merial rewards program publication
|
volume 9, 2nd quarter 2011
®
ME RIA L
REWARD S
PRO GRA M
EA R N B O N U
S
POINTS
see pages,
14, 16 & 17 fo
r details
teaching
thinking
outside
the box
education
parasites
counselor
program
plus…
healthy pet recipes
team
helps defuse disruptions
|
contents
healthy pets healthy lives | from the merial rewards program | volume 9, 2nd quarter 2011
learn to handle
unexpected
schedule changes
with ease .
page 6
featured articles
2
Thinking Outside the Box
4|
Litter box lessons for challenging felines.
+
6
Defusing Disruptions
13 |
10
Team planning for difficult scheduling
situations.
Flea Resistance
Educating clients on flea facts.
+
client handout
Back to Thinking Inside the Box
15 |
+
share your story : pet spotlight
A Pink Princess
17 |
+
+
education
Parasite Counselor Program Launches
16 |
+
client handout
Break the Flea Cycle
activities : fun & games
Word Scramble
Pet treat recipes
More for you from merial® rewards
M ER IA L®
R EWA R D
S
PROGRAM
protector
S
EARN BONU
news
POINTS
see pages,
r details
14, 16 & 17 fo
Meet Steve Dale: A New Contributor to Protector!
MERIAL Rewards Program welcomes
Pet Expert Steve Dale, CABC, and the
author of the twice-weekly syndicated
newspaper column “My Pet World”
(Tribune Media Services). He hosts
the nationally syndicated Steve
Dale’s Pet World and The Pet Minute
(Black Dog Radio Productions) and
is a regular on WGN Radio, Chicago.
Steve is a contributing editor for USA
Weekend and a special correspondent/
columnist at Cat Fancy. Steve’s blog is
www.chicagonow.com/stevedale.
Touted as reaching more pet
owners than any other pet journalist,
Steve’s a frequent guest on local
and national radio shows. His TV
appearances include The Oprah
Winfrey Show; National Geographic
Explorer; Pets: Part of the Family, PBS;
several shows on the Animal Planet
Network; Fox News Channel and
CNN Headline News. He’s been
quoted in publications ranging from The Los Angeles Times to USA Today to Redbook.
His books include American Zoos and DogGone Chicago. He has also written forewords
and has been a contributing author to others, including “Feline Behavior Guidelines”
from the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Steve served as editor-in-chief of
PawPrints (a newsletter for veterinarians) for six years.
Steve is certified as a Behavior Consultant by the International Association of Animal
Behavior Consultants. He’s a popular guest speaker for events, and has presented
at many major veterinary and humane conferences around the world, including
the Western Veterinary Conference, Convention of the American Veterinary Medical
Association, North American Veterinary Conference, World Small Animal Veterinary
Association Congress and Conference of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
Have you ever wondered why some pets just
naturally behave in interestingly different
ways? Or, do you wonder what to tell your
clients when they ask something like “What
should we do with our cat that just can’t seem
to make it to the litter box?” These questions
and more will be the focus of our newest
contributor and Pet Expert, Steve Dale.
Steve joins the Protector team to provide
insight into (and ways to prevent) what I
will call “challenging” pet behaviors. Check
out Steve’s article on page 2, and share the
client handout on page 4 with pet owners
as we tackle these interesting habits – one
at a time! Steve will also host an exclusive
webinar for MERIAL Rewards Program
members, so please “Save the Date” for
August 11, 2011. More details are found
on page 14.
Even more educational support is
available to you since MERIAL and AAHA
recently launched a new Parasite Counselor
Program. Through the program, you have
access to specially-tailored courses on
parasites and prevention – and will also
receive CE credits. See page 15 for more
information and sign up!
All the best,
Jeannine M. Courser
Editor, Protector Magazine
Merial Limited
correction:
In the 1st Quarter 2011 issue
of Protector, an incorrect
photograph of Kathleen Ruby
was included on page 5. We
apologize for this oversight
and include the correct
image here.
Kathleen Ruby, PhD has over 25 years of experience in
counseling, coaching and organizational psychology.
Dr. Ruby has worked with hundreds of veterinary
students, faculty and practitioners each year, helping
them better understand and manage the stressors of
working in the medical profession.
protector | 1
Thinking Outside
the Box Isn’t
Always Welcome
Inappropriate urination is actually a common cause of
death in cats since many are relinquished to shelters for
this reason. Yet, the problem is almost always fixable.
Start with a veterinary exam to rule out any physical
explanations ranging from arthritis to cystisis to feline
cognitive dysfunction. If nothing is found, help the
client identify whether the cat is voiding/house soiling
or marking/spraying. Marking/spraying is when a cat
urinates on furniture or walls usually leaving a trail
dripping down the object (rarely, cats mark with stool);
while voiding/house soiling usually results in an
accident outside the box in a form of a puddle.
Here are some key triggers and tips for
treatment for each type of condition.
is the cat marking
/ spraying?
Marking behavior is often much like cats spray painting to tag
their territories and perhaps to express anxiety (rarely, cats also
mark with stool).
» Is the cat neutered?
» Is the cat seeing/smelling outdoor cats (even rarely other
animals) which are causing a territorial response?
» In multi-cat homes, is there a new feline addition? Are various
cats getting along?
» Is the cat spraying on a new piece of furniture?
» Is the cat spraying against the wall in an apartment or
condominium where another cat is living on the other side
of that wall?
what can you do
» Veterinary exam to rule out contributing physical explanation.
» Neuter the cat.
» Pull down shades or close blinds to prevent seeing outdoor cats.
