Today's Veterinary Practice provides comprehensive information to keep every small animal practitioner up to date on companion animal medicine and surgery as well as practice building and management.
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tvpjournal.com | July/August 2015 | TodAy's VeTerinAry PrAcTice PrAcTice BUiLdinG 69 What Does it mean for the Practice? The discussion about corporate-owned veterinary practices is often emotionally charged for many practice owners. corporate-owned entities are sometimes perceived as fnancially driven—not mission driven—organizations, and their existence alone threatens many independent practice owners. That being said, the total locations of the companies referenced above still represent less than 10% of the total number of veterinary hospitals in the U.s. Practice owners should recognize the many benefts to a healthy corporate veterinary practice sector. These organizations can only grow through the addition of new hospitals to their networks; therefore, opportunities abound for owners of high-quality practices. if you are an owner of a stable, strongly performing veterinary practice and are even considering an exit strategy, there may be no better time than these next few years to consider available options. in summAry While we are at work, caring for patients, the world outside is changing rapidly. The larger animal health industry is more fuid and sometimes more tumultuous than ever before, and the effects on our practices may be signifcant. While a boom of investment in animal health may bring new innovations to improve patient care, a whole new level of scrutiny will force companies to be more focused on results. And while intensive competition and increased scale among our suppliers may bring many benefts to our daily operations, there may also be frustrations as companies evolve systems and service structures. But the take-home message is clear: today's veterinary practice is no longer part of an insignifcant, mom- and-pop industry; instead, it is an exciting, evolving marketplace to which the rest of the world is paying close attention. reference 1. americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp. T raV is M erediTh Travis Meredith, DVM, MBA, Diplomate ACT, is the Contributing Medical Editor for Today's Veterinary Practice; co-owner of Affinity Veterinary Center, Malvern, Pennsylvania; and Director of Member Services for Calico Group, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his DVM from Texas A&M; University and his MBA from University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill. PrAcTice BUiLdinG July/August 2015 | TodAy's VeTerinAry PrAcTice VETROPOLYCIN ® (bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin) Veterinary Ophthalmic Ointment NADA # 065-016. Approved by FDA. WARNING: Do not use this product as a pre-surgical ocular lubricant. Adverse reactions of ocular irritation and corneal ulceration have been reported in association with such use. VETROPOLYCIN ® HC (bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin- hydrocortisone acetate 1%) Veterinary Ophthalmic Ointment NADA # 065-015. Approved by FDA. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Ophthalmic preparations containing corticosteroids are contraindicated in the treatment of those deep, ulcerative lesions of the cornea where the inner layer (endothelium) is involved, in fungal infections and in the presence of viral infections. WARNINGS: All topical ophthalmic preparations containing corticosteroids with or without an antimicrobial agent, are contraindicated in the initial treatment of corneal ulcers. They should not be used until the infection is under control and corneal regeneration is well under way. Clinical and experimental data have demonstrated that corticosteroids administered orally or by injection to animals may induce the frst stage of parturition if used during the last trimester of pregnancy and may precipitate premature parturition followed by dystocia, fetal death, retained placenta, and metritis. Additionally, corticosteroids administered to dogs, rabbits, and rodents during pregnancy have resulted in cleft palate in offspring. Corticosteroids administered to dogs during pregnancy have also resulted in other congenital anomalies, including deformed forelegs, phocomelia, and anasarca. THE INFORMATION BELOW APPLIES TO BOTH VETROPOLYCIN AND VETROPOLYCIN HC. STERILE - ANTIBACTERIAL CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. WARNING: Serious hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in cats within 4 hours of application of antibiotic ophthalmic preparations. Some of these reactions have resulted in death. PRECAUTIONS: Sensitivity to these ophthalmic ointments is rare, however, if a reaction occurs, discontinue use of the preparation. The prolonged use of antibiotic-containing preparations may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms including fungi. Appropriate measures should be taken if this occurs. If infection does not respond to treatment in two or three days, the diagnosis and therapy should be reevaluated. Animals under treatment with VETROPOLYCIN HC (bacitracin-neomycin- polymyxin with hydrocortisone acetate 1 %) should be observed for usual signs of corticosteroid overdose which include polydipsia, polyuria and occasionally an increase in weight. Use of corticosteroids, depending on dose, duration, and specifc steroid, may result in inhibition of endogenous steroid production following drug withdrawal. In patients presently receiving or recently withdrawn from systemic corticosteroid treatments, therapy with a rapidly acting corticosteroid should be considered in unusually stressful situations. Care should be taken not to contaminate the applicator tip during administration of the preparation. ADVERSE REACTIONS: Itching, burning or infammation may occur in animals sensitive to the product. Discontinue use in such cases. SAP and SGPT (ALT) enzyme elevations, polydypsia and polyuria have occurred following parenteral or systemic use of synthetic corticosteroids in dogs. Vomiting and diarrhea (occasionally bloody) have been observed in dogs. Cushing's syndrome in dogs has been reported in association with prolonged or repeated steroid therapy. Manufactured for: Dechra Veterinary Products 7015 College Boulevard, Suite 525 Overland Park, KS 66211 866-933-2472 69