PetVet August September 2020

WWW. PET VETMAGAZINE .COM

VOL. 3 ED. 4 • AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2020

TAKE A

DAY OFF! & SUPPORT A LOCAL BUSINESS

AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2020

A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

CONTENTS 4

PetVet Advisory Board

5

Veterinarian Life Advice

6

On the Go with Fido: What You

Need to Know About Pet Travel Documents

10

Spilling Tea with Jeri Chatfield

20 6 Lessons from the Ancient

Stoics for Veterinary Professionals

Take a

DAY OFF (AND SUPPORT A LOCAL BUSINESS)

24 Seeking Joy in the Journey: 5

Tips To Eliminate Negative Thought Patterns

16

26 One Health: The Role of FIP in

the Treatment of COVID-19

28 Rise of Veterinary Specialties and

What This Means for “the Vet”

PETVET TOp 10

ON THE COVER WWW. PET VETMAGAZINE .COM

VOL. 3 ED. 4 • AUGUST / SEPTEMBER2020

Ten things to DO THIS MONTH

TAKE A

DAY OFF!

32

& SUPPORT A LOCAL BUSINESS

COVER PHOTO OF DR. JENIFER AND DR. JASON CHATFIELD

@PetVet_Magazine

PetVetMag

Copyright August 2020. PetVet Magazine is published bimonthly by Barkleigh Productions, Inc, 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Postmaster: Send change of address to Pet Vet Magazine c/o Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Editorial offices: 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. (717) 691–3388 FAX (717) 691–3381 Email: info@barkleigh.com PETVET MAGAZINE

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Editorial rebecca@barkleigh.com (717) 691-3388 (ext. 225)

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ADVISORY BOARD

Meet our EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD!

PetVet’s advisory board is here to help ensure quality content to motivate & educate Veterinarians and their staff.

Courtney A. Campbell DVM, DACVS-SA

Jenifer Chatfield DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM

“My passions ultimately drove me towards becoming a veterinarian, but when I was growing up I briefly flirted with the idea of becoming a magician. As a veterinarian, the ability to save lives, keep animals healthy, and strengthen the human–animal bond makes me realize there’s nothing more magical than that.”

“People should be so lucky as to get to be a veterinarian. The broad-based education empowers us to be successful in multiple fields and affords us the opportunity to choose how we spend our professional time.”

Julie Legred CVT

Alberto Fernandez DVM, DACVECC

“I have had the privilege of working with a variety of animals in my career and my passion has allowed me to be involved in teaching veterinary students, interns, residents and other veterinarians. I continue to enjoy going to work every day to help critically ill dogs and cats, and love the client interactions as well. I am proud to be a part of this advisory board to help teach and spread my love for this profession to others in the veterinary community.”

"The human race will not be possible without the animal kingdom. It is our duty to take care of those that provide to us and to me it is an honor to do so."

Lisa Powell DVM, DACVECC

Jill López DVM, MBA “Do something every day to make an animal’s life better.”

“I have worked in many areas of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology over the last thirty five years, and it is amazing how far our profession has grown and paved the way for the betterment of animals' lives and happiness, as well as improving public health issues. It is an honor for me to be a part of this advisory board to offer additional education and opportunities to grow in our profession.”

STAFF Publisher Barkleigh Productions, Inc. President Todd Shelly Vice President Gwen Shelly

4

Chief Operations Officer Adam Lohr

Senior Graphic Designer Jenn Barraclough

Director of Marketing & Client Relations James Severs

Executive Editor Rebecca Shipman

Junior Designer Jenny Thomas

Administrative / Marketing Assistant Karin Grottola

Art Director Laura Pennington

Web Master Luke Dumberth

Marketing Coordinator Alyx Robertson

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Social Media / PR Coordinator Evan Gummo

“

VETERINARIAN LIFE ADVICE

power small of

“

literally and figuratively.

Sometimes all it takes to achieve a fresher perspective is simply cleaning the litterbox.”

Lauren Demos, BVMS (Hons) Veterinarian, Waterford, Michigan.

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5

CLIENT SERVICES

SallySmith Smith ByBySally

I

f a client comes to you and says they are planning to travel out of the country with their pet, are you confident that you can provide them with the proper documentation to get their pet to its destination with no issues or interruptions?

According to the USDA website1, pet owners who are planning to travel either domestically or internationally with their pets are encouraged to work with their local veterinarian to determine country health requirements and necessary documentation. However, most practices know very little about how to provide these documents or where to go for information. Pet travel is a small niche, and not always in the wheelhouse of the average veterinary hospital.

The following provides a basic guide to help veterinary professionals understand what the requirements are in order to issue a correct health certificate for both domestic and international travel, as well as where to go for additional information.

Domestic Travel within the United States Domestic travel is fairly easy—almost any health certificate format is acceptable to airlines. It must

6

say “Health Certificate� on the document, usually at the top, and it must have a statement similar to, “I have examined this pet and find it healthy and free of disease;� something that attests to the health of the pet. Usually the owner’s name, address and phone number are listed, as well as a full description of the pet. The document must be signed and dated, and list the veterinary office information. It should be typed, even if it’s on letterhead, and not be handwritten. Domestically, that’s about it. Nearly every software system for veterinary offices has a template for a health certificate, or one can easily be created.

International Travel International travel is a whole different story. Each country has different requirements, and often their own form to be issued as a health document (note: it’s not always a “health certificate�). USDA estimates 30-40% of the documents submitted are incorrect or have missing information. So it’s important to have a clear understanding of what’s needed in order to keep your client in compliance.

One of the best places to start is the USDA website.

USDA developed a pet travel website which covers dogs,

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Each country has different requirements, and often their own form to be issued as a health document (note: it’s not always a “health certificate”). USDA estimates 30-40% of the documents submitted are incorrect or have missing information. cats, ferrets and other exotics like pet birds and pet reptiles1. Livestock information is found on the International Regulation website (IRegs)2. It is important to know which category the animal in question qualifies as3.