» Consider a motion detector sprinkler or another humane
deterrent to dissuade outdoor cats.
» When unsupervised, confine spraying cat in a part of the house
where outdoor cats or cats on other side of a neighbor’s wall
can’t be seen, heard or smelled.
» If the cat is spraying against new furniture, cover the furniture
to protect it.
» Add a litter box near where cat is spraying.
» Consider spraying a synthetic pheromone product, such as
Feliway® (as directed), where cat has sprayed.
» If it’s a ‘cat vs. cat’ situation, seek professional help to advise
behavior modification to broker peace.
» If recommendations aren’t successful, seek professional help;
and the use of a psychopharmaceutical may be indicated.
2 | protector
where is the cat voiding urine
/ house soiling?
on furniture, in a sink or on a sofa or bed
» Cats who require a “litter box perch” are sometimes feeling insecure, threatened
and/or generally anxious about other cats (or other pets, even children) in
proximity to existing litter boxes.
» Even if it seems cats are getting along, signaling in cats is subtle. A cat lying in
a hallway leading to a box, for example, may be enough to dissuade a second cat
from heading in that direction. Cats may be very clear about daily disdain for one
another or offer subtle, yet intimidating cues, only in specific contexts.
» Change may cause anxiety; the owners’ work schedule, home construction, a
new partner or pet moving in, etc. A cat may choose the owner’s bed over a litter
box because it is soft and cushy, offers a secure view, its comforting and smells
so reassuring.
what you can do
» Ease anxiety. If a houseguest or new partner has moved in, have that person
interact positively with the cat, taking over responsibility for feeding and
offering treats; and most importantly, play with an interactive cat toy. If the cat is
unwilling to interact, it’s best to ignore the cat.
» When cats are not getting along, offer an abundance of resources to them−most
importantly, litter boxes (more is better), as well as toys and scratching posts.
» Make those areas where the cat is urinating unattractive. Affix double stick
tape on plastic placemats (cat don’t like to feel stickiness on their paws) or
purchase a product called Sticky Paws®. A Scatmat® (placed on furniture) is
flexible PVC which is plugged in, and gives those who jump on it a mild electronic
shock. Ssscat!®, is a motion detector that sprays air.
» Use a plug-in synthetic pheromone, such as Feliway, or a pheromone collar
(such as SentryHC Good Behavior Calming Pheromone Cat Collar).
» Use a baby gate (or another barrier) to keep the dog(s) away from the litter
box; (you can cut a hole in it for the cat to go through or raise the gate so the
cat can easily squeeze under.
» Obtain additional professional advice for behavior modification. A
psychopharmaceutical may be required.
next to the litter box(es)
what you can do
Assuming that the cat is physically well, a cat that urinates next to the box may
generally be communicating that the litter box location isn’t so much an issue, but
instead the cat finds something aversive about the litter box.
» If the owner has switched cat litter brands recently, return to using the
previous brand.
» Scoop at least once daily.
» If the litter box is a year old or more, replace the box.
» If the box is covered, consider removing the hood.
» If the cat is defecating in the box and urinating just outside the box, sometimes
adding a nearby second box will solve the problem.
» Obese cats (who may also be arthritic) can have difficultly moving into and out of
the box. Either buy an extra-large manufactured litter box, or consider a plastic
storage container (the kind you’d keep sweaters in and store under a bed). Low
sides are best so it’s effortless for the cat to walk in and out. Also, a veterinarian
can suggest a weight loss program and appropriate pain relief, if needed.
» If the litter appears to be suspect, allow the cat to choose the litter preference via a
litter trial giving three or four choices, literally lining up the boxes like a buffet.
please
help me
t
get your ca
tips to help
use
or kitten to
x
the litter bo
litter box advice
article By: Steve Dale, CABC
General
» The rule is one more box than the number of cats
living in the home (if possible).
» Scoop boxes at least once daily. Change out the
litter weekly.
» Clumping scoop-able, unscented litter is often
preferred. Finer grain is best.
» When deciding locations of the boxes, consider the
relationships between the various cats. Signaling
in cats may be covert, and cats that seemingly
are friendly may sometimes have antagonistic
associations. If antagonistic, consider multiple litter
boxes in separate locations.
» Location, location, location: Boxes should be away from
commotion, where the cat(s) can feel secure and are
afforded privacy. However, being “trapped” in a corner
can be a problem. Basements may be a source of loud
and sudden sounds which can be frightening. Also, as
cats age, navigating stairs may become difficult.
» Place litter boxes in various places around the house
so they’re not all located in one room.
» For cats that develop a substrate preference for
carpet, try placing a carpet remnant in the box. If the
cat begins to use the box, gradually litter can be added
while the remnant is cut away.
» If boxes are covered, consider having at least one
uncovered.
» Cat Attract Litter Additive (Precious Cat, Inc.) is an
organic additive that can be used to attract some cats
to the litter box.
» As cats are successfully re-directed to a litter box,
provide positive reinforcement with praise and a treat
(as you would house training a puppy).
» Cats must never be physically punished, or their nose
“rubbed in an accident”, as this will only heighten
anxiety in an already anxious cat and can create
mistrust.
» The litter box(es) should generally not be in close
proximity to food and water.
» Indoor/outdoor cats generally require litter boxes.
» Approximately 1 ½ to 3 inches of litter in the box
is appropriate.
» In multi-cat homes, determining the culprit can be a
challenge. A veterinarian can prescribe fluorescein dye
to help determine who is at fault. It may be given to
one cat; urine that’s found outside the litter box during
the next 24 hours can be checked for fluorescence
using a Wood's light. If urine does not fluoresce,
fluorescein should be administered to each cat until
the one responsible is found. (A positive test does
not eliminate the possibility that more than one cat
engages in urine marking at other times).
