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The strong practice network
Arndt Small Animal Center in Karlsruhe receives computer tomography – CT
Arndt Small Animal Center in Karlsruhe receives computer tomograph - CT 150 150 Sven Jan Arndt
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The small animal center now has a computer tomograph developed specifically for small animals and pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc., which, due to its technology (digital volume tomography), requires 60% -90% less radiation than conventional 16-line computer tomographs at up to 30 times higher Resolution. This protects the animals and improves diagnostics enormously.

Computed tomography CT from Vimago
CT from Vimago

This allows us, among other things, to take 3D images of our patients and print them out on a 3D printer at the same time. This opens up completely new ways of preparing for operations, among other things:

3D cat head CT dental diagnostics
3D printing cat head
3D printing cat head for dental diagnostics

Further areas of application for the new computer tomograph in the Durlach Small Animal Center include:

• Dental x-rays, e.g. FORL in cats
• but also dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs can be examined in more detail using computer tomography
• Diagnosis of tumors and metastases
• Setting up bone fractures
• Preoperative planning of fracture treatment
• Visualization of vessels, bile ducts and
gastrointestinal sections with appropriate
contrast media
• Placement of probes
• Observation of dynamic processes
– heart movement
– ​​swallowing movement (esophagus visualization)
• Integrating implant control during
the operation (functions similar to a C-arm)
• Biopsies
• Positioning control before the CT examination

Now: Corona and the video consultation
Now: Corona and the video consultation 1024 1015 Sven Jan Arndt
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doc4pets Karlsruhe/Karlsbad offers its customers - especially risk groups and people with animals in quarantine - a daily video consultation from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. There, the pet owner has the opportunity to present their pet's problem using their cell phone and Google Hangout.

Since we know the previous illnesses of these animals, we then have the opportunity to assess whether and to what extent the animal needs to be presented to one of our practices. If necessary, we can also arrange for the animals to be picked up. In simple cases we can also deliver prescriptions or medication directly.

How can I use the video consultation?

To use this service, you can an appointment Google or on , which will then be confirmed.

15 minutes of the video consultation costs EUR 22.56 according to the GOT (Fee Schedule for Veterinarians).

We wish all our customers that they and their loved ones get through this crisis healthy!

Your doc4pets team

New emergency service GOT in force from today
New GOT emergency service in force from today 150 150 Sven Jan Arndt
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As already written before, the new fee regulations for veterinarians - namely the part that concerns emergency services - will come into force upon publication. The publication took place today - February 13th, 2020 in the Federal Law Gazette. This new fourth regulation amending the veterinary fee schedule therefore applies immediately.

You can download the specific wording here: BGBL publication emergency service GOT

The digital vet
The digital vet 580 720 Sven Jan Arndt
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Recently, a “new pig has been driving through the village” – the digital veterinarian. They call themselves Dr.Sam, Pfotendoctor.de etc.

What to make of it?

First of all, here are some excerpts from what these platforms promise:

online vet / digital vet
Dr.Sam promises a lot here. The first four points make sense to us and are certainly correct.

But what about point 5? Immediate certainty!

Certainty about what?

  • that my animal is sick or not?
  • that maybe I should take my animal to a local veterinarian?
  • that I now pay a fee for vague information?

Pfotendoctor.de – Your digital vet goes even further:

  • “Our veterinarians can immediately assess how your pet can be optimally helped.”
  • “The fees are based on the official fee schedule for veterinarians . The amount corresponds to any normal visit to a veterinary practice.”

In order to be able to assess these statements a little, here is our experience from the daily operation of four small animal practices with well over 40 thousand cases per year:

  • A sick animal can only be examined to a very limited extent, if not at all, via telephone or video chat - what is primarily required is a physical inspection of an animal, palpation, taking the temperature, checking vital functions, if necessary smelling, etc.
  • This is often followed by further diagnostic measures such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT, MRI and blood work
  • Only these measures generally allow a competent diagnosis and associated therapy

Against this background, we ask ourselves the following questions about the digital vet:

  • How can he measure the temperature or examine the vital functions (e.g. listening to a cat in the event of a pulmonary embolism, etc.)?
  • How can he determine whether a leg is just sprained or even broken?
  • Even if he daringly allows himself to be carried away with a remote diagnosis, which his professional ethics actually forbids him to do, what happens next?
  • How can he administer a painkiller or medication?
  • How does he write prescriptions?
  • How does he bandage a wound?
  • How does he sew a bite?

These examples could be expanded on indefinitely. The actual benefit of such a digital vet appears to be very limited:

If the digital veterinarian takes his training and professional ethics seriously, he can always advise, in case of doubt, to visit a registered veterinarian or find an appropriate veterinary clinic.

