Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is just one component of general sustainability of a product or practice. The American Public Health Association defines an environmentally sustainable food system as “one that provides healthy food to meet current food needs while maintaining healthy ecosystems that can also provide food for generations to come with minimal negative impact to the environment.”  

The specific factors measured when determining environmental sustainability include land and water use, waste production and management, and greenhouse gas emissions (including transportation). When thinking about animal-derived pet food protein, manufacturers and consumers concerned with sustainability should investigate a number of questions, including, but not limited to:

• How much land/water was used to grow crops to feed the production animals used in this food?
• How much land/water was used to raise these production animals directly?
• What percentage of the production animal was utilized in this food system?
• What type and volume of greenhouse gasses do these production animals release? 
• What is the energy cost of housing, processing and shipping these production animals?

Agriculture associated with animal consumption has a notoriously negative environmental impact when compared with other forms of agriculture. Livestock are estimated to be responsible for 14.5-18% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Some production animals are more environmentally expensive than others. Cattle comprise approximately 48.5% of livestock emissions, while poultry are more sustainable at 0.6%. Farmed fish, an increasingly popular source of protein in pet foods, have low greenhouse gas contributions but a significant negative environmental impact in the areas of water use, eutrophication and water acidification. 

It is important to realize, in the context of pet food, that much of this production is for human consumption. However, with more consumers feeding pets human-grade animal protein, companion animals are an important part of the food system sustainability discussion.

The Pet’s Role

We live on a planet with limited resources, and the ever-increasing human population already exceeds our ability to produce sufficient food. The United Nations State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021 estimated between 720 and 811 million people globally suffered from hunger in 2020. The UN currently estimates the global human population is growing by around 80 million people each year and, if current agricultural and food systems remain in place, predicts food insecurity will increase to over 840 million people living with hunger by 2030. 

And while the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were likely responsible for some degree of food unavailability, many of the issues leading to lack of food access are cited as escalating problems rooted in decades of unsustainable practices. 

As the human population grows, so does that of our companion animals. According to World Population Review, there are approximately 70 million dogs and 74 million cats being kept as pets in the United States in 2022. As of 2017, dogs and cats in the U.S. were estimated to be responsible for 25-30% of the environmental impact related to animal protein consumption. This impact is related both to the high number of pets and the shift in consumer preferences regarding pet food proteins. 

As more pet parents select foods with a high percentage of premium animal proteins previously reserved for humans, the carbon footprint of pet care increases. Protein sourcing has the highest environmental cost of any macronutrient, therefore it is critical to explore sustainable protein options for both humans and their animal family members. 

More Sustainable Protein Options

Fortunately, environmentally conscious consumers have options when looking for sustainability in pet food. One sustainable protein source has been used by pet food manufacturers for decades: meat byproducts. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a non-profit regulatory organization for animal feed and pet food, defines byproducts as “secondary products produced in addition to the principal product.” 

Where animal protein is concerned, the principal product is the cut intended for human consumption and the byproduct is not intended for human consumption. Meat byproducts that are often used as a source of protein in pet food can include organs, blood, bone or any non-meat tissue suitable for use in animal feed.

While they may seem unappetizing, meat byproducts can offer a lot of digestible nutrition while reducing waste in a food system. Studies and organizations concerned with food sustainability have confirmed utilizing meat byproducts is an effective way to decrease competition with the human food supply and minimize environmental impact. AAFCO’s official stance on byproducts is, as long as labeling, nutrient content and safety regulations are met, they are a viable source of protein in pet food.

There are some protein pioneers in the field of pet food exploring non-traditional, environmentally friendly options. One potential protein is in a class of its own; “Insecta,” to be precise. Insects are part of the normal diet of many wild canids and felids, and some easily farmed species show promise as a component in pet food diets. 

Insect farming has a much smaller ecological footprint than traditional livestock farming, boasting few greenhouse gas emissions and low water and land use. Insects also do not require large amounts of resources to be spent raising them, converting feed to consumable protein much more efficiently than animals higher up the food chain. In fact, insects can utilize biomass considered “waste” at an incredible rate, meaning they can help clean up after other industries. 

Black Soldier Fly Larvae has preliminary approval from AAFCO as an ingredient for use in dog food. These larvae provide an average of 40-44% crude protein and are already extensively used for livestock feed worldwide. 

Crickets are also of growing interest to pet food manufacturers looking to reduce their environmental impact. With an amino acid profile comparable to those of egg, chicken, pork and beef, crickets have a high nutritional value. Pet food producers are also exploring insects as an alternative, novel protein for dogs with food sensitivities. 

Another potential protein source is located off the production line. Some pet foods are using invasive species as a primary protein. Silver Copi, formerly known as Asian Carp, have been wreaking havoc on the waterways of the United States. Their population has exploded since being introduced in the 1970s, and efforts to control it have been largely ineffective. They are rapidly growing, large fish with a high reproductive rate, traits that make them ideal for their role as intentionally farmed species in western Asia. Despite being edible, they are not generally consumed by humans in the United States. 

This abundant protein source is now the target of pet food manufacturers looking to help relieve the environment of a pest while providing a quality fish protein. Using invasive fish nearly eliminates the footprint of aquaculture and potentially reduces overfishing of native species. 

Identifying Sustainable Pet Food

There are a number of certifications that help a consumer identify a sustainable product. Two nonprofit organizations offering comprehensive sustainability accreditation are Pet Sustainability Coalition¹ and B Lab.² Both offer a list of companies that have met their sustainability standards.

Additionally, there are certifications whose process includes monitoring of environmental impact. These include:

• USDA Organic
• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)
• Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP)
• Food Alliance
• USDA Process Verified Program
• Regenerative Organic Alliance
• Rainforest Alliance
• Savory Institute Ecological Outcome Verification

By working to make excellent pet nutrition more sustainable, we can help ensure animals and humans have a bright future to share together. +

References:

• Pet Sustainability Coalition. https://petsustainability.org/psc-accreditation/
• B Lab. https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp

Resources:

• Bosch G., Swanson KS. (2020, Nov). Effect of using insects as feed on animals: pet dogs and cats. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed. 1-12. doi:10.3920/jiff2020.0084
• Ingredient Definitions Committee Report Midyear Meeting via Webinar. Accessed September 18, 2022. https://www.aafco.org/Portals/0/SiteContent/Meetings/Annual/2021/Committee-Reports/Ingredient_Definitions_Minutes_2021_Midyear.pdf
• Kępińska-Pacelik J, Biel W. Insects in Pet Food Industry—Hope or Threat? Animals. 2022;12(12):1515. doi:10.3390/ani12121515
• Okin GS. Environmental impacts of food consumption by dogs and cats. Crowther MS, ed. PLOS ONE. 2017;12(8):e0181301. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181301
• Pet Sustainability Coalition. (n.d.). An Introduction to the 4-Factor Framework for Sustainable Protein Evaluation in Petfood. Retrieved September 23, 2022, from www.petsustainability.org. 
• ‌Swanson KS, Carter RA, Yount TP, Aretz J, Buff PR. Nutritional Sustainability of Pet Foods. Advances in Nutrition. 2013;4(2):141-150. doi:10.3945/an.112.003335
• United Nations. (n.d.). Food. United Nations. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/food 

The post The Environmental Impact of Pet Food Protein Sources appeared first on PetVet Magazine.

My family member had tagged me, then sent a private message. I could almost hear the panic in her voice as she reached out to me, a veterinary professional, asking “Is this true?!? I give this to my dog!” 

This isn’t the first time a viral story or pet health trend has been brought to me for a second opinion. Veterinary professionals are often faced with questions from clients who have heard or read something that runs contrary to our medical advice. These conversations can be opportunities to strengthen the client-veterinarian relationship and build a bond of trust, empathy and caring. 

