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.

Will the hit Disney Movie Cruella create in a surge in Dalmatians, Chihuahuas, or Chinese Crested dogs? Do media stereotypes about certain breeds or animals lead to painful cosmetic surgeries or stigmas? This week we tackle veterinary professionals and how to proactively respond to pet and animal media trends and movements. We go a LOT deeper than Disney this week, Viewfinders!

Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT chat about the recent portrayal of dogs in the Disney movie Cruella. The pair speculate on whether or not veterinary clinics will see an increase in Dalmatians, chihuahuas, or even Chinese Crested dogs as a result of their movie portrayals. Are veterinary professionals doing enough to educate the public on some of the potential health risks associated with these breeds? What can we do better?

This episode’s conversation includes how media portrayals can lead to breed stereotypes and perhaps cosmetic procedures such as ear cropping and tail docking.

There’s plenty of discussion on how emotionally demanding working in a clinic that performs cosmetic surgeries, declaws, or ignores certain breed-associated health risks can be for concerned vet professionals.

Viewfinders, these are important questions our profession needs to ask. While answers are few and perhaps even controversial at times, we hope this podcast encourages more solutions.

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!