The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast

Latest Episodes:

COS - 147 - When Veterinary Clinics Get Cancelled Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

What's it like to have your clinic torn apart online? When thousands of phone calls roll in telling you that you're awful, what impact does that have on the staff and how do you handle it? Do you respond? What if that just makes things worse? This week, Dr. Andy Roark is joined by Dr. Meghan Vaught and Sarah Mills from the Maine Veterinary Medical Center. Last month, their clinic found itself on news channels across the country and the front page of reddit. What followed was a harrowing experience no one should have to go through. Along with it, however, can an outpouring of support from clients and the veterinary community as a whole. Since the incident, Sarah and Dr. Vaught have dedicated their time and energy to raising awareness of the impact that public shaming and "cancel" events can have on veterinary teams, and to creating resources to help others who may end up defending themselves against online retribution.

LINKS Not One More Vet: https://www.nomv.org/ AVMA Online Reputation Management and Cyberbullying: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/practice-management/reputation

ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Dr. Meghan Vaught obtained her doctorate from St. George University in May 2013 after completing her clinical rotations at the University of Pennsylvania. In June 2014, she completed a small animal rotating internship at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialties hospital. Dr. Vaught completed a three-year Emergency and Critical Care Residency at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in 2017. Later that year, she earned board certification as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. Dr. Vaught’s clinical and research interests include but are not limited to respiratory disease/mechanical ventilation, sepsis, polytrauma and severe acid/base or electrolyte disorders. Dr Vaught’s priority is to provide the highest quality of care and medicine to each patient and their family. In her free time, Dr. Vaught enjoys spending time with her husband, their young daughter, and their cat. Sarah Mills has spent her career advocating for accessible wellness care. She is passionate about animal health and helping all pets live their best lives filled with treats, naps in the sun and zoomies. Sarah spent nearly a decade as one of the founding members of Vets First Choice (now Covetrus) before joining the FidoCure mission to bring personalized medicine to dogs with cancer. Her time has been spent in sales, marketing and serving veterinarians. Sarah holds a BS in psychology from Simmons University and was trained by the Disney Institute in Quality Service. She shares her little farmhouse in Cumberland Center, Maine, with 3 teenagers, a Goldendoodle named Ted, and a smallish bunny.

COS - 146 - The Shy Sulcatta (HDYTT) Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Doug Mader joins the podcast to discuss treatment of a wounded tortoise that won't come out of his shell. This 10 year-old Sulcata was attacked by a dog and needs care, but has pulled back tightly into his shell making treatment difficult. In this episode, we discuss tortoise sedation and analgesia, antibiotic therapy and feeding tube placement.

LINKS: Dr. Mader's New Book: https://www.amazon.com/Vet-Noahs-Ark-Survival-Inner-City/dp/1954641044 Dr. Mader's Website: https://www.dougmader.com/ Dr. Mader's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/douglas.mader.9

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Douglas R. Mader, MS, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Canine/Feline), Diplomate, ABVP (Reptile/Amphibian), Diplomate, ECZM (Herpetology), Fellow, Royal Society of Medicine Dr. Mader received his DVM from the University of California, Davis in 1986. In addition, he completed a Residency in Primate and Zoo animal medicine. He is the consulting veterinarian for the Monroe County Sheriff's Zoo, the Key West Aquarium, Dynasty Marine, the Sea Turtle Hospital, the Everglades Alligator Farm and the Theater of the Sea. Previously Dr. Mader owned the Marathon Veterinary Hospital, a double AAHA accredited 24 hr emergency/referral hospital. Dr. Mader is an internationally acclaimed lecturer and is on the review boards of several scientific journals. He has published numerous articles in scientific and veterinary journals, national magazines, and, is the author/editor and co-editor of three textbooks on Reptile Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Mader’s latest project is his new book “The Vet at Noah’s Ark - Stories of Survival from an Inner-city Animal Hospital.”

COS 145 How Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital Started Home Delivery For Diets Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

Have you started home delivery of therapeutic diets yet? In this episode, Dr. Matt Duemler tells the story of how and why Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital took up home delivery. He talks about how he discussed it with the staff to get them on-board, and what his experience has been like so far. ** This episode is made possible ad-free by Purina Pro Plan Vet Direct

LINKS Purina ProPlan VetDirect: https://www.proplanvetdirect.com/?utm_campaign=vdp-&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_content=&utm_term=purina%20pro%20plan%20veterinary%20diets&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhLKUBhDiARIsAMaTLnErIA9MJo0rkeY8EXA8RRqDCSptk_Lz7lQ3ykkCE_-GZ0xsKoDsjWsaAhQyEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Purina Institute: https://www.purinainstitute.com/

