, host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and special guest Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO, chat about all things glaucoma such as tips and tricks on diagnosing the diseases, effective management, and which breeds of dogs have a predisposition to glaucoma. Through the discussion, Sigmund hopes to help to continue his goal of making every veterinarian comfortable with the basics of ophthalmology to improve patient care as well as client understanding. 

What are some of the recommendations that we're doing when we're trying to rule out glaucoma? So, I know you mentioned the pen. Do you have a recommendation of even like tetracaine? Is there a particular numbing solution you like? Walk us through some of the diagnostics that we should do.

Any red eye, in my opinion, should not only have a tonometry check, but also should have a stain, like a fluorescein stain, looking for ulcers as well as a Schirmer tear test because there are so many cases that get referred to me that could have been caught months earlier if one of those had been done, it just hadn't been done. 

The biggest pushback I get from that type of stuff is, you know, owners don't want to pay for all of that, and so my biggest advice for veterinarians is just to make an ophthalmology fee, like an ophthalmology exam fee, that encompasses all those diagnostics [so] that you can just go ahead and do them. 

Podcasts

Join Drs Adam Christman and Alex Sigmund to talk all things glaucoma on this 'eye' opening episode of The Vet Blast Podcast

Under pressure! Everything you need to know about glaucoma

Photo courtesy of Adam Christman, DVM, MBA

This content is sponsored by VCA Animal Hospitals

I was entering a place of business this past May and witnessed the store manager adding Pride stickers to the storefront in preparation for Pride Month. It was a sense of joy knowing that this business welcomes and supports all people. But behind me in line was a woman with her 2 young children, and she said to them, “Oh, here we go again. Another month all about them.” I turned around to her and told her, “You are incorrect ma’am. My pronouns are he/him, and I thank you for validating why we need a month.”

As we celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) Pride Month, it’s crucial to reflect on the significance of diversity and representation in every facet of our society, including the veterinary profession. As veterinary professionals, we are not only a caregiver to animals but also a crucial part of a diverse community of professionals. However, despite strides toward inclusivity, prejudice and discrimination persist in many workplaces. Understanding and addressing these issues is paramount to creating a welcoming environment for all veterinary professionals.

Prejudice, at its core, is a preconceived notion or judgment formed about an individual or group based on stereotypes rather than personal experience or knowledge.

 In the context of the LGBTQ community, prejudice manifests as discrimination, bias, or marginalization directed toward individuals based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. This discrimination can range from overt acts of hostility to subtle forms of exclusion and microaggressions.

 And these acts can happen quite a bit in the workforce.

Having proper representation in the veterinary workforce is not just about meeting diversity quotas; it’s about fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to medicine is crucial for several reasons. Here is what representation means to just a few of our colleagues in the industry:

: “I am an openly gay veterinarian, so celebrating Pride Month is vital to me and my hospital because it reminds our community that we offer a safe space to our clients, especially our LGBTQ community. Pride Month helps by making everyone around us aware that, just as we advocate for our patients in our evolving veterinary medical profession, we will continue to stand up for ourselves and advocate for our rights, along with our allies. In the same way we need motivation and reminders to eat healthy or work out, we also need motivation and reminders to continue doing our best in shaping a society that believes in equality and acceptance of who we are.”

: “Pride Month is a time to be unapologetically me and shine a bright light in our dark world. It’s also fun to see veterinary clinics support and show allyship toward the LGBTQ community.”

: “Pride means ‘empowerment’ to me. When organizations outwardly show support of Pride, I feel empowered to show up as my best self, and my best self is the version that will serve this profession in the best way possible. Pride, in my opinion, is not about the celebration; it is about the recognition of my humanity and the support needed to help change injustice that our community continues to face.”

: “Pride Month is a time for visibility for all LGBTQ members and allies to show that all are welcome and loved. There are members of our community still under assault around our country, and it is important for all members and allies to show that there are safe spaces and ways to succeed in life.”

Being an ally means actively supporting and advocating for the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ community. It also means listening with empathy, educating oneself on LGBTQ issues, using inclusive language, and creating safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ people to express themselves authentically. Ultimately, it’s about fostering a culture of acceptance, respect, and understanding for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Here is a perspective from one of our amazing colleagues and allies in the community, Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, chief visionary officer of Empowering Veterinary Teams: “I’ve been asked what it means, as in the defined sense, to be an ally several times. The answer I keep coming back to is that this cannot be defined by me. Allyship is a term that gets bantered around and wrongly placed in the noun category, when it is most definitely action packed. Allyship or being an ally is not something that can be claimed. Being an ally is not about you or the optics it can present. Allyship is earned, striven for, and is an honor that is bestowed by those to whom one is an ally with. To have heard my friends and colleagues refer to me as such is an indescribable feeling and is a moniker that I will continue to work hard to earn each and every day.”

