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Emergency and acute care are on the rise as clients try to save money by postponing care for ill pets, according to practice managers and owners who participated in a series of discussion groups on "Weathering the Recession" at the AAHA Yearly Conference last week. Veterinarians reported fewer visits but higher average transaction costs as a result of clients attempts to control spending on pet care. Practices’ individual economic situations varied, but many reported that people in their areas were fearful of losing their jobs and of spending money. Local layoffs from major employers had an impact on some practices. Not everyone was feeling a slowdown in business, but those who were described the various ways they are trying to get clients to stick with their practice.

When a medical error leads to an “adverse outcome,” the veterinarian needs to take some steps right away. Obviously, the doctor should first tend to the patient’s immediate clinical care. Then, he or she should develop a clear picture of what happened, and, while recognizing his or her own emotions and needs about the incident, prepare for discussion with the client. Careful preparation begins with verifying what went wrong and what steps will be taken to prevent the error’s recurrence. More important, it involves anticipating and devising an empathetic response to the client’s emotional reaction—and apologizing forthrightly for committing the error. Veterinarians will experience greatest success with clients if they take the time to think through and plan the conversation they will have to explain and apologize for the error, according to Kathleen Bonvicini, EdD, MPH, associate director for education and research at the New Haven, Conn.-based Institute for Healthcare Communication.

NEWStat Special Report - The Economy: Doctors and Consultants Weigh In

Feline hyperthyroidism has become a growing cause for concern and research in the veterinary field. A study published in the February 2017 issue of Environmental Science and Technology found that use of chemical retardants in household objects showed up in dust around the home, meaning cats face a significant exposure to the chemicals.

The opioid shortage isn’t going away any time soon. The shortage, which is severely affecting veterinarians’ ability to provide pain management for patients, is expected to last into 2019. The primary short-term cause is a production issue at a Pfizer, Inc. plant in Kansas, but residual hurricane damage in Puerto Rico, a major pharmaceutical manufacturing center, and a pre-existing Drug Enforcement Agency mandate to reduce the manufacture of opioid medication in the United States by 20% in 2018, are also having an effect.