PetVet May/June 2019

WWW. PET VETMAGAZINE .COM

VOL. VOL.22 ED. ED. 32 •• MAY MARCH / JUNE / APRIL 20192019

A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

THE

FUTURE IS

THE UPSURGE OF WOMEN IN THE VETERINARY INDUSTRY

DR. SARA PILGRIM’S

BREASTFEEDING

JOURNEY

WHAT IS YOUR "WHY"?

ACCOMPLISHING YOUR GOALS AND LIVING YOUR DREAMS

PHOTO BY WHITNEY DEFRIES, WD PHOTOGRAPHY

IT’S NOT JUST A BOWL It could spread a disease worse than Bordetella

Compare the risks Highly contagious Unresponsive to antibiotic treatment Primary cause of pneumonia Vaccine recommended in AAHA* guidelines

Bordetella

Canine Influenza (CIV)

YES NO NO YES

YES YES YES YES

Recommend vaccination for CIV in addition to Bordetella.

*American Animal Hospital Association Copyright © 2019 Intervet Inc., d/b/a Merck Animal Health, a subsidiary of Merck & Co. Inc. All rights reserved. US/NCI/0219/0008

Is Mobile Veterinary For You? Do you want to expand your practice in the most innovative, efficient and profitable way?

Well Pet 22

Why Go Mobile?

Vet Elite 24

Expand your practice without brick & mortar.

Start your own business at a fraction of the cost of a stationary clinic.

Treat your busy clients to the convenience of veterinary care in their driveway.

Vet Elite 24

Well Pet 22

800-513-0304 Vet Sprinter

MOBILEVETCLINIC.COM

MAY / June 2019

A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

CONTENTS 6

Veterinarian Life Advice

7

PetVet Advisory Board

8

Let’s Get Social! (Media, That Is)

16

12

BUSINESS TRENDS

THE

FUTURE IS

Positive Reinforcement vs.

Punishment: At What Cost Do You Save a Life?

18 5 Life Hacks For The Working

Veterinary Parent

The Upsurge of Women in the Veterinary Industry

26 Antimicrobial Resistance: New Pet

Care Community Resource Works to Address Health Risks

30 What is Your “Why”?: Accomplishing

Your Goals and Living your Dreams

32 PetVet 10: Ten Things to Do

20

This Month

ON THE COVER WWW. PET VETMAGAZINE .COM

VOL. VOL.22 ED. ED. 32 •• MAY MARCH / JUNE / APRIL 20192019

A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

THE

as a Busy Veterinary Professional

FUTURE IS

THE UPSURGE OF WOMEN IN THE VETERINARY INDUSTRY

12

PETVET MAGAZINE

DR. SARA PILGRIM’S

BREASTFEEDING

JOURNEY

WHAT IS YOUR "WHY"?

ACCOMPLISHING YOUR GOALS AND LIVING YOUR DREAMS

PetVetMag

@PetVet_Magazine

PHOTO BY WHITNEY DEFRIES, WD PHOTOGRAPHY

DR. SARA PILGRIM & DAUGHTER LEAH GRACE PHOTO BY WHITNEY DEFRIES, WD PHOTOGRAPHY

Copyright May 2019. 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

5

VETERINARIAN LIFE ADVICE

Your Motivation Starts Here LIFE ADVICE FROM THE COOLEST VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS WE KNOW

CONTACT Inquiries info@barkleigh.com (717) 691-3388

Editorial rebecca@barkleigh.com (717) 691-3388 (ext. 225) Advertising james@barkleigh.com (717) 691-3388 (ext. 224)

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

ALL OF YOUR

Chief Operations Officer Adam Lohr Executive Editor Rebecca Shipman Art Director Laura Pennington

and enjoy all of your big accomplishments, because they have

Junior Designer Jenny Thomas

likely come to fruition through steadfast

Web Master Luke Dumberth

determination. Almost invariably, before the big achievement, comes apparent failure and discouragement. Rising after those momentary episodes of disappointment makes the glory all that much sweeter.

Courtney Campbell, DVM with VetSurg, Ventura, California

6

Senior Graphic Designer Jenn Barraclough

PETVET MAGAZINE

Director of Marketing & Client Relations James Severs Administrative / Marketing Assistant Karin Grottola Marketing Coordinator Alyx Robertson Social Media / PR Coordinator Evan Gummo

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.

Jenifer Chatfield DVM, DACZM

Courtney Campbell DVM “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.”

Alberto Fernandez DVM, DACVECC

“People should be so lucky as to get to be a veterinarian. The broadbased 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

"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

“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.”

Jill López DVM, MBA

“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.”

A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

“Do something every day to make an animal’s life better.”

S Q UA R E LO G O

A LT E R N

PETVETMAG PETVET_MAGAZINE

A Practical

DISP

CO LO R S

BE

808285 PETVET MAGAZINE

C0 M0 Y0 K60

7

HEAD

CLIENT SERVICES

By Katie Schroeder

Social media can make or break your practice. If you do it right, you can brand your practice as a company your customers want to do business with. Learn more with these tips.

TOP 5 biggest social media mistakes vets make: Not Having Original Content. You're in the veterinary world. Your business involves the cutest and most loved content on social media —CUTE PETS! People LOVE seeing photos and videos of pets and of you! You help pet owners' babies and are cared about by them. They want to see what you've been up to, too! Don't be shy! But make sure you have the pet owner's permission before posting their pet's photo on social media. A photo release form can help with that.

8

Not Having Interactive Content on Posts. After Facebook's announcement earlier this year that they wanted to better a user's experience by showing more posts from friends, it caused a big change to business pages with getting organic post exposure. A great way to reach out to people who follow you is to create interactive posts. This involves asking the audience a question in hopes of reactions and comments.

