, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, joins Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice), a 2023 dvm360 Veterinary Hero award recipient, to learn more on the differences between empathy and sympathy, plus how better understanding a client's relationship with their pet can help teams provide comfort. 

Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice):

 I think that the most important takeaway, and hopefully the one thing that my students walk away from when they have our program here, but also other colleagues, too, is that grief journeys are unique, right? There's no specific timeline. Grief is something that when I was in vet school we didn't talk about, we really didn't even navigate it until we were faced with it in the clinical rotations, and then it was seen as a failure. Death was a failure. We couldn't save that one. And I think we need to reshape the view of how we navigate the topic. We do it every day but how do we actually accept and understand our clients are at different walks of life. Some will grieve 2 days, some will grieve 5 days, some will grieve for 10 days, then they seem fine. Then a year later, something happens. And I think what we all have to realize is that that calendar is unique to them, and to that bond, and that grief can renew. 

So it's not just anniversaries of death. But we also have to think what those pets are to people as living links of things. And so, many times we experience this: a patient dies. It's not just the death of that patient; that patient might have been the last living link to a spouse, a partner, a brother, a sibling, someone in the family, a friend and so grief promotes more grief in many ways. And so sometimes, we don't know what to do with the reaction that our client has. We might think that's an overreaction and the reality is, we don't know the depth of what that bond was or what that animal meant. And so instead of putting that wall up—as we were talking about—being okay to sit with that, gain comfort with the discomfort , and say, 'tell me more about that.' And just sit there and listen. Sometimes the stories that will then be shared really help us to understand in that moment, why we're getting the reaction we are.

Podcasts

Dr Ryane Englar returns to The Vet Blast Podcast to help veterinary professionals understand and navigate sympathy versus empathy 

Empathy and sympathy: A delicate dance in the exam room

Renee's new calf born via artificial insemination. (Photo courtesy of Toledo Zoo)

The Toledo Zoo in Ohio welcomed a new baby elephant from African elephant, Renee on February 17, 2024. The male calf was born via a successful artificial insemination process with the father, Titan, chosen from Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas.

 Both zoos worked closely with the Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP) to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy for Renee and birth of the baby.

"The birth of this precious baby elephant is such a momentous event," Jeff Sailer, CEO of the Toledo Zoo said in a release.

"It took months of coordination working with our partners in the field," said Michael Frushour, curator of mammals at the Toledo Zoo. "It takes a special team of experts to perform an elephant AI, and we prioritized working with the best professionals within the United States and the world to make sure that happened."

African elephants are the largest animals walking the Earth.

They are currently classified as "endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.

In the 1980s, an estimated 100,000 elephants were killed each year.

There are 2 species of African elephants—the savanna (or bush) elephant and the forest elephant.

Savanna elephants are larger and have a lighter skin color.

Savanna tucks curve upward, while forest tucks grow straight down.

The new calf does not currently have a name and the Toledo Zoo is running a contest to allow the public to select the name. Anyone interested in participating can donate to suggest a name between now and 11:59 p.m. on March 14. To vote, visit 

https://toledozoo.info/forms/baby-elephant-naming-vote/

. According to the release, the winning name will be announced on the Zoo's social media platforms on March 15, and the calf's public exhibit debut will be on the following day, Saturday, March 16.

Renee arrived at Toledo Zoo in 1982 and is expected to turn 45 years old in June. She weighs 8,300 lbs but during her pregnancy, she reached 8,800 lbs. This is Renee’s third pregnancy, all of which have been through artificial insemination. Her first-born, Louie, now resides at the North Carolina Zoo, while her second-born, Lucas, unfortunately died of Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus at the age of 9 in 2021.

Zoo experts at Toledo Zoo chose Renee for preserving the elephant species because of her gentle and cooperative temperament. According to the Toledo Zoo, she enjoys watermelon, warm days, and food puzzles to stimulate her mind.