Then the question actually arises – what is the advantage of the digital vet?

  • In fact, we have a lot of calls, especially in the emergency service, who don't actually want to come with their pet, but want a telephone "absolution" that everything is only half as bad and that they don't have to go to the vet until the next day - these pet owners can In fact, such a digital veterinarian can help - a placebo that benefits the patient owner, but in case of doubt does not spare the animal suffering
  • If the digital veterinarian takes his job seriously, then in fairness he probably has to send at least every second patient owner to a registered veterinarian, as was the case in our telephone calls, because this is the only way to alleviate an animal's suffering
  • nothing for telephone information from your trusted vet and, if they are not available, from the local veterinary clinic or local veterinary emergency service ! This is the daily bread and service of every good veterinarian .
  • There are also veterinary clinics and emergency services nationwide that are available 24 hours a day. So this alleged advantage of a digital vet applies.

The point is even more exciting - neither of the two platforms mentioned are operated by veterinarians - here is Dr.Sam's imprint:

The two managing directors are economists and not veterinarians. The company's purpose as recorded in the commercial register is also rather vague and actually needs to be checked by the relevant state veterinary association:

Things get even more exciting with the provider “Your digital vet” – Pfotendoctor.de :

digital vet - pfotendoctor.de

“The development, creation, marketing and distribution of telematics software.” So where the connection to veterinary medicine is remains hidden from us.

Against this background, it is even more interesting why such a platform charges according to the GOT (Fee Schedule for Veterinarians) (according to its own statement, see above)? Our veterinary chambers seem to be sleeping a little here, the chambers that in some places would still like to determine the size of the practice sign. Actually, only someone who is a licensed veterinarian is allowed to bill according to GOT, or have we misunderstood something?

We also can't find any of the veterinarians mentioned on Pfotendoctor.de as freelance or employed veterinarians on the Internet!? The term “veterinarian, ophthalmology department” does not officially exist either. Is this supposed to represent a non-existent additional qualification or specialist veterinary training?

Our conclusion about the digital vet:

  • The benefits of digital veterinarians appear to us to be very limited - what they can do is also available free of charge as information on the emergency service telephone or in any veterinary clinic.
  • The official operators of these platforms presented here do not come from veterinary medicine and do not state this in their corporate purpose
  • So the question remains – is the term “digital veterinarian” / “online veterinarian” an unprotected job title?
  • Can everyone use such a platform to bill according to the GOT?
  • When will the Federal Veterinary Association or state veterinary associations check this apparently unregulated activity?

Addendum:

The first foreign providers (outside Europe - from Switzerland) are now setting out to plow the German market - we saw the following advertising from pet-care.ch today:

The particular question here is whether and to what extent a non-European company in the EU is allowed to offer services in the field of veterinary medicine / online veterinary services, as these are subject to completely different approval criteria than their German colleagues. Behind this specific case is a large Swiss corporation - the Migros Group , which is known for everything but little or nothing for veterinary medicine.

When does the new emergency service GOT (fee schedule for veterinarians) apply?
When does the new emergency service GOT (fee schedule for veterinarians) apply? 150 150 Sven Jan Arndt
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The new fee schedule has been approved by the Bundestag and Bundesrat. However, it only comes into force when it is published in the Federal Law Gazette .

In the first two issues of this year from January 7th. and January 10, 2020 nothing has been published yet. Therefore, no one is allowed to bill according to the new emergency service fee regulations.

We will keep you up to date.

New emergency service regulations / fees from January 2020 (emergency service GOT)
New emergency service regulations / fees from January 2020 (emergency service GOT) 1024 722 Sven Jan Arndt
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From January 2020, in accordance with the law passed by the Federal Council on December 20, 2019, new tariffs for the emergency service of veterinarians will apply (emergency service GOT).

Reason: Comprehensive emergency service provision in veterinary medicine is increasingly at risk

So far, practices or clinics have barely been able to cover the costs. In order to comply with the Working Hours Act, increased personnel costs are necessary and this must be paid. Therefore, increased fees should help to increase the contribution margin.

In human medicine, collective agreements provide for night and on-call shifts of up to 36 hours and are compatible with the Working Hours Act. This does not apply to employed veterinarians - even in emergency service, they are only allowed to work eight or a maximum of ten hours at a time and then have to take eleven hours of rest. This is also monitored by the trade regulator and violations by veterinary practices/clinics are punished with high fines. However, this means a significant shortage of staff, and the costs and skilled workers are difficult for many practices and clinics to cope with.

Key points of the update of the emergency service GOT

So what exactly should change legally from January 2020?