Let's say a dog stopped by that was a unique breed.

PETVET MAGAZINE

Take a photo or video and say, "Stella stopped in today! Can you guess her breed?" The more comments you receive, the more exposure you'll get on that post. Even people that are friends of the commenters that haven't liked your practice's page could see the post on their News Feed! Another interactive post is having pet owners share photos or videos of their pets in the comments.

"What's your pet up to now? Share a photo with us!" People love to show you their pets. Be sure to react or comment back to their comments!

Not Being Responsive to Your Audience. We live in a world now where we can get

answers by just searching or texting.

Sure, people are still going to call the practice to schedule an appointment or ask a question, but there are many that are more comfortable texting their question to your page. They may ask you in a post, in a comment, or a direct message. Reply to them when you can! Facebook even shows on your page how responsive you are to your audience when it comes to replying to direct messages.

Not Spending Ad Money.

Are you running a promotion at your practice that you really want to get out there? Hoping for new clients? Spending a few dollars on a boosted post or creating an ad

PETVET MAGAZINE

campaign can help! Boosted posts and ads that are targeted to the right audience can get your practice exposure from pet owners who may not have even known you were around!

Make sure your boosted post or ad is eye–catching and to the point.

Not Knowing Your Neighbors.

Want to network with the neighborhood? Join your local Facebook Groups! Almost every town/ city now has at least one Facebook group that you can join where you can see what's going on around you. You'll have to post on a Group as yourself, and not as the practice, but it's a great way for others nearby to find out what you're all about.

9

10 common social media abbreviations

3 PROVEN WAYS TO CURB

Ask Me Anything Content Warning Direct Message In Case You Missed It Instagram In My Opinion In Real Life Let Me Know Not Safe For Work RETWEET TOO LONG; DIDN'T READ

KENN-L-KARDS The popular client index cards for daycare and boarding facilities!

5” x 8” card with all the information you need!

Speed your recordkeeping!

Eliminate tedious handwriting with an easy checklist!

Add Kenn-L-Kard Extenders to double your record space!

Barkleigh Productions, Inc. barkleigh.com • barkleighstore.com (717) 691-3388

10

Respond & Acknowledge. It may sound easy, but the biggest thing a business owner should do is respond to and acknowledge the bad review. Keep things short and simple. Do not try to put the blame on the pet owner. It’s actually normal to have some bad reviews, but how you respond or if you respond will be how you are judged by new pet owners looking for a vet practice.

Direct Communication. You should always welcome the opportunity to speak directly to the pet owner, but the plan is to try and not have a back–and–forth chain for everyone to read online. Invite them to call the practice and ask for someone specific. Let them know you are waiting for their call because their experience and pet are very important to your practice.

Demonstrate the sense of urgency in your online response.

Push for Positive. You need to really work on having people leave you good reviews. Think about it...when you go to a business and it was a nice experience, you don’t walk out and say, “I’m going to leave a review of how happy I am.” But, when you have an unpleasant experience in a business, you say, “I’m going to leave a review of how unhappy I am”.

Your front desk needs to capitalize on all of those nice experiences to help combat some of those sour ones. If the front team doesn’t feel comfortable asking, put a sticker on invoices or a sign by check-out requesting pet owners to share their experience at your practice. Most loyal, tech-savvy clients will gladly take the second to share…especially if they know it will help your practice. 

Katie began what would become InTouch Practice Communications from the dining room table back in 1995 with a telephone book and computer that took up nearly half of it. A former Chicago radio on-air talent, Katie enjoyed doing voice work for commercials and telephone message on hold programs and found the veterinary industry to be the home she was looking for. When Katie’s business took off, her husband of 25 years, Bill Schroeder, sold his company. Together they have grown InTouch Practice Communications to be a full-service digital marketing agency dedicated to the veterinary industry.

PETVET MAGAZINE

RETHINKING DOG BOARDING?

Two great kennel brands let you choose your look.

T-Kennel’s T-Core with Perfect Panel Design™

Now even stronger and more sound-proof core.

Call 800.444.1579 for a FREE consultation on how T-Kennel can help you build your dream facility.

Shor-Line Kennel Runs

SINCE 1927

SHOR-LINE.COM PETVET MAGAZINE

800.444.1579 11

BUSINESS TRENDS

THE

FUTURE IS

The Upsurge of Women in the Veterinary Industry

By Natalie L. Marks, DVM, CVJ

A

s a veterinarian practicing in the second decade of my career, I’ve been fortunate to have been continually surrounded by strong female leaders and mentors in the profession.

However, that certainly hasn’t always been the case and may still not be the case for many aspiring young women in the industry. In fact, as recently as 1960, the US Census reported that 98% of the veterinary profession was male. However, more recent polling is showing that to be rapidly changing and is in stark contrast to the current year.

The original impetus for more females in the profession started with Title IX which abolished gender discrimination in federally funded education. When this ground–breaking law passed in 1972, the original societal thought was that, even though women would apply to these programs, they would soon get married and drop out to stay home and raise

12

PETVET MAGAZINE

78 % According to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, in 2007

NATURAL DOG PARK PRODUCTS

children. But that myth was quickly dispelled and a new trend in the face of the veterinary industry slowly began.

Besides the legal change, there was also a shift in cultural thought about women becoming physicians and veterinarians, and this has become the “norm� for acceptance ever since.

Theories Behind The Gender Shift The American Council on Education states that since 2000, women have represented about 57% of enrollment at US colleges, and more females are seeking additional education as compared to men in the same position. This statistic itself could explain the increasing number of applicants at veterinary schools.

