The World Small Animal Veterinary Association guideline changes reflect the growing attitude that a one-size-fits-all approach is impractical. The guidelines redefine core vaccines from a global perspective and supports an adjustment to boosters based on scientific evidence, such as maternal anti-bodies. Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 12, 2016. . Compared with … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2016
VFD regulations affect dairies
We will tire of VFD articles almost before we get started. However, compliance and understanding come with repetition and multiple perspectives. Fred Gingrich, an Ohio DVM, concisely discusses VFD regulations from a product perspective. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 5, 2016. It is important to recognize what products are affected by these rules. For cattle, the … [Read more...]
Defusing emotional conversations
Opinion differences are inevitable when working together. Ron Friedman, Ph.D. shares a strategy for times when conversations become so emotionally charged they have nothing to do with the issues at hand. Source: Harvard Business Review, January 12, 2016. What do you do when a conversation is spiraling out of control? When you’ve tried all the patient listening you can … [Read more...]
Skills for safety trainers
Where there are people doing jobs, safety training is critical. Learn some best practices in this article supported by the National Agronomic Environmental Health and Safety School. Source: AgProfessional, January 2016, page 46. “Captivate your audience, but don’t treat them like captives,” says Fred Whitford, PhD, Purdue. “A trainer always has to provide the key message he … [Read more...]
Hoe, cows hoe!
Training their palates so cows eat noxious weeds is the topic. Producers will find this article intriguing and valuable. It is an interesting take on managing forage density. Source: Modern Farmer, January 11, 2016. For years, livestock educator Kathy Voth has been telling farmers and ranchers exactly this—that cows can be trained to eat broadleaf “weeds,” which can … [Read more...]
Editorial – The bright side of sleep
The infographic caught my attention in this blog. It reminds me of a video once presented by a health insurer during a company meeting. If you have not discussed the importance of sleep with your hospital team or your representatives, consider this as a reminder. (No commercial intention in this post.) Source: Nuyu Blog, 12/22/15. Sleep is a natural part of life and … [Read more...]
Holding people accountable
Peter Bregman hones in on five areas of clarity that foster accountability in those around us. Whether you’re the president or dog walker, these help. Source: Harvard Business Review, January 11, 2016. Accountability is not simply taking the blame when something goes wrong. It’s not a confession. Accountability is about delivering on a commitment. It’s responsibility to an … [Read more...]
If a cat poops in the bed…?
Cat poop and Aristotle? Not two references you would expect to see in an article. However, the author uniquely correlates behavior to philosophy to discuss a common problem. Veterinary team members will value the perspective. Consider this content for clinic websites, blogs or newsletters. Source: Catster, January 5, 2016. Aristotle’s concept of the “four causes” provides a … [Read more...]
Curling lips mean what?
Sent by a subscriber, this is a serious, yet comical look at lip curling. The links are fun, too. Veterinary team members will enjoy sharing this with clients via websites or blogs. Enjoy! Source: Slate, January 12, 2016. The flehmen response is a scent-sucking mechanism employed by many mammalian species. It’s easy to mistake the behavior for aggression, since the animal … [Read more...]
Coupon use trending to digital
Goodbye cut-out and print coupons. Welcome digital point-of-choice incentives. This article follows our recent references to millennials and their mobile-based preferences. More concerning than a change in point-of-sale promotions is the reference to no planning and the “get-it-now” mentality. Clearly changes are underway. Animal health retailers, dispensing DVMs and … [Read more...]
Editorial – Free range is not bug free
I have a small town rural background where chickens roaming free was common. We called it scratchin’ in the stuff and eatin’ the things. The free-range movement has been a growing concern of mine, especially for veterinary practices in urban or ruralpolitan areas. This story begs the question, “are small animal veterinarians or dealers ready to service Chicken Little and her … [Read more...]
Swine research review, 2015
Genetic markers for PRRS, foaming manure, bump feeding sows and testicle temperature in boars are just a few of the research articles featured in this issue. If you’re involved in swine health, this is a good overview of the hot topics and trends in 2015 and 2016. Source: National Hog Farmer, December 2015. Research reviews from across Canada and the US in 2015. … [Read more...]
A dog’s life and death – illustrated
Social media strikes again. This time in the form of a cartoon about a dog’s life here and beyond. Sent by a subscriber, we share this especially with veterinary teams in mind. This will be useful in dealing with the natural deterioration of health as a client’s animal ages. Take a look, then you can decide. Source: PawMyGosh.com. Nothing brings us more joy in life than … [Read more...]
Red urine
Winter snowfall makes changes in urine color easier to spot. Dr Ben Character, DVM, walks through what changes in urine color mean and what to do about it in this issue. Source: The Retriever Journal, December/January 2015, page 32. (direct link unavailable) The more common cause of red colored urine is the presence of blood – and in this case whole blood vs. just the … [Read more...]
Editorial – Hunting dogs need vets, too
Awareness for the roles of companion animal veterinarians in multi-species or mixed practices is increasing. Veterinarians hiring new associates will find this article valuable. Chuck Johnson references the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation in Ft Collins, CO. He presents a set of questions for working dog owners to use in the process of choosing … [Read more...]
