Wag!, a pet service, product, and wellness brand, launched Furscription as a new digital tool for veterinary clinics to streamline the prescription process. Through a partnership with veterinary pharmacies across the country, Furscription enables clinics to electronically prescribe medications, eliminating the necessity and associated risks of handwritten prescriptions and traditional manual prescription management methods like fax and phone calls. The digital advantage also reduces the amount of paperwork for the veterinarian to fill out, giving them more time back for patient care.

Furscription also makes the process easier for owners. When a veterinarian prescribes a pet medication, owners can receive status notifications directly on their phone.

“We’re leveraging state-of-the-art technology to create a seamless, secure, and robust prescription platform for veterinarians and clinic staff, which helps them minimize the manual burden of inbound prescription requests and protect their licenses from fraud and drug diversion,” said Georgia Jeremiah, DVM, the creator of Furscription, in a news release.

 “Furscription is a complement to the Wag! ecosystem by closing the loop between veterinarians and pet parents, furthering our dedication to providing pet parents with everything they need to keep their pets healthy and happy.”

Wag! designed Furscription to easily integrate with a clinic’s software systems and is aimed at streamlining the prescription process for both veterinarians and pet owners. The software also has two-factor authentication built into it, to reduce the risk of fraud.

Furscription is coming out this month in a select beta launch but is currently receiving signup requests via an online waitlist registration.

Wag! launches Furscription, a revolutionary software solution to solve the veterinary prescription headache. News release. Wag! April 22, 2024. Accessed May 1, 2024. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240422031626/en/Wag%21-Launches-Furscription-a-Revolutionary-Software-Solution-to-Solve-the-Veterinary-Prescription-Headache

Articles

Wag! introduces a new digital tool for veterinary clinics: Furscription

New digital prescription software

A newly published study documents the case of a bottlenose dolphin that was found with the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) in Florida. The discovery was made through a postmortem examination at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (UF CVM) more than 2 years ago.

On March 29, 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation’s Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (FWC MMPL) notified the University of Florida’s Marine Animal Rescue Team about a distressed dolphin in Dixon County, Florida. The dolphin later died and was transported to UF CVM for a necropsy.

 The team identified the virus with brain and tissue samples collected from the dolphin.

 an initial analysis performed at the zoological medicine diagnostic laboratory at UF ruled out other potential agents and, with help from the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Kissimmee, Florida, the presence of HPAI in the lungs and brains of the dolphin was verified.

The results were also sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa to characterize the virus subtype and pathotype. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the first to be the HPAI A (H5N1) Virus of HA clad 2.3.4.4b.and subsequent tissue was then analyzed at the Biosafety Level 3 enhanced laboratory at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Allison Murawski, DVM, a former intern with UF’s aquatic animal medicine program, and fellow investigators authored a study based on these findings that was recently published in 

 and created a case report on the dolphin as part of her research project. Murawski traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, to work with Richard Webby, PhD, director of the World Health Organization collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals and Birds, who also served as a corresponding author for the published paper.

“This investigation was an important step in understanding this virus and is a great example where happenstance joins with curiosity, having to answer the ‘why’ and then seeing how the multiple groups and expertise took this to a fantastic representation of collaborative excellence,” said Mike Walsh, DVM, an associate professor of aquatic animal health, and Murawski’s faculty advisor, in the release.

The Webby Lab team investigates cases of avian influenza in many species and plays a key part in determining where the virus could have originated from, as well as unique RNA characteristics or mutations to suggest its ability to infect other mammals, and how they can track the virus from this source. The investigators sequenced genomes from local birds and then looked at viruses isolated from Northeast seal populations at this time, Webby and the research teams do not know how the dolphin contracted the virus and more research needs to be done.

The investigators noted they believe that the detection of the H5N1 virus should emphasize the importance of following proper biosafety protocols when it comes to working with marine mammals who are stranded. The high viral loads that were detected within the brain of this dolphin demonstrated to researchers the value of routine postmortem marine mammal examinations.