Promoting LGBTQ representation in the veterinary profession requires intentional efforts from both individuals and organizations. Here are some actionable steps to foster inclusivity in your workplace:

 Offer diversity and inclusion training programs that address LGBTQ issues, including cultural competence, unconscious bias, and respectful communication. Provide resources and support for ongoing learning and development.

Implement nondiscrimination policies that explicitly protect LGBTQ employees from harassment and discrimination. Advocate for LGBTQ inclusive health care policies and practices within your organization and professional networks.

 Create LGBTQ affinity groups or support networks within your workplace to provide a sense of community, peer support, and mentorship opportunities. Celebrate LGBTQ awareness events and milestones to promote visibility and allyship. Be active within your community.

 Use inclusive language and terminology in all communications, forms, and patient interactions. Respect individuals’ chosen names and pronouns, and educate staff members on the importance of affirming language.

LGBTQ representation is not just a matter of diversity; it’s a matter of equity, justice, and excellence in veterinary medicine. By actively promoting inclusivity and embracing the rich tapestry of identities within our profession, we can create a more vibrant, compassionate, and resilient veterinary community where every individual can thrive.

I want to personally thank the many of you around the country who have approached me during our Fetch conferences to thank me for being a large advocate for the community. I take greatpride in who I am and hope you all do too.

Let us commit ourselves to championing diversity, fostering inclusivity, and creating a profession where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, feels seen, heard, and valued. We have this one beautiful life to live. Let’s live it to our fullest and authentic selves.

Herek GM. Hate crimes and stigma-related experiences among sexual minority adults in the United States: prevalence estimates from a national probability sample. 

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Norton AT, Herek GM. Heterosexuals’ attitudes toward transgender people: findings from a national probability sample of US adults. 

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Meyer IH. Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence. 

. 2003;129(5):674-697. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674

Articles

Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, chief visionary officer of Empowering Veterinary Teams, says allyship is earned, striven for, and is an honor that is bestowed by those to whom one is an ally with.

Pride, not prejudice!

June 21 marks Bring Your Dog to Work Day for workplaces across the country. When it comes to dogs in the workplace, they can help relieve stress, save pet parents costs on daily pet care, and even develop new professional relationships within the workplace. On the employer side, it can help improve employee morale as well as retention and hiring of employees. However, although the benefits for the humans in the workplace are there, there can be toxins within offices that poise a major danger to pets.

“Before you walk Fido through your office doors, however, be sure you’re prepared. Just as you do at home, you need to pet-proof your office location and surroundings and keep a very close eye on your pet at all times. It’s very easy to get distracted by a phone call or while on the computer, and not notice they’ve gotten into something or wandered off,” Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, senior veterinary toxicologist and director of Veterinary Medicine at Pet Poison Helpline, said in an organizational release.

Unlike most workplaces, Sara Reeves is able to bring Pippa, her basset hound, to work almost every day, serving as a high school veterinary science teacher in Milton, Georgia, a 45 minute drive from Atlanta. According to the release, Pippa being in the classroom is part of her students education because they are all working to gain the knowledge and tangible skills to go on to become a veterinary technician as they work toward becoming a veterinary, or a different profession within the industry. 

Pippa the basset hound (images courtesy of Pet Poison Helpline)

However, Reeves shared that although there are benefits to having Pippa in the classroom, it can cause some anxiety as well because she needs to make sure Pippa is not getting herself into any trouble. Reeves shared that Pippa, who is not a major fan of her kennel, tends to stick by Reeves. One day, Pippa followed her into the bathroom and while she was in the stall, she heard Pippa begin to drink out of the toilet next to her. Reeves noticed that the toilet bowls within the restroom had blue water in them because they had recently been cleaned. 

After giving herself a second to freak out, her veterinary science teacher knowledge kicked in and she knew she needed to get Pippa help immediately. She called Pet Poison Helpline before heading to the hospital, giving the toxicologist team the time to create a treatment plan as Reeves transported Pippa to the hospital.

“Once at Veterinary Emergency Group in Alpharetta, Georgia, Reeves gave the hospital team her Pet Poison Helpline case number, which provides both the pet owner and hospital staff with unlimited consultations with our toxicology team,” explained Schmid.

