From the Editor
High-Five
A friend reminded me that wood — an object of strength and durability — is the traditional gift when a relationship reaches five years.
About the Author
Ken Niedziela is the editor of Today’s Veterinary Business. He is a longtime journalist and editor who started his professional career at The Blade newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, before he moved to Southern California for an array of assignments at The Orange County Register. He entered magazine journalism in 2008 as managing editor of Veterinary Practice News and later as special projects editor and news editor at Pet Product News International. He was editor of Veterinary Practice News until January 2017, when he joined the North American Veterinary Community to help launch Today’s Veterinary Business. The Rochester, New York, native earned his journalism degree from Michigan State University. He lives in San Clemente, California, with his wife, Deanne.
Written By This Author
From the Editor
Incredible Insight
I must report that I hoard reports on the business of veterinary medicine.
From the Editor
Unsung Heroes
Nearly 3 in 4 survey respondents thought that a credentialed veterinary technician merely performed tasks such as cleaning cages and holding patients.From the Editor
A Major Purchase
My year-old English Labrador retriever is built like a Ford Mustang — powerful, speedy and low to the ground — but little did I know when I brought her home that she will end up costing me just as much as a sports car, or more.
From the Editor
The Solo Option
If you think corporations dominate the veterinary practice landscape, think again.
From the Editor
Out of This World
Scooping up independent veterinary clinics left and right, consolidators are going about it the wrong way, said Ivan “Zak” Zakharenkov, DVM, MBA, the CEO of a new competitor, Galaxy Vets.
From the Editor
By Invitation Only
About the time this issue was wrapping up, I learned of Small Door Veterinary.
From the Editor
Raising the Ante
Kent Thornberry, DVM, the founder and president of the 65-hospital CareVet network, isn’t waiting for Washington politicians to legislate a $15-an-hour minimum wage.
From the Editor
We’re Still Here
Introducing a new look for Today’s Veterinary Business. Editor Ken Niedziela walks us through the major content and design changes.From the Editor
18 Insurers and Counting
Pet health insurance has become a $1.5 billion-a-year U.S. industry. Plus, Today’s Veterinary Business received eight Florida Magazine Association 2020 Charlie Awards.From the Editor
Improve Your Online Sales
We’ve got the secret to making your veterinary clinic’s online pharmacy a serious moneymaker.From the Editor
Our Strange New World
Since the onset of the Covid pandemic, our world has changed dramatically. What’s next?News
Zoetis Launches Pumpkin Pet Insurance
Policyholders who choose preventive care coverage will receive a Zoetis parasiticide directly from the company.From the Editor
It’s a Work in Progress
Veterinarian well-being, especially among younger practitioners, remains lower than that of the general U.S. population.From the Editor
Stopgap Employers
Companies such as Holiday Vet, VetIQ Staffing, RSVP and Get A Vet Staffing place veterinarians at hospitals looking for temporary help.News
AVMA Formally Discourages Declawing of Cats
The House of Delegates approves language respecting “the veterinarian’s right to use professional judgment.”From the Editor
The Past and the Future
Who wants to own a veterinary hospital? Listening to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s chief economist, Dr. Matthew Salois, I found out that fewer people do.Veterinary Industry
Exit interview: The NAVC’s Tom Bohn
Tom Bohn helped transform the North American Veterinary Community from a 22-person organization into one that greatly expanded its workforce, budget and mission. Now he’s taking his drive, talent and ideas elsewhere.From the Editor
They’re in the Army Now
The U.S. Army Veterinary corps could offer opportunity for prospective students.News
SwineTech wins Investment Forum’s Innovation Award
SwineTech Inc. thinks it can stop sows from crushing their piglets, a problem that CEO Matthew Rooda said occurs more than 100 million times a year.Merchandising
Veterinarians sell 74% of pet medications
E-commerce’s growing share of the pet medications market stands at 15%, but veterinarians maintain majority control and are fighting back with internet pharmacies of their own.News
Revised AVMA policy urges pet insurance education
Veterinary teams are now encouraged by the AVMA to make clients aware of insurance as a financial option.News
AVMA’s de Jong exposes ‘tough, honest truths’
The outgoing president of the American Veterinary Medical Association shared what he called “some tough, honest truths” about the profession during remarks delivered to the House of Delegates.From the Editor
Eliminating the Stigma
I trust that you’ve heard or read about the mental health crisis afflicting too many U.S. veterinary professionals. But did you know that it’s a global problem?News
Pet insurance could get a boost from AVMA
The House of Delegates will consider a resolution calling on veterinary teams to educate clients about health coverage.Practice Ownership
The Fast Track
Practice ownership can happen early in a veterinarian’s career, and perhaps at a lower cost of entry, through one of a small number of franchisers.From the Editor
Independents Still Rule
Supported by big investors, consolidators have gobbled up a couple of thousand veterinary practices.
From the Editor
In Support of ‘Nurses’
It’s no secret the North American Veterinary Community, publisher of this journal, is a fervent supporter of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative.
From the Editor
Where Are All the Vets?
Veterinarians are in high demand as more employers look to expand.From the Editor
A Candidate’s Job Market
If you want to check the pulse of the veterinary industry, I suggest you attend the American Veterinary Medical Association’s next Economic Summit, the latest of which took place in October.
News
California veterinary clinics didn’t escape wildfires
At least two hospitals were ruined in Northern California, but the news was better down south.From the Editor
An Information Leader
What if you could go to one online location and find thousands of manufacturer documents and practice tools — from product detailers, sales sheets and white papers to videos, brochures and dosing charts?
From the Editor
New from Petco: PetCoach
Strolling the exhibitor aisles at the Colorado Convention Center, I came across the industry heavyweights as well as the small vendors and everyone in between.
From the Editor
A Growth Opportunity
Leave a phone message for Mark Opperman, CVPM, and odds are the practice consultant extraordinaire won’t call back from his home base of Lawrence, Kansas.
News
Drug distributors accuse PetIQ of antitrust violations
Med Vets and Bay Medical Solutions say PetIQ’s purchase of VIP Petcare will lead to unfair competition.News
Nurse initiative gains early victory in Ohio
A House committee endorses identifying veterinary technicians as nurses.News
Purdue says ‘yes’ to Veterinary Nurse Initiative
A coalition of supporters wants 'registered veterinary nurse' as the common title for veterinary technicians.News
Survey: The human-animal bond remains strong
Seminar attendees hear where the profession has been and where it's headed.From the Editor
Your Opinion Matters
If you’re like me, when you finish an online article about some controversial topic, you zip to the comments section to see what other readers think about the issue at hand.