360-degree protection for internal and external parasites
The group examines the concept of 360 parasite protection and what to do when clients do not follow recommendations.
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Adam Christman, DVM, MBA: There are so many different choices that are out there for pet parents to decide on prevention. And I want to talk about the pet parent that has something of a there on a flea and tick preventative that you don't recommend. They come in, they have a stool sample; they've had rounds. So what does that conversation look like to you when they say like, "I really didn't want to recommend...use...Dr. Carter, the one that you have. I did this" and then you say, "Well, you know, I had them. it looks like, you know, Charlie's got roundworms. So how does that play out?
Bill Carter, DVM: Well, that doesn't work too well with the clients.
Katina Carter, DVM: No, I honestly, I probably [say], "I've used those products before some. Hey, I'm with you. I tried this one, too. It's, you know, we just have better stuff now." And then we'll have another discussion on why I don't like that one, as they can see. ... And companies guaranteeing their products also makes a huge deal. And some of these that you give, [the companies say], "Oh, well, I don't know. I don't know that you gave it. I don't know." So these [products] not having guarantees, as well. I'm like, "Wow, this one also, if you are on it all the time, then you might get some help, because it's going to work. So that's what I do with with those that are on stuff I don't like.
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA: It probably makes a conversation way easier to be like, "Well, this is where we as a team stand behind, and it makes that conversation...
Katina Carter, DVM: This is why we recommend this one
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA: Right.
Bill Carter, DVM: Well, that was like the heartworm case. You know, I had a dog. We did the puppy kit whenever, Interceptor. They're, great owners. They feed hypoallergenic food to all their dogs. One of them has a food allergy. But they just had that lapse where, "Oh, it's winter. My dog doesn't need it." Well, you know, I walked out of the bathroom with a mosquito bite on my eyelid, and around that same time that dog probably got heartworm.
Katina Carter, DVM: I don't even know that we have to discuss it half the time, especially when we're talking about flea and tick preventative. They come in with fleas and ticks. We're like, "So what [do] you use?" [The client says], "Oh, I use this." Here's a perfect opportunity to talk about something else.
Bill Carter, DVM: Something's wrong with the skin. That's a flea hypersensitivity. Your poor animal's ripping off its hair.
Katina Carter, DVM: Unfortunately for the dog or the cat, their poor choice, or maybe not the best choice in flea and tick preventive, it is quite obvious when they come in. So, they're much happier to not see those critters next time they come in. That makes compliance a little bit easier, too.
Bill Carter, DVM: You hear that "I've tried everything." I've tried everything except going to the vet. So I'm so glad you're here, and we'll take care of this, and then they feel so much better. I'm gonna give you something that is going to kill all these fleas, you know, and then vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. And it just...you see the relief. You know, because they think their animal has some weird skin condition. And it's like, "Well, no. We're just gonna treat the allergy, and it won't happen again as long as we take care of the fleas.
Katina Carter, DVM: Here's this pill and you can stop this.
Bill Carter, DVM: And they're biting them, too.
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA: What does it mean, Kara, when you hear an initiative as a pet parent, when you hear 360 protection? What does that feel like? What does that sound like to you as a pet parent?
Kara Johnson: It would [mean] all-around protection, and I makes me feel confident. And if I'm getting 360 protection, it means it's hitting all the bases. It's going around right in a circle, so everything is covered.
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA: Yeah. So talk to me more about what everything means, too, as a pet parent.
Kara Johnson: So, from heartworm, intestinal parasites, fleas and ticks.
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA: Can just get a shot on him right now for a second? [He] is curled up...out like a light...loves it so much. You know, as a veterinarian, when you hear 360 protection, too...When you hear that initiative, what does that sound like to you? And how does that reflect upon the way in which your team recommends flea and tick preventative and heartworm?
Katina Carter, DVM: I...we say that kind of thing a lot. Because in the end, it can make our job a little easier, you know, again, prevention instead...What was it? Proactive instead of reactive, you know, and so that's what 360 protection is. I think it just means that we can focus on other stuff.
Bill Carter, DVM: Well, and it's external and internal, you know. That's the internal with your heartworm and your intestinal parasites, and then external with your fleas or ticks...your mites. You know, so that's kind of how I view it.
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA: I like what you just said, too, because we as veterinarians, we don't have a lot of time to really, you know, go over all the recommendations. So, that's one less thing for us to worry about, having that peace of mind., knowing that the safety efficacy is in your flea and tick and heartworm prevention to some parasites, We can worry about other things [such as] behavior, endocrinopathies, metabolic, you know, whatever it is, but that's always good to hear knowing that you as a team feel confident about what you're recommending that goes out that door.
Katina Carter, DVM: Yeah, well, because we all use it. I was gonna say pretty much the whole staff, so [we] never recommend or give anything that I wouldn't or don't do myself.
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA: Because how many pet owners will say, well, "Doc, what do you give your dog?"
Bill Carter, DVM: All the time.
Adam Christman, DVM, MBA: They just need to know.
Bill Carter, DVM: Absolutely. You know, and that we feel confident that like you said, we're giving it to our own pets. So it's, you know, it's like talking to a pediatrician. You know, "What shots do you recommend for your child?" You know, it's the same exact thing.