According to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, the number of women entering the profession surpassed men in 2007, and now, approximately 78% of veterinary students are female. A current study out of the Department of Sociology at Southern Methodist University suggests that male applicants may even be deterred after seeing the number of women applying and enrolling.

Another theory speculated that females would be more willing to secure a lower salary as men target other medical professions, such as human medicine or surgery. According to the AVMA, Female graduates have historically been paid $2,406.97 less than male graduates in all areas of the industry. However, statistics quickly prove that ALL professional universities, such as law school, dentistry and pharmacy, are experiencing higher numbers of female applicants.

The Paradigm is Shifting

GymsForDogs.com sales@GymsForDogs.com 800-931-1562

14

PETVET MAGAZINE

While we see an absolute increase in the number of females graduating and applying to veterinary schools, perhaps the

area of clinical practice is becoming more appealing to the working mother. Many business owners are understanding the change in the workforce paradigm.

Female graduates want a stronger work/life balance and creativity or flexibility in their hours or schedule. They also want to consider positions that support and work well with employees through maternity leave and support working mothers through having space for nursing demands at work, childcare emergencies and health insurance options for families.

Rather than overlooking a prospective candidate for one with more traditional concerns, owners and managers are now investing in these women, recognizing that establishment of family allows veterinarians to be more connected to the community and to grow “roots” in the practice. These women cannot be successful in their role without better support within and outside of the clinic with childcare and home management—and creativity in three–day work weeks or nontraditional hours can be incredibly helpful. Additionally, there can also be a unique camaraderie to clientele; we know that over 80% of clients at small animal practices are women themselves, and this relatability can help to grow a business and client base.

In food animal medicine, still a traditionally male–dominated focused area of practice, chemical interventions have allowed women (and men) to work more efficiently and safely around patients with tremendous physical strength. This is a very important area of advancement, not only regarding the safety of all professionals, but also for the emotional health of these animals.

Being able to take care of these animals without significant physical demands or even limitations has opened more

The continued and imperative need for mentorship within the profession will need to be an important focus.

opportunities for women to work in all areas of the industry.

Perhaps the biggest change has been in the leadership presence within the US veterinary schools. According to Veterinarian’s Money Digest, in 2012, only 28% of the administration in leadership roles were women. When measured recently in 2017, that number was up to 42%, and climbing. However, we still have work to do in trying to reach gender equality within organized veterinary medicine. Currently, leadership roles within this genre are only about 25% women. Additionally, leadership roles within organized veterinary medicine groups such as the AVMA, WVC, NAVC and AAHA still are predominantly men.

The Future So, what does the future hold for female veterinarians? While there have been significant advances in recent years, we still face many challenges including the growing concern of suicide among women of this profession and the decreasing number of female students graduating with aspiration of ownership.

The continued and imperative need for mentorship within the profession will need to be an important focus.

Organized, female–focused programs such as the Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative

PETVET MAGAZINE

(WVLDI) are helping women to do just that. Through this group, women are being given tools to overcome their own personal barriers to advancement and creating strategies to help bridge the salary gap between genders. Other larger platforms like Fear Free© have an executive council with over 50% women and have large industry partners like Zoetis with female CEO’s who are trying to share knowledge and wealth in different arenas to inspire and encourage women to follow similar paths.

It will be exciting to see what changes occur in this next generation and even more exciting to be part of the wave. Dr. Marks is the medical director of Blum Animal Hospital, a ten doctor small animal practice in Chicago, IL, just south of Wrigley Field. Dr. Marks is also a national educator on many topics, including canine influenza, leptospirosis and canine allergic disease and is involved in media campaigns. In her spare time, Dr. Marks enjoys spending time with her family, especially her 3 fantastic children and furry child Samantha, also cooking, traveling, reading, going to concerts and being anywhere there is a beach!

15

BEST PRACTICES

POSITIVE

REINFORCEMENT

VS PUNISHMENT At What Cost Do You Save A Life?

By Steve Dale

W

hat motivates this story is a local dog trainer who was recently “outed” for alleged use of aversive methods to save lives. That in itself sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t it?

When animal control agencies and rescues have nowhere else turn, some turn to him—and others like him around the country—to “rehab” aggressive dogs. Many dog trainers suggest they use aversive methods only to save lives. And these trainers may succeed. Or do they really?

The reality is that saving lives has become increasingly paramount—arguably too paramount.

Shelters and rescues find themselves with aggressive dogs who they believe may be salvageable. And most are. Still, I make no apologies for my view that you can’t save them all. I don’t believe in placing truly dangerous dogs back into the community.

Of course, most aggressive dogs are fearful, even terrified. They learn the best defense is a

16

strong and sometimes terrifying offense. There are numerous reasons for their aggression, and when trust is built, many dogs do settle into an even-tempered existence, albeit with limitations.

Sometimes certified animal behavior consultants or veterinary behaviorists do this rehab work.

There’s little doubt their techniques will be based on positive reinforcement, and include a variety of humane tools. However, in reality, it’s mostly dog trainers taking on this difficult life-saving task. They’re under pressure from the shelters and rescues to work quickly. Also, the truth is that too many trainers—even under the most ideal circumstances—still prefer e–collars to cookies, and use what they know best, which may be primitive punitive methods.

These dogs have limited time left on their clock to live in the shelter or rescue, or where they are temporarily boarded and trained. With so little

PETVET MAGAZINE

Decidedly, this “just get it done approach” is no longer acceptable in veterinary medicine. There are more humane alternatives, and those approaches are likely to be more effective long–term. time and lots of pressure to succeed, does that justify a “just get it done” approach?

The answer is decidedly, no.

Veterinarians have historically been taught, “Do what you need to in order to get the job done.” So, if it takes five people to hold down the dog for a blood draw, so be it. Decidedly, this “just get it done approach” is no longer acceptable in veterinary medicine.

