PetVet April/May 2022

WWW. PET VETMAGAZINE .COM

VOL. 5 ED.2 • APRIL / MAY 22

A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR PET HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

fear free A COMMITMENT OF PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CARE

5 tools for

PHOTO BY KELLY BUSTER

ADDRESSING

Thinking Outside the Box & Inside the Animal Mind

Euthanasia Averseness

IN PET OWNERS

procrastination

OR BANDWIDTH BELIEF?

APRIL / maY 2022

A Practical Guide for Pet Health Professionals

CONTENTS 4

PetVet Advisory Board

5

Veterinarian Life Advice

6

Healthy Eating Ideas and Quick Exercise Tips for Busy Veterinarians

12 Finding Compassion Satisfaction

by Reducing Fear, Anxiety and Stress in Pets 16 5 Tools for Addressing Euthanasia Averseness in Pet Owners

Fear Free A Commitment of Physical and Emotional Care

8

20 Purebred or Inbred? Inbreeding of Dogs Contributes to Increase in Disease 28 Procrastination or Bandwidth Belief?

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32 PetVet 10: 10 Things to Do This Month Inquiries info@barkleigh.com (717) 691-3388 Editorial rebecca@barkleigh.com Advertising james@barkleigh.com

Thinking Outside the Box & Inside the Animal Mind

PetVetMag

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@PetVet_Magazine Copyright April 2022. 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

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ADVISORY BOARD

Meet our EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD!

Courtney A. Campbell DVM, DACVS-SA

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

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.”

STAFF

Executive Editor Rebecca Shipman

Publisher Barkleigh Productions, Inc.

Art Director Laura Pennington

President Todd Shelly

Sr. Graphic Designer Brandi Aurelio

Vice President Gwen Shelly Chief Operations Officer Adam Lohr

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“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.”

Graphic Designer Josiah Malinich Web Master Luke Dumberth

Julie Legred CVT “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.”

Marketing Consultant Alex Hammersla

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.”

Kathryn Primm, DVM, CVPM

Social Media Coordinator Cassidy Ryman

“Animals mean so much to the human condition. It is my privilege to make lives better every day! I cannot imagine myself in any other career.”

Director of Marketing & Client Relations James Severs Administrative / Marketing Assistant Karin Grottola

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VETERINARIAN LIFE ADVICE

Their technical skills are often topnotch but they may have difficulty in some social situations. To be successful in a practice, they may need somebody to coach them; clearly explain to them what they should do, like coaching a person who is from a foreign country.”

— Temple Grandin

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lifestyle

HEALTHY EATING

IDEAS & QUICK

EXERCISE TIPS for Busy Veterinarians

By Nadine Westwood

HEALTHY, ON-THE-GO LUNCHES Specialists recommend meal planning1 as a way to avoid falling in the trap of unhealthy but easily-accessible meals when time is of the essence. It’s also a great way to build healthy eating habits since it’s easier to track and control the nutrients you consume.

Here are two healthy lunch ideas that are convenient on the go and can be included in your meal prep plan:

Grilled Chicken Veggie Bowls 2 This recipe is versatile and easy to make, but it’s also rich in protein and good fats. And, it’s only about 600 calories per serving!

The meal uses brown rice, quinoa and chicken as the base, and lets you add a variety of vegetables to make it your own. The full recipe2 also includes a few tips that will help you turn this into a delicious, versatile lunch for the whole week.

Steak Fajita Salad 3

photo by Damn Delicious ®

This recipe is low on carbs but rich in energy-boosting veggies and protein. Plus, it’s easy to include it into your meal prep routine! The salad starts with romaine lettuce topped with avocado, delicious fajita-style peppers, onion and steak, and finishes with a cilantro lime dressing.

The full recipe3 will instruct you how to make the dressing and how to prepare the veggies so they’ll stay fresh and tasty the longest.

Quick tip: If you don’t know how to cook perfectly medium-rare steak, you can order it from your favorite restaurant. This will save you time and the frustration of having to eat subpar steak (even if it’s your own doing).

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s a veterinary professional, your main priority is the health and wellbeing of the animals that are in your care. This usually means long hours, lots of time spent on your feet or bent over a table, and a tendency towards fast food and sugary snacks.

In the long run, none of these are good for your health. So, if you’re trying to stay healthy but also make sure your patients get the care they deserve, it’s important to develop a few healthy habits that can support the lifestyle of a busy professional.

HEALTHY SNACKS Vets often work long shifts so that one mid-day meal doesn’t always cut it, but this doesn’t mean you should resort to the donuts or leftover birthday cake in the breakroom. To keep your energy level up throughout the day, you should have a few healthy snacks at the ready.

Here are a few ideas: • Oranges, apples, raisins and other fresh or dried fruit without added sugars • Fresh veggies such as cucumbers, carrots or red pepper • Plain yogurt, low-fat cheese or whole-grain crackers • A few slices of low-fat deli turkey or almonds (for a bit of protein)

QUICK DAILY EXERCISES Veterinarians are usually on their feet all day or spend long hours hunched over a table while treating patients or filling in charts. In time, you’ll start feeling your legs swell and your shoulders and lower back get stiffer by the end of each work day.

To avoid turning into an old, creaky being while still young, it’s important to integrate a few easy exercises for the back, shoulders and legs into your routine. Luckily, these can be done in the office, while waiting for the next patient.

Exercises for Tight Shoulders For these exercises you can stand or be seated, with your back straight. Start with a few rounds of shoulder raises and shoulder rolls (alternate in between the two). Continue with a few ear to shoulder stretches (tilt your head to

the left and right) and finish up with a few arm swings in an up and down movement.

