原文

https://vet-advantage.com/vet_advantage/summer-season-for-veterinarians/

Summer Season For Veterinarians

對于獸醫(yī)來說，夏季意味著什么？

COMPANION?|?June 2023

Written by: Graham Garrison

What does the summer season mean for veterinary clinics??Vet-Advantage?asked.

夏季對獸醫(yī)診所意味著什么? Vet-Advantage問道。

Holland Veterinary Care gets started on summer season preparations early. They’re the busiest months of the year for the Pennsylvania-based clinic, so they boost their workforce with students in anticipation of the uptick in client visits.

荷蘭獸醫(yī)中心很早就開始了夏季的準(zhǔn)備工作。對于這家位于賓夕法尼亞州的診所來說，這是一年中最繁忙的幾個月，因為他們預(yù)計客戶訪問量會增加，因此他們增加了一些學(xué)生的勞動力。

Summer fun also brings more outdoor time, putting pets at higher risk for exposure to fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. “We certainly see an increase in demand for flea, tick, and heartworm preventions in the summer months,” said Dr. Carey Guise, owner of Holland Veterinary Care.

夏天的樂趣也帶來了更多的戶外時間，使寵物暴露于跳蚤，蜱蟲和蚊子的風(fēng)險更高。荷蘭獸醫(yī)護(hù)理中心的老板凱里·吉斯博士（Dr. Carey Guise）說:“我們當(dāng)然看到夏季對跳蚤、蜱蟲和心絲蟲的預(yù)防需求有所增加。”

Indeed, among the several veterinary clinics,?Vet-Advantage?reached out to, lots of prep work, advanced planning, and inventory considerations go into making the summer months successful.

事實上，在Vet-Advantage接觸的幾家獸醫(yī)診所中，大量的準(zhǔn)備工作、提前計劃和庫存考慮都是為了讓夏季的這幾個月取得成功。

In the following stories, these veterinary clinics share what’s top of mind and what they need from their supplier partners to make the summer season flow smoothly.

在下面的故事中，這些獸醫(yī)診所分享了他們最關(guān)心的事情，以及他們對供應(yīng)商合作伙伴的需求，以使夏季順利進(jìn)行。

Holland Veterinary Care Anticipates a ‘Busy Season’

荷蘭獸醫(yī)護(hù)理迎來“旺季”

Dr. Carey Guise and her team at Pennsylvania-based Holland Veterinary Care get started on summer season preparations in April. The busiest months of the year tend to be June, July, and August. Then it starts to slow slightly as clients go away on vacation and prepare for back to school. For instance, June of 2022, the busiest month, had 20% more patient visits than February 2022, the slowest month). “We try to offset this variability in seasonal workload by employing students in the summer months.”

凱里·吉斯博士（Dr. Carey Guise）和她在賓夕法尼亞州荷蘭獸醫(yī)護(hù)理中心的團(tuán)隊在4月份開始了夏季的準(zhǔn)備工作。一年中最忙的月份往往是6月、7月和8月。然后，隨著客戶外出度假和準(zhǔn)備返校，業(yè)務(wù)量開始略有放緩。例如，2022年6月(最繁忙的一個月)的就診人數(shù)比2022年2月(最慢的一個月)多20%。“我們試圖通過在夏季聘用學(xué)生來抵消這種季節(jié)性工作量的變化。”

With more people vacationing in summer months, pets must be current on immunizations to stay at boarding facilities, Dr. Guise recommended. In addition to core vaccinations, most boarding facilities require kennel cough and influenza vaccinations. Influenza vaccines have recently been in limited distribution. News stories of localized flu outbreaks have made these vaccines a hot commodity. “As of March, we were already seeing an increase in demand for immunizations.”

吉斯博士（Dr. Guise）建議，隨著越來越多的人在夏季度假，寵物必須及時接種疫苗才能留在寄宿設(shè)施。除了核心疫苗接種外，大多數(shù)寄宿設(shè)施還要求犬舍接種犬窩咳和流感疫苗。流感疫苗最近只有有限的分發(fā)。局部流感爆發(fā)的新聞報道使這些疫苗成為熱門商品。“截至3月份，我們已經(jīng)看到對免疫接種的需求有所增加。”

Summer fun brings more outdoor time, putting pets at higher risk for exposure to fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. When owners find these ectoparasites on their pets, it heightens their awareness of the necessity for prevention. “We certainly see an increase in demand for flea, tick, and heartworm preventions in the summer months.”

夏天的樂趣帶來了更多的戶外時間，使寵物暴露于跳蚤，蜱蟲和蚊子的風(fēng)險更高。當(dāng)主人在他們的寵物身上發(fā)現(xiàn)這些體外寄生蟲時，這提高了他們預(yù)防的必要性的意識。“我們當(dāng)然看到夏季對跳蚤、蜱蟲和心絲蟲的預(yù)防需求有所增加?！?/span>

The summer months also bring more gastrointestinal illnesses. Pets are outside eating inappropriate things or being boarded and exposed to parasites or infectious diseases. “We go through more probiotics and gastro diets during the summer.”

