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Source: DVM Best Practices
June 1, 2005
Dvm Newsmagazine is pleased to present another in our series of DVM Best Practices.
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Source: DVM Best Practices
June 1, 2005
By:
Byron L. Blagburn, MS, PhD
Cats are host to a variety of internal and external parasites. Despite the documented prevalence and zoonotic importance of these parasites, many pet owners and some veterinarians aren't convinced that comprehensive feline parasite control strategies are needed. This viewpoint may stem from the previous lack of safe, effective, and convenient broad-spectrum parasiticides and the difficulties in acquiring adequate fecal samples. Fortunately, newer broad-spectrum agents (Table 1), particularly those with label claims against heartworms and fleas, allow veterinarians to eliminate a higher percentage of feline parasites. Let's review some of the key feline parasites and discuss new strategies for controlling them.
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Source: DVM Best Practices
June 1, 2005
By:
Karen E. Felsted, CPA, MS, DVM, CVPM
It should be straightforward: You tell your clients what to do, and they do it. Aren't client relations supposed to work this way? After all, you're a doctor, you have command of the English language, and your clients love their cats and want to care for them. Unfortunately, compliance doesn't happen as frequently as we'd like, even with intelligent, committed clients. Reversing this trend means understanding—and eliminating—the reasons for client noncompliance.
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Source: DVM Best Practices
June 1, 2005
By:
Susan Little, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (feline)
The pet cat population in the United States exceeds the pet dog population, yet the average cat visits the veterinarian only half as often as the average dog.1 Conversely, advancements in feline health care offer us more opportunities to maximize cats's long lives. It's our job to make sure cats receive routine care.
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Source: DVM Best Practices
June 1, 2005
By:
Michael R. Lappin, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM
Ctenocephalides felis commonly infests cats in many areas of the United States and is associated with a variety of clinical syndromes.1 In small kittens, a heavy infestation can cause anemia, particularly if they are concurrently infected with the common parasite Ancylostoma tubaeforme or Ancylostoma braziliense.2 Repeated flea exposure can result in flea-bite hypersensitivity, one of the most common flea-associated syndromes.3,4 Because C. felis ingests feline blood, a number of blood-borne infectious agents, including Bartonella quintana, Bartonella koehlerae, Bartonella henselae, Bartonella clarridgeiae, Rickettsia felis, Wolbachia pipientis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum,' Mycoplasma haemofelis, and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), have been grown or amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays from C. felis or its feces.5-18 Ctenocephalides felis is a vector for some of these infectious agents. And because some of these agents are human pathogens, the American Association of Feline..
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Source: DVM Best Practices
January 1, 2005
By:
Ernest E. Ward Jr., DVM
Remember, most clients won't appreciate the seriousness of periodontal isease until they see it.
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Source: DVM Best Practices
January 1, 2005
By:
Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP
As a small-animal practitioner, you spend a good portion of your day diagnosing and treating periodontal disease. Unfortunately, due to differences in salivary pH, our patients accumulate plaque and develop calculus five times faster than people. Research shows that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of gingival disease by the age of 3 according to the American Veterinary Dental Society. Periodontal disease can cause halitosis and pain and may be related to kidney and heart disease.
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Source: DVM Best Practices
January 1, 2005
By:
William R. Gengler, DVM, Dipl. AVDC
Rather than just treat existing oral disease, promote the importance of preventive dentistry to clients when their pets are young.
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Source: DVM Best Practices
January 1, 2005
By:
Mary Ann Vande Linde, DVM
The best way to educate clients is by combining dialogue with visual aids.
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