Exercises for Achy Backs Most of the time, back pains try to warn us about bad posture, weird work positions and long hours spent doing repetitive things.

So when your back hurts and you feel your movements are getting stiffer, you can use a few yoga poses to improve flexibility and get rid of some of the pain.

One such great position is the forward fold.4 This position is easy to practice anywhere you can find a bit of space and it doesn’t require any equipment or preparedness. You simply stand with your feet about hip’s width apart and hinge at the waist, letting your arms reach to the floor.

Overall, it’s important to find balance between work, nutrition and physical activity. Our bodies need proper care if we want them to support our efforts in today’s busy and demanding world! 

References: 1. Planning Meals. CDC. https://www. cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/ meals.html

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2. Grilled Chicken Veggie Bowls.

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(2019, Oct., 3). Picky Palate. https://picky-palate.com/ grilled-chicken-veggie-bowls-meal-prep/ 3. Steak Fajita Salad. Dam Delicious. https://damndelicious.net/2015/03/06/ steak-fajita-salad/ 4. Forward Fold Yoga Pose. (2012, Oct., 3). Yoga With Adriene. https://youtu.be/ g7Uhp5tphAs Nadine is a health coach and writer who helps her clients achieve phenomenal and sustainable results by combining nutrition, fitness and fun!

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PETVET MAGAZINE

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WHY IT MATTERS

Fear Free A Commitment of Physical and Emotional Care

By Dr. Marty Becker

I

grew up on a farm in Southern Idaho and wanted to be a dairy veterinarian from age six. Fast forward 14 years to my first day of

veterinary school at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine when Dean Leo Bustad gave a talk on the human-animal bond, and I suddenly switched to wanting to be a companion animal practitioner…my dairy career having lasted about 30 minutes.

This spark ignited in me the importance of the human-animal bond and has led to a wildfire of purpose, passion and plan to celebrate, protect and nurture the human-

facilities, shelters and even pet parents. With this model,

animal bond. This precious bond, an

no matter if the pet is at a temporary home (e.g., vet’s

affection-connection between pets and people

office, shelter, groomer, boarding) or their forever home,

that is nebulous, but easily understood by

we are always looking to reduce fear, anxiety and stress,

anyone who’s felt it, has served as my North

and increase happy and calm. Additionally, knowing

Star throughout my multifaceted career, which

that pets need to express their genetic exuberance,

resulted in the founding of Fear Free in 2016.

Fear Free is at the forefront of promoting enrichment

Fear Free is simply a commitment to look af-

activities for animals.

Some of the many benefits of reducing fear, anxiety and

ter both the physical and emotional wellbeing of animals. Fear produces a physiological response, so Fear Free is medicine. A research-based or-

1 Less fight-or-flight responses. These responses

ganization built on the bedrock of boarded vet-

increase the release of cortisol, a hormone that can have

erinary behaviorists, Fear Free has harnessed a

severe negative long-term effects.

group of almost 250 experts in animal behavior,

2

Less fear of handling/procedures. Animals,

animal handling, pain management, anesthesia

like humans, move towards pleasure and away from pain.

and sedation, and all aspects of medicine.

Knowing fear is caused by something painful or disturbing

Fear Free focuses on the entire ecosystem

(for example, trimming nails too short is painful; now see-

of animals. For example, with pets, Fear Free

ing nail trimmers is disturbing) will make them negatively

training is available for veterinarians, veteri-

associate those experiences.

nary technicians and team members, as well as for trainers, groomers, pet sitters, boarding

8

stress in pets through Fear Free include:

3

Less pets being rehomed or surrendered to shelters. Many pets that bite, scratch, have inappropriate

PETVET MAGAZINE

elimination or destroy household items because of fear-based

including the pet owners who no longer feel like you’re hurting

aggression or behaviors are removed from the home. These same fearful pets, once in shelters or rescues, are slow to be adopted

their pets by trying to help them.

4 Increased practice growth and profits. We have four

and are often bounced from home to home.

years of white papers showing that practices that become Fear

4

Free certified have increases in all major practice KPIs and make

More animals receive the care they need. More

more net income than similar practices that aren’t Fear Free.

animals are receiving the medical, behavioral and grooming care they need since this approach makes it easier for the professionals providing the care to handle and treat the animal.

want them to love us back. We want to use our skills to help

In addition, Fear Free also benefits those practicing it in

make them healthier, happier and living a full life. By embracing

many ways, including:

1

Nobody gets into professions working with animals to make life worse for them. Quite the contrary; we love animals and

Fear Free in a veterinary practice, you set yourself and the

Better medicine. Fear Free results in more accurate

animals you care for up for low-stress success.

vital signs, more accurate diagnostic tests, and more accurate physical exams as pets don’t hide pain and sensitivity because

Dr. Marty Becker, “America’s Veterinarian,” has

they’re stressed. These pets also heal faster because they don’t suffer from immunosuppression and have less frequent digestive

spent his life working toward better health for

upsets.

2 Fewer injuries. When you dramatically reduce fear,

founder of Fear Free, which works to prevent

anxiety and stress, become proficient in detecting signs of it and monitor the levels of it, incidents of bites, scratches and other injuries plummet.

