Veterinary Economics - February 2012 - (Page 8)

mailbox Practice owners UNITE— and SOUND OFF Editor’s note: The following letters, here and on page 10, are in response to Dr. Lee Stuart’s Hot Button, “Practice owners, it’s time to organize” (December 2011). pediatricians do. We’ll have to increase our service fees concomitantly. Clients will have to ﬁnd a way to pay. I would be happy to support the efforts for an American Veterinary Private Practice Owners Association. S adly, I don’t think we can reverse the loss of pharmacy revenue (see optometrists vs. Lens Express). As a profession we’ve begun the transition to having only minimal pharmacies, like Lorin Lawrence, dvm Ebenezer Animal Hospital rock Hill, S.C. I wholeheartedly agree that there’s a need for an American Veterinary Private Practice Owners Association. While the AVMA does a decent job of protecting animal health and welfare, it hasn’t done a good job “ looking out for the business interests of our profession. In the last year it’s started to address this topic, but only after severe How can human pharmacists who have no training in veterinary medicine complete these tasks? by blindly funneling cash. I’ve tried to raise awareness in my own community, but there’s only one local paper and it refuses to question the ethics and practices of the local shelter. I’m also concerned with national retail pharmacies selling veterinaryspeciﬁc drugs. Isn’t it pharmacists’ job to be educated on the drugs they dispense so they can counsel the user, double-check dosages, and watch for drug reactions? How can human pharmacists who have no training in veterinary medicine complete these tasks? Does anyone else think this is inappropriate and unsafe? Clearly veterinary organizations like the AVMA aren’t interested or just don’t have the resources to tackle this problem. I would imagine that other veterinary business owners have these concerns, but they’re too busy trying to stay aﬂoat. A dedicated group is ideal to pool resources, lend credibility, and come up with economic changes have occurred. My suspicion is that the AVMA is concerned about the image of veterinary medicine as a whole in the public eye and is worried about conﬂicts of interest. Its recent attempt to block outrageous legislation is commendable, but it’s too little too late. Dr. Stuart pointed out many serious problems facing private practitioners. I opened my own small animal hospital ﬁve years ago and I’m infuriated by the local spay and neuter clinic and the local governments that support it ” creative ideas and solutions. I agree with Dr. Stuart that something needs to happen soon. If people think pet care is expensive now, wait until corporate practices are all that’s left because the privately owned practices have gone out of business. I wish Dr. Stuart the best of luck— I’d be happy to be an inaugural member. Kathy Kallay, dvm Four Paws Animal Hospital and Wellness Center Fredericksburg, Va. 8 VETErINArY ECONOMICS ❘ February 2012 ❘ dvm360.com http://www.dvm360.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Economics - February 2012

Veterinary Economics - February 2012
Contents
Checking In
Get in Touch
Mailbox
Practice Management Q&A
Practice Tips
Click & Copy
Can This Practice Be Saved?
7 Ways to Give Dental Recommendations
Modernize Design, Maintain Clients
Marketplace
Hot Button

Veterinary Economics - February 2012