Photo courtesy of Oil-Dri Corporation of America.

Oil-Dri Corporation of America, a manufacturer of cat litter, has debuted its Cat’s Pride Antibacterial Clumping Litter. This is the first and only antibacterial litter in the United States that kills 99.9% of odor-causing bacteria for a clean litter box and more sanitary home. Cat’s Pride targets the direct source of the odor for long-lasting control and prevents the smell from spreading throughout the home.

Sleepypod’s Martingale Calming Harness for dogs and cats offers anxiety relief and practical walking solutions. This 2-in-1 harness features a breathable mesh design that wraps the pet’s body, giving a comforting embrace to alleviate fear and anxiety. This pet accessory also ensures control over the dog or cat during walks, while simultaneously reducing the risk of escape. The harness comes in sizes XS to XL and features 6 color options.

HT Vista is the United Kingdom subsidiary of HT Vet, which is a company aiming to increase early detection of skin cancer in dogs. A new device from HT Vista uses thermal imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) for accurate screening with canine dermal and subcutaneous masses and would determine whether a mass is benign or needs further investigation of malignancy. Unlike traditional imaging methods, HT Vista assesses disparities in heat transfer rates between masses and adjacent healthy tissues, enhancing the precision of analysis.

Tavo’s Maeve Pet Protection System is a 3-in-1 travel system featuring pet car seat, stroller, and carrier designed for safety and comfort when traveling with dogs and cats at the ballpark and beyond. With United Nations Economic Commission for Europe child restraints standards, the Tavo travel system also includes built-in-tailor tech memory foam that absorbs and disperses energy for a comfortable, secure environment for pets.

PetMD’s Symptom Checker by Chewy is a user-friendly online tool designed in conjunction with veterinarians to help pet owners understand what may be causing their pet’s symptoms or when they should call a veterinarian. To use, pet owners answer a series of questions related to the pet’s symptoms and the tool will guide them to a summary page that includes information about possible causes, when to call a veterinary clinic, helpful resources to help pay for veterinary care, and direct messaging with a Chewy veterinary professional.

PetRadar (previously CatRadar), an online platform designed to help reconnect pet owners with lost pets, has expanded its offerings so that it now serves missing cats and dogs. The free services include a printable poster, personal support and guidance, and a listing on PetRadar’s website. The premium features include all of those along with sponsored posts on social media, a personal dashboard, and notifications via text message.

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Here's our regular rundown of new and notable veterinary products

dvm360® product report: Calming harness, plus AI imaging, and more

On this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, celebrates all the great benefits of owning a senior pet with Lisa Lippman, DVM. Together, the pair discusses what it is like to own a senior pet, the meaning of time toxicity in veterinary medicine, resources available to veterinary professionals to learn more about treating and understanding their older patients, and more!

: I always [and] I just did a post on this the other day that old age is not a disease, right? And so whenever clients come to you and say, 'Oh, they're slowing, you know, that they're slowing down or they aren't jumping on the bed, it's just old age,' but it's not it's arthritis, right? Or maybe systemic, something like an endocrinopathy or something that we can oftentimes [treat] and that we can make so much better. But mobility is a big factor for you know, for seniors for quality of life for both owners and pets, right because... like [its] so difficult when you your pet when your senior pet can't mobilize.

I think veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation has come such a long way now, right with where we're at, you're learning about at-home exercises that you can do, physical therapy exercises, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, laser, shockwave, the list goes on, where animals are moving better and feeling more comfortable in conjunction to that multimodal approach

Podcasts

Dr Adam Christman and Dr Lisa Lippman sit down to discuss the ins and outs of caring for senior pets, and what makes them so special 

Caring for senior pets

discussed how spinal disease and neuromuscular diseases can present in certain patients

A recap of how some common neurological diseases present in patients

While at the Fetch conference in Long Beach, California, Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), sat down with 

 in an interview and explained how spinal disease can be a bit different in French Bulldogs, specifically. He also discussed how some neuromuscular diseases can show similar clinical signs and what primary care veterinarians can do to manage these diseases.

The following is a partial transcript of the video.

Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology):

 How is spinal disease different in Frenchies? Well Frenchies have literally changed the way we do things, not only because of the spinal diseases that they get, [but also] all the potential complications that are associated with anesthesia. But I think the thing that makes Frenchies most different is that even in the most normal of them, they have major congenital vertebral anomalies, spinal malformations, and that can lead to their outcomes being less good.

Lower motor neuron diseases often present as the "floppy" patient. These are conditions that affect the nerve, the neuromuscular junction, or the muscles themselves. And so anything that affects that is going to be similar.

Videos

Fred Wininger, VMD, MS, DACVIM (Neurology), discussed how spinal disease and neuromuscular diseases can present in certain patients

The American Veterinary Medical Association requires an accredited veterinary technology program to include “practical veterinary experience.” This invaluable experience is usually termed an externship, internship, practicum, etc. These externships should be a minimum of 240 hours. Many programs have students complete the hours between 2 different sites. While at externships, students can expect to gain hands-on clinical experience while working to complete their Essential and Recommended Skills List for their program. For some students, this is the first time they have ever been in the back of a veterinary clinic, and it can be nerve-racking to enter a new environment with an already established hierarchy and culture. The following tips are not only for surviving externships but also for making the most of them.

While many externships are unpaid, you should still treat your experience like a real job. That includes your personal appearance and professionalism. Make sure you are on time. Showcase your work ethic by not sitting around during slower times. Stay off your phone. You might not be a “real employee” (yet), but you should be acting like one.

This one is huge, and I have seen it firsthand in many students. If you come across as a know-it-all, people can often be reluctant to help you or teach you any of their knowledge. Remember that everyone knows something you don’t. Likewise, avoid coming across as overly sensitive or standoffish when receiving feedback or instruction because in either scenario, you will miss out. I also recommend avoiding discussions regarding title protection and any sense of superiority to assistants or on-the-job-training technicians. You will make enemies doing this.

This is related to treating the experience like a real job. A handout written by Kathryn Primm, DVM, CVPM,1 outlines examples of tasks that can be done during downtime. You can also always ask your supervisor or other staff what you can do to best help them catch up on their work. Be sure to know where the cleaning supplies are and how and where to run laundry. I am an RVT, and I still clean. No one is above cleaning.

It’s simple: You will learn more if you ask questions. Just be mindful about certain questions in front of clients. Also, if someone is concentrating on a given task or during an active emergency, it might be more appropriate to save the question for later.

5. Remember that textbooks don’t always equate to real life

I was always told, “There are a thousand ways to skin a cat,” which may be the most gruesome saying ever. However, this idea can be applied to how different hospitals and clinicians are going to do similar things completely differently, and sometimes there are many right ways to do something. Do not quote the textbook and tell someone they are doing something wrong. Along with this, keep in mind the saying that “Not every dog reads the book,” meaning that sometimes the animal is not going to follow whatever criteria we might expect based on literature. The animals do not care about what literature says.

Almost every single person I know who has experienced burnout either had to take a break from the field or completely left veterinary medicine. I have experienced burnout myself; you will likely experience it too. To combat this, learn about burnout and burnout prevention strategies from the get-go. There are a plethora of resources out there on this topic. Prevention is going to look different for different people. To take care of these animals, we must first take care of ourselves.

Bring a pocket-sized notebook that fits in your scrub top pocket. Taking notes while someone is going over a task with you (eg, how to run bloodwork on the machines) will demonstrate to that person and the team you care and want to learn. No one should have to go over relatively simple concepts with you several times, so if you are repeatedly asking someone how to do something, write it down step-by-step.

8. Not everyone is going to be your best friend

There will be people and clinics you just don’t jibe or fit with. And that’s okay. There are some toxic cultures in this industry (and in all industries). If someone doesn’t like you, don’t take it personally. You can also help be the change for a more positive clinic culture. If you don’t like someone, so what? Play nice and work as a team regardless. Be respectful of differences. Don’t gossip.

9. Ultimately your success is up to you, not your site

This experience is what you make of it. If you feel like you aren’t getting to do or learn anything, ask, for example, “Hey, can I do [insert task] on a pet during their dental treatment?” There will be many situations where it is not feasible or logical for you to practice, but if you just sit around on your phone, no one is going to ask you for help or whether you want to learn or practice a skill.