3 More enjoyable career. Cooperative and relaxed pets make for a lower-stress environment for everyone involved,

10

pets and the people who love them. He is the and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them. This includes veterinary and other pet professionals as well as pet parents through FearFreeHappyHomes.com and animal shelter and rescue group staff and volunteers through FearFreeShelters.com

PETVET MAGAZINE

BEST PRACTICES

FINDING COMPASSION

SATISFACTION

BY REDUCING FEAR, ANXIETY & STRESS in pets

By Louise Dunn

T

he first appointments of the day have arrived. Buffy the "Tech Slayer" Shih Tzu is in room one, Clyde the Siamese cat hides under the chair in room two and Maverick the 100-lb Mastiff is still in the process of being dragged through the front door by his owner. The team stands in the back hallway, takes a deep breath and smiles before opening the exam room door. So it begins, another day of stress for both man and beast alike…

Members of the veterinary team are experts at dealing with every medical condition entering the front door. In addition to medical training, the team also has expertise in self-defense (trying to avoid being bit), wrestling (restraining an “active” pet) and dodge ball (ok, “ball” is a nice way of saying urine, feces and anal glands squirting from a frantic pet). Dealing with everything from medical emergencies and squirting fluids to reluctant dogs and stressed-out cats is all in a day's work. However, the constant exposure to pets under stress takes its toll on the team, often causing compassion fatigue.

Compassion fatigue is an emotional side effect of working with pets in distress and suffering. Those three pets coming in on this particular day are suffering 12

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from fear, anxiety and stress, and the team is vulnerable to the pressure.

Compassion fatigue is characterized by physical and emotional exhaustion from wanting to care for or help pets in need. Some may call it the high cost of caring, or burnout. No matter what label you give it, team members get worn down dealing with pets who are suffering—including pets suffering from stress. The result can be employees quitting their jobs, or worse.

The time is now for implementing a plan to improve pets’ veterinary experiences and reduce the compassion fatigue experienced by the team. For starters, it is essential to discuss compassion fatigue with your team. The AVMA has a tool to help team members measure the effects that helping others has on themselves.1 And although developed for use by human health care providers, the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) assessment is a starting point for discussing the workplace environment and mental wellbeing.

Some recommended action steps for dealing with compassion fatigue include: • Make time for yourself: Exercise, hobbies, leisure activities, unplug from technology • Focus on your health: Meal breaks, healthy diet, adequate sleep • Create a support system

• Practice mindfulness and meditation • Set boundaries: Know when to say “no” • Make work an enjoyable place Make work an enjoyable place? Is that even possible, given all that is happening in today's workplace—long hours, shortstaffed, angry clients and challenging patient interactions? Of all the ideas that come to mind for making the workplace enjoyable, think about one potential area for improvement: creating a relaxed, lowstress experience for the pets.

Why focus on the pets? Isn’t this about the team’s stressors? Imagine the team's relief when Buffy is no longer on the attack, when Clyde is lounging on the table and purring, or when Maverick trots into the building on his own. Removing that sense of dread one has when faced with the daily struggle of dealing with stressed-out patients is a significant step in making the workplace enjoyable and in

fighting compassion fatigue.

How does one create a low-stress veterinary experience for the pets? Tap into these programs to get started: • Cat Friendly Practice® Program2 • Fear Free® for veterinary professionals3 • Low Stress Handling® University4 These resources provide the tools and team training programs for creating a better veterinary experience for pets.

Initiating a change to the way things “have always been done” in the veterinary hospital will take some time because it is a cultural change. The team is fundamentally changing how they interact with pets, clients and even with each other.

Used properly, the techniques presented in the different programs mentioned above can help improve patient care, reduce client churn and improve the workplace environment for the team.

For example, many Fear Free Certified Practices notice a distinct change in dynamics in the exam room when the pet is

not exhibiting fear, anxiety or stress. Cat Friendly Practices notice a positive effect on both clients and their cats—including an increase in feline exams and feline dentistry. Work is more enjoyable when the veterinary team can do what they love: provide care to pets.

Practices making the change experience many positive results (as stated on their websites and published white papers) including: • Increased services per invoice • Increased percentage of patients with exam visits (including progress exams) • Increased feline exam visits • Improved client bonding rates • Increased forward-booking appointments • Improved client compliance • Reduced injuries sustained by team members • Improved team morale Kathryn Primm, DVM, CVPM of

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tHE BIGGEST TIP i HAVE IS TO TRAIN YOUR WHOLE TEAM.

EVERY POINT OF CONTACT MUST BE SINGING THE SAME SONG. IT HAS CHANGED MY PRACTICE AND MY LIFE.

– Kathryn Primm, DVM, CVPM of Applebrook Animal Hospital, Ooltewah, TN Applebrook Animal Hospital, Ooltewah, TN, knows first-hand the long-term effect of the Fear Free program on her and her team. “I saw half a dozen cats today, and absolutely none of them hissed at me,” she said. “The biggest tip I have is to train your whole team. Every point of contact must be singing the same song. It has changed my practice and my life.”

Implementing a change in the pet’s experience transforms the team's daily interactions with pets, clients and colleagues.

Instead of dreading that next exam room, team members can have the satisfaction of performing a comprehensive exam on a calm pet. They can have the satisfaction of engaging in a conversation with a client who can listen and discuss options (instead of hurrying so they can get the upset pet back home). They experience a calmer workplace environment. They experience compassion satisfaction.

Do not underestimate the importance of those daily interactions. According to a survey on compassion fatigue, veterinary

technicians report that “helping animals, working as a team, and working with grateful clients helped protect them from compassion fatigue.”5 This is what compassion satisfaction sounds like—helping pets, working together.

Clients notice and value the change.

Practices experience a better team environment. Potential new hires can sense a difference in the practice culture.

