Adopt-A-Cat Month

June is Adopt-A-Cat Month from the American Humane Society as well as Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month from the ASPCA.  Here is a list of tips from both organizations on adopting cats:

If you're thinking about adopting a cat, consider taking home two.

Find a cat whose personality meshes with yours.

Pick out a veterinarian ahead of time and schedule a visit within the first few days following the adoption.

Make sure everyone in the house is prepared to have a cat before it comes home.

Budget for the short- and long-term costs of a cat.

Stock up on supplies before the cat arrives.

Cat-proof your home.

Go slowly when introducing your cat to new friends and family.

Be sure to include your new pet in your family’s emergency plan.

If your kitty is indoors-only, an ID tag or implanted microchip will help ensure she'll be returned to you if she gets out and can't find her way home.  A safety collar with an elastic panel will allow your cat to break loose if the collar gets caught on something.

Choose a low-traffic room your kids and other pets don't frequent—this will be your cat's safe space to sniff, eat, scratch and play while she gets her bearings.

Vitamin Samples from Lloyd

To receive a free sample box of Pet-Form or Geri-Form multivitamins, email info@lloydinc.com or call 800-831-0004.  Please be sure to include your clinic's name, address, phone number and email address.

If you are a new customer, you can receive one of each sample box at no charge.  For existing customers, you can receive both sample boxes for every dozen 50 count Pet-Form or Geri-Form bottles you order; or for every six 150 count bottles.  Samples will arrive within 1-2 weeks.

Marly's Fun Fact Corner 5/22/12

 

...dogs do not have an appendix?

...it has been established that people who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks. ?

...cats have over one hundred vocal sounds, while dogs only have about ten?

...iguanas are able to hold their breath for up to 30 minutes. ?

Marly Zeide is PCI Animal Health's client relations manager and official mascot.  She loves sharing fun pet facts and keeping up with the latest veterinary news. 

Reminder!

The comedy show fundraiser for The Toby Project is tonight at 8pm at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City.  For tickets and more info, visit http://gothamcomedyclub.com/show.cfm?id=147210&cart

For more info on The Toby Project and to see how you can help in case you can't make the show, visit http://tobyproject.org/

Our Vendor List Continues to Grow

As PCI Animal Health has grown over the past fifty years, so has our list of vendors.  We are now a one-stop shop for all of your supply needs.  Below is a list of many of our vendors with links to their websites:

3M: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/AC/animal-care/
A.M. BICKFORD: http://www.ambickford.com/
ABAXIS: http://www.abaxis.com/veterinary/
ABBOTT: http://www.abbottanimalhealth.com/index.html
AB SCIENCE: http://www.ab-science.com/
ADDISON: http://www.addisonlabs.com/
ANDOVER: http://www.andovercoated.com/animal/animalhealthproducts.html
ANIMAL NUTRITION PRODUCTS: http://www.anpvet.com/
ANSELL: http://www.ansellhealthcare.com
APEXX: http://www.apexx-equipment.com/
BAXTER: http://www.baxter.com/
BRAUN: http://www.bbraunusa.com/
BITENOT: http://www.bitenot.com/
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM: http://www.bi-vetmedica.com/
CEVA: http://www.ceva-us.com/
COVIDIEN: http://www.kendallhq.com/kendallhealthcare/pagebuilder.aspx?webPageID=121555
CROSSTEX: http://www.crosstex.com/home.asp
DAN SCOTT & ASSOC: http://www.danscottandassociates.com/
DECHRA: http://www.dechra-us.com/
DEE: http://deevetproducts.com/
DR. REDDY'S: http://www.drreddys.com/
DYNAREX: http://www.dynarex.com/
ENGLER: http://www.engler-engineering.com/
EVERCARE: http://www.onecareco.com/solutions/pet-care/
FIRST QUALITY: http://www.firstquality.com/
FLAVORTEK: http://www.flavortek.com/
GREENIES: http://www.greenies.com/index.aspx#/0
IMAGE WORKS: http://www.imageworkscorporation.com/veterinaryproducts
JORGENSEN: http://www.jorvet.com/
K-LASER: http://www.k-laserusa.com/
KAWASUMI: http://www.kawasumiamerica.com/
KVP: http://www.kvpusa.com/
LEADING EDGE: http://www.leadingedgevet.com/
LLOYD: http://lloydinc.com/
MEDLINK IMAGING: http://www.medlinkimaging.com/
MED-PHARMEX: http://www.med-pharmexanimalhealth.com/
MERCK: http://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/
MERIAL: http://www.merial.com/Pages/default.aspx
MILTEX: http://www.miltex.com/prodInfo/veterinary/page1.aspx
MVC: http://www.myveterinarycareer.com/Visitor/Default.aspx
NEOGEN: http://www.neogen.com/animalsafety/AS_Product_List_Brand.asp?Brand_Cat=409
NIPRO: http://www.nipro.com/
NORBROOK: http://www.norbrookinc.com/
NOVARTIS: http://www.petwellness.com/
NUTRAMAX: http://www.nutramaxlabs.com/vet/Home.aspx
OSTER: http://www.osterpro.com/Index.aspx
PETAG: http://www.petag.com/
PETLABS360: http://www.petlabs360.com/
PFIZER: https://animalhealth.pfizer.com/sites/pahweb/US/EN/Pages/Diagnostics.aspx
PIRAMAL: http://www.piramalcriticalcare.com/us/
PKB: http://www.petkingbrands.com/
PRN PHARMACAL: http://www.prnpharmacal.com/
PRIORITY CARE: http://www.prioritycare.com/
PUTNEY: http://www.putneyvet.com/
RX VITAMINS FOR PETS: http://www.rxvitamins.com/
SCIL: http://www.scilvet.com/scilamerica/Home.html
STONE MANUFACTURING & SUPPLY: http://www.stonemfg.net/
SUMMIT HILL: http://www.summitvetpharm.com/Veterinarians/
SYNBIOTICS: http://www.synbiotics.com/
TEVA ANIMAL HEALTH: https://www.tevaanimalhealth.com/Home.aspx
THORNELL: http://www.thornell.com/
TUTTNAUER: http://www.tuttnauer.com/
ULTIMED: http://www.ulti-care.com/
UNICO: http://www.unicosci.com/
URICULT VET: http://www.uricultvetusa.com/
VBI: http://www.vetbrands.com/index.php?lang=en
VETOQUINOL: http://www.vetoquinolusa.com/
VETRI-SCIENCE: http://www.vetriscience.com/index.php
VIRBAC: http://www.virbacvet.com/Home-USA.aspx
WAHL: http://www.wahlanimal.com/
WELCH ALLYN: www.welchallyn.com

