Skin problems are a common concern for pet owners and can significantly impact an animal's quality of life. To help veterinary teams be prepared to help these patients, we have compiled a list of must-read articles focusing on dermatology from our speakers at the 2024 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, last month. From how to better utilize the whole team in dermatology cases to using topical therapies to manage dermatology cases, there is a variety of useful information to put into practice.

Using topical therapies to manage dermatologic cases

: When it comes to managing allergy-associated skin conditions, veterinary professionals may include topical therapies as an adjunctive treatment in a multimodal case. Julia Miller, DVM, DACVD, gave an overview of the different options for treating skin conditions in pets with allergies as well as key considerations.

Save time in dermatology appointments by utilizing your technicians

: It is important to get a compressive and thorough history of the patient to help determine what could be causing their dermatology issue. During her lecture, Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, explained how teams can enlist their technicians to collect the history to not only utilize the full team properly but free up some time for the veterinarian as well.

Combining forces: How general practitioners can work with dermatologists

: When a client presents with a dermatological condition such as severely allergic disease, acute-onset skin disease, or chronic otitis externa, it can be time for a general practitioner to refer the patient to dermatology, making effective collaboration between GPs and specialist crucial to the patient and client. Miller explained the importance of dermatology referrals and how specialists and GPs can work together in her recent lecture from Fetch Charlotte.

For more coverage from Fetch Charlotte, visit our dedicated conference news page at 

Articles

Check out these dermatology articles from the 2024 Fetch dvm360 Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

3 must-reads on dermatology from Fetch Charlotte 

, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Ken Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM), Veterinary Emergency Group, chief veterinary nursing officer, discuss how open concept hospitals can help make emergency visits less stressful and more informative for veterinary teams, clients, and patients. 

: When we think about the traditional way that the veterinary practices function, it's usually a closed environment where there's like a reception room and exam room that the people go into and wait for somebody to come and talk to them. And when treatments need to be done, their pets are taken to the back where all the action takes place. And so the pet owner sits in the room, wondering, 'what's taking so long? What's going on with my pet, I haven't gotten an update in a little while.' 

And then they hear like a cat screaming in the background and they say, 'Wait, was that my cat?' Or, they start hearing a little bit of commotion and people running around and raising voices or whatever and they wonder like, 'could that be my pet? How come nobody's telling me what's going on? Is my pet okay?' And that's the kind of situation that a closed hospital may create for the pet owners. 

But an open hospital is actually different in that we have a setup where it's an open floor plan. The pet owners come right into the treatment room and they get to be seen by a doctor and a nurse team right away. They don't have to fill out any paperwork. They don't have to sign that they agree to a certain financial cost before they start seeing anyone that can help them. Instead, they get help right away, which is like hugely helpful, and it puts them at peace or at ease. So the open hospital concept, there's lots and lots of benefits to it.

Podcasts

Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Ken Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM), emphasize the importance of creating a safe space for pets and owners during emergency visits

Making the ER experience a low stress experience

Deb Zoran, DVM, PhD MS, director of VET, describes some of what VET saw during their wildfire deployment and their patients.

Reaching patients affected by wildfire

The Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team (VET) has been named a recipient of a 

, a philanthropic extension of the North American Veterinary Community. Members of VET— Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences students, faculty, staff and other volunteers— recently returned from deployment to the Texas panhandle, where the Smokehouse Creek wildfire burned. There, they provided medical care to species living on farms and ranches. In this video, Deb Zoran, DVM, PhD MS, director of VET, describes some of what VET volunteers saw during their deployment and the patients they cared for, in an interview with 

Photo courtesy of Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences

The Texas A&M Veterinary Response Team in the field during their deployment to the Texas panhandle to provide veterinary care to animals affected by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire.

This video is the part of that interview and the first in a series. The following is a transcript:

This wildfire was completely different on every level than all of our previous fires. Properties that burned were spread out over these million acres that burned. When I say, ‘a million acres that burned,’ I don't even know how to get somebody to understand what that looks like. It's like the moonscape. You can't see anything that's not burned for as far as your eye can see, which is just like something you can't believe. So large parts of this fire impacted that kind of landscape. It was the ranches, it was the hills, the valleys, the canyons, all of these people's properties across that scape up there [in the Texas panhandle].

What we tended to see [as patients], were the animals that had escaped the fire, but maybe were burned and needed burn care. But they were onesies, twosomes that were found. Remember, the fire burned through fences. So, these animals that escaped the fire were found in canyons or were found running loose or were found wherever they were found. And so, we had horses, we had donkeys, we had a lot of cattle. But we only had a few dogs and cats because the houses [in the area] were spread few and far, if that makes sense. And, for us, that was a really weird thing. Because typically in fires, it's the opposite. We had some fire cats that escaped. Most of the cats up in this area live in barns. Ranchers would go back to their burned-out barns and would find the cats. And so, we had some fire cats.