Addicted to Anecdotes

It can be hard to understand why some clients trust a random story on the internet or the experience of an acquaintance more than what we perceive as sound medical science. We may even take it personally, feeling like the client values “them” over “us.” However, the truth is more complicated… 

Several studies suggest the human brain has evolved to remember and assign value to personal experiences and anecdotes over facts and statistics. This effect becomes exaggerated in stressful or emotionally charged situations. A study published by the journal Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes found that anecdotes hold the most sway and facts the least, where medical and personally relevant issues are concerned. This may be due to the ease with which the average human brain remembers stories, as opposed to statistics and data. It may also be a reaction to the information overload of our modern society. 

There is something about a personal experience we are innately drawn to. A separate study on the power of anecdotes explains, “Statistics can be doubted and countered with other statistics, but first-hand experiences have an aura of unimpeachability.”¹

Interestingly, people may be blind to their own bias in favor of anecdotes. The aforementioned study found that the majority of participants self-reported preference for facts and statistics when establishing believability. However, when put in face-to-face interactions with strangers holding opposing viewpoints, these same study participants rated those sharing subjective experiences as more trustworthy than those presenting objective information. This was especially true when they viewed people sharing what the study refers to as “harm-based” experiences, where someone witnessed or experienced injury or suffering. 

So, how does this come together to impact client-veterinarian interactions when discussing contentious information? 

If a client expresses concern based on a harm-based anecdote—whether from a stranger on the internet, acquaintance or family member—it is going to be very difficult to shift that person’s perception by sharing facts about safety and efficacy of the product or procedure they are afraid of. What should veterinary professionals do when faced with a cautious client?

Listen and Acknowledge

The first thing we should do is listen to the client’s concerns. At a minimum, we should engage in active listening when clients are speaking. Active listening entails filtering out distractions, not interrupting and responding to the speaker at appropriate times. 

In situations that have the potential for disagreement, we should practice deep listening. Deep listening differentiates itself through a commitment to understanding the speaker’s perspective. This is the type of listening most associated with trust-building and conflict resolution. There are entire courses teaching deep listening, but some of the foundational elements include:

• Listening without judgment.
• Being self-aware and quieting your internal monologue.
• Paying attention to the speaker’s non-verbal communication.
• Make understanding (not responding) the intention of your listening.

Listening in this way can not only help you understand the client’s concern, but it can also help calm any defensiveness veterinary professionals may feel in a situation where our medical expertise is being questioned. Deep listening can help us hear what the client is really saying rather than internalizing their distress as a judgment of our practice. It can help us see the source of their anxiety not as lack of trust, but as deep love and responsibility for a cherished family member. 

It is also important to acknowledge the emotions evoked by an anecdote a client is sharing—even a second-hand one. If a client says, “I read that someone’s dog died from that medication,” we can’t scientifically verify that information, but we can and should acknowledge that loss as a tragedy. Truth matters less in this situation than empathy. Rather than focusing on facts that we’re not able to establish, we can best move forward by addressing the real and immediate feelings present in the room.

Have a Conversation

Once you have listened to the client’s concerns, you can begin a conversation. Ask what the client would like you to do for them and their pet moving forward. Their response can guide your approach. If they say they’d like you to dispel their fear, then that opens the door for you to share your knowledge and experiences regarding the pharmaceutical or procedure being discussed.

 Conversely, they may say they never want to expose their pet to the product/procedure in question. Knowing this allows you to focus on effective and safe alternatives, if they exist. Let the client guide the direction in which you move forward. This is putting your deep listening into practice. The client will see you value what they shared, which builds trust and establishes you as teammates working in the best interest of their pet.

The Right Resources

If the client is interested, offer suggestions of where to find quality veterinary material on the internet. This gives them autonomy and a way to navigate the abundance of information available online. Left to their own devices, most people are prone to a phenomenon called “confirmation bias.” This means people will tend to ignore evidence against their preconceived notions and specifically look for, consume and remember evidence supporting them. Social media capitalizes on confirmation bias with its algorithmic content selection, making unbiased information even more difficult to access. 

Steer clients who want accurate, verified veterinary information toward reputable websites such as those hosted by accredited veterinary organizations, veterinary teaching academies or veterinary-sponsored, independent institutions. Encourage them to double-check any information they encounter on blogs, group chat sites or social media with one of the recommended resources, or by speaking with a qualified veterinary staff member at your practice. Make sure clients know you are available and willing to discuss any questions or concerns they have about their pet or veterinary care in general. 

As veterinary professionals, we know we are not only caring for animals. In order to do our jobs well, we must also help pet owners make important decisions regarding their pets. The best outcomes arise from a strong sense of trust and teamwork with the pet at the center. Seeing hard conversations as opportunities rather than oppositions helps set the stage for a professional relationship that benefits all involved +

References:

1. Kubin, E., Puryear, C., Schein, C., & Gray, K. (2021, January 5). Personal experiences bridge moral and political divides better than facts. PNAS. https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2008389118

Resources:

• 4 Types of Listening: Exploring How to Be a Better Listener. (2021, June 4). Maryville Online. https://online.maryville.edu/blog/types-of-listening/
• Kasriel, B. E. (2020, March 4). Deep listening: Finding common ground with opponents. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51705369
• Noor, I. (2020, June 10). How Confirmation Bias Works. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/confirmation-bias.html
• Walton, A. G. (2020, April 8). In Stressful Times, People Listen More To Anecdotes Than To Facts, Study Finds. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2020/04/06/in-stressful-times-people-listen-less-to-facts-more-to-anecdotes/?sh=667368ab6a43
• Weir, M., & Buzhardt, L. (2022). Finding Reliable Internet Sources for Pet Care Information. VCA Animal Hospitals. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/finding-reliable-internet-sources-for-pet-care-information

The post Fact or Fiction: How to Handle Cautious Clients appeared first on PetVet Magazine.

However, veterinary technicians who have spent years in practice may feel that there are not many options for growth. And in a field with notoriously-short career longevity, technicians who are feeling unsatisfied frequently explore a new occupation entirely. 

Fortunately, technicians who feel professionally stunted but wish to remain in veterinary medicine have the option to specialize. Specialization can create opportunities in an existing job as well as support expansion outside of clinical work. 

I spoke with two Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS) about their experience with specialization:

Kristen Cooley, BA, CVT, VTS Anesthesia and Analgesia

Kristen Cooley has worked at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Veterinary School as an Instructional Specialist and Senior Anesthesia Technician, and is currently the CEO and sole proprietor of Veterinary Anesthesia Support and Training, an educational consulting business. Kristen co-edited the textbook Veterinary Anesthetic and Monitoring Equipment and has written a chapter for the same textbook, titled “Pain Management for Veterinary Technicians.” In addition, she is published in the Journal of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America and Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

Why did you choose to pursue your Veterinary Technician Specialty? 

Kristen: I originally wanted to become a veterinarian because I love science, medicine, and animals. I didn’t think that being a tech would be enough for me. I didn’t like the feeling of having a ceiling above my head that kept me from growing. Once I found out about Veterinary Technician Specialists, I made it my goal to become one. 

How have you used your VTS to create new opportunities and shape your career path?

Kristen:  I use my VTS to teach and hopefully improve the practice of anesthesia and pain management in veterinary medicine. Because I have my VTS, clinicians and other techs are more willing to listen to what I have to say and to use me as a resource. 

What do you find most fulfilling about your current career?

Kristen: I love making a difference in the lives of the animals I work with and the people who care for them. Making a veterinarian or a technician just a little bit more comfortable and confident is what it’s all about. I also enjoy running my own consulting business. Not having to answer to anyone other than myself is liberating! 