夏季也會帶來更多的胃腸道疾病。寵物在外面吃了不合適的東西，或者被寄養(yǎng)，暴露在寄生蟲或感染性疾病中。“我們在夏天會售出更多的益生菌和腸胃飲食產(chǎn)品?！?/span>

Close contact in boarding facilities and at dog parks brings an increase in respiratory illness, Dr. Guise said. It’s essential to have a good supply of appropriate antibiotics and cough medications.

吉斯博士（Dr. Guise）說，在寄宿設(shè)施和狗狗公園里的密切接觸會增加呼吸道疾病的發(fā)病率。適當(dāng)?shù)目股睾椭箍人幍某渥愎?yīng)是至關(guān)重要的。

During the summer, Holland Veterinary Care treats many ear and skin infections secondary to allergies or in dogs that swim frequently. Shampoos, topical therapies, and newer allergy drugs are in high demand throughout the season.

在夏季，荷蘭獸醫(yī)護(hù)理中心治療許多繼發(fā)于過敏或經(jīng)常游泳的狗狗的耳朵和皮膚感染。沐浴液、局部療法和較新的抗過敏藥物在整個季節(jié)都有很高的需求。

Distributor reps can help during the busy season by providing access to essential vaccinations and medications. “Backorders and shipping delays can be detrimental to the high-volume workflow in the summer months.”

經(jīng)銷商代表可以在繁忙季節(jié)提供必要的疫苗接種和藥物。“在夏季的幾個月里，訂單延期和發(fā)貨延誤會對大批量的工作流程造成不利影響?！?/span>

Easy access to client educational materials is also very helpful when high patient volumes necessitate technicians to be more efficient with their time. Providing resources for clients to read after their visit frees technicians to provide other more urgent care in the office.

當(dāng)大量客戶需要技術(shù)人員更有效地利用他們的時間時，能夠方便地給予客戶的一些教育材料也非常有幫助。為客戶提供訪問后閱讀的相關(guān)資源，使技術(shù)人員也可以在辦公室就提供其他更緊急的護(hù)理。

“It is difficult to find time to meet with reps during these months, as drop-off/fit-in appointments tend to creep into previously scheduled breaks in appointments. Promotional materials and new products would ideally be introduced before April when the clinician’s time doesn’t allow activities outside of managing a higher patient caseload.”

“在這幾個月里，很難找到時間與銷售代表見面，因為事先安排好的客戶預(yù)約時間往往會擠掉與他們（銷售）的會面時間。促銷材料和新產(chǎn)品最好在4月份之前推出，因為臨床醫(yī)生的時間很難在管理更多的病例量之外的時間進(jìn)行其他活動?！?/span>

Danville Family Vets Focuses on High-Demand Services

丹維爾家庭獸醫(yī)專注于高需求服務(wù)

Dr. Jeff Smith, medical director at Virginia-based Danville Family Vet (powered by Galaxy Vets), said summer season can begin as early as late April in their state. “This is when we start seeing an increase in cases of flea infestation, tick-borne illnesses, and other seasonal conditions, such as allergies and skin infections.”

總部位于弗吉尼亞州的丹維爾家庭獸醫(yī)(由Galaxy Vets提供支持)的醫(yī)學(xué)主任杰夫史密斯博士（Dr. Jeff Smith）說，他們州的夏季最早可以在4月底開始。“這是我們開始看到跳蚤感染、蜱媒介疾病以及過敏和皮膚感染等其他季節(jié)性疾病病例增加的時候?！?/span>

Three services are in high demand during the summer season: vaccinations, parasite prevention, and dental cleaning.

在夏季，有三項服務(wù)需求量很大：接種疫苗、預(yù)防寄生蟲和清潔牙齒。

Vaccinations are essential to protect pets from infectious diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis, and Lyme disease, Dr. Smith said. With warmer weather, pets are exposed to fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, which elevates the risk of heartworm disease, Lyme disease, and other parasitic infections. Sought-after treatments are various parasite preventive, such as topical or oral medications.

史密斯博士（Dr. Smith）說，接種疫苗對于保護(hù)寵物免受狂犬病、鉤端螺旋體病和萊姆病等感染性疾病的侵害至關(guān)重要。隨著天氣變暖，寵物會接觸到跳蚤、蜱蟲和蚊子，這就增加了患心絲蟲病、萊姆病和其他寄生蟲感染的風(fēng)險。最受歡迎的治療方法是各種寄生蟲預(yù)防，如局部或口服藥物。

“We can also see a spike in pet dental care appointments along with a summertime increase in client visits, which leads to diagnosis and treatment of dental and periodontal disease.”

