Building Relationships

This is an exciting time to be in veterinary medicine as we are seeing a renewed focus on animal health. Because of our unique skills and experience, we are also being called upon to provide valuable insight and recommendations on public health initiatives and contribute to solving many of the devastating problems impacting human medicine: Zika, cancer, and antibiotic resistance. In addition, the world is experiencing a growing shift towards the principles of the One Health initiative, adopted by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)¹, and evidenced by the growing attendance at conferences, such as Zoobiquity. Like all professions, veterinary medicine will continue to evolve to meet the demands and challenges of a continuously evolving society.

When I was approached to serve as the editor-in-chief of a new publication for veterinary health professionals, I was intrigued, and wondered how this publication might be different from what is already available to members of the veterinary industry. How will this publication bring value to the veterinary profession? Upon learning that the publication will, in part, be guided by the principles of the One Health Initiative, and that its veterinary authors would partner with human medical professionals recognized in their respective fields to build articles that span professions, I was “in.”

My role as editor-in-chief will be collaborative. I am eager to bring together medical experts from all fields to discuss the different facets of our approach to human, animal, and environmental health. We will create articles of value for our communities that will best serve to improve patient outcomes, across multiple disciplines. To that end, I am excited about the prospect of working with the brightest minds in healthcare. Many of you can expect to hear from me in the coming months to build more content for our print publication and website.

This issue of American Veterinarian™ focuses on respiratory infections in companion animals. The first Medical Focus article takes a look at canine influenza that has been hitting the Midwest, and the second Medical Focus article provides information on feline respiratory infections that can cross species lines. The Client Education piece provides information veterinarians can use to help discuss infectious tracheobronchitis, otherwise known as “kennel cough,” with their clients. The Business Focus section provides the “ins and outs” of Fear Free^SM clinics and features an interview with the founder of the “Fear Free Initiative,” Marty Becker, DVM. Finally, this issue’s Legal Focus article provides a valuable reminder on recordkeeping practices that we all should be following.

I hope that you enjoy this issue of American Veterinarian™. Be sure to visit the website to stay up-to-date on news in the field and be on the look-out for articles in collaboration with our human medicine colleagues in the weeks to come.

Reference:

• One Health - It’s all connected. American Veterinary Medical Association website. www.avma.org/KB/Resources/ Reference/Pages/One-Health.aspx. Accessed June 24, 2016.