Read all about it! The top 10 veterinary news articles of 2018

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We know you're busy. And we know you're likely behind on the reading you've been meaning to get done-so let us help you out. If you can only read 10 articles this year, these are the ones that caught the veterinary profession's eye in 2018, based on dvm360.com web traffic analytics. Check them out and stay in the know.

10. What's Amazon doing in the pet consumables market?

Amazon surprised many animal health insiders recently by announcing its intention to expand into the pet retail market, causing whispers and worries about how retail may be affected at veterinary clinics. The dvm360 team got a peek inside the retail giant's thought process at the NAVC E-Commerce Summit.

9. dvm360 Investigative Report: Where have all the good dogs gone?​

This three-part special report by Portia Stewart explores the critical questions behind where our dogs come from, what the future of sheltering might look like and the secret world of dog auctions. 

8. Walmart's offerings will soon include veterinary care

PetIQ, a pet health and wellness company, announced plans to open 20 VetIQ Petcare clinics in Walmart locations by the end of May 2018. This isn't the first partnership between the two companies, as Walmart has carried PetIQ's products for many years. The expanded alliance comes after PetIQ's acquisition of VIP Petcare at the beginning of this year and is part of PetIQ's plan to bring veterinary services to major retailers in order to gain a larger share of the veterinary products and services market. 

7. Merck study: Veterinarians have normal mental health but poor well-being

The findings of a study spearheaded by Merck Animal Health, unveiled Feb. 6 during VMX in Orlando, Florida, show that veterinarians are not plagued with mental health problems when compared with the general population, but they do experience significant stress-or, put another way, lower levels of well-being.

“The good news is that veterinary medicine does not have a mental health crisis,” analyst John Volk of Brakke Consulting told the dvm360 team during a private briefing on the results of the study, an extensive investigation of veterinarians designed to quantify the prevalence of mental illness and stress in the veterinary profession. 

6. 6 mistakes to avoid in the veterinary ER

Does the idea of a dog presenting with pale mucous membranes, a weak pulse and a heart rate of 190 beats/min make your knees sweat? Do you get tachypneic when you see a dyspneic cat fish-mouth breathing in front of you? If you don't see emergency cases every day, you're in the right place-this article discusses how to avoid common errors in emergency patients and save your patients' lives. Having practiced everywhere from a busy inner-city emergency room to the ivory tower of academia, Dr. Justine Lee has seen these mistakes made and has made them herself.

5. Study shows tramadol has no effect on osteoarthritis pain scores

Researchers from the University of Georgia have found that tramadol is ineffective in alleviating signs of pain associated with osteoarthritis in dogs, according to a release from the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF), which funded the study. But experts differ on whether this controlled substance still has a place in veterinary pain management. 

4. RNs fight veterinary technicians over the word 'nurse'

Human nurses say they-and only they-have the right to use this word to describe their work. Webster's defines “nurse” as a person who cares for the sick or infirm. While the definition doesn't specify whether the recipient of that care is an animal or a human, the debate over whether to extend this title to veterinary technicians is a heated one. 

3. FDA alerts veterinarians, pet owners about neurologic risks associated with isoxazolines

The newest class of flea and tick preventive products has generated reports of muscle tremors, ataxia and seizures, but the FDA says the products are still safe for most animals. 

2. Grit vs. grades: Veterinary schools face potential flaws in admissions system

There's no question that the veterinary profession has changed through the years in its demographic makeup, from a profession that was mainly made up of men to one that becomes more and more female each year. But is veterinary medicine lacking diversity in other areas? Are there groups of people who would make great veterinarians but are pushed out before they can even complete an application? And what does that mean for the profession?

1. Cornell takes the lead in cannabidiol research

Still wondering if CBD oil lives up to the hype, or if you'll go to jail for recommending it? Research from Cornell this year backs the claims, and the federal government seems to be loosening the noose on veterinary recommendations.