As we add to this list, we will be sure to let you know which additional products are available.

Marly's Fun Fact Corner

...dogs' hearing is more than 10 times more sensitive than humans?

...there are over 7 million more cats owned in the U.S. than dogs?

...a dog's normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit?

...cats can jump 7 times their height?

Marly Zeide is PCI Animal Health's client relations manager and official mascot.  She loves sharing fun pet facts and keeping up with the latest veterinary news. 

Positive in the Community: The Toby Project

PCI Animal Health highlights veterinarian community initiatives within our region.  PCI Territory Manager, Lisa Alexander, wanted to showcase The Toby Project out of New York City for our latest feature.

"I am a huge advocate for our pet community and when a PCI customer shares initiatives that impact our companion animals, it motivates me to share their accomplishments with others," said Lisa.  

Andrew Kaplan, DVM,

President of The Toby Project

Veterinarian Andrew Kaplan started The Toby Project after he adopted a wolfhound/lab mix, scheduled for euthanasia the same day as the adoption.  Dr. Kaplan decided to help end pet overpopulation by forming the non-profit, which offers free and low-cost spay/neuter services to low income pet owners.  The organization uses a mobile surgical truck and makes stops around the New York City area (Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island).

The Toby Project has spayed or neutered 10,000 animals to date preventing the births of as many as 122,880,704 offspring in five years!


The mobile surgical spay and neuter unit 

 for The Toby Project 

The Toby Project will be holding a fundraiser at Gotham Comedy Club, NYC on Monday, May 21st 2012.  Comedians from late night TV shows will be performing.  For information and tickets, call 212-367-9000 or visit http://gothamcomedyclub.com/show.cfm?id=147210&cart

We hope to see you there!

To share your community initiatives with PCI Animal Health, send an email to Sidney Alvarez, Director of Marketing at salvarez@pcivet.com 

Marly's Fun Fact Corner

...dogs don't sweat like people? They release heat by panting.

...dogs aren't completely color blind? They can see shades of blue, green and yellow.

...cats only have four toes on their back paws?

...Americans own more than 60 million pet birds?

Marly Zeide is PCI Animal Health's client relations manager and official mascot.  She loves sharing fun pet facts and keeping up with the latest veterinary news.

Why Your Clients Should Be Buying Flea, Tick and Heartworm Products from YOU

From our May 2012 newsletter:

Fewer sales of flea and heartworm products are much more serious than cheaper prices down the road. It is a full-on assault by larger chain companies to steal veterinary business – not just products – from private practitioners. This tacit acceptance by veterinary practices that a certain portion of sales will inevitably go to online retail stores and large discount emporiums is a direct reflection of our dwindling faith in the education, service, accessibility and commitment we have to our clients. It means that we, too, have fallen under these large retailers’ spell: Quality products at affordable prices.