» For cats that do use the box but overshoot the top
of the box (“shooting urine”), try a covered box or a
box with higher sides. Another option is to affix a piece
of washable Plexiglas® to a nearby wall.
» Relegating the cat to a small room, such as a
bathroom, may “re-train” a cat having accidents to
the box and prevent accidents elsewhere in the home.
However, the inappropriate elimination is likely to
return unless the underlying issue which caused the
problem is resolved.
» Enriched environments are particularly important for
indoor cats. It’s been demonstrated that cats lacking
enrichment are more susceptible to stress, which may
lead to inappropriate elimination, which is sometimes
specifically linked to idiopathic cystitis.
» An excess of resources, resting places, litter boxes
and scratching posts, etc., is always suggested.
» Pharmacological interventions will not help cats
with aversions to litter, litter boxes or location.
The drugs potentially help cats with anxiety
issues, including inter-cat relationship issues
with behavior modification.
» Clean accidents with enzymatic cleaners.
Sources:
• Dale S., CABC, et al. CATegorical Care: An Owner’s Guide to America’s #1 Companion, American Humane Association, Denver, CO, 2010, page 4. • Overall, K., MA, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVB, CAAB, Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals, Mosby, St. Louis, MO, 1997; pages 166 & 171. • Overall, K., MA, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVB, CAAB, et al. Feline Behavior Guidelines: American Association of Feline Practitioners, 2004; page 15. • Norsworthy,G., DVM, DABVP and Horwitz, D, DVM, Dipl. ACVB, “Feline Patient” 4th Edition,Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, IA, 2011; Section 2, chapters 235 (pages 577-579)
and 237 (pages 584-585).
• Landsberg, G., BSc, DVM, Dipl. ACVB, et al. Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, Second Edition; Saunders, New York, NY, 1997; pages 372-373. • Buffington, T., DVM, PhD, DACVN, Indoor Cat Initiative, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; http://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/, accessed May 25, 2011. protector | 3
client handout
The Goal:
Back to Thinking
Inside the Box
{
4 | protector
Share this client handout by making copies of
the facing page or downloading it from
www.merialrewardsprogram.com.
}
The Goal: Back to Thinking Inside the Box
client handout
{
Generally, creativity is admired, but that’s not the
case when cats begin to think outside the box.
The good news is that cat owners
have access to solutions for behavioral
problems, such as adding litter boxes or
changing cat litters. However, changing
litter and/or litter boxes a hundred
times over will not solve the problem
if your cat has underlying physical
problems such as arthritis, diabetes,
cystitis, kidney disease, feline cognitive
dysfunction (‘kitty Alzheimer’s’) or any
number of other physical explanations.
These are conditions that require
treatment from your veterinarian.
So, when a cat has accidents,
rule number one is to visit your
veterinarian. And, do it sooner rather
than later.
Pet owners tend to let “mistakes” turn
into habits. This makes the problem
more difficult to deal with than had the
owner immediately addressed the issue.
Sure, any cat can have a “mistake,” but
if there seems to be a pattern, talk with
your veterinarian.
It’s important to describe to your
veterinarian what’s really going on.
what is your cat doing?
• Spraying: Cat backs up
against walls and/or
furniture, tail quivers,
cat may vocalize and
urine dribbles vertically.
• Voiding or house
soiling: Cat urinates
on a flat surface, often
leaving a puddle.
Interactive
play
is an impo
rtant
stress bust
er
and it's fun
!
}
There are a myriad of reasons cats
eliminate outside litter boxes. Cats
aren’t very nimble at dealing with
change, which can cause anxiety.
Cats aren’t very nimble when it comes
to dealing with change. Therefore, the
death of another pet or Uncle Ned
moving into the guest room can
create enough anxiety that triggers
improper litter box behavior.
The good news is that help is
available through your veterinarian.
Litter Box 101
These tips might help to solve or prevent problems:
•P
rovide the type of litter your cat loves. Most cats prefer
clumping clay litter. Don’t randomly experiment with a new
type of litter. If it’s working, stick with it.
• Scoop daily (twice is nice). If you’re using clumping litter,
change litters weekly.
• Ideally, have as many litter boxes as there are cats —
plus one.
• Some cats do prefer covered litter boxes, but most do not.
•L
ocation matters. Cats are vulnerable when using the litter
box and need to feel safe from other cats, other pets and
children. When navigating stairs is required to reach the
litter box destination, older cats may balk.
• Use super-size boxes, particularly for big or overweight cats
that require elbow room. Try plastic storage containers with
low sides instead (the kind used to store sweaters).
Additional Resources:
• Diplomats of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (www.dacvb.org)
• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (www.avsabonline.org)
• International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (www.iaabc.org)
Content provided by Steve Dale, CABC, and the author of the twice weekly syndicated newspaper column “My Pet World” (Tribune Media Services). Steve is the host of nationally
syndicated Steve Dale’s Pet World and The Pet Minute (Black Dog Radio Productions) and is a regular on WGN Radio, Chicago. Steve is a contributing editor at USA Weekend and
special correspondent/columnist at Cat Fancy. His blog is www.chicagonow.com/stevedale.
