Seeing the Impact of the ACVO National Service Animal Eye Exam Event: Dr. Micki Armour Shares Why She Volunteers

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The Epicur team is so excited to have the ACVO/Epicur National Service Animal Eye Exam Event back this year! It’s such an important and impactful event, and it is fully philanthropic. Veterinary ophthalmologists and their staff volunteer their time during the month of May to provide free ocular exams for registered service animals. This event highlights the compassion and care of the veterinary community, which is why we’re proud to be the namesake sponsor again this year!

To highlight just how much this event means to not only the pet owners but also the participating clinics, we asked some of the ophthalmologists to share why they volunteer. Dr. Micki Armour, VMD, DACVO, owner of Armour Veterinary Ophthalmology at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C. shares more about her work in ophthalmology and the impact the ACVO event has on her each year.

What led you to pursue a career in veterinary medicine?

I always grew up with a lot of animals. It’s a big part of who I am. On the first day that I was in a veterinary hospital as an assistant a dog was hit by a car. It was really traumatizing to see this dog needing help so desperately. Once he had been resuscitated, he was able to walk out the front door. It was amazing to see how a veterinary team can support a dog that was so critical.

And then what ultimately led to your specialty in ophthalmology?

I completed a small animal rotating internship at Red Bank Animal Hospital. The ophthalmologist was really a wonderful mentor for me, showing me how you can blend both medicine and surgery into a fantastic career.

The eyes are so detailed and very intricate. They can tell you about changes in the rest of the body. Just a quick evaluation can really change a lot about your knowledge of the dog or cat systemically.

It’s really interesting that you still collaborate with human ophthalmologists. How does that influence your own work? Has it influenced any patient cases?

One of the biggest things that’s important to me is staying at the forefront of excellent patient care and up to date on the literature, as well as the connectivity with the human field and how the veterinary and the human fields can benefit one another in terms of knowledge and technology. I often go to human ophthalmology meetings and conferences to look at our cases from a different perspective.

Through that connection, I was able to forge a friendship with human ophthalmologists at Johns Hopkins University. We have been working and collaborating to find solutions for corneal endothelial disease, which is like Fuchs disease in humans where you might need a corneal transplant. That is one area of interest for me.

We also have been working on trying to localize an area within the eye for the placement of a glaucoma sensor device. It would be like a Bluetooth-connected device to your phone that lets you know a dog’s eye pressure.

Want more animal eye health resources? 

Check out our pet eye health page and get our free eye health handout—it’s great for pet owners and vet clinics!

You stay highly involved in the veterinary ophthalmology community—regularly attending the ACVO conferences and being an Associate Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, as well as volunteering for the eye exam event.

How long have you been participating in the event?

I’ve participated every year since 2012 that has been available. ACVO, or the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, connects with us once we become boarded. A big reason most people go into veterinary medicine is because of their compassion for animals. One of the things that I personally very much enjoy is being able to give back to my community in different ways. This service is so beneficial to the members of the community.

It’s obvious that this event has a huge impact on you as well as the patients. What is it about the event that is so special to you?

It’s wonderful, in my opinion, to connect with the clients and to be able to see what a huge impact these animal companions can have in just everyday routines and lifestyles. Their service is such a gift, so it’s nice to be able to return that gift.

I love the personal stories – hearing about the diabetic alert dog who, when its human partner was a mile down the road, ran down the road to alert the partner that they were having a crisis; the search and rescue service dog who can detect a lost child; the dog whose owner has MS so the dog will wake her up in the morning and hand her slippers, her keys, will even open the door to her bedroom and will pull out drawers so that she can get dressed.

Those are things that you do not expect to hear. It’s incredible how these dogs are such an integral part of the day-to-day lives of their human partners.

Those are amazing stories! You must meet so many incredible owners who bring their companions in for exams.

It’s also the whole family. For the diabetic alert dog, the child is diabetic, but the mother had such a sense of relief knowing that the dog will be able to alert both the child but also the whole family if there is something not quite right. And the same happens with seizure alert dogs. They treat the dog as a complete member of the family and with the utmost respect.

The typical thought when someone hears ‘service animal’ is to think of a dog, which sounds like you see a lot of but are there any other types of service animals you’ve treated during the event?

Oh, for sure! I had a service alpaca who would go and visit people in the hospital and the alpaca itself was visually impaired. There are search and rescue horses who ride into the wilderness to search for missing people.

Do you have any favorite cases that you’ve seen through the years of the event?

It’s hard to choose but the main exams that I like to do are for the dogs that serve our country. We set up whole days to evaluate explosive detection canines. We also make sure that the dogs that are going abroad to serve our country are healthy so that they can complete their tasks.

In the past, we used to incorporate cardiology with the ophthalmology exams so that when patients came in, they got cardiac screens at the same time. We don’t have a cardiologist on staff currently, but hopefully, in the future, we will be able to provide this service again.