Jordan Porter, CVT, VTS Internal Medicine (Small Animal Internal Medicine)

Jordan developed an interest in internal medicine shortly after becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician, and that interest quickly became a passion. In 2019 she obtained her VTS in Internal Medicine. That same year she co-founded Internal Medicine for Vet Techs, a continuing education membership site that includes her popular weekly podcast (accessible without a membership). Jordan has been published in the Journal of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Pet Health Journal’s “Internal Medicine for Pet Parents” series, and is currently working on a contribution to a textbook. She was also a presenter at the Midwest Veterinary Conference in 2022 and the 2022 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum. 

Why did you choose to pursue your VTS? 

Jordan: I wanted to prove to myself that I had mastered my skills and that I was at the top of my career. I wanted to test my knowledge while continuing to learn. 

How have you used your VTS to create new opportunities and shape your career path?

Jordan: With my VTS, I think it opened doors for me to help educate other technicians. I started a podcast and a membership site where I offer continuing education to other technicians. I have been able to create these platforms to share my knowledge and help others reach their full potential. 

What do you find most fulfilling about your current career?

Jordan: I may not be physically helping as many animals since making a bit of a career change, but I am still helping to educate pet parents about their pets and I am helping technicians up their game. That means I can help more animals in the long run.

Specialization Opportunities

Veterinary Technician Specialties are governed by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).¹ Their stated goal is “to help veterinary technicians attain a higher level of recognition for advanced knowledge and skills in a specific discipline.” Veterinary technicians who wish to pursue a specialty must commit to a multi-year process in which they complete a certain number of hours in their chosen specialty field, document detailed case studies, attend specialty-specific continuing education and ultimately pass an examination. 

Most technicians who choose to specialize do so based on an interest in a certain aspect of veterinary medicine. This may be something they already have experience with, or it may be a subject they would like to explore further. NAVTA currently offers VTS certification in the following areas:

Specialties with full recognition:

• The Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians
• The Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians
• The Academy of Internal Medicine Veterinary Technicians
  • Cardiology
  • Equine Internal Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Oncology
  • Production Animal Internal Medicine
  • Small Animal Internal Medicine
• The Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Anesthesia and Analgesia
• The Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians
• The Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice
  • Canine/Feline
  • Avian/Exotic
  • Production Animal

Specialties with provisional recognition:

• The Academy of Laboratory Animal Veterinary Technicians and Nurses
• The Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians
• The Academy of Veterinary Clinical Pathology Technicians
• The Academy of Dermatology Veterinary Technicians
• The Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians
• The Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians
• The Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians
• The Academy of Veterinary Ophthalmic Technicians
• The Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians
• The Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Diagnostic Imaging

Becoming a Veterinary Technician Specialist has the potential to take your career to new heights and in new directions. General practice clinics may employ individuals with a VTS in leadership roles. Technicians with a VTS can bring their expertise to referral clinics and teaching hospitals. Opportunities outside of clinical work include publishing, lecturing, education and consulting. 

A Veterinary Technician Specialty can give a technician a new outlook on their career and increased agency to pursue growth within the field of veterinary medicine. +

Resources:

1. NAVTA Veterinary Technician Specialties. https://www.navta.net/veterinary-technician-specialties/

The post Taking Technician to the Next Level with Veterinary Technician Specialties appeared first on PetVet Magazine.

Veterinary Podcasts

My Veterinary Life is an interview-based podcast produced by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Hosts and veterinarians Dr. Anna Reddish and Dr. Marci Kirk speak with veterinary professionals from a wide range of backgrounds in their specific areas of interest or expertise. Each episode begins with the guest sharing their personal journey in veterinary medicine, allowing the listener to feel personally connected to the speaker. Guests share their unique perspectives, experiences and knowledge, all of which broaden the listener’s understanding of what is possible in the field of veterinary medicine. You may even find yourself discovering a career path you never thought of! 

*I found the “Focus on Diversity and Belonging” series particularly enlightening and personally valuable. www.avma.org/news/podcasts

The Veterinary Life Coach Podcast is hosted by Dr. Julie Cappel, a veterinarian and certified life coach. Dr. Cappel works with the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association’s Power of Ten Leadership Academy and offers life-coaching courses on her website. Her podcast provides thoughtful advice in a relatable and approachable way. She addresses a range of subjects from sensitive, highly-personal experiences such as infertility and seasonal depression to workplace skills including conflict resolution and client communication. There is likely to be at least one episode that really resonates with you.

*The “Humble and Fierce” episode helped me think about leadership in a new way. theveterinarylifecoach.libsyn.com

The Joyful DVM is a life-coaching podcast hosted by veterinarian and certified life coach Dr. Cari Wise. Dr. Wise is also an instructor for Vet Life Academy: Vet Life Reboot, which offers a 10-hour RACE approved CE course designed to help veterinary professionals manage stress, develop personal and professional goals and boundaries, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Her podcast similarly seeks to lead individuals working in veterinary medicine toward greater fulfillment in their careers and lives. She tackles the big issues of the veterinary world head-on: toxicity, burnout, self-sabotage and anger, to name a few. Her honest approach leads to practical and accessible solutions to the problems we face inside and outside of work. 

“The Veterinary Care Cycle” episode gave me groundbreaking insight into how letting go of what I can’t control can have a positive impact on my attitude. podcast.joyfuldvm.com

The Whole Veterinarian Podcast, hosted by Dr. Stacey Cordivano, features outside-of-the-box thinkers that share new ideas on ways to increase the joy in the lives of veterinarians. From mindfulness to parenting to fitness and personal finance, The Whole Veterinarian starts a dialogue about how veterinarians can grow as people, not just as professionals. Dr. Cordivano also shares articles, books, podcast episodes and other learning resources that she believes have the potential to increase a veterinarian’s overall wellbeing. There are so many aspects of personal and financial development that can lead veterinarians to live a happier, more fulfilled life, and there are also so many people out there working to help veterinarians through creative and unique businesses and products, and Dr. Cordivano aims to highlight those working toward a better VetMed future for all of us.

In the episode “Improving Veterinary Team Culture by Focusing on Psychological Safety,” guest Dr. Olivia Oginska enlightened me on not only the definition of psychological safety, but the key role it plays in team communication and positive patient outcomes. thewholeveterinarian.com/podcast/

How to Be a Better Human is a TED podcast hosted by comedian Christ Duffy. Guests are frequently TED speakers and cover a variety of self-improvement subjects. The tone of the podcast is conversational and uplifting. The broad scope of material gives the listener an opportunity to take a well-rounded approach to personal growth. The podcast also expands outside of the self into the impact we have on the environment and our communities. Whether you want tips on how to get a better night’s sleep or guidance on using social media, this podcast has you covered. 

The episode “How to Nurture Your ‘Emotional Agility’ with Susan David Ph.D.” helped me take steps toward removing self-judgement from my emotions. www.ted.com/podcasts/how-to-be-a-better-human

Routines and Ruts is hosted by freelance writer Madeline Dore as a part of her Extraordinary Routines project. In this podcast, she interviews people about routines that can hinder us from realizing our full potential. Routines and Ruts offers fresh perspectives on behaviors that are all too easy to fall into. It can help reframe the listener’s thinking as the speakers break through culturally-normative narratives and encourage diverse perspectives. There are also mini-episodes called “Rest and Recreation,” which feature the host’s reflections on personal time and relaxation and, in her own words, “celebrate how we replenish.” This podcast’s strength is its ability to offer a new way to look at ourselves and the world around us. 