The USDA pet travel website has a database to be searched by country.

Under each country listing is a chart showing if electronic submissions are allowed. Beneath that are bars for dogs, cats and other pets. Click on the species to find the prerequisite requirements, like a microchip or testing, and usually the health document template as well. Most of the health forms are downloadable, fillable PDF files. Each area that requires input from the veterinarian is blank

(asterisks or lines fill in the blanks where nothing is required). When the PDF is downloaded, the information required goes in the highlighted boxes.

For most countries, once the health exam is done by the USDA-accredited veterinarian and the health certificate is issued, the certificate and supporting documents (always a rabies vaccine certificate, sometimes blood test results, other vaccine certificates or import permits) must go to the state or regional USDA office for endorsement. The USDA Veterinary Medical officer then signs and applies a raised seal to validate all signatures. This is often left to the client, but it’s easy enough to set up a USDA billing account and a FedEx account, and send

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off and receive back the documents on behalf of the pet owner. In some cases, the pet owner or responsible party (i.e., a pet shipper) will have to go to the USDA office and have the endorsement done in person due to the timing required for the documents. For instance, birds and commercial certificates must usually be issued and endorsed within 48 hours of travel.

The Veterinary Electronic Health Certificate System (VEHCS) If the country accepts either an electronic or digital signature of the accredited veterinarian, or both the accredited veterinarian and the USDA Veterinary Medical Officer, then the Veterinary Electronic Health Certificate System (VEHCS) can be used4.

The electronic system requires the veterinarian to create a USDA account, which will require a multistage authentication process to become part of VEHCS. The endorsement fees are either charged to the veterinary office’s USDA account or a credit card is used to pre-load an amount into the account, which is reloaded as needed.

Once the VEHCS account is established, the veterinarian then has the ability to use the system to create a health certificate. This will allow the issuing veterinarian to sign a health certificate electronically and submit. Some countries accept a truly digital document, and these will be completed within VEHCS by the USDA Veterinary Medical Officer for the accredited veterinarian or their staff to download. The completed form can then be emailed to the client to print. A physical printed health certificate must still accompany the animal during shipment.

For countries currently requiring an original signature/embossing by the USDA (including all of Europe), the form is printed by USDA, signed, raised

seals applied, and then mailed/couriered to the owner or veterinary office. The owner or agent must provide a pre-paid return label to be uploaded when the electronic health certificate is submitted. The best return is a trackable shipment, like FedEx.

Additional Tips Here are a few things to keep in mind about health certificates in general: • Make sure to fill in every blank.

• Ideally, health certificates should all be filled in on a computer, not printed and hand-filled. In fact, some countries require all data to be typed.

• Fill out microchip numbers in sets of three, if the form allows. It’s easier to see if a number is missing or transposed in a 15-digit international microchip when typed as 123 456 789 000 123 compared to 123456789000123.

• For original documents, sign in blue ink. Many certificates, in the fine print, state that the signature should be in a different color other than that the form is completed in. In other words, if the certificate prints out in black, then the signatures need to be something other than black (i.e., blue, red, green).

• Use the date format of the receiving country. For most, that is DD/MM/YYYY, but it varies. In fact, it’s preferred worldwide (though not accepted on most of the USDA-created forms) to write out the month. This eliminates any confusion over which way the date is written; for example, 01 May 2020 is quite clear compared to 01/05/2020—which would be January 5th for most Americans. Also, be consistent throughout the document. The USDA forms will generate dates in the international format, but any dates filled in by hand, and the date of the exam/signing should also be written in the format required by the country of import.

• In addition, always complete a fit-to-fly certificate, such as the USDA 7001 International certificate5. Many international country forms do not contain any statement attesting to health, and airlines will require an additional health certificate, like the domestic description above or a 7001. But it’s better for your client to have it as a true health certificate than to get to the airport to be turned down because one was not issued.

IPATA Members Lastly, there is an international group of pet shipping professionals, with many of the members being here in the USA. The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association6 was formed in the USA in 1979. IPATA members ship pets on a daily basis and are often a great source of current requirements (even those the USDA may not be familiar with). Almost all airlines now require the use of an agent to ship pets internationally, so your clients are often hiring an IPATA member to book and oversee the move.

Members often prefill the health forms for your client and the veterinary office, which is perfectly acceptable, according to USDA. A veterinary office with a VEHCS account may also add a pet shipper as a user, which allows the IPATA member to prefill the forms for the office. The electronic submission must still be reviewed and submitted by the accredited veterinarian. An IPATA member can assist a veterinary office with the procedures and requirements for most international shipments, including those for which the USDA has no information listed on the pet website.

When assisting a client with preparations for traveling with their pet—whether domestic or international—it is very important to be thorough and follow all requirements and regulations. The last thing you want is for a client to get to the airport with their pet only to miss their flight due to insufficient documents! 

References 1. USDA, APHIS, Pet Travel, https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ aphis/pet-travel 2. USDA, International Regulations for Animal Exports, https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/ animalhealth/export/iregs-for-animal-exports/ ct_iregs_animal_exports_home 3. USDA, APHIS, Definition of a Pet, www.aphis.usda.gov/ aphis/pet-travel/definition-of-a-pet 4. USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Electronic Health Certificate System (VEHCS), www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/vehcs-info 5. USDA 7001 International Certificate, www.aphis.usda.gov/ library/forms/pdf/APHIS7001.pdf 6. International Pet and Animal Transportation Association, www.ipata.org

Sally Smith has spent a lifetime in the pet industry: licensed veterinary technician, pet groomer as a graduate of NASH Academy, Certified Kennel operator and, for the last 20 years, owner and operator of Airborne Animals LLC, a professional pet transportation company. She has served as the President of both the American Boarding Kennel Association and the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association, as well as having been on various other board and committee positions.