There are more humane alternatives, and those approaches are likely to be more effective long–term.

Shelters and rescues may feel good about saving that life—but do they really know what’s happening in that new home once adopted? Isn’t aversive training in itself a form of abuse?

Everyone’s personal tolerance and justification varies for tools and techniques.

I can tolerate and understand rationalization for the use of prong collars used correctly (as the trainer quickly transitions to a more humane collar), but I have absolutely zero acceptance for physically punishing a dog or using e-collars. Indeed, TV demonstrated that a popular dog trainer could—with adept timing— intimidate a dog to do whatever he wanted. However, being intimidated to do something clearly isn’t the same as learning. And I argue that since trust is required for this at–risk canine population, trust builds more slowly—if at all—using aversive methods. Being compliant isn’t equivalent to trusting.

If a dog is retrained and rehomed, and at some point reaches a threshold and bites, that dog’s life isn’t only at risk, a human family member has been harmed.

Numerous scientific studies demonstrate long–term advantages of positive reinforcement training. But the trade–off isn’t any longer considered acceptable.

Shelters and rescues must begin to consider the approach used and expertise of those individuals chosen for the uniquely virtuous tasks of modifying behavior and temperament of at–risk dogs.

Besides the goal to succeed long–term, it should also be to boost, not diminish, canine confidence.

One argument is that, in some communities, trainers with that level of Fear Free© understanding aren’t available, or simply cost more money if they do exist. I argue, where there is work—trainers will modify what they do in order to get the job. We need to adjust the level of acceptability.

If we really want to save our dogs we need to save them. You don’t save a drowning person who isn’t able to swim by rescuing him from the ocean only to throw him into a lake. Dogs deserve the best of what we know. Arguably, homeless dogs—who have been through so much as it is—deserve it even more.

We can no longer tolerate mistreatment. And based on what we know today, the use of punishment–based techniques, even coming from dog trainers with pristine intentions, is mistreatment. 

PETVET MAGAZINE

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.

17

5

LIFESTYLE

LIFE HACKS FOR THE

WORK ING

VETERINARY PARENT

By Justine Lee, DACVECC, DABT

As a hyper–efficient veterinarian,

I was trying to prepare as much as I could prior to my one–and–only child.

For those of you guys who know Myers– Briggs personality scoring, I’m a pretty high “J” (e.g., anal retentive), so I wanted to be as organized as possible for this baby thing. Boy, was I in for a surprise.

W

PHOTO BY Leslie Plesser

hat I didn’t find? Life hacks for the working veterinary mom. So here are my top 5 life hacks for the working veterinary parent (and yes, this applies to you dads, too.)

DON’T

UNSWADDLE AT NIGHT I prepared as much as I could by reading all the parenting and baby books early. But there are some lies in the books that no one fills you in on—and I’ll share the two biggest right now. First, “skin to skin.” Really? You don’t think your baby is going to naturally bond to you? You don’t need to strip the baby out of his PJ’s and unswaddle at night while breastfeeding. That’s what I was doing; maximizing the skin to skin by unswaddling, breastfeeding, changing the diaper, and re–swaddling…and now I had a totally awake baby. After my sixth week of doing this, the teacher of my mom’s group yelled at our whole group of new moms. “NO,” she replied.

“Slather a ton of baby diaper rash cream on, feed with the lights off, and let him sleep off the milk coma.” You don’t read that in any baby books!

18

IT'S OK TO INTRODUCE THE PACIFIER

BEFORE 30 DAYS Ah, the pacifier. All the books say that babies get nipple confusion and not to give them a pacifier for one month. I learned all my mom friends had introduced a pacifier after day two…while in the hospital. I’m so rule–abiding, I waited for one month —but regret not starting sooner! All those long nights…why didn’t someone tell me it was ok to start earlier?!

PETVET MAGAZINE

3 PREPARE as much as YOU CAN

At least one month before the baby was born, I pre–organized as much as I could. Ordered all the dog food in advance. Topped off all the supplies at home. Got my oil changed.

Set up Amazon Prime Subscribe & Save.

Stocked the pantry as much as possible. Put all my bills on auto–pay. Automate as much as you can, because you’ll seriously not have time to for the first few months…to years. For real.

4 MOM’S GROUP JOIN A

If you have one in your area, it’s worth joining a mom’s group. Typically, this is started around 5–6 weeks of age (for your newborn). I found this an amazing way of connecting with some women who I could text with emergency questions, general support, relationship venting (because the first 12 weeks are tough for you and your partner) and general advice. I ended up creating some strong relationships with a few of the moms, and their kids continue to be our playdates!

5

Dr. Justine Lee is a board-certified veterinary specialist in both emergency critical care (DACVECC) and toxicology (DABT). Dr. Lee attended veterinary school at Cornell University, completed her internship at Angell, and her fellowship and residency in emergency and critical care at University of Pennsylvania.

Previously, she was on faculty at University of Minnesota (2003-2008) and the head of an animal poison control center (2008-2013). She is the founder and CEO of VETgirl, a subscription-based podcast and webinar service offering RACEapproved, online veterinary continuing education.

LEARN TO

LET GO

The sooner you learn to let go of your expectations, the easier parenthood will be for you. Have low to no expectations for what you think you’ll be able to get done during maternity leave, and just enjoy the time. One of my “to–do” lists during week two, post–C–section? Feed the cat and fill the Q–tips. And keep the kid alive.

Being a working parent is tough, so hopefully these life hacks help.

And when in doubt—get support— because parenting is hard! 