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Dr. Matt Duemler - Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital, Burnt Hills, NY. There are very few people in this world I would change lives with! I have had many blessings in my life but finding a career that not only provides me the ability to support my family but also gives me a purpose each and every day has been one of the best. The old saying is “Find a job you enjoy and you will never work a day in your life”. This is so true! Providing animal care has always been a part of my life, since growing up on my parent’s farm in Perth, NY. A graduate of Broadalbin-Perth, my college years were spent first at St. Lawrence University where I majored in Neuroscience and studied abroad in Denmark. I was then fortunate to be accepted to and attend veterinary school at the University of Tennessee. Throughout school, the complexities and capabilities of medicine left me in awe. I knew I wanted to spend my days helping people, and combined with my fondness for animals, veterinary medicine became a no brainer. Every day is different, and I love it! I especially enjoy the days I spend in surgery putting Humpty Dumpty back together again. I have challenged myself to learn advanced techniques allowing me to treat a variety of issues. I have completed multiple advanced training courses and received a variety of professional certifications. This training allows me to evaluate a patient from start to finish. I am able to perform the diagnostic test necessary such as diagnostic ultrasounds, repair multiple orthopedic issues including fractures, cruciate repairs and patella luxation, general surgical procedures such as removal of kidneys, spleens and gall bladders, as well as advanced certifications in regenerative medicine techniques such as Stem Cell and Platelet Rich Plasma therapies. There is no better moment than when a family is reunited for the first time after seeing a loved one battle through an illness. Our patients are resilient and very often inspiring. When not “working” on animals, I spend my days with my beautiful wife and 2 amazing children. We have built our forever home here in Burnt Hills, the same town in which my mother-in-law grew up. My children will be able to learn in the same classrooms she did. Family and community have always been important to me. This is one of the main reasons my wife and I agreed to take over the leadership of the hospital. We are very proud to lead the community's best veterinary hospital, while continuing its rich history of being a family run business. Unfortunately, in today’s veterinary community, being a family run business, centered on family values, is a rare commodity.

COS - 144 - New Veterinary Business Models To Keep Pet Care Affordable Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Bob Lester believes owning pets shouldn't be a luxury that few people can afford. The veterinary profession needs to think creatively about how to keep medicine accessible to pet owners across socioeconomic groups. In this episode, Dr. Lester joins Dr. Andy Roark to discuss his recent article which outlines 15 new business models our profession might approach to help pets get the care they need.

LINKS: Tear Down the Wall (Original Article): https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/veterinary-care-models/ Wellhaven Pet Health: https://wellhaven.com

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Dr. Bob Lester remains as passionate about the veterinary profession as the day he entered veterinary school (sometime last century). He is a firm believer in the veterinary profession's double bottom line proposition of doing well by doing good. Dr. Lester is a graduate of Oregon State and Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and completed the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Leadership Academy. He spent his early career as a small-town mixed animal practice owner before joining the founding leadership team at Banfield Pet Hospitals. At Banfield, he held positions in medicine, operations, franchising, human resources, and professional relations. After a rewarding career at Banfield/Mars Inc., he left as Vice President of Professional Relations to help found the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine where he served as Assistant Dean. Dr. Lester’s LMU-CVM team pioneered a novel community-based clinical education program and developed the professional skills curriculum including instruction in communication, leadership, teamwork, and practice management. Bob is now a co-founder, Chief Medical Officer, and member of the Board of Directors for WellHaven Pet Health, a family of companion animal practices that believes in caring for the caregivers so that they can care for others. WellHaven Pet Hospitals are both new build full-service AAHA/Fear Free hospitals, acquired and joint venture affiliate practices. Bob was a two-time gubernatorial appointee and Chair of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board. He was the state delegate to the American Association of Veterinary State Boards. He served as a site team member for the AVMA Council on Education, and on the Job Analysis Task Force for the International Council for Veterinary Assessment. Dr. Lester authors the column “Creative Disruption” for Today’s Veterinary Business. In addition to his board position at WellHaven Pet Health, he serves as a board member and Treasurer of Pet Peace of Mind a non-profit which keeps hospice patients together with their pets through the end of life. He also serves as Vice President of the board of the North American Veterinary Community, and on the advisory boards of easyvetclinic, Pet Desk, AirVet, and the LMU College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Lester’s interests include all things veterinary, writing, start-ups, speaking, business and leadership development, the human-animal bond, and giving back to the profession that has done so much for him and others. His family includes his wife Crystal, two amazing daughters McKenzie and Paige, and two rescue Yorkie’s Jessie and Woody.

COS - 143 - What Do Veterinary Practices Need To Start & Stop Doing? Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Adam Little joins us to discuss what veterinary practices need to start doing and stop doing to adapt to a changing world. He and Dr. Andy Roark discuss everything from remote work to the challenges of recruiting and hiring in a super-tight labor market. If you like big ideas and inspiration for a bright future, this is the episode for you!