Sources
• Dale S, CABC, et al. CATegorical Care: An Owner’s Guide to America’s #1 Companion, American Humane Association, Denver, CO, 2010, page 4. • Overall, K, MA, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVB, CAAB, Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals, Mosby, St. Louis, MO, 1997; pages 166 & 171. • Overall, K, MA, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVB, CAAB, et al. Feline Behavior Guidelines: American Association of Feline Practitioners, 2004; page 15. • Norsworthy, G, DVM, DABVP and Horwitz, D, DVM, Dipl. ACVB, “Feline Patient” 4th Edition,Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, IA, 2011; Section 2, chapters 235 (pages 577-579) and 237 (pages 584-585). • Landsberg, G, BSc, DVM, Dipl. ACVB, et al. Handbook of Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, Second Edition; Saunders, New York, NY, 1997; pages 372-373. • Buffington, T., DVM, PhD, DACVN, Indoor Cat Initiative, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine; http://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/, accessed May 25, 2011.
©2011 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.
protector | 5
If special considerations are not addressed when protocols
are set, staff members are forced to decide based only on
what they think might be the best way to handle things.
FOR EMERGENCIES
& WALK-INS:
DEFUSING DISRUPTION
BY: Karyn Gavzer, MBA, CVPM
Have you ever had one of those days where you felt like you were working in
a combat zone instead of a veterinary office? Walk-ins show up, appointments
get behind, and then an emergency call comes. The clinic teams get frazzled and
clients get upset because they have to wait, which adds even more to the stress.
While not typically life threatening, client surges can be a serious threat because
they have the potential to do damage to the team and client relations. Just as
veterinary clinics have crisis plans to guide their response to fire, flood and severe
weather threats, there should be plans to prepare and equip teams to know what to
do in cases of schedule disruptions.
protector | 7
The first step in managing client schedule disruptions is to ensure that the front
line staff members have been trained to recognize emergencies and separate them
from more routine walk-ins. The next step is to establish protocols for managing
each kind of disruption.
Wellness Walk-Ins
If a client shows up with a healthylooking pet and is requesting routine
wellness services, the management of
these appointments will fall primarily to
the receptionists. When the schedule is
open, the solution is obvious. But if the
schedule is full or if the client demands
to see the doctor immediately, what
should the receptionist do?
Too many practices expect their
receptionists to decide on their own
what to do when walk-ins show up. This
oversight can have a disastrous result
on teamwork and morale. Doctors and
exam room team members can get
upset and blame receptionists when
they are surprised by the extra work.
Receptionists, on the other hand, are
only doing what they’ve been instructed
to do and may feel the exam room team
is uncooperative, uncaring or even lazy.
An important distinction to recognize
is that receptionists are focused on
client care, whereas exam room teams
are focused on patient care. These are
not mutually exclusive goals; on the
contrary, client care and patient care
must be aligned to achieve optimal
outcomes. This alignment can’t
happen without teamwork and good
communication.
Decide Protocols With Team Input
When talking about options for adjusting
practice protocols, ideally the whole
practice team should be engaged. Decide
as a group how to handle wellness walkins, especially the ones that come at
inconvenient times. This will help your
8 | protector
team identify holistic options that work
for everyone. In addition, this approach
provides the receptionists with protocols
to reference during stressful situations.
Here are some questions for the team
to tackle together so that all perspectives
can be considered.
• What are the options for nonemergency walk-ins if there are
openings?
• What are the options for wellness
walk-ins if there are no openings?
Remember, the client and pet are
there − not on the telephone. What
is different in this situation than
when a client calls to make an
appointment?
Now decide:
• Should the receptionist offer to make
an appointment for a different day?
• Should the receptionist tell the client
that there may be a wait but that the
receptionist will try to work in the
appointment as soon as possible?
What does the receptionist need
to take into consideration when
exercising this option? For instance,
is the doctor in surgery? Examining
boarding pets? How full is the
doctor’s schedule?
• Should the receptionist offer to let
the pet stay at the clinic and have the
client come back later for the pet?
What procedures need to be in place
so the pet isn’t overlooked?
• How should the receptionist handle
walk-ins near the end of the day
when there is little to no time to
work the appointment in, except by
incurring overtime?
• Can the receptionist offer technician
appointments to clients? What are
technicians authorized to do (e.g.,
express anal glands, clip toe-nails)?
Take It For A Test Drive
To help team members think through the
decisions they’ve made, do a simulated
“test drive” to identify and fix bumpy
spots in the road. For instance, you might
use a scenario like this:
A walk-in client arrives on a busy day.
The appointment book is already full.
The client explains that she just realized
her dog Max needs “the boarding shot”
to stay at the kennel while she is on
vacation. She’s leaving today and wants
to know if you can squeeze Max in for
the shot.
Test your protocol step-by-step against
the scenario to ensure that it will offer
sufficient guidance to be helpful to the
receptionists in this and similar cases.
For example, if Step 1 of your protocol
is to pull Max’s record, what should the
receptionist do with it? Should she look
only to see if Max has had a Bordetella
shot, or do you want her to check to see
if all of his vaccinations and parasite
control are current?
If special considerations like this
are not addressed when protocols are
set, staff members are forced to make
decisions based on what they think might
be the best way to handle things. This
pressures receptionists to sometimes
turn clients away or, conversely, force the
appointment on exam room teams who
are too busy.
Emergencies
Emergencies are even more disruptive
than walk-ins because of the urgency−
they need to be handled now!
Utilize the same team discussion
strategy to determine how emergencies
should be handled. Consider the
following questions:
• A re the receptionists trained
to separate true emergencies
from “pseudo emergencies”
over the phone? Can they triage
real emergency cases? If not,
receptionists will need immediate
access to technicians or doctors who
can assess these cases.
• How will you respond to a client who
believes it’s an emergency when it’s
not? Clients need to be calmed and
assured that you will help them. If
you can’t see them right now, what
do you want to do?
