Half Way There
Happy half way point of the year! So much has happened the last few weeks that this week was somewhat lack luster. Maybe that is just the thing we needed to reset and start the second half of the year. Fingers crossed and knocking on wood. As for this week, we keep it short and brief. We hope everyone has a relaxing long weekend! Happy 4th!
—CN & JB
Company Performance (6/23 - 6/30)
Action against Merger…Again
(Source: GIPHY)
The Federal Trade Commission has taken second action against JAB consumer partners to prevent the private equity firm from gaining further market power in the specialty and emergency practice area. This comes after a first act just a few weeks ago which required JAB to divest from clinics in California and Texas and obtain approval for future acquisitions. This second action requires divesting from clinics in Richmond, VA; Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; and Washington, D.C. I think the gif says it all on what JAB thought was going to happen.
This type of widespread involvement in veterinary clinic acquisition means that the issue of consolidation in the specialty and emergency realm of veterinary medicine is going to continue to be watched closely. The current administration is keen on keeping all markets as competitive as possible. We are keeping a watchful eye on acquisitions outside of specialty and emergency medicine to see how the FTC reacts.
Antimicrobial Usage going Dowwwwwn
(Source: GIPHY)
Antimicrobial usage has declined 27% worldwide between 2016 and 2018 according to the World Organization for Animal Health. This is largely due to most countries no longer using antibiotics as a way to boost growth in health animals (prophylaxis usage). Up to 70% of countries no longer use this practice.
The fight against antimicrobial resistance is important in human and animal health and a downward trend is encouraging. The U.S. implemented the Veterinary Feed Directive which requires veterinarians to be involved in prescribing antibiotics to limit the advancement of resistance. Let’s hope the limbo stick keeps going lower and without falling on our backs.
Technician’s Rewards and Need for More
(Source: YouTube)
Technicians are essential parts of veterinary teams, but often are underutilized and overworked. In a recent review of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards for technicians, it was found that changes are needed. The first two things that need to be done is properly utilizing technicians within the clinic and PAY THEM MORE!! National average salary for technicians is $36,000… They deserve better than being paid right above the poverty line.
Grab Bag
Encouraging the next generation of veterinarians begins by getting kids involved in seeing what one actually does. Check out this story about how one clinic is doing this.
Checkout the FIRST winner of the nationwide veterinarian of year award - Dr. Joseph Rossi from Pennsylvania.
If supply chains weren’t tough enough, a trailer of animal health supplies were stolen. Sounds like a wild game of fetch to us.
Just so you have a reason to smile you should check out this video from Reddit