Good morning and happy Monday dvm360 readers! Did you know that the dvm360 team is currently on site at the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Convention in Austin, Texas? Our team has been covering sessions, awards, The Street Dog Coalition, and more throughout their time at the convention, and you can find it all on our dedicated 

As we continue to cover the AVMA Convention, here is what you can find this week on dvm360.com:

Nationwide Pet Insurance announced it will not renew approximately 100,000 policies between the spring of 2024 and summer of 2025 to ensure financial sustainability for the future of its pet insurance line of business.

Allison A. Stewart, DVM, MS, DACVS, takes a deep dive into absorbable chemotherapeutic beads to combat cancer in equine patients, with one study even finding the therapy demonstrated an 88% resolution rate.

Alex Ehrich, Sarah Machell, DVM, and Jill Clark, DVM, join host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, on this week’s episode of 

 to discuss PetPath and a new normal of communicating with clients.

For our June Veterinary Profile, Jon Geller, DVM, DABVP Emeritus, shares his life journey into veterinary medicine, what drew him to street medicine, and how is he continuing to work on improving access to care for those who need it.

New guidelines published by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and Assistants delineates specific responsibilities and different levels of supervision for credentialed veterinary technicians in bovine and equine practices.

Articles

Here is a sneak peek at this week’s headlines

Sneak peek: dvm360’s AVMA Convention coverage continues, and other veterinary news

Content submitted by Sylvester.AI, a dvm360® Strategic Alliance Partner.

The traditional approach to feline health often leaves owners reactive rather than proactive, where they only visit veterinary clinics when issues become apparent. However, with advancements in technology and a better understanding of feline behavior, clinics now have an opportunity to revolutionize how feline health is managed, empowering owners to take charge of their cat’s well-being.

Cats are adept at masking illness, which can often lead to late diagnosis and more complex treatments. Educating cat owners about this is crucial in shifting from reactive to proactive care. By understanding the subtle signs of discomfort or illness, owners can better manage their cat’s health.

Veterinary clinics are at the forefront of this healthcare revolution. Here’s how they can lead the change:

 Implement educational sessions for cat owners to learn about feline behaviors and signs of health issues.

 Introduce owners in health monitoring tools like Tably and demonstrate their benefits in everyday use.

 Establish a system where data from these tools can be shared with vet clinics, enabling timely professional intervention when necessary.

By providing educational resources and advanced tools, clinics can build deeper trust with clients, fostering a relationship based on care and transparency. This approach not only enhances the early detection of health issues — thanks to more informed owners who understand what signs to look for—but also strengthens the overall pet care community.

Encouraging open dialogue about the health and well-being between owners and veterinary professionals creates a supportive network that benefits all parties involved, ultimately leading to more effective management of pet health.

The future of veterinary care is bright, with technological advancements opening new pathways for proactive health management. Veterinary clinics have the chance to really lead this change, empowering cat owners to become vigilant and informed caregivers. Together, we can ensure a healthier and happier life for our feline friends.

Empowering clients through education and technology

A new era in feline care

Photos by Kristen Coppock Crossley/dvm360

A veterinary clinic popped up in an Austin, Texas, parking lot on Sunday to provide free medical care to 40 companion animals owned by individuals experiencing homelessness. The 4-hour event included health checks and basic medical care for the dogs and cats that were brought there, and owners were given vouchers to defray the cost of spay and neutering through local veterinarians.

The clinic was created through a partnership of The Street Dog Coalition, a national nonprofit organization, and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). It was supported by event sponsors Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health, and Western Veterinary Partners.

The event drew 80 volunteers, which included many veterinary professionals who are attending the 2024 AVMA Convention, just a short walk away from where the outdoor clinic operated. “Working with the Street Dog Coalition to help people experiencing homelessness and their pets is a privilege and a highlight of our annual convention,” Rena Carlson, DVM, president, AVMA, said in a news release.

Katrina Weschler, executive director of The Street Dog Coalition, said the convention allows the coalition to organize a clinic on a larger scale than those it typically operates around the country. “We have so many eager volunteers at our disposal at the AVMA convention; veterinarians, veterinary technicians, humanitarian advocates, and people that might not be familiar with The Street Dog Coalition, but now that they are. We're hoping that they go back to their hometowns, and if we have a team nearby, they volunteer with them,” Weschler said in a 

Under a collection of pop-up canopies, some volunteers checked in new arrivals, while others worked in medical care stations to administer vaccines, give health exams, test for parasite infestation, and provide water to canines and humans. Across the street, an RV recently donated to the coalition by ElleVet Sciences was used to care for feline patients. And, despite the day’s high temperature, volunteers and pet owners were all smiles.

