A new scribe tool for veterinary professionals utilizing artificial intelligence aims to save time and, therefore, improving a work-life balance. Newly launched VetSkribe can save up to 2 hours a day, giving veterinary professionals more time to care for patients or opening time for self-care. This tool uses a combination of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and human expertise for accurate notes and documentation.

“VetSkribe’s inception stemmed from a pivotal moment during a veterinary management group dinner, where passionate veterinarians discussing the burden of charting sparked our mission to help doctors reclaim their time,” Jacinthe Moreau, VetSkribe CEO and co-founder, said in a company release.

Veterinary professionals can capture their consultation notes in the VetSkribe app using “ambient listening” or “dictation.” The app's veterinary medical AI is trained to transcribe consultation recordings or dictated notes to the doctor’s subjective, objective, assessment, and plan template. Materials gathered can then be directly uploaded to patient medical records by the VetSkribe team after the veterinarian approves the content in the app or on the dashboard.

Veterinarians using VetSkribe Enhance can also collaborate with medical scribes supervised by veterinarians and oversee the AI technology to ensure precision and accuracy. To set it apart from other scribe tools, VetSkribe technology generates visit summaries for pet owners within minutes, simplifying client communication and improving the pet owner experience.

“VetSkribe has been a game-changer for me,” Andrea Schnuelle, DVM, a relief veterinarian with Lando Veterinary Relief based in Wisconsin, said in the release. “At a point of desperation after having my son, I had to make significant changes. Relying on technology for my charting turned out to be a lifesaver. Not only did the quality and content of my medical records vastly improve, but the time I spent on them decreased significantly. This resulted in a notable boost in my satisfaction with my records. I finally felt like I had the breathing room between patients that I desperately needed. The benefits of VetSkribe may vary from person to person, but for me, it's been about quality and speed—essential in urgent care settings. I now have the luxury of spending more time with clients, seeing a few more appointments per day, and—crucially for me—getting out on time. And perhaps most importantly, I finally have a lunch period, something I had almost forgotten was possible in this profession. VetSkribe has truly helped me achieve a better work-life balance.”

To celebrate its launch, VetSkribe is offering a 30-day free trial. “With VetSkribe, veterinarians can focus on quality care without the burden of administrative tasks and the stress of keeping up with their medical charting,” Moreaua added.

New AI scribe tool aims to improve veterinary mental health. News release. VetSkribe. May 9, 2024. Accessed May 10, 2024. 

https://www.vetskribe.com/press-release/new-ai-scribe-tool-aims-to-improve-veterinary-mental-health/

Articles

VetSkribe also aims to improve mental health for veterinary professionals

New AI scribe tool saves 2 hours a day

Covetrus North America LCC pleaded guilty to causing the introduction and delivery of veterinary prescription drugs that were misbranded into interstate commerce and has been sentenced to 1 year probation by a federal court in Abingdon, Virginia. As part of the agreement, Covetrus—based in Portland, Maine—must also pay more than $23 million in criminal forfeitures and fines.

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia takes the distribution of misbranded prescription drugs seriously,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said in a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Virginia.

“Covetrus shipped over $20 million in prescription drugs to unauthorized end-users in violation of federal laws that are designed to ensure prescription drugs are kept within a controlled chain of distribution and to prevent diversion and inappropriate use.”

According to the release, the company shipped prescription drugs between March 2019 and December 2021 to multiple Covetrus nonpharmacy locations within the United States and to end-users who were not authorized to receive the drugs. Because these shipments were from nonpharmacy locations to nonauthorized end-users or locations, the shipments were deemed as misbranded.

The case was investigated by the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the Virginia State Police, with help from the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

, a Covetrus spokesperson said the company cooperated with the investigation.