“我們還可以看到寵物牙科護(hù)理預(yù)約的激增，以及夏季客戶就診的增加，這導(dǎo)致了牙齒和牙周病的診斷和治療增多。”

Another popular service Danville Family Vet offers is boarding and daycare. With summer vacations and travel, pet owners seek a fear-free, safe, and comfortable environment for their furry companions when they are away. “Of course, boarding and daycare pets need to be protected through vaccination for contagious diseases like Bordetella and Canine Influenza.”

丹維爾家庭獸醫(yī)提供的另一項受歡迎的服務(wù)是寄養(yǎng)和日托。隨著暑假和旅行的到來，寵物主人們會為他們的寵物尋找一個沒有恐懼、安全、舒適的環(huán)境。“當(dāng)然，寄養(yǎng)和日托寵物需要通過接種疫苗來預(yù)防傳染病，如犬窩咳/波氏桿菌（Bordetella）和犬流感（Canine Influenza）?！?/span>

In the summer, Danville Family Vet sees an increase in some types of cases related to seasonal changes and activities. Some of the most common types of cases Dr. Smith noted include:

在夏季，丹維爾家庭獸醫(yī)看到與季節(jié)變化和活動有關(guān)的某些類型的病例增加。史密斯博士（Dr. Smith）指出了一些最常見的病例類型，包括:

• Heatstroke.?Pets can quickly become overheated during the summer months, mainly if they are left in a car, or a hot room or are over-exercised.

• 中暑。寵物在夏季會很快變得過熱，主要是如果它們要么被留在車?yán)?，或要么呆在炎熱的房間里，或要么過度運動。

  
  

• Allergies.?Many pets experience seasonal allergies during the summer months, which can cause itching, sneezing, and respiratory problems. Common allergens include grasses, pollen, and dust.

• 過敏。許多寵物在夏季會出現(xiàn)季節(jié)性過敏，這會導(dǎo)致瘙癢、打噴嚏和呼吸系統(tǒng)問題。常見的過敏原包括草、花粉和灰塵。

  
  

• Parasites.?Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are more active during the summer months, which can lead to an increased risk of heartworm disease, Lyme disease, and other tick-borne illnesses.

• 寄生蟲。跳蚤、蜱蟲和蚊子在夏季更加活躍，這可能導(dǎo)致心絲蟲病、萊姆病和其他蜱媒介疾病的風(fēng)險增加。

  
  

• Skin problems.?The warmer temperatures and increased humidity can exacerbate skin conditions such as hot spots, skin infections, and allergic dermatitis.

• 皮膚問題。溫度升高和濕度增加會加劇皮膚狀況，如皮膚紅斑、皮膚感染和過敏性皮炎。

  
  

• Gastrointestinal problems.?Pets are more likely to consume foreign objects or ingest toxic substances during the summer months, leading to gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.

• 腸胃問題。在夏季，寵物更容易吃進(jìn)異物或攝入有毒物質(zhì)，導(dǎo)致嘔吐和腹瀉等胃腸道問題。

• Trauma.?Pets are more active in the summer, leading to an increased risk of trauma, such as fractures and lacerations.

• 創(chuàng)傷。寵物在夏天更活躍，導(dǎo)致受傷的風(fēng)險增加，比如骨折和撕裂傷。

  
  

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Summer is probably the busiest time, along with the Christmas season, Dr. Smith said. “The combination of increased outdoor activity, more frequent contact with other animals and subsequent risk of injuries or bites, heat-related illnesses, and elevated exposure to parasites are the reasons for the surge in the caseload.”

史密斯博士說，夏季可能是最繁忙的季節(jié)，此外就是圣誕季。“戶外活動的增加、與其他動物接觸的頻繁以及隨后受傷或咬傷的風(fēng)險、與熱有關(guān)的疾病以及與寄生蟲接觸的增加，這些因素加在一起，是病例數(shù)量激增的原因。”

When working with suppliers, Danville Family Vet’s team pays special attention to client education, which is critical in preventing diseases and reducing healthcare costs over the long term. Vendors can offer educational materials on how to prevent and treat common summer-related issues in pets, such as heatstroke and dehydration.

在與供應(yīng)商合作時，丹維爾家庭獸醫(yī)團(tuán)隊特別關(guān)注客戶教育，這對于預(yù)防疾病和長期降低醫(yī)療成本至關(guān)重要。供應(yīng)商可以提供一些教育材料，告訴寵物主人如何預(yù)防和治療與夏季有關(guān)的常見問題，如中暑和脫水。

“Distributor reps and vendors can also provide cooling products such as mats or vests and offer a range of flea and tick preventives to help protect pets from these common summertime pests,” Dr. Smith said. “Additionally, they can offer special promotions or discounts on products in high demand during the summer, such as flea and tick preventatives or grooming supplies.”

