 readers! We are only a little over a month away from our upcoming conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Join us in the Music City with our amazing faculty, exhibitors, and attendees! Check out the Fetch Nashville 

 to learn more and secure your spot today because this is a conference you do not want to miss.

Here is what you can find this week on dvm360.com:

In celebration of World Animal Vaccination Day on April 20, 2024, 

 will share a list of articles focusing on vaccinations to help raise awareness on vaccinating animals.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park announced that two of its California condor’s have welcomed its 250th California condor chick, a crucial milestone for the critically endangered species that has a population of just 22 birds.

, Ken Yagi, MS, RVT, VTS (ECC), (SAIM), chief veterinary nursing officer at Veterinary Emergency Group, and host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, to share how to make the emergency room a low stress experience.

Get Joy, a holistic dog wellness company, released a report that examined dog owners across the country though an online service to discover the disparity between what clients know about pet nutrition and what dietary actions they are taking for their pet.

Our April Veterinary Profile will be available on dvm360.com this week! The profile features Azalia Boyd, DVM, chief veterinary medical officer, Urban CAC Program & Chairperson, CARE Veterinary Advisory Committee, and the work she is doing to create equity in veterinary medicine.

Articles

Here is a sneak peek of this week’s headlines 

Sneak peek: dvm360 recognizes World Animal Vaccination Day, and other veterinary news 

One of the first things animal lovers say to someone who works in the veterinary field, especially veterinarians, is “You have such a difficult job.” It’s true. Anyone working in this field has a difficult job. The veterinary assistant who helps hold a scared dog or cat (or other animal the practice sees) has a difficult job. The veterinary technician who has to monitor anesthesia, administer medications, place intravenous catheters, set up and take down surgery in a sterile fashion—the list is endless— has a tough job. The veterinarian who is supposed to find out what is wrong with a pet when it can’t tell them why they feel more lethargic than usual has a difficult task to constantly and consistently complete. The practice manager who keeps the clinic running daily as well as talking to owners who are upset with what happened (or didn’t happen) with their pets has a demanding job. However, in my opinion, the most difficult job in the clinic by a landslide (often feeling more like a mudslide) is the receptionist.

When a pet owner calls the clinic, they don’t speak to the assistant, doctor, or technician (unless the clinic is extremely busy)—they talk to the receptionist at the front desk. Questions range from how to schedule international health certificate exams, to euthanasia, to follow-up blood work on very specific and sometimes esoteric cases. The receptionist listens to the owner, often having to calm them down so they can get the relevant information. Sometimes they need to get through the yelling, accusations, or demands in a kind yet stern way. Then they have to decide whether to ask a question of the veterinarian or technician who is usually busy or running behind. This can induce some anxiety. A more experienced receptionist will then ask potential follow-up questions to anticipate the questions the owner will ask.

After getting all of the information, the receptionist will go back to the phone and discuss the answers and recommendations with the owner. Sometimes that is sufficient, and the conversation ends. Other times, more dialogue ensues, and the receptionist needs to find a way to end the conversation while giving the correct answer kindly yet firmly. Now this is what happens on a smooth day; however, anyone in any health care capacity can quickly counter with the point that a smooth day never happens. On a typical day, the receptionist has to repeat that process with at least 2 or 3 clients on hold as well as check in patients who are coming into the clinic, get medications that are being picked up, and answer questions from other staff members.

The receptionist is one of the most vital roles from an administrative perspective. For instance, when people move and switch veterinary clinics, records need to be obtained. The receptionist calls a pet’s previous clinic, uploads records sent in by owners, or reminds owners to send in those records. The receptionist also updates the vaccine information so it’s reflected in the pet’s new record at the clinic. That may not sound like much if it’s just 1 client’s records, but keep in mind it’s usually many records in a single day, and this is on top of answering questions that owners have in person or via phone as well as checking them in.

A final note is that the receptionist is also in charge of scheduling appointments. They have to make sure that the surgery patients are told the correct instructions for what day and time to arrive. They have to inform new clients of hospital policies, and they have to make sure that clients and patients are scheduled correctly based on how they act when in the clinic or what issue is occurring. If a doctor is out sick, they need to quickly call every owner whose pet is scheduled to come in that day and apologize while rescheduling their appointments. Again, this is at the same time people are coming in to pick up medications or calling to ask questions.

For all these reasons and more, the receptionist at a veterinary clinic has the most difficult job. They are the first face that clients see when entering the clinic, the first voice they hear when calling, and the liaison between the back and the front of the hospital. So be extra kind to the receptionist: They can be your best friend and fight extra hard to get those questions answered, the sick pet scheduled, and any accidents the clinic made quickly addressed.

, is a small animal general practice veterinarian who works at Clarendon Animal Care in Arlington, VA. He graduated from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and completed a one year rotating internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC. He lives with his wife and cat in Northern Virginia.

Receptionists juggle calls and clients’ questions, schedule appointments, and do so much more to keep a practice running smoothly

The hardest job in a hospital (according to a veterinarian)

dvm360® is proud to share that the 2024 Hospital Design360™ Competition is officially underway. Each year, dvm360 invites hospitals from across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam, to enter the contest to highlight the features of their hospital that makes them unique through design, financial value, community engagement, and wellness.

"dvm360 is thrilled every year to highlight the architectural designs within hospitals and clinics that are uplifting veterinary medicine for patients, clients, and staff. By highlighting both larger and smaller hospitals, we’re showing how different size spaces are used to make a difference for pets and the people who care for them. Innovation and visual appeal can come in any size," John Hydrusko, Vice President of Sales at dvm360.

The contest this year will honor 3 grand prize winners and up to 5 merit winners, depending on the number of entries the contest receives. The categories for the contest include hospitals 0-3500 square feet, 3500-800 square feet, and over 8000 square feet. Submissions must include a complete color photo tour of the hospital inside and out for the judges to use when deciding on the winners. For animal shelters that are entering the contest, the photos should be limited to veterinary areas within the facility. All entries also require a site plan for the hospital and floor plan.

The Oregon Humane Society Community Veterinary Hospital in Portland, Oregon

Boulevard Veterinary Lakeview East in Chicago, Illinois

405 Vet Animal Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Ambassador Animal Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina

The Cat Hospital of Media in Media, Pennsylvania

Veterinary Specialty Center in Bannockburn, Illinois

“Through innovative hospital design, we're revolutionizing the veterinary experience by prioritizing technology, improving workflow efficiency, and providing exceptional patient care. These nominations are a testament to the advancement of our profession for the greater good of our patients, clients, and team members,” Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer at dvm360.

All entries for the contest can be submitted until Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM EDT. The winners will be showcased in 

 magazine and on dvm360.com, and will be honored during the upcoming 

, which runs August 23-25, 2024, as well as receiving complimentary registration The official contest rules and submission instructions can be found on the official 

Three grand prize winners and up to 5 merit winners will be chosen and honored at the upcoming Fetch Kansas City Conference

2024 Hospital Design360™ Competition now accepting entries 

ADM Animal Nutrition has announced a second list of recalled products for animal feed that may contain elevated levels of magnesium, sodium, calcium and/or phosphorus. The latest recall announcement includes chicken, swine and rabbit feed products, and follows a March 30, 2024, recall announcement of feed products for chicken, swine, cattle and horses. Affected products from the Pen Pals, MoorMan’s ShowTec, AMPT, and Seniorglo brands are included in the recall.

Elevated levels of sodium can cause increased water consumption, reduced feed eﬃciency, egg production, and growth rate and can be fatal in chickens, according to ADM Animal Nutrition. Elevated levels of calcium and/or phosphorus can cause reduced feed intake and feed conversion in swine, and elevated levels of magnesium and sodium can cause loose stools, reduced growth rate, and weakness in rabbits.

The problem of elevated levels of certain ingredients was discovered by ADM after the company received a customer complaint related to swine refusing to eat feed from a single lot of MoorMan’s ShowTec Sale Burst w/DF DEN, according to the company. ADM immediately investigated and discovered that the company’s animal feed manufacturing facility in Quincy, Illinois, experienced an equipment failure issue that impacted ingredient distribution in the plant. The company noted that it quickly initiated the recall once it was confirmed that these specific lots could contain harmful levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium sodium, and/or chloride. ADM has been in direct contact with the customers and distributors involved in this recall, and all product has been removed from retail shelves.

On April 11, 2024, ADM Animal Nutrition disclosed that 4 customers had reported complaints related to consumption of ShowTec BB 18 BMD–3 related to low consumption and 1 for the animal refusing to eat and having belly pain. Three customers have complained about low consumption related to Pen Pals Professional Rabbit 18, and one customer complained about low consumption related to MoorMan’s ShowTec Sale Burst w/DF CTC/DEN.1 Additionally, the company previously disclosed that 1 customer reported chicken deaths related to consumption of the Pen Pals Chicken Starter-Grower 25-lb bags.

The products included in the recall expansion announced on April 11, 2024, are as follows

The Pen Pals Chicken Starter-Grower 25-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 506700QN. This product may contain elevated levels of sodium, which could lead to increased water consumption, reduced feed efficiency, egg production, and growth rate, and it can be fatal to chickens. This product was distributed between February 14, 2024, and March 13, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Idaho and South Carolina.

The Pen Pals Chicken Starter-Grower 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 505899QN. This product may contain elevated levels of sodium. This product was distributed between February 7, 2024, and February 20, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in California, Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Oregon.

The Pen Pals Egg Maker Complete 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 506951QN. This product may contain elevated levels of sodium. This product for chickens was distributed between February 21, 2024, and March 7, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in California, Illinois and Missouri.

The MaxLean GF Concentrate 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 505220QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium, which could lead to reduced feed intake and feed conversion. This product was distributed between January 16, 2024, and January 24, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Illinois, Missouri and Texas.

The ShowTec Sow Ration with Thermal Care 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 505713QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium. This product was distributed on January 29, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Arizona.

The ShowTec BB 18 BMD 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 505851QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium. This product was distributed between January 31, 2024, and February 5, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in California, Iowa, Montana, and Oregon.

The ShowTec BB 18 BMD 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 507629QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium. This product was distributed between January 31, 2024, and March 12, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in California, Iowa, Montana and Oregon.

The ShowTec BB 18 BMD/DBZ 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 508364QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium. This product was distributed on March 14, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in California.

The ShowTec Hi Fat 18 BMD 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 507522QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium. This product was distributed between March 1, 2024, and March 14, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in California, Missouri, Oregon, and Wisconsin.

The ShowTec Hi Fat 18 BMD 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 506742QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium. This product was distributed between February 12, 2024, and March 28, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin.

The ShowTec Lo Fat 15 BMD 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 507904QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium. This product was distributed between March 7, 2024, and March 15, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming.

The MoorMan's ShowTec Hi Fat 16 BMD 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 507106QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium. This product was distributed between February 23, 2024, and March 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in California, Idaho and Oregon.

The MoorMan's ShowTec Burst Starter w/DF DEN 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 506750QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium and phosphorus, which could lead to reduced feed intake and feed conversion. This product was distributed between February 19, 2024, and March 19, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri.

The MoorMan’s ShowTec Sale Burst w/DF CTC/DEN 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 507676QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium and phosphorus. This product was distributed between February 29, 2024, and March 12, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Idaho and Iowa.

The MoorMan’s ShowTec Sale Burst w/DF CTC/DEN 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 506746QN. This product for swine may contain elevated levels of calcium and phosphorus. This product was distributed between February 14, 2024, and February 22, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Iowa.

The Pen Pals Professional Show Rabbit Feed 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 505348QN. This product for rabbits may contain elevated levels of sodium and magnesium, which could lead to loose stools, reduced growth rate and weakness. This product was distributed between January 25, 2024, and March 15, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Arkansas, Florida, Kansas and Missouri.

The Pen Pals Professional Rabbit 18 Feed 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 506954QN. This product for rabbits may contain elevated levels of magnesium, which could lead to loose stools, reduced growth rate and weakness. This product was distributed between February 21, 2024, and March 15, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Oregon.

The products announced for recall on March 30 were specific lots that ADM Animal Nutrition noted “may contain elevated levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and/or chloride.” At elevated levels, these ingredients “may harm chickens, swine, beef cattle and equine,” according to a news release. The previously released list of recalled products includes are as follows

The Pen Pals Chicken Starter-Grower 25-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 507650QN. This product may contain elevated levels of calcium and phosphorus, which could lead to leg deformities, trouble standing and walking, and can be fatal to chickens. This product was distributed between February 29, 2024, and March 8, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Iowa and Missouri.

The lot number for the Pen Pals Chicken Starter-Grower 50-lb bags and Pen Pals Chicken Starter-Grower 25-lb case involved in this recall is Lot 506942QN. These products may contain elevated levels of magnesium, which can cause bone deformities, slow growth rate, watery feces and can be fatal to chickens. These products were distributed between February 28, 2024, and March 14, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Iowa, California and Oregon.

The lot number for the MoorMan’s ShowTec Sale Burst w/DF DEN 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 506664QN. This product may contain increased levels of sodium and chloride, which can lead to reduced feed intake, thirst and diarrhea. This product was distributed between February 16, 2024, and March 1, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Iowa, Wisconsin and Colorado.

The lot number for the MoorMan’s ShowTec Burst Starter w/DF CTC/DEN 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 506640QN. This product may also contain increased levels of sodium and chloride. This product was distributed between February 16, 2024, and March 1, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Iowa, Wisconsin and Colorado.

The lot number for the ShowTec BB 18 BMD 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 506939QN. This product may also contain increased levels of sodium and chloride. This product was distributed between February 16, 2024, and March 1, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in California, Illinois, Arizona, Missouri, and Iowa.

The lot number for the ShowTec 14.5/6 BMD 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 507900QN. This product may contain increased levels of calcium, which could cause reduced feed intake and feed conversion. This product was distributed between March 8, 2024, and March 18, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Iowa.

The lot number for the AMPT-A CTC/IGR 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 507828QN. This product may contain increased levels of sodium, which could cause loose stools and central nervous system issues. This product was distributed on March 1, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Missouri.

The lot number for the ShowTec Hi Fat 18 BMD 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 505791QN. This product may contain increased levels of magnesium and calcium, which could cause reduced feed intake and feed conversion. This product was distributed between Jan. 26, 2024, and February 7, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Iowa, Oregon and California.

The lot number for the Seniorglo 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 505426QN. This product may contain increased levels of calcium, which could cause weight loss and the animal to become weak and listless. This product was distributed between January 24, 2024, and February 1, 2024, and could have been purchased through distributors in Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee as well as from ADM locations in Glencoe, Minn., Springfield, Mo. and Dublin, Texas.

The lot number for the MotivAte 12-15 DEN 50-lb bags involved in this recall is Lot 507330QN. This product may contain increased levels of calcium and phosphorus , which could cause reduced feed intake and feed conversion This product was distributed on February 27, 2024, and March 4, 2024, and could have been purchased from ADM locations in Glencoe, Minn. and Columbus, Neb.

The lot number can be found at the bottom of the label. Customers who have purchased the recalled feed should immediately stop using it and return it to their distributor or directly to ADM Animal Nutrition for a full refund. Please direct any customer inquiries to 1-800-217-2007 between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm Central time, Monday-Friday.

ADM Animal Nutrition expands recall to include 17 additional lots of chicken, swine and rabbit feed products. News release. FDA. April 11, 2024. Accessed April 12, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/adm-animal-nutrition-expands-recall-include-17-additional-lots-chicken-swine-and-rabbit-feed?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#recall-announcement

ADM Animal Nutrition recalls select Pen Pals chicken feed, MoorMan’s ShowTec swine feed, AMPT cattle feed and Seniorglo horse feed products. News release. ADM Animal Nutrition. March 30, 2024. Accessed April 12, 2024. 

https://www.adm.com/en-us/news/news-releases/2024/3/adm-animal-nutrition-recalls-select-pen-pals-chicken-feed-moormans-showtec-swine-feed-ampt-cattle-feed-and-seniorglo-horse-feed-products/

The company has added 17 lots of chicken, swine and rabbit feed products to its initial recall on March 30, 2024.

ADM Animal Nutrition recalls 17 more lots of animal feed

Taking the swab

: Walk me through a little bit on the test itself. How's it done? Can a pet owner do it? Does it have to be done by a veterinarian? 

Jenna Dockweiler, MS, DVM, DACT, CCRT, CVAT

: Absolutely. So a pet owner is certainly capable of collecting the sample. Although, if they prefer, we do have an in clinic option if they want the veterinarian to collect the sample. It's just a simple cheek swab. It's a soft, not bristly, little swab. No blood sample. 

: Nobody likes to poke a puppy. *laughs*

Jenna Dockweiler, MS DVM, DACT, CCRT, CVAT

: So the DNA that's in the saliva is gonna be the same as the DNA that's in the blood. We actually find that saliva samples are going to be stable over a longer period of time and a broader range of temperatures than a blood sample would be. It allows for things like getting lost in the mail and still having a readable DNA sample at the end of it. So that is why we use a saliva sample at Embark.

The process of how it works is we do recommend swabbing each cheek pouch for 30 to 60 seconds if you can. Really, if that swab is glistening with saliva, you are probably good to go. We also recommend fasting for 30 minutes prior to collection of that sample. 

If you want to show the dog a treat to get them to be nice and drooly before you try to get their saliva, that can be helpful. If there's not visible particles of food on that swab, it's probably going to be a readable sample. If we ever can't read a DNA sample for whatever reason, we'll always send you a replacement swab at no charge.

: So to the client that put peanut butter on the swab, she said to me I got a really great sample. But I said, “what is all this on it?” So not good, right? 

: That would be an example of a bit too much food particle on the swab. 

: Okay, got it. I understand it takes about 2 to 4 weeks to get the results back? 

Videos

Jenna Dockweiler MS, DVM, DACT, CCRT, CVAT, expands on how to get the best saliva swab from a pet.

Being prepared for the future

We talk a lot now about spectrum of care. What happens to the dog parents, unfortunately, who cannot afford the price of DNA testing? We really want to recommend it, but they just don’t have the funds. What are your thoughts on that? 

Jenna Dockweiler, MS, DVM, DACT, CCRT, CVAT:

 DNA testing is fairly cost effective and it will only become more so in the future. A dog's DNA is the same from the day it's born to the last day of that pet's life. So really at any point along that journey, it is appropriate to DNA test. Potentially in the future, as costs come down with just the testing technology itself, it will likely become more accessible for those folks. 

What about the practice that says, "We don't have the time for this?”

 I think it's one of those things that taking the time to do that DNA test enables you to have more time later. By taking the time to do that test, you no longer have a full laundry list of things to cover at that puppy exam, but you have a few individual talking points. 

We talked about compliance, but if you have the genetic testing to back up the recommendations, you're spending less time teaching and helping the pet parent to understand those things that come up. Something that really is a pretty quick, minimally invasive test, the results can be a lot, but Embark’s done a great job of whittling down those results. You take that and you save yourself time in the long run. So it's a little effort for, I think, a huge increased efficiency and increased payoff in the long run. 

Okay, are there specific dog breeds that, I don't want to say they have predispositions, but need DNA testing more than other dog breeds out there? 

 We all know there are certain breeds predisposed to certain genetic conditions. I think that's a known truth at this point in veterinary medicine, but certainly testing is appropriate for every dog at every age. Even conditions that we see or think of as particularly breed-associated may not be as breed-associated as we thought, which the urate stones would be a great example of something like that. 

And the dog's DNA is going to be the same from when it's born to the last day of that pet's life. So you can test it anytime during that spectrum. And some of these diseases won't manifest until later in life. 

 I want to talk a little bit about taking away some of the financial issues or burdens that can happen. I find, personally, when you DNA test these dogs and puppies that are coming in, that the clients are more likely to say, “oh, let me get pet insurance, just to help take away some of that financial stress that can happen down the road.” Have you experienced that in your neck of the woods? 

 Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how genetic results have an impact on health insurance. I think today, genetic results are really giving us more insight into potential issues down the road, right? And I think a lot of insurance coverage to my knowledge is based on actual diagnosed conditions that we're seeing clinical signs for, but using some caution too in that and potentially getting the insurance on board first and then doing the genetic test may not be a bad idea. 

But I think too, aside from insurance, just being able to be financially prepared for decisions that you may have to make down the road, right? So we talked about intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) with those at an increased risk. Dogs who have at least one of those mutations tend to be at like 45 fold more increased risk of having an episode, but also out of five to 15 increased risk for needing surgery, right? So being able to prepare early for that financial burden and being able to be prepared for that decision, whether you're saving up or you have insurance is really important. 

 I know we chatted a few years ago about this and I'll share the story with all of you out here because some of you, probably all of you, know I'm a huge dashchund fan. I did want to do the DNA testing for Clark W. Griswald and Lindsay was the one to say you really should, just so that way you know if there's the marker. Well, lo and behold, he did, and this past summer he did have inner vertebral disc disease. He did fantastic, but I expected it. I had pet insurance for him. Granted, I'm his veterinarian, but I can't do the surgery, but it made me so much more aware as a dog dad, knowing like, okay, I know what's gonna happen as much as I had dog ramps, and anything that you try to do. I didn't have that huge panic feeling especially with IVDD when the dogs go down. 

 It is hard. Yes, like I don't care who you are. Getting a dog to keep quiet is hard. 

I remember talking to clients in the exam room about this with IVDD just because it could be so scary to see your dog walking all of a sudden just go down. But I tell them to be prepared, just like you were talking about, just to know what to expect in case. And I have noticed in my experience that these clients, they're more responsible with the decision-making. Yes, they're emotional, but not nearly as emotional because we already had that discussion. Have you heard that too exactly? 

 Exactly. It's a more proactive discussion, like we were talking about earlier, rather than reactive. So you can tell this client, “hey, this is what you're gonna look out for.” Maybe they're gonna be wobbly in their hind end, have some back pain, or maybe, go all the way down. They're not panicked about what could this be. It's already, I have a good idea of what this might be and I know I need to seek veterinary attention. 

Jenna Dockweiler, MS, DVM, DACT, CCRT, CVAT, and Lindsey Kock, DVM, outline how DNA testing can prepare veterinarians and pet owners for future health conditions in their dogs.