"Covetrus North America resolved a criminal investigation that was conducted by the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia regarding the distribution of misbranded prescription veterinary medication," a Covetrus spokesperson told 

"We fully cooperated with the US Attorney’s office, and we are committed to complying with federal and state laws related to prescription veterinary medication. Covetrus’ mission is to help veterinarians drive better financial and clinical outcomes, and doing so in a way that is compliant with all federal and state laws," they continued.

Covetrus must forfeit $25,534,091, pay $1 million to the Virginia Department of Health Professions, and a fine of $1 million. The company must also keep in place appropriate compliance measures as a way to prevent any future violations.

“The FDA recognizes the importance of controlling the prescription drug supply for animals. The careless or uncontrolled distribution of prescription animal drugs poses a danger not only to the medicated animals but to the US public health by increasing the risk that humans will become resistant to antibiotics that we unknowingly consume through our food supply,” George Scavdis, special agent in charge at the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations-Metro Washington Field Office, said.

Ohio-based Company Will Pay More Than $23 Million in Fines and Forfeiture. News release. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Virginia. May 9, 2024. Accessed May 10, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/covetrus-sentenced-criminal-misbranding-prescription-drugs?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Covetrus Pleads Guilty to Criminal Misbranding of Veterinary Prescription Drugs. News release. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Virginia. February 12, 2024. Accessed February 13, 2024. 

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/covetrus-pleads-guilty-criminal-misbranding-veterinary-prescription-drugs?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Covetrus pleaded guilty to the criminal charge and was sentenced to probation as well as fines and forfeitures.

Animal health company sentenced for drug misbranding

 readers! Did you know that there are only 5 days left to submit your application for our 2024 Hospital Design Competition™? This year, we will be selecting a winner for 3 main categories instead of 2 like previous years as well as up to 5 merit winners! To learn more about the contest and submit your nomination check out the official 2024 Hospital Design Competition™ 

Here are some of our top headlines of the week:

 staring Kate Walsh, best know for her role on Grey’s Anatomy and its’ spinoff 

, which shows the challenges of a veterinarians working at a 24 hour emergency clinic and the problems she faces such as personal demons and an ethical dilemma.

 a public vote to name the lates addition of their giraffe herd, a 13-month-old giraffe, and gave an update and insight into how the giraffe is adjusting to its new environment.

, Matthew Edson, DVM, CVPM, MRCVS, founding dean of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University, to 

 what New Jerseys first veterinary school means for the future of veterinary education.

 of "Clinic Center" is now available! This time around, 

 highlighted 3 recent clinic, distribution centers, and laboratories, that have opened their doors across the United States.

A poll conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Humane Society of the United Sates surveyed 2042 adults in the United States to help gather 

 into the financial struggles pet owners face when trying to seek care for their pet.

Dustin Kieschnick, Psyd, facilitator with Not One More Vet’s Veterinary Mental Health Support, shares a clinical look at 

 in veterinary medicine as well as ways to recognize when substance use can become problematic.

Wrap up: Upcoming short film shedding light on mental health struggles in veterinary medicine, and other news

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disease in middle-aged to older cats

 and occurs when the thyroid gland produces too many hormones. This leads to symptoms like weight loss despite eating more, vomiting, hyperactivity, increased urination and drinking, diarrhea, breathing problems, and changes in their coat.

 These symptoms can greatly affect a cat's quality of life (QoL) in addition to creating more stress for the cat and the owner. Researchers on a new study published in the 

 have seen a lack of tools to evaluate health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in cats suffering from hyperthyroidism. The study was aimed at measuring the HRQoL and the impact for owners.

The assessment being studied included 28 questions relating to the HRQoL of hyperthyroid cats and the influence their cat's disease might have on owners was created. Researchers initially showed their first set of questions to a group of 11 veterinarians who work with hyperthyroidism, some in general practice and others in specialty referral hospitals (3 diplomates of an EBVS accredited college, 2 primary care veterinarians, 6 internal medicine clinicians working at referral practices).

