Pet-Specific Care for the Veterinary Team

A practical guide to identifying risks in veterinary patients and tailoring their care accordingly  Pet-specific care refers to a practice philosophy that seeks to proactively provide veterinary care to animals throughout their lives, aiming to keep pets healthy and treat them effectively when disease occurs. Pet-Specific Care for the Veterinary Team offers a practical guide for putting the principles of pet-specific care into action. Using this approach, the veterinary team will identify risks to an individual animal, based on their particular circumstances, and respond to these risks with a program of prevention, early detection, and treatment to improve health outcomes in pets and the satisfaction of their owners.   The book combines information on medicine and management, presenting specific guidelines for appropriate medical interventions and material on how to improve the financial health of a veterinary practice in the process. Comprehensive in scope, and with expert contributors from around the world, the book covers pet-specific care prospects, hereditary and non-hereditary considerations, customer service implications, hospital and hospital team roles, and practice management aspects of pet-specific care. It also reviews specific risk factors and explains how to use these factors to determine an action plan for veterinary care.  This important book:   Offers clinical guidance for accurately assessing risks for each patient  Shows how to tailor veterinary care to address a patient’s specific risk factors  Emphasizes prevention, early detection, and treatment  Improves treatment outcomes and provides solutions to keep pets healthy and well  Written for veterinarians, technicians and nurses, managers, and customer service representatives, Pet-Specific Care for the Veterinary Team offers a hands-on guide to taking a veterinary practice to the next level of care.  

Table of Contents:
Contributors xix Preface xxiii Editor-in-Chief xxv Section 1 Overview 1 1.1 Overview of Pet-Specific Care 3 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 1.2 Providing a Lifetime of Care 9 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 1.3 Personalized Care Plans 15 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 1.4 Opportunities for Pet-Specific Care 23 Nan Boss, DVM 1.5 Feline-Friendly Care 27 Jane Brunt, DVM 1.6 Adapting to a New Normal 31 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS Section 2 Concepts and Prospects 37 2.1 Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine and Personal Bias 39 Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD 2.2 The Role of Incremental Care 43 David Haworth, DVM, PhD 2.3 Prevalence and Incidence 47 Samuel Stewart, DVM, DACVECC and Chand Khanna, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Onc), DACVP (Hon) 2.4 Checklists in Veterinary Practice 51 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 2.5 Virtual Care (Telehealth) 59 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 2.6 Generational Considerations 65 Kurt A. Oster, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP 2.7 Risk Assessment 69 Nan Boss, DVM 2.8 Risk Management 75 Tara Harmon, APR 2.9 Anticipated Costs of Pet Care 79 Sarah Rumple 2.10 Affordability of Veterinary Services 83 Patricia Khuly, VMD, MBA 2.11 Discounting in Veterinary Practice 87 Mark J. McGaunn, CPA/PFS, CFP® 2.12 Blockchain in Veterinary Medicine 91 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 2.13 Placebo and Nocebo 95 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 2.14 Benefits of the Human–Animal Bond 99 Jacqui Ley, BVSc (Hons), PhD, DECAWBM, FANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) 2.15 Promoting the Human–Animal Bond 103 Sarah Rumple 2.16 Pain and Pain Management 107 Mark E. Epstein, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), CVPP 2.17 Emergency Preparedness 113 Lori Massin Teller, DVM, BS (Vet Sci), DABVP (Canine/Feline Practice) 2.18 Population Control 117 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 2.19 One Health 121 Donna L. Harris, DVM, MBA, MS(Strategic Foresight) 2.20 Cancer Precision Medicine 125 Anna Katogiritis, BSc, DVM and Chand Khanna, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Onc), DACVP (Hon) Section 3 Hereditary Considerations 129 3.1 Genetic Basics 131 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 3.2 Modes of Inheritance 137 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 3.3 The Genetics of Disease 141 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 