 Because there is no end in sight for the outbreak, the authors said testing for the avian influenza viruses should be part of routine health monitoring when responding to a marina mammal stranded, especially if that animal is presenting with any neurological signs.

Murawski A, Fabrizio T, Ossiboff R, et al. Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in a common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in Florida. Communications biology. 2024;7(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06173-x

Carey S. Report recounts Florida dolphin found with highly pathogenic avian flu. The University of Florida Academic Health Center . Published April 26, 2024. Accessed May 1, 2024. https://ufhealth.org/news/2024/report-recounts-florida-dolphin-found-with-highly-pathogenic-avian-flu

Discovered in 2022, this bottlenose mammal was the first cetacean in North America to test positive for the H5N1 virus.

Researchers document Florida dolphin with avian influenza

Editors note: This content contains discussions related to suicide and mental illness, which may be distressing to some individuals. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please contact The National Suicide Hotline at (800) 273-8255 or 988.

For new graduates, finding a veterinary clinic or program that has a mentorship program can be a crucial decision maker. However, even if mentorship is there, having a structured program can help bring in new veterinary professionals while also improving the culture of the clinic for everyone. 

, Katie Fish, DVM, MBA, and our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, discuss the importance of workplace culture and a structured programs to give veterinary graduates entering the profession for the first time support and resources, plus what inspired Fish to be more invested in mentorship. 

I think there's so many things that we can do to help address positive culture, but it all comes down to being about meeting the needs and showing support for individuals. So all those individuals that make up the team and all contribute to the workplace culture, because it's all about fostering the right attitudes and the right behaviors in those individuals. So for me, obviously I'm a huge proponent of mentorship and [want to] see how that can promote those types of positive behaviors. Because really, at its core, I see mentorship as a means of ensuring that someone is doing the best work that they can in their role. If you're a doctor, we're focusing on how can you be providing the best care to your patients and clients? 

Similarly, if you're a technician, how can you be providing the best care to your patients and clients? And then also, the other side of mentorship is, how can you ensure that that person who's performing the role of a doctor or a technician or receptionist—whatever their role in the hospital is—how can we ensure that they're being seen and fully supported as a human, and that we're fostering their needs and happiness in the role?

Podcasts

Katie Fish, DVM, and Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, breakdown how she is advocating for a positive and supportive workplace, plus what shifted her focus from clinical practice to focusing on mentorship

Cultivating veterinary excellence – mentorship and culture

The FDA made some significant moves to improve how it oversees intentional genomic alterations (IGAs) in animals. The changes aim to make the FDA's process for evaluating and supporting innovative animal products more up-to-date and efficient. Additionally, the agency established a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to clarify roles and responsibilities for regulation of IGAs in animals.

According to the FDA, IGAs in animals can be made using modern molecular technologies, which may include random or targeted DNA sequence changes. This can include nucleotide insertions, substitutions, or deletions, or other technologies that introduce specific changes to the genome of the animal.

 The purpose of IGAs can be beneficial for human health with medications and disease studies; improving the health and well-being of animals and making them resistant to certain diseases; and enhance production and food quality for food animals by adding nutritional benefits.

“We recognize that innovations in animal biotechnology offer tremendous opportunities for advancing human and animal health, and that we as an agency need to keep our regulatory approach current with the evolution of the science,” Tracey Forfa, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, said in the release.

 “These updated guidance documents demonstrate our commitment to facilitating innovation while ensuring product safety. These technologies hold great promise for many uses and public and animal health benefits, such as animal disease resistance, control of zoonotic disease transmission, improved animal husbandry, and increased food production and quality.”

To clarify the existing statutory and regulatory requirements of IGAs, the FDA has released a final version of the Guidance for Industry (GFI) #187A, “Heritable Intentional Genomic Alterations in Animals: Risk-Based Approach,”

 document, and a revised draft version of GFI #187B, “Heritable Intentional Genomic Alterations in Animals: The Approval Process.” These documents help explain how the FDA determines when it is appropriate to exercise enforcement discretion over certain products.