PETVET MAGAZINE

9

PETVET PROFILE

spilling tea with

jeri

Jeri Chatfield, mom of super twin veterinarians, Dr. Jenifer and Dr. Jason Chatfield, tells us about their amazing journey.

chatfield

H

By Jill Lopez, DVM, MBA

er story starts in a college town in Texas where a twenty-something Jeri Young fell in love with her former college math professor, John Chatfield. When she first met him, she knew that he was a part of her future.

They married right before she graduated from Texas State University, and within two years, she was pregnant.

Her pregnancy seemed normal for the most part—she had her share of morning sickness, but she was enormous.

Strangers would walk up to her and comment on her size.

She agreed with them—she was huge, and since she didn’t have an ultrasound performed during her pregnancy, she just thought that she was pregnant with one very large baby.

On November 17th, she found out that she was wrong.

That’s when her doctor heard two heart beats during her pre-admit exam. She wasn’t pregnant with a single jumbo baby—she was pregnant with twins. She gave birth that day to a boy and a girl, Jenifer and Jason.

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“One look at those little faces and we knew that our lives were definitely never gonna be the same,” says Jeri.

Like most young parents, Jeri and John balanced their life and career caring for the two babies. Initially, Jeri stayed with the kids during the day while John taught at Texas State University. As the twins grew older and Jeri went back to work, John would teach his classes in the morning and then he would come home to relieve Jeri, who would then leave to teach classes in the afternoon.

Sometime during those early months, John, along with Jeri, had an idea that changed the family of four forever.

John said, “Let’s get a macaw,” and soon McGuirk the macaw took up residence in the living room.

Once the twins were tall enough to rip the papers out from under McGuirk’s open perch in the family room, it was time for either the kids or McGuirk to move outside. McGuirk was moved to an outdoor cage.

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The family soon filled up their farm with exotic birds, including swans, pheasants, different types of macaws and cranes. Later, the collection expanded to include soft, fuzzy creatures, including lemurs and kangaroos.

John said, “McGuirk shouldn’t be out there all by himself. If we have one, we should have two…”

So, just like Noah, twos became a running theme with the Chatfields; two babies, two macaws and twos of a host of other species. The family soon filled up their farm with exotic birds, including swans, pheasants, different types of macaws and cranes. Later, the collection expanded to include soft, fuzzy creatures,

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including lemurs and kangaroos.

As the twins grew, they developed incredible skills for caring for the unique animals on the farm. They would carry feed buckets and clean cages as the Chatfield farm was filled with exotic animals all needing their own type of care, and each family member had their own “bit.” John did most of the construction, maintenance and feeding of adult animals, while Jeri was in charge of feeding

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babies. Jason and Jenifer learned the value of teamwork in their family early on and pitched in wherever needed.

“One of the earliest memories I have of our kids is their love for all the different kinds of animals at the farm,” says Jeri. “When Jenifer was a toddler, her best friend was a silky chicken that she would carry around all day like another child would carry a doll. They were inseparable!

We would have to force her to put the chicken back in the coop at night rather than have it sleep with her.”

“Jason also found friends on the farm, although his favorite one was much taller than he was at the time. He had this connection with a crowned crane, and they had a real friendship,” says Jeri. “Jason was the only one the crane would allow to touch him and the crane would kind of stand over Jason when he was playing in the backyard. It was really sweet how they seemed to bond with each other.”

Needless to say, all of the interesting animals made the Chatfield farm a favorite among their classmates for school fieldtrips.

“Every year, the entire school would come out to our house and see all the animals,” said Jeri. “It was an up-close learning experience that you couldn’t get elsewhere. Jason was influenced by

In an effort to contribute to the preservation of her favorite species, the ruffed lemur, Jenifer spent time in the rainforests of Madagascar to study lemurs and develop methods for conserving them. this and throughout his career working at zoos, he’s always focused on creating programs where children can interact with endangered species to foster that understanding and love for rare animals among the next generation. There is no substitute for touching and holding these creatures when you are wanting to inspire people to support conservation.”

Even though Jenifer thought she would become a flight attendant and Jason was eyeing a career as a basketball coach, with their incredible background, it only made sense that Jason and Jenifer would become zoo veterinarians. They both attended Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating three years apart, and spent their last semester in school completing externships at several major zoos, including the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park and White Oak Conservation Center.

“While both of my children have focused their veterinary career on conservation, Jenifer is the one more actively focused in research,” says Jeri.

“In an effort to contribute to the preservation of her favorite species, the ruffed lemur, Jenifer spent time in the rainforests of Madagascar to study lemurs and develop methods for conserving them.”

Almost every species of lemur is at

risk of extinction, making it the world's most endangered primate, scientists have warned. As is the case with most of the world’s rare and critically endangered species, habitat destruction from illegal tree

logging, charcoal production, hunting and mining is the chief threat for extinction.

In 2007, Jenifer published a peer-reviewed article that is a significant step forward for these imperiled creatures.

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In 2012, Jason worked with a renowned human oncologist to help treat Peanut, an eightyear-old orangutan, using a novel immunochemotherapy protocol for nonHodgkin’s lymphoma.

The technique for semen collection that she and her team developed is not only safe, but can be used to augment genetic diversity among captive populations without removing lemurs from the wild. Previous attempts at establishing a protocol had been deemed too dangerous as some animals died following procedures. Jenifer never lost a single lemur during her three-year effort to perfect this assisted reproduction technique.

Jason, on the other hand, is focused on education.

He is the Vice President for Zoo Operations at Jungle Island, an eco-adventure animal park in Miami. Jason is known for doing whatever it takes to make sure the animals of the park are healthy, happy and safe, while making learning fun for even the youngest visitors.

In 2012, Jason worked with a renowned human oncologist to help treat Peanut, an eight-year-old orangutan, using a novel immunochemotherapy protocol for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Not only was her diagnosis made early in the course of disease, but the therapy was incredibly successful. Peanut is the only orangutan with this rare condition known to survive therapy.