3.4 Predicting and Eliminating Disease Traits 147 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 3.5 Conformation Extremes and the Veterinary Team 153 Emma Goodman Milne, BVSc, MRCVS 3.6 Genetic Testing 157 Jerold S. Bell, DVM 3.7 Genetic Health Registries and Research Organizations 163 Anita M. Oberbauer, PhD 3.8 Genetic Counseling 169 Jerold S. Bell, DVM 3.9 Purebreds, Mixed-Breeds, and Hybrids 175 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 3.10 Advising Clients on Selecting an Appropriate Pet 179 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 3.11 Integrating Genotypic and Phenotypic Testing 183 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 3.12 Orthopedic Screening 189 Jason C. Nicholas, BVETMED (Hons) 3.13 Breed Predisposition 193 Nan Boss, DVM 3.14 Breed-Specific Variants in Laboratory Testing 199 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 3.15 Breed-Related Anesthetic Considerations 203 Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, DACVAA 3.16 Breed-Related Drug Sensitivities 209 Patricia Dowling, DVM, MSc, DACVIM (LAIM), DACVCP 3.17 Breed-Related Nutritional Issues 213 Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) 3.18 Breed-Related Eye Conditions 217 D. J. Haeussler, Jr., BS, MS, DVM, DACVO 3.19 Mixed-Breed Considerations 223 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS Section 4 Nonhereditary Considerations 227 4.1 Canine and Feline Life Stages 229 Sarah Rumple 4.2 Gender-Related Considerations 237 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 4.3 Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases 241 Krystle L. Reagan, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM) and Jane Sykes, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM) 4.4 Preventing Infectious Diseases in the Small Animal Veterinary Hospital 247 Krystle L. Reagan, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM) and Jane Sykes, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM) 4.5 Prevention and Control of Parasites 253 I. Craig Prior, BVSc, CVJ 4.6 Role of the Microbiome 259 Natalie Stilwell, DVM, MS, PhD 4.7 Embracing Early Detection 263 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 4.8 Pet-Specific Relevance of Reference Intervals 267 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 4.9 Periodontal Disease 271 Heidi B. Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC and Jessica Johnson, DVM 4.10 Environmental Considerations 277 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 4.11 Environmental Enrichment 283 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 4.12 Homeowner Insurance Considerations 287 Tara Harmon, APR Section 5 Client Service Considerations 291 5.1 Pet-Specific Customer Service 293 Nan Boss, DVM 5.2 Meeting Client Needs 299 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 5.3 What Clients Expect from the Veterinary Team 303 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 5.4 The Changing Nature of Pet Owners 307 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 5.5 Meeting the Needs of Pet Parents 311 Amanda L. Donnelly, DVM, MBA 5.6 Adoption Source Options 315 Sarah Rumple 5.7 Preadoption Counseling 319 Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) 5.8 The Biology of Marketing 323 Robert Sanchez 5.9 Dealing with Breeders 327 Maria Inês Ferreira, DVM, MTB 5.10 Discussing Pet-Specific Care 331 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 5.11 Discussing Finances for Pet-Specific Care 337 Brandon Hess, CVPM, CCFP 5.12 Discussing Anesthetic Risk 341 Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, DACVAA 5.13 Improving Client Engagement Through Technology 347 Caitlin DeWilde, BS, DVM 5.14 Client Education Materials 353 Peter Alberti, BSBA 5.15 Client Appointment Scheduling 357 Kurt A. Oster, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP 5.16 Maintaining Client Contact Between Appointments 361 Robert Sanchez 5.17 Ensuring and Measuring Client Satisfaction 365 Caitlin DeWilde, BS, DVM 5.18 Lifetime Support – Pet Trusts and Wills 371 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS Section 6 Pet-Specific Considerations 375 6.1 Normal Development Stages of Dogs and Cats 377 Jacqui Ley, BVSc (Hons), PhD, DECAWBM, FANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) 6.2 How Animals Learn 383 Alicea Howell, LVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA, CTP 6.3 Managing Life Changes with Pets 387 Jacqui Ley, BVSc (Hons), PhD, DECAWBM, FANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) 6.4 