My personal favorite episodes include “Tyson Yunkaporta on How Creativity Is Inseparable from Life” and “Indecision and the Fear of Better Options.” extraordinaryroutines.com/podcast

Nothing Much Happens: Bedtime Stories to Help You Sleep Sometimes what you need is just a way to stop overthinking. One of the best podcasts for this is Nothing Much Happens. In this podcast, Kathryn Nicolai (who has a very soothing voice) reads short stories with no plot where, well, nothing much happens. She tells the story twice, lulling the listener into relaxation with beautiful imagery and repetition. This podcast reminds us that it isn’t just children who like to be told a story before bed. Allow yourself to feel comforted and cared for as you drift to sleep on the wings of these lovely little vignettes. www.nothingmuchhappens.com

The post Six Podcasts We Love appeared first on PetVet Magazine.

This experience can be deeply destabilizing to those who work in veterinary medicine. It can feel unfathomable to continue exposing ourselves to the grief that is inevitable in our field after the loss of a beloved animal family member has carried that grief into our home. In order to heal personally and professionally, we must accept and address the depth of grief that can accompany the illness or death of a personal pet.

Understanding Grief

Many of us are familiar with the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. While these provide a valuable starting point for understanding grief, not all people will experience grief in this way. In fact, you may feel only one of these things, but feel it very strongly, or you may feel them all at once. These stages may occur out of order and will often repeat themselves. 

It is important to realize each time we experience grief it can feel very different, and your grief will likely look very different from another person’s. That does not mean there is anything wrong with the way you are feeling. If you are concerned your grief is abnormal or feel it is severely interfering with your daily functionality, speak to a mental health professional.

You may also experience a sense of loss before your pet has actually passed. It is very common to grieve upon receiving a bad diagnosis or while providing hospice care. This is known as anticipatory grief and is a powerful and valid form of loss. Anticipatory grief may include periods of caregiver fatigue and thoughts of wishing for your pet’s death. You should not feel guilty about these feelings and thoughts; they are a normal part of this process and do not mean you love your pet any less. 

Feelings are Not Forever

Feelings—especially those associated with grief—can be overwhelming. When you are swept away by an emotion it can seem like your whole world is consumed by it. You may even wonder if you will ever feel any better. It is important to remain grounded to the fact that all feelings are temporary. Without devaluing your current emotions, remind yourself that your feelings will shift and give you relief as time passes and circumstances change. 

It may be helpful to reframe the way you speak and think about feelings. If you are sad, tell yourself, “I feel sad,” instead of, “I am sad.” This small change identifies sadness as a temporary state rather than a personal trait. While the loss of your pet will certainly affect you, it does not change who you are or your ability to experience a complete range of emotions as you did before that loss.

Veterinary professionals are at risk of complicating their grief by feeling it is somehow unprofessional to be severely affected by a personal pet illness or death. We sometimes think we should be desensitized and do not give ourselves permission to grieve deeply. This kind of self-criticism is both untrue and unhelpful. Speaking with other veterinary professionals may help you realize no one is immune to the pain of personal loss. 

Face Fear

While not an emotion always associated with grief, fear can rear its ugly head when we are processing a loss, making recovery even more difficult. You may be afraid your performance at work will be affected by your grief. This fear can be reduced by speaking with a manager or human resource representative about your situation. Together you can arrange any time off or work accommodations (such as a break from assisting in/performing euthanasias) you may need. 

If you have a positive relationship with your coworkers, let them know what you are going through. Good communication will allow them to be responsive to your emotional needs, and you will hopefully find them to be a valuable source of support.

You may also be afraid of being judged or dismissed by friends or family when grieving pet illness or loss. Pet-related emotional pain falls into the category of disenfranchised grief, or grief unacknowledged or minimized by societal norms. You may find it difficult to discuss your loss with others—especially those who do not have pets—for fear of having your feelings dismissed because it was “just an animal.” 

Disenfranchised grief is more likely than shared grief to lead to anxiety, depression and shame. Find a community, in person or online, who validates your emotions and acknowledges the value of your relationship with your pet. 

Practice Self-Compassion

We have all heard of self-care: taking a bath, getting more sleep or taking time for a treasured hobby. While self-care is important, self-compassion serves a different purpose. It seeks to fundamentally reshape the way we think of and treat ourselves. At its core, self-compassion tells us to treat ourselves the way we would a friend. I personally know several veterinary professionals who, when their pets become sick or have died, have thought or said the following about themselves:

• “I should have recognized my pet was ill sooner.”
• “I should have been able to save my pet.”
• “I can’t believe I didn’t realize my pet’s illness was this severe.”

Practicing self-compassion means asking yourself, “Would I ever speak this way to a friend I love?” The answer is almost certainly “no.” You would not accuse a friend of neglecting a pet, especially when you know the depth of their grief. You would tell your friend they did their best and gave their pet a beautiful life. Remember to show yourself that same compassion when you feel the urge to blame yourself. Even if there is something you could have done differently, remember you are human, you make mistakes, and that does not mean you do not deserve gentleness, love and healing.

Get Support

Another tenant of self-compassion is remembering that suffering is a shared human experience. Everyone has experienced suffering to some degree; you are not alone in your grief. Emotional pain can feel very isolating, so it is important to reach out to those who can relate to your loss. This may be family, friends, coworkers or online forums. Some pet funeral homes and veterinary hospitals (maybe even your own) also sometimes offer pet loss support groups. Whoever you turn to, make sure you feel validated and visible in your grief. It may take a few tries to find the right fit for your healing process, but don’t be discouraged—no matter how you feel, someone can relate.

I encourage you to take your grief regarding pet loss or illness seriously. It is completely within reason to need professional help. Our pets are a part of our daily lives in a way very few people are. Our relationships with them are often some of the least complicated and most vulnerable in our lives. No matter how long you have shared your life with an animal, be it two weeks or 20 years, you are entitled to whatever degree of pain you are experiencing. Grief comes from love, and veterinary professionals love animals very, very much.⊂

Mental health disclaimer: The writer of this article is not a mental health professional. If you are in need of mental health assistance, please seek professional help. If you are having a mental health crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Resources:

1. Anticipatory Grief: Understanding Grief Before a Death. Hospice of the Red River Valley. https://www.hrrv.org/blog/anticipatory-grief-understanding-grief-before-a-death/. Published February 11, 2020. 
2. Definition and Three Elements of Self Compassion: Kristin Neff. Self. https://self-compassion.org/the-three-elements-of-self-compassion-2/. Published July 9, 2020. 
3. Feldman DB. Why the Five Stages of Grief Are Wrong. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/supersurvivors/201707/why-the-five-stages-grief-are-wrong. Published July 7, 2017. 
4. Gardiner J. Journey of Grief and Loss. School of Veterinary Medicine. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/grief-counseling/journey-grief-and-loss. Published August 24, 2020. 
5. Raypole C. Disenfranchised Grief: 22 Examples, Signs, and Tips. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/disenfranchised-grief#symptoms. Published March 30, 2020. 

The post Close to Home: Dealing with Pet Loss as a Veterinary Professional appeared first on PetVet Magazine.

A veterinary clinic is a busy place, and team members are frequently asked to be responsible for multiple things at once. This can lead to a work environment where jobs are left half completed, records get jumbled and employees get stressed. We want to make sure all animals get the help they need, so we try to work harder and faster, but often find ourselves buried in work and making mistakes. 

Why do so many veterinary professionals feel unable to juggle the challenges of daily practice? 

The truth lies in the human brain. We are asking ourselves to do the impossible: multitask.

For decades, science has illustrated the inability of humans to multitask. A study conducted at Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) in Paris placed participants in an fMRI and asked them to complete first a single task, then two tasks at once. When working on a single task, both halves of the prefrontal cortex—the “attention center” of the brain—were engaged simultaneously, and participants were generally able to complete the task successfully. When given two coinciding tasks, the left and right halves of the brain were found to work independently of one another and participants made approximately three times the number of mistakes. This study and others like it have so strongly suggested the pitfalls of multitasking that they have been cited when creating laws across the United States, such as forbidding texting while driving.