Jason is married to another veterinarian, Liz, and is a father of three kids, all currently under the age of ten.

Having his own kids reinforced his passion for early childhood wildlife education. He believes having handson experiences makes the world’s animals real to kids, and gives children a desire to conserve these animals and keep them safe for future generations. During the pandemic, when schools were shut down around the globe, Jason developed a daily homeschool program for kids that focused on endangered species and brought a bit of 14

humor and entertainment into online schooling.

Jenifer and Jason aren’t the only Chatfields helping animals. They often pull in their mom, Jeri, as a volunteer. For the last seven years, Jeri has teamed up with Jenifer and the rest of the West Central Florida Medical Reserve Corps for their “One Health Approach to Mobile Medical Units,” a program Jenifer founded that provides zoonotic disease prevention to pets of the homeless and indigent in their county.

The twin Chatfields’ newest adventure is teaming up to host the Vet Candy Podcast on Pet Life Radio.

Although this was their first foray into the podcasting world, their show rose quickly to the number one show on Pet Life Radio with almost 600,000 downloads per month.

What makes their podcast so special?

“The Chatfields have the most interesting dynamic,” says Mark Winter, Executive Producer of Pet Life Radio.

“Dr. Jenifer being naturally curious and serious is the voice of reason, while Dr. Jason is pure comic relief.

Add in their competitive natures and sibling rivalry, plus amazing guests, and you get a unique perspective on veterinary life, their lives, and anything related to animals.”

What’s next on the horizon for these veterinary twins?

Jeri says, “Anything is possible when you are talking about Jen and Jason Chatfield… anything! The one thing we can all count on is that they will have fun doing it!” Subscribe to Vet Candy Podcast for free on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, Alexa’s Tune In, and more.

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SINCE 1927 15

LIFESTYLE

Take a

DAY OFF

(AND SUPPORT A LOCAL BUSINESS)

By Jen Phillips April

When was the last time you used your day off to simply relax and have some fun rather than catch up on laundry or other household chores? If it’s been a while (or even if it hasn’t!), try to carve out some time to make fun a priority.

It’s essential for your mental health to take a break. It’ll help you feel refreshed and recharged, and studies show that laughter can reduce anxiety, stress and even boost the immune system.

Also, as the economy recovers, local, small businesses who suffered the most are counting on you to bring them back to life. So when deciding on a destination for your day-off adventure, think local. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our towns and it’s more important than ever to support them. Here are a few ideas for a fun day off:

Go to Ne Nearby Pa Park

Meet Up

OR BOTANCIAL GARDEN Whether you go for a hike, bike ride or simply stroll along flowered paths, being in nature helps your brain slow down so you can appreciate the present. For example, the Philadelphia area offers 30 historic gardens to explore at leisure1. All around the country are hidden gems like these that offer a temporary escape from the daily routine.

WITH A FRIEND FOR LUNCH OR COFFEE AT A LOCAL SHOP Connecting with a close friend is priceless. When you share a good conversation, it releases the “feel good” chemical oxytocin in your brain. As you know, this chemical helps you feel calm and cozy.

Pick Your Own Apples If you’re in the North East or Mid-Atlantic, there are lots of apple orchards where you can pick your own. In other parts of the country, you may be able to pick berries or other goodies. A quick online search can point you in the right direction to what’s available in your area2. A couple of hours spent picking your own produce will connect you to the food supply chain in a positive way—and help to support local farmers.

TRY GOAT

Eat a Delicious &

At last winter’s NVAC Conference, goat yoga had everyone in stitches. Is there a goat yoga class near you? If so, that’s a good way to get a stretch and a laugh. Otherwise, a gentle flow yoga class (sans goat) can help you feel calm and relaxed.

Whether you opt to cook it yourself or order from a local restaurant, choose a veggie-rich, flavorful meal to help you feel good inside and out. For maximum enjoyment, eat it slowly and savor the flavors.

1. Philadelphia America’s Garden Capitol, http://americasgardencapital.org/ 16

2. Pick Your Own Produce, http://www.pickyourown.org/

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Explore Sound Healing This meditation practice uses small singing bowls and often gongs to create sounds that send relaxing vibrations through the room. Even if you’re not the meditative type, it’s still relaxing to lie on a yoga mat and let the sounds wash over you. Confession: If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself falling into a deep and refreshing sleep. And who wouldn’t benefit from a refreshing nap on a day off ?

Go to a Music Event ( or listen Online )

GET A JUMP ON HOLIDAY SHOPPING

(and Sh Shop Sm Small)

At the time of writing this, there’s no way to know if live events are happening, but one thing is for sure, people are finding creative ways to share their music online. From front porch concerts in New Orleans to living room sessions around the country, it’s never been easier to hear live musicians from the comfort of your home.3 If you are able to get out and see some live music, consider checking out local artists in smaller venues to avoid the stress of large crowds and traffic.

Why not take a couple of hours and browse in local boutiques for holiday gifts and gift cards? That way, when the holidays roll around, you’ll already have some of your shopping completed.

Visit a Museum From quirky mosaic-filled grottos to the traditional art museum, there’s a museum for every interest. There may be some hidden gems near you!4

3. For music suggestions, visit www.iheart.com or New Orleans’ www.WWOZ.org

4. Museum Locator, www.findmuseums.org

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Photo of Play mermaid for the day in San Diego

Check out AirBnB

Exp xpeeriences Did you know AirBnB hosts also offer interesting things to do?5 From eating tours to being a mermaid for a day, some hosts have created fun experiences and you don’t have to book a stay to participate.

Perhaps more than ever, it’s essential to prioritize our mental health—and also support small businesses. Hopefully these ideas will inspire you to take a break. Even a couple of hours can help you feel refreshed. 

5. AirBnB Experiences, www.airbnb.com/s/experiences

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A web writer since 2005, Jen’s written over 1000 articles on pet-related topics.

She works with veterinarians and pet professionals around the world to help them attract and retain customers through effective content marketing practices. Passionate about both pets and digital marketing, you can find out more at jenphillipsapril.com.