At the clinic site, Karen Shenoy, DVM, chief veterinary officer for Hill’s, said the event has been very meaningful. “This year, we certainly have a steady flow, but a manageable number of individuals, [which] allows you to spend some really meaningful time with each pet and each pet parent and make the most of that time that you have together. It's just been really heartwarming to see people come through with their pets and to know that we can answer their questions and help them in whatever way we're able to, so they have the support they need to stay together with their pets,” Shenoy continued.

According to Hilary Wheeler, DVM, medical director for The Street Dog Coalition, the organization values quality over quantity for the communities they serve. “We don't want to be an assembly line vaccine [administrator]. We want to take the time to engage with the pet parent, talk to them about their animal’s health, tell them and reinforce with them what an amazing job they're doing keeping their pets healthy, and [that] we're just here to get them caught up with their vaccine boosters, treat any minor medical conditions, ensure they have heartworm prevention, flea/tick prevention, all of the things that we know they need to stay healthy going forward, and that we want them to stay together. We want to make sure that they can be together, whatever that looks like,” Wheeler said in a 

During the event, volunteers handed out collapsible bowls for water and food, treats, toys, leashes and collars. Owners also took away free bags of pet food and human care kits that included oral health and hygiene products donated by Hill’s and its parent company, Colgate-Palmolive. Additionally, Merck Animal Health provided vaccines and preventive medications for heartworm and flea/tick, while lunch was donated by Western Veterinary Partners for the volunteers and pet owners.

Carollee Brinkman, founder and CEO of Western Veterinary Partners, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to support The Street Dog Coalition’s mission to provide medical care where it’s needed. “As a legacy sponsor of The Street Dog Coalition, we’ve seen the incredible impact these clinics have had on the lives of pets and pet parents,” Brinkman said in the news release.

Shenoy said she appreciates working with the AVMA at their annual convention, and the free clinic is an example of why. “One of the unique things that they do is focus on different ways to give back and do outreach. This event's a big one for us. We also have the Vet for a Day activity [during the convention], in partnership with the Critter Fixers, that's focusing on reaching out to students in the community and making sure that they know that a career path in veterinary medicine could be for them, even if they're from an underrepresented group in the profession,” Shenoy said in a 

“It's always really wonderful to see that, in addition to the education and the other things that you think of when you think of [the AVMA] conference, you get to do this. For me, it's a chance to get reconnected with the whole reason I got into veterinary medicine to begin with, to help people and their pets be happier and healthier,” she continued. “That's what it's all about.”

AVMA, The Street Dog Coalition partner to help pets of people experiencing homelessness in Austin. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. June 17, 2024. Accessed June 23, 2024. 

https://www.avma.org/news/press-releases/avma-street-dog-coalition-partner-help-pets-people-experiencing-homelessness-austin

AVMA collaborated with The Street Dog Coalition and event sponsors for a pop-up veterinary clinic to give people experiencing homelessness essential medical exams for their pets and other services

Convention partners provide free care in host community

Kaitlyn Krebs, DVM, MBA, DABVP (Canine/Feline), discusses conditions that veterinarians can help manage in honey bees, in an interview with dvm360.

Common bee diseases

Kaitlyn Krebs, DVM, MBA, DABVP (Canine/Feline), associate professor in clinical primary care at the University of Pennsylvania's Ryan Veterinary Hospital in Philadelphia, and a beekeeper, presented a lecture about common diseases that affect honey bees and their hives at the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention in Austin, Texas. In an interview with 

 at the AVMA convention. Krebs spoke about viral diseases that veterinarians should be aware of in caring for honey bees and to answer questions from beekeepers in their communities.

The following is a transcript of the video:

Kaitlyn Krebs, DVM, MBA, DABVP (Canine/Feline):

 There are so many things that can kill honey bees. It's kind of sad. You do hear about foulbrood the most, especially from a veterinary perspective, because as a veterinarian, if I'm going to have to treat honey bees, we have to treat American foulbrood and European foulbrood. But there's so many other things that, as a veterinarian, we can advise people on, or that affect honey bees. Things like Varroa mites, the No. 1 killer of honey bees. We don't require veterinary intervention for those. But as a veterinarian, I get asked from beekeepers about Varroa all the time, and things like advising on appropriate nutrition for honeybees. And then, if we're talking about other diseases, things like Nosema, things like, you know, sacbrood, or other viral diseases honeybees get. [There are] a ton of different things that we might, as veterinarians, be asked about, even if we're not required as veterinarians to treat them.

Caring for honey bees in general practice

At the 2024 AVMA Convention, beekeeper Kaitlyn Krebs, DVM, MBA, DABVP (Canine/Feline) addressed viruses and parasites that can affect the entire hive

Common diseases in bees

Earvin "Magic" Johnson appears on a video screen during his keynote address at the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association Convention in Austin, Texas. 