Fire cats are amazing. They're very resilient survivors. If you can give them some burn care, they do really, really well. We had some burned horses that managed to escape enough of the fire that they just needed a little bit of burn care, not bad burn care. And then of course, we had some animals that were burned very badly and were not able to be saved.

The vast majority of the herd euthanasia occurred out in the field with cowboys. And that was because these are thousands and thousands of acres. Cowboys had to ride on horses to even find [the herds]. And so much of that initial, horrible, terrible, awful euthanasia happened by cowboys.

NAVC Gives Awards $10,000 to Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Response Team for Smokehouse Creek Fire Response. News release. North American Veterinary Community (NAVC). April 17, 2024. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/navc-gives-awards-10-000-to-texas-am-veterinary-emergency-response-team-for-smokehouse-creek-fire-response-302119592.html

Deb Zoran, DVM, PhD MS, director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team, describes some of what wildfire response volunteers saw during their recent deployment, in an interview with dvm360®.

Members of the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team on deployment in Canadian, Texas, on March 3, 2024. (Image courtesy of Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing & Communications) 

The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) announced that a 2024 award recipient for NAVC Gives is Texas A&M’s Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VET). The team has received $10,000 for its work responding to the historic Smokehouse Creek fire in the Texas Panhandle as well as its continued dedication to veterinary education.

"The Smokehouse Creek fire caused unimaginable injury and pain to farm and companion animals across the Panhandle," said Gene O'Neill, NAVC CEO, in an organizational release.

 "Texas A&M VET sprang into action during a historic moment, providing critical services for affected animals and support for the community. Their work and commitment capture the spirit and intent of NAVC Gives to recognize those who are making a profound difference in the lives of veterinary professionals and animals."

According to the release, the Smokehouse Creek fire began on February 26, 2024, and burned over 1 million acres of land, making it the largest fire in the history of Texas.

 Days after the fire started, the Texas A&M VET team deployed 36 Texas A&M faculty, staff, and students to 5 counties within the region.

"What we tended to see were the animals that had escaped the fire, but maybe were burned and needed burn care...The fire burned through fences. So, these animals that escaped the fire were found in canyons or were found running loose," said 

Deb Zoran, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, VET director, in an interview with dvm360®

The deployed team checked 672 cattle and performed exams on 271 animals such as cats, cattle, dogs, horses, and goats. The affected animals were treated for burns, hoof issues, and respiratory issues caused by smoke inhalation, and provided nutritional support for calves who lost their mothers.

"Thanks to the generosity of organizations like NAVC Gives, the Texas A&M VET is able to respond quickly and assist the animals and people impacted when disaster strikes," Zoran said, in the release.

 "Our donors also empower us to train the next generation of veterinarians — who are more likely to serve a community affected by a disaster than generations before them — in both disaster preparedness and response. The VET is incredibly thankful for NAVC Gives' support, which has empowered us in our service and teaching missions."

Along with this deployment, the VET team has been deployed 26 times—including 19 in Texas—to help animals affected by wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes across the United States.

 VET team was officially formed in 2010 by the rest of the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Texas Division of Emergency Management to help be prepared for future disasters. The team also uses these deployments as a unique learning opportunity for students deployed through first-hand experience in emergency response and management.

Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team Returns From Deployment To Smokehouse Creek Fire. Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. March 11, 2024. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://today.tamu.edu/2024/03/11/texas-am-veterinary-emergency-team-returns-from-deployment-to-smokehouse-creek-fire/

Coppock K. Texas A&M veterinary team is helping animals affected by wildfires. dvm360. Published February 29, 2024. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/veterinary-team-deploys-to-help-animals-affected-by-texas-wildfires

NAVC Gives awarded the team these funds for its Smokehouse Creek fire response 

Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Response Team receives $10,000

In recognition of Financial Literacy Month, MetLife Pet Insurance has released a new resource for pet owners to evaluate how much they can save on both preventative care and unexpected illnesses and accidents with pet health insurance. The new savings calculator shows which veterinary charges could be eligible for insurance reimbursement and, specifically, more information about what MetLife’s customizable insurance plans can cover.

 conducted by MetLife Pet and OnePoll discovered that the primary financial burden faced by pet owners in 2023 was related to their pets' health needs, with an average expenditure of $1,242 on veterinary visits. Additionally, 45% of respondents reported that their pets experienced a major health issue in the previous year, yet a staggering 82% admitted to not being financially ready to handle the associated costs. Considering that only 58% of pet owners reported having pet insurance, those lacking this coverage experienced substantial financial strain when attempting to cover unforeseen expenses for their pets' health issues.The survey also found that most pet owners (83%) feel that there is no spending limit to ensure their pet is happy and healthy.

“To make sure 2024 is filled with happiness with their pets, pet parents should consider how pet health insurance might be able to support their furry family member,” said Brian Jorgensen, CEO of Pet Insurance at MetLife.

