Dr David Dycus discusses management of canine osteoarthritis 

How to effectively manage canine osteoarthritis 

The following is a partial transcript of the video.

For many canine patients who enter the veterinary clinic, canine osteoarthritis (OA) is impacting the quality of their lives. Because it is a complex disease, a baseline treatment plan is an important part of managing the OA. But, where do you start? 

 at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida, David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS-SA, explained what an effective management plan of OA looks like to him.

: I try to break it into 1 of 2 categories: do we have a patient that has osteoarthritis, but they're not clinically affected at that very moment? And that's where we might focus on our baseline efforts from weight management and daily exercise and joint supplementation with, say, omega-three fatty acids. 

Versus if we have a patient with a flare-up, we're going to change our approach because they're painful and we have to get that flare-up under control, which is usually going to come in the form of analgesics with our top frontline being our anti-inflammatories, and then we might add in other oral pain medications or intra articular injections, or physical rehabilitation, really just anything we can do to get the flare up under control.

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David Dycus, DVM, MS, CCRP, DACVS-SA, gives an inside scoop on how veterinary teams could manage canine osteoarthritis

Terri and Robert Irwin on stage at the Sunday Night Spectacular at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (Images courtesy of Caitlin McCafferty, Editor)

“So I heard someone here has a tattoo of Steve,” Terri Irwin said as she walked onto the stage during the the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida. As the crowd erupted in laughter and the person with the tattoo ran toward the front of the stage to show it off, the Sunday Night Spectacular officially began.

Terri and Robert shared their love for the veterinary profession and all the work that they do daily with the audience. Terri also just how highly she and her late husband, Steve Irwin, thought of the veterinary profession with a personal story involving an incident when Robert, then a toddler, was sick and had to be brought to a hospital.

“We didn't know what was wrong, but [Robert] kept stargazing, like his neck wouldn’t come down. So we went to the doctor and the doctor said, ‘Oh, Crikey,’ because doctors say in Australia, ‘you got to go to an emergency don't go home first, get to the hospital.’ So we get to the hospital and the doctors are trying to figure out what was wrong and [Robert] is not really saying much of anything and they're trying to get an IV in this little chubby arm. So the doctor tries to place an IV and Steve's in there, and Steve's getting anxious, and they finally called the head of pediatrics,” Terri explained.

“He came in and he got the IV in okay, and Steve turned to him and said ‘Mate, that was such a good job, you can be a vet,’” she laughed.

Terri, who was an emergency veterinary technician in Eugene, Oregon before marrying Steve and moving to Australia, shared that her love of animals was developed at a young age. Her father would bring in wildlife and rehabilitate them before releasing them back into the wild. She explained that this fostered her love and passion for wildlife rehabilitation at a young age because she learned that it is important for the animals to be healthy and happy in the wild rather than healthy inside of their home.

Steve and Terri would go on to open the 24-hour Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to help rehabilitate and rescue injured wild animals before setting them back into the wild if their injuries and circumstances allow it. According to Teri, since the zoo opened it doors, they have treated over 130,000 individual animals, 11,000 koalas, and thousands of sea turtles. The hospital has employed over 40 veterinary nurses and technicians and 8 full-time veterinarians. 

“Our hospital, it's a place where we treat so many different injuries, most of what we see ends up being [caused by] cars, and roads, that is what we see all too often. But it can come in the form of so many different injuries and diseases that animals will come in with and all too often. That is human cause and human-related,” explained Robert.

“We are here to just lend a helping hand to the individual, give them a little bit of support, and give back to the species because every single animal that you get back into the wild or back into the household, it means so much to that animal's family or, in a wild situation, to our environment. Every koala that we put back for an endangered species that is the future,” he continued.

The Irwins also shared with attendees that the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital was able to successfully breed the first Irwin’s Turtle in captivity, which was discovered and later named after Steve Irwin. To Robert, this is the honor of a lifetime to be able to stand up for these animals, assist with their treatments, and then have them go back into the wild.

To end the show, Terri and Robert brought animals to the show for the audience to learn more about some exotic animals here with help from the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida. The duo presented multiple animals such as snakes, bearded dragons, and some that also call Australia home.

Terri Irwin showing off a Blue-tongued skink to the crowd at VMX

As they finished showing the animals, they welcomed Karen Shenoy, DVM, chief veterinary officer of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, to the stage for some questions. Shenoy used this time to ask the Irwins if they had any advice for the veterinary community members in the room. Robert gave his mother the floor, stating that she has always been giving him advice so she should take the lead on this one.

“Every time I have a win, I lament the things that are left to do. [Bindi Irwin] says ‘Revel, just revel when you have a win. So my big problem was old guys. It's a problem. Old guys would come into the clinic, and he was always a widower, and his dog was the only companion he had. The dog would always have to be put to sleep, and you would always cry. That was my problem. I couldn't handle the crying old guys,” she told the crowd.