The human brain has limits on the amount of information it can process at any given time. Neuroscience has identified processing limits specifically in the areas of visual short-term memory and the psychological refractory period. Our brain can take more than half a second to recognize a single stimulus, and once that stimulus is stored in visual short-term memory, it takes up space. Visual short-term memory can only store a limited number of stimuli at one time, so attempting to engage in multiple activities creates a “bottleneck,” literally overstimulating the brain and severely delaying the brain’s response to stimuli. This lag in the brain’s response, defined as the psychological refractory period, is what prevents people from effectively multitasking.

 Individuals attempting more than one task at a time do not, in fact, succeed in doing two things at once, but instead engage in what is known as “task-switching.” Task-switching gives the illusion of multitasking but, in reality, involves changing focus between two or more activities. In order to task-switch, the human brain must identify which task is now being performed and access the information that applies to that task. These processes are known as “goal-shifting” and “rule-activation.”  

When goal-shifting, one’s brain recognizes a shift from a previous task to a new task. The brain then categorizes the new task, which leads to rule-activation, gathering the cognitive skills necessary (language processing, mathematical calculation, social rules, etc.) to accomplish the new task. At the same time, information and “rules” from the previous task must be put aside. 

As you can imagine, this takes time and is not always completely successful. Task-switching has repeatedly been shown to result in decreased productivity and increased error. The time lost to task-switching may seem insignificant (only tenths of a second per switch), but over the course of an average work day, up to 40% of productive time can be wasted. 

Of equal or even greater concern is the increased incidence of uncompleted tasks and errors associated with frequent task-switching. Mistakes increase with the complexity and number of tasks, and some tasks may even be left undone.  In one study, 41% of interruptions resulted in the participant abandoning the primary task entirely. 

Even in instances where speed and accuracy of work can be maintained in the face of multiple demands, attempting multitasking has a steep price. A study published in 2008 placed participants in an environment of “interrupted performance” (typing an email while being asked questions, answering a ringing phone and responding to instant messages) and found that, while able to complete the assigned task in the time allotted, “interrupted” participants reported significantly higher levels of stress, effort and frustration, and perceived a higher workload than those working without interruptions. In an industry plagued with burnout and employee turnover, it is very important to consider the emotional cost of a work environment. 

How, then, do we minimize multitasking in the veterinary environment? 

A few small adjustments could make a big difference in the workflow of a practice and daily lives of its employees.

1. Divide and Conquer

Veterinary medicine is in many ways a team sport, but you can minimize task-switching by specifying roles within that team. “Veterinary Technician/Assistant” is a broad title that encompasses many responsibilities, so create roles within that title and encourage people not to stray from their role throughout the day. For example; a technician assigned to anesthesia should not be asked to answer phones, step out to do an appointment, run a laboratory test or speak to a client. Many clinics and hospitals already practice a form of this by having certain employees assigned to one area (laboratory, appointment, surgery, reception, etc.) for the duration of their shift. The hard part is making sure employees are not pulled into other duties as the day unfolds. It is important to encourage team members to focus on their assigned role and ensure staffing and clinic climate enable them to do so in order to maximize productivity and minimize error.

2. Block it Off

Studies suggest that individuals should ideally work on a specific task or task type (e.g., checking email) for a minimum of 20 minutes before switching to another task. This type of work, often called “batch processing,” allows for optimized neural efficiency and accuracy by letting the brain focus on one task, and by practicing and repeating that task, increases speed and decreases the effort required to complete it. 

In the case of email, opening emails throughout the day as they come in is the least productive and most disruptive way to perform that particular task. Instead, designate blocks throughout the day and “batch process” emails, texts, voicemails, prescription refill requests, etc. This also decreases interruptions to staff engaged in other unrelated tasks. 

3. Rein in the Ring

I have often joked that my stress increases more when I hear the clinic phone than when I hear a fire alarm. Jokes aside, a ringing phone immediately forces a break in focus and answering a phone necessitates a massive cognitive shift. Additionally, phone calls frequently lead to a string of tasks such as scheduling an appointment, filling a prescription, and/or contacting another clinic for records. 

All of this means taking a phone call while in the middle of another task almost guarantees the original task will suffer. Whenever possible, disable the ringer on phones located in treatment areas and redirect calls to a designated staff member(s). It is better practice to batch process voicemails than ask employees to work effectively with regular phone interruptions. 

4. Take Breaks

A day in a veterinary professional’s life never seems to slow down, and animals in need don’t take a break. But, the fact is, humans need breaks to perform at a high level. In fact, a demanding environment such as a veterinary clinic makes taking breaks even more necessary. Our brain cannot completely synthesize information if we are constantly bombarding it with new stimuli. This includes stimuli not related to work. So, that means breaks should ideally not involve talking with a coworker, calling to check in on a loved one, visiting social media or engaging in other stimulating activities. 

The most effective break is taking a walk alone or resting in a quiet room. Just 5-10 minutes is sufficient time to allow your brain to catch up with your day. Try to take a short break every 90 minutes. One long break in the middle of the day (such as a 30-minute lunch period) is less effective than brief, frequent breaks—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take lunch! It means a lunch break does not diminish the need for additional time to decompress throughout the day. 

Balancing the constant and varied demands of veterinary work is one of the most challenging aspects of our careers. By attempting to “do it all” we are selling ourselves, our patients, our clients and our coworkers short. Learning to work in a way that acknowledges human limits will ultimately take us further than pushing ourselves to the edge. When we ditch the multitasking habit, we make space for satisfaction in our work and reveal how much more we are capable of when we give ourselves permission to do less.. +

Resources:

1. Mark G, Gudith D, Klocke U. The Cost of Interrupted Work: More Speed and Stress. CHI ’08: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 2008;107-110.
2. Marois R, Ivanoff J. Capacity limits of information processing in the brain. TRENDS in Cognitive Sciences. 2005;9. 296-305
3. Multitasking: Switching costs. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/research/action/multitask. Published March 20, 2006. Accessed February 4, 2021.
4. O’Conaill B, Frohlich D. Timespace in the Workplace: Dealing With Interruptions. CHI ‘95 Mosaic of Creativity. 1995;262-263.
5. To Multitask or Not to Multitask. University of Southern California. https://appliedpsychologydegree.usc.edu/blog/to-multitask-or-not-to-multitask/. Accessed February 2, 2021.
6. Weinschenk S. The True Cost of Multitasking. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-wise/201209/the-true-cost-multi-tasking. Published September 18, 2012. Accessed February 2, 2021.

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Everyone who enters the veterinary profession is told it will be physically demanding, but they may not realize the serious implications of these daily aches and pains. Musculoskeletal injuries or disorders may lead to decreased performance, workers compensation claims and even career changes. Understanding the importance of and implementing an ergonomics program is a critical part of reducing the risk veterinary employees face in the workplace.

Risky Business

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, activities common in veterinary medicine that carry a high risk of musculoskeletal injury include awkward postures, high hand force, highly repetitive motions, repeated impact, moderate to high hand-arm vibration and heavy, frequent or awkward lifting. Tasks associated with these risks can be almost anything a veterinary professional does: restraining or lifting a large or uncooperative patient, performing or assisting in surgery, dental prophylaxis and extractions, or kneeling on the floor to accommodate a frightened animal. Veterinary administrative duties such as typing or talking on the phone can also result in strain and injury. 

While all parts of the body can be affected by MSD (musculoskeletal disorders), the back, neck and shoulders are frequently noted as sources of pain for those working in veterinary medicine. Some ergonomic tips to alleviate the incidence of these symptoms include:

1. Maintain a neutral spine

This is the core ergonomic principle related to back, neck and shoulder pain. A neutral spine should contain three curves; one in each of the following areas: cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. The cervical and lumbar spine should curve slightly inward, while the thoracic spine should mirror that curve in an outward fashion. 

