Idexx Releases Veterinary Productivity Study
Idexx Laboratories Inc. explored ways to improve workplace productivity in a newly released study involving 786 U.S. veterinary practices. “Veterinary practices have asked us for strategies and solutions to address the challenges they’re facing,” said Idexx CEO and President Jay Mazelsky. “A key insight from the study is that small steps can help them find more hours in the day, and when improvements are implemented strategically, they can have a significant impact.” The study outlined a series of “efficiency levers” in the areas of workflow, technology and culture that could help veterinary practices “improve productivity and gain time back in your day.” Details are at bit.ly/3Z5cp8l.
Vetsource Launches Payment Processing Service
Vetsource introduced a payment processing service designed to help veterinary practices streamline “the collection of payments and end-of-day reconciliation, resulting in fewer errors and ultimately saving the practice hours of administrative time every week.” The new service moves Vetsource beyond prescription management, client engagement and data services. “As the payment facilitator, Vetsource is able to offer competitive rates by eliminating hidden fees, often associated with processing payments, from unnecessary third parties,” the company reported.
Brachycephalic Study Urges ‘Careful Counseling’
Nationwide pet insurance released the second in a two-part study of the health challenges faced by brachycephalic dogs such as pugs, French bulldogs, English bulldogs and boxers. “The goal of our brachycephalic research is to provide veterinary health care teams and pet-owning families with objective, data-informed personalized pet health guidance,” said Nationwide’s chief veterinary officer, Jules Benson, BVSc, MRCVS. “Our results highlight the need for careful counseling of brachycephalic dog owners, especially those with extreme conformations.” Learn more about the study, which analyzed more than 450,000 dog years worth of claims data, at bit.ly/3Zhc1Dk.
Non-DVM Takes Over Center for Veterinary Medicine
Tracey Forfa, JD, was named the first non-veterinarian to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. Forfa served as acting director since December 2022 upon the retirement of Steven M. Solomon, DVM, MPH. The FDA noted, “When the center director is not a veterinarian, the agency soon will name a chief veterinary officer to advise on a wide variety of veterinary issues.”
Wedgewood Acquires Front Range Laboratories
Wedgewood Pharmacy acquired Colorado-based Front Range Laboratories, a testing laboratory serving compounding pharmacies nationwide. Terms were not disclosed. “Upcoming regulatory changes will increase demand across our companies for sterility and stability testing,” said Marcy A. Bliss, the CEO of Wedgewood Pharmacy. “By investing in a proven, high-quality in-house testing laboratory, we will be able to decrease testing turnaround time, better control our costs and gain greater flexibility to respond rapidly to changes in demand.”
New From Chewy: Vibeful Supplements and Vitamins
E-commerce giant Chewy launched Vibeful, a line of 20 supplements and vitamins for pets. Among the products are 10-in-1 multivitamin soft chews, mobility and joint chews, probiotic powder, and wild Alaskan salmon oil.
Texas Practice Owner Is an Iditarod Vet
Russell Miller, DVM, the founder of a Fort Worth, Texas, veterinary practice, is headed to Alaska to serve as a trail veterinarian during the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome. The two-week race starts March 4. “Of a total staff of 50 volunteer veterinarians, 45 will serve as trail veterinarians, who perform routine examinations and evaluations at all race checkpoints,” according to Dr. Miller’s practice, VO Vets.