PETVET MAGAZINE

19

PETVET PROFILE

as a Busy Veterinary Professional

B

efore Dr. Sara Pilgrim gave birth to her daughter, Leah Grace, in August 2018, she had decided she wanted to breastfeed. As a medical professional, she was confident that breast milk would provide the best nourishment for her precious baby.

However, like many other mothers, Dr. Sara was soon met with the reality of breastfeeding; it can be extremely challenging—especially when returning to work in a busy practice. But the special bond that breastfeeding provides with her baby makes it all worth it, and she is now passionate about advocating breastfeeding for other moms in the veterinary profession.

Dr. Sara tells us all about her breastfeeding journey:

What was your biggest challenge breastfeeding?

By Jill López, DVM, MBA Photo Credits: Whitney Defries, WD Photography

20

There have been so many challenges that I didn’t expect! Before we even left the hospital, my nipples were cracked and bleeding. I had mastitis three times within the first three months that required treatment with

PETVET MAGAZINE

Dogs are deeply woven into the fabric of our society and families. As the canine solidifies his position as “man’s best friend”, it’s more important than ever for man to understand dog’s complex social language.

TH E

Decoding Canine So cial Dynami cs

BY KHRIS BERRY & JOSH AARON

“Wow, this book goes into and explores the mind of canine behavior like I have not seen before. I found this hard to put down once I started to read it. Kudos on a great read!” — Joey Villani, The “Dogfather”

www.barkleighstore.com

antibiotics. It has been a tough journey, but the nourishment Leah receives and the bond we share is so worth it. There is something so special about knowing that your whole body is pouring out the love for your baby that you have in your heart.

Have you experienced any bias because of breastfeeding?

I think the public is gradually becoming more accepting of breastfeeding, but there is still work that needs to be done. Breasts are so over-sexualized in our culture that many people still think of breastfeeding as something that needs to be hidden away, either under a nursing cover or in a special nursing room, like the one at church I am expected to go to every time my baby gets hungry during a church service. In many other cultures, no one looks at you twice when you use your breasts for the very purpose they were designed for—feeding babies! How great would it be if our culture could get to this point, too?

There is something so special about knowing that your whole body is pouring out the love for your baby that you have in your heart.

– Dr. Sara Pilgrim

Do you have advice for those considering breastfeeding?

Read as much as you can about breastfeeding before you have the baby! I spent a lot of time learning about giving birth, but I naively thought that breastfeeding would "just come naturally," and I was not very well informed about the problems we ended up having.

Also, find a good lactation consultant! I was lucky enough to give birth at a hospital where continued on page 24

Dr. Sara’s

Must-Have Breastfeeding Products

22

I love my Spectra S2 pump for work!

Nursing pads- I would

constantly leak through my clothes without them!

PETVET MAGAZINE

Breastfeeding Laws

By Omar A. Lopez, Esq. The Lopez Firm, Montclair, New Jersey

Made Simple Pumping or nursing during the workday is a necessity for nursing moms. Fortunately, federal and state laws have been developed to help protect rights of the nursing mom.

1. All 50 states, including the District of Columbia, have laws clarifying a woman's right to breastfeed in public. That means you have the right to breastfeed anytime and anywhere.

2. The federal law “Break Time for Nursing Mothers” states that, for one year after a baby's birth, an employer is required to give the mother time and a private space to pump.

3. A bathroom, even if private,

is not a permissible location. The pumping space must be shielded from view and free from any intrusion from co-workers and the public. It is best to plan ahead and work with your HR representative to find an appropriate location in advance.

4. The pumping break time is defined as reasonable break for an employee to express breast milk or nurse their baby; however, employers are not required to pay mothers

Nursing-friendly clothing- They make

it so much easier to breastfeed discreetly when I am out and about.

TheraPearl heat/cool packs by Lansinoh-

They are great for general soreness, clogged ducts and recovery from mastitis.

while they do so.

5. It is a violation of federal law to harass, discriminate or retaliate against any employee who complains about a lack of accommodation for pumping.

Although companies with fewer than 50 total employees are not subject to federal breastfeeding law, some states’ laws may provide greater protections to nursing mothers. 

Motherlove Nipple Cream so soothing

on cracked nipples, and way less messy and greasy than the lanolin they give you at the hospital!

product photos via amazon.com

PETVET MAGAZINE

23

From Our Readers

follow–up lactation appointments were provided for free.

I took full advantage of these appointments during my maternity leave, and I think they are a huge reason that I'm still successfully breastfeeding today, despite all the challenges we faced.

"Even before having my kids, I knew I wanted to breastfeed.

What surprised you most about breastfeeding?

The biggest surprise about breastfeeding for me was how much hard work it is! You have to pay constant attention to your breasts to make sure you aren't getting any clogged ducts or mastitis. You have to pump every 3–4 hours at work when you are away from your baby, and when you have oversupply like me, sometimes you have to pump at home too! You have to keep up with storing all that expressed milk properly. We even had to buy a deep freezer because it was taking up all the space in our regular freezer. Some people want to breastfeed because they think it will be easier than formula, and in some ways, it is. But there is lots of hard work involved in feeding a baby no matter what method you choose.

I wasn't prepared for how hard it can be, or how amazing is the bond it creates.

Nursing my first was such a struggle, between latch and supply issues and working full time.

Pumping is never enjoyable, but a necessary evil for a working mom that breastfeeds. I was very lucky to have support at work. Eventually we got into a groove and I was able to donate my excess milk supply to other babies in our community that needed it.”

What do you want others in a work environment to know about breastfeeding moms?

I encourage them to educate themselves about breastfeeding. If we miss one pumping session, our breasts can fill with milk and become extremely painful. If we regularly miss pumping breaks, we cannot maintain a good milk supply for our babies. We need our coworkers to be considerate, respectful and supportive of our pumping time.