You should not work with your head tilted forward more than 15 degrees from upright or your torso hinged further than 20 degrees forward from the waist. Shoulders should never be “hunched,” meaning curled forward or held in tension toward the ears. Working on a surface that is the proper height—typically the height of the pelvis or higher—greatly increases the likelihood of maintaining a neutral spine position. Ideally, exam and surgical tables should be adjustable to the height of the individual using them.

Veterinary receptionists and administrative employees often spend a large portion of their day on the phone, which presents its own ergonomic risks to the cervical spine. As many calls require those answering them to take notes, a hands-free system is a good way to prevent neck strain from cradling a phone between one’s ear and shoulder. 

2. Be mindful of seating

We put the most pressure on our spine by sitting, so it is best to avoid sitting for long periods when possible. When seated, be sure to sit facing whatever you are working with straight on, as sitting and twisting is the most stressful position for the spine. This means desks, dental and surgical tables, and other areas where employees are often seated should always be designed with room for an individual’s legs to fit comfortably under the work surface.

The ideal arm position for working while seated allows forearms to be parallel with the floor, elbows not elevated above forearms and upper arms to rest alongside the torso, maintaining the curve of the thoracic spine and relieving shoulder and wrist strain. An adjustable-height, ergonomically-designed seating surface (a saddle seat is often recommended) encourages proper posture and alleviates spinal and nerve compression. Ideally, alternate sitting and standing tasks to further reduce risk of injury.

3. Practice proper patient handling

Many injuries in veterinary practice occur when interacting with patients. The activity most associated with musculoskeletal risk is lifting large patients. Your practice should have clear guidelines as to what size patients require multi-person lifts. Additionally, patients in the weight range requiring two or more people to safely lift should be scheduled at times when proper staffing ensures this is possible. 

When lifting any size patient, make sure you have safe footing, take a wide stance and keep your arms as close to your body as possible. Minimize the distance you carry a patient by encouraging conscious patients to stand rather than lie down before lifting them. And, if your work surface is adjustable, lower it before lifting the patient. For sedated or unresponsive animals, use a stretcher to stabilize the weight you are lifting.

Patient restraint is also physically demanding. As with lifting, hold the patient close to your body to brace against sudden movements. Since struggling patients are most likely to cause injury, consider sedation for stressful procedures such as radiographs and ultrasounds. 

While we often choose to work on the floor as a way to make animals more comfortable, this frequently results in hunched postures and repetitive-use injuries from kneeling or squatting. The ergonomic recommendation is to place patients at the level of the pelvis or higher during physical examination, blood draws, vaccination and other routine procedures. If working on the floor is the best fit for your practice, provide anti-fatigue mats to kneel on and limit the number of floor-level appointments any given employee sees in a day by alternating with other qualified staff. 

Employer Guidelines

Employers are responsible for the safety and welfare of their team. Fortunately, embracing this responsibility benefits everyone in the veterinary setting—including practice owners—by reducing workplace compensation claims, increasing employee satisfaction and improving productivity. The following are steps employers can take to establish and maintain an ergonomically-friendly veterinary work environment: 

Provide ergonomic training: New employees at a veterinary practice should receive ergonomic training covering all daily duties. Training should be refreshed for all staff on a regular schedule determined by practice owners or managers. Visual reminders of proper postures and technique should be posted in work areas.

Invest in prevention: There are a number of products specifically designed to make a workplace ergonomically friendly, including seating, work surfaces/tables, specialized keyboards, braces and belts, and hand tools for surgery and dentistry. Practice owners or managers should stay well informed on the most effective products and make selections that fit employee needs. If a practice is being built or remodeled, an ergonomics consultant can be a useful resource for making design choices that reduce physical strain and injury.

Schedule thoughtfully: Scheduling greatly influences the physical stress put on veterinary employees. Try not to place large, physically-demanding patients back-to-back; for example, alternate small and large dogs, or dogs and cats. Make sure staffing meets demands when scheduling so team members are not coerced into performing tasks alone, compromising their safety. When scheduling multiple surgeries, alternate surgeons if possible. And, if a single surgeon is working, aim to provide a mix of procedures that do not require the same posture or movements. Finally, give enough breathing room in the schedule for staff to feel comfortable taking “micropauses”— breaks of 20 seconds every 20 to 40 minutes to change position, stretch or perform any movement that reduces fatigue.

Encourage team involvement: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration advocates for a participatory approach to ergonomics, meaning all team members are encouraged to provide regular feedback about their working conditions, including identifying problem areas and suggesting solutions. Staff should also feel safe reporting any physical concerns as early as possible. Employers should ask team members to evaluate any ergonomic changes made to the practice for effectiveness. 

Veterinary work will never be easy, but understanding and implementing healthy ergonomic practices increases worker safety and career longevity. Ergonomic planning creates an environment where veterinary professionals are able to provide care to patients while being kinder to their own bodies, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and healthier future for veterinary medicine. +

Resources:

1. Altier B. Comfort and Participatory Ergonomics in Veterinary Dentistry. DVM360. https://www.dvm360.com/view/comfort-and-participatory-ergonomics-veterinary-dentistry-proceedings-pdf. Published August 31, 2019. Accessed June 11, 2020. 
2. Ergonomics. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/. Accessed July 1, 2020.
3. Hawn R. Strains, Sprains, and Pain in Veterinary Professionals. Trends Magazine. June 2020:37-40.
4. Veterinary Ergonomic Guidelines. American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/veterinary-ergonomic-guidelines. Accessed June 11, 2020. 
5. White SC. Ergonomics in veterinary medicine. Innovative Veterinary Care Journal. https://ivcjournal.com/ergonomics/. Published January 3, 2020. Accessed June 11, 2020. 

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On the contrary, cats have traditionally been seen as “easy” pets, requiring little to no effort from owners. Why, then, do we spend so much of our time in the veterinary clinic addressing litter box issues, destructive or disruptive behaviors, and inter-pet aggression in our feline patients? The animal care world is beginning to wake up to the fact that mental health in our indoor cats is not only as important as, but directly related to, their overall wellbeing. 

As veterinary professionals, we recognize the role stress plays in the physical health of our feline patients. The most notable stress-related condition veterinarians and owners battle is feline interstitial cystitis, or FIC. While FIC is not fully understood, environmental stress is generally considered to be a major factor contributing to the disease. 

A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2011¹ showed cats diagnosed with FIC exhibited a reduction in signs of disease with the addition of environmental enrichment, such as a consistent schedule, human interaction, classical music, catnip, treats and new toys. Conversely, “healthy” cats (not previously diagnosed with FIC) participating in the study developed sickness behaviors, including urinary changes, when enrichment was withheld. 

Cats who consistently have issues using their litter box are frequently at risk of being surrendered or euthanized. Other behaviors that can lead to cats losing their home include destroying furniture, excessive energy or vocalization, and/or conflict with other pets or human members of the family. According to Tori Peterson, a dog and cat trainer and behavior consultant from Verona, Wisconsin, these issues often have a common foundation. She explains many perceived behavioral problems in indoor cats stem from one or more of the following causes of stress: territorial stress, boredom and/or frustration.

Territorial Stress

Indoor cats may experience territorial stress from sharing space with another cat or having inadequate or inappropriate space for essential activities (eating, sleeping and eliminating). According to the International Society of Feline Medicine, most cats prefer their food and water be offered in 2-3 locations throughout the home, separate from areas housing litter boxes. Food should not be kept near plug-ins, scented cleaners or candles. Feline behavior studies suggest cats prefer to eat without other cats present, even if they cohabitate well in general. Each cat in a household should have its own food and water dishes and litter boxes to reduce resource-related territorial stress.

