Business

Despite occasional grumbles about life balance, the latest Veterinary Economics survey shows that 88 percent of practitioners find their normal level of stress manageable—and they're enjoying their work.

Choosing to ignore monthly financial reports could cost you as much as $42,000 per year. Are you willing to give that money away?

Minneapolis - 7/21/05 - The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in correlation with the World Veterinary Congress (WVC) brought 4,070 practitioners to Minneapolis.

During a continuing education meeting held by local orthopedic specialists, Dr. Mike McLaughlin, owner of Animal Medical Center of Cumming, in Cumming, Ga., was intrigued about a surgical procedure called TPO, or triple pelvic osteotomy. He heard the specialists say that some large-breed dogs with hip dysplasia can enjoy an improved quality of life, or at least a slowed disease progression, by undergoing TPO.

We contacted more than 40 companies that provide software products to the veterinary profession. The data presented in ?Apples to Apples: Comparing Your Software Options? is compiled from those companies that responded. Use the contact information below to find out more about featured software products.

When you consider the cost of living in your area, you get a clearer picture of what you need to pay to attract and keep strong team members.

A mystery shopper form to get critical feedback (PDF).

My partner and I recently learned that we're paying associates more than other practitioners in our area do. How should we get our compensation more in line with prevailing wages-with a salary freeze or a pay cut?

According to Gallup's annual Personal Finance poll, American's top financial worry is retirement.

When you think about protecting your assets, you likely focus on securing the premises, locking up valuables, and making sure patient files are safe. But keeping your team safe is even more important. Use these tips to help you get started

Combining three pieces of land let the owners of Animal Clinic East achieve three design goals: to increase the number of exam rooms, develop a facility they could show off to clients, and build in comfortable workspaces for team members.

Look at the choices to decide which practice management software system best meets your needs—and learn what users say about their systems' best and worst features.

Enjoy a happy veterinary career by leaving your angst at the door.

There are times when the client is right, and you are wrong. This is a hard concept for most proud veterinarians. Occasionally "eating a little crow" can be a diet that is very healthy for your practice and your emotional health.

If you're not careful, the hustle and bustle of the day could distract you from communicating your deep caring for clients' pets. To avoid this pitfall, Dr. Jason Palm, of Hiawassee Veterinary Clinic in Orlando, Fla., imagines that every pet he examines is his own.

There are times when the client is right, and you are wrong. This is a hard concept for most proud veterinarians. Occasionally "eating a little crow" can be a diet that is very healthy for your practice and your emotional health.

What signs should I watch for to head off employee embezzlement?

How well do you treat your clients? A mystery shopper can help you answer this question objectively.

Sue Swift waited with Charlie. Charlie has been seen at Academy Vet Clinic numerous times, and Sue has had a good relationship with Dr. Swanson in the past.

Mathematics is a lovely endeavor. It is straightforward, honest and without complications. Life, on the other hand, is filled with un-asked for permutations that drive us up walls, which when fully considered using Newtonian physics is a practical impossibility.

Internet is perhaps the least expensive and most flexible staff training solution available.

We took in a boarder from a longtime, good client, who said the pet was a stray that he acquired from the local groomer. During our exam, we found a microchip and were able to locate and contact the original owner, who said the dog had been stolen about six weeks earlier. What are our rights and responsibilities in situations like this?

Find out-and crack down on missed charges using these strategies. Remember: Focused attention on this issue brings prosperity and job satisfaction to your future.

Even small businesses create hundreds of transactions during a month. And when you add your personal banking to the mix, it's easy to become overwhelmed, especially if you don't like bookkeeping.

Does every horse that you see undergo a dental exam? Is a complete oral exam including the use of sedation, a full-mouth speculum, a good headlight and a dental mirror part of your yearly preventative maintenance program? Do you include a complete oral exam as a part of all your pre-purchase exams? If you answered "Yes" to these questions, then you are, unfortunately, in the minority of equine practitioners today.

What steps does your practice team take to support clients after the euthanasia of a pet?

Inundated with signs, slogans, and sales pitches, pet owners may fail to notice a key message that you've posted right in front of them.

It's great to see many practices are now acknowledging that the old, traditional methods of management are not effective, and they are modernizing their strategies and taking steps to improve staff morale, and consequently productivity.

This simple marketing tool can be used to help you see opportunities and challenges that can help or hurt your practice's growth.

High overtime costs prompted Gerard Gervasi, hospital administrator at Collierville Animal Clinic in Collierville, Tenn., and the practice owners to look into the financial impact of being open on Saturdays--and find a new solution.