Researchers from Highcroft Veterinary Referrals, the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Zurich are asking veterinary surgeons to take part in a survey designed to identify the rate of complications associated with Angiostrongylus vasorum (lungworm) infection or treatment in dogs.
The research, which is led by Drs Kieran Borgeat, Jose Matos and David Connolly, is the first step of a larger project, which hopes to culminate in the development of a set of consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of lungworm in dogs.
The researchers say that the guidelines are needed because there is currently no consensus amongst veterinary practitioners as to how dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum (lungworm) are best treated. In addition, whilst there are anecdotal reports of adverse reactions after treatment, none are currently published in the literature.
The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and all participants who leave their email address will be entered into a prize draw for £100 worth of Amazon vouchers.
No pharmaceutical or food companies have been involved in the design or funding of the research, and approval has been granted by the RVC Ethics and Welfare Committee.
The survey will close on 1st May 2016, or when 1000 responses have been completed. All information entered into the questionnaire will be completely anonymous and contact information will be held in a confidential database and not shared with any third parties.
To take part, visit http://tinyurl.com/lungwormsurvey
European Specialist in Veterinary Dentistry Lisa Milella, who revealed last year that she has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, has now announced that she plans to end her life at the Swiss-based organisation, Dignitas, and is calling on MPs to support a Private Members Bill on assisted dying, due for a second reading next month.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Lisa said: "In Britain, we give more dignity in death to our pets than we do human beings. I don't want to suffer a prolonged, lingering death. I want to be able to choose when I die – and I'd like to do that in my home, surrounded by my loved ones with dignity – but British law doesn't allow me to do that and that makes me angry."
Meanwhile, Lisa's campaign to raise money for International Animal Rescue has smashed its original target of £10,000 and now stands at £24,096.83, with a new target of £50,000.
The RCVS has restored its full approval to the University of Bristol's School of Veterinary Science.
The full approval was granted by the RCVS Council in March, at the recommendation of the Education Policy and Specialisation Committee (EPSC), following the positive report of a visitation carried out in mid-December 2011 under the chairmanship of former RCVS President Stephen Ware.
The School had been under conditional approval since a visit in March 2007, and a subsequent revisit in October 2009 had identified that although progress had been made, work still needed to be completed to improve some of the facilities, particularly in small animal surgery and on the farm.
The RCVS Council commended the hard work and improvements displayed by the School, and was pleased to restore it to full approval status.
Professor Stuart Reid, EPSC Chairman said: "The University has demonstrated a welcome and continued commitment to the development of the School, and is to be congratulated on making significant financial investments in staffing and facilities, despite the current difficult economic climate.
"There is a positive and constructive atmosphere, which is a credit to the Head of School and all the staff who have clearly worked extremely hard to meet the challenges presented to them at a time of change within the university sector as a whole."
The School is next scheduled for a full visitation in 2014.
Royal Canin has announced the launch of two new veterinary diets designed to tackle obesity in cats and dogs.
'Satiety Small Dog' is for adult dogs with an ideal weight up to 10kg. 'Satiety Wet' has been developed for those dogs who prefer wet food, or who are used to eating a combination of wet and dry food.
Satiety Small Dog is available in 1.5kg, 3.5kg and 8kg bags and contains a blend of fibres that Royal Canin says increases the volume of stomach contents and promotes satiety. The company says the new diet also contains specific nutrients which contribute to maintaining good oral health, and a high protein content to help maintain muscle mass during the weight loss programme.
Satiety Small Dog is designed to improve digestive tolerance in smaller breeds, as it has a different blend of fibre and higher levels of butyrate than Satiety Canine, which is formulated for the needs of medium and larger dogs. The diet contains less dietary oxalate which Royal Canin claims is of benefit to smaller dogs that are at a greater risk of developing calcium oxalate uroliths.
The second new diet, Satiety Wet for Dogs, is available in 410g and 195g cans. The diet has a high protein content (14.1g per 100kcal), and is enriched with nutrients, minerals and vitamins. Royal Canin also highlights what it says is a particularly innovative feature: a high fibre content in a canned diet.