GFI #187A focuses on the risk-based regulatory approach to the oversight of heritable IGAs in animals. This document separates the risks into 3 categories being:

Category 1: Products for which developers are not expected to consult with the FDA prior to marketing an animal containing an IGA.

Category 2: Products for which developers may not be expected to submit an application for approval of the IGA and, if after looking at data submitted about that product’s risk, the FDA finds that the product’s risks for the specified intended use are understood, any identified risks are appropriately mitigated, and the agency has no further questions that would require additional data to address.

Category 3: Products that the FDA will review and, where the data supports it, grant approval using data requirements that are proportionate to the risk associated with the particular product.

GFI #187B provides technical guidance for those IGAs in animals that go through the approval process. This document would be applicable to category 3 products or category 2 in which the FDA needs more data for approval.

 Because GFI #187B is still in a draft phase, the FDA is seeking public comments starting on May 2, 2024, until July 31, 2024.

Additionally, the FDA and USDA signed a MOU on April 18, 2024, regarding the FDA's activities related to IGAs, which also fall under USDA jurisdiction. The MOU sets out guidelines for better information sharing, defines each agency's regulatory roles, and encourages coordinated regulatory efforts for a smoother process. It does not introduce new regulations or requirements for developers.

The FDA encourages developers of IGAs in animals to approach the agency early in their research and development phase to discuss any risks and also recommends participation in the Veterinary Innovation Program to support developers with these processes.

FDA clarifies approach to genomic alterations in animals. News release. FDA. May 1, 2024. Accessed May 1, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-clarifies-approach-genomic-alterations-animals

CVM GFI #187A Heritable Intentional Genomic Alterations in Animals: Risk-Based Approach. FDA. May 2024. Accessed May 1, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/cvm-gfi-187a-heritable-intentional-genomic-alterations-animals-risk-based-approach

MOU 225-24-010. FDA. April 18, 2024. Accessed May 1, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/domestic-mous/mou-225-24-010

The FDA has also established an MOU with the USDA that clarifies roles and responsibilities for regulation of IGAs in animals 

Advancing regulations for intentional genomic alterations in animals

I’ve met many who loved relief work and others who hated it. It’s not for everyone but I am going to attempt to shed some light on reasons why someone would want to make the change and become a relief veterinarian.

The goal is not to persuade anyone to become a relief veterinarian, rather, it is just to give some context to what happens when someone does decide to try and figure out a better way to practice veterinary medicine while also being able to tend to the demands of life that come outside the work.

I’ve spoken to people who’ve been completely terrified to step out as a relief veterinarian. If you’re in that same boat this should provide not just a good picture of what you’re getting into, but also some steps that you will want to consider taking if you go out on your own.

One of the greatest cons is that there is no promised consistency to your schedule or location. There can be inconsistency with the availability of shifts, inconsistency with how each practice operates (policies, procedures, methodologies, etc), and inconsistency in where you’ll be driving every day. For some, this variability is welcomed, as they love change. For others, this constant mode of change causes much anxiety. It doesn’t provide a natural, consistent pattern in their lives and can frustrate them enough to just want to say no to being a relief veterinarian altogether.

Some relief vets have been able to create some rhythm within their calendars and narrow down their schedule to work at only 2 or 3 practices. They schedule 1 practice on Mondays and Tuesdays, 1 on Thursdays, and the other on Fridays and Saturdays. Some veterinarians travel the United States while working at random practices.

The second-largest con is that you’ll need to learn how you should get paid. You’ll need to get with a professional to find out if you should open a limited liability company, a professional limited liability company, an S corporation, etc, to run your income through. Certified public accountants (CPAs) are usually the go-to people for this kind of advice. However, I will warn you that finding a good one can be difficult. Once you have your entity opened for your income to run through, you’ll also need to decide how much you’re going to pay yourself in a W-2 and learn how to pay your taxes on any distributions you will make/take from the business. This kind of advice is all over the map, from what I’ve seen. You can ask 10 different CPAs the same question and get 12 answers.

