Innovative VOLUME 12 ISSUE 2
VETERINARY CARE
MINDFUL COMMUNICATION IN VETERINARY PRACTICE
THE POWER OF COMPARATIVE ONCOLOGY
A look at the influence the animal cancer market is having on human cancer care. — P. 26
IMPROVE RELATIONSHIPS AND RESOLVE CONFLICTS BY HELPING YOUR CLIENTS FEEL HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD. — P. 26
HOW TO AVOID BURNOUT
Foster emotional well-being by considering factors such as workload, rewards, and values. — P. 8
ADDRESSING VACCINE SAFETY
A look at some of the technological advances that are tackling the issue. — P. 14
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HERB SAFETY IN VETERINARY PRACTICE
ACUPUNCTURE POINTS AND INFLAMMATION
DEALING WITH SUSPECTED ANIMAL ABUSE
CONSIDERATIONS FOR PREGNANT VETERINARIANS
How to ensure the herbs you use in your practice are safe and of top quality. — P. 56
How veterinarians can save the lives of animals — and human family members in the same environment. —P. 40
Superficial inflammation in animals appears to overlap with acupoints traditionally associated with the relevant disease. — P. 32
Communication and accommodation support healthy pregnancies and a positive return-to-work experience. — P. 62
contents FEATURES
PRACTICE 8 INNOVATIVE AVOIDING BURNOUT
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By Sam Meisler, DVM
Burnout is caused by a mismatch between a veterinarian and his or her work environment. Considering a range of factors helps foster job satisfaction and emotional well-being.
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NEWER TECHNOLOGIES THAT ADDRESS VETERINARY VACCINE SAFETY ISSUES
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By Cheryl A. Cross, DVM, DACVP Study indicates that areas of superficial inflammation in animals frequently overlap with acupoints traditionally associated with the relevant disease.
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USING HERBS IN VETERINARY PRACTICE — HOW TO EVALUATE QUALITY, SOURCES, AND TESTING , By Elan Sudberg, CEO, Alkemist Labs Knowing the sources, formulations and quality verification protocols used by product manufacturers ensures the herbs you use in your practice are safe and of the best quality.
Helping your veterinary clients feel heard and understood improves communication and relationships, and resolves conflicts.
ACUPUNCTURE POINTS AND INFLAMMATION
IMMUNITY AND HOMEOPATHY IN DOGS — FOCUS ON NOSODES Nosodes are a potent, safe and effective way to help dogs build specific immunity to many major canine diseases, without the risks and side effects caused by vaccines.
By Bethanie Poe, LMSW, PhD
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By Phil Arkow
By Todd Cooney, DVM, CVH
By Jean Hofve, DVM
COMMUNICATION IN 26 MINDFUL VETERINARY PRACTICE
VETERINARY RESPONSES TO SUSPECTED FAMILY VIOLENCE By recognizing indications of animal cruelty and reporting suspected cases, veterinarians may save the lives of animals and human family members in the same environment.
NUTRITION NOOK FEEDING CATS IN 2022 Encouraging your clients to feed their cats the way nature intended helps prevent obesity and other health problems.
By Suzan Seelye, DVM, CVA, CVTP
Tui-na is an ancient Chinese form of medical massage that can have a profoundly healing effect on a range of conditions seen in veterinary practice.
By W. Jean Dodds, DVM What we currently know about vaccine safety in the veterinary industry, and a look at some of the technological advances that tackle the issue.
THE ART OF TUI-NA FOR DOGS AND CATS
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CONSIDERATIONS FOR PREGNANT VETERINARIANS
By Chery F. Kendrick, DVM, MPVM, MLT, ASCP, CFS Communication and accommodation support healthy pregnancies and a positive return-to-work experience for veterinarians who are new mothers.
advisoryboard Dr. Richard Palmquist, DVM GDipVCHM(CIVT) CVCHM (IVAS), graduated from Colorado State University in 1983. He is chief of integrative health services at Centinela Animal Hospital in Inglewood, California, former president and research chair of the AHVMA, and an international speaker in integrative veterinary medicine. Dr. Palmquist is a consultant for the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) and a past president of the AHVM Foundation. He has published two books, one for conventional veterinarians and a second for clients discussing how integrative thinking works.
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Michelle J. Rivera, MT, VDT, is an instructor at the University of Wisconsin and The Healing Oasis Wellness Center, a post-graduate educational institution offering state-approved programs. She is coowner of The Healing Oasis Veterinary Hospital, offering massage, rehabilitation, chiropractic and Chinese and Western Herbology. Michelle completed the Chinese Herbal Medicine program from the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center, and is certified in Chinese Medicine by the Wisconsin Institute of Chinese Herbology.