On April 6, the Zoo is hosting the Elephant Baby Bash party to celebrate the calf and allow public visitors to bring enrichment items from an Amazon wish list.

Renee’s new baby joins 2 other African elephants at the Toledo Zoo: a female, Twiggy and male, Ajani. “Preserving the future of this species is critical to us, and we are committed to doing so. We're looking forward to the new calf joining our elephant family, and we're optimistic that he will fit in just fine," Frushour said.

Toledo Zoo's elephant herd grows with arrival of newborn calf. News release. Toledo Zoo. March 4, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/toledo-zoos-elephant-herd-grows-with-arrival-of-newborn-calf-302078637.html

African elephant facts. World Wildlife Fund. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/african-elephant

Articles

The new addition was born via an artificial insemination process

Newborn elephant arrives at the Toledo Zoo

Pet Poison Helpline kicked of Pet Poison Prevention Month by sharing its top 8 pet owner fouls to help veterinary teams educate clients on what is safe for pets to ingest or be given, and what is not. The experts at Pet Poison Helpline analyzed case data to create this list of Elite 8 Pet Owner Fouls.

“As humans, life gets in the way, and we make mistakes now and again. If you make any of these fouls, or your pets get into other things that may be toxic, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately,” urged Renee Schmid, DVM, DABT, DABVT, in an organizational release.

 “We’re here to help save your pet’s life when potential trouble arises.”

The first on the elite 8 count down is administering human pain medication to pets. According to Schmid, because no one wants to see their pet in pain, they will commonly reach to the nearest human pain reliever to give them some relief.

 The issue what that is animals are very sensitive to human pain medications, especially NSAIDs like naproxen and ibuprofen with even the smallest amount being potentially deadly in cats.

Coming in at number 2 for the elite 8 is pet parents mixing up human and pet medications. If pet parents are keeping their medications and their pets’ medications in the same place, this can create the opportunity for the wrong medication to be given to pets.

“Do you have a specific place where you store all of the medication in your house?” Schmid asked.

 “If so, you are not alone! Many pet parents will keep their pet’s medication in the same area as their own medication and have been known to give their pet the human medication by mistake. Depending on the type of medication and amount, potentially fatal consequences can occur. This is especially true for skeletal muscle relaxants such as baclofen and heart/blood pressure medications.”

If a pet is at home vomiting, pet owners want to be able to ease the pain the pet is feeling and treat whatever is making them sick. However, if pet parents trying to induce vomiting without the guidance of a veterinary professional, this can severely harm the pet. Schmid warned that instructions to make pets vomit can be found all over the internet but it is not as carefree and easy as these online posts have pet parents believe. There are also products out there that if given to treat vomiting, it can cause more harm to the pet. Schmid expresses that this is particularly true for feline patients.

“There is never a safe way to induce vomiting in a cat at home so it should only be done under the supervision of a veterinarian using prescription medication that has been proven safe for cats. Dogs may be able to have vomiting induced at home but only under the guidance of a veterinarian or poison expert, as giving too much hydrogen peroxide can cause severe consequences. Manually trying to gag your pet can result in nerve damage to the protective areas of the airway, salt can cause poisoning to your pet, and the myriad of other options you may read about are often dangerous and ineffective,” said Schmid.

Pet parents who are cleaning may not realize the dangers of leaving the cleaner on the floor for a little or leaving the bowl open where pets can get into it. Toilet bowl cleaners, for example, can cause corrosive effects in the esophagus, mouth, and stomach which can lead to severe ulceration and pain.

 The amount ingested and the concentration can potentially be life threatening.

“Cleaners are often poured into the toilet bowl and left to set for a bit to work their magic. If toilet bowl lids aren’t closed, or bathroom doors are left open, our curious furry housemates can find the bottle or water containing toilet bowl cleaner and take a dangerous drink or 2,” explained Schmid.