Ian Williams, Veterinary Scientific Support Manager at Royal Canin, said: "Almost 60% of dogs and 40% of cats in the UK and Ireland are overweight or obese. With obesity comes an increased risk of animals developing conditions affecting the upper respiratory tract, cardiopulmonary system, joints and urinary tract. In cats obesity is also a major risk factor for Type II diabetes mellitus. In essence, obesity can lead to a decreased life expectancy and a reduced quality of life.
"Royal Canin has a proven track record of developing innovative diets to help these pets and the latest additions to our range really will complement the existing choice for vets and their clients."
The survey - Surveillance use, understanding and engagement across the veterinary profession - is being carried out by the BVA's Surveillance Working Group, which is made up of 12 members of BVA and its divisions who have expertise in veterinary surveillance.
Chair of the BVA Surveillance Working Group, Kate Sharpe, said: "Following several reviews, the surveillance landscape has changed in England and Wales. This survey is your chance to tell us how you engage with the current system, what you value about the surveillance reports produced and to identify areas for improvement. We want to hear from the full breadth of the profession.
"Whilst we know that disease surveillance is a priority for the profession we would like to understand what drives veterinary professionals to engage with the scanning surveillance system as it currently stands and the barriers which prevent or limit engagement.
"This increased understanding will enable BVA to clearly set out its position on current surveillance systems and highlight key questions to pose to the Government in order to improve surveillance delivery, especially as we head into Brexit negotiations."
The survey was drafted by members of the Surveillance Working Group, with representatives from BVA’s specialist divisions, and will be promoted to members of all relevant veterinary associations.
It is the first of a series of surveillance surveys that will also include localised surveys for Northern Ireland and Scotland. Data collected will inform BVA’s policy position ensuring it is representative of disease surveillance across all the UK.
The survey will run until Friday 31 August 2017 and the BVA says that depending on your area of work, will take no longer than 20 minutes to complete. As a thank you, participants will also be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Amazon Voucher.
Take the survey.
Oxyglobin, Dechra’s unique haemoglobin-based oxygen carrying fluid for the treatment of anaemia in dogs, is now readily available in the UK.
“Over the past year, demand for this leading product has outstripped our limited supply from the manufacturer Biopure®,” explains Carol Morgan, product manager at Dechra Veterinary Products. “Production and supply issues in the US have now been resolved which means we can assure the future supply of Oxyglobin via the wholesaler to practices.”
Dechra is the sole distributor of Oxyglobin in the UK. The product requires no typing or cross matching and ensures no transfusion reactions or disease transmissions. “Its effectiveness can be measured by a rapid improvement in clinical signs, increased plasma haemoglobin concentration and arterial oxygen content. Oxyglobin has certainly proved itself as a valuable product to have in any practice,” adds Carol Morgan.
Oxyglobin can be stored at room temperature and has a shelf life of three years. For further details, please contact your local territory manager or phone Dechra on 01743 441 632.
The RSPCA has released the latest figures showing the extent of cruelty to animals in the UK.
In 2007, they show a:
"These animals are the helpless victims of our affluent, throwaway society," says Tim Wass, Chief Officer of the RSPCA Inspectorate. "They're bought on a whim and discarded when the novelty wears off. Today's must-have item quickly turns into tomorrow's cast-off.
"Worse still," added Tim, "some animals are violently abused because they don't meet their owners' unrealistic expectations: like the cat kicked to death for having muddy paws or the dog strangled with its lead for misbehaving."
But the year RSPCA reports that there has been good news too, with the success of the new Animal Welfare Act already starting to take effect. The new Act - which came into force during 2007 - has made it possible to take action sooner than ever before in situations where there are animal welfare concerns.
The Act is already producing powerful results in its first twelve months. Where animal welfare concerns have prompted the RSPCA to give advice to an animal owner, that advice was followed and the problems resolved 92% of the time, meaning that no further action was necessary. Tim said: "Even in these early days, the benefits of the new law are clear. Without the new Act, this year's cruelty figures could have been even more horrific."
He added: "Dogs have always borne the brunt of cruelty - from violent outbursts to extreme neglect. But that's what makes this year's horrendous 34% increase even more shocking: it's a massive increase on an already high figure."
It was hoped that last year's leap in convictions for cruelty to horses was an anomaly. But this year's figures show that the higher numbers have been maintained - they increased by 33% between 2005 and 2006 - and then increased by a further 13% to 119 in 2007.