“The industrial toilet cleaner Pippa drank contained alkalis, which can cause significant damage to tissue. Fortunately, we determined that the concentration of chemicals in the toilet water was not enough to cause corrosive injury, so Pippa was given an anti-emetic and other gastrointestinal protectants, was encouraged to drink water to dilute what was in her system and sent home to recuperate,” she continued.

 exposure to alkalis can cause a range of symptoms from mild tissue irritation to severe corrosive or caustic injury, with the severity varying based on the concentration within the product. If there is a significant exposure, perforations to the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract (GI) which can be fatal for the pet.

Alkalis chemicals can be found in industrial cleaners, wet cement, and industrial pipe and drain cleaners. However, they can also be found in multiple household products like automatic dishwasher detergent, bleach, drain cleaners, hair relaxer, lye, and oven cleaners.

 Alkalis poisoning treatments include immediate decontamination by flushing out the exposed area with copious amounts of water, medications to protect the GI tract, fluid therapy, and symptomatic and supportive care.

“When taking your dog or other pet to work, be just as vigilant about potential dangers as you would be at home or on a trip. Also, think about how your pet will interact with your coworkers. For example, if your pet has a special diet or allergies, be sure and share that with your coworkers so they don’t give them any unapproved treats,” said Schmid.

“If your pet has behavioral issues such as anxiety in unfamiliar or busy places, consider whether they will be comfortable in the workplace or better kept in a quiet home environment. Also, if your pet is scared around strangers and has a tendency to snap at well-meaning admirers, keeping your pet home is ideal to avoid potential injury to your co-workers,” she concluded.

have been successfully treated and fully recovered from the poisoning, including Pippa.

Protecting Your Coworkers When They’re Animals – Literally. News release. Pet Poison Helpline. June 19, 2024. Accessed June 19, 2024. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/protecting-your-coworkers-when-theyre-animals---literally-302176112.html

Alkalis. Pet Poison Helpline. Published 2015. Accessed June 19, 2024. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/alkalis/

In this latest installment of Pet Poison Helpline’s Toxin Tails, one teacher was taught a lesson on toxin lurking in the workplace 

A cautionary tail for Bring Your Dog to Work Day 

Contributing to the development of veterinary anatomy education and its approaches, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges’ (AAVMC) Task Force for the Use of Animals in Veterinary Education created the “AAVMC Handbook on the Use of Animals in Education.” According to the AAVMC, the handbook seeks to help advance developments in veterinary anatomy education by promoting effective animal alternatives and animal welfare and ethics, as well as the safety of veterinary students and the animals involved in their learning process.

“The task force sought to create guidelines, recommendations, and methods that would be aspirational for most veterinary colleges but not out of reach,” Julie A. Hunt, associate dean of clinical sciences at Lincoln Memorial University Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine, and chair of the task force, said in a release by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

 “Animal ethics also vary geographically, and the task force had to consider how to create guidelines and a handbook that would be relevant to all AVMA-accredited veterinary colleges worldwide.”

AAVMC Use of Animals in Veterinary Education Handbook. (Photo courtesy of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges)

The handbook provides veterinary colleges with recommendations on how to implement alternatives to cadaveric dissection, source cadavers ethically, decrease reliance on institutionally owned animals for preclinical education, and utilize animal models or simulators for teaching clinical skills.

 According to 2023 survey with 20 North American veterinary schools as the participants, there is variation in the use of live animals for teaching anatomy.

 Some respondents reported incorporating both small and large live animals as a supplementary to anatomy education, while others utilized either small or large animals, but not both. Other veterinary schools indicated that they did not use live animals for teaching purposes.

“Many people believe that anatomy must be taught primarily through cadaveric dissection,” said Hunt.

 “However, ethical concerns have been raised about the sourcing and traceability of cadavers. I think that the chapters relating to cadavers and anatomy teaching are critically important and offer an updated approach to teaching anatomy and acquiring cadavers in an ethically acceptable manner.”

According to the handbook, “there is a growing volume of work and research that suggests that cadavers do not need to be used to achieve sound anatomical learning. As a result, many medical education institutions take a blended approach to teaching medical anatomy, using a variety of techniques, and often utilizing both cadavers and digital learning environments to support their healthcare students’ learning… In recent years, many medical schools have moved away from cadaveric dissection, utilizing prosections and plastinated specimens instead, or have stopped using cadavers completely.”

In Chapter 2, the handbook discusses advancements in technology to support teaching. These include realistic 3D models; high tech platforms; videoconferencing; augmented reality; and virtual reality (VR), including virtual dissection tables and fully immersive experiences via VR headsets.

The creation of the handbook came after the AAVMC published their "Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Veterinary Education," in October 2022.

 The guidelines aim to assist AAVMC member institutions in enhancing their policies on animal use, promoting the adoption of animal alternatives, and fostering transparency. Both the guidelines and the handbook are applicable to preveterinary and veterinary technology programs.

