“In retrospect,” often begins a story about missed opportunities, augmented with regrets. The story ends with the admonition to “not make that mistake.” Occasionally, “in retrospect” will yield worthwhile advice that contains one real nugget. “6 Pieces of Advice Leaders Wish They Could Tell Their Younger Selves” is this kind of piece. Source: Forbes, September 19, … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2017
Here come the mosquitos! (includes video)
Veterinary parasitologist Dr. Laura Kramer discusses the increased dispersion of mosquitoes in Europe. The phenomenon is mirrored in the U.S. She sees three factors: Climate change Infected dogs moving around more than in the past New mosquito vectors that can transmit heartworm disease Source: Veterinary Medicine, April 5, 2017. Stop to consider the second point … [Read more...]
5 reasons to monitor colostrum quality
You may think that we don’t need to discuss colostrum ever again. Phil Durst shares five reasons to routinely check test colostrum to better understand the variances in quality. Colostrum quality is the first step in making sure calves are protected and set up for success in life. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 5, 2017. Why test colostrum quality? Here are some … [Read more...]
Swine Science Online offers opportunity for students, current producers
Leading universities are collaborating to ensure the pork industry is led and managed by individuals who have broad educational and production experiences that prepare them for these roles. The effort, Swine Science Online, teaches scientific principles and management skills involved in pork production for an efficient and sustainable operation. Source: National Hog Farmer, … [Read more...]
Increase feline heartworm prevention efforts
At an estimated prevalence of 0.4%, hundreds of thousands of cats in the United States are likely infected with heartworms. Given the difficulty in diagnosing infection at all clinically relevant parasite stages and lack of curative treatment options, efforts should be increased to ensure all cats receive heartworm preventive. Source: JAVMA, April 15, 2017. Results: … [Read more...]
Review of hazards to female reproductive health in veterinary practice
A systemized review of publications that address female reproductive health hazards in veterinary practice, summarize best practices to mitigate reproductive risks and identify current knowledge gaps identifies a growing risk in veterinary practices. Reported hazards included exposure to anesthetic gases, radiation, antineoplastic drugs, reproductive hormones, physically … [Read more...]
Meet change head-on with customers
In this piece, Pam Foster shows how the distributor rep is a resource for customers. Her solid guidance is to look at each practice individually and not fixate on short-term interactions. Source: Veterinary Advantage, March 2017. Mike Hay, Abaxis (formerly Henry Schein) offers some pointers to help you stay on top of the latest innovations while also managing your daily “to … [Read more...]
5 essential questions in life
James Ryan, dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, gave a 2016 commencement address that went viral. Lessons he presented are enjoying a resurgence of late. Ryan notes that if we regularly ask five questions, our chances for personal and professional success and happiness are higher than if we don’t ask them. The questions are: What? (seeks clarification) I … [Read more...]
Drs. Blach and Clark hammer key points
This installment of Is My Practice Healthy? focuses on customer care, the beginnings of forecasting inventory and financial literacy. Each post is worth reading. Source: Is My Practice Healthy?, April 3, 2017. Ismypracticehealthy.com (IMPH) was designed to provide an educational venue and community where stakeholders in the veterinary industry can go to learn about … [Read more...]
Becky Turner Chapman bids farewell to veterinary media
Becky Turner Chapman, longtime vice president of UBM’s Veterinary division reflects on her animal health family as she retires after 30 years in veterinary publishing. She is a true leader, consummate professional and exemplary role model for women in our industry and will be missed. We wish her the best. Source: DVM360, March 29, 2017. Each and every day, UBM Americas, … [Read more...]
Transitioning at work
With the acceptance of transgender people on the rise, more employers are adopting specific policies for workers who are transitioning. Julie Cook Ramirez shares one person’s story and discusses the trends in dealing with blurred gender-line realities. According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2017 Corporate Equality Index, 82 percent of all Fortune 500 companies … [Read more...]
Lead, Coach, Manage
In my experience, the most effective and successful practices have a clear leader and effective coaches. Together, they efficiently manage the entire operation. We have written about leadership and management before. Today’s focus is coaching. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, March 12, 2017. The great sales coaches that I have known see teaching and training as a continuous need for … [Read more...]