The next to making Pet Poison Helpline’s Elite 8 both have to do with garbage to certain extents. Moldy food left in the garbage can may be gross to pet parents, but a sweet temptation to pets. This can be especially true for pet parents cleaning out their refrigerators and maybe not paying attention to their pet looking at the garbage.

“The great refrigerator clean-out often contains moldy food products that we quickly throw in the trash,” said Schmid.

 “These moldy foods may contain tremorgenic mycotoxins that result in ataxia, tremors, and seizures. Deaths can occur. If moldy food is placed in the trash, remember to keep the trash can out of reach of your pets, or better yet, immediately take the trash out of the house and place in a larger, more secure trash receptacle.”

Like moldy food from the fridge, compost piles can be good for the environment but dangerous for pets. Unsupervised access to compost piles can become an unlimited buffet for pets. The food and materials in the pile could also grow the same mold as food left in the fridge for too long. Schmid recommends any pet parents who are using a compost bin to fence it off so pets cannot have any access. 

Despite a pet parent’s best efforts, mice and rats make their way into homes. To combat them pet parents could place rat poison, but if they are putting in in places that their pets can have access to, it can be deadly to pets.

If using mouse and rat bait in the same area that a pet is around, be sure to keep the bait far out of the pet’s reach and only use in the bait station supplied by the bait manufacturer. While these don’t eliminate the risk that your curious pet may get into the bait, it can help make access a bit trickier. Also, if bait is not kept in the recommended bait station and left out loosely, it is possible that a rodent can carry the bait to another area that is more easily accessible to your pet,” Schmid explained.

Topping the Elite 8, drinks that contain alcoholic and caffeine left in reach of pets. When pet parents are putting their drinks down on low tables such as end or coffee tables, pets can ingest these putting themselves in serious risk.

“It’s easy to get distracted while leaving your alcoholic or caffeine-containing beverage on a low table, giving your pet sufficient time to ingest just enough to cause poisoning,” warned Schmid. “Animals do not tolerate alcohol or caffeine in the same manner that people do, and small amounts can be enough to require a trip to the veterinarian, while larger amounts can result in death.”

Protecting your pet is no March Madness. News release. Pet Poison Helpline. March 6, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2024. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/protecting-your-pet-is-no-march-madness-302080588.html

Help clients protect their favorite teammates this March and beyond by educating them on Pet Poison Helplines’ pet owner fouls 

Elite 8 of pet toxins 

Proposals for cooperative agreement funding to support the collection of antimicrobial use data from animal sectors are being accepted by the FDA through May 13, 2024. Up to 3 awards in fiscal year (FY) 2024 will provide a total of $600,000, and up to 5 awards in FY 2025 will total $1,000,000.

Officials with the FDA will prioritize allocation of the FY 2024 funds to proposals that specifically target collecting data about use of antimicrobials in domestic livestock including cattle and swine, and poultry such as turkeys and chickens. The agency encourages applicants to apply in FY 2025 with proposals targeting data collection in companion animal and minor species.

 Eligible applicants include small businesses; township, city, county and state governments; Native American tribal organizations, independent school districts, nonprofit organizations that are not higher education institutions; private, public and state-controlled higher education institutions; public housing authorities, and special government districts.

Each FY 2024 award would provide 1 year of support up to $200,000 and may lead to additional support for up to 4 additional years, contingent upon recipient performance, annual appropriations, and availability of funding. Funding recipients would be expected to contribute to the development of data collection frameworks, including providing data and expertise towards developing a data repository as resources and public-private partnership framework becomes available.

Through cooperative agreement funding, officials with the agency hope to build upon the FDA’s ongoing efforts to better understand antimicrobial use in the US and improve antimicrobial stewardship in animals. The FDA believes it is important to support new and ongoing efforts to collect antimicrobial use data in various veterinary sectors as the agency continues to further develop a broader public-private partnership model to collect and analyze antimicrobial use data.

Candidates can apply for cooperative agreement funding at grants.gov. The funding opportunity number is RFA-FD-24-031.

