Staying competitive in the face of non-traditional sources is a real market situation for many traditional businesses, including animal health clinics and retailers. Ace Hardware’s president and CEO, John Venhuizen, compared competing with the massive online retailer Amazon to warfare and encouraged Ace store owners to identify areas where they can beat Amazon. They can’t … [Read more...]
Archives for March 2017
World Veterinary Day is April 29
Antimicrobial Resistance – From Awareness to Action, is the theme of World Veterinary Day, which will be celebrated April 29 this year. The celebration of the profession began in 2000 and is scheduled annually for the last Saturday in April. Source: Pork Network, March 21, 2017. Veterinary Services including veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals have a key part to … [Read more...]
Be flexible to keep your best people
Employee turnover is a problem in most industries. However, it is a major problem when star performers leave your organization. You can retain your best people and attract more like them relatively easily if you first understand what these top performers want. Source: Gallup, March 8, 2017. However, brand and reputation also reflect a sense of pride. Employees want to feel … [Read more...]
Remind outdoor enthusiasts about disease risk for them and their companion animals
The AVMA provides a reference guide about diseases that outdoor enthusiasts such as, campers, canoers, kayakers, backpackers and hikers and their companion animals may encounter. It is the time of year when pets and their owners take to the field. Source: AVMA, March 17, 2017. This document is by no means intended to discourage people from enjoying outdoor activities; … [Read more...]
AKC Museum of the Dog returns to New York City
“The AKC Museum of the Dog houses one of the largest collections of dog art in the world and is an important part of the AKC’s history and future,” said Ronald H. Menaker, chairman of the board for the American Kennel Club. The relocation to Midtown Manhattan also provides a means for the Museum to generate revenue from additional admissions, memberships, sponsorships, and … [Read more...]
Effectiveness of animal testing being compared to other methods
All drugs and some chemicals must be tested on animals before humans, but no one is certain how well such tests predict the toxic effects on people. A Johns Hopkins University team hopes to find out by comparing standard animal tests with more modern scientific methods that use human cells or computer models. Source: The Baltimore Sun, March 16, 2017 via AAHA NEWStat. Data … [Read more...]
FDA regulates stem cells
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is encouraging its members to comply with a recent FDA guidance document that outlined regulatory requirements for animal cell-based products (ACPs). Source: Modern Equine Veterinarian, Issue 2, 2017, page 8. There is considerable concern about the impact on the equine veterinary industry,” Said Christopher E. Kawcak, … [Read more...]
WVC recaps 2017 conference
The WVC 2017 program and conference was attended by more than 6,000 veterinarians. Plus, more than 1,400 veterinary technicians and 360 practice managers were among the 14,000 veterinary professionals who attended. W. Mark Hilton DVM, PAS, DABVP (beef), assumed the position as the WVC 2017 president. He is a technical consultant for the Elanco Animal Health beef team and a … [Read more...]
Trichomonosis cat-roversy brewing
Tritrichomonas foetus has been recognized as a cause of chronic colitis in cats in the last 20 years. The protozoan is now considered a common infectious causes of large bowel diarrhea. Dr. Jody Gookin and colleagues at the College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, explain that one of the more pressing challenges is that feline trichomonosis is resistant … [Read more...]
Changing behavior requires awareness and determination
The amount and pace of transformation around us is overwhelming. Change is the new normal. According to scientists we are living in a VUCA world; one that is heavily impacted by increasing levels of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Yet, even if we see the benefit and understand the need for change and although we have the knowledge, skills and resources to act … [Read more...]
68.2 percent fewer dairies since 1992
The number of dairies needed to produce adequate milk supplies continues to decline. The dairy industry is on track to have only half as many farms as it does today. The only question is which year during the 2030s it will happen. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, March 20, 2017. The biggest statewide declines have occurred in North Dakota (-94.4 percent) and Arkansas (-93.1 … [Read more...]
Did my phone just buzz?
Have you been convinced that you felt your phone vibrate in your pocket or heard your ringtone? Yet, when you check your phone, no one tried to reach you. More than 80 percent of college students recently surveyed have experienced the phantom buzz. If it’s happening more than once a day it could be a sign that you’re psychologically dependent on your cellphone. Source: The … [Read more...]
More than 1 million acres burned; photo essay
Ron Smith captures the devastation of the recent wildfires that have burned much of the Southern Plains. At a time when green grass should replace hay and rations, cattlemen and farmers are back at winter-like protocols to keep the remaining livestock alive. Source: Beef, March 13, 2017. Fires burned across thousands of acres of rangeland, leaving a blackened landscape for … [Read more...]
Fly season is here already
Spring brings pretty flowers and flies. Nasty flies. Proactive management helps lower their negative effects. Source: Progressive Cattleman, March 14, 2017. Horn flies are most always associated with cattle on pasture. House flies and stable flies are most often found around confined cattle and their premises. Once producers know what flies are an issue, they can better … [Read more...]
DVM offers advice for cattle that survived wildfires
Recent wildfires in the High Plains burned hundreds of acres of land, destroyed outbuildings and homes. Cattle weren’t spared. For those not killed or euthanized, the road back to health may be tough. Randall Kowalik and Dr. A. J. Tarpoff with Kansas State Research and Extension offers some burn and orphan care tips. Source: High Plains Journal, March 20, 2017. Regardless … [Read more...]