Job seekers search for these certified practices because they value the difference. This is the face of a workplace environment that enhances the quality of life of both pets and people.

Many factors cause stress in the veterinary hospital. While we can't prevent the emergency hit-by-car or the sudden passing of a pet, we can have a strategic plan to lower the fear, anxiety and stress experienced by pets. This, in turn, improves the veterinary experience for clients and veterinary teams.

According to Temple Grandin, “Reducing fear will improve both the

welfare and life of your pet.”

Isn't this why people enter the veterinary profession, to improve the lives of pets and people? Then why not improve the veterinary experience by reducing fear, anxiety and stress in pets, and give our veterinary teams the gift of compassion satisfaction? 

Resources: 1. Assess your wellbeing. AVMA. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/ wellbeing/assess-your-wellbeing 2. Cat Friendly Practice® Program. AAFP. https://catvets.com/cfp/veterinary-professionals 3. Fear Free® for veterinary professionals. Fear Free Pets. https:// fearfreepets.com/veterinary-professionals/ 4. Low Stress Handling® University. Low Stress Handling. https://lowstresshandling.com/ 5. Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction. NC State Veterinary Medicine. https://cvm.ncsu.edu/human-resources/ employee-resources/compassion/ Louise Dunn is a renowned award-winning speaker, writer and consultant. She brings over 40 years of in-the-trenches experience and her business education to veterinary management.

Louise is founder and CEO of Snowgoose Veterinary Management Consulting. SVMC works with veterinarians who want to develop a strategic plan that consistently produces results. Most recently Louise received many awards including the WVC Educator of the Year numerous times and VetPartner’s The Life Time achievement Award in January 2016. Besides all aspects of practice management and mentoring, Louise’s passions include her husband, Joel, her English mastiff Therapy dog, Zuri, her little sister, Annabelle, as well as kayaking, opera and New England Patriot’s football.

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PETVET MAGAZINE

Discover your

Success!

MAY 2-5

2022

B U R B A N K , C A L I F O R N I A

P E T B O A R D I N G E X P O W E S T. C O M

CLIENT SERVICES As part of our veterinary oath, we promise to use our skills and knowledge for “the prevention and relief of animal suffering.” Euthanasia offers us the unique ability to aid in the relief of suffering by providing a “good death.”

Ultimately, though, the decision to euthanize a pet belongs to their owner. For some, that is not a decision they are ready or willing to make despite receiving a poor or grave prognosis and recommendation for humane euthanasia.

By Kate Boatright, VMD

C

ases like these can have devastating consequences on the mental health of the veterinary team. Learning to navigate these difficult situations is essential to maximize patient welfare, maintain client connections and preserve the mental health of all team members.

Here are some tools that can be used by veterinary team members when faced with these challenging cases:

1. Prioritize compassionate communication.

Navigating the conversations surrounding euthanasia is considered by many veterinarians to be more stressful than the act of performing the euthanasia.1 Prioritizing compassionate communication and a client-centered approach has been shown to improve client perceptions of end-of-life conversations in both human and veterinary medicine.2 But what does this look like in the veterinary practice?

Client-centered communication involves establishing a relationship between client and veterinarian, and expanding the conversation beyond medical topics to include lifestyle and social topics. In the case of an end-of-life discussion, these conversations

16

could include discussion of the client’s beliefs around euthanasia, their ability to provide hospice care for their pet, the role the pet plays in the client’s family and the client’s expectations for what a peaceful death looks like for their pet.

We must make every attempt to connect with the client and give them opportunities for input. Use of open-ended questions to elicit the client’s concerns, questions and feelings is essential. Combining these with expressions of empathy can strengthen their impact. For instance, you might say, “I know that this is not what you were expecting to hear today. Can I answer any questions about Lucky’s kidney disease for you?” or, “I know euthanasia is very difficult to consider when you love Lucky so much. Can you tell me what you’re thinking/feeling right now?”

Once we have asked these questions, we must stay present in the conversation. Listening to the client’s response without being distracted by thoughts of other patients, how far behind schedule we might be or what we will say next will ensure we do not miss important information. A client may share information that can open an opportunity for connection—or at least an

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2. Provide multiple perspectives.

For some clients, hearing the same information and recommendations from multiple sources can help them to understand the true severity of their pet’s condition. In some cases where I feel that I am missing a connection with the owner, I will excuse myself from the room by saying, “I know this is difficult to consider, and I’d like to give you some

time to think, if that’s okay.” Most clients are grateful for this opportunity.

I will often then send an experienced veterinary nurse in to check on the client after a few minutes and allow them time to speak with the client. Many clients will elicit the opinion of the nurse, especially if they have met them in previous visits. Sometimes my nurses have been the ones to guide clients to the decision to euthanize.

I have also offered to call specialists or talk to other doctors in the practice to determine if there are any other suggestions for treatment. In some cases, owners have requested referral to the specialty hospital to meet with the specialist in person. In these cases, I try to encourage a direct transfer from my hospital to the specialty center to avoid prolonging pain or suffering for the pet.

Objective data can be powerful. Providing quality-of-life assessments help some owners in their decision-making.

3. Provide resources to the owner.

Objective data can be powerful.

Providing quality-of-life assessments help some owners in their decision-making. Two of the assessments I use most often for owners come

not enough are

When wor ds

improved understanding—such as the fact that this pet previously belonged to their late partner or that they do not believe in euthanasia. We can build on the conversation to devise a plan that is in the best interest of the pet while respecting the client’s emotional limitations.