• What instructions should team
members give to clients who are
transporting an injured pet? What if
the pet can’t walk?
• What information do you need to get
from clients before they arrive? Do
you want to pull the pet’s records?
What medical signs do you need
to know−breathing rate, level of
consciousness?
• How will an emergency impact
other appointments? Will you call
in a doctor on her day off? Can you
reschedule regular clients once you
know how long the emergency will
keep the doctor tied up?
• Who will handle the estimate of
treatment costs with emergency
Tips for Finding an
ER Technician to Train
Is your clinic working with an ER facility that
has Emergency and Critical Care boarded
veterinarians on staff or credentialed
technicians? If so, call the facility manager
or owner to ask if they would consider
“lending” one of their best technicians to
visit your clinic to help train your team to
handle daytime emergencies. Tell the
ER manager/owner that you need a
technician who would be qualified to help
your team with the type of ER training
outlined in this article and offer to pay
the technician for his/her time.
Alternatively, consider checking with the
Academy of Veterinary Emergency and
Critical Care Technicians (AVECCT)* or the
Veterinary Technician Association in your
state to see if they have qualified members
or know of members with Emergency and
Critical Care certification or training that
they can recommend to train your team
to handle daytime ER cases.
Keep in mind that your training request will
be unusual and the more information you
volunteer about what you are looking for,
the more likely you will be to find a qualified
technician to train your team. It’s also good
to share the perspective that you are hopeful
that the training will help your team improve
communication and rapport between your
referring clinic and the Emergency facility.
lients? What options do you have to
c
help them with payment if they can’t
afford treatment?
After test-driving your emergency
visit protocols, make sure you know what
to do with different types of emergency
cases. If you identify areas where
training is needed, consider borrowing
a veterinary emergency technician (see
sidebar on how to do this) to help your
team work through triage, treatment,
estimates, or other issues for which
they need help.
Once you’ve decided on the protocols,
be sure to capture them in writing to
use as job aids to support current team
members, as training documents for new
members of the team, and as evaluation
criteria for employee performance
reviews.
No off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all
solutions exist for client walk-ins and
pet emergencies. Each clinic is different.
Planning and preparation will empower
team members and help them effectively
handle future client surges.
About the Author: Karyn Gavzer, MBA, CVPM, is a
veterinary business consultant and nationally known
writer and speaker. She says her job is to help practices
"go and grow" with training, marketing and new ideas.
She is an adjunct instructor for the American Animal
Hospital Association (AAHA), and a founding member
of VetPartners, the association for veterinary practice
management consultants and advisors. Find out more
at: www.karyngavzer.com.
* http://avecct.org/
This article is printed with permission and originally appeared in the January
2011 issue of Exceptional Veterinary Team. Improve your compliance, master
essential communication skills, get team building advice, and sign up for the
journal at myEVT.com.
protector | 9
flea resistance
fact or
fiction
10 | protector
{ By: Marie Rosenthal, MS }
Flea Resistance:
Fact or Fiction?
A single flea, which can bite a dog or cat more than 400 times,1 consumes more than its bodyweight in blood in one day. Many pets are allergic
to flea saliva and develop itchy rashes that can cause permanent hair loss and infections from the constant scratching. In addition, fleas can
transmit diseases to pets and people. The life cycle of a flea is similar to a butterfly. The adult lays an egg. A larva hatches out of that egg and
spins a cocoon where it undergoes metamorphism before emerging as an adult flea. Adult fleas jump on a dog or cat, feed and mate. Within
24 hours, the female starts laying 40-50 eggs a day.2
“She lays eggs on the dog or cat and
eggs fall from the animal’s coat to
hatch. Think of dogs and cats as living
saltshakers,” says Michael Dryden, DVM,
PhD, professor of veterinary parasitology
at Kansas State University.
Under ideal conditions, fleas can
emerge in as little as two weeks; but in a
home, it usually takes 60 days for 90% to
95% of the fleas to emerge.3
In 2009 and 2010, Dryden and his team
traveled to Tampa, Florida — where the
hot and humid climate creates an ideal
flea habitat—to evaluate flea control in
real clients’ homes. They found that the
products did their jobs.
“When we go to Tampa and apply these
products every 30 days to every animal
in the household, we get flea control or
we figure out why,” says Dryden. “Now
we do see failure, but we don’t see
product failure.”
The top reasons that fleas were not
controlled were:3
• Owners were not using the product
correctly
• Owners did not treat every pet in the
house every 30 days
• Owners took their dog to another fleainfested home
• People with untreated pets visited
the house
• Feral cats, raccoons or opossums
visited the yard
Often veterinarians do not know about
other animals in the home, especially
cats, so they don’t tell owners to treat
all animals in the house. In addition,
veterinary staff needs to educate owners
about good flea control.
“I think education is a huge issue in
veterinary practices. In going to almost
1,000 houses in Tampa over the past
20 years, we have found that it is not
sufficient to tell owners to do something.
You have to tell them why to do it,” he says.
When Dryden explains the life cycle of
the flea and the need to treat every pet in
the household every 30 days, the owners
apply the product correctly and the fleas
are controlled.
The two active ingredients, fipronil
and (S)-methoprene, in FRONTLINE® Plus
(Merial Ltd.) use a two-prong approach to
fight fleas.4 Fipronil kills the adult fleas4
within 12 hours of application,5 and
(S)-methoprene prevents eggs and larvae
from developing.4
Applying every 30 days is critical to
kill fleas that emerge after the initial
application. “If you only used the product
for one month, it is not enough to get rid of
the fleas in the environment,” he says.