— Rebecca E. Linot, DVM Wichita, Kansas Photo by Tiffany Schmidt with T.marie Photography

DEAFENING DOGS

CRUMBLING KENNELS

D OI AV THE PITFALLS CHAOTIC CLEAN UP

DAILY DISOR DER

A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

SOGGY STRUCTURES DEFECTIVE DRAINAGE

BOARDING KENNELS: THE DESIGN PROCESS

Current facility or new facility, this must-have book will help you craft a business that runs smoothly from the inside out! Features tons of color photos, helpful diagrams, blueprints, glossary of construction and design terms and so much more!

A LT E R N AT E

PETVETMAG PETVET_MAGAZINE

A Practical Guid

Another drain choice is using

kennels that raised off 2)are Wait. the floor.

SENT FOR PRICING

3) Scrub.

Image courtesy

ITEM of The Mason CONCRETE •

Footings

•

Stems

•

Slabs

• •

4) Scrub some more.

ESTIMATED COST

Company.

Drive Walks

MATERIALS •

THE RAISED KENNEL SYSTEMS Another drain choice is using kennels that are raised off the floor. These have an integral floor of their own with a drain that connects to a horizontal drain pipe that runs in the space above the building floor, but below the raised kennel floor.

Building Framing

• Roof Framing 6) existing Vacuum.floor This drain pipe is routed to an Interiorthese Partition Framing drain in the room.•Because kennels have a EQUIPMENT RENTAL drain pipe below them, there is a step of about eight inches or so• off Crane the building floor up and into the kennel. If• a floor drain is available in Construction Fencing the room, this may be a good option for kennels • Job John in an existing building and for kennels in levels above grade. This• is Dumpster especially helpful when Scaffold renting a space as• these kennels may easily be moved. They are not permanently mounted to GENERAL CONTRACTOR the building, but are sitting on the floor.

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

7) Vacuum some more.

75

INSULATION CONTRACTOR DRY WALL CONTRACTOR

WWW.BARKLEIGHSTORE.COM

152

8) Dry and ready for guests.

Part 13: Cleaning Without Drains

PLUMBING CONTRACTOR MECHANICAL Part 10: CONTRACTOR Drain Types & Locations

ON SALE NOW AT

S Q UA R E LO G O

Boarding Kennels: The Design Process

103

D I S P L AY

CO LO R S 24

PETVET MAGAZINE

808285

HAVE

THE

TACTICS

&

@ and daycare

EXPO

November 11–14, 2019

Hershey Lodge & Convention Center Hershey, Pennsylvania

www.PetBoardingexpo.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

Antimicrobial Resistance

NEW PET CARE COMMUNITY RESOURCE WORKS TO ADDRESS HEALTH RISKS

By Gwyn Donohue

T

wo million people are infected with resistant strains of bacteria and 23,000 deaths result from antibiotic resistance in the U.S. each year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates.

What makes this troubling statistic important to the veterinary community, other pet care professionals and pet owners is that two relatively common bacteria species that have resistant strains, Campylobacter and Salmonella, are also common in many pets. While these are not classified by the CDC as urgent threats of greatest concern to human health, they are considered a serious threat.

One example is a 2016 outbreak of antibiotic-resistant campylobacteriosis that involved 113 patients in 17 states, and was determined to be linked to puppies.

Instances like this, along with the fact that resistant strains of bacteria are developing at increasingly rapid rates and outpacing the introduction of new antibiotics, has caused public health officials and the pet care community to actively address the issue of responsible use of antibiotics in companion animals. “Recognizing that antibiotic resistant germs are a growing and serious health risk to both humans and animals, last year PIJAC committed to work with the pet care community to create best management practices to combat AMR as part of our participation in the

26

PETVET MAGAZINE

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Challenge,” says Savonne Caughey, director of government affairs for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC).

The AMR Challenge is a yearlong U.S. government effort to accelerate the fight against antimicrobial resistance with action across governments and industries that launched in September 2018.

As of mid–December 2018, nearly 150 organizations have joined and made over 140 commitments to the Challenge. Veterinary and other companion animal–related organizations and companies that have joined include the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), American Association of Avian Pathologists, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Animal Health Institute, Boehringer Ingelheim, Elanco, Merck, Petco and Zoetis.

In March at the Global Pet Expo trade show in Orlando, PIJAC unveiled an industry–wide,

comprehensive set of recommendations for antibiotic stewardship and combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in companion animals, Recommendations for Antibiotic Stewardship in the Pet Care Community.

Encompassing a unified set of principles for all sectors of the pet care community, the recommendations have an emphasis on those involved in the breeding, rearing, transport and sale of companion animals as well as those who work with products where antibiotics regularly intersect with animals.

Mike Bober, president and CEO of PIJAC, says, “Having served as the pet industry’s liaison on public health issues and zoonotic disease prevention for over a decade through our memorandum of understanding with the CDC, we were in the ideal position to spearhead development of this resource that will encourage responsible stewardship and reduce practices that contribute to antimicrobial resistance in an effort to

www.rememberapet.org

PETVET MAGAZINE

27

PIJAC piloted the guide’s development through an extensive process of

GATHERING RESOURCES, CONDUCTING RESEARCH AND CONSULTING with specialists, professionals and others in a variety of pet care roles.

protect public and animal health.”

PIJAC piloted the guide’s development through an extensive process of gathering resources, conducting research and consulting with specialists, professionals and others in a variety of pet care roles. The final recommendations were developed by a working group comprised of stakeholders and experts including pet care retailers, manufacturers, breeders, distributors, authorities in animal care, and representatives from the veterinary medicine and health communities and other trade associations.