 Yet, the AAVMC soon realized additional information on implementing the guidelines was necessary.

“While the Guidelines provided overarching principles and broad recommendations, the next step was to write a handbook to accompany the Guidelines, elaborating on how institutions could implement the Guideline’s recommendations, enabling them to support and promote humane and ethical animal use, guided by the 4 Rs: replacement, reduction, refinement, and respect,” according to the handbook’s abstract.

Speaking on the concern that incorporating models into clinical skills training diminishes the skills learned from live animal practice and doubts about the transferability of skills learned on models, Hunt explained, “the aim is not to eliminate the use of live animals in veterinary education. The goal is to optimize the animal ethics associated with veterinary training.”

AAVMC publishes handbook for use of animals in veterinary education. American Veterinary Medical Association. June 18, 2024. Accessed June 19, 2024. 

https://www.avma.org/news/aavmc-publishes-handbook-use-animals-veterinary-education

Hunt JA, Delcambre J, Baillie S. AAVMC Task Force on the use of animals in veterinary education. American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. 2024. https://doi.org/10.35542/osf.io/5k894

The handbook provides recommendations on how to implement alternatives to cadaveric dissection, promoting animal welfare and ethics

AAVMC releases handbook for animal utilization in veterinary anatomy education

The introduction of new veterinary clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals in the United States underlines an advancement in pet care improvement and service availability expansion. These modern facilities incorporate advanced technology and experienced veterinary professionals who are dedicated to delivering exceptional medical care. With their steadfast commitment, these providers not only prioritize pet health but also foster stronger connections between people and their pets.

Here are 3 recent pharmacy, hospital, and clinic openings in the United States:

Vetsource, a pet health company that offers pharmacy and technology services, offering home delivery services of pet medications, therapeutic nutrition and over-the-counter pet products for veterinarians and their clients has opened its third pharmacy location in Northlake, Texas, near Dallas–Fort Worth.

Vetsource opted to establish its latest pharmacy in the Dallas–Fort Worth area due to its central location and proximity to major transportation hubs, which results in improved shipping times and better meeting the increasing demand from customers. "Texas is geographically expansive, which impacts out-of-state shippers by adding an extra day to get packages routed to pet owners who are outside of the hub in Dallas," Adam Schrage, vice president of operations at Vetsource, said in a news release.

"Shipping from in-state allows us to effectively avoid that delay."

The new pharmacy upholds the same sustainable packaging practices as the other sites, emphasizing recent initiatives in biodegradable packaging and reducing the company’s carbon footprint. All medications at Vetsource pharmacies are bottled in vials designed to partially biodegrade, encouraging proper disposal to prevent plastic pollution in landfills and oceans. Additionally, the pharmacies utilize coolers made from recycled denim, manufactured in the United States, for shipping temperature-sensitive pet medications.

VCA Sanibel Animal Hospital in Sanibel Island, Florida

VCA Sanibel Animal Hospital in Sanibel Island, Florida. (Photo courtesy of VCA Animal Hospitals)

VCA Animal Hospitals, a national network of hometown hospitals that is part of the global veterinary health organization, Mars Veterinary Health; recently announced the reopening of VCA Sanibel Animal Hospital. The newly rebuilt facility spans 4,100 sq ft and replaces the original 960 sq ft location, which damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Situated on Sanibel Island, Florida, the hospital is equipped to offer a wide range of services designed specifically to meet the needs of pet owners in the region.

“As one of the former owners of Coral Veterinary Clinic, the rebuilding of our Hospital is a testament to VCA's focus on care – for patients, clients, our Associates and communities," said Jennifer Nichols, hospital manager of VCA Animal Hospitals, in a news release.

“Support from around VCA at the time of Ian helped us activate satellite hospitals surrounding the island to provide care for affected pets and made sure our Associates had immediate supplies and assistance. With community at the center of everything we do, we celebrate our new facility with a stronger and renewed commitment to delivering world-class medical care for pets and personalized experiences for pet owners."

The facility includes specialized surgery dental suites, 3 tables for pre- and post-operation treatment areas, an isolation room, onsite grooming, separate kennels for cats and dogs, an outdoor play area with turf, and 5 generously sized examination rooms.

CityVet in Virginia Beach, Virginia. (Photo courtesy of CityVet)

CityVet, a Dallas-based network of 38 veterinarian-owned practices expressed its excitement in announcing the grand opening of its new clinic in 2005 Lynnhaven Parkway, Suite 106, Virginia Beach, which will begin welcoming clients on Monday, June 24, 2024. The new clinic represents CityVet's debut in Virginia Beach, maintaining its commitment to personalized veterinary medicine with kindness at the forefront. The clinic will offer a wide range of pet care services to the community such as preventive care, diagnostics, same-day walk-ins, surgery, grooming, and dental care.