“經(jīng)銷商代表和供應(yīng)商也可以提供一些有助于降溫的產(chǎn)品，如墊子或背心，并提供一系列防跳蚤和蜱蟲的產(chǎn)品，以幫助保護(hù)寵物免受這些常見的夏季害蟲的傷害，”史密斯博士（Dr. Smith）說。“此外，他們還可以為夏季需求量大的產(chǎn)品提供特別促銷或折扣，比如防跳蚤、防虱子或美容用品?！?/span>

Distributor reps and vendors can relieve some of the stress on busy hospital teams in the summer with a cool treat like an impromptu ice cream social or a lunch and learn on the human side of the business. “Offer tips on stress management, communication, and burnout prevention.”

經(jīng)銷商代表和供應(yīng)商可以通過即興的冰淇淋社交或午餐來緩解忙碌的醫(yī)院團(tuán)隊在夏天的一些壓力，并了解業(yè)務(wù)的人性化方面。“提供一些壓力管理、溝通和倦怠預(yù)防方面的建議?！?/span>

Animal Care Center Navigates a Fluctuating Population Base

動物護(hù)理中心應(yīng)對波動的群體基數(shù)

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For the Animal Care Center of Green Valley, the summer season in southeastern Arizona is typically the reverse of what you would consider in the more northerly states. It typically starts around April and May, with a decline in summertime residents due to pet parents (aka “snowbirds”) migrating back to their cooler summer home states, said Otto Siegler, practice manager.

對于綠谷動物護(hù)理中心來說，亞利桑那州東南部的夏季通常與更北部的州相反。診所經(jīng)理奧托·西格勒(Otto Siegler)說，通常從4月和5月左右開始，夏季居民數(shù)量減少，因為寵物的家長(又名“雪鳥”)會回到?jīng)鏊南募炯亦l(xiāng)。

“There is a roughly a 5% to 10% drop in patient volume during the summer,” he said. “Our summer season used to be far less busy due to the winter-only residents heading back to their other residences in cooler climate states. Over the past five years, there has been less variance between our client/patient count during the summer months.”

他說:“夏季的病患數(shù)量大約下降了5%到10%?！?“我們的夏季過去遠(yuǎn)沒有那么繁忙，因為避寒居民會回到氣候較涼快的州的其他住所。在過去的五年中，在夏季，我們的客戶/病患數(shù)量之間的差異較小?！?/span>

Heartworm prevention and yearly preventive health exams are at the top of the list for preventive services. “Our clients are?very?compliant with the recommended yearly exams as the main tool for preventive care,” he said. “This way, we can catch any problem early on. We have a lot of concerns about preventing valley fever, so many clients do ask when the vaccine will be available.”

預(yù)防心絲蟲和年度預(yù)防性健康檢查是預(yù)防性服務(wù)的首要內(nèi)容。他說:“我們的客戶非常遵守建議的年度檢查，將其作為預(yù)防保健的主要工具?！?/span>“這樣，我們就可以及早發(fā)現(xiàn)任何問題。我們對預(yù)防山谷熱有很多擔(dān)憂，所以很多客戶都問疫苗什么時候能上市?！?/span>

The diseases and types of cases the Animal Care Center team sees in the summer do not vary much from what they see year-round. “Since we do not have drastic climate changes/seasons, we don’t see much variation,” Siegler said.

動物護(hù)理中心團(tuán)隊在夏季看到的疾病和病例類型與他們?nèi)昕吹降臎]有太大差異。西格勒（Siegler）說:“由于我們沒有劇烈的氣候變化/季節(jié)，我們看不到太大的變化?！?/span>

One big difference in southeastern Arizona from other areas of the country would be snake bites, toad intoxications, and heat stroke. Rattlesnake bites are the most prevalent of those three.

亞利桑那州東南部與美國其他地區(qū)最大的不同是蛇咬傷、蟾蜍中毒和中暑。響尾蛇咬傷是這三者中最常見的。

When working with suppliers, vendor special pricing offers and rebates help to keep client engagement and improve compliance by owners to take the best care possible of their pets, Siegler said. “Free CE (Continuing Education) offerings to help staff with CE requirements and morale are helpful,” he said. “Especially beneficial are in-person/ dinner CEs.”

西格勒（Siegler）說，在與供應(yīng)商合作時，供應(yīng)商的特價優(yōu)惠和回扣有助于保持客戶的參與度，并提高主人對寵物的依從性，讓他們盡可能地照顧好自己的寵物。他說:“提供免費的繼續(xù)教育課程，有助員工達(dá)到繼續(xù)教育的要求，并鼓舞士氣?！?/span>“面對面交流或共進(jìn)晚餐的交流尤其有益。”

Photo credit: istockphoto.com/al_louc

Photo credit: istockphoto.com/xavierarnau

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