“PIJAC and the working group consulted with animal health experts as well as breeders and animal handlers regarding their stewardship practices, disease prevention strategies, vaccination protocols, hygiene practices and routine health monitoring,” Bober says.

Input was also collected from leading voices across the pet care community, both directly and during town–hall meetings at Global Pet Expo and SuperZoo, the two largest pet industry gatherings in the country.

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

“O” RING

“D” RING 15 COLORS

Get started with Personalized Leashes For years and years, Personalized Leashes from Campbell Pet Company have helped thousands of Pet Care Professionals around the world add more clients, increase referrals and generate more income. Providing your clients with a Personalized Leash is a smart way to both promote your business and thank them for their patronage. For personalized leashes, plus dozens of innovative and practical pet-care products, make Campbell Pet Company your trusted supplier of products that help maintain and grow successful grooming businesses. Available in 4-ft. and 6-ft. lengths.

(800) 228-6364 • (360) 892-9786 • www.campbellpet.com

28

PETVET MAGAZINE

BOLT SNAP

Resources that were used to develop the document include published recommendations, guidelines and best management practices for animal care and disease management from leading organizations including AAHA, AVMA, the American Association of Feline Practitioners, CDC, National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Tom Edling, DVM, MSpVM, MPH, former vice president of veterinary medicine for PETCO and a member of the working group says, “We paid particular attention to the fact that this issue can only be successfully addressed through comprehensive efforts that encompass sanitation, transportation, and preventative care in addition to veterinary oversight of antibiotic use.”

Disease prevention, management and remediation across every step in the companion animal care process were evaluated in order to cover best management practices on topics such as use of antibiotics, veterinary oversight, sanitation, hygiene and zoonotic disease prevention, among others.

“The veterinarian community is a critical component of any disease management effort’s success,” says working group member Dave Dzanis, DVM, PhD, DACVN, a veterinary consultant to the American Pet Products Association. “Animal health companies and manufacturers of antibiotics should encourage policies that promote judicious use of antibiotics, while increasing veterinarian oversight, and continuing to develop new tools to address animal diseases.”

PIJAC and other organizations involved in the working group will be distributing the recommendations to their members and promoting them at pet care industry and related

events throughout 2019. The document is also available for download on the pijac.org website.

Laura “Peach” Reid, president of Fish Mart, Inc., in West Haven, Conn., and chair of the board of directors of PIJAC says, “With widespread adoption of the recommendations by the pet care community, we will help inhibit the development of resistant germs and ensure healthier pets and healthier people around the world.” 

THE DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON THE PIJAC.ORG WEBSITE.

Gwyn Donohue is the director of communications and public affairs for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council. The Alexandria, VA– based nonprofit trade association has worked to protect pets, pet owners and the pet industry by promoting responsible pet ownership and animal welfare, fostering environmental stewardship, and ensuring the availability of pets since 1970. PIJAC members include retailers, companion animal suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, manufacturers’ representatives, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations.

PUPPYPLAYGROUND.COM

Playground Equipment made especially for DOGS! We took our system from GREAT to

AMAZING! PRO–SERIES

MODULAR PLAYGROUND

SYSTEM - New Components - New Features - Package Pricing - New Connecting System

PUPPYPLAYGROUND.COM 888-828-3416

PETVET MAGAZINE

29

Beyond the Stethoscope

ACCOMPLISHING YOUR GOALS & LIVING YOUR DREAMS

A

t the beginning of every year, so many of us take time to think about and resolve to accomplish a goal, implement a new habit or start a new project. But how many of us take the time to gain clarity around our life’s purpose, goals and dreams? I mean, who has time for that between work, kids, managing cases over the holidays…it seems never to end. Never mind the time spent with family and friends.

Have you already felt your New Year’s Resolutions slip away into the “maybe next year” column? So how do we gain clarity around the important things in life and find time to accomplish a new project or goal?

It may seem cliché, but it all goes back to every 5–year–old’s favorite question, “Why?” When we are feeling lost or wondering why we aren’t making the progress we were hoping for, ask yourself, “Why was I pursuing this goal, dream or idea?” Chances are, we either don’t remember, or it wasn’t a powerful reason for sticking it out during the tough times.

30

By Angela Demaree, DVM, MPH, CHPC

Once you’ve answered, “Why was I pursuing this?”, then flip the question and ask yourself if your ‘Why’ is strong enough to keep you on track when pursuing that goal gets hard—or you, quite simply, just don’t feel like it.

For example, I was talking to a colleague and her stated reasons for her health and fitness goals were to improve her relationships with her husband and son, and because she would feel better. So, I asked her, “Is feeling better a strong enough reason to overcome the ‘I don’t feel like it today’? Is improving your relationship with your family a strong enough reason to make a healthier food choice or go for a run when you don’t feel like it?”

I’m sure it’s no surprise to you that ‘because I should’ or the idea that ‘I’ll probably feel better’ fell by the wayside when push came to shove; however, her relationships were incredibly important, and she found a reason to pursue healthier habits that she could stick with, even on the toughest days.

Take a few minutes and revisit your New Year’s

PETVET MAGAZINE

Simply looking at the same idea through another lens or from another angle can help us gain amazing clarity and help us achieve our goals even faster.

Resolutions, or start one today, and ask yourself these questions.

If you are finding this task difficult, I get it, I’ve been in your shoes. Sometimes we struggle to gain clarity in life and figure out what our ‘Why’ even is, especially around random New Year’s Resolutions that we didn’t put much time and effort into, or surrounding our decisions about which goals we want to achieve in 2019.

Another question that can help us gain clarity is asking ourselves, “What do I value most in life right now?”

Thinking back to our previous example, my colleague valued her relationships the most. Even if you didn’t come up with the reason before, now it seems obvious, right? Simply looking at the same idea through another lens or from another angle can help us gain amazing clarity and help us achieve our goals even faster.