LINKS: GoFetch: https://www.gofetch.ca

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Dr. Adam Little works at the intersection of accelerating technologies and veterinary medicine. His career has spanned areas of focus ranging from artificial intelligence to telemedicine to connected devices. He is the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of GoFetch where his team is building a new subscription care model focused on making local vet care more accessible and affordable. Prior to co-founding GoFetch, he served as the first ever Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship for Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine where he spearheaded such initiatives as the Veterinary Innovation Summit and the Veterinary Entrepreneurship Academy. Dr. Little holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Ontario Veterinary College He is a past Board member of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinarians without Borders and the Vet Futures Commission

COS - 142 - Mystery Toxicosis! Chlorfenapyr In Dogs (HDYTT) Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Tina Wismer, Senior Director of ASPCA Pet Poison Control Center joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about a scary case. Vomiting, fever, muscle tremors, and a stiff gait.... what could be the cause?? Chlorfenapyr is a chemical used in some pest control sprays, and it can be a fatal toxin for pets. Dr. Wismer discusses the risks and how to treat these cases if/when we see them.

LINKS: ASPCA Animal Poison Control: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Tina Wismer, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT, is the Senior Director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. She earned her undergraduate degree from Ohio’s University of Findlay and received her DVM from Purdue University. Dr. Wismer worked in both small animal and emergency practice before joining the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in 1998. Dr. Wismer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology and the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology. She is an adjunct instructor at the University of Illinois, a visiting professor at St. Matthews University (Grand Cayman), a consultant for VIN (Veterinary Information Network) and a Master Gardener.

COS - 141 - The $100k Signing Bonus -Veterinary Salaries In The Age Of Corporate Medicine Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Lance Roasa is on the podcast to discuss the soaring salaries of new veterinary graduates, the legend of the $100k signing bonus, and all the strings that can be attached. Lance and Dr. Andy Roark discuss how corporate consolidation and private equity money are pushing these trends and where it might all be going.

LINKS: The Uncharted Veterinary Podcast https://unchartedvet.com/uncharted-veterinary-podcast/ Teamwork Mind Meld: Setting Expectations for Team Communication https://unchartedvet.com/product/team-communication-workshop/ Creating Content that Clients Crave https://unchartedvet.com/product/creating-content-that-clients-crave

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Dr. Lance Roasa is a 2008 graduate of Texas A&M who has practiced in small animal, mixed animal and emergency settings and has bought, operated and sold over a dozen veterinary practices. He has completed a law degree from the University of Nebraska, is the past president of the American Veterinary Medical Law Association. Dr. Roasa is a consultant for VIN and is a founder of Drip Learning Technologies, a veterinary continuing education provider. He also lectures in 13 veterinary colleges on the legal aspects of employment contracts, medical record keeping, veterinary malpractice and veterinary business as part of the curriculum. He serves as a national co-advisor to the Veterinary Business Management Association and regularly lectures to regional VBMA chapters and to the national association on the topics of growth, business metrics, and technology implementation. Dr. Roasa also owns Santa Rosa Ranch, home to the largest registered Brangus cow herd in the United States.

COS 140 A Practical Guide To Caring For Geriatric Dogs May 26, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Mary Gardner's new book, It's Never Long Enough: A practical guide to caring for your geriatric dog, is a wonderful collection of stories, lessons learned, and practical approaches from a career serving pets at the ends of their lives. Dr. Gardner discusses the writing of the book, her next book on cats, the chapters she's most proud of, and some of the stories that she shares in her texts. Whether you are a pet owner with a geriatric dog, or a medical professional who wants to exponentially increase the number of tips and tricks you have to offer pet owners, this book is worth unpacking.

LINKS Buy the Book: DrMaryGardner.com/books Dr. Mary Gardner on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmarygardner The Uncharted Veterinary Podcast https://unchartedvet.com/uncharted-veterinary-podcast

ABOUT OUR GUEST: There is nothing better to Dr. Mary Gardner than a dog with a grey muzzle or skinny old cat! Her professional goal is to increase awareness and medical care for the geriatric veterinary patient and to help make the final life stage to be as peaceful as possible, surrounded with dignity and support for all involved. A University of Florida graduate (AND ANDY’S CLASSMATE!), she discovered her niche in end of life care and is the co-founder and CIO of Lap of Love which has over 250 veterinarians around the country dedicated to veterinary hospice and euthanasia in the home. Dr. Gardner and Lap of Love have been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, The New York Times, the Associated Press, The Doctors and numerous professional veterinary publications. She is co-author of the textbook “The Treatment and Care of the Veterinary Patient”, co-author of a children’s activity book focused on saying goodbye to a dog called “Forever Friend”, and the author of a book dedicated to pet owners “It’s Never Long Enough: A practical guide to caring for your geriatric dog”. Dr. Gardner also won VMX Small Animal Speaker of the year in 2020!