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
7 Editorial 13 From the AHVMA 19 Profitable Practice 20 In the News 25 From the VMAA 30 Good News 39 From the AAVA 49 Industry Innovations 54 News Bite
Dr. Joyce Harman, DVM, MRCVS, graduated in 1984 from Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Her practice is 100% holistic, using acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine and homeopathy to treat horses to enhance performance and those with a variety of chronic conditions, with an emphasis on Lyme Disease. Her publications include the Pain Free Back and Saddle Fit Books, and numerous articles in lay and professional magazines. She maintains an informative website: www.harmanyequine.com. Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM, ND, MSOM, Lac. Dipl.CH, CVA, AHG lectures for IVAS, the AHVMA, the AVMA, and numerous other organizations. He is co-founder of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies and is a director emeritus of the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland OR. He authored the Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine (Mosby); and Essential Guide to Chinese Herbal Formulas (CIVT). Dr. Marsden is extensively trained in alternative medicine, including Chinese herbology, acupuncture and naturopathic medicine. He has holistic veterinary and naturopathic medical practices in Edmonton, Alberta. In 2010, Dr. Marsden was named Teacher of the Year by the AHVMA; and Small Animal Veterinarian of the year by the CVMA in 2009. Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM, received her veterinary degree in 1964 from the Ontario Veterinary College. In 1986, she moved to Southern California to establish Hemopet, the first non-profit national blood bank program for animals. Dr. Dodds has been a member of many national and international committees on hematology, animal models of human disease, veterinary medicine, and laboratory animal science. She received the Holistic Veterinarian of the Year Award from the AHVMA in 1994.
61 From the VBMA 65 From the AVH 66 Need to Know
Dr. Barbara Fougere, DVM, CVAA graduated in 1986, and was named the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Educator for 2011. Dr. Fougere is the principal and one of the founders of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies. She has continued studying over the last 26 years, and has three Bachelor degrees, two Masters degrees, three post Graduate Diplomas, several Certifications and numerous other courses under her belt.
Dr. Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVH, graduated from the University of Georgia Veterinary College in 1980. She is a founder of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy, was on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathy Summer School and has been the holistic modality adjunct faculty liaison for the Maryland Veterinary Technician Program and is the former Associate Editor of IVC Journal. Dr. Chambreau teaches classes in homeopathy for animals, lectures on many topics, speaks on Radio and TV, and is the author of the Healthy Animal’s Journal among other titles. She is now on the faculty of the Holistic Actions Academy, which empowers members to keep their animals healthy with weekly live webinars.
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NEWER TECHNOLOGIES THAT ADDRESS VETERINARY VACCINE SAFETY ISSUES BY W. JEAN DODDS, DVM
What we currently know about vaccine safety in the veterinary industry, and a look at some of the technological advances that tackle the issue.
Heightened awareness about vaccine efficacy and safety issues, along with the hesitancy created by vocal “antivaxxers”, have escalated thanks to SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 disease it causes. A subset of the global population still believes that cats and dogs can become infected with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus mutants and/or can transmit it to others. While vaccines are not innocuous products, recent notable advances in technology offer improved efficacy and safety for both human and veterinary medicine. The following text summarizes the current information and availability of these newer technologies.
THE CORONAVIRUS FAMILY Coronaviruses belong to a large family of related viruses that can infect and cause diseases of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts in all mammals and birds. The human strains were first identified in
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the 1960s and cause common colds, which can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia. While these are zoonotic microbes that can jump between species and are transmitted between animals and people, an intermediate host is required, such as the horseshoe bat, pangolin (scaly anteater), dromedary camel, and civet cat. These viruses do not replicate readily in dogs, pigs, chickens or ducks, but do grow readily in wild, zoo and domestic cats, hamsters, ferrets and mink.
CORONAVIRUSES AND COMPANION ANIMALS No current evidence has found that companion animals can be infected with SARS-CoV-2, although a few positive cat and dog cases have been identified in households where a person infected with COVID-19 resides. There is no evidence that pet cats and dogs can infect other animals or humans. No vaccines are currently available for the respiratory coronavirus infection of dogs.
VACCINE HESITANCY AMID COVID -19 Worldwide infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its disease, COVID-19, has focused healthcare professionals and society on the need for safe and effective vaccines. Even with the few reports of clot formation arising from the AstraZenica and Janssen J & J vaccines, investigations by the WHO, CDC and others indicated a very low adverse reaction rate (about 640 per 11.5 million doses given), which falls well within the expected level of vaccinosis events. In the case of the J & J vaccine, clot formation, when it occurred, was linked to people with a congenital Platelet Factor 4 deficiency or other comorbidities. The rapid development and mass production of effective mRNA, adenovirus vectored, and novel DNA vaccines against these mutating coronaviruses has been remarkable. Once the percentage of vaccinated people reaches 80% or more, the remaining population should be protected by what is known as “herd health immunity” — a concept which applies to all vaccinated species. Further, achieving herd health protection should eventually control the development and emergence of newly infective coronavirus variants. However, even some fully vaccinated people can still develop breakthrough COVID-19 infections, albeit usually in a relatively mild and self-limiting form. Novel vaccines to address the recent Omicron SARSCoV-2 variant with its 37 mutations of the spike protein should be available this spring. The estimated duration of protection from the current SARS vaccines is about five to seven months, with boosters recommended for adults and especially those over 65 years of age. Vaccinating dogs with commercial enteric canine coronavirus vaccines cannot provide cross-protection against SARSCoV-2 and the COVID-19 human disease, as the enteric and respiratory canine coronaviruses are different.