Earvin “Magic” Johnson made a big entrance at the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association Convention (AVMA) in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, June 22. As he stepped out to deliver the event’s keynote address, he first took a selfie with a young fan while autographed basketballs were being thrown into the crowd.

He quickly began his talk by conveying appreciation to the crowd of veterinary professionals on behalf of himself and his family. “What a blessing you are. We’re pet lovers. We have 2 dogs. Thank you, thank you, and thank you because we wouldn’t know what to do without you,” he said. “You are a blessing to not only the animals but to the pet owners as well. Never forget that you’ve been blessed with a special gift.”

The talk was then filled with stories from his time playing basketball in high school, college and as an NBA player for the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as Johnson’s business experiences. The entertaining tales had purpose as he espoused the values of leadership, teamwork and mentorship, while building successful careers.

During the talk, Johnson discussed how a common goal can bring communities together and results can be achieved with teamwork—a sentiment that spoke to veterinary teams. Johnson shared that although he and Boston Celtics player Larry Bird were fierce competitors—“I hated that guy because he was so good”—the pair ultimately used their rivalry to grow the then-struggling league. “Larry and I changed basketball. We put the madness in March, then we turned the NBA around. We did it together,” he said.

Sharing a more contemporary example, Johnson expressed that the WNBA is currently experiencing a similar burst of growth. “Give Caitlin Clark a lot of credit,” he said, mentioning the college standout turned rookie professional player. Johnson said other members of the talented 2024 WNBA rookie class such as Angel Reese, a Clark competitor, are also contributing to the positive changes. “I think it’s like what Larry and I did for the NBA that Angel and Caitlin are doing for the WNBA,” Johnson said. “Everything that the WNBA and the women in professional basketball were fighting for, they finally have.”

Earvin "Magic" Johnson makes his way back to the stage during the keynote address. 

Throughout the talk, Johnson worked the crowd, occasionally stopping his speech to invite members of the audience to take a selfie with him. He also spent time directly addressing students and young professionals in attendance. Among his advice was to expect rejection but not to allow it to define them.

Johnson further advised young attendees seeking career advancement to ask questions and continuing seeking knowledge, while working hard. “Be the first one to work and the last one to leave,” he said. “Overdeliver to your manager, overdeliver to the company, over deliver to the brand, but [remember that] knowledge is key.”

Relating pivotal experiences he has had while building his businesses, Johnson encouraged young attendees to take advantage of the opportunity that AVMA provided by shaking many hands and obtaining business cards. “Networking is one of the most important things you can do at this conference,” he said.

Near the end of the keynote, a child in the audience followed this advice by approaching Johnson with a request to sign his basketball jersey. He next handed Johnson a book he had hand-written with a business card. The basketball legend was seemingly impressed as he asked, “When will we be ready to do business?” Then, the pair took a selfie.

Johnson E. Making the Magic happen. Presented at: American Veterinary Medical Association Convention; June 21-25, 2024. Austin, Texas.

Basketball legend and entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s keynote session at the 2024 AVMA Convention talk scored points with attendees by delivering messages on leadership, teamwork, and career success

AVMA brings Magic to Austin at the 2024 convention

Angela Elia, BS, LVT, CVT, VTS (ECC), discussed with dvm360 one reason why the veterinary technician job can be overwhelming.

Keeping up with caseloads

Angela Elia, BS, LVT, CVT, VTS (ECC), a training program manager with Pieper Veterinary Group, lectured on time management for veterinary technicians at the 2024 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention in Austin, Texas. During her talk, she discussed ways to increase staff efficiencies, while raising standards of care. In an interview with 

, she elaborated on one reason why technicians may feel overwhelmed on the job and shared her personal experience with heavy caseloads.

: I think that a lot of things overwhelm technicians. For me personally, when I was working in the ER and ICU, heavy caseloads were my No. 1 overwhelming thing. There is nothing more devastating to an ICU nurse than the feeling that I can't keep up with my patient's treatments. It literally destroys my heart to be late on a treatment, so that immediately makes me feel overwhelmed. I think in the ER, it's the same story, that busy caseload, feeling like I can't give my best attention to every single patient and handhold every single client that's attached to that patient the way that I really want to and be efficient at the same time. When I do shifts in [general practice], I feel like I'm overwhelmed by just the amount of care and time that each client demands with that relationship that you're developing over the lifetime of a pet. So, I think it varies, but the but the baseline is the same. We're all overwhelmed for one reason or another while we're at work.

Videos

At the 2024 AMVA Convention, Angela Elia, BS, LVT, CVT, VTS (ECC), discussed one way veterinary technicians can become overwhelmed on the job 