While we may feel frustrated when the client does not accept our recommendation for euthanasia, we must control our own feelings and avoid passing judgement. Staying aware of our nonverbal communication is especially important during these conversations as we can easily expose our feelings with our facial expressions, body language or tone of voice.

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from Lap of Love3 and the Ohio State University Veterinary School.4 Lap of Love’s website also offers excellent client information on end-of-life care that anyone can access, even if there is not a Lap of Love veterinarian in your area.

Additionally, consider providing resources for grief counseling and pet loss support groups. Some counselors and groups are willing to provide support to the owner prior to the pet’s death and can help them process the decision to euthanize. Most veterinarians are not trained mental health specialists and should not try to fill the role of therapist for a struggling owner. Involving trained professionals in supporting the client can help ease the burden on the veterinary team and ultimately be more helpful to the client.

4. Explore hospice options.

euthanize their pet, referral to a hospice veterinarian can provide more support for both client and patient. It is very important that owners understand what to expect in the death process and that they are prepared for the nursing care involved.

They should also be advised of subtle signs to watch for in their pet that might indicate suffering or distress.

If there are not hospice veterinarians in your area, do your best to provide palliative care to the patient. Some hospice veterinarians will provide “comfort kits” or “crisis kits” to owners which include doses of medications including anti-nausea medications, anticonvulsants, pain medication, sedatives and other products specific to the pet’s disease process. The goal of these kits is to provide short-term support for the pet, including minimizing pain, anxiety and distress, until the owner can get to a veterinary office.

Hospice care and in-home euthanasia services are growing areas in veterinary medicine. For clients who will not

5. Debrief to protect the mental health of the veterinary team.

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Finally, it is essential that team members can debrief after the conclusion of the case, regardless of the outcome. Cases where there is disagreement between the veterinary team and client surrounding patient care can lead to moral distress for the veterinary team. This was defined as “the experience of knowing the right thing to do while being in a situation in which it is nearly impossible to do it” in a 2018 study that explored moral distress in veterinary medicine.5 Seventy-eight percent of respondents said that not being able to do what they felt was best for a patient caused moderate to severe distress for them, and 73% stated the same effects were felt by their team members.5 Debriefing offers team members the opportunity to discuss the case and their feelings around it. This can ensure that anyone who is upset or distressed about the process or outcome can get the support they need and know they are not alone.

In a profession with high levels of PETVET MAGAZINE

psychological distress and mental health struggles, having tools and resources for handling situations of moral distress, especially around end-of-life conversations, is crucial. 

References: 1. Matte AR, Khosa DK, Coe JB, and Meehan MP. Impacts of the process and decision-making around companion animal euthanasia on veterinary wellbeing. Vet Rec 2019; doi:10.1136/ vetrec-2019-105540.

2. Borden LJN, Adams CL, Bonnett BN, Ribble CS, and Shaw JR. Comparison of veterinarian and standardized client perceptions of communication during euthanasia discussions. JAVMA 2019;254:1073-1085.

3. Pet Quality-of-Life Assessment.

Lap of Love. https://www.lapoflove.com/ quality-of-life-assessment 4. How Do I Know When it’s Time?

Ohio State University. https://vet.osu. edu/vmc/sites/default/files/import/assets/ pdf/hospital/companionAnimals/ HonoringtheBond/HowDoIKnowWhen.pdf 5. Moses L, Malowney MJ, and Boyd JW. Ethical conflict and moral distress in veterinary practice: A survey of North American veterinarians. J Vet Intern Med 2018; 32:2115-2122.

Dr. Kate Boatright is a 2013 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. She currently works as a parttime small animal general practitioner and freelance speaker and author in western Pennsylvania. Her clinical interests include feline medicine, surgery, internal medicine and emergency. Dr. Boatright is passionate about mentorship and wants to see the veterinary profession move toward a more positive and sustainable future.

Outside of the clinic, she is active in the AVMA, and her state and local VMAs. In 2011, she served as the VBMA National Vice President and was a founding member of the VBMA Alumni Committee.

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Inbreeding of Dogs Contributes to Increase in Disease

By Trina Wood

D

og breeds are often recognized for distinctive traits—the short legs of a dachshund, the wrinkled face of a pug, the spotted coat of a Dalmatian.

Unfortunately, the genetics that give various breeds their particular attributes are often the result of inbreeding.

In a recent study published in Canine Medicine and Genetics,1 an international team of researchers led by University of California, Davis, veterinary geneticist Danika Bannasch show that the majority of canine breeds are highly inbred, contributing to an increase in disease and healthcare costs throughout their lifespan.

“It’s amazing how inbreeding seems to matter to health,” Bannasch said. “While previous studies have shown that small dogs live longer than large dogs, no one had previously reported on morbidity, or the presence of disease. This study revealed that if dogs are of smaller size and not inbred, they are much healthier than larger dogs with high inbreeding.”

Inbreeding Affects Health The average inbreeding based on genetic analysis across 227 breeds was close to 25%, or the equivalent of sharing the same genetic material with a full sibling.

These are levels considered well above what would be safe for either humans or wild animal populations. In humans, high levels of inbreeding (3-6%) have been associated with increased prevalence of complex diseases as well as other conditions.

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AVERAGE inbreeding based on

genetic analysis accross

227 BREEDS

was close to

25%

or the equivalent of sharing the same genetic material with a full sibling

“Data from other species, combined with strong breed predispositions to complex diseases like cancer and autoimmune diseases, highlight the relevance of high inbreeding in dogs to their health,” said Bannasch, who also serves as the Maxine Adler Endowed Chair in Genetics at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

The researchers partnered with Wisdom Health Genetics, a world leader in pet genetics, to obtain the largest sample size possible for analysis. Wisdom Health’s database is the largest dog DNA database in the world, helping researchers collect data from 49,378 dogs across 227 breeds—primarily from European sources.