Tell owners about the life cycle and
make sure they understand that it will
take about three months to get rid of all
the fleas that hatch in the environment —
and this will occur only if the owners apply
the product correctly.
About the Author: Marie Rosenthal, MS, has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years.
She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two weimaraners, Jane Eyre and Jake Barnes.
If owners do not realize how long it takes
to get rid of the fleas, they will return in a
month complaining the products did not
work. If this happens, perform “Flea CSI,”
Dryden suggests. Ask questions about the
pet’s environment, such as:
• How many pets are in the household?
• Did you appropriately use the product?
• Did you apply it to all the pets?
• Did any other pets visit your home?
• Do you have an elevated porch or deck
where raccoons, opossums or feral cats
could hide?
“You have to do a good job in educating
clients,” he says.
Apply FRONTLINE Plus year round
because fleas can emerge anytime in a
heated home, especially if the home has
a humidifier. If a flea lays eggs around
the time the owner stops giving flea
products because it gets cold outside
as in November, then fleas can begin
emerging in January or February —
before the owner starts giving the
product in the spring when it’s warmer.
“It is easier to give it year round,” he
says. “It is near impossible when to tell a
homeowner to start and stop flea control
because I have no idea what the winter is
going to be like.”
FDA Veterinarian Newsletter September/October 2001 Volume XVI, No V
Compendium of Continuing Education for the Veterinarian 1993.15;
4:569-578.
3
M. Dryden, DVM, PhD, interview held via telephone on March 17, 2011.
4
FRONTLINE Plus package insert
5
The International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine
2011:9;119.
1
2
protector | 11
LONG-LA
STING AD
ULTICIDE
R
EGULATO
ROWTH R
G
T
C
E
S
AND IN
on,
i
t
a
t
s
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i
To beat an
R
E
W
O
P
KILLING
NEEDS R.
E
W
O
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Y
A
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ademark of
gistered tr A.
G
INE is a re
®FRONTL ial Limited, Duluth, EAD.
er
AD
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©2011 M
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served. FL
All rights re
12 | protector | fall 2010
Merial.
client handout
Break
e
l
c
y
The FleaC
Fleas are more than a nuisance! They can be a huge irritation to dogs,
cats and family members should your home get infested.
Fleas on your dog or cat feed, mate and lay eggs. When
the eggs are laid, they fall off of the pet and into the
environment. Flea eggs develop into larvae, and then
pupae, in the environment before becoming adults and
reinfesting your pet. One such environment can be your
home. Michael Dryden, DVM, recommends that you think
of your dog or cat as a living salt shaker (or flea shaker!).
Female fleas can lay 40-50 eggs a day!¹ Keep that in
mind when beginning flea treatment on your pets. By
treating your pets with a flea control product, you may
begin killing the fleas on your pets, but more are hatching
all the time in the environment until you break the
lifecycle of the fleas in that environment.
Treating your dog or cat:
• FRONTLINE® Plus, available from your veterinarian, is a
great product that kills fleas within 12 hours.² It is also
waterproof, so your dog can swim or be bathed.
• FRONTLINE Plus not only kills adult fleas, but also
prevents the development of eggs and flea larvae (and
kills ticks).
• It is important to treat all pets in your household every
30 days. The 3-4 week flea lifecycle means fleas are
hatching out in the environment, even while the fleas on
your pet are dying from the flea treatment. These new
fleas will eventually jump on your pet, so having the pet
treated with FRONTLINE Plus every 30 days is critical in
breaking this lifecycle and clearing the environment of a
flea infestation.
While FRONTLINE Plus gets rid of fleas on your pets,
going forward, it helps decrease new fleas from hatching in
the environment. Here are some additional helpful tips to
help control fleas in the environment:³
Outside:
Check the animal visitors to your yard and eliminate places
that raccoons, opossums and feral cats like to live because
many of these wild critters carry fleas and deposit eggs in
your yard. Set up a barrier so they can’t get under the deck.
Inside:
• Make sure any pets that visit your home are
on flea control, so they don’t bring more fleas into
your home.
• Shampoo your pet’s favorite spots or spray them with an
aerosol made for fleas, such as Knock Out® or Siphotrol®.
• Vacuum your entire house at least once a week.
• Vacuum places that your dog or cat spends most of its
time every day. Does it have a favorite sunny spot where it
likes to lie.
• Vacuum under all seat cushions at least once a week.
• Get rid of the vacuum bag once a week. Some eggs
might hatch in the bag, but usually they are destroyed
by vacuuming.
• Wash any bedding or blankets in the washer with detergent.
1
2
3
ompendium of Continuing Education for the Veterinarian. 1993.15;4:569-578.
C
Carithers, D., DVM, EVP, et al. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med, Vol. 9, No. 2, 2011, pages 119-122.
M. Dryden, DVM, PhD, interview held via telephone on March 17, 2011.
®FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2011 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.
protector | 13
protector
education
stay informed . stay ahead .
k ed
power pac
ion
t
educa
Join Pet Expert Steve Dale on
Thursday, August 25, 2011 as
he hosts the Thinking Outside
the Litter Box webinar –
available only for members
of MERIAL Rewards. In the
60-minute webinar, you’ll learn:
»The difference between marking or spraying and voiding or
house soiling
» How to determine the cause of the inappropriate elimination
»Specific action steps to take to stop the behavior and
encourage cats to again think inside the box
During the last 15 minutes of the webinar, Steve Dale CABC will
be available to answer your questions about experiences you’ve
encountered. So, write them down and get ready to share!
