Dermatology insights for veterinary teams on supporting pet parents…

Presented by Becky Valentine, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, Jennie Tait, AHT, RVT, VTS (dermatology - Charter member)

Continuing education questionnaire

CE credits: 2

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Name

First name *

Last name *

License number *

Province where you practise *

Email *

Questions

1. True or False. Psychogenic pruritus is just as common as pruritus due to atopic dermatitis or ectoparasites. *

True

False

2. True or False. Pets with pruritus can negatively influence the human animal bond. *

True

False

3. The physical act of itching can make the patient more susceptible to: *

4. Which of the following is considered normal grooming behavior in a pet? *

Disrupted sleep due to scratching

Constantly licking paws

Eating interrupted by scratching

Occasional roll in the grass first thing in the morning

5. Which of the following Canadian Academy of Veterinary Dermatology tool is a great resource to help track improvement or seasonal flares of pruritus? *

Dog and Cat Itch Scale

Illustrated Diet Trial Handout for Cats

Shampoo Therapy for Pet Owner Handout

6. What is an important emotion to convey when discussing dermatology with pet owners? *

Empathy

Curiosity

Annoyance

Frustration

7. True or False. Blood testing for food allergies is a reliable and rapid test to rule out cutaneous adverse food reactions? *

True

False

8. The best strategy for long-term success when communicating with a pet owner is: *

Keeping them in the dark about the process or next steps

Share the journey and preparing the pet owner using the Empathy for Itch roadmap tool

Discuss everything that you’ve ever learned about dermatology in one appointment

Refer the pet owner to research allergies on their own

9. True or False. Atopic dermatitis is a curable disease. *

True

False

10. Once atopic dermatitis is well managed (using a combination of novel protein diet, regular ectoparasite prevention, anti-itch medication, and allergen-specific immunotherapy) you can guarantee the pet owner that flares will never happen. *

True

False

11. True or False. A realistic long-term goal for pet owners would be to see their pet completely stop itching *

True

False

12. What are important considerations when determining a multimodal treatment plan for your dermatology patient? *

A treatment plan that works with the owner’s lifestyle

Sustainability of the treatment plan for the owner

Providing owners with the tools and information they need to best understand the importance of multimodal treatment

All of the above

A treatment plan that works with the owner’s lifestyle AND Providing owners with the tools and information they need to best understand the importance of multimodal treatment

13. Which of the following is the most important short term goal for your patient and pet owners? *

Determine an allergen-specific immunotherapy schedule

Plan all of the novel protein diets to try to rule out cutaneous adverse food reactions

Establish a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis using IgE serum level testing

Making the patient more comfortable (stop the itch)

14. True or False. The best way to communicate with pet owners is to avoid providing estimates and assume they consent to all procedures. *

True

False

15. Which of the following is important to review with a pet owner when discussing a new treatment? *

Potential side effects

How the drug was discovered

How to administer the treatment to another pet in the household if needed

How to take the drug themselves during allergy season

16. True or False. The best treatment plans require compliance and adherence to be successful. *

True

False

17. Which of the following is not an ideal reference material to provide an owner: *

Visit summaries

Client education handouts

An influencer’s blog posts

Reliable websites, such as the Canadian Academy of Veterinary Dermatology

18. True or False. Dermatology appointments are solely the responsibility of the veterinarians. Veterinary technicians and client care coordinators should be doing other tasks unrelated to the appointment. *

True

False

19. Which of the following are the best ways for veterinary technicians to help pet owners in dermatology cases? *

Review the treatment plan to ensure everything is properly understood

Read the client handout to the pet owner word for word

Demonstrate how to apply or administer certain treatments

Following up with pet owners to receive updates and answer certain follow up questions

Review the treatment plan to ensure everything is properly understood, Demonstrate how to apply or administer certain treatments AND Following up with pet owners to receive updates and answer certain follow up questions

Review the treatment plan to ensure everything is properly understood AND Read the client handout to the pet owner word for word

None of the above

20. True or False. The best way to ensure treatment compliance and commitment is to make a multimodal treatment plan without owner input. *

True

False