BACKGROUND ON VACCINE SAFETY ISSUES Over 50 years ago, Professor Ron Schultz and I were among the few people cautioning against over-vaccinating pets. We were called irresponsible in public because others were unwilling to consider the idea that vaccines might not always be needed or safe. Since then, an understanding of the efficacy and safety issues pertaining to vaccines has become more widespread. Please remember that there really is no such thing as “up to date” or “due” vaccinations. Even today,
MINDFUL
COMMUNICATION IN VETERINARY PRACTICE BY BETHANIE POE, LMSW, PHD
Helping your veterinary clients feel heard and understood improves communication and relationships, and resolves conflicts.
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he veterinary setting has always been a prime area for communication challenges. While it’s tempting to focus on the cute puppies and kittens coming in for their first vaccinations, the reality is that veterinary teams are often faced with intense conversations with clients about difficult medical treatment decisions, financial considerations, and the need for euthanasia. The pandemic has compounded these issues. Like many businesses, veterinary clinics have found themselves swimming in a sea of uncertainty among community shutdowns, changing regulations, and staffing shortages. At the same time, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), more than 23 million U.S. households have adopted pets during the pandemic, leading to higher demand for veterinary services. Now, in year three of the pandemic, clinic schedules remain packed and both staff and clients are experiencing high levels of stress, making the need for clear communication more important than ever.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE BRAIN While it is tempting to focus only on what is coming out of our mouths when we talk about communication, we first need to understand what is going on in the brain. Dr. Dan Siegel has a great way of talking about how the brain works in high stress situations.
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It’s called “The Hand Model of the Brain” (Siegel, D. “Minding the Brain”. https://www.psychalive.org/ minding-the-brain-by-daniel-siegel-m-d-2/). Hold up your hand, palm facing out. Tuck in your thumb towards your palm, and then bring down the remaining fingers to cover your thumb. Now you have a general model of your brain! Your fingers represent the front of your brain which is an area called the prefrontal cortex, while your thumb and wrist represent the interior parts of the brain such as the limbic system and brain stem. The prefrontal cortex allows us to think critically, make logical decisions, and have emotional regulation, while the limbic system and brain stem have more to do with emotions and instinctual responses. This is important because it turns out that the prefrontal cortex is sensitive, and when it gets overwhelmed, it does what Dr. Siegel calls “flips its lid” (quickly straighten out your fingers), giving over control to our more emotional and instinctual impulses. In some situations, this is critical for survival. If you find yourself being physically attacked, you don’t want to ponder the most logical solution, you want to save yourself as quickly as possible! However, when the stressor is a challenging or difficult conversation,
“flipping our lid” is more likely to lead to emotional outbursts, or not being able to speak at all, rather than effective communication. To keep our “lids” where we need them to be, we must first take care of ourselves. While it seems like everyone is touting the benefits of self-care, taking time for oneself can feel like an additional burden when our schedules are already so full. Maintaining healthy eating habits can help us keep our cool. While the advertisers of Snickers didn’t have it exactly right — you are still you when you are hungry — you probably aren’t performing at your best. Hunger can lead to low blood sugar, which can cause fatigue, sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and poor coordination. It can also lead to a release of cortisol and adrenaline, which can contribute to feeling “hangry” (hungry + angry) when faced with stressors or irritations. While it may feel like you don’t have the time or energy to plan ahead, making time for healthy meals and snacks throughout the day can help keep your mood stable and your energy up. Similar issues arise with a lack of restful sleep. In addition to being associated with potentially serious medical conditions, like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, being sleepdeprived can also contribute to feelings of irritability, problems with memory, an inability to concentrate, and a depressed mood. It’s obvious that if you’re tired, irritable, and having trouble focusing on the situation at hand, your ability to communicate will be impaired. Turning off screens at least an hour before bed, listening to a calming podcast or music, or reading a book, are some things you can add to your routine to help lead you to better sleep. If you have concerns about the amount or quality of your sleep, please consult your medical provider. By maintaining a healthy body and brain, we’re better preparing ourselves to cope with challenging communication scenarios.
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION Communication goes beyond the words you use. A significant portion of our communication is nonverbal, although there’s some disagreement about the exact percentage.
Tone of voice: The entire meaning of a sentence can change based on the tone of voice and inflection you use. For example, can you remember when you were a child and an adult called out your name? Could you tell when you were about to get in trouble? Of course you could! There was something about the way the adult said your name that let you know there was a problem. Make sure your tone of voice matches whatever message you’re trying IVC Spring 2022
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