Castration of male pigs is a long-held, proven practice. It is performed to avoid boar taint in the meat of sexually mature males as well as reduce aggression toward other pigs and people. Cheryl Day shares alternatives to physical castration, challenges, breeding selections and the regulatory environment. Source: National Hog Farmer, September 2016, page 12. For hog … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2016
But, I don’t want to sell
Ed Blach, DVM, MS, MBA, reminds us that veterinarians don't believe that 'sales and marketing' should enter the decision process for providing care that patients need in any way. But, if this is true, how should veterinarians communicate what they have to offer and what they recommend to their clients? Source: Is My Practice Healthy?, September 5, 2016. To help make the … [Read more...]
Educate yourself and clients on ringworm
Recognize ringworm, treat it and educate clients fast says Chris Keller, Animal Dermatology Center, Studio City, California. The zoonotic potential of this disease must not be underestimated. Frequent client communication and patient monitoring are the best ways to assure a successful outcome. He discusses how the disease presents, diagnosis, treatment and environmental … [Read more...]
Tail docking on the way out
The National Milk Producers Federation has confirmed that tail docking will not be permitted under the National Dairy FARM Program (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) as of January 1, 2017. The American Association of Bovine Practitioners has opposed the practice for 20 years and California banned it in 2009. Yet, some owners still engage in it. The Journal of Dairy … [Read more...]
17 meaningless things the worst bosses say
Repeating platitudes, especially as a superior, shows you’re lazy in words and actions. These 17 examples show how not to lean on useless phrases. Source: Inc., September 1, 2016. 5. 'We're experiencing a paradigm shift.' Actually, we're experiencing a change you don't know how to deal with and "paradigm shift" sounds a lot better than "I have no idea what the (heck) is … [Read more...]
Find the right job culture fit
Whether you are a receptionist, vet tech or DVM, the culture of your workplace is an important component of your individual or business success. While this article is written for prospective employees, it also provides a checklist for practice owners to increase their hospital’s profitability. Source: Pulse, August 24, 2016. We all hope to work for a company that’s clear, … [Read more...]
Novel approaches presented at Kansas City Animal Health Corridor Investment Forum
Seventeen companies were selected from 48 applicants to present their innovations and technologies to potential investors for the 9th annual Investment Forum. It offers the only opportunity in the world for early stage companies in the animal health sector to present their vision and business plan to potential investors. Competition was stiff and diverse this year. Forum … [Read more...]
Growth, opportunity continue in KC Animal Health Corridor
More than 1,100 animal health principles, investors and industry allies attended the 11th annual 2016 KC Animal Health Corridor Homecoming Dinner. It celebrated the progress and strength of the KC Corridor’s participation in global animal health markets. Companies with strategic locations in the region now represent greater than 56 percent of total worldwide animal health, … [Read more...]
The 3 Cs of cat care
Most cats do not get proper care, even when it is readily available. No matter where we fit in the various channels-of-influence, enabling proper cat care is improves their life quality, avoids a cat population becoming a vector for zoonotic disease and strengthens the animal care economy. Last week we posted Get a handle on cats which referenced various feline care … [Read more...]
Beat the afternoon slump
We often reach for caffeine to get through a mid-afternoon slowdown most of us experience. This afternoon slump is a real, biological phenomenon. It’s a sign your internal clock—fluctuations in energy and body temperature regulated by our circadian rhythms—is running on time. Here are five ways to bounce back. We would add one more: 6) Hydrate with water. Source: Mindful, … [Read more...]
Looking for a job? Your boss may know.
Even if you use personal email and phones to correspond with prospective employers, don’t assume your activity is confidential. You may leave a perfect data trail for your existing boss to see. Source: Washington Post, September 6, 2016. The startup, Joberate, scrapes publicly available data from millions of individuals’ online social media accounts, or buys it from other … [Read more...]
Pacemaker Posse celebrates dogs’ longer lives
Dr. Ryan Baumwart, veterinary cardiologist at Oklahoma State University’s Veterinary Medical Hospital, has placed pacemakers in 23 dogs over the last two years. Five members of the Pacemaker Posse joined Baumwart last spring for a reunion. Some of their stories are shared in this report. Source: Center for Veterinary Health Sciences News, August 22, 2016. Our students can … [Read more...]
Special Issue – AAEP Equine Veterinary Journal (EVE)
The online issue is dedicated to the abstracts of the International Conference on Canine and Equine Locomotion 2016, London, UK, 17-19 August 2016. The canine abstracts are not included in the 78 abstracts presented. Source: Equine Veterinary Education, August 2016. (link to table of contents only) INSIGHTS: The review article in the printed American Edition, Equine … [Read more...]
Farmers are often misunderstood
Farmers have a unique lifestyle that integrates business life, family and friends. Non-farm people may have perceptions that farmers have it pretty good compared to their own lives. John Phipps challenges farmers to view their situation from the perspective of non-farmers. Source: Top Producer, Summer 2016. Many things farmers take for granted can strike non-farm family … [Read more...]
Control feral hogs successfully
There’s more focus on wildlife control as we continue to encroach on remote areas. Much attention is given to elk, whitetail deer and other species. Yet, feral hogs are terribly invasive. They also pose a serious disease threat to domestic livestock operations, pets and people. A coordinated effort in Missouri seeks to eradicate feral hogs. New technology is promising … [Read more...]