“It would make me so devastated. But I'm telling you when you're there for someone in their best time or their hardest time, it is equally important and triumphant. So give yourself a pat on the back when you've had the toughest day we've ever had and then revel in the good part revel in the thing the fixed,” she concluded.

Shenoy informed the crowd that there was time for one more question and they were welcoming someone from the audience to the stage to ask. At this time, Geraldo Vasquez and Pamela Mulkay, were welcomed to the stage, where Vasquez closed the show by getting down on one knee and asking Mulkay to marry him. She said 'yes.' 

Sunday Night Spectacular with Terri and Robert Irwin. Presented at: VMX; Orlando, FL. January 13, 2024.

Articles

Terri and Robert Irwin closed out day 2 of the Veterinary Meeting & Expo with praises to the veterinary community, more on the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, and even assisted in a marriage proposal. 

Celebrating the triumphs amid defeat

Tom Walsh, DVM, CCRP, MBA, owner of PrimePet Rehabilitation Therapy in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, performing laser therapy on a patient.

Similar to acupuncture, massage therapy, and other alternative treatments, laser therapy can be utilized as an alternative or complementary approach to medication for pain management, reducing inflammation, and aiding in wound healing.

 Tom Walsh, DVM, CCRP, MBA, owner of PrimePet Rehabilitation Therapy in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, shared with attendees at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Long Beach, California the benefits of laser therapy for pets.

 He also discussed common misconceptions about lasers and explained why these myths are untrue.

Walsh argued that laser therapy can decrease pain, support post-operative recovery, and restore function in limbs that may have been impacted by disease or trauma. Even without a previous disease or trauma in the patient’s history, Walsh indicated that laser therapy can boost the immune system and improve overall range of motion and strength in the body. He also recommended laser as a treatment option for patients who do not qualify for surgical intervention.

To back up his claims, Walsh shared some real cases he has seen and worked with at his practice.

First up was Max, a 6-year-old Boykin spaniel who got injured while playing outside unexplainably. He had subluxated and blown out a disc in his spine. Max underwent surgery and then came to Walsh a few weeks later for postoperative recovery. “[We started with] 30-minute appointments, 3 times a week. We were also using multiple modalities like electrical stimulation, cryotherapy, [and] massage,” Walsh said. “This particular laser that I used, you can alternate between red and infrared. And the way I like to think of it is the red laser is a little bit broader scheme, whereas infrared I can really dial in anything.”

Walsh also wanted to remind attendees that recovery is not always linear and that dogs can have bad days, too. “You may see some twitching, you may see some neural fibers that are regenerating, but it's not necessarily indicative of, ‘yes, we're on our way to success there.’ With my neural cases, it's a lot of ups and downs sometimes,” he said. However, Walsh explains that consistency is key to seeing results long term.

Max received his laser treatment for 10 months, building up his muscle tone and strength, and Walsh was sure he would be strong enough to walk without his wheelchair soon. Unfortunately, Max was diagnosed with cancer and passed soon after. However, through this case study, Walsh saw the impact of using laser therapy and saw the progress Max had made over the months of treatment.

Madison was a 13-year-old pug-terrier mix that was adopted at an older age, so her medical history was unknown. However, after being rescued by her owner, she was diagnosed with arthritis and multiple myopathy. Madison was very reluctant to move at all. Walsh explained that he used a red laser on her hips and lumbar spinal area for 11 minutes each, and he told attendees he typically aims for 5 to 10 minutes as his protocol, but this can always be adjusted for a specific patient’s needs. “And we started doing laser therapy to reduce that inflammation all the way from the neck. I've got a PMF, pulsed electromagnetic frequency, disc on her,” Walsh said.

Walsh recommended getting Madison a wheelchair to get her used to moving around as she was gaining her strength back with laser therapy. Walsh also started to combine hydrotherapy with her treatment and with several weeks of sessions, Madison was able to walk on her own without any assistance. She was moving slowly, but with maintaining consistency on her laser treatment, Madison is now able to run around with her housemates.

To summarize his session, Walsh made a few final points about laser therapy for veterinary rehabilitation and debunked the common misconceptions surrounding it. According to Walsh:

Power alone does not determine therapeutic effectiveness.

The key to treating orthopedic cases is consistency, not complicated protocols.

Whether it’s chronic arthritis, wound healing, or neurological conditions, laser therapy is not limited to only treating pain and inflammation.

Even if the prognosis is uncertain, using laser therapy can have a positive impact for a patient’s quality of life.

And research finds that laser therapy can aid in the following:

Increase the speed and success of postoperative recovery

Provide a treatment option for patients in which they are not a candidate for surgery

What is veterinary laser therapy? American Animal Hospital Association. Accessed January 15, 2024. 

https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/laser-therapy/

Walsh T. Why Conventional Thinking About Laser Therapy is Wrong and What That Means to Your Practice. Presented at: Fetch dvm360 conference; Long Beach, California; December 1-3, 2023

A rehabilitation expert debunks common myths and describes the advantages laser can have on patients at the Fetch conference in Long Beach, California

Illuminating the benefits of laser therapy in veterinary medicine

It is sadly too routine that veterinary professionals diagnose a condition that quickly forces a pet family to become caretakers. The stress can be insurmountable on the human family, the pet, other animals living in the home, and the often forgotten veterinary professional.

Our pets are increasingly considered family members, and there may be the heartbreak and devotion to required caretaking. Twenty years ago, who would have thought pet hospice could be a viable option?

The list of life-altering changes for a pet may be long for the human family—everything from learning how to administer fluids to having to carry a large dog up and down stairs. How does an elderly pet owner do either of these things? Scheduling visits to see the general practitioner or a specialist might strain a busy family. The pet’s condition could even mean a child missing band practice or canceling family or business travel plans. Changing life plans can be financially costly, and so can treatment.

All of this and more may put a strain on you, the veterinary professional. Although some incredible human beings are natural caretakers and are able to deal with all this in stride, most clients are not quite so malleable. It is also no fun communicating a difficult prognosis and describing a long series of pharmaceuticals that can be alphabet soup in clients’ heads.

A normally amiable client might transform into a quite testy one. It is human nature to push back; however, this is where your patience, empathy, and professionalism should be applied. And remember, whatever is said is rarely personal.

Attempting to remember which medications to administer and when to give those drugs is tough enough. Also, consider some clients may simultaneously be dealing with health challenges requiring medications of their own or dealing with the illness of another family member.

Now add day-to-day difficulties, like administering pills to that dog or cat. When the well-meaning pet owner goes to a counter where the medications are and the fragile cat manages to make a break for it, it’s heartbreaking (and sometimes physically challenging) to push the pills. Sometimes, medications aren’t given because the pet owners feel guilty or that they aren’t capable of getting that pill into the animal.

Not only are human family members stressed, but so are the pets. The once beloved human family members are doing things that may cause temporary discomfort for the pet. Any chronic pain issues are likely being addressed, but findings from many studies demonstrate that pain
can cause changes in mood, potentially even aggression, and also might cause behavior changes likes accidents outside a litter box. All this can profoundly impact both sides of the human-animal bond.

An animal not feeling well can feel anxious. After all, no one can explain to that animal what the medical condition is. What’s more, we know that pets, so closely bonded, will pick up on the stress of human family members. Anxiety is contagious.

Other household pets sense that stress as well. And they may exhibit behavior changes because of what’s going on. For example, if one dog has an accident indoors, a second dog might too. Life changes quickly from having fun with multiple pets to feeling frantic.

All this sure isn’t easy—and in many ways not so different from caretaking for a sick human family member, except the good and bad news is having the option of euthanasia when the time is right.

But how do pet owners know when the time is right? How many times have you been asked, “If this was your pet...?” And many clients do seek the professionals’ unbiased opinion, which can be exceedingly valuable, particularly with longtime clients. However, that question isn’t an easy one to answer, even if the answer is obvious. 

To a great degree, all situations are different. Some clients simply cannot continue to cope with caretaking or perhaps the expense. Or, frankly, there are just too many accidents in the house or perhaps the dog has uncharacteristically bitten a family member. When the human-animal bond is fractured in a terminally ill animal, isn’t euthanasia a reasonable expectation?

Other clients can’t let go, as their bond is so intense and maybe even made more so through the process of caretaking—they simply can’t bear the notion of euthanasia. And your truthful suggestion is met with defensive resistance, even though the client said, “I want an honest answer.” However, the client really only wants an answer to support a predetermined opinion. Your guidance through this entire process begins with being available and expressing empathy.

Human physicians never deal with all the emotions and issues regarding euthanasia. I am doubtful all human physicians could easily step into the shoes of a veterinary professional. And, as I’ve said, as well as others, “Pet owners do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

 writes for veterinary professionals and pet owners,
hosts 2 national radio programs, and has appeared on TV shows, including Good Morning America and The Oprah Winfrey Show. He is on the dvm360 Editorial Advisory Board as well as the boards of the Human Animal Bond Association and EveryCat Foundation. He appears at conferences around the world. Visit stevedale.tv.

Caring for patients with life-altering needs can test the human-animal bond

The strain of senior pets

IGNITE Veterinary Solutions, a leading veterinary learning company, announced the launch of IGNITE Veterinary Assistant Program (IVAP), a skills-based learning program designed to elevate veterinary teams and deliver higher levels of veterinary care. According to a release from IGNITE,

 this new learning program will provide tools that enable all roles in the hospital to thrive.