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The study also revealed a significant difference in morbidity between brachycephalic (short skull and snout) and nonbrachycephalic breeds.

Some Breeds More Inbred So, what makes a dog breed more inbred than others? Bannasch explained that it’s often a combination of a small founding population followed by strong selection for particular traits in a breed—often based on looks rather than purpose. While she has always had an interest in the population structure of some of these breeds, she became particularly interested in the DanishSwedish Farmdog several years ago.

She fell in love with their compact size, disposition and intelligence, and ended up importing one from Sweden.

Bannasch discovered that DanishSwedish Farmdogs have a low level of inbreeding based on their history of a relatively large founding population of 200, and being bred for function, rather than a strong artificial selection for looks. And according to the insurance health data on breeds collected from Agria Insurance Sweden and hosted online by the International Partnership for Dogs, the Farmdog is one of the healthiest breeds.

The study also revealed a significant difference in morbidity between brachycephalic (short skull and snout) and non-brachycephalic breeds. While that finding wasn’t unexpected, the researchers removed brachycephalic breeds from the final analysis on effects of inbreeding on health.

Preserving Genetic Diversity In the end, Bannasch said she isn’t sure there is a way out of inbred breeds.

People have recognized that creating matches based solely on pedigrees is

misleading. The inbreeding calculators don’t go back far enough in a dog’s genetic line, and that method doesn’t improve overall high levels of population inbreeding.

There are other measures that can be taken to preserve the genetic diversity and health of a breed, she said. They include careful management of breeding populations to avoid additional loss of existing genetic diversity, through breeder education and monitoring of inbreeding levels enabled by direct genotyping technologies.

Outcrosses are being proposed or have already been carried out for some breeds and conditions as a measure to increase genetic diversity, but care must be taken to consider if these will effectively increase overall breed diversity and therefore reduce inbreeding, Bannasch said. In particular, in the few breeds with low inbreeding levels, every effort should be made to maintain the genetic diversity that is present. 

References: 1. The effect of inbreeding, body size and morphology on health in dog breeds. (2021, Dec, 1). BioMed Central. https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/ articles/10.1186/s40575-021-00111-4 Trina Wood is a science journalist and animal lover who works in communications for the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

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Thinking Outside the Box & Inside the Animal Mind

By Rebecca Shipman

A

nimals do have emotion, and fear tends to be one of the most primal emotions,” says Temple Grandin, who has been innovating the animal welfare industry for decades with her unique way of thinking.

And although she’s dedicated most of her life to studying cattle and other prey animals, her reference to fear as a prevalent emotion also applies to the dogs and cats that veterinarians see in their practices every day.

Dr. Grandin is currently a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University where she teaches courses on livestock behavior and facility design.

She also spends much of her time traveling and educating others on her methods of livestock handling and knowledge of behavior, as well on her other area of expertise, which is Autism.

Diagnosed with Autism herself at

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the young age of two, the now seventyfour-year-old animal welfare pioneer has marked many achievements in her lifetime. Dr. Grandin has authored numerous books on animal welfare and Autism, she is one of the most respected names in the field of livestock handling and behavior (in North America, almost half of the cattle bred for beef are handled in the more humane restrainer system that she designed for meat plants, as well as in facilities worldwide), and this incredible icon even had a movie made about her which won several Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.

In her 2005 New York Times best-selling book, Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior, Grandin acknowledges that while many animal welfare activists avoid eating meat entirely, livestock animals were essentially bred

Grandin’s view on veterinary care is in line with her stance on livestock handling; it should be

as low-stress for the animal as possible. by humans to serve a purpose, and that humans should recognize their caretaking role and respond accordingly.

“We owe them a decent life and a decent death, and their lives should be as low-stress as possible,” she writes.

“That's my job. I wish animals could have more than just a low-stress life and a quick, painless death. I wish animals could have a good life, too, and be able to express normal behavior.”

Grandin’s view on veterinary care is in line with her stance on livestock handling; it should be as low-stress for the animal as possible.

“I think some of the newer programs like Fear Free are great,” she expressed.

Grandin shared that one of the

most insightful studies she was involved in on getting animals to accept vet care with the least amount of stress possible was a 1995 behavior study where they worked with antelope.

“Antelope are one of the most flighty animals you will come across,” she says.

“We worked on conditioning these animals to willingly walk into a crate and accept a blood draw.”

During the study, they had to figure out what was triggering the fear in the antelope. And they used positive reinforcement methods, including treats, to make it a good experience for the animals.

Grandin went on to emphasize the importance of making any animal’s

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Dogs nowadays don’t get the chance to do doggie things.

People will take their dogs out for walks but will yank them away when they go to sniff a tree.”

– Temple Grandin

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PETVET MAGAZINE

experience at the veterinarian a positive one.

“Their first experience needs to be something good. Offer them treats and some pets, then have them come back later in the day for their shots,” she says of spearheading the fear that most dogs develop of the veterinarian.

Above all things, Grandin expressed that dogs today are highly under-socialized and not exposed to enough new environments, people or other dogs, which is a primary cause of fear, anxiety and behavior issues.

“When I was young, we didn’t have dogs that were afraid of thunder,” Grandin shares. “Our dogs had very few behavior problems and we had no dog bites. If a child got bit by a dog, the parent would ask the child, ‘What did you do to it?’

