In this episode of The Veterinary Viewfinder, Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, RVT, MPA, dive into an urgent issue facing veterinary professionals: the decline of preventive care visits and the growing trend of pet owners seeking wellness advice outside the clinic. As wellness exams, vaccinations, and senior care consultations decline, veterinarians are feeling the impact. With the rise of AI-driven tools, (questionable) social media influencers, and accessible online advice, pet owners are turning to alternative sources for preventive care tips and longevity strategies.

Dr. Ward and Beckie explore why this shift is happening and discuss how veterinarians can reclaim their role as the primary preventive care providers. They share practical tactics and communication strategies for engaging pet owners, emphasizing the value of early disease detection, quality of life improvement, and the unmatched expertise of veterinary professionals. Tune in to learn how veterinarians can reestablish their position in preventive pet care and enhance their relationship with clients amid a rapidly evolving pet care landscape.

The Veterinary Viewfinder was founded in 2016 to “tackle the toughest topics in veterinary medicine.” One of the tough topics we’ve covered repeatedly is the growing movement to ban non-therapeutic, non-preventive procedures such as feline digit amputation, often referred to as “declawing.” This week we’re excited to introduce you to the Canadian Animal Health Technician (same as US RVT/CVT/LVT) who succeeded in the enactment of a law banning declawing in the Province of Quebec. If you’re wondering, Quebec is the second-most populous province with a population of over 8 million. Not bad for a vet tech!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT are thrilled to bring you a master class in how one person can bring about big change. Leading the class is the amazing vet tech (animal health technician in Canadian-speak) Alexandra Yaksich, BSc., AHT. Alex wears many hats. She is currently working as a freelance writer, communications consultant, content creator, and relief animal health technician.

The story we share this week is about how anyone can overcome their doubts and fears to create change. Viewfinders, prepare to be inspired!

Alex is a loyal podcast subscriber and decided to email us at veterinaryviewfinder@gmail.com and tell us she had a story to share! (You can, too!)

If there’s something in your world you want to improve or change, Alex lays out a practical, logical, and systemic approach.

Whether it’s animal welfare, social justice, LGBTQ+, worker rights, or anything you feel is wrong or less than ideal, we believe this episode will not only inspire, but offers a pathway for change. Viewfinders, this is a good one!

Follow Alex on Instagram (@alexandra.yaksich) or connect with her via LinkedIn at https://bit.ly/3znSCoZ.

Arguably one of the most challenging exam parameters for veterinary patients is body temperature. We have traditionally performed this rectally. So there’s that.

But how accurate is a rectal temperature anyway? And how were those “normal temperature ranges” determined? Have we been taking pet’s temperatures wrong?

This week hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor are joined by two of Mella Pet Care’s co-founders Yale Chang and Anya Babbitt to discuss “all things temperature” - and a whole lot more! (Mella.ai)

The quartet muse on the current limitations and challenges of rectal temperature in animals, why the “standard” thermometer may not be as good as we’d like to believe, and Mell’s approach to in-home diagnostics.

Dr. Ward and Yale postulate on the future of in-home diagnostics, how this will impact telemedicine, and what this means for veterinary clinics.

Beckie challenges the notion that in-home testing performed by pet parents will threaten the veterinary profession and makes an astute observation on pediatricians, babies, and, well, body temperatures and veterinary businesses. You have to listen to find out more! Brilliant!

This is an important discussion because it speaks to the accelerating trend of what Dr. Ward calls, “The democratization of diagnostics.” We think you’re going to love this conversation!

The current COVID-19 global pandemic has certainly accelerated many changes within the veterinary and pet care professions. This week, we tackle the emerging trend of pet parents purchasing veterinary medical devices and in-home diagnostics and what this means for our profession.

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT discuss a quiet shift in pet parents beginning to do more in-home self pet care due to the coronavirus pandemic. Both agree there are plenty of opportunities and upsides for the veterinary profession, but there are potential risks, too.

Dr. Ward shares his recent experiences replacing cars lost during Hurricane Isaias and how there are lessons to be learned by veterinarians. He also explains why he believes Carvana can teach veterinary clinics how to provide better service for pet parents.

Beckie reviews her recent discussions with veterinary medical device manufacturers and what the next couple of years may hold for in-home veterinary medicine.

Viewfinders, this is another important topic that few are talking about. We believe it’s important to inform you about these issues and for our profession to be proactive in communicating with pet parents.

What do you think about this trend? Asset or liability? Benefit or detriment?

As Beckie says, “If the pet benefits, it’s our duty to figure out a way to help them get it.”

Thanks for listening, Viewfinders! If you have a tough topic you’d like us to tackle, let us know! Stay safe and give your pets a hug from us!