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Welcome To The Veterinary Insider Pet Blog
The Veterinary Insider Pet Blog offers a glimpse into the dynamic and ever-changing world of veterinary medicine and pet health care. In addition, our pet blog offers money saving advice and tips for the frugal pet owner in all of us!
| Saturday, Jan 23, 2010 |
| Five Trends Driving Up The Cost Of Pet Health Care: Trend 3 |
| By Dr. Chris Pinney |
| Saturday, Jan 23, 2010 04:07 |
The third major trend we're seeing that is responsible for increasing veterinary fees is the increase in specialization. This trend is really tied to the first one we mentioned several weeks back regarding the high cost of getting a veterinary education. The veterinary student graduating today has enormous
student loan debt to repay once he/she walks across that stage. As a result, more of them are pursuing further education to increase their potential earning power in the veterinary field. In fact, a recent study revealed that over 40% of new graduates last year did
just that. In other words, the days of the general veterinary practitioner "doing it all" are just about over. As you can imagine, board-certified specialists command much higher fees than do general veterinary practitioners, allowing them to pay off those debts much sooner. While there is certainly nothing wrong with charging for such specialization, I fear that the higher
fees will financially exclude a significant portion of the pet owning population from important veterinary services. For example, a decade ago, a torn knee ligament in a dog cost several hundreds of dollars to repair. Today, that same surgery can cost in the thousands. Ouch! But can't general practitioners still perform knee surgeries on dogs? Sure they can, but more are inclined to refer
to specialists these days. Fear of malpractice may be one reason. But probably the biggest reason is that younger practitioners often leave veterinary school lacking the skills and experience needed to perform advanced diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures (like cruciate repairs). As a result, it's easier (and much less stressful) to refer to a specialist who already possesses such skills and experience. And that's precisely the trend we're seeing. |
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| Monday, Jan 18, 2010 |
| The Link Between Glucosamine Supplements and Diabetes in Dogs |
| By Dr. Chris Pinney |
| Monday, Jan 18, 2010 11:44 |
| Glucosamine-chondroitin supplements are commonly given to dogs with chronic arthritis and joint pain and studies support their effectiveness. As mentioned in my blog back in September 09, controversy exists over whether or not glucosamine enhances insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetics or can even lead to the development of the disease itself.
Good news! A study just published in the January 15, 2010 issue of the AVMA Journal found no significant correlation with glucosamine-chondroitin supplementation and fluctuations in blood sugar levels or fructosamine levels (an elevated fructosamine level is an indicator of diabetes mellitus).
In other words, it appears as though arthritic dogs suffering from diabetes or those that are borderline diabetics can benefit from these supplements without affecting their blood sugar levels. As always, though, check with your veterinarian before starting your pet on glucosamine or any other over-the-counter supplement. There may be better and more effective alternatives available. |
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| Friday, Jan 15, 2010 |
| Why Switching Foods Can Lead To GI Upset In Dogs |
| By Dr. Chris Pinney |
| Friday, Jan 15, 2010 01:47 |
| Here's a question I'm often asked, "Why does abruptly switching a dog's food from one brand to another cause GI upset?" The answer lies in the number ratios of the many different types of bacteria found within a dog's GI tract. These ratios are largely dependent on the ingredients found in the dog's normal ration.
That said, if these ingredients change, or if the relative amounts of the ingredients on the food label are different from what the dog is used to, the flora in the GI tract may experience a sudden shift, where one particular species of bacteria may "overgrow" another,leading to GI upset.
What's the best way to introduce a new food? Gradually. Do it over a 3 week period to allow the GI flora to "compensate". Here's a sample schedule:
Week 1: Mix 25% new ration with 75% old ration
Week 2: Mix 50% new ration with 50% old ration
Week 3: Mix 75% new ration with 25% old ration
Week 4: 100% new ration
In most cases, this gradual change-over will spare your dog any GI upset caused by the food switch. |
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