That’s a great example of your true compassion and why you’re in the veterinary industry. The professionals in this field go above and beyond for their patients.

It’s fun to be able to do things like that and branch out beyond my day-to-day which is caring for dogs and cats. On my days off, I’m able to will work with the National Aquarium and the National Zoo. I enjoy donating time to ophthalmic exams for Owl Moon Raptor Rescue and ensuring the birds of prey can be released when they’re rehabilitated.

What a great way to spend your days off! Any last thoughts on the event?

I’m just very happy that Epicur Pharma is promoting this event.  Epicur’s customer service is an excellent resource for my clinic and clients.

Thanks, Dr. Armour! We’re thankful for your time today and your dedication to veterinary ophthalmology!

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Seven Tips for Choosing the Right Compounding Pharmacy

The following blog is written by Epicur Pharma’s Advisory Council member Nicole Clausen, CSSGB, CCFP. With over 15 years of experience in the veterinary industry, Nicole understands a successful practice’s operations, intricacies, and internal workings—including sustainable inventory management strategies. Nicole shares her perspective on the importance of choosing the right compounding pharmacy to successfully manage your practice’s inventory. From Nicole In a veterinary practice, managing inventory is more than just a task– it’s the foundation for patient care! It’s about ensuring the health and well-being of our patients, supporting our team, and ultimately, making a difference in the lives of animals in our care and their humans. Choosing vendors to partner with your practice is an important part of managing inventory. But, selecting the right compounding pharmacy (or any vendor, in general) can seem daunting. When managing inventory, we are often taught to always look for the cheapest cost and choose our vendors that way. But, when it comes to compounded medications, there are many more factors to consider. Here are a few other vital factors to consider when picking a compounding pharmacy to partner with for your practice:   1. Understand Your Practice’s Needs Just as every animal is unique, so too are the needs of each veterinary practice. Before diving into the vendor selection process, take the time to assess your practice’s requirements. Consider factors such as the types of compounded medications frequently prescribed, the volume of orders, and any specific preferences or priorities. Think about: What products do we purchase frequently for in-office use? What products are often scripted out for individual patients? In what volumes or quantities do we often purchase?   2. Prioritize Quality and Safety When it comes to compounded medications, quality and safety should always be top priorities. Look for vendors that adhere to stringent quality control standards and comply with regulatory requirements. A reputable compounding pharmacy will prioritize product consistency, integrity, and safety. A 503B pharmacy, like Epicur Pharma, needs to follow strict guidelines (considered Current Good Manufacturing Practice or CGMP) and are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration. A Glimpse Into a 503B Facility: Manufacturing Quality in Veterinary Medicine Read the blog! 3. Seek Compounding Expertise Compounding medications for animals requires specialized knowledge and expertise. Look for vendors with a team of experienced compounding pharmacists who are knowledgeable (and passionate!) about veterinary medicine. A vendor with a proven track record of compounding success and a commitment to ongoing education and training would be a valuable partner for a veterinary practice.   4. Consider Turnaround Time, Availability, and Ease of Ordering Our practices are fast-paced, and often when a patient needs a specific prescription, starting it sooner can make a big impact. Additionally, the ordering platform should be easy to use and help you comply with compounded medication regulations. Choose a compounding pharmacy vendor capable of providing prompt turnaround times and reliable availability. Efficient communication and order processing are critical for ensuring that medications are delivered when needed. Ordering Made Easy with iFill! 5. Evaluate Customer Support A strong partnership with your compounding pharmacy vendor is built on effective communication and support. Look for vendors who prioritize customer service and are responsive to your practice’s needs. A vendor who is accessible, communicative, and willing to address any concerns or issues that arise is an invaluable asset to your practice.   6. Transparent Pricing and Cost Management While cost is certainly a factor, it’s essential to look beyond the price tag when selecting a compounding pharmacy vendor. Consider the vendor’s overall value, including factors such as product quality, service reliability, long-term cost savings, education, and commitment to excellence for our patients. Inventory Management Guide Five tips for improving your practice’s inventory processes, including important considerations for software tools and key reminders for your team! Save for My Practice 7. Embrace Partnership and Collaboration Ultimately, selecting the right compounding pharmacy vendor is about finding a partner who shares your practice’s values and priorities. Choose a vendor who is committed to collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Think about: What does my practice value? What are our goals? Does this vendor I’m evaluating align with those values?   Choosing the right compounding pharmacy for your practice is an important decision that requires careful consideration and intentional decision-making. Ultimately, consider your practice’s unique requirements, the alignment of values with the potential vendor, and the vendor’s dedication to innovation, safety, and quality. Thank you for sharing these insights, Nicole! Read more from Nicole! Meet Epicur’s Advisory Council: Nicole Clausen Shares Her Viewpoint on the Veterinary Industry as an Inventory Management Consultant Paw-sitively Efficient Inventory Management for Veterinary Professionals Building a Successful Inventory Management System with Nicole Clausen

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