Need another perspective? Take a moment and think about someone you are mentoring or a high school student who wants to become a veterinarian. If they asked you, “What has made you the most successful in life?” What would you tell them? Chances are those are the skillsets and values that will also help you to successfully achieve your current goals.

Still struggling? Break out your journal and write these questions down with good old–fashioned pen and paper. Then keep writing whatever comes to mind.

We know from scientific studies of college students that the students who took notes with pen and paper performed better on tests, especially on questions that required students to conceptualize or comprehend information compared with those who took notes on a laptop.1 The hypothesized reasoning was that

writing by hand requires you to interpret what you hear which improves comprehension and your ability to conceptualize information. When typing, students were more focused on transcribing the information to ensure they captured everything, rather than thinking about what they just heard and deciding what to write.

Finally, take a minute to complete this statement and discover your current ‘Why’. My big WHY in life right now, something that is driving me, that is worth the struggle, something that is bigger than just me, something that I am willing to fight for is…and the reason it’s important to me is…

I find that working towards goals and dreams that are about something bigger than just myself and that align with my core values are infinitely easier to achieve (or strive for) than those that would merely be nice to accomplish.

References 1. Mueller, P. A., & Oppenheimer, D. M. (2014). The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking. Psychological Science, 25(6), 1159–1168. https://doi. org/10.1177/0956797614524581 Dr. Angela Demaree currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Pinpoint Pharma a 21st century veterinary compounding pharmacy.

Angela is a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves, 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 work–life 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.

KAGE KARD HOLDER Sturdy aluminum card holder that keeps pet information where you need it!

Two sizes hold 3x5 Run Kard or 5x8 Kenn-L-Kard Attaches easily to cages and crates Has holes for optional wall mounting

Practically indestructible!

PETVET MAGAZINE

Barkleigh Productions, Inc. barkleigh.com barkleighstore.com (717) 691-3388

31

PETVET TEN

1 SOMETHING NICE

2

May 12th is Mother's Day!

GET YOUR MAMA

We love the Innogear Wood Grain Oil Diffuser from Amazon. Just add water and a few drops of essential oils to create a soft, fragrant mist.

Your mom will love it!

WE ARE COMPLETELY IN LOve with

SQUIRMY & Grubs

and you will be too! Hannah and Shane (aka Squirmy and Grubs) are a Minnesota inter– abled couple that share their life on their YouTube channel, Squirmy and Grubs. These short days– in–the–life shows are both heartwarming and bingeworthy.

PETVET top 10 3

Check out a

Ten things to do this month see how many you can do!

Kendo is a traditional Japanese martial art, which descended from swordsmanship and uses bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armor (bōgu). Kendo is a sport that combines sword play and intense physical activity. Find a dojo near you: www.auskf.info

CLASS

4 YOUR MONEY? Want to master

5

Try Mint, a free app that makes it easy to understand your financial picture by syncing with your bank accounts, credit cards, bills and investments.

32

PETVET MAGAZINE

EXPLORE A NATIONAL PARK Visit nationalparks.org.

Also consider volunteer research opportunities through NPS. They do everything from track wildlife to patrol trails.

6

Make a

7 BEAUTIFUL Enjoy the

Sinh to bo

spring weather by having a picnic. Pack grapes, a variety of cheeses and a baguette for French theme snack.

which is a delicious Vietnamese Avocado shake. Toss ice, ripe avocado (skin removed of course), ½ cup milk and ½ cup condensed milk into your blender and you are done!

8

GET RID OF YOUR CLUTTER! TRY

9 CRIME DRAMA? LOOKING FOR A REAL

a members–only organization where people offer furniture, appliances and other items.

10

DON't FORGET

We are hooked on Hulu’s The Act: The Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard. You will never think of pizza the same way again!

ABOUT DAD! Father’s Day is June 16th.

Dads love homemade presents (because they don’t want you to spend your hard earned money on them.) Try making a homemade card or creating a music playlist of his favorite songs.

PETVET MAGAZINE

SHARE WITH US PETVETMAG PETVET_MAGAZINE

33

Kage Kard Holder Sturdy aluminum card holder that keeps pet information where you need it!

3” x 5” Holds Run Kard 5” x 8” Holds Kenn-L-Kard Attaches easily to cages and crates Has holes for optional wall mounting Sturdy and doesn’t rattle!

All-purpose hanger keeps leashes from getting misplaced or going home on the wrong dog

PRACTICALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE!

Barkleigh Productions, Inc. barkleigh.com • barkleighstore.com (717) 691-3388

How do you protect the pets in your care and your staff from airborne disease?

PetAirapy kills more than 99.9% of airborne and surface pathogens, and controls odors 24/7.

Infectious pathogens can live in the air for extended periods of time.

Our proprietary Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI aka UV-C) technology disinfects and sanitizes everywhere germs are found. PetAirapy prevents and destroys dog flu, canine cough, distemper, parvovirus, and more. We are dedicated to air cleaning exclusively for the animal care industry and custom solutions for your particular needs.

Ask For Our Studies EFFECTIVE AND RECOMMENDED FOR:

• Boarding and Daycare Facilities • Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals • Grooming Salons • Mobile Units • Shelters

Upper Air Systems

• University studies and EPA-approved laboratory testing show PetAirapy systems can eliminate 99% of pathogens in the air and at the source.

• Field study from the Arizona Humane Society shows an 87.3% URI reduction in kitten nursery installed with PetAirapy.

Mobile Service Systems

Whole Building Systems

For details on products, studies, and testing – just ask!

1-866-994-2473 PetAirapy.com

Surface Disinfectant Systems