By:  Sidney Alvarez

Triple digit temperatures can create safety hazards for companion animals and their owners.  With this in mind, veterinarian practices can offer proper education on preventing animal heat induced harm and improve missed profit margins.   The first priority is to offer the education and preventative steps for heat related illness to the pet owners; the second is to maintain solid business and clinic development. 

Dr. Natalie Lucyk with Bucks County Veterinary Emergency Truama Services in Warrington, Pennsylvania says pet health care starts at home.

 “Summer months can present health specific issues and our priority is to reassure our customers receive the best treatment,” said Dr. Lucyk.   “We outreach using social media to current and potential pet owners to ensure safety,” she added.

David Tori, Regional Sales Manager with Lloyd, Inc., says clinics can make use of this opportunity to improve profit centers and make products available for clients.

“We offer education to our clinics; making sure products that are exclusively available to veterinarians can be distributed to their customers,” said Tori. 

Isotone is a good product example that has electrolytes and glucose.  Tori said it is designed for the veterinarian profession and only made available to clients through their doctors.  He encourages practices to make the products available to their customers.

PCI Animal Health has some of the following tips to help improve business development during summer months:

• Cooling Center for Pets

Turn your clinic into a cooling center for pets.  Offer free misting and water services to let customers come in from the heat.  While in the clinic remind pet owners of other services and recommendations. 

• Reminders and Alerts For Customers

Educate pet owners about summer checkups.  Send post cards, email alerts, or social media reminders. 

•Heartworm, Flea & Tick Control

Educate pet owners about summer checkups; including a test for heartworm. This is also a wonderful opportunity to remind customers about flea and tick control.

• Heat Care Workshops

Offer a fun interactive workshop to educate pet owners about heat related care.  This will bring current and new customers in your clinic where you can promote your services. 

• Become A Local Media Expert

This is a wonderful time to work with your local media outlets to send your message on heat preventative tips for pet owners.  Work with reporters to brand your clinic and offer preventative tips to a wider audience.

Other helpful tips include keeping information shared with customers brief and to the point.  Visuals are effective, such as illustrations, photos, or a video.  Specific information related to breeds of animals and how they relate to heat can also be used to assist in customer relations and business development. For more information contact your local PCI Animal Health representative at 1-800-777-7241 or log on to www.pcivet.com.