Dogs bloat
Concise and scary is how I describe this article about bloat in dogs or, gastric dialation-volvus complex, GDV. The key to survival is quick recognition. Approximately 180,000 owners of AKC-registered animals will receive this information. It is also good content for veterinary hospital websites, blogs or client newsletters. Source: AKC Family Dog, January/February 2016, … [Read more...]
Myth Buster: corn edition
Reading dog food labels is beyond challenging. The proliferation of specialty veterinary and commercial diets coupled with myriad ingredient choices is confusing for most pet owners. This article and the resources it references will help veterinary teams and reps servicing owners’ pet diet choices sift through the confusion. Source: Trends, January 2016, page 40. (direct … [Read more...]
Editorial – Millennials, here they come!
Millennials are those born between 1982 and 2004. They’re the focus of two recent articles. I initially thought, “Why are we going here again?” A better perspective is that the oldest millennials are now 32 to 33 and are part of the paying economy. It IS time to learn more about this generation. Source: Trends, January 2016, page 26. (direct link unavailable) This is the … [Read more...]
12 houseplants that are dangerous to dogs (and cats!)
Veterinary teams will find this infographic valuable. Placing it on veterinary websites, in blogs or newsletters is a good use. Local florists will appreciate getting this from a staff member to raise awareness of risks to pets, as well. Source: The Bark, January 8, 2016. This infographic is a good reminder that we should consider our dogs when picking plants for both … [Read more...]
Editorial – Antibiotic resistance: perception or reality
It is good that humans continue to challenge antibiotic use out of the fear of superbugs. The press is often quick to condemn the negative resulting in a new wave of “I told you so” public opinion. Like it or not, this column in the Washington Post does not bode well for continuing antibiotic use. Worth noting is that printed circulation is upwards of 440,000 and there were … [Read more...]
Cozy barns create equine respiratory risks
Optimal ventilation is critical to equine respiratory health. Too much vs. too little is discussed in this email that horse owners received this week. This content can be used effectively on DVM websites, in blogs and newsletters. Source: Equus, January 11, 2016 email. A shut-tight barn may feel warmer, but the lack of air circulation allows ammonia fumes and dust to … [Read more...]
The new navicular paradigm
Navicular disease has gained well-deserved attention in the past two years. Lameness is a challenge for horse owners and veterinarians, regardless of what it is called. This article sets the stage for more comprehensive treatment of navicular disease and lameness. Equine veterinary teams and sales personnel servicing them will benefit from reading this story and discussing how … [Read more...]
Editorial – Pet industry trends for 2016
This article presents important food for thought. Highlights include: Pet industry sales will grow to $91.72 billion by 2019 50% of dogs and cats are considered overweight 39% of dogs and 43% of cats are considered old 60% of pet spending will come from high-income households Veterinary and dealer segments will experience these same retail trends. It is important … [Read more...]
What kind of cat do you have?
This fun quiz will interest cat owners as they wait in the lobby or exam room. It may open discussions between an owner and vet technician or DVM. Consider using it on veterinary hospital websites, as well. Source: Modern Cat, Winter 2015/2016, page 46. Five multiple-choice questions lead cat owners to assess their cat’s personality type and the kind of toys and activities … [Read more...]
Meat export ban lifted by South Africa
The United States and South Africa have entered a period of détente’ regarding meat protein exports from the U.S. According to one source, the trade bans began in 2000 Source: AgriPulse, January 8, 2016. South Africa has agreed to lift bans on U.S. poultry, pork, beef exports of the products to South Africa could generate $75 million of shipments annually. … [Read more...]
New dietary guidelines for Americans
A more sensible approach to nutrition is reflected in the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans recently announced by the Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. This round of guidelines focuses less on recommendations for individual nutrients and more on broader dietary patterns. As the DGA website puts it, “people do not eat food groups and nutrients in … [Read more...]
Bad, costly phone calls
Lifetime value is the theme in this article by Dr. Wendy Myers. She outlines sound information, including economics, that support training and skills reinforcement for veterinary clinic employees who talk to clients on the phone. Source: Animal Health Solutions, January 2016, page 24. A bad phone call can cost your clinic as much as $13,000. When interested pet owners … [Read more...]
Mastitis update
Mastitis continues to steal dairy profits. This article provides information about mastitis research, management and the resulting economics. If dairymen are reading at this level, then veterinarians and sales representatives need to be familiar with it, as well. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 2016. According to data and a cost estimation model from the National … [Read more...]
Top 5 Topical dermatologic therapies
What goes around comes around. This peer-reviewed article discusses a renaissance for topical therapies. Veterinarians and sales personnel will appreciate its content. Source: Clinician’s Brief, December 2015. Topical therapy is of renewed interest in veterinary dermatology, both as primary short-term treatment and as an intervention that can prevent or reduce the frequency … [Read more...]
Editorial – Serving seedstock producers
There is a hidden resource in this article for livestock veterinarians, livestock sales reps or dealers serving this market: the Beef Seedstock Top 100 listing. Sortable, it is easily managed for your area. If you already work with these producers, send them a note of congratulations. They’ll appreciate it. If not, then you have ample information to engage them as a … [Read more...]