“Dogs nowadays don’t get the chance to do doggie things. People will take their dogs out for walks but will yank them away when they go to sniff a tree. They need to be dogs,” she states.

As far as older dogs or rescue dogs whose owners may not have had the chance to expose them to much during the beginning of their life, Grandin

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In addition to dogs needing more exposure to new situations, Grandin expressed the importance of

such a placing a mat on the exam table so the dog is not afraid of slipping.

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recommends figuring out what is triggering the fear in the dog and working to eliminate the trigger.

“Rescue dogs or a dog that’s been abused, you don’t know what they associate fear with. It could be something they’ve seen or heard. Animals are very visual. It could be the white coat the vet is wearing, so take the coat off,” she says.

In addition to dogs needing more exposure to new situations, Grandin expressed the importance of small comforts during vet visits, such a placing a mat on the exam table so the dog is not afraid of slipping.

“I’ve even told people that if their vet doesn’t provide a mat for the dog on the exam table, bring one with you. You don’t want your dog to have a bad experience,” she continues.

“Dog owners also need to get their dogs used to being handled and having their paws touched.”

Additionally, Grandin was involved in a consulting assignment focusing on why dogs are either passing away or getting injured during airline transport.

“The dogs are being found with bloody paws and mouths from trying to get out of the crates,” Grandin continues. “It’s because they’re scared. People don’t train their dogs to be comfortable in a crate and then they’re shoved into a dark space on an airplane, of course they’re scared.”

While everyone is quick to blame the airlines for the mishandling or neglect of the animals, Grandin put herself in the animals’ position and quickly realized they are simply acting out of fear.

“Nobody else thought about fear,” Grandin concluded.

That single statement goes to show why Dr. Grandin has been so successful in her lifetime of advocating for animals…nobody else thinks the way she does. 

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BEYOND THE STETHOSCOPE

OR

Bandwidth

Belief ?

By Angela Demaree

O

ur desire to be challenged is a basic human drive. We may refer to this as a growth opportunity or learning mindset. And it's why we may find ourselves gravitating to games and brainteasers on the internet. Not only is it a challenge for us, but we can also compete with friends and family, satisfying another human need for connection.

So often, when we want to accomplish ambitious goals, we may feel like we don't have the time, energy, expertise or room in our lives to tackle something so big and scary. Maybe we are afraid, but perhaps it's something else entirely. A lack of bandwidth belief can be a sneaky cause of procrastination. It's not the same as overwhelm…although it may feel like it.

Getting to that next level in our life or career can often require learning new skillsets or adopting new habits. So why are we pushing the brakes rather than embracing this new opportunity?

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There are several possible reasons, but bandwidth belief rarely gets discussed. For example, one reason for procrastination is that we don't believe that we have the bandwidth or capacity to pursue a lofty goal, so we don't even start.

There are many ways to overcome overwhelm and learn how to add more time to our busy days through automation, delegation and deletion of the activities we don't need to do.

But how do we solve for bandwidth if there's nothing left to automate, delegate or delete?

Speaking from experience, it's likely that we could clear a few more things from our plates, but we may enjoy these activities, and it may not free up significant time resources in the short term. In contrast, freeing up bandwidth requires us to think differently.

Here are three questions to help you think differently, start to free up bandwidth and accomplish that big, scary, ambitious goal of yours.

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1

What skillsets would I need to learn or get better at to accomplish this goal more quickly?

While we may not have the bandwidth for that big goal, final outcome or end result, we may have the bandwidth to start to tackle and learn pieces of the puzzle. Maybe we can spend an hour per week or 10 minutes each day learning a new language so we can get that promotion or take that dream vacation a year or two from now. Over one year, ten minutes a day is equal to 3,650 minutes which equals 60 hours, or two and a half days. If the average person spends an hour each day scrolling mindlessly on social media, surely we can find 10 minutes to improve a skillset that is important for our future.

Brainstorm a list of these skillsets and start tackling them one at a time. Pick those that will add more fun to your day or create meaningful connections with friends and family, and it will be that much easier to accomplish this mini-goal!

2

How would my perfect day, week, and month look and feel?

Yep, time to daydream!

This is the perfect question to ponder as you walk the dog, drive to work or enjoy your coffee on a lazy weekend morning.

Think this one through; visualize your days, how you want to feel and anything else you wish.

This simple activity can free up more mental space to see your dream more clearly, how it would positively impact your life and even create some breathing room amidst the chaos of busy days.

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3 What’s a new belief I could adopt to get me closer to my goal or that would help me achieve my goal?

One powerful belief I’ve had to adopt is to remind myself that “I don’t have to do it all.” And a mentor of mine had a mantra stating, “Your lack of preparation does not make it my emergency.”

So good, right?! When people need something last minute, and their lack of planning caused this emergent need, that

doesn’t mean you have to say “yes” to the request or drop everything right now.

You can still accomplish what’s most important—even if it’s not urgent—and either delegate or get to this request as soon as possible.

Obviously this isn’t going to work in the middle of an emergency shift, but it may help plan that next meeting or remind you to say “no” to picking up more shifts when you prefer to attend your kid’s soccer game. These situations can be super hard in reality but very powerful when executed.

So what are those mantras, statements or beliefs you can adopt to free up more bandwidth and have a more enjoyable life journey?

There are so many high-performance habits that you could implement to free up bandwidth and be more productive; however, it’s also important to remember you don’t have to adopt them all. Instead,

pick one or two that resonate and do them reliably each day. The wins will add up over time.