A recent phone call to a veterinarian’s office had me bug-eyed. When I explained to the client care representative that I ‘thought’ my dog had fleas, she advised me to go to a pet store or to a discount shopping club for the best-priced flea product. Never mind the exam my pet should have had…or even a cursory look to see if the pet had fleas. Never mind a handout, a suggestion that I look at their website for advice, or read one of their blogs. This representative had no faith in any of that – it was only about price…and surely it was cheaper elsewhere.

Marly is tired of vets losing business to the big chain stores

First of all, when you add in the specials anyone of your vendors are willing to heap upon you, your prices are competitive and if you don’t believe me, have your front team do the math. Compare your prices to other major retailers pill per pill or application-toapplication, including all the promotions you are running. You’ll find your prices are quite competitive.

Secondly, since when aren’t you falling over yourselves to help your clients? Since when are you not willing to educate them about parasites, teach them how to treat the pet and the environment, show them how to correctly apply a product (or apply it for them), and immediately remedy anything that might go wrong? Isn’t that worth anything? Isn’t that better for your clients and your patients?

This spring, do us pet owners a big favor: Teach us about your services and products. If you truly care about us, you’ll invite us into your practice and manage all the care of our animals yourselves. Surely you and your team are a much better advocate for our pets’ well-being than the store employee hanging out in aisle two.

Bash Halow is a veterinary practice consultant. He is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager, a Licensed Veterinary Technician in the State of Delaware, a Registered Veterinary Technician in the State of New Jersey and a member and founder of the New Jersey Veterinary Hospital Manager’s Association.

For more information go to
www.halowconsulting.com or
www.halowconsulting.blogspot.com

Using Local Media to Help Your Clinic Succeed

From our May 2012 newsletter:

Any marketing plan should always have a section on public relations and using local media outlets to help increase positive awareness to your veterinarian practice. Here are three quick steps to help you be media savvy.

1. Become A Local Expert: News reporters are constantly looking for experts in their respective fields; professionals they can contact at a moments notice and get the necessary opinions for their stories. As a veterinarian, you can leverage your practice exposure by simply being available and on the media’s radar. If a reporter calls and says they are doing a story on the dangers of tick exposure because of the mild winter, say yes to the interview. Most veterinarians say they are too busy or shriek at the word ‘reporter.’ By presenting yourself as the go-to expert in this field you will garner positive free publicity and eventually attract more clients. Any negative story can beturned into a positive experience as long as you stick to the information at hand.

2. Send Press Releases: If you are having a community pet event make sure you invite the media. In fact, take it a step further and ask a local news personality to emcee. All media affiliates are always looking for stories that they call “kickers” or “feel-good” stories. Pets are the perfect fit for these requirements. Give them plenty of time to make sure it fits their schedule and if you are asking atelevision personality to participate, stay away from coordinating events during ratings periods (February, May, and November).

3. Consult With a PR Guru: Sometimes clinics may not have the budget to hire a PR Firm or a marketing consultant, but PCI Animal Health can help. We work with our clinics to help them understand the power of local media. We have experts in the media industry who can help your clinics step-by-step to leverage your media knowledge. Contact your local PCI representative for details.

-Sidney Alvarez

NY State Dept. of Education Changes C.E. Requirements

From our May 2012 newsletter:

As of January of this year, the continuing education requirements for veterinary doctors and veterinary technicians in the state of New York have been changed. Section 6704-a and Section 6711-b, of the Education Law respectively require veterinarians to complete 45 hours and veterinary technicians to complete 24 hours of acceptable continuing education every three years in order to be legally licensed to practice. The only exception is for those veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are teachers. Half the credits may be earned through an approved self-instructional coursework program. Be sure to keep all certificates as the Education Department conducts random audits. 

Clay Cass, PCI; Corey Randell, PCI; Pam Schwartz, Dechra; 

and Dr. Cathy Just, Dechra at a recent PCI continuing education seminar

PCI Animal Health spoke to Terri Li, practice manager for the Downtown Medical Veterinary Hospitals in New York City, including the newly opened Seaport Animal Hospital (www.seaportanimalhospital.com). She believes the change will have positive effects. 

“We strongly believe that these new CE requirements will only enhance veterinary medicine and the care that we provide to our patients. New medicine, methods of practice and technology change so frequently; especially in our digitized world, that we can only benefit from learning what other options are available in providing the best medicine,” said LI.

PCI has conducted various lectures in the past that count towards continuing education credits. Be on the lookout for future lectures. For more information on the CE requirements visit http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/vetmed/vetcenotice.htm.

PCI Animal Health Product Guide

Click on the link below to download our product guide:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B5aZTFs8RPikNk9JalVraEtnVUE

PCI Promotional Video Featuring Marly