Ratio of income to debt for new vets ‘ominous’

A report by the NY Times has revealed stark increases in student debt in the last decade, with median borrowing of $63 000 per year according to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.

This figure has not been met by increasing wages. Starting salaries have in fact fallen by 13% to an average of $45,575, with a lower total population of pets and rising medical costs resulting in too many vets and not enough jobs.

Unfortunately there are no simple solutions: vet schools need to make it obvious that new vets will face higher debt.

Vets agree that the current situation is simply unsustainable, thousands of students paying for more expensive training to do worse paid jobs just simply doesn’t add up.

For the full story visit the NY Times.

AVMA study finds a 2.4% decline in the number of pet owners from 2006-2011

If the trend continues this could shift the focus of practice marketing from attracting new clients to providing better care for existing ones.

Karen Felsted, president of Felsted Veterinary Consultants and presenter of the data said “We need to look at our marketing, perception of value and pricing… we need to get back to basics. We’ve talked about the ‘wow’ factor a lot, but a bandana on a dog doesn’t mean much if the client had to wait for 45 minutes in the waiting room.”

Read the full story on DVM360.

Salmonella outbreak in the US leads to suit filing

At least 15 people have been taken ill after contact with contaminated pet food. Diamond Pet Foods swiftly recalled the contaminated food however after a string of cases legal action has now been taken.

Among the recalled products were Kirkland, a special brand manufactured for shops by Diamond Pet Foods.

Full details are available from the Seattle Times.

Atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) confirmed in California

BSE (nicknamed ‘Mad Cow disease’) has been confirmed in central California for the first time since 2003, the fourth ever case of BSE found in the US.

A food safety crisis has not been announced and there is no reason to suspect an outbreak or danger to public health.

Vets may be called on to reassure the public or to advise farmers. Please read more for a list of vital facts on BSE.

Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI) has released data on the most common conditions of 2011 in America

VPI released information from over 485 000 pets on the conditions most commonly reported to vets.

Dogs
1. Ear infection
2. Skin allergies
3. Skin infection
4. Non-cancerous skin growth

Cats
1. Bladder infection
2. Chronic kidney disease
3. Overactive thyroid
4. Upset stomach

$98 was the average claim fee per visit for the 62 000 dogs with ear infections, while 3800 cats with bladder infections were treated for an average of $233.

The most expensive canine conditions (non-cancerous growth) averaged at $220 whereas cats’ most expensive condition (lymphosarcoma) cost over double at $426.

Read more for the full list.

Owners are urged to consider vaccinating horses across 25 counties in Wisconsin.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has an exceptionally high mortality rate and is transmitted by mosquito. For complete information on the disease take a look at the Vetstream EEE page.

A number of owners have held off on vaccinations to save money, but not vaccinating could prove much more costly. Transmission is thought to have accelerated due to warmer temperatures increasing the number of mosquitos.

WSAW.com has the full story.