Remember how the British Cycling Team went from losing everything to winning the Olympics in just six years?1 They made everything 1% better, one thing at a time, until they were gold-medalists. Sometimes we need to think small, accomplish marginal gains and recognize that these small wins will add up to massive success over time.

Even just ten minutes a day of consistent daily action always wins over procrastination and hopes for a five-hour block of time to tackle that enormous task. You may not have the bandwidth for a five-hour project, but we often believe we have the bandwidth for just ten minutes a day. 

References: 1. How 1% Performance Improvements Led to Olympic Gold. (2015, Oct.,

s y M p at h y caRd REach out to gRiEving cliEnts

Dr. Angela Demaree is the CEO and Principal Consultant for PAWS

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

“...brings great joy and deep sorrow. May it be comforting to know that the loss of your beloved pet is shared by those who care.”

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on Twitter and LinkedIn @DemareeDVM

Your Pet Care Professional

y Pet!

When Your Pet Needs a Smoothie

Lear ning to Br ush Your Pet Mission Accomplished – a Happy Puppy!

Also, keeping your pet flea free with this continuous protectio n, is far less costly than trying to eliminate an infestation on your pet and in your home.

Because you and your professional groomer took the time to introduce your puppy to grooming in a step-by-step, gentle, loving way, you made your puppy’s all-imp ortant first visit to the grooming salon a wonder ful experience that will help him enjoy being groomed throughout his life.

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Fleas have to come in contact with the product to be killed.

That means that fleas actually have to get on, and could possibly bite your pet, before they die. There is also a possibility of skin irrita tion at the site of application.

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have a friend who could

benefit from this publication, Sweet Succes s

Tiny fleas can crea please on.. te hugepass probitlems By working with your pet care professional and following their reco mmendations about products and their corr ect usage, and by diligently treating and protecting your pets and their surroundings, you and your pets can kiss the ferocious flea goodb ye.

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Pet Care Series #5

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Your Pet Care Professional

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Your Pet Care Professional

Between professional groomings, you may need to brush and bathe your puppy at home. Your groomer can recommend and supply the equipment and coat care products that you will need.

She will also be happy to demonstrate the correct brushing and combing techniq ues that you need to learn to properly care for your puppy.

re onal

Flea Free

In many areas of the country, flea control is a year round necessity.

In conjunction with cont inuing premise control, many pet own ers have great success with oral or topical prod ucts that are administered once a month to their pet. The y come in a variety of brands like - Advantage ®, Frontline®, Revolution®, and Program®.

There are specific form ulations for dogs and cats, and most are approved to use on puppies and kittens six to eight weeks and olde r.

Read and follow the instructions, making sure to use the product that is specified for your pet. These products are extremely popular because of their once a month convenience, ease of application, and effectiveness. Most are waterproof, allowing your pet to be bathed, or to swim, without decr easing the product’s effectiveness.

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cause any irritation to himself. Remem ber that his freshly clipped nails may be sharp and can easily irritate his puppy skin. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your groomer immediately.

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Protecting Your Pets and Yourself

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PETVET TOp 10 2

Need a mentor? check out

1

5

April is... National

!

MentorVet is a centralized location for trusted resources for early-career veterinarians that includes financial and mental health coaching, vet mentor pairing, peer connections and online learning. www.mentorvet.net

3

Ten things to DO

In recognition of this, create a fundraiser within your practice for the ASPCA at www.aspca.org/team-aspca and promote it to your clients and community.

move your home office outside!

Who wants to sit inside on a nice day and catch up on emails and pay bills? To create an outdoor office, all you need is weather-hardy desk, a comfortable chair and an outdoor extension cord to power your devices!

Gather your family to watch the new netflix nature Documentary SURVIVING PARADISE.

4

Considering Vet school in... new jersey??

The Rowan University School of Veterinary Medicine will offer New Jersey’s first Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, as well as additional degrees and training programs designed to shape the future of veterinary medicine and animal health care in the state.

32

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

PETVET MAGAZINE

Narrated by Regé-Jean Page, the film explores the Okavango Delta, a vast oasis, isolated from the rest of the world by unforgiving desert, and the blueprints for building the perfect world, managing it sustainably and maintaining it—despite extremes of drought, famine and flood.

this month

6

7

tone and firm your face with face yoga!

May 14th is...

Have you tried adding face yoga to your workout routine?

These exercises tone the muscles in your face and neck which help slow down (and reverse!) signs of aging.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

need a fun new read?

Check out the newly-released autobiography Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life with 600 Rescue Animals by Laurie Zaleski. It is an inspiring and moving memoir of the author’s turbulent life with 600 rescue animals. And although there are some sad parts, there are lots of laughs.

8

CHIHUAHUA APPRECIATION DAY!

While we might not always “appreciate” these tiny terrors with big personalities, take this day to recognize the good qualities of our sometimes not-so-favorite patients!

9

looking to liven up your practice walls?

10

make your own kimchi!

Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made from various fermented vegetables that is rich in nutrients and great for digestion. Try your hand at crafting your own with Mama O’s Kimchi Making Kit available at www.williams-sonoma.com

PETVET MAGAZINE

Vet Artwork is a unique company creating cellular art for veterinarians from high-quality samples. They modify the images to create profoundly vibrant artwork used for decoration, education and remembrance. Order at www.vetartwork.com

33

Helping Pet Pros Take the

BEST CARE of your BEST FRIEND “THE GROOMING INDUSTRY’S TRADE MAGAZINE” WWW. GROOMER TOGROOM ER

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MELISSA

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2 leading trade magazines for the pet professional in your life with all the content to assist them in keeping your pet healthy, happy and beautiful.

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