The best part of being a relief vet is that there aren’t any benefits paid by your employer since you are the employer. I know what you’re thinking: “That doesn’t sound like a pro; that sounds like a con.” This is where I will say that the best thing you can have is the ability to craft your package. Usually, when your employer is paying for your benefits, you are at the mercy of getting only what they are willing to pay for. Most of the time that I’ve reviewed compensation packages they’ve been decent, but they haven’t been the best for all employees. I believe this is partially because employers often assume that the best group packages for the employees are the most expensive and because the employer has to pay for these packages to be available to everyone, generally speaking, employers provide basic insurance coverage and basic retirement plans. These plans provide some benefits but may not match the level of quality you are wanting.

When you can craft your benefits package, you will find that the less expensive things can sometimes offer more benefits or even that you can craft an amazing 401(k) plan for yourself that provides much better flexibility and benefits to your retirement plan than any other employer could or would provide you.

The second pro I will mention is the obvious one. It’s the opposite side of the same coin that I mentioned earlier in the cons: Inconsistency in your calendar also means that you are in a lot more control of your calendar. You may find that you love this way of planning because you’ll be able to move dates around with a lot more ease. You don’t need anyone’s approval to go on vacation. You don’t need to put energy into wondering if you still have vacation days left with your employer. You are now in complete control of when you work and when you don’t, and that can be a benefit many wouldn’t want to pass up.

Securities products and advisory services offered through Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS), member FINRA, SIPC. OSJ: 4200 West Cypress Street, Suite 700, Tampa, FL 33607, 813-289-3632. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. The individuals associated with Florida Veterinary Advisors do not maintain specialized licenses or qualifications for the financial services provided to veterinary professionals. Florida Veterinary Advisors is not registered in any state or with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisor. Florida Veterinary Advisors is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. 2024-173493 ex 4/2026.

Relief veterinary medicine offers control and diverse experiences but weighs the stability and benefit trade-offs.

Pros and cons of being a relief veterinarian

Bill Murray has 25 years of financial experience from the Bank of America Practice Solutions, financing division where he was most recently the senior vice president of the veterinary lending division. Murray wanted to provide more support to independent practice owners, and thus, founded Wicklow Healthcare Advisory to support practice owners with their exit sale strategy. According to a news release,

 Wicklow Healthcare Advisory is an advisory and brokerage firm specializing in the sale, purchase, and valuation of veterinary, dental, and medical practices and is now open for business. The advisory firm is based in Boston, Massachusetts but operates across the United States.

"The current healthcare environment and industry consolidation has brought many challenges but also many opportunities. Veterinarians need a trusted partner to help them navigate the maze of identifying and then acting on their practice exit strategy. We look forward to helping practice owners get the most value from their practice and find the best partner for the next stage of their life," said Bill Murray, founder and CEO of Wicklow Healthcare Advisory, in the release.

Wicklow is a full-service advisory firm that shares an expert opinion on the best sales target and whether that means selling to another doctor or a corporate buyer. Wicklow Healthcare Advisory services include:

 Wicklow can assess the market worth of each practice and provide specialized plans for owner departure.

Sell-side Advisory / Traditional Business Brokerage Services:

 Wicklow can handle putting the practice up for sale and directly reaching out to potential buyers within the company’s own network of contacts.

 Owners looking to buy a practice can also use Wicklow services for deal evaluation, financial analysis, and due diligence, and more.

To learn more about what a veterinary-focused advisor can bring to your hospital sale, 

 on the value this role has for your business needs.

Wicklow Healthcare Advisory launches healthcare practice sell-side advisory and brokerage firm for veterinary, dental, and medical practices. News release. Wicklow Healthcare Advisory. April 30, 2024. May 1, 2024.

Wicklow Healthcare Advisory was founded by Bill Murray and guides practice owners to ensure a smooth exit process from ownership