 This was structured to gain feedback from these veterinarians about the questions being included in the questionnaire. Each question consisted of 2 subquestions: (1) “how often does the item apply”; (2) “how strongly does the item affect HRQoL.”

The assessment was then made available online for owners of cats suffering from hyperthyroidism or other diseases as well as cats without any known diseases (there were no exclusion criteria regarding the eligible cats). Researchers later divided responses into 2 groups being the HT-group (cats with hyperthyroidism) and the NHT-group (cats without hyperthyroidism).

Owner-related questions ranged from how their cat’s health or diseases impact their daily life with emotional, physical, and financial burdens they take on as a result. Cat-related questions focused more on the potential symptoms the animals were experiencing and also the cat’s mood and behavior.

There were 551 valid questionnaire responses, of which 229 (41.6%) were by owners of cats in the HT-group and 322 (58.4%) by owners of cats in the NHT-group. Responses from the HT-group had a median cat age of 14 years. The final HRQoL tool produced a score between 0 and 382, zero being the best possible HRQoL and 382 the worst. The median HRQoL score for HT-group was 87.5 points and was significantly higher than in the NHT-group at 27 points. Researchers also concluded that owners of cats in the NHT-group generally rated their cat's QoL better than owners of cats in the HT-group.

After reviewing responses, the researchers decided to remove 3 questions that posed repetitive results as they were worded very similarly. This brought the final HRQoL assessment down to a 25-question tool.

 Researchers also concluded that hypothyroidism negatively affects a cat’s QoL and owner’s lives are impacted through vicarious distress.

Researchers are hoping this hyperthyroidismQoL-cat tool can be easily used by practitioners as an owner take home survey. It can be completed online as it was done in this study or printed on paper for an owner to fill out.

McLean JL, Lobetti RG, Schoeman JP. Worldwide prevalence and risk factors for feline hyperthyroidism: a review. 

Khare DS, Khare R, Gupta DK, et al. Feline hyperthyroidism: an overview. 

Blunschi F, Schofield I, Muthmann S, Bauer NB, Hazuchova K. Development and validation of a questionnaire to assess health-related quality-of-life in cats with hyperthyroidism. 

. Published online April 22, 2024. doi:10.1111/jvim.17083

This new questionnaire was tested for validation of effectiveness in determining quality-of-life measures for this endocrine disease

Health-related quality of life assessment tool for cats with hyperthyroidism

The male giraffe brings the population of giraffes at the Oakland Zoo from 5 to 6 (Image courtesy of the Oakland Zoo) 

After traveling from Audubon Nature Institute in Louisiana, a new male giraffe is now calling the Oakland Zoo in California his new home. The baby giraffe was transported to the zoo in a specially designed carrier for giraffes that accommodated the 10-foot-tall giraffe the room to move. 

the giraffe was brought to the Oakland Zoo based on a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), which helps ensure sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied AZA population.

"He is a brave and bold giraffe who's adjusting quite well. We're thrilled to get to know him and watch him develop a bond with his new herd at the Zoo," said Amy Phelps, Oakland Zoo's zoological manager, in the release.

The Animal Care Team at the zoo is working hard to ensure that it’s behind the scenes area is comfortable for the latest arrival and are keeping his overall wellbeing in mind. The team is achieving this by providing the baby with multiple enrichment options, bedding, and tree browse giving the keepers insights into his likes and dislikes because it gives him the chance to decide how he would like to interact with the new environment.

 The team also shared that he has recently discovered a bamboo wind chime made by the keepers and is enchanted by it.

The team is also working to familiarize him with his herd mates through sound, smell, and sight through a fenceline. Once the Animal and Veterinary Care teams determined that he is ready, he will be moved into the giraffe habitat located in the Zoo’s African Savanna area. Giraffes are social animals and foster relationships with many individuals in their natural habitats, so the addition of another giraffe will help create a more robust social structure within the herd. 