“Every new market represents a significant milestone for CityVet, and our expansion into Virginia Beach is no exception. We couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to introduce our distinctive approach to pet care to the Hampton Roads community. We're confident that our unique business model will flourish here, allowing us to prioritize delivering exceptional care to pets and their families, and integrating ourselves as a valuable resource to the community,” David Boguslawski, president and CEO of CityVet, expressed in a news release by the company.

CityVet in Virginia Beach will be overseen by Erica Feiste, DVM, former veterinary school professor, who has been practicing in the Hampton Roads region since graduating from veterinary school. Her expertise includes performing advanced surgical procedures such as splenectomies, foreign body removals, and cesarean sections.

Vetsource launches third pet pharmacy to support customer growth. News release. Vetsource. May 29, 2024. Accessed June 19, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vetsource-launches-third-pet-pharmacy-to-support-customer-growth-302157219.html

VCA rebuilds Florida hospital destroyed by hurricane Ian, publishes 2024 hurricane preparedness playbook for pet owners. News release. VCA Animal Hospitals. June 10, 2024. Accessed June 19, 2024. 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vca-rebuilds-florida-hospital-destroyed-by-hurricane-ian-publishes-2024-hurricane-preparedness-playbook-for-pet-owners-302168578.html

CityVet, a Leading Network of Veterinary-Owned Practices, to Officially Open its Doors in Virginia Beach on June 24. News release. CityVet. June 17, 2024.

Take a look at these 3 veterinary centers newly opened or coming soon

Clinic center: Novel veterinary facilities expanding pet healthcare access across the nation

In 2015, Trupanion announced it had established June 18 as Veterinary Appreciation Day in recognition and celebration of the veterinary community for all their hard work and impact they have on the lives of the patients and clients they treat. To celebrate this year, Trupanion shared the 4 winners of its first Veterinary Appreciation Day Awards. 

"Veterinarians and veterinary professionals commit themselves to helping our pets day in and day out," said Margi Tooth, Trupanion’s president, in an organizational release.

"We are beyond pleased to see just how many people took time out of their days to share appreciation for these professionals. The overwhelming show of support reaffirms the importance of creating this platform to help bring recognition to these often-unsung heroes in our pet’s lives. To find four top choices in a sea of amazing nominees was no easy feat, and we’re proud to celebrate and recognize our winners as well as all our very worthy nominees."

According to the release, Trupanion had received thousands of nominations for veterinarians and support staff with nearly 45,000 votes casted by the public.

 The award was designed to honor any extraordinary efforts veterinary professionals made across North America. The two awards, Veterinarian of the Year and Veterinary Professional of the Year, acknowledge and showcase their hard work, spread awareness of the multitude of roles that make up the profession, and highlight the impact teams have not only on pets, but their communities as well.

2024 Veterinarian of the Year, United States:

 Astrid Kramer, DVM, from Leo’s Pet Care in Carmel, Indiana

2024 Veterinary Professional of the Year, United States

: Samantha Kaiser, veterinary assistant, from Pleasant Plains Animal Hospital in South Staten Island, New York

: Lesley Steele, DVM, from Steele Veterinary Group in Atlantic Canada

2024 Veterinary Professional of the Year, Canada

"Few professions embody as much compassion, empathy, and dedication as veterinary medicine." expressed Steve Weinrauch, BVMS, MRCVS, Trupanion’s chief veterinary and product officer.

 "At Trupanion we celebrate the veterinary community every day, and through Veterinary Appreciation Day we provide a way for those outside Trupanion to also share their thanks for those who work tirelessly to keep their pets healthy. On behalf of Trupanion, I commend these four winners for their dedication and achievements."

Trupanion encourages the public to visit its Veterinary Appreciation Day website to see the nominees and their stories.

Trupanion Announces Winners of the Veterinary Appreciation Day Awards. News release. Trupanion. June 18, 2024. Accessed June 18, 2024. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trupanion-announces-winners-veterinary-appreciation-130000776.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALTszFm4RPBNvuOGuL0MJ7T88Wv01MBiJP4LNQruQIYOaneO_lXc2v3qg7MoCrRJHkBWPYVVdIfu_O6W6ss5sRBQjTvIZqpEhSytMAoOsNdVZry48q2CkvdCb5AZjGYNPZQjUCFs8QIYVx3Eovm90CxlMnAxZPrh_Vg-JA_3feyk

Four winners were chosen out of thousands of nominations 