The rise in banning orders is a big improvement on the previous year, which had actually recorded a fall. The new Animal Welfare Act obliges courts to explain their reasons if they don't impose a ban and this may have contributed to the increase. The new requirement seems to have focussed attention on preventative action which can prevent suffering and save lives.
Tim said: "The main reason we take people to court is to prevent cruelty being repeated. It's very reassuring to see the courts taking this seriously by issuing more and more banning orders, which prevent those convicted of cruelty from keeping animals in future."
Vets, consultants and other advisors should encourage dairy farmers to make use of available information to help improve their herd's performance and profitability through breeding. This is the message from DairyCo breeding+ director, Marco Winters, who says farmers should use genetics to improve not only milk production, but also health, welfare, management and type traits.
Breeding briefs, a new booklet from DairyCo, identifies some genetic improvement tools that allow farmers to make better breeding decisions and concentrates on how to use them in practice. And for those who feel confronted by an overload of information, the booklet helps identify the figures to seek out and prioritise.
Breeding decisions are cumulative: their effects build up over the generations so a problem can be introduced or cured over just a few years. A series of poor breeding decisions can mean the difference between profit and loss; even between a business's survival and failure. Yet the time, cost and effort needed for a good breeding decision to be made is much the same as those needed for a bad one.
Mr Winters says: "High quality cattle are at the heart of profitable dairy farming and this requires good quality genetics. Without these, however good farmers' management, there is a ceiling to their herd's performance and profitability. Vets, consultants and other dairy advisers have an important role to play in helping farmers access the information they need to make informed decisions."
DairyCo Breeding briefs is available to download from http://www.dairyco.org.uk/. To request a pdf version by email call 01285 646510 or email: publications@dairyco.org.uk.
Alstoe has launched Easeflex Plus Chews, a development of the original Easeflex Chews joint nutrient supplement for dogs.
According to the company, improvements include the addition of 500mg per chew of green lipped mussel, a source of Omega 3 PUFA's. In addition, the appearance and flavour of the chew has also been improved to enhance its appeal.
Niall McFerran from Alstoe said: "To help practices explain the need to maintain mobility we have devised a fun range of marketing materials featuring Fizz the Easeflex dog and his two friends, Buzz and Scamp."
Easeflex Plus is available from veterinary wholesalers priced at £47.00 + VAT for 120 Chews which is enough for an average dog for approximately four months.
The Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations (FEEVA) and the European Federation of Farriers Associations (EFFA) have announced that they have joined forces to promote best practice in farriery.
The initiative is the result of recognition by both organisations that equine welfare is best served with the use of only properly trained farriers, working closely with veterinary surgeons as and when needed.
The organisations say that the main aims of the new partnership include:
The President of FEEVA, Professor Josh Slater said: "We look forward to working together at European level and encouraging member associations to do the same at national level, with the primary intention of enhancing equine health through first class farriery."
The British Association of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (BAVECC) is carrying out a survey of the veterinary profession about 24/7 emergency veterinary cover, the results of which will be presented to the RCVS Standards Committee during its forthcoming review.
Toby Birch MRCVS from BAVECC said: "We are aware that there has been much debate on the subject however we feel that much of what has been aired is subjective opinion. While we appreciate that this is very valuable, BAVECC would like to try and place some objectivity on this matter."
If you're working in small animal practice in the UK, please take part in the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JYKNC5J.
The results will be shared with members of VetSurgeon.org and VetNurse.co.uk in due course.
Companion Care has launched a new section on its website for vets and nurses that want to know more about current partnership and career opportunities in its small animal veterinary surgeries. The new section includes:
Companion Care Services Managing Director, Jane Balmain added: "Our business goes from strength to strength, confirming that we are here to stay and present a genuinely attractive option for vets looking at different routes to business ownership. The Group, which now numbers 39 surgeries across the country, is forecast to turn over in excess of £28 million this year, and is achieving annual like-for-like sales growth of 17%. We estimate that dividend payments to our 50 plus partners will total £1.5 to £2 million this year."
The British Veterinary Association is calling on its members to consider standing in the upcoming elections for the organisation's primary representative body, BVA Council.