When not working with her fabulous clients, you can find her eating tacos and practicing her Spanish in her adopted home of the Riviera Maya.

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19

BEST PRACTICES

Lessons from the

Ancient Stoics

for Veterinary Professionals

By Brendan Howard

V

eterinary professionals need to know how to handle criticism, manage difficult situations and focus on the right things in practice and in life. The ancient Stoics taught just that.

The ancient philosophy of Stoicism was started around 300 BC by Zeno and developed by his students and followers as a mixture of logic, physics and ethics. Today, logic and physics have surpassed old facts and theories, but many still find wisdom and solace in the ethics as encapsulated in the class notes of a student of Epictetus, the letters to a friend (literary or real, we’re not sure) of Seneca and the journals of Marcus Aurelius (intended for publication or not, we’re not sure).

While caricatured in modern times (and even in ancient times by their philosophical competitors) as humorless and emotionless, Stoicism, generally, didn’t argue against emotions. They argued that people are swept up by them too often because they are focusing on, and clinging to, the wrong things. Get your thinking right, they argued, and you would be happier, more content and more resilient when life gets in the way.

Here are a few choice quotes from the three big Stoics and ways these ancient thoughts might be relevant to day-to-day veterinary practice.

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You know that life can be annoying and unfair, and that people can be hard to deal with. Be ready.

You don’t need to take all the abuse, however. Consider the following analogy pulled from the fighting rings of Rome: “Suppose that a competitor in the ring has gashed us with his nails and butted us violently with his head…we do not suspect our opponent in future of foul play. Still we do keep an eye on him, not indeed as an enemy…but with good-humoured avoidance. Act much in the same way in all the other parts of life…Avoidance is always possible, as I have said, without suspicion or hatred.”

Take it from Marcus Aurelius who lived 121 to 180 AD, and was emperor of the Roman Empire from 161 until his death.

“Say to thyself at daybreak: I shall come across the busy-body, the thankless, the overbearing, the treacherous, the envious, the unneighbourly. All this has befallen them because they know not good from evil.”

In business with the pet-owning public—and in life with everyone else—you meet and interact with those who don’t seem to be doing the right thing. On a good day, once; on a bad day, all day. Prepare yourself for this first thing in the morning, says Aurelius, and before heading out to places or situations you know will be stressful. And remember that they may act the way they do because, to put it colloquially, they just don’t know any better.

Don’t spend your time resenting, hating and fearing, but build a “good-humoured avoidance” of those situations or those people that have given you reason. What could you do to manage those painful encounters differently?

Life is short and death is certain. Act accordingly. “… call this to mind, that within a very short time both thou and he will be dead, and a little later not even your names will be left behind you.”

Everything that leaves your practice should have your name on it.

“O” RING

“D” RING

BOLT SNAP

15 COLORS

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Every Stoic thinker points out that life is short, and things that seem big in the moment are really very small in the long run. Thinking about death, in this way, “is not an impetus to sorrow,” Aurelius says, but a way to calibrate one’s actions and thinking to focus on the important things. What is bothering you today, or perhaps every day, isn’t so big if you think about all of your life as a whole—and perhaps how you and the offender will all be forgotten someday.

Give gossip no power.

“If you are told that someone is talking badly of you, don’t defend yourself against the story but reply: ‘Obviously he didn’t know my other faults, or he would have mentioned them as well.’”

Epictetus was a slave in the court of the Roman emperor Nero. He found freedom and told his students to focus on strengthening their good traits (virtues), fighting their bad (vices) and ignoring the “indifferents” in life (all the things they don’t control, like wealth, health and people’s opinions of you). He lived from 55 to 135 AD. Perhaps Epictetus’ advice here isn’t the right response to a negative Yelp! review of your veterinary hospital, but it is a pithy, funny way to respond to one of life’s many indifferents; those things in life you cannot control and whose loss or lack should not be allowed to be your focus in life.

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Don’t give others power over you.

“Our master is anyone who has the power to implement or prevent the things that we want or don’t want. Whoever wants to be free, therefore, should wish for nothing or avoid nothing that is up to other people. Failing that, one is bound to be a slave.”

Epictetus’ advice is a hard sell in a world where we are encouraged to be the architects of our own health, self-care, finances, careers, families and success. The answer, says Epictetus, is not to focus on the success, but the virtues each day that you do control which may or may not lead to success: study, hard work, kindness, calm and wisdom. You control the effort you put into a case, not the outcome.

The Stoic philosopher Antipater used the analogy of an archer: You prepare your bow well. You practice. You learn from your mistakes. You do what you can to shoot straight. But you do not control or depend on whether the arrow hits the mark.

Fight today’s fight today, not yesterday’s or tomorrow’s.

No matter where you go, there you are.

Seneca, who lived from 4 BC to 65 AD, was a playwright, a courtier and a famous tutor of the Roman Emperor Nero. When Nero went bad, Seneca suffered for it.

“What’s the good of dragging up sufferings which are over, of being unhappy now just because you were then? What is more, doesn’t everyone add a good deal to his tale of hardships and deceive himself as well in the matter?…There are two things, then, the recollecting of trouble in the past as well as the fear of troubles to come, that I have to root out: the first is no longer of any concern to me and the second has yet to be so.”

“The story is told that someone complained to Socrates that travelling abroad had never done him any good and received the reply: ‘What else can you expect, seeing that you always take yourself along with you when you go abroad?’…If you really want to escape the things that harass you, what you’re needing is not to be in a different place but to be a different person.”

If you are unhappy, unsatisfied, frustrated or overwhelmed, it’s possible a change of scenery could help. But Seneca warns us that it’s also possible, whether on vacation or in a new job or home, that the same problems that plagued you before follow you. Because you follow you.

