December 2024

For the last 15 years, I have been working on Trends, first as an associate editor, then editor, and now editorial director. It has been an honor to be at  the helm of this publication for you, and I will miss the monthly deadlines and routines I have had for the past decade plus. But, we must adapt to the changing times!

Immediate AAHA Past President Mark Thompson, DVM, CCRP, weighs in on the future of veterinary medicine, the theme for this issue.  The Community asks for advice on fostering open communication and collaboration. This month’s Scoop headlines include: Treating Canine Trauma Patients with Freeze-Dried Blood; New Vaccine to Protect Against Feline Leukemia Virus; Study Proves Transfer of Feline Coronavirus Between Domestic and Wild Cats; FDA Approves New Skin Treatment for Allergic Skin Conditions in Dogs; 3D-Printed Kittens Help Train Students; and more!

The dominant practice model in veterinary medicine requires out-of-pocket payment for services, which limits care access to those clients who can afford it. At the same time, as even more people are seeking healthcare for their pets, the field of veterinary medicine is losing professionals at an unsustainable rate. It’s clear that change is needed. That’s why family-centered healthcare is the future of vet med.

Rachael Kreisler, VMD, MSCE, DACVPM (Epidemiology), associate professor of Shelter Medicine and Epidemiology at Midwestern University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, answers the 5 questions.

This month’s grand prize winner is Sabrina Gonzales, RVT, Veterinary technician, dental focus, at Nichols Veterinary Care, in Monterey, California!

Urinalysis and urine culture are so common in veterinary practices that they could be declared—dare we say—mainstream. But what is the best way to collect the urine sample?

With only so many hours in already packed clinical days, adding telehealth, telemedicine, and/or at-home patient telemetry feels daunting. It isn’t that practitioners don’t see the value of virtual appointments or increased patient data for certain cases. It’s more about feeling sketchy about somehow restructuring practitioners’ time to include meaningful and effective virtual care to clients and their pets. So where is it all going?

With shortages of veterinary professionals across the country, emergency care clinics in some areas are few and far between. But the demand is there, so some practices are seeking alternatives to 24/7 emergency clinics that can still serve pet owners in dire straits without overburdening already short-staffed practices.

The global US pet insurance market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17.5% from 2024 to 2030, to reach an estimated $10 billion market size by 2030. But cost, lack of understanding of the benefits, and lack of recommendations from veterinarians are some of the limiting factors hindering its wider acceptance.

The American Animal Hospital Association named Canobie Lake Veterinary Hospital in Windham, New Hampshire the 2024 AAHA-Accredited Practice of the Year! This article features interviews with the practice founder, team members and clients about what makes the practice so special.