According to the association, there has been overwhelming support for changes to the Council structure which will see it slimmed down to 41 members, including 12 regional representatives for the UK. For the first time all UK members will have a directly elected representative on Council.
The BVA is now looking for members to stand as regional representatives in the 9 English government regions, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Ideal candidates must be committed to promoting the ideals of the BVA and the veterinary profession in general and have a willingness to devote time and effort to representing the members in their region. The BVA is developing an online communication structure to help regional representatives reach their members quickly and easily. Representatives will be expected to gather views and ideas to ensure there is a genuine two-way communication process between BVA Council and the wider membership. Regional representatives will also receive dedicated BVA staff support.
The BVA has written to every member with a copy of the role profile and details of how to nominate themselves. Any UK BVA members can nominate themselves for their region with a supporting statement of up to 500 words. All details are available on the BVA website www.bva.co.uk/councilchanges .
The Council will continue to be served by representatives from the BVA's specialist divisions, the chairs of the BVA's five standing committees, two recent graduates, three past presidents and the BVA's three officers. In addition there will be representatives from BVA Scottish Branch and BVA Welsh Branch and two non-voting representatives from BVNA and VPMA.
Harvey Locke, President of the BVA, said: "We want BVA Council to really drive our Association but it can only do that with representatives who are willing to communicate directly with the members in their region, bringing opinions and ideas to meetings and feeding back afterwards.
"Members should not rule themselves out of veterinary politics by saying they are 'just an ordinary vet'. We are looking for anyone who is committed to improving the BVA and who has good communication skills. It doesn't matter what your background is, it's about what you can offer to members in your region."
Andrew Parker, Cornwall Veterinary Association representative on BVA Council, added: "It is a privilege to be a member of BVA Council representing the diverse views of grassroots vets. There is certainly a time commitment, but it is a very rewarding and enjoyable experience and I see it as a way of giving something back to the profession which has given me a privileged working life.
"It is also a fantastic way to meet other veterinary surgeons from a wide range of backgrounds to share thoughts and ideas both on a political front and clinically. I would urge anyone with an interest in the future of our profession and our Association to stand as a regional representative."
Labrador Retrievers are the breed most likely to run away, according to a survey of 2000 pet owners commissioned by the Blue Cross.
In addition, the survey found that the average dog owner has had their pet run off three times. One in five haven't had their dog microchipped and half of those say they probably won't ever have it done.
Only 23% of dog owners know it is already mandatory for dogs to wear a tag when in public, and only half of those knew the tag must bear the owner's name.
1/3rd thought the maximum fine for a dog being without a tag would be £100, when it is actually £5000.
The full list of breeds most likely to do a runner was:
The RVC is the oldest veterinary school in the English-speaking world, and the creation of the College in 1791 marked the establishment of the veterinary profession in Britain.
To mark its 225 years and celebrate the heritage of veterinary and scientific education, the RVC invited alumni back to attend a programme of events, including a gala dinner on Saturday and an Open Day and Campus Tour on Sunday.
Sunday’s activities included displays focusing on the history of the RVC, talks, a film screening and an ethical debate. The ethical debate related to the balance between business and welfare in all aspects of veterinary work. There were events for staff at both the Camden and Hertfordshire campuses on the Friday to mark the College’s birthday.
RVC Principal Stuart Reid said: "It is a great honour to lead the RVC, which has achieved so much over the centuries, within this era of so many exciting breakthroughs. The College has always looked beyond the horizon to make advancements in science and practice, for the benefit of patients and communities globally, yet it is crucial to also recognise the essential contributions of those who have gone before. The early pioneers and those who followed them played essential roles in the evolution of both veterinary and human medicine and the advancement of science.
"As we celebrate 225 years as a world-leading institution, we honour all who have worked and studied here through the centuries. Our current advances in knowledge are built on the efforts of all who have been part of the RVC through the centuries. By acknowledging this heritage, we also reflect on how efforts being made today by researchers, practitioners and students have long-term implications for animal health and welfare globally."
'The essential ingredients of a good nutritional recommendation' is presented by Georgia Woods RVN CertCFVHNut VTS(Nutrition), one of the editors of the new BSAVA Guide. It covers the main points that need to be considered when offering a nutritional recommendation to a pet owner.
