Weekly companion animal news: March 9, 2020

AAHA releases new anesthesia guidelines

New guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association aim to help veterinarians address client fears around anesthesia. The “2020 AAHA Anesthesia and Monitoring Guidelines for Dogs and Cats” outline ideal practices for three phases of treatment: pre-anesthesia, the hospital treatment itself and the return home. “We call anesthesia a continuum of care because it encompasses the pet’s experience from ‘doorknob to doorknob,’ through home preparation; arriving at the hospital; before, during, and after anesthesia; and returning home again,” said AAHA CEO Dr. Michael Cavanaugh. “These guidelines help every member of the team embrace their role in patient care and client education by training them to be more comfortable with the continuum of anesthesia.”

Registration opens for AVMA convention

Registration is open for the American Veterinary Medical Association conference in San Diego, July 31-August 4. Plans for the conference include a battle of the bands aboard the USS Midway, 900 educational sessions and a keynote address by author Patrice Washington, Today’s Veterinary Business (also published by NAVC) reports. Washington’s speech, planned for August 1, will “empower attendees to embrace well-being and wealth-building by leaning into the areas of life that matter most,” according to the AVMA. Washington hosts the “Redefining Wealth” podcast.

Nationwide pet insurance becomes Human-Animal Bond Certified Company

Nationwide pet insurance has become a Human-Animal Bond Certified Company. The certification is a joint program between NAVC and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute. As part of the certification process, all Nationwide pet associates will complete human-animal bond training, “learning about the science behind the human-animal bond and gaining a deeper understanding of how this science supports pet health and the practice of veterinary medicine,” according to the announcement. The certification, launched in 2018, prepares veterinarians and animal care staff to promote the bond between pets and their families. Nationwide, the country’s largest pet insurance provider, has invested in research on the benefits of companion animals for people with autism, veterans with PTSD and people who have been diagnosed with cancer.

SAGE buys new Washington hospital

SAGE Veterinary Centers has added a new practice to its network. Mid-Columbia Pet Emergency Service, a 24/7 specialty practice, has joined the network, strengthening SAGE’s presence in Washington state, Today’s Veterinary Business reports. The acquisition comes two months after SAGE purchased Adobe Animal Hospital, a practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, and 10 months after adding Yakima Pet Emergency Service in Washington.

Georgia bill would require vets to report microchip mismatches

A bill proposed in the Georgia House would require veterinarians to scan animals in their care for microchips and contact law enforcement if the chip doesn’t match the information of the person presenting the pet for treatment. Vets would have to file reports either with the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, an animal control officer, a law enforcement agency, or a prosecuting attorney, All On Georgia reports. The bill would also allow veterinarians to testify, with immunity, in any judicial or administrative proceeding concerning ownership and treatment of the animal.

Mass retailers outperform specialty pet stores: Packaged Facts

U.S. retail sales of pet products reached an estimated $55 billion last year, up 5% from 2018, according to a new report from market research firm Packaged Facts. Growth in the market is largely due to online sales and chain pet specialty stores—“relatively unsurprising sources,” as the firm notes in its announcement. Online purchases account for more than 20% of all pet product sales, while specialty stores—particularly big ones like PetSmart and Petco—also make up a significant share of the market. But mass superstores like Target and Walmart are outperforming pet superstores. “Today’s pet industry is benefiting from a variety of factors and trends, but most notably this is a market ripe with intriguing paradox, and much of that paradox stems from the performance of mass market stores,” said David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts.

More job seekers want pet-friendly workplaces, survey shows

Almost half of the 3,000 respondents in a recent survey said they’d like to have pet-friendly workplaces. Of 200 employers, 10% said they think their offices will be pet-friendly in the next five years, according to the survey by online job marketplace ZipRecruiter. The survey showed that while 12% of employers currently allow pets, job postings for pet-friendly offices in the last two years have tripled and mentions of pet insurance benefits have increased 50%, Pet Business reports. Thirty percent of job seekers said it was at least somewhat important their workplace allows pets.