve carved out a career path uniquely my own.  That is what I love about veterinary medicine – the options, the flexibility. And while the veterinary profession is more flexible today than ever before, it’s still a good idea to plan ahead and make some choices early on that will enable more flexibility throughout life’s stages.

Get those loans paid off as soon as possible! Most of us graduate with significant student loan debt. I know I did. So, I worked full-time and grabbed overtime whenever I could.  My motto: Live frugal, eat cheap and strive for financial freedom! Once you have obtained that financial freedom you are free to choose what your career life will look like and are free to make your career fit your life and your desires. 

My career began in full-time feline practice which I adored. I loved the people and their cats! But I set my sites higher, and certain financial limitations in the rural area where I practiced were hampering my dream to perform diagnostics that would elevate the quality of my practice. And while I loved clinical practice, I wanted to move to a big city and try something new. Again – a great thing about this career in veterinary medicine – I had the ability to make changes in my career path but still be an integral part of veterinary medicine. I went to work full time for the American Veterinary Medical Association as the lead of disaster/emergency programs. What a life! I got to travel, I helped get people and pets prepared for disasters, and I felt alive and fulfilled. The hours were long, the pay adequate but not spectacular, and the travel was intense. I wouldn’t have changed it for the world – what an adventure!

My life switched course again after 8 years of living the jet-set life. I had my first child.  What a blessing he is. I realized that the career I love had to be altered again in order to start my next chapter – being a working Mom. I wanted to work, but I also wanted to be a full-time Mom. How did I do it? I lived within my means, moved closer to my family and found a great company (Banfield, The Pet Hospital) that allowed for a flexible schedule. I worked full time in recruiting but only had to work a 4 day work week. It was perfect for the whole family and since I worked from home I could alter my hours to attend what I needed for my son and still get a full-time job done.

Recently, my life changed again. I had my second child in 2009. With the birth of my second son, I was ready for something new. Banfield graciously accepted me back into clinical practice – this time as a part-time doctor working 3 days a week. Now I feel connected to my profession but wholly there for my children. I have worked for great companies in a profession that I love and I wouldn’t change a thing. However, I can’t stress enough that none of this would have been possible had I bought the house the bank told me I “could” afford or charged up a bunch of credit card debt or not paid off my student loans. Strive for financial freedom and you will find that this veterinary profession is one that is perfect for every life stage. And, not only perfect – but truly rewarding!

One of my worst interview experiences was when a candidate for an associate veterinarian position showed up for his interview completely inebriated!  Per my typical interview practice, I had arranged an early arrival time for the candidate that would allow him the opportunity to observe the hospital team in action and chat with the doctors candidly before I arrived for the formal interview.  About five minutes after the candidate was supposed to arrive, I got a panicked call from the chief of staff. He started off by saying, “I think we have a problem with the candidate.”  I was thinking that maybe he was late or not dressed appropriately? But no.  I rushed to the hospital to help with the situation.  When I arrived, it was blatantly apparent that the interviewee had had a few “pre-interview” cocktails.   Mind you, it was barely 9:30 in the morning!  Needless to say, not the best first impression. I ended the interview right then and there – thanked the candidate for his interest, told him we would be going in a different direction and sent him on his merry way.  It was the shortest interview I’ve ever had.

As you approach graduation and search for your first veterinary job it is important to remember that the first impression you give to your potential employers lasts a long time.  As someone who performs interviews frequently, I’m happy to share some tips about what NOT TO DO in an interview.   And as obvious as some of these might seem, these tips are all born from actual experience.

• Don’t be late. Make sure to double check your times and dates. I have had doctors miss an interview with me because they had the wrong date.
• Don’t wear jeans and a t-shirt. Dress for success, conservative business or business casual.
• Don’t have a couple of drinks before the interview to relax.  So that’s what that smell is.
• Don’t bring guests to the interview.  Yes, this is my wife (husband, significant other, etc.). They just wanted to help with the decision. 
• Don’t bring children to the interview.  Don’t breastfeed your infant in the interview either. This actually happened to me!  A lady I was interviewing reached down and began to breastfeed her son as she responded to one of my questions. This was very uncomfortable for me in a professional situation; I did not know what to say, what to do, or where to look.
• Don’t forget to ask follow up questions.  Take advantage of this opportunity to interview your potential employer.
• Don’t forget to ask questions about benefits, salary, vacation days, etc. I did not ask about vacation days in my first job. I got three whole days off that first year. Not a great honeymoon for me.
• Don’t forget to ask about a mentorship program. Don’t be like me and be by yourself on your third day on the job with a 100 pound post-partum Rottweiler to spay (the longest spay ever).
• Don’t have the wrong contact information on your resume. If I call and can’t get in touch with you it is hard to offer that dream job.
• Don’t forget to follow up after the interview. Where are you in the process? When can you expect a decision?
• Don’t burn bridges. You will most likely have a few job offers. If you make the wrong decision at first, you want to make sure that you have remained on good terms with the other practice owners that you turned down.  After 3 months in my first job, previous offers that I turned down in another state were not open to me because I had stated succinctly that, “I cannot ever foresee myself living in this area.”

We’ve all had bad experiences at job interviews. Here’s hoping that these tips will keep your horrific job interview experience to a minimum!

I invite you to share your interview horror stories with the rest of us. What did you or the interviewer do wrong? What did you learn?

Banfield’s internal research team just completed their latest research effort, which revolved around parasites. We focused primarily on fleas and ticks, but also pulled data on the prevalence and distribution of other parasites as well. Most information confirmed what we already know, for example, that heartworm and fleas are more widespread in the southeastern states or that endoparasites are most common in the spring. Some of the findings were unexpected, namely the difference in prevalence of fleas and tapeworms in cats.

We found that the prevalence of tapeworms in cats is greater than the prevalence of fleas. This seems counterintuitive since tapeworms are transmitted when cats ingest fleas. This probably means two things – first, that cats probably remove most of their visible flea burden when they’re grooming (which makes it more difficult to diagnose flea infestation) and second, that flea control in cats is probably lower on most people’s list of priorities than ideal.

This is potentially important, as tapeworms are zoonotic. It’s no cause for alarm, as the prevalence of all the internal parasites (tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms and roundworms) is low, but it reinforces the point that year round flea, tick and worm prevention is extremely important.  It also should remind us of our responsibility as health professionals to discuss zoonotic diseases and how prevention can eliminate disease transmission with our clients.

Have you found the same thing out in practice and how do you approach the subject of regular parasite control? We’d love to get your feedback.

If you’d like to subscribe to the Banfield Applied Research and Knowledge (BARK) quarterly white paper, email us at bark@banfield.net and include SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.