Georgia said: "Nutrition discussions with clients can be challenging, not least given the plethora of diets available for pets.
"This webinar aims to cover the main points to support an evidence-based decision-making process to help vets engage owners in a meaningful discussion about nutrition and provide guidance on the most suitable diet for their pet."
The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition is an independent guide comprising a series of factsheets for veterinary professionals on four different diet options; each of these is accompanied by a factsheet for owners that can be provided as part of the consultation. The factsheets cover:
The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition is available exclusively through the BSAVA Library (£25; £15 to BSAVA members). Georgia’s lecture on ‘The essential ingredients of a good nutritional recommendation’ can be accessed via the BSAVA Webinar Library.
The pack contains:
For more information, contact your local Dechra equine sales manager.
One Health – the symbiotic relationship between human, animal and environmental health – is becoming increasingly important, encompassing things like sustainability, the increase in antimicrobial resistance and the link between human and animal obesity.
Krista Arnold, Honorary Secretary of BSAVA said: "The complicated relationship between human and animal health has been the subject of scientific investigation since the 19th century.
"Important discoveries and the recognition of disease connections have helped to develop strategies for disease prevention in humans and animals alike.
"This collection in the BSAVA Library will contribute to further understanding and knowledge of this important topic."
The collection can be accessed via the BSAVA Library here: https://www.bsavalibrary.com/content/one-health
It is freely available until the end of December 2022; after this time access is £16.25 for BSAVA members and £25 for non-members.
The opening speaker will be Cassie Leonard (pictured), engineer, best-selling author and executive coach, who will be talking about the value of authentic networking.
The programme, which includes a combination of lectures, panel sessions and interactive workshops, will cover:
On the Saturday, there's a dedicated ‘Grow your business’ day for those thinking of starting up or expanding their business.
New for 2025 will be a Friday morning collaborative ‘Business Club Live’ speed-networking session: an opportunity to discuss a variety of issues on hosted tables.
Also new for 2025 will be a dedicated livestock stream focussing on the unique challenges faced by livestock veterinary professionals.
The accompanying exhibition will host a selection of companies focussed on the business, management, marketing and client-facing aspects of veterinary practice and offering the latest products, services and advice.
Social events include Thursday afternoon's Happy Hour followed by a networking event and Friday night’s Presidents’ party with a reception, 3-course meal and a performance by the party band The Kings.
www.spvs-congress.co.uk
US company Midmark is running a UK prize draw to win a Cardell 9401 blood pressure monitor worth nearly £2000.
To enter the draw, click here.
Exotics referral practitioner, Mark Rowland MRCVS CertZooMed MRCVS has launched an iPhone app for GPs which puts all the information you need about the commonly presented exotic species at your fingertips.
Mark said: "Vets often have little training in exotic animal medicine, an area which is becoming increasingly important as more rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, tortoises, other reptiles and birds are presented in practice. Although data is available in books, it usually has to be sourced, which can be difficult if the practice does not have the relevant texts."
"For this reason, I've developed an iPhone app which provides species biological data, such as normal temperatures and gestation periods, a exotics formulary, a list of common conditions and a gallery of images and video footage of basic procedures."
Mark says he hopes it'll be an invaluable mobile resource for veterinary surgeons, students, nurses and technicians worldwide, and that he will be updating it regularly.
Veterinary Care of Exotic Pets is now available now from iTunes, priced at £7.99. Click here for more information: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/veterinary-care-exotic-pets/id511902278?mt=8
Burgess Excel and the PDSA are urging veterinary surgeons and nurses to get their clients to sign up to the free PDSA Rabbit Wellbeing Challenge by the closing date of Friday 22 November.
According to the organisers, the PDSA Rabbit Wellbeing Challenge is designed to help all rabbit owners understand and meet their pets' five welfare needs - the five things that all pet rabbits' need to be healthy and happy. Since the campaign was launched in June, more than 1,000 rabbit owners have signed up to take the challenge, and veterinary practices are now being urged to ensure their clients take advantage of this free resource by visiting www.rabbitneeds.org.uk to register.