COS 139 The $45,000 Cat And How We Should Talk About The Cost Of Owning Pets May 23, 2022

Show notes

A new survey from Synchrony (Parent Company of CareCredit & Pets Best Pet Insurance) indicates that the lifetime cost of care ranges from $20K-$55K for dogs and $15K-$45K for cats! Also, most pet owners have no idea that this is the case. 4 our of 5 pet owners will face unexpected veterinary bills. What does this mean for veterinary professionals, who often bear the brunt of pet owner anger when financial limitations to care arise? In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark is joined by Jonathan Wainberg (Synchrony General Manager & Senior Vice President, Pet) to discuss the findings of the study, what is realistic when it comes to setting pet owner expectations for the cost of pet ownership, and how to have financial conversations that encourage financial planning on the part of pet owners.

LINKS Synchrony Study Reveals Pet Owners Spend as Much as $55,000 during a Pet’s Lifetime: https://www.carecredit.com/pressrelease/lifetime-of-care-study/ Language of Veterinary Care (AVMA Membership Required): https://www.synchrony.com/groundbreaking-new-language-of-veterinary-care-research.html CareCredit: https://www.carecredit.com/providers

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Jonathan Wainberg (General Manager, Senior Vice President, Pet - Synchrony) brings over 15 years of financial services expertise, and a record of commercial ingenuity, market expansion and energetic leadership driving revenue growth to his role as CareCredit’s General Manager, Senior Vice President, Pet. In this newly established vertical, Jonathan will lead CareCredit’s expansion of the veterinarian credit business, pet insurance and additional market adjacencies. Prior to this, Jonathan served as SVP, General Manager GAP. He joined Synchrony following a 15-year tenure with GE Capital, where he was the Senior Managing Director, Global Sales for Industrial Finance in London. He was a key member of the senior leadership team building a new captive finance business for the reorganized and streamlined GE Capital. Jonathan developed the strategy and led the efforts that allowed GE to provide financing support to global customers in new markets, surpassing sales targets by more than 30%. With on-the-ground roles in the US, Europe and Asia, he’s managed teams around the world and delivered complex strategies in more than 50 countries. Earlier, Jonathan joined GE Capital in Corporate Finance in New York, ultimately becomingManaging Director, responsible for the Eastern US, Canada and private equity firms, in 2012. As Managing Director, Jonathan originated, structured and negotiated leveraged loans and highly structured financings for leveraged buyouts, re-financings, expansions and restructurings of middle market and large cap retail companies. He was a top individual sales contributor from 2007-2010. Jonathan has an MBA from Georgetown University and a BA in History with a concentration in Marketing from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. He began his career in the executive training program at Macy’s in New York, where he also had various merchant/management roles. Jonathan is a native of Canada, with a dual US-Canada citizenship. He has traveled to over 85 counties, enjoys entertaining, wine and playing with his energetic 2-year-old son. While based in Costa Mesa, Jonathan currently resides in Bal Harbour, Florida with his wife and son, Jonathan will relocate to Southern California soon.

COS 138 Dentistry Pain Control When Cost Is A Challenge May 19, 2022

Show notes

Dental procedures are expensive, and pain control is non-negotiable. How do we do right by our patients while working within the budgets of pet owners? The original anesthesia nerd Tasha McNerney is on the podcast today with FANTASTIC advice on how to do exceptional pain control without breaking the client bank! Let's get into this episode!

LINKS: International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management: https://ivapm.org/ Book: Small Animal Regional Anesthesia https://www.amazon.com/Small-Animal-Regional-Anesthesia-Analgesia/dp/0813819946/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=small+animal+regional+anesthesia+and+analgesia&qid=1649161001&s=books&sprefix=small+animal+regional+anesthesia%2Cstripbooks%2C97&sr=1-1

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Tasha McNerney obtained her CVT in 2005 and has worked clinically in the areas of anesthesia and surgery ever since. Tasha obtained her CVPP (certified veterinary pain practitioner) designation in 2013 and became a veterinary technician specialist in anesthesia in 2015. Tasha has been a featured speaker on various anesthesia and pain management topics at several international veterinary conferences. Tasha is the author of many articles and blogs on anesthesia and pain management related topics. In 2013 Tasha created the Facebook group Veterinary Anesthesia Nerds, which has over 65,000 members taking part in education and exchange of ideas from all over the world! Tasha is crazy and bought a 1920's fixer upper and is now obsessed with home improvement tutorials on YouTube. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, son, one perfect cat, and one jerk cat. Trust me that cat is a jerk.

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