It is natural to be hurt, sad and angry about bad things that happen. It is natural to be worried, anxious and frightened about bad things that could happen. But there is little to be gained by either, says Seneca. Stand your ground for today and today’s troubles, and don’t add to your burden by rehashing what’s happened over and over again, or imagining over and over again what could be coming.

How to change yourself is up to you. Stoicism is one among thousands of paths out there. Pick one and try it. Stoic teachers made a promise to their young students millennia ago that stands for us today: Through self-reflection, ethical study and practice in changing how we think, speak and behave, we

can become better, kinder, more ethical people who do more good and less harm in this world. We can better weather the death, disappointment and disaster that surround us.

Changing how you think about things and the choices you make each moment is hard work, but you can do it.

Sources: • The Communings With Himself of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (1916, Harvard University Press), translated by C.R. Haines • How to Be Free: An Ancient Guide to the Stoic Life (2018, Princeton University Press) by Epictetus, translated by A. A. Long • Letters From a Stoic (1969, Penguin Books)

by Seneca, translated by Robin Campbell

Further reading: • A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine (2008, Oxford University Press) • How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life by Massimo Pigliucci (2017, Basic Books)

Brendan Howard is a freelance writer in Olathe, Kansas. He’s worked with and collaborated on cool content, audio and video with veterinarians and veterinary team members for more than 13 years.

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23

BEYOND THE STETHOSCOPE

Five Tips To Eliminate Negative Thought Patterns

By Angela Demaree, DVM, MPH, CHPC

R

ecently, I was asked a powerful question by a colleague: "How do we get out of negative thought patterns?"

We all know that negative thoughts open the door to the path leading to burnout, but when we catch ourselves in the moment, what can we do to slam that door shut and find an open window to escape through?

First, a quick reminder about neuroplasticity1: the more we think about something, the stronger our neural connections and pathways get. I like to think back to when I was a kid and the neighbors weeded next to the sidewalks, causing our bike tires to get stuck in the deep ruts, and it was near impossible to get out of the rut unless we stopped our bikes, changed directions and lifted them out of the rut. Our brains can be retrained to make new connections. It's so hard to stop our negative thought patterns because we've dug ourselves a deep rut—and it's going to take some time and practice to create new thought patterns that better serve us.

It's admittedly hard to stop old habits and start new ones, but once we understand how our brains work, it's easier to see the big picture and stick to forming new habits and stop digging our old rut and start creating a new, more positive path towards our goals and dreams.

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Here are my top five favorite tips to find joy and stop negative thought patterns in their tracks:

1) Get out of the weeds & look for the forest.

I was recently lamenting that I was no further along with my home remodel than when I started seven years ago—that's almost a decade! Then I began to look around and remember where it was that I actually started, and I was further along than I thought I'd be right now while improving relationships with my friends and family, and meeting personal and professional goals.

Sometimes we need to stop and appreciate what we have accomplished and allow ourselves some grace. The more we connect each day with the world around us and spend time enjoying the journey, the happier we will feel. Life's a journey; it's not a destination!

2) Stop saying, "I can't do this; it can't be done," and start asking, "What can I do? How can I get closer to my goal today?" This simple shift cues your brain to start looking for solutions.

After my service-connected surgeries, I was in chronic pain and physically could not do a lot of things I had been able to previously. I had to retrain my thought patterns and create new habits to support my new

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normal. This one simple action, repeated relentlessly, helped me get out of that rut and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

3) Create a boundary in advance. We all experience those moments when we feel stressed and realize that we aren't going to be as patient or thoughtful as we would like. But how do we set these intentions and boundaries in advance of needing them?

First, think about the buckets of issues you might encounter during the day, then decide which are urgent and important, which are important but not urgent and which can wait until tomorrow. You might recognize this technique as one that is often attributed to President Eisenhower2.

For example, if you know there are staff issues and concerns that crop up at 3pm every day, just as you are mentally hitting a wall, can you set a staff meeting for earlier in the day to quickly brainstorm on what the needs of the team might be in advance? Can you schedule the important but not urgent tasks for when you are at your absolute best and can devote the brainpower needed to tackle the tough important tasks? When urgent but unimportant things crop up, can you ask to have them scheduled for tomorrow or later in the week when you have time to think, reflect and show up as your best self ?

4) How can you have more fun today? What was it that created a

5) Who can you surprise today? I ask myself this question every morning, and by the end of the day, I've found a way to bring a bit of joy and fun into the world, and let a friend, colleague or family member know that I'm thinking of them. Bonus: research has shown that giving can improve our mood and feelings of happiness3. Win-Win!  Dr. Angela Demaree is the CEO and Principal Consultant for PAWS Consulting, a public health and political consulting firm. Angela recently retired as a Major in the United States Army Reserves, is a Certified High Performance CoachTM and the host of Beyond the Stethoscope, the podcast for veterinarians and busy professionals who want actionable, implementable solutions surrounding worklife balance, accomplishing your goals and living your dreams. She spends her free time with her horse, Tommy and teaching her Quaker Parrot the Purdue Fight Song. You can connect with Angela on Twitter and LinkedIn @DemareeDVM.

REFERENCEs 1. Blatchford, E. (2017, November 21). How Neuroplasticity Can Help You Get Rid Of Your Bad Habits. Retrieved May 5, 2020, https://www. huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/11/20/how-neuroplasticitycan-help-you-get-rid-of-your-bad-habits_a_23283591/ 2. The Eisenhower Matrix: Introduction & 3-Minute Video Tutorial. (n.d.). Retrieved May 5, 2020, https:// www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix/ 3. Suttie, J., & Marsh, J. (2010, December 13).

5 Ways Giving Is Good for You. Retrieved May 5, 2020, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/ item/5_ways_giving_is_good_for_you

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feeling of absolute joy when you were five years old? For me, I have fond memories of going school supply shopping with my mom, who was a teacher. To this day, I love to use colored pens and various sizes and colors of note cards to organize my most significant projects. This brings me joy, even with the most mundane tasks or those I would prefer to procrastinate on, because I get to have fun while doing what is required. I also write positive messages on note cards with colored sharpies and often share them on Instagram (www. instagram.com/demareedvm).