Behavior consultant Tori Peterson also recommends making sure cats have enough vertical space in their environment, particularly if multiple cats share a home. Vertical space can include cat trees, securely-fixed shelves or furniture that allows a cat to escape the ground level and preferably travel from one location to the next without leaving the security of a higher elevation. This is especially important in bottleneck areas such as doorways and halls. Dividing highly-trafficked spaces into different “lanes” allows cats increased freedom of movement without the threat of confrontation or conflict.

Boredom

While some cats may seem content sleeping all day and keeping to themselves, many likely desire more attention and stimulation than previously assumed. A well-known study published by Dr. Kristyn Vitale in 2017 showed that cats who were offered food, scent and human interaction most frequently chose human interaction as the preferred diversion.² Hallmarks of a bored cat include knocking things off shelves, walking on or in front of objects their owners are using, or exhibiting destructive behaviors only when in view of their owners. These cats are seeking attention, and even negative attention is preferable to being ignored. 

Positive interactions with a cat can include petting, talking and play. Cats typically prefer being petted when in a relaxed state. Attempting to pet an excited cat can lead to play-biting, scratching or overstimulation. Many cats respond to being talked to, and some behaviorists believe meowing is an attempt by domestic cats to communicate with people as vocalization is rarely seen between cats or in the wild. Playing with a cat can include human interaction by using a toy such as a wand or even playing fetch with stuffed cat toys. A surprising number of cats even enjoy positive-reinforcement training as a form of play, combining mental stimulation and time with their owners.

Cat owners can also combat boredom by enriching a cat’s environment. Tori Peterson emphasizes engaging all five of a cat’s senses as much as possible.³ Having cat grass in the house gives cats something other than their food to taste, and safely screened, open windows can provide smells and sounds from outside. Bird feeders outside windows, secure fish tanks and “cat TV” offer stimulating sights. A variety of scratching post textures such as sisal, carpet and wood should be available, and both horizontal and vertical options should be at least six inches longer than the cat is tall to allow for a complete stretch. All enrichment items should be regularly rotated so the cat has access to new and interesting experiences.

Frustration

Solving frustration in a cat is less about entertainment and more about allowing expression of natural behaviors. One of the key areas where indoor cats are likely to be unsatisfied is in their eating habits. A study published by the International Society of Feline medicine found that wild felines most closely related to domestic cats spend approximately 69% of their day hunting and foraging for food, in sharp contrast with the meager 1% spent by indoor pet cats. Additionally, a wild cat would typically eat 10-20 small meals per day rather than the 1-2 larger meals often made available to pet cats.

Owners can simulate a more natural feeding routine for their cats by using puzzle feeders. It is best to offer a variety of puzzle feeders that require different strategies (pawing, biting, kicking) to get the food inside. Cats accustomed to receiving food in a dish can become frustrated with puzzle feeders, so it is important to start with easier puzzles and slowly increase difficulty to the cat’s level.⁴ 

Tori Peterson believes mimicking the hunt-eat-groom-sleep cycle is the foundation of preventing indoor cat frustration.⁵ To effectively recreate this cycle in a home environment, an owner should first understand a cat’s need to play. The relatively low success rate of wild cats’ hunts drives an instinct to pursue prey even when not hungry, a behavior we see reflected in our own pet cats as play. Play should ideally last a minimum of 15 minutes and require a variety of movements natural to cats including stalking, jumping, pouncing and short bursts of running. Immediately following play, cats should receive a small meal, rewarding them for their “hunt” with the captured “prey.” Cats are then able to groom and sleep, having expended their energy and satisfied their hunger. Completing this cycle 2-3 times throughout the day—especially shortly before the people in the house go to bed—can reduce the incidence of cats waking their owners at night or early in the morning, and greatly increases an indoor cat’s sense of fulfillment.

When we consider the emotional health of our feline patients to be an important part of their wellness, we become more effective veterinary professionals. By educating clients about indoor cat enrichment, we can address both medical and behavioral issues, improving the lives of cats and those who love them. +

References:

1. Stella JL, Lord LK, Buffington T. Sickness behaviors in response to unusual external events in healthy cats and cats with feline interstitial cystitis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2011;238:67-73.
2. Vitale Shreve KR, Mehrkam LR, Udell MAR. Social interaction, food, scent or toys? A formal assessment of domestic pet and shelter cat (Felis silvestris catus) preferences. Behavioral Processes. 2017;141:322-328.
3. Peterson T. Staying busy not bored: cat enrichment ideas. Space Cat Academy. https://www.spacecatacademy.com/articles/2018/2/3/cat-enrichment. Published February 10 2018. Accessed March 15, 2020. 
4. Ryan L. Feeding cats for the future: an opportunity for creativity. Feline Focus. 2020;6:61-68.
5. Peterson T. Keeping your cat satisfied: the cycle of daily needs. Space Cat Academy . https://www.spacecatacademy.com/articles/2019/9/6/keeping-your-cat-satisfied-the-cycle-of-daily-needs. Published September 6, 2019. Accessed April 7, 2020. 

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Some walked confidently up to other early risers, begging for breakfast, while others moved cautiously, low to the ground, trying to go unnoticed as they made their morning rounds. Many stopped to frantically scratch and bite at their dirty coats before continuing on their way. By the time the sun had fully come up and bathed the beach in light, the dogs were mostly gone, seeking shelter from humans and heat and looking for a way to pass another uncertain day. 

I was first made aware of Mexico’s stray dog problem when a friend of mine returned from her honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta and told me about the number of dogs she saw roaming and visibly uncared for. This friend also happened to be a fellow veterinary technician and coworker, so we began searching for a way we could use our skills to help the homeless animals that had captured her heart while she was traveling. 

While looking for organizations addressing pet overpopulation near Puerto Vallarta, we came upon the Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue. Located in Los Ayala, Nayarit, Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue (JBAR) consists of a core network of passionate volunteers who partner with local and international organizations to host twice-yearly free sterilization clinics, in addition to helping with day-to-day needs of underserved animals in the Jaltemba area. 

We reached out to Lin Chimes, the founder of JBAR, and she enthusiastically welcomed us to participate in their upcoming four-day free clinic. We made our arrangements, gathered donations of medications and supplies, and went to Mexico to fulfill our dream of making a difference.

At 8 a.m. we left our hotel and walked twenty minutes to the home where the clinic was being held. Pet owners and rescuers had begun lining up at 7:30 a.m., and by the time the volunteer meeting was held, 133 dogs and cats were checked in for the first day of procedures. 

All animals were marked with an identification number and matching paperwork, then placed in a crate and taken to the back patio where examinations, surgeries and recovery would take place. Stainless steel surgery and fold-out picnic tables were set up under tarps stretched to provide shade. Volunteers ranged from experienced to novice; veterinary professionals to (extra)ordinary animal lovers, and came from as close as down the block and as far away as Canada.

During the orientation session, volunteers who were assigned to recovery (many of whom had no medical background) received instruction in how to obtain vital signs including temperature, pulse and respiration. Recovery was also the time to remove ticks, clean ears, trim nails and determine if treatment for mange or other superficial conditions was necessary. A large number of animals receiving services at the clinic had loving homes and were beautifully cared for, but some were strays and required extra attention. 

As a visiting veterinary technician, my role during the clinic was primarily to circulate and help volunteers with questions, attend to any animals whose recovery was abnormal and be available to consult with veterinarians about any medical concerns. Veterinary technicians who regularly work at free clinics in the area efficiently handled induction, intravenous catheter placement and intubation. The veterinarians performing the sterilization surgeries worked quickly, and before long, the recovery area was filled.  

All animals were carefully monitored after surgery, with vitals recorded every five minutes by attentive volunteers. Hyperthermia in the 86 degree Fahrenheit heat was a concern for adult animals, while tiny kittens and puppies often needed to be warmed with hot water bottles. Dogs woke up quickly, and I rushed to confirm which patients were ready for extubation and to have their IV catheters removed. 