The new insurance calculator from MetLife breaks down what can be covered with pet insurance including:

Accidents such as a broken bone, toxicosis, or other unexpected emergencies.

Preventive care including dental cleaning, spaying/neutering, vaccination, and parasite prevention.

Illnesses like skin allergies, heart disease, growth or tumor, or diabetes. MetLife Pet Insurance has short- and long-term illnesses covered.

“Every pet parent should have the opportunity to make important decisions about their pet’s health without cost being the deciding factor,” said Jorgensen. “Particularly during Financial Literacy Month, we can’t overlook the significance of pet health insurance when it comes to ensuring the financial wellness of pet parents. Just as we take steps to protect our physical health, pet insurance can help protect pet parents’ financial health when it comes to routine and emergency care for our pets.”

MetLife Pet Insurance also provides its members with live 24/7 “vet chat” in its mobile app, along with lost pet coverage, and grief counseling support. According to MetLife, the virtual veterinary services are available through AskVet, a third-party partner; MetLife is not responsible for any pet guidance or advice provided or taken.

 This feature will soon extend to exotic pets.

The grief counseling services are provided through an agreement with TELUS Health, an unaffiliated third-party service provider. Grief counseling services provided by TELUS Health are separate and apart from the insurance provided by MetLife. This service is not available to New York residents.

MetLife Pet Insurance unleashes new savings calculator to help pet parents understand the financial benefits of insuring their furry loved ones. News release. MetLife Pet Insurance. April 16, 2024. Accessed April 17, 2024. 

https://metlife-prod.adobecqms.net/about-us/newsroom/2024/april/metlife-pet-insurance-unleashes-new-savings-calculator-to-help-pet-parents-understand-the-financial-benefits-of-insuring-their-furry-loved-ones/

New MetLife Pet Insurance survey reveals how much pet parents spend yearly on their pets. MetLife Pet Insurance. January 11, 2024. Accessed April 17, 2024. 

https://www.metlifepetinsurance.com/how-much-pet-parents-spend-on-their-pets/

MetLife Pet Insurance launches a new resource for owners weighing the cost of insurance

Pet insurance company releases savings calculator

Get Joy, a holistic dog wellness company, has released a report titled, "Chasing our Tails: When it Comes to Maximizing our Dog’s Health and Wellness, Are We Just Running in Circles?"

 that examined dog owners across the United States. The online survey was aimed at finding the disparity between what owners know about pet nutrition and what dietary actions they are taking. One of the top findings from the survey is that 97% of dog owners believe that diet can influence the animal’s life longevity.

39% of owners are “very confident” that they know the ingredients in their dog’s food.

14% are “not very confident” and 3% are “not confident at all.”

However, these findings create a discrepancy when compared to another piece of data from the survey that reveals 58% of owners can only name 3 ingredients in that food.

 Get Joy believes owners should know all the ingredients in their dog’s food.

“It’s clear that dog families have the best intentions, but misinformation and a market flooded with processed options can cloud decision-making. Get Joy seeks to provide information and a holistic approach to dog wellness that can help dog families’ actions better align with their intentions,” said Tom Arrix, founder and CEO of Get Joy, in a news release.

The report also revealed that 75% of owners are feeding their dog processed foods like dry and wet food, while 12% are feeding “fresh food” and 6% are feeding prepared food at home.

Graphic courtesy of Get Joy and Business Wire.

“At the forefront of good health for our canine friends is quality nutrition. Foods are the building blocks for a strong body, aiding the immune system while supporting the heart, brain, kidneys and liver. Read the label, know what you are giving your pet,” said Renée Alsarraf, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), in the Get Joy report.

More data on owners’ attitudes towards the benefits to gut health include the following:

89% of owners believe gut healthy food can improve daily life for their dogs.

83% of owners believe it can extend lifespan.

77% of owners believe it can improve mental health and prevent disease.

Brett Levitzke, DVM, chief medical officer at VERG Brooklyn and Get Joy veterinary advisor, stated, "Nutrition is something we do with our pets twice daily. Even simple changes can have a profound impact on our dog's overall wellness."

From this data, Get Joy is recommending dog owners to look more closely at food labels, adopt a holistic approach to pet nutrition, and consider a gut healthy food option.

Chasing our Tails: When it Comes to Maximizing our Dog’s Health and Wellness, Are We Just Running in Circles? Get Joy. 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024. 

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0015/5919/9790/files/Get_Joy_Chasing_Our_Tails-Compressed.pdf?v=1712154183

Chasing Our Tails: Get Joy unveils startling findings in dog wellness and nutrition survey. News release. Get Joy. April 4, 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024. 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240404626322/en/Chasing-Our-Tails-Get-Joy-Unveils-Startling-Findings-in-Dog-Wellness-and-Nutrition-Survey

The report from Get Joy reveals a disparity between the knowledge dog owners possess regarding their pets' diet and their actual dietary practices