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BUSINESS TRENDS

I

The Role of FIP in the TREATMENT of COVID-19

By Steve Dale

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PETVET MAGAZINE

t’s not news that cats commonly get their own strain of coronavirus (FCoV). According to Niels Pedersen, PhD, DVM and distinguished professor at the University of California, Davis, in about ten percent of cats infected with the ubiquitous and otherwise benign FCoV, it transforms into an immune-mediated disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).

FIP had always been considered fatal until very recently. It turns out that treatment for FIP is nearly identical to Remdesivir, an anti-viral drug that President Donald Trump and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn have repeatedly mentioned, and is now approved for use to treat COVID-19.

Remdesivir was created to treat Ebola

by Gilead Sciences, but the results were mixed as other drugs proved better.

A few years back, Pedersen approached the non-profit funder of cat health studies, Winn Feline Foundation, as he sought to trial Remdesivir on cats with FIP. Winn’s scientific advisory board said, “Yes.” However, Gilead said, “Not so fast.”

Pedersen says, “We chose to use GS-441424 for treatment of the coronavirus disease FIP because it had identical antiviral properties to Remdesivir, and at the time was not under consideration by Gilead Sciences for use in humans. GS-441424 is also much cheaper to make than Remdesivir.

Therefore, there was no apparent conflict with using one form for cats and another form for humans.”

The initial trials even blew Pedersen away. GS-441424 worked to cure cats with effusive or wet FIP. However, Gilead had a change of heart and refused to grant animal rights for the drug.

Back to the drawing board, Pedersen persevered. And with collaborators at Kansas State University, including Yunjeong Kim, PhD, DVM

and associate professor in the department of pathobiology and diagnostics in the school’s College of Veterinary Medicine, they developed another nearly identical antiviral. This drug—known as GC376— also was trialled and had success in treating the wet form of FIP. Arguably, more success than the original Gilead drug.

Currently, Anivive Lifescience is seeking FDA approval for this drug to treat cats with FIP, as announced at the Winn Feline Foundation symposium last November at U C Davis, Purrsuing FIP and Winning.

Chinese companies realized the opportunity, as people are, of course, desperate to help their kitties with FIP—and these kitty parents aren’t waiting a year or longer for even a rushed FDA approval.

So, Chinese manufacturers began to offer compounds on the black market (presumably like GC376 and also GS-441424, and therefore similar to Remdesivir—but they don’t disclose exactly what their compounds are). At least the leading Chinese company has anecdotally seen great success in treating cats with FIP around the world, but the cost isn’t inexpensive. And that company confirmed that they are working with the Chinese

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government regarding potential use of their compounds to treat COVID-19.

Also, that company wants their drug approved here in the U.S. so they will no longer need to force cat owners to deal with the so-called black market.

In the meantime, Anivive, while waiting for GC376 to be approved for cats, is now seeking approval to trial the compound to treat COVID-19 in humans. The compound Anivive is seeking to approve in GC376 is incredibly similar to Remdesivir, except their mechanism of action is significantly different: GC376 is a protease inhibitor and Remdesivir is a polymerase inhibitor, explains Dr. David Bruyette, chief medical officer at Anivive. Bruyette adds that he believes the two drugs may work together in tandem far more effectively than either can alone. The notion is similar to providing a cocktail when it comes to treating HIV-AIDS, as one drug alone just doesn’t do the trick.

Winn Feline Foundation president Dr. Drew Weigner says, “We hope that approved treatments for FIP will become available in the near future, and that greater efforts will be directed toward

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vaccination protocols, as this is the mainstay of controlling coronavirus infections in cats, and in all species.”

And no matter how all this plays out, veterinarians will no doubt be a part of this truly one health issue. Steve Dale, CABC (Certified Animal Behavior Consultant) is the author of a popular blog, www. stevedalepetworld.com.

He is the host of two national radio shows, and is heard on WGN Radio, Chicago.

His many TV appearances include Oprah to National Geographic Explorer, and is a contributor on syndicated “HouseSmarts TV.” Steve edited “Decoding Your Dog,” authored by American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, and has contributed to many books and publications. Steve speaks around the world at animal behavior and veterinary conferences and serves on the Boards of the Winn Feline Foundation and Human Animal Bond Association. His many awards and honors include the AVMA Humane Award, and he was inducted into the Dog Writer’s Association Hall of Fame.

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Industry News

VOM

rthopedic O y r a n i r e Vet tion Manipula

CVJ

Certified Veterinary Journalist

CVPM

Certified Practice Veterinary Manager

THE RISE OF

Veterinary W Specialties & WHAT THIS MEANS

FOR “THE VET”

By Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, DACZM, DACVPM

When I was growing up, my life was dominated by a just a handful of facts that I knew to be universally true, including: Bubbalicious watermelon was the best ever, all the cool kids watched MTV and the vet was interesting. “The vet”—as though there was only one, like Cher, Madonna or “the doctor.”

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hat makes this odd is that I actually knew several veterinarians for most of my life. I grew up watching Dr. Fletcher develop incredible new surgical procedures for birds on our back patio. But he wasn’t, “the vet.” No, “the vet,” who I eventually knew as Dr. Goldman, was the guy with a clinic in town who would put my favorite barn cats on antibiotics when they got too beat up. He was an affable and intelligent guy. I loved staring endlessly at his posters of dog and cat breeds and dreaming of what type of kitten or puppy I would get first.

Fast forward, and Bubbalicious watermelon is still the best ever, the cool kids are checking out Snapchat and “the vet” is no longer just “the vet.” Veterinary medicine has become incredibly sophisticated in practice, while at the same time, evolving into an incredibly specialized clinical art. While this is interesting, what does it mean to the average pet owner? Not much! Many, if not most, pet owners and animal care professionals have no real understanding of the complexity of veterinary medicine today. Frankly, many veterinarians struggle to understand the multitude of specialists among their colleagues.