As surgeries wound down, all veterinary professionals turned their attention to final examinations of patients before discharging them to their owners or foster families. By the end of the first day I was exhilarated and exhausted at the same time—also simultaneously amazed by what we accomplished and excited by how many more animals we could help over the remaining days.

While curbing overpopulation is the clinic’s main goal, many animals also received care which improved their comfort and quality of life. All patients received flea and tick treatment before they left the clinic, and suspected cases of mange received oral medication. Volunteers spent hours removing engorged ticks from dogs who had the parasites lodged between their toes and clustered inside and behind their ears.

The animal I will remember most was a dog brought in by a local woman who had rescued him from a neglectful situation. He was a bichon-type neutered male so matted that he was unable to walk. His rear legs were fused to a mat covering his back and sides, and his jaw was unable to open fully due to his tangled facial hair. Another volunteer and I worked together to slowly free him, shaving away his filthy hair in one piece like a sheep’s fleece. Under the hair, dead fleas and ticks littered his thin body. We finally managed to clean him up, treat him for topical parasites and send him home with his grateful rescuer. Seeing him walk away unencumbered was one of the highlights of my time in Mexico.

I also found it very fulfilling to work with an international team of people focused on a common, compassionate cause. Ten years ago, Canadian veterinarian Dr. Malcolm Macartney was so affected by his experience volunteering at one of JBAR’s sterilization clinics that he formed the Mexi-Can Vet Project, a group of veterinary professionals who, since 2010, have traveled from Canada twice yearly to assist in the Jaltemba clinics and fly adoptable dogs back with them. 

In one conversation I had with Dr. Macartney, he summarized the value of participating in veterinary volunteer work, saying, “For me it has been a great joy to be part of something which has made an obvious difference in the lives of so many animals and people of the Mexican communities who, until JBAR existed, had very little means of helping reduce the large overpopulation of dogs and cats in these towns. In addition, it has raised the animal welfare and health education bar and we have seen pet care awareness improve dramatically.”

JBAR also partners with veterinarians and veterinary technicians from Mexico through PEACE Mexico and Pets for Life, an incredible team of dedicated individuals who hold year-round clinics to serve the local communities. 

Why It Works

In the four days offered by the clinic 437 animals were sterilized. This brings the total of dogs and cats spayed and neutered by Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue, since its founding in 2003, to an astonishing 9,241 animals.

Additionally, this clinic led to a number of stray animals finding permanent homes, some locally and some in Canada through the Mexi-Can Vet Project. 

Why It Matters

Many lives, both human and animal, were changed in those four days—not the least of which was mine. I have never been prouder to be a veterinary technician than I was during my time there, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be a small part of something making such a big impact. +

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From the 2–year–old Labrador with a knee injury to the 12–year–old mix who is struggling up the stairs, veterinary rehabilitation offers assistance in regaining strength, improving mobility, and ultimately aims to provide the patient with a happier, healthier life. 

A certified rehabilitation veterinarian is trained to utilize a number of skills and tools to assess a patient’s pain, mobility and muscle distribution, and to work toward improved function and comfort. A rehabilitation practice may have specialized equipment such as therapeutic laser or ultrasound, and some offer hydrotherapy with an underwater treadmill or pool. Additionally, some veterinarians certified in rehabilitation may also be certified to practice acupuncture (or work with one who is). 

Many therapies, however, do not require any particular equipment or facilities. Passive range of motion, massage, therapeutic exercise, trigger point therapy and kinesiology taping are some of the effective treatments a rehabilitation veterinarian can offer in a standard clinic environment.

Veterinary rehabilitation can be used as part of a multi–modal approach to treating a variety of canine conditions including acute soft tissue injury, neurologic decrease in mobility and function, and pain due to chronic issues such as joint dysplasia or osteoarthritis. Additionally, physical therapy performed by a veterinarian certified in rehabilitation supports recovery from surgical procedures such as cruciate or fracture repairs, amputation and spinal surgery. 

A study published by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association in 2015 found dogs who received therapy from a veterinarian certified in rehabilitation were 1.9 times more likely to achieve full function eight weeks after their TPLO procedures than dogs simply restricted to leash walks and rest at home¹. A quicker and more complete recovery provides greater patient comfort and client satisfaction, making veterinary rehabilitation a worthwhile addition to orthopedic surgery protocols. 

Pets without a specific injury can also benefit from physical therapy and rehabilitation. As animals age, they are often affected with osteoarthritis and experience decreased mobility. A rehabilitation veterinarian can identify where a patient is experiencing pain and measure muscle atrophy and distribution to develop a treatment plan for senior pets. Specific exercises designed to maintain or rebuild strength can minimize the effects of aging and keep pets comfortable in their golden years.

Regardless of the condition being treated, typically the patient’s primary veterinarian will issue a referral to a rehabilitation veterinarian. For the duration of the patient’s treatment plan, both veterinarians will work closely with one another and with any specialists involved, ensuring pain management is addressed with prescriptions, if indicated, and that no single method of treatment interferes with care the patient is receiving at another practice. 

Pet owners also play a crucial role in ensuring the success of rehabilitation therapy. During an appointment, the veterinarian will determine what kind of physical therapy is needed, and frequently these therapies need to be repeated at least daily to be most effective. While some facilities offer inpatient rehabilitation for postoperative patients, home care is often the easiest and most cost-effective option, especially for patients with long-term needs. A rehabilitation veterinarian teaches pet owners how to perform basic physical therapy at home, which may involve stretches, exercises and massage. The patient’s progress is then monitored with regular visits and reevaluations at the rehabilitation clinic.

Another way the home environment impacts the progress of rehabilitation is diet. Veterinarians certified in rehabilitation are required to be knowledgeable regarding weight management strategies, as many pets struggle with obesity which may result in or exacerbate musculoskeletal issues. In fact, physical therapy is sometimes used in cases where obesity is the primary complaint. Low-impact exercises provided and supervised by a rehabilitation veterinarian can be an effective part of helping patients who are overweight safely increase their activity level without placing excessive strain on joints. Through diet and exercise, a rehabilitation veterinarian works with the patient’s owners and primary veterinarian to help the patient reach or maintain a healthy body condition score.

Pursuing a career in rehabilitation medicine offers veterinary professionals an opportunity to support pets and their owners by providing individualized care and creative solutions in a variety of situations. 

As Dr. Lara Day, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner and owner of Veterinary Rehabilitation Center of Wisconsin, explains, “I enjoy the challenge of finding the best treatment plan for the pet and the family. I love that by practicing rehabilitation I really get to build relationships with my clients and patients as I see them one–on–one on a regular basis. I see post-surgery patients of all ages, plus puppies with congenital abnormalities, and geriatrics with multiple issues. Rehabilitation also includes conditioning of canine athletes, so I get to work with healthy dogs at the top of their sport. Canine rehabilitation is a fulfilling veterinary career that is appreciated by veterinary surgeons, neurologists, general practitioners, and pet owners.”

Licensed veterinarians or physical therapists may pursue certification in canine veterinary rehabilitation. Certified veterinary technicians can obtain a rehabilitation certification, but must operate under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian certified in rehabilitation therapy. Certification courses vary in length and structure and may include online and in–person modules, in addition to an internship/externship. 

According to the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, facilities offering canine certification include Canine Rehabilitation Institute, University of Tennessee, and Healing Oasis Wellness Center. A veterinarian can become board certified in rehabilitation through the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, a process that requires a 3–year residency and an examination. 

For more information, visit the website of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians,
www.rehabvets.org +

 1. Romano LS, Cook JL. Safety and functional outcomes associated with short–term rehabilitation therapy in the post-operative management of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. Can Vet J. 2015;56(9):942–946. 

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