Multilingual employees are the best
Speaking a different language changes how one’s brain is structured and how it works. This change can help see situations differently and apply novel solutions to problems. According to the school of thought called linguistic determinism, the structure of language we speak influences how we see the world around us. This implies that those with different language backgrounds … [Read more...]
Ceva becomes Sustaining Sponsor of AHD
Our team at AHD is pleased to announce Ceva has committed to a Sustaining Sponsorship for 2017. You will note that we have exchanged Ceva’s logo for their Double Defense Heartworm Protocol program logo. Double Defense represents Ceva’s approach to fighting the rising incidence of heartworm infection in dogs. The Double Defense approach, which includes using … [Read more...]
The white horses of Camargue
At some time in most animal health pros’ lives, a love of animals is born. It may have been a puppy or kitten, but for some, the horse was their inspiration. For renowned photographer Drew Doggett, a passion for horses developed, particularly with breeds that have overcome difficult circumstances or have an interesting lineage. The horses of Camargue fit that perfectly. We … [Read more...]
Take control of your inner control freak
Our AHD team monitors concerns about stress and depression in the veterinarian community. Stressors are often self-induced or expectation-centric. Cari Romm shares insights on the proverbial, “control freak,” primary controllers and secondary control. Some of you will find this worth the read. Source: Science of Us, March 3, 2017. There are ways to let those take-charge … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken revolution struts onward
Chicken raising is experiencing unprecedented popularity. The backyard-chicken movement is recapturing some of the agricultural legacy lost to golf courses, sprawling estates and business campuses. Source: Pet Product News International, March 2017. The guesstimates of the number of backyard chicken owners in the U.S. is anywhere from 1 million to 10 million households. … [Read more...]
Pet industry supported 1.3 million jobs in 2015
We’ve seen pet spending numbers year after year. Now, a study conducted by George Mason University has examined the total economic impact of the pet industry on the economy. Dr. Terry Clower shared that the industry contributes more than $221 billion to the economy including an impressive $23 billion in federal, state and local taxes. Source: Pet Product News International, … [Read more...]
Spooking is not a natural reaction
“The message we hear is constant and insistent,” write Francesco De Giorgio and José De Giorgio-Schoorl. “‘Why does a horse spook? He spooks because it is the most natural thing for him to do.’ But it is not.” Challenging popular beliefs, the authors describe how those who define themselves as horse people need to be willing to change. Source: Horse Network, March 6, … [Read more...]
Student-run free clinics provide more than care
Students from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine are getting hands-on training while providing veterinary care to pets owned by people in underserved communities. Source: JAVMA, March 15, 2017. Also see: JAVMA, March 15, 2017. Table of Contents … [Read more...]
Dosages differ between prostaglandin products for estrous synchronization
Kalyn Waters, University of Florida Extension, wants to make producers aware of the risk of confusion about dosage and administration of different estrous synchronization products. The addition of a new product in this category increases the need to avoid issues in synchronization successes she says. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, March 7, 2017. One common trade name is the … [Read more...]
AQHA offers a team of internships
Animal health pros know the value of internship programs. The AQHA offers three paid internships each summer, spring and fall, plus an international internship each summer. Applications for this summer are due by April 12, 2017. Internships provide college-age professionals with the chance to gain practical experience in a real-life setting. Source: AQHA, February 17, … [Read more...]
Delegate meeting leadership to gain effectiveness
Well-run meetings allow you and your team to clarify issues, set direction and move objectives forward. Yet, meetings are seldom planned or executed well. Paul Axtell says it’s time to rethink whether you should even lead your own meetings. Source: Harvard Business Review, December 23, 2016. Letting other people lead meetings has three key benefits: Development of your … [Read more...]
Technology helps replace painful management practices
Technology is moving quickly to help cattlemen reduce the use of traditional management practices that cause needless pain. From individual identification to castration, Bernie Rollin, Colorado State University animal science professor, gives an overview of how cattlemen can continue improving their daily practices. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, March 8, 2017. If asked to … [Read more...]
4 ways to give effective feedback
Receiving feedback is often difficult. Many times, providing feedback is just as difficult. But, without it, we have no idea if we are meeting expectations, are below expectations or exceeding expectations. Most importantly, we need to know if there is opportunity for improvement. The simplest solution to this dilemma is to provide feedback in a way that has a positive impact … [Read more...]
“My door is always open.” Fact or fallacy?
As animal health companies, practices and retailers integrate and grow, leaders must encourage candor. Megan Reitz and John Higgins have studied accessibility, employee dynamics and why employees rarely cross the leader’s office door threshold. They challenge leaders to ask five questions. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 9, 2017. Reitz’ and Higgins’ research suggests … [Read more...]
Pre-op surgical site preparation is critical
Surgical site preparation is one of the more important skills operating room veterinary technicians perform in regard to patient care. Currently, surgical site preparation protocols are not standardized. Thus, veterinary team members should adhere to their practices’ accepted procedures when preparing patients for surgery. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, January/February … [Read more...]