IVAP was developed by credentialed veterinary technicians and tries to tackle the rising problems facing the veterinary profession including demanding pet owners, staff shortages, and long hours causing chaotic hospital environments. IGNITE believes that veterinary assistants can and should play a key role in relieving some of these common challenges.

"We live in a time when people increasingly make career decisions based on personal development, well-being, mental health, and purpose. When veterinary hospitals actively invest to upskill or reskill their teams, they help address these needs and take control of their future, improving retention, and hospital performance," said Mark SHaw, IGNITE CEO, in the release.

The program has an advanced curriculum and guarantees the acquisition of new skills by veterinary assistants, promoting continuous growth and commitment in their roles.

Focusing on improving client communication, IGNITE believes a well-trained assistant contributes to a smoother and more efficient experience for pet parents, fostering greater trust and satisfaction among both pet owners and the veterinary team.

Proper utilization of the entire veterinary team can ensure optimal care for animals, leading to improved health outcomes.

Proficient veterinary assistants reduce the occurrence of avoidable mistakes, allowing more time to be dedicated to patient care. This enhances the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the hospital.

"IVAP changes all of that," Shaw continued. "We asked our customers, and we listened – they said we want a program that is fun, engaging, authentic, and meets staff where they are - mobile, tablet, workstation, surrounds them with community, rewards learning, and ultimately makes their hospital the one where people want to stay and build a career. Our incredibly passionate team did it! IVAP answers that call."

IGNITE also pledges a portion of all IVAP sales proceeds to Not One More Vet, a nonprofit working to offer well-being resources to all members of the veterinary community.

To learn more about IVAP, please visit the IGNITE website at 

IGNITE unveils the IGNITE Veterinary Assistant Program (IVAP): Empowering veterinary teams to deliver exceptional practice performance. News release. IGNITE Veterinary Solutions. January 4, 2024. Accessed January 15, 2024.

IGNITE Veterinary Solutions unveils the IGNITE Veterinary Assistant Program

New veterinary assistant learning program aims to elevate veterinary teams

In the exhibit hall at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) event in Orlando, Florida, attendees view a video announcing the launch of the Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission.

A program to help address barriers to pet care experienced by practicing veterinarians has been launched by Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. Purina’s new Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission kicked off with a $1 million donation to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) REACH (Reaching Every Animal with Charitable Healthcare) program.

 Announced at the 2024 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) event in Orlando, Florida, the Purina initiative is being highlighted this week through the company’s exhibition booth.

“[Purina is] not just pet food. We’re a pet care company,” said Callie Harris, DVM, senior veterinary communications manager, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, in an interview with 

. “One of the ways that we care is not just the pets that we’re feeding, but for the pet-loving community and veterinarians.”

Harris noted that with its new initiative, Purina aims to make a meaningful difference by supporting organizations that help alleviate difficulties for veterinarians. The REACH program, for example, provides grants to help veterinarians cover immediate pet care expenses when clients are experiencing financial hardship.

“Purina’s donation to the AVMF REACH program will deliver a huge boost for our members, for clients who may be experiencing financial hardships, and for the animals in our care,” said Lori Teller, DVM, chair of the AVMF, in an organizational release.

In an effort to better understanding the veterinarians’ “pain points” that were increasing stress, Harris said, the company turned to the 2022 Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study III. “At the top of the list were the financial barriers that were in place,” she said.

The study’s findings showed that 92% of the nearly 2500 veterinarians and nearly 450 veterinary staff who completed the survey rated stress levels as the top challenge facing the profession, and 88% of respondents expressed that high student debt was a leading concern. Furthermore, the study’s investigators recommended action items that included having veterinary professionals engage with a financial planner to help pay off debt quicker and to avoid carrying credit card balances.

Financial concerns for the veterinary profession extend to pet owners. The rising cost of living is making it more difficult for clients to manage the cost of veterinary care, which creates an inability for veterinarians to provide care for pets the way they want to, Harris noted.

Harris said veterinary practitioners can apply to the AVMF’s REACH program for grant money that can support the care that an animal needs. Having the financial ability to provide the care that pets need will also benefit veterinarians’ overall mental wellness by boosting job satisfaction.

The AVMF REACH program is the inaugural partner of the Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission. Harris noted that Purina plans to continue growing the initiative with additional partners. “This is just the start,” she said.

Pro Plan Veterinary Diets launches veterinary support mission. News release. January 16, 2024.

Veterinary mental health and wellbeing and how to improve them. Merck Animal Health. 2022 Accessed January 14, 2023. 

https://merck-animal-health-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2022/02/2021-PSV-Veterinary-Wellbeing-Presentation_V2.pdf

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets launched the new initiative at VMX with the announcement of a monetary donation 