The Challenge website allows owners to take a monthly quiz to find out how well they are currently meeting their rabbits' needs, with advice on how to further improve their health and wellbeing. At the end of the challenge, owners will be presented with a Rabbit Wellbeing Challenge certificate and receive monthly vouchers together with money-off coupons for the Excel Feeding Plan. They will also be entered into a prize draw to win a 16gb iPad.
The Challenge is being featured on stickers on every pack of Burgess Excel Rabbit Nuggets. One million packs will have been sold by the final date for sign ups on the 22 November.
Burgess Pet Care Veterinary Surgeon, Suzanne Moyes, said: "With help from the veterinary community we really can make a difference by raising awareness about important rabbit welfare issues and in turn change rabbit owner behaviour. Working together, we are can improve the health and wellbeing of the UK's third most popular pet by educating pet owners, especially in relation to diet and regular veterinary check-ups."
Sean Wensley, Senior Veterinary Surgeon at PDSA, added: "Sadly, the welfare needs of pet rabbits are often not met. Common problems include a poor diet, living alone in a small hutch with no exercise run, and a lack of preventive healthcare. The PDSA Rabbit Wellbeing Challenge is a great tool for owners to assess how well they are currently meeting their rabbit's five welfare needs and to get advice on making practical, positive improvements. Most owners want their pets to be healthy and happy, and we hope this Challenge will help tackle some of the preventable health and welfare problems commonly seen in pet rabbits."
For further information on The PDSA Rabbit Wellbeing Challenge visit www.rabbitneeds.org.uk or for further details on the Burgess Excel Feeding Plan visit www.excelfedingplan.co.uk
CEVA Animal Health is launching a new TV advertising and marketing campaign to promote its veterinary behaviour products, DAP and Feliway, in the run up to this year's firework season.
The campaign will feature a new animated character 'Dap the Dog', who will join 'That Purple Cat' in educating pet owners on the behaviours expressed by pets that are fearful of loud noises during fireworks, and the benefits of using DAP and Feliway. The adverts will be aired throughout October on ITV2, E4, More4 and Channel 4 (London only) starting on Monday 4th October and will be seen by 11.5 million ABC1 women.
A range of firework marketing materials have been produced to support veterinary practices and help educate owners who have noise phobic pets. These include client leaflets, an A4 leaflet holder, waiting room display materials and a firework poster all featuring the characters from the advert. CEVA's petfireworkfear website - www.petfireworkfear.co.uk/ - has also been updated to include the new TV advert, downloadable versions of all materials and tips on how to prepare pets for fireworks. In addition, www.dapfordogs.com/ and www.feliway.com/ will feature a voucher offering pet owners a free 60ml spray when they purchase a DAP or Feliway diffuser from their local veterinary practice.
The support comes in light of recent research1, carried out by CEVA, that revealed 80% of pet owners have had a pet that has been afraid of fireworks, with more than half of dog owners wanting to ban them altogether because they are too upsetting for their animals.
Julia Wood, product manager at CEVA Animal Health, said: "Fireworks are the most stressful event that a pet can experience and, in most cases, owners have noticed their animals becoming visibly unsettled with 49% of dogs shaking1 and 65% of cats hiding1. The new TV advertising campaign and marketing support will educate pet owners on behaviours expressed by pets with a fear of loud noises and the importance of taking proactive action by using DAP and Feliway."
CEVA will be running its annual firework display competition amongst veterinary practices throughout October for the best decorated waiting room.
For further information on CEVA's firework campaign or its marketing support, please contact your local CEVA territory manager or call CEVA Animal Health on 01494 781510.
Petplan has opened nominations for its Petplan Insurance Advisor (PIA) of the Year award.
Available for staff at veterinary practices who are an Appointed Representative (AR) of Petplan, this award recognises PIA's who are dedicated to promoting the benefits of pet insurance in their practice.
Staff can nominate themselves or their colleagues via the website www.petplanvet.co.uk and are encouraged to provide examples of how the nominated PIA has improved practice performance.
The 2012 PIA of the Year will be crowned at the BVNA Congress on 6th October and the winner will receive an iPad. Submissions close on 20th September.
Simon Masding, Petplan Head of Sales and Partnerships said: "This award celebrates the fantastic job our PIAs do communicating the importance of pet insurance to their clients. We know first hand from the time we spend in practice, just how many fun, innovative ways they find to highlight how having insurance helps keep pets healthy."