Beyond the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) that veterinarians receive (except in Pennsylvania where a VMD is conferred), what is all that alphabet soup and does it really matter to the care of an animal?

I am sure many of you have noticed the slow evaporation of the general practitioner from the human health landscape.

I do not know anyone who has a true general practitioner anymore, do you? Sure, people have doctors, but they have

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Does the existence of specialties mean that “the vet” is unable or unqualified to perform surgeries, read x-rays, perform anesthesia or manage medical cases themselves? Is a referral to a specialist required? Of course not! an Ob/Gyn, a dermatologist, a cardiologist or an internist that handles primary complaints, and acute illnesses may be handled by a walk-in urgent care site. I loathe this current system! I love a good GP. But, I am not so foolish as to fail to recognize the value of specialists when needed. My point is that the human healthcare ecosystem may be suffering from an imbalance of providers—too many specialists and very few general practitioners.

Thank goodness veterinary medicine has not yet lost the GP. “The vet” is incredibly important in the life and relationship of a pet and their owner. A DVM degree indicates a broad swath of knowledge appropriate for seeing primary presentations of animals from all environments.

Indeed, a GP veterinarian is well-versed in internal medicine, surgery, preventive medicine, parasitology, pediatrics and more. However, for some cases, owners may desire a more focused approach for their pet. At that time, it is appropriate for “the vet” to make a referral to a specialist.

While the referral is not obligatory in the majority of locations, it certainly can enhance the performance of the

total care team in most circumstances, and is certainly the structure for care that I recommend, if feasible.

How many specialties and specialists are there in veterinary medicine?

How are the specialties determined and how does “the vet” earn those extra letters?

In the early 1950’s, two specialties were proposed in the AVMA: the American College of Veterinary Pathology and the American Board of Veterinary Public Health. Since that time, many more have been proposed and established.

Currently, the AVMA recognizes 22 different specialty organizations, overseeing 41 different specialties with roughly 10% of veterinarians holding board-certification in at least one specialty, and fewer still being board-certified in two or more specialties.

Does the existence of specialties mean that “the vet” is unable or unqualified to perform surgeries, read x-rays, perform anesthesia or manage medical cases themselves?

Is a referral to a specialist required? Of course not! GP veterinarians are more than capable of practicing the

www.rememberapet.org

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full scope of veterinary medicine and providing incredible medical care to patients. The specialist is simply another tool that the GP and animal owners can utilize to augment the animal care team in particularly challenging cases, or when an animal owner requests advanced care.

Essentially, most specialties that exist in human medicine are available in veterinary medicine, plus a few extras.

Board-certified specialists are called “diplomates” of their board and their status is expressed as either Dipl. or with a “D” followed by the specialty abbreviation. Some examples include: • Dipl. ACVS or DACVS: Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) have typically completed at least a one-year internship and a three-year residency before completing a multi-day board certification exam. Diplomates may be focused on either small animal (SA) or large animal (LA) surgery and the focus is typically expressed as: DACVS (SA) or DACVS (LA).

• Dipl. ACVPM or DACVPM: Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Prevention (ACVPM) are largely regarded as specialists in infectious disease, epidemiology, food safety, biostatistics, toxins, disaster response and public communication. The ACVPM originated as the American Board of Veterinary Public Health in 1950 and was renamed multiple times in its history, finally settling on ACVPM in 1973. The evolution explains why many refer to the ACVPM as the “public health specialists” and why many consider the Diplomates specialists in One Health. Diplomates must pass a two-day board examination, as well as certify a number of years engaged in public health management at a high level.

• Dipl. ACVIM or DACVIM: Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) are further sorted by cardiology, large animal internal medicine, neurology, oncology and small animal internal medicine, which is sometimes indicated in parentheses following the ACVIM abbreviation. Diplomates have completed at least a one-year internship, or equivalent broad-based clinical practice experience, followed by a three-year residency before passing the multi-day board certification exam.

Some veterinarians may list other designations after their DVM, including Certified Veterinary Journalist (CVJ), Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM), Certified Acupuncturist, Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM) and a myriad of others. However, most of these are not recognized veterinary medical specialties and pet owners should be aware that some merely require an annual membership payment.

For a complete list of recognized veterinary specialties and more information on the rigorous programs to obtain board certification, check out the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (https://www.avma.org/education/ veterinary-specialties).

After all this, what is universal—no matter the string of letters after the name or how the letters are obtained—is that veterinarians not only care for animals, but seek to protect that most incredible bond between humans and animals by assuring that both can live together without presenting a threat to the health of each other. Care and compassion requires no additional training, degree or letters to be visible to animals and to their owners. 

Dr. Chatfield is board-certified in both zoological medicine and preventive medicine. She has been a practice owner, worked in zoos and completed international fieldwork. Dr. Chatfield’s peer-reviewed publications include pharmacokinetics, wild animal behavior, infectious disease, and assisted reproduction in endangered species. Additionally, Dr. Chatfield loves French bulldogs, Himalayan cats, the dirtiest of vodka martinis and basking in the sun on any Caribbean beach.

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PETVET TOp 10

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Ten things to DO this month

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A mini-adventurE VACATION

sky gazing

mediTation For an easy way to relieve some stress, simply go outside, tilt

Grab your sleeping bag and hiking gear, plus the basic necessities, and head out to a park for a weekend in nature.

your head up and look at the sky. Look at the stars if it is nighttime or the vastness of the blue sky if it is day, and just enjoy the moment.

9 The last full week in September is LESS

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PET WEEK

Get in contact with your local shelters to find out which pets they are having trouble adopting out and feature those pets on your clinic’s Facebook page, website and in the lobby to help find them homes.

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10

TURN OFF THE TV and

eat dinner with

your FAMILY

Engaging in family meals may be a matter of improving communication and support at home, according to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition and Education/Behavior.

Put the phones away as well! 

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