Thinking
Outside the
Litter Box
To learn more, go to www.merialrewardsprogram.com
and click directly on the Learning Center link.
BONUS
S
POINT
EARN
AR
L® R EW
M ER IA O G R A M
PR
DS
MERIAL Rewards Bonus Point Opportunity
The First 20, Get 20
The first 20 members that register for Steve Dale’s webinar will receive 20 bonus
MERIAL Rewards program points – that’s $20 on your Visa pre-paid card!
Going to a Conference? So Are We.
If you’re attending any of these conferences, be sure to check out what’s new at the Merial booth!
14 | protector
August 27-30
Central Veterinary Conference
Kansas City, MO
www.thecvc.com
September 14-18
Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society
Nashville, TN
www.veccs.org
September 8-11
American Association of Feline Practitioners
Boston, MA
www.aafponline.org
September 29-Oct 2
Southwest Veterinary Symposium
San Antonio, TX
www.swvs.org
protector
education
stay informed . stay ahead .
EARN
CE
R
C EDIT
Merial and AAHA
Launch
Parasite
Counselor
Program
The American Animal Hospital
Association (AAHA), with an educational
grant from Merial, has launched the
first-ever Parasite Counselor Program,
which offers veterinarians, veterinary
technicians and practice team members
specially-tailored courses on parasites and
prevention. This program arms veterinary
professionals with the information
necessary to have detailed conversations
with pet owners about the harmful impact
parasites have on animals.
The Parasite Counselor Program, a
free web-based program, will consist of
four online courses covering fleas, ticks,
heartworms and internal parasites.
Participants who complete all four
courses will receive CE credit for each
course and earn the designation of
“Parasite Counselor” from AAHA. Parasite
counselors will have a strong foundation
for advising their clients on how to best
protect their pets from parasites.
Parasites can lead to both disease
and discomfort in pets and may infect
them at any time of year. Veterinarians
are the key healthcare advisers for their
clients, but often they rely on other staff
members to speak with clients about
parasite control. A knowledgeable staff
can help the client put the veterinarian’s
recommendations into practice, but
when a clinic’s staff isn’t educated about
parasite prevention this can put the
pet at risk. A pet owner may leave the
clinic without understanding how to use
parasite control products or may leave
the clinic with no product at all.
“Parasites cause significant illness
and degrade the quality of pets’ lives. A
parasite control regimen recommended by
a veterinarian and properly implemented
by the pet owner will help keep the pet
healthy and prevent many serious, costly
diseases,” said Janice Trumpeter, DVM,
AAHA Deputy Executive Director. “The
Parasite Counselor Program
will provide veterinary teams
with the necessary tools to
effectively communicate
their recommendations, why
they are important and how
to implement them.”
According to Michael
Murray, DVM, Technical
“Parasites cause significant
illness and degrade the
quality of pets' lives. A
parasite control regimen
recommended by a
veterinarian and properly
implemented by the pet
owner will help keep the pet
healthy and prevent many
serious, costly diseases,”
Janice Trumpeter, DVM,
AAHA Deputy Executive Director.
Marketing Director of Merial, “Pet owners
rely on their veterinarians and veterinary
teams to keep their pets healthy. Owners
want to know what to do for their
pets, and they also want to know why.
The veterinary team plays a crucial
role in reinforcing the veterinarian’s
recommendation and explaining why
parasite control is so important to the
pet’s health and well-being.”
To learn more about the Parasite
Counselor program or to register for
one of the modules, visit the education
section of the AAHA website at
www.AAHAnet.org.
protector | 15
protector
share your story
B
EARN
ONUS
S
T
POIN
pet spotlight
MERIAL®
REWARDS
PROGRAM
A Pink Princess
shared by: mekeesha price | mckenzie animal hospital | springfield, or 97478
While I was working late one evening, our
clinic’s housekeeper told me that there was
a couple at the back door with a hurt dog.
There I found a Chihuahua with a bulging
eye lying in the woman’s arms. The dog had
just been hit by a car in front of the clinic
and the couple actually saw it happen. Since
there was no staff on site, I encouraged
them to go to the local emergency vet
hospital. Because they were riding the bus,
the couple couldn’t get the dog there. We
took the dog in and called a community
service officer to take her to the emergency
clinic. I carefully took her from the woman
because I was unsure of the extent of her
injuries, keeping her warm in a towel.
While we were waiting, one of our
veterinarians happened to come back to
the clinic and volunteered to look at her.
The vet found her to be stable enough to
travel to the after-hours clinic. The officer
arrived and I tucked the dog into a kennel
and away she went.
The next morning I went into work and
decided to call the emergency clinic to
check on her. They reported that she was
stable and doing fine. They had contacted
the microchip company and were given
the information on the registered owner.
They called the person who claimed to be
the breeder–not the owner. The breeder
said they didn’t know who the owner was.
To make matters worse, they didn’t want
to have anything to do with her. Now, she
was going to be sent to the animal shelter.
I was heart-broken and really felt for this
little dog, but knew that my family wasn’t
looking to add another pet as we already
had three cats and one dog. I headed out of
town for the weekend with a heavy heart.
The following week, I decided to call the
shelter to find out how she was and if an
owner had come forward. They reported she
was doing fine and that no one had claimed
her. She would be put up for adoption the
following day.
There was something about this little girl
and our connection, so I decided to go see
her. She was very timid, but would let me
hold her. I decided to talk with my husband
about having her live with us. We had a lot of
things to consider: our other pets, financial
commitment and providing the care that she
needed. It was clear she was an older dog
and needed a lot of medical care.