FDA accepting proposals for FY 2024-2025 funding opportunities to collect data on antimicrobial use in animals. News release. FDA. March 5, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2024. 

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-accepting-proposals-fy-2024-2025-funding-opportunities-collect-data-antimicrobial-use-animals?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

RFA-FD-24-031. Grants.gov. March 4, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2024. 

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/352678

The cooperative agreements are a step toward the agency's efforts to support research with diverse animal sectors.

FDA provides funding opportunity for antimicrobial data collection

Much like the veterinarian shortage, veterinary technicians and hospital staff can feel the need for more credentialed technicians. A study from by Mars Veterinary Health conducted by James Lyod, DVM, PhD, consultant at Animal Health Economics and the former dean of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine found that by 2030, an estimated 132, 885 additional credentialled technicians will be needed.

To help alleviate this shortage and put more veterinary technicians in the workforce, Petco Love launched the Petco Love Registered Veterinary Technician Scholarship Fund with Penn Foster. The scholarship fund hopes to increase the number of registered veterinary technicians entering the shelter medicine space to serve vulnerable pets, such as those in animal shelters, or whose owners are struggling financially.

"It's exciting when career advancement and passion go hand-in-hand — that's why we are excited to partner with Petco Love and offer the animal welfare community educational and training support through this scholarship program," stated Stacy Caldwell, Penn Foster general manager, in an organizational release.

 "Penn Foster's online Veterinary Technician Associate Degree program has full accreditation with the American Veterinary Medical Association, meaning that learners can pursue a veterinary technician career after passing the [Veterinary Technician National Examination]. Improving accessible care for all pets starts with training their caretakers."

According to the release, the Petco Love RVT Scholarship Fund at Penn Foster will work to close the gap in the nonprofit veterinary workforce shortage through supporting 100 candidates currently working within an animal welfare organization working toward becoming a credentialed veterinary technician.

 Submitted applications will be made by the municipal or nonprofit animal sheltering organizations or clinics to Petco Love. Once finishing the program, the associates will be eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Those within the program will continue to work in the field for the duration of taking the course and at least 2 years prior to receiving the certification. 

Along with its work to address the veterinary technician shortage in shelter medicine, Petco Love invested in the University of Florida Shelter medicine program to help increase the amount of shelter veterinarians across the country by through a $510,000 grant to fund training programs.

 The nonprofit also partnered with the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine by investing $665,000 to create a community outreach veterinarian program to address the access to care in Baton Rouge through a new mobile clinic and a new faculty position.

Anyone interested can visit the Petco Love website to learn more.

Petco Love launches new nonprofit veterinary technician scholarship fund. News release. Petco Love. March 5, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/petco-love-launches-new-nonprofit-veterinary-technician-scholarship-fund-302080076.html

McReynolds T. The looming vet tech shortage: Yes, it could get worse. www.aaha.org. Published March 11, 2022. https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2022-03/the-looming-tech-shortage-yes-it-could-get-worse/

National Nonprofit Petco Love invests in UF Shelter Medicine Program to increase shelter veterinarians amid national shortage. News release. Petco Love. January 18, 2023. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://petcolove.org/newsroom/news-story/national-nonprofit-petco-love-invests-in-uf-shelter-medicine-program-to/

New Petco Love and LSU community veterinary outreach program supports pets and the Baton Rouge Community. Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. February 9, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/news/2024/petco_love_community_outreach.php

Petco Love and Penn Foster hopes to tackle the veterinary technician shortage by providing financial help to technicians


Nonprofit launches veterinary technician scholarship fund 

New veterinary clinics in neighborhoods across the country signifies a substantial step forward in improving pet care and increasing the availability of services. These cutting-edge facilities are furnished with advanced technology and manned by proficient veterinary professionals dedicated to delivering exceptional medical care. With their dedication, these newly established clinics contribute to the well-being of pets and reinforce the connection between humans and animals.