Creating a Pet-Specific User’s Manual 391 Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA 6.5 Opportunities and Challenges of Providing Services for Low-Income Clients 399 David Haworth, DVM, PhD 6.6 Fear Free® Concepts 403 Marty Becker, DVM 6.7 Cooperative Care 409 Alicea Howell, LVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA, CTP 6.8 Managing Routine Procedures to Minimize Problems 413 Jacqui Ley, BVSc (Hons), PhD, DECAWBM, FANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) 6.9 Preventing Behavior Problems 417 Kymberley C. McLeod, DVM 6.10 Behavior Problems – Advice 421 Jacqui Ley, BVSc (Hons), PhD, DECAWBM, FANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) 6.11 Treating Animals with Behavior Problems 425 Kymberley C. McLeod, DVM 6.12 New Puppy/Kitten Considerations 429 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 6.13 Delivering Feline-Friendly Care 433 Kim Kendall, BVSc, MANZCVS (Cat Medicine and Animal Behaviour) 6.14 Pain Prevention, Management, and Conditioning 439 Robin Downing, DVM, MS, DAAPM, DACVSMR, CVPP, CCRP 6.15 Approaching Obesity on a Pet-Specific Basis 445 Ernie Ward, DVM, CVFT (Certified Veterinary Food Therapist) 6.16 Assessing Blood Pressure as an Early Indicator of Disease 455 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 6.17 Senior Care 459 Heidi B. Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC 6.18 Aging Gracefully 465 Jacqui Ley, BVSc (Hons), PhD, DECAWBM, FANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) 6.19 Problem Aging 469 Jacqui Ley, BVSc (Hons), PhD, DECAWBM, FANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) 6.20 Quality of Life and End of Life Issues 473 Mary Craig, DVM, MBA, CHPV Section 7 Hospital Considerations 477 7.1 Creating a Client-Centered Hospital 479 Amanda L. Donnelly, DVM, MBA 7.2 Managing the Pet-Specific Workplace 483 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 7.3 Leading the Change Towards Pet-Specific Care 489 Randy Hall 7.4 Getting Informed Consent 493 Betsy Choder, JD, MS 7.5 Connecting with Clients Through Social Media 497 Caitlin DeWilde, BS, DVM 7.6 Privacy and Confidentiality 505 Betsy Choder, JD, MS 7.7 Puppy and Kitten Classes 509 Jacqui Ley, BVSc (Hons), PhD, DECAWBM, FANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour) 7.8 Providing Care for Those Unable or Unwilling to Pay 513 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 7.9 Using Practice Management Software to Personalize Care 517 Peter Alberti, BSBA 7.10 Analytics and Informatics 521 Peter Alberti, BSBA 7.11 Client Safety 525 Saya Press, BVSc, MS, DACVECC 7.12 Patient Safety 529 Helen Ballantyne, PG Dip, BSc (Hons), RN, RVN 7.13 Keeping Client Information Secure 535 Peter Alberti, BSBA 7.14 Premise Disinfection 539 Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) Section 8 Hospital Team Considerations 543 8.1 Delivering Pet-Specific Care as a Team 545 Jason C. Nicholas, BVETMED (Hons) 8.2 Developing Staff Competencies 549 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 8.3 The Importance of Accountability in Pet-Specific Care 555 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 8.4 Alignment– The Key to Implementing Pet-Specific Care 559 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 8.5 How Important Is Emotional Intelligence? 563 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 8.6 Nursing Leadership 567 Helen Ballantyne, PG Dip, BSc (Hons), RN, RVN 8.7 Nursing Care Plans 573 Helen Ballantyne, PG Dip, BSc (Hons), RN, RVN 8.8 Care Bundles 579 Helen Ballantyne, PG Dip, BSc (Hons), RN, RVN 8.9 Procedure Manuals 585 Kurt A. Oster, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP 8.10 Patient and Procedure Logs 589 Kurt A. Oster, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP 8.11 Dental Charting 593 Heidi B. Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC and Jessica Johnson, DVM 8.12 Preventing Animal-Related Injuries 599 Betsy Choder, JD, MS 8.13 Hospice and Palliative Care 603 Mary Craig, DVM, MBA, CHPV 8.14 Appropriate Handling of Medical Errors 607 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 8.15 Delivering Information to Clients 611 Brandon Hess, CVPM, CCFP 8.16 Dealing with Compassion Fatigue and Burnout 615 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM 8.17 Dealing with Compromise Fatigue 619 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 8.18 Team Strategies for Atopic Dermatitis 623 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 8.19 Team Strategies for Periodontal Disease 631 Heidi B. Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC and Jessica Johnson, DVM 8.20 Team Strategies for Osteoarthritis 637 Mark E. Epstein, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), CVPP 8.21 Team Strategies for Pain Management 643 Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, DACVAA 8.22 Team Strategies for Feline Retroviral Diseases 649 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 8.23 Team Strategies for Recurrent Pyoderma 653 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 8.24 Team Strategies for Otitis Externa 659 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 8.25 Team Strategies for Weight Management 667 Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) 8.26 Team Strategies for Glaucoma 673 D. J. Haeussler, Jr., BS, MS, DVM, DACVO 8.27 Team Strategies for Diabetes Mellitus 679 Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice) 8.28 Team Strategies for Cancer 685 Samuel Stewart, DVM, DACVECC and Chand Khanna, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Onc), DACVP (Hon) Section 9 Medical Management Considerations 691 9.1 Medical Records 693 Cindy Trice, DVM 9.2 Asking Good Questions 697 Amanda L. Donnelly, DVM, MBA 9.3 Guidelines 701 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 9.4 Standards of Care 711 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 9.5 A Different Perspective on Standard of Care 715 Gary Block, DVM, MS, DACVIM 9.6 Care Pathways 719 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 9.7 Continuum of Care and Convergence Schedules 723 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 9.8 Ensuring Consistency of Care 727 I. Craig Prior, BVSc, CVJ 9.9 Continuity of Care 731 Kurt A. Oster, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP 9.10 Dispensing and Prescribing 735 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 9.11 Vaccination 739 Lori Massin Teller, DVM, BS (Vet Sci), DABVP (Canine/Feline Practice) 9.12 Judicious Use of Antimicrobials 745 Patricia Dowling, DVM, MSc, DACVIM (LAIM), DACVCP 9.13 Preanesthetic Considerations 749 Tamara Grubb, DVM, PhD, DACVAA 9.14 New Treatment Modalities 755 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 9.15 Nutritional Counseling 759 Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) 9.16 The Role of Nutritional Supplements in Pet-Specific Care 763 Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) 9.17 Improving Compliance and Adherence with Pet-Specific Care 767 I. Craig Prior, BVSc, CVJ Section 10 Practice Management Considerations 773 10.1 Strategies for Success with Pet-Specific Care 775 Jason C. Nicholas, BVETMED (Hons) 10.2 The Importance of Practice Differentiation 779 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 10.3 Pet-Specific Outreach 783 Linda Wasche, MBA, MA 10.4 Client and Patient Segmentation 787 Linda Wasche, MBA, MA 10.5 Early Detection Campaigns 793 Linda Wasche, MBA, MA 10.6 Target Marketing and Targeted Client Outreach 797 Linda Wasche, MBA, MA 10.7 Breed-Specific Marketing 801 Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA 10.8 Using Practice Data as a Credibility-Boosting Tool 807 Linda Wasche, MBA, MA 10.9 Laboratory Considerations 811 Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition) 10.10 Making Referrals Work 815 Suzanne Russo, DVM, MS 10.11 Financial Benefits of Pet-Specific Care 819 Michael R. Dicks 10.12 Dashboards and Key Performance Indicators 825 Mark J. McGaunn, CPA/PFS, CFP® 10.13 Approach to Pricing 831 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 10.14 Providing Cost-Effective Care for Those in Need 835 Gary Block, DVM, MS, DACVIM 10.15 Putting Price into Perspective 839 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 10.16 Pet Health Insurance 843 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 10.17 Payment and Wellness Plans 849 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 10.18 Financing Veterinary Care 853 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS Section 11 Appendices 857 11.1 Finding More Information on Pet-Specific Care Topics 859 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 11.2 Abbreviations 863 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 11.3 Heritable Health Conditions – By Disease 869 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 11.4 Heritable Health Conditions by Breed 951 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 11.5 Life Planning by Breed 987 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS 11.6 Glossary 1003 Lowell Ackerman, DVM, DACVD, MBA, MPA, CVA, MRCVS Index 1051