It can be scary, but you got this! Be yourself. Many people who come into veterinary medicine are like-minded individuals (for the most part). Be kind, keep these tips in mind, and you should do great!

Primm K. Veterinary team handout: things to do in downtime. 

. June 14, 2019. Accessed August 2, 2023. https://www.dvm360.com/view/veterinary-team-handout-things-do-down-time

 resides in the Wichita Greater Metropolitan Area in Kansas. She graduated from WSU Tech (formerly WATC) in 2018. She has experience in small animal general practice, exotic animal, as well as emergency and critical care. She also currently teaches as an adjunct instructor for the WSU Tech Veterinary Nursing Program.

Be prepared when immersing yourself in the veterinary clinic for the first time

10 tips to rock your externships!

Video interview with Renee Alsarraf, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

Veterinary oncology: the importance of comprehensive care

“It is paramount to have the right dosages in veterinary oncology, but providing comprehensive care is [also] very important. It’s so much more than those doses,” said Renee Alsarraf, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), during the recent Fetch 

In the field of veterinary oncology, the industry’s first focus is currently to work toward improving the patient’s health or survivability. Alsarraf believes there should be just as much emphasis on the pet and pet parents’ emotional wellbeing.

Even with access to the best care, there is no way to guarantee that a pet won’t have a nervous response when brought into the clinic. Such anxiety can negatively impact the patient’s quality of life, even if their physical health improves. “[Comprehensive care] is taking care of that pet and taking care of that pet’s family,” said Alsarraf. “When you add all of these different factors in, it makes for the best in veterinary care.” Compassion is often stressed in this industry, as these animals are a part of their families, and the goal is to treat them accordingly.

As their pets undergo diagnosis and treatment, families may share the animals’ nervousness and anticipation, which animals can sense. “Dogs can’t speak our language, and yet they know exactly what we’re thinking,” Alsarraf added. Although there is already a lot of emphasis on the human-animal bond, the importance of this bond during cancer treatment cannot be overstated. Alsarraf mentioned that “honoring the family dynamic” helps provide each family with the level of comfort they need.

Financially, treating cancer is not easy for most pet parents. It’s imperative that practitioners are transparent during diagnosis and treatment, as pets are not the same as people and, therefore, the effect of cancer is not the same. Additionally, treatment protocols can be exhausting for pets and families alike, which is why compounding medications is often recommended in oncology. “Compounding medication makes a big difference in compliance for that pet parent to be able to administer that medication [and] for that pet to get that right medication,” Alsarraf said. “When you are more compliant, then you will have better outcomes.”

Alsarraf, R. Sit, Stay, Heal: A Comprehensive Approach to the Cancer Patient. Presented at: Fetch dvm360® Conference; Atlantic City, New Jersey. October 9-11, 2023.

Comprehensive care plays a vital role in ensuring pets and pet parents feel comfortable during treatment.

Veterinary oncology: the importance of comprehensive care 

discussed what makes otitis externa a difficult case and how to talk to owners about it

Improving your approach to otitis externa and client education

While at the Fetch conference in Long Beach, California, Brittany A. Lancellotti, DVM, DACVD, sat down with 

 in an interview and explained how treating otitis externa can be tricky. However, she also shared her tips for speaking to clients about this infection and other dermatological diseases.

 During my fourth year of veterinary school, when I was in my dermatology rotation, I got really fascinated by the workup of allergic skin disease and immunotherapy, all the different options that we had for managing this chronic lifelong disease. And, for me, that gives me an opportunity to have a long term relationship with my clients, and really focus on an aspect of veterinary medicine that I love.

Treating otitis externa can be really challenging, especially from a client perspective. It's really hard to understand that this isn't just a simple ear infection, there's an underlying trigger that's there. And so what we want to try and do when we have a conversation with these clients, is stress to them that we got to figure out what is that underlying trigger and set up a long term management strategy so that the infections don't keep coming back.

Brittany A. Lancellotti, DVM, DACVD, discussed what makes otitis externa a difficult case and how to talk to owners about it