In celebration of its newest addition the Zoo is welcoming the public to help name the giraffe. There is polling on its social media pages on May 9, 2024. The public can pick form the following Swahili names:

According to the release, it is common for giraffes to live in groups that make up a wide variety of ages, for example the now 6 giraffes at the zoo make up ages from 1 to 12.

 Oakland Zoo welcomed a female giraffe Kendi last year which could create a different kind of dynamic of the herd now that it has welcomed a 13-month-male.

Oakland Zoo reaches new heights with addition of 6th giraffe. News release. Oakland Zoo. May 9, 2024. Accessed May 9, 2024.

The zoo is asking the public to participate in naming its latest addition 

Oakland Zoo welcomes baby male giraffe

Editor’s note: All names and businesses in this dilemma case are fictitious, but the scenario is based on real occurrences.

The Link veterinary clinic was an excellent facility. For 22 years, it had served the companion pet needs of the community. However, the past 4 years were tumultuous, to say the least.

The practice was growing and the staff was increasing. Then COVID-19 hit. What followed, as everyone knows, was bizarre. Clients who had been inside were now outside. There was less person-to-person contact and there were more telemedicine meetings. There were inevitable personnel quarantines, staffing challenges, and significant financial pressures. As COVID-19 ran its course, practice normality started to resume.

Who would have thought that just about everyone would decide to get a new pet during the COVID-19 crisis? Veterinary practices became overwhelmed and could not meet the needs of the sudden increase in pet patients. In 2024, things finally settled down a bit and the pre–COVID-19 average client flow returned. It was now time for the hospital director at the Link animal clinic to call a staff meeting to discuss some innovative 
practice building.

An age-old practice builder has always been accessibility. It was decided that the after-hours clinic messages would not automatically advise clients to go to the closest emergency veterinary facility. Instead, staff members would take after-hours calls and give nonemergency advice while encouraging a follow-up appointment. Of course, all serious issues were immediately referred to an emergency center. This accessibility was greatly appreciated and remembered by clients in need.

“If you build it, they will come.” Clinic hours should coincide with client availability. Many pet owners want to see the vet after work or on the weekends. Evening hours and weekend availability are practice builders, so the Link animal clinic staff decided to extend their evening and weekend hours.

When pet owners from a multiple-pet household schedule several animals for care during the same appointment, they should be offered a discount. Multiple animal owners scrutinize their veterinary budget very closely and appreciate any discount gestures.

Veterinary visits are stressful for clients. They worry about their pets, they worry about their pocketbook, they worry about managing the animals while at the clinic, and they often have to keep track of their children. When children are welcome, some of that stress decreases. Children’s activities, especially coloring books with pet-shaped crayons, were made available and were a welcome addition to the exam room.

Humane organizations are our friends as well as practice builders. We should always work hand in hand to make the lives of the pets in our community safer and more humane. When there are fundraisers or fairs, we should participate. We should also provide coupons to assist with initial veterinary care for newly adopted animals.


The hospital director advised the staff that these practice-building activities would be integrated into the Link veterinary clinic protocols. Some staff disagreed but overall, most thought that these additions would increase client flow and clinic income and would be welcomed by pet owners.

The mission of any veterinary facility is to provide excellent pet care and to change and grow in the best interest of the community it serves. These practice-building steps are exactly what the Linc veterinary clinic needed to move forward.

COVID-19 was bizarre. Hopefully, it was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. It actually overwhelmed veterinary practices with pet patients. We have now returned to reality. Progressive veterinary practices should never remain in a comfort zone. It is always important to move on to a greater standard of excellence. Implementing practice builders as was done at the Link veterinary clinic is a basic component of practice growth and improvement. This practice attitude benefits pet patients and clients as well as the profession.

, is founder of Voorhees Veterinary Center in New Jersey. Although many of the scenarios Rosenberg describes in his column are based on real-life events, the veterinary practices, doctors, and employees described are fictional.

A veterinarian offers suggestions for growing an animal clinic and
better serving the community.