  • “Emergency service fee”: In the future, a mandatory, flat-rate basic fee of 50 euros will be due for a veterinary emergency outside of regular consultation hours.
  • Minimum rate for veterinary services: From the moment the law comes into force, emergency services must be billed at at least twice the fee rate; optionally, depending on the effort, they can be billed at a maximum of up to four times the rate (previously a maximum of three times the rate).
  • Changed emergency service times: The “night time” has been extended; it is now between 6 p.m. (previously 7 p.m.) in the evening and 8 a.m. (previously 7 a.m.) on weekdays. In addition, new weekend times now apply - previously the weekend was defined as Saturday from 1 p.m. to Monday 8 a.m. weekend is now extended The new emergency service fees must be billed for this period. (Please note for employed veterinarians: These “emergency duty times” are not identical to the corner times from which a night/weekend service surcharge must be paid under working time law.)

The last point in particular led to unrest and misunderstandings - our good news for you:

The Federal Veterinary Association makes it clear that we can and will continue to hold regular consultation hours on Saturdays and evenings until 7 p.m. without these surcharges!

The obligation to charge an emergency service fee and at least twice the fee does not apply for services that are provided during the regular office hours of a veterinary practice, veterinary clinic or other veterinary facility. If a practice offers regular consultation hours until 8 p.m. on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings, this is not a veterinary emergency service. So nothing changes for regular office hours.

What is an emergency?

It was also important for the Federal Veterinary Association to establish what an emergency is and what should and should not be provided in the emergency service. You can find comprehensive information about this in the attached flyer from the Federal Veterinary Association:

Flyer emergency service GOT
Flyer emergency service GOT
Welcome to Karlsruhe veterinarian Daniel Koch
Welcome to Karlsruhe Veterinarian Daniel Koch 150 150 Sven Jan Arndt
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Mr. Koch is German, but has practiced at various clinics and practices in Venezuela (also a veterinarian) and Portugal for over 10 years together with his Venezuelan wife.
The political circumstances of his wife's home country have forced the small family (two adorable daughters) to look for a new home. We are very pleased to have Mr. Koch on board and warmly welcome him and his family to cold and rainy Germany!

Welcome Ms. Dr.med.vet. Silke Kühne at doc4pets Renchen
Welcome Ms. Dr.med.vet. Silke Kühne at doc4pets Renchen 150 150 Sven Jan Arndt
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We are very pleased with Dr. Kühne has gained an experienced small animal specialist for our team in Renchen.

Miss Dr. Kühne is no stranger to the region. Before she spent years with Dr. Schwing worked in Friesenheim, she practiced in Ms. Elke Welberts' practice in Lahr.

With Dr. Kühne, we now have three very experienced and highly motivated veterinarians in Renchen, who are available to you in the Offenburg, Achern, Bühl and Baden-Baden region, both as good general practitioners with extensive diagnostic options and even more complicated operations.

You can find more information on our Renchen website.

 

doc4pets launches My.pet
doc4pets launches Mein.pet 1024 603 Sven Jan Arndt
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“As veterinarians, we experience again and again that patient owners come to us with their animal in an emergency and have forgotten all the documents about the animal in their excitement. This is humanly understandable. However, with chronically ill animals it is often difficult to find out about pretreatment or medication in this situation. We wanted and want to solve this problem with Mein.pet – the digital animal medical record, among other things,” says veterinarian Susanne Arndt.

Mein.pet is a digital patient file primarily for dogs and cats. Using the animal's microchip ID and the nickname stored with Tasso, any veterinarian can determine the previous treatment, existing illnesses and current medication in an emergency - even for found animals. This can save lives.

digital animal medical record has the advantage that he has all the documents about his animal in one place and can access them on the go at any time. This means he can easily obtain second opinions or make referrals to specialist veterinarians or animal clinics easier and faster.

“What has already proven itself excellently in the human sector is, in our opinion, also a useful addition in veterinary medicine,” says Sven Jan Arndt, Managing Director of doc4pets.

Since we believe in the usefulness/necessity of a digital animal medical record such as that Mein.pet available free of charge to both pet owners and veterinarians

Mein.pet is operated by doc4pets GmbH from Karlsbad and is subject to Germany's strict data protection regulations. That's why, in principle, no personal data is requested during registration - only an email address is required for activation. The patient owner / pet owner then has control over the further anonymity of the individual patient file, which is only accessible when logged in, for example by blacking out laboratory results, findings, etc. in the appropriate places. But even without this measure, the data is safe because the entire site SSL encrypted.

Mein.pet explicitly does not offer any veterinary services - it only serves the central administration of data from patient owners!

About doc4pets GmbH:
doc4pets operates several owner-managed small animal practices in southwest Germany. We are independent of investors or chains and are pleased to be able to offer veterinary medicine at a high level with heart and mind at extensive emergency times. You can currently find our small animal paxes in: