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Retaining a client is about six times cheaper than attracting a new one (this difference can be even greater depending on the sector), so creating customer loyalty through a good business management and marketing strategy is one of the cornerstones for operating a profitable veterinary centre. Wouldn’t you like your clients’ experience to be as pleasant as possible?

There is little value in mastering the numbers and their interpretation if we forget the people behind them. In fact, the numbers are a consequence of how people behave. They are not a target in themselves, but a means of attaining a better understanding of what is going on. So it is important to remember a series of basic people management rules that successful managers learn to respect. Here we present seven keys to effective people management.

A veterinary clinic, like any company, may have a high revenue, that is, a high level of income, but on the other hand its profitability may be very low (even negative). Despite a high income, it is also possible to have insufficient cash to deal with payments or any unforeseen events.

Lots of veterinary centre owners with years of experience behind them freely admit that the most irreplaceable person on their team is a good receptionist. In addition to being the face and voice of the company portrayed to clients, reception staff are responsible for efficiently managing the centre’s schedule, with the consequent impact on the internal organisation of work.

We are all aware of the importance of client service protocols during consultations. Working protocols are a fundamental part of process improvement at veterinary centres, just like any other company: the introduction of suitable working protocols increases efficiency and, in terms of client care, it ensures vets portray a consistent and professional image.

The rabies vaccination for dogs is an essential tool to eradicate human cases of rabies, which is responsible for 59,000 human deaths per year.

Over the last decade, fibre has been gaining more prominence in dog food due to the relationship it has with the gut microbiota.

The poorly named “animal feeds” with hydrolysed protein are a therapeutic option for pets with a food hypersensitivity. 

Parvoviruses are single-stranded DNA viruses responsible for causing disease in various mammalian species. They require host cells for their development, only attacking those cells that develop and replicate rapidly, such as intestinal crypt cells, haematopoietic precursor cells in bone marrow and cardiomyocytes.¹

Rabies in dogs is a viral disease that causes a severe neurological condition that can manifest in two forms: furious or dumb rabies.

High creatinine in cats is not necessarily indicative of intrinsic kidney disease.

When tests return a high blood urea in dogs, it is not necessarily indicative of kidney disease and other possible causes should be investigated.

High creatinine levels in dogs should be investigated to determine if the patient has kidney dysfunction and its severity.

Mite infestations in dogs are the cause of various diseases, some of which have zoonotic potential.

Consultations regarding allergies in dogs (clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment) are one of the most commonplace in routine clinical practice.

Bee stings in dogs can cause a severe, sometimes even fatal, anaphylactic reaction.

Dogs with leishmaniasis manifest a highly variable clinical picture because the disease affects a wide range of organs and systems.

As mentioned above, the main cause of feline miliary dermatitis is flea bite hypersensitivity. Some cats become extremely sensitive to fleas and a single bite can be enough to cause a quite severe skin reaction. This skin condition is more likely to develop in cats that live in warm climates.

Ticks in dogs can act as vectors of various diseases, some of which have zoonotic potential.

Certain species of flies can deposit their larvae on dogs.

Osteosarcomas in dogs are a malignant mesenchymal tumour of primitive bone cells that primarily affects large or giant breed dogs.1

Lymphomas account for about 5–7% of all neoplasms in dogs and about 80% of haematopoietic tumours, which are related to tissues that produce blood cells.

Squamous cell carcinomas in cats are neoplasms with a significant mortality rate.

Neoplasms, especially malignant tumours, are one of the main causes of death in adult cats. We analyse the main types of cancer in cats, their aetiology, diagnosis and lines of treatment.

Uveitis in dogs is one of the main causes of eye disease and blindness.1

Feline corneal sequestrum is an eye disease that begins with the appearance of brown or black plaques on the corneal epithelium and stroma (the most superficial layers of the cornea). The lesion is exclusive to cats and horses.

Signs of corneal ulcer in dogs include pain, blepharospasm, enophthalmos, miosis, conjunctival hyperaemia and excessive tearing.

Periocular lesions in dogs are very common in routine veterinary practice. However, there are many underlying causes, so knowledge of the various diagnostic methods and respective treatments of blepharitis in dogs is essential.

Horner’s syndrome in dogs occurs when the sympathetic innervation to the eye is interrupted and it may affect one or both eyes.1

Follicular cysts, also called dentigerous cysts, are rare types of odontogenic cyst found in the oral cavity of dogs. The structure appears in the mouths of some dogs due to an unerupted tooth.

Periodontitis in dogs is an irreversible process caused by the progression of gingivitis.^1,2

Gingivitis or gingivostomatitis is inflammation of the oral mucosa that mainly manifests in the gums, around the base of the teeth. It can also affect the oropharyngeal mucosa and tongue.

Caries in dogs is a poorly recognised disease in standard clinical practice, but it can cause severe and irreversible damage to the affected teeth.

Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions are a common clinical finding that represent a dental problem in cats. This article discusses their pathophysiology, how to diagnose them and reviews their potential treatments.

Conjunctivitis in dogs is inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a clear, thin membrane that covers part of the front surface of the eye and inner surface of the eyelids. It acts as a physical and physiological barrier against microorganisms and foreign bodies, besides contributing to ocular immune defence.

Osteoarthrosis is usually approached with a conservative, multimodal treatment that combines the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with nutritional management, weight control and limited exercise.

Canine physiotherapy should form part of a multimodal approach to treating hip dysplasia in dogs. Here, we discuss the main techniques and the importance of diet.

Despite its advantages, castration in cats also comes with some negative consequences. We will analyse the pros and cons of castration, as well as the alternatives.