VIDEOS & BLOGS

Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

The Coronavirus Catalyst for Telemedicine

The current coronavirus outbreak is changing daily life for billions of people around the world. In addition to crashing economic markets, disrupting supplies and goods, and impeding access to basic services and entertainment, the coronavirus pandemic is forcing us to rethink how we work, what we eat, how and we interact socially. I believe the current coronavirus pandemic will serve as a catalyst for both human and veterinary telemedicine, a progression I’ve long supported. I’d like to share with you the factors influencing this movement, why every veterinary clinic should consider implementing some form of telemedicine, and what the immediate future holds for veterinary telemedicine.

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Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

You Probably Can’t Get Coronavirus from your Pet

A recent report from Hong Kong revealed a dog living with a novel coronavirus infection (Covid-19) patient had tested “weakly positive” for SARS-CoV-19, sending pet parents panicking for pet-sized facemasks. Since that news broke, veterinarians around the world have been inundated with calls, texts, and social media questions about whether or not dogs or cats can get coronavirus or spread it to humans. The science is pretty clear: It’s highly unlikely that your pet can get COVID-19 or spread it to people. While I remain completely comfortable cuddling with my pets, there remains some concern and cause for general precautions.

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Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

Top Veterinary and Pet Trends for 2020

As 2019 comes to a close, here are some of the top Off Label Pet and Veterinary Trends and Topics we’ll be talking about in 2020. So grab a pint of kale, snuggle up with your 10 kilogram canine and a bowl of oats, have your banker on speed dial and conference in your virtual vet. It’s time for takeoff! Plant-based pet foods, grain-free dog food blowback and the DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) controversy, veterinary practice consolidation and corporatization, super-combo parasiticides, veterinary teletriage and telemedicine, and more!

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Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

Video & Blog: Do Animals Talk on Christmas Eve, The Donkey Cross, Veterinarian Writes Hit Song, Awkward Pet Pics!

A special “Howliday” episode of Off Label Veterinary News on Youtube. 1) Do animals kneel, face east, or talk at midnight on Christmas Eve? That's what my late grandmother told me when I was a child. 2) Do you know the story of the Donkey Cross? 3) Did you know a veterinarian wrote the holiday hit song, "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer?" We tell the story. 4) Awkward Pet Holiday Photos!

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Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

Video: Your Weight Matters Conference 2017: The Secret Life of Pets and Human Obesity

I was honored to present a special keynote at the 2017 Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) Your Weight Matters Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana USA. In this impassioned presentation, I discuss why I believe pet obesity is a disease, why obesity is a shared disease of humans and animals, the role pet care shaming and weight bias play in veterinary medicine, and why I've dedicated much of my career to fighting pet obesity. I also review the role of chronic inflammation, strategies for effective weight loss, differences in pet owner and veterinary professionals' attitudes on diet and nutrition, and challenges for the future of pet food and weight loss. 

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Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

Vlog: Talking with Veterinary Technicians

Veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward speaks at the 2017 North Carolina   Association of Veterinary Technicians (NCAVT) Annual Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina and talks with veterinary technicians about their biggest challenges, how they cope with stress, compassion fatigue and burnout, and what advice they'd give veterinarians and practice managers for better utilizing vet techs in their veterinary practices.

 

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