Robert Miller speaks out in Western Horseman
Dr. Miller a lifelong horseman, a veterinarian has had a professional relationship with Western Horseman since 1949. He visited with Katie Frank on foal imprinting, starting colts and his love for mules. Source: Western Horseman, September 2016, page 44. (no link available) 'If you love your horse . . . don’t start them until they’re three. And don’t train them for (any) … [Read more...]
Be careful when you share your new job on social media
Social media is like an open microphone, says Megan Leonhardt, a writer for Money. When changing jobs, you don’t want to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. She offers tips for staying on message and in control. Don’t tip your hand Pace yourself Get in sync Break the news Source: Money.com, September 2016, page 30. 'Put a little thought behind the process,' … [Read more...]
Packgoats? Yes, packgoats!
“Packgoats are the premier pack animals on the planet,” said Dwite Sharp, who breeds, raises and trains packgoats in Morris County, Kansas. Goats raised to be pack animals are used for backpacking, camping and other outdoor recreational activities. Although does may be used, packgoats are usually wethers, or castrated male goats.” Source: Midwest Ag Journal, August 29, … [Read more...]
Create a common goal
In last week’s Bulletin, we shared nine common mistakes leaders make when starting difficult or important conversations. We promised you a better way this week. Consider that your listener is there to make a decision. If you are there to get a decision, you both have something in common before the first word is spoken. Source: evancarmichael.com, February 6, 2012. When the … [Read more...]
All U.S. poultry is ‘antibiotic-free’
All poultry meat that enters the U.S. food supply is, by definition, antibiotic-free or, more specifically, it is free of antibiotic residues by the time it reaches consumers — regardless of how the birds were raised. “There is absolutely no nutritional difference in meat from poultry raised without antibiotics compared to poultry that receive antibiotics,” says Mike Lacy, PhD, … [Read more...]
The latest from the American Journal of Veterinary Research
We have linked to the table of contents in the latest issue of the American Journal of Veterinary Research. Fourteen studies cover a broad spectrum of animal health research. Source: AJVR, September 2016 (Vol 77; No. 9: pp. 916-1044) (Link to table of contents and abstracts only) … [Read more...]
The latest from JAVMA
We have linked to the table of contents in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The article Risk reduction and management strategies to prevent transmission of infectious disease among dogs at dog shows, sporting events, and other canine group settings provides a series of 64 recommendations focused on group settings from multi-dog … [Read more...]
Developing grit leads to success
Effort, perseverance and intention trump IQ and talent, professes Angela Duckworth, PhD, University of Pennsylvania. She calls this grit and recommends cultivating a purpose and developing optimism. Duckworth’s Grit Scale questionnaire lets you determine how gritty you are. Source: Bottom Line Personal, September 1, 2016. Good news: You can grow grit “from the inside out.” … [Read more...]
The social (media) sweet spot
A busy infographic from a 2015 study shows how veterinary team members use social media. 78% say they use Facebook for both personal and professional reasons. 60% believe they are using social media to educate and connect with veterinary clinics. Source: Firstline, August 2016, page 20. INSIGHTS: Information such as this is important to study and monitor. Facebook and … [Read more...]
X-rays tell the story
The headline says it all, “They ate what?” The honorable mention images from the 2016 x-ray contest give a view of the challenges created when animals ingest things not intended for their consumption. We think you’ll enjoy the cases shown and could use some of them in client education as well. Source: Veterinary Practice News, September 2016, page 30. … [Read more...]
First puppy cloned in U.S.
ViaGen Pets of Austin, Texas, announced the birth of a Jack Russell terrier named Nubia on July 22, 2016. Nubia was implanted as an embryo in a surrogate and was born nine weeks later. The article suggests cloning can be a win-win for veterinarians wanting to offer a solution to help soften the loss of a favored pet. Source: Veterinary Practice News, September 2016, page … [Read more...]
Unique cattle influenza virus studied, named
The executive committee of the International Committee of Taxonomy of Viruses officially announced a new genus, Orthomyxovirdae, with a single species, influenza D virus, because of its distinctness from other influenza types—A, B and C. This is the first influenza virus identified in cattle, explained Professor Feng Li, South Dakota State University. Source: Bovine … [Read more...]
Feeding for the perfect (cow) pie
Dan Gary, an Amarillo, Texas, ranch consultant, suggests that you can use cow-pie-ology to monitor the nutritional status of a cow herd. He relates cow pie configuration to nutrient balance. If nothing else, we believe you’ll get a chuckle out of the discussion of the perfect cow pie. Source: Beef, September 2016. 'There is no better method of determining the nutritional … [Read more...]
Human-animal bond helps with empty nest syndrome
Facing an empty nest at home, author and mother Ashley Collins shares her experience and realizations of how her horse is part of her emotional support network. She also acknowledges how the family dog reacts to college preparations taking place in the home. This article supports the increasing discussions about the human-animal bond and one-health initiatives. Source: Horse … [Read more...]
Avoid problems smartphones cause
Smartphone technology can create problems for users of all ages. This article references four ways they could be harming you and what to do about it. The four problems are: Text neck Bum thumb Eyestrain Distractibility Source: The Kansas City Star, August 17, 2016. We spend five hours a day on our mobile phones. 'A whopping 90 percent of us text with our necks … [Read more...]