The next week, my husband and I knew
that if she was still there, she was meant to
be ours. We found she hadn’t been adopted
and we proceeded with adopting her. We
named her Jaci.
The next step was getting her the medical
care she needed through our clinic. Her
blood work came back normal: she was
heartworm negative, and her parasite check
came back clean, with the exception of
whipworms. I scheduled her to be spayed
and promised to get her all cleaned up
and parasite-free. The poor little lady went
through a lot with her procedure.
For now, I am going to enjoy every
minute I have with her. Known as the “Pink
Princess” by my co-workers, she now has a
YOUR SPOTLIGHT STORY COULD GET
YOU 100 BONUS POINTS
100 POINTS =
$100
Do you have an interesting, fun or heartwarming story about a pet or
colleague in your clinic? Submit it online at merialrewardsprogram.com
(click on the Promotions link) and you could be awarded 100 MERIAL Rewards
Program points if it’s selected to be published in the Protector magazine. Be
sure to provide at least one high-resolution photo with your submission.
16 | protector
pink bed, blanket, bowl, jacket and collar.
I promised her that if she came through
everything, she would be my princess
for the rest of her life. I told her that she
had spent the first part of her life being
mistreated and abused and now she was
going to live like a queen.
I wrote this story in honor of Jaci because
she deserves to be recognized for what
she has gone through. I am so lucky she
came into my life. She was just looking for
someone to love and take good care of her.
She has blessed me more than she will ever
know. We were meant to be together.
Mekeesha and Jaci: meant to be together.
PET STORIES GUIDELINES • You must be an active MERIAL Rewards Member and be employed by
a MERIAL Rewards Member Clinic or a Merial employee at the time of the award • Stories should be a
maximum of 600 words • Only high resolution photos (minimum 300 dpi) should be submitted • All stories
and photos will become the property of MERIAL and cannot be returned • Our editor will help edit and
finalize your story before it is published • Please include your daytime phone number in case we have
questions • Not all stories will be published • Except where prohibited by law, selected author grants
(and agrees to confirm that in writing) Merial the right to use the selected author’s name, address (city,
state), photograph, picture, portrait, videotape, likeness, voice and biographical information for advertising,
publicity, promotional and commercial purposes and to use the statements made by or attributed to
author relating to Merial and grants to Merial any and all rights to said use without limitation, further
compensation or notice, without review in any and all media now known or hereafter devised including, but
not limited to, the Internet.
protector
activities
EA RN BO N US
Healthy Pet Treat Recipes
POINTS
Summer Word Scramble
Unscramble the first four words in each set of scrambles. Then use the circled
letters to unscramble the final word. Some of the words may unscramble into
more than one word, but only one word is related to the puzzle.
Summer Words
Summer Food
N
S
N
U
Y
m
o
r
s
t
D
H
I
M
U
e
t
w
y
B
EEIRSR
c
e
i
l
cn
o
r
a
e
e
d
TS =
25 POIN
$25
Dawgy Biscuits
Ingredients
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups oats
• 1 cup peanut butter
(my dog prefers chunky)
• 1 cup unsweetened
applesauce
• 1 teaspoon baking
powder
o
p
p
s
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease two cookie
sheets. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Knead the
dough on a lightly-floured surface. Depending on the oil
in your peanut butter, you might have to add a teaspoon
of olive oil if you find the mixture is a little too crumbly.
Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness then cut the
dough in desired shapes and place on your cookie sheets.
l
mn
o
Place the cookie sheets in preheated oven for about
25 minutes until lightly golden brown. Cool biscuits
completely before serving them.
Compliments of:
Answer:
Stephanie Grann | New Paltz Animal Hospital | New Paltz, NY
Answer:
Kitty Catfish Pie
Holiday Places
Summer Fun
e
h
l
o
t
c
e
i
r
s
a
k
p
r
a
bc
e
h
u
b
g
i
i
kn
a
e
l
r
x
f
r
s
u
a
l
p
y
Ingredients
For crust, mix:
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup soy flour
• 1/2 cup bran
• 1/8 cup corn oil
You’ll also need:
• 1/2 pound catfish
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon spinach
• Pinch of garlic
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon kelp
Mix crust and press into a small pie dish. Place in
refrigerator until ready to use. Cut catfish into small
pieces and arrange onto crust. Mix the milk in blender
with eggs, spinach, garlic, parsley and kelp. Pour mixture
over catfish and bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool
and serve upside down. May serve several cats or keep
refrigerated for a couple of days.
Answer:
Answer:
Compliments of:
Jen Fortman | Tender Care Animal Hospital | Prairie Du Chien, WI
*P
lease do not serve the above recipes to your pet if they are allergic to any of
the listed ingredients.
Share Recipes, Earn Points
Solution available at
www.merialrewardsprogram.com.
Share your healthy pet recipe with other members
and receive 25 MERIAL Rewards Program points
if it’s featured in the Protector. To share yours, go
to merialrewardsprogram.com and click on the
“Promotions” link at the top of the screen!
protector | 17
MERIAL Rewards Program Headquarters
P.O. Box 1785
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1785
8.5x6_rsg
Oxhg156186_Q2PR
4/6/11
2:11 PM
Page 1
Puppy.
Love.
& Hand logo are registered
®HEARTGARD and the Dog Merial Limited, Duluth, GA.
11
trademarks of Merial. ©20
NAVCBUSBNRHGD.
All rights reserved. MER11NA
®MERIAL, FRONTLINE, HEARTGARD and the Dog & Hand logo are registered
trademarks of Merial. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
©2011 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA.
All rights reserved. MKT11Q2PROTECT