Here are 3 recent clinic openings across the United States:

Ali'i Animal is Hawaii's leading provider of veterinary care with locations in Kaka'ako, Kailua, Kahala, and now expanding to Kaneohe. Located in the Windward City Shopping Center at 45-480 Kaneohe Bay Drive, Store B-06, Kaneohe, Hawaii, the new clinic will operate every day from 8 AM to 6 PM.

Matt Malta, owner and executive hospital and resort director of Ali'i Animal Unleashed (left) and Ali'i Animal Hospital's owner, Joanna Cook, DVM (right). (Photo courtesy of Ali'i Animal)

Also a part of the Ali'i Animal network is Ali’i Unleashed, a resort that offers boarding, daycare, training, and grooming. "We are excited to care for Kaneohe's companion collective," Matt Malta, owner and executive hospital and resort director, said in the release. "This new location will offer windward pet parents the convenience of same-day service and urgent care needs.

"It's been a dream to expand Ali'i Animal's services to our Windward community," said owner, Joanna Cook, DVM. "This is a milestone in our journey to elevate pet care standards across the island. We are dedicated to fostering healthier, happier lives for pets and their families."

BluePearl Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania

The BluePearl Hospital in Monroeville is located at 4224 Northern Pike and is over 11,343 square feet. The new hospital is open now and offers surgery by appointment with opening hours set from 7 AM to 6 PM Monday to Thursday and 8 AM to 4 PM on Fridays. After a few months of operation, the hospital will also offer urgent care services and will expanded its hours to accommodate these appointments and walk-ins.

“The Monroeville community has a huge need for specialty and emergency veterinary care,” said Rebecca Malloy, practice manager at BluePearl Monroeville, in a release. “We are glad to be able to serve the local community and provide pet owners with the comfort that should their furry companion ever need our services, our dedicated and passionate Associates are ready and willing to help, even in the most complex cases.”

BluePearl Monroeville. (Photo courtesy of BluePearl)

The hospital’s current staff is comprised of 1 surgeon, 2 technicians, 2 veterinary assistants, and 2 client service coordinators.

 When the Monroeville hospital takes on urgent care services, the team will likely expand.

“We are delighted to open the doors at BluePearl Monroeville, the newest member of the BluePearl family,” said Da Chang, chief operating officer at BluePearl. “Our new state-of-the-art hospital will allow us to provide pet owners in Monroeville with leading specialty and emergency veterinary care when their pets need us most.”

MySimplePet Express clinics are new walk-in veterinary services at PetSmart locations. This new clinic innovation is kicking off in Denver, Colorado at the Highlands Ranch and Sheridan locations. These express clinics will be staffed with experienced veterinarians and dedicated technicians and can offer clients a range of services including vaccines, wellness consultations, nutritional advice, and more.

MySimplePet is hoping these walk-in clinics conveniently located in PetSmart buildings will help clients with an easier accessibility to veterinary care. They are open 7 days a week and there is no appointment required.

 These clinics are meant for minor to moderate veterinary cases and preventative care and all major emergencies like seizures, poison exposure, and trauma, should seek out the nearest emergency hospital.

The company is also the makers of MySimplePetLab, veterinarian approved First Aid Care Dog Kits designed to help address cuts, minor, injuries, and would give pet parents whether they are on the road or in their own homes.

Ali'i Animal Expands Veterinary Care to Kaneohe. News release. Ali'i Animal. February 27, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alii-animal-expands-veterinary-care-to-kaneohe-302072193.html

BluePearl announces new hospital in Monroeville. News release. BluePearl. February 26, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://bluepearlvet.com/press-releases-announcements/bluepearl-new-hospital-monroeville/

Walk-in pet care for common health concerns. MySimplePet. March 4, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://mysimplepetexpress.com/?_kx=9b0ICyv2CaLlM8NDAeCTynOCuu2pYwQB1KzRj7PrpoU.SrcG6f

Take a look at these 3 veterinary clinics newly opened