Be aware of the causes of bloating
Spring pastures are greening up. Cattle grazing these lush grasses, especially immature legumes, are susceptible to bloat. It can occur in as little as 15 minutes or nearly two days after grazing. It can also be painfully deadly. Experts from Purdue University’s agronomy and animal sciences departments offer 10 tips to help avoid bloat, as well as a video showing how to tube a … [Read more...]
Stressed now, lame later
International hoof care consultant Karl Burgi identifies three primary incidences that can trigger lameness events: heat stress any episode of cows standing too long transition Source: Dairy Herd Management, March 31, 2017. Heat stress affects the feet? Yes, said Burgi, because hot cows stand more to try to cool off. When cows are standing, blood does not flow as … [Read more...]
Improve your finance skills, even if you hate numbers
If you’re not a numbers person, finance is daunting. “If you can speak the language of money, you will be more successful,” says Richard Ruback, a professor at Harvard Business School. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 31, 2017. Finance and accounting are very simple. It’s mostly addition and subtraction and occasionally some multiplication and division. There’s no … [Read more...]
Don’t leave the dishes in the sink
Maggie Seiler emphasizes the importance of cleaning procedures in dairies and reminds us of how susceptible dairy calves are to bacteria. Her cleaning tips are good for at home in our own sinks, in break rooms or areas where we clean animal care equipment. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, March 27, 2017. Particularly of concern are biofilm buildups that are hard to see and occur … [Read more...]
Organic or conventional – what’s better?
It’s hard to discuss organic versus conventional without using the word,“better”. A new paper written by University of British Columbia researchers looked into some of the pros and cons of each management style. Their summary helps shed light on some of the “betters” associated with both. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, April 3, 2017. Specifically, this study looked at … [Read more...]
Exceptional customer service, the extra mile
Celeste Van Deinse, LVT, shares ideas about how to enhance customer service. Our team especially liked her recommendations about considering young owners, communication on wait times and prioritizing follow-up calls. Source: MWI Messenger, April 2017, page 11-12. Going the extra mile can set your practice above the rest, helping to reduce client turnover rates while … [Read more...]
New information about chronic pain in declawed cats
Declaw once soared in popularity in the U.S. as more cats were now being kept indoors. Declaw was then, and is still thought by many, as a way to prevent indoor-only cats from damaging the home, therefore preventing relinquishment and unnecessary euthanasias. Steve Dale, CABC, shares a history of declawing pros/cons and discusses new information related to pain and … [Read more...]
Reverse zoonosis is an important global issue
Food animals are transported widely and interact with wild species that they would never encountered naturally. With rapid growth in animal production and an increase in movement of animals and people, a human pathogen in an animal could potentially move thousands of miles in just 24 hours. On top of increasing animal trade, we have a growing pet industry. Understanding how … [Read more...]
Badger buries bovine – must-see video
An American badger in Utah had an 11-day beef feast last fall after burying what appears to be a dead calf. Badgers have been observed burying small animals, which slows decomposition and allows them to be eaten later. This is the first time one burying something so big has been documented. Source: Quartz, April 3, 2017. I was really shocked and amazed, and really excited,” … [Read more...]
5 myths about the circus
Ringling Bros. announced the closure of its circus earlier this year and the Big Apple Circus filed for bankruptcy in in 2016. Janet M. Davis, a professor of history and American studies at the University of Texas at Austin, debunks five myths about the circus and offers a perspective of how animal rights activity has affected the industry and society in general. Source: … [Read more...]
Depression now the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide
Failure to adequately address depression can lead to financial loss for families, employers and governments, notes the World Health Organization. Worldwide depression rates increased 18 percent between 2005 and 2015. Source: Science of US, March 30, 2017. Depression now affects more than 300 million people globally, but a stigma associated with the condition still exists, … [Read more...]
Hobby horse competitions real (includes video)
Unlike other equestrian endeavors, this one does not require a big investment of money and time. Plus, safety risks are minimal. It does not even require an actual horse. Turns out, all you need is a stick…and a dream. Source: Horse Network, March 31, 2017. Welcome to the world of competitive hobbyhorsing. INSIGHTS: This looks like a good activity for a team building … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken basics always in order
Interest in raising chickens in backyards continues to grow. Bryant Gill with the Farm Report with Pam Jahnke interviews Ron Kaine, a University of Wisconsin Extension poultry specialist, to learn about backyard chicken basics. Source: Farm Report with Pam Jahnke, April 4, 2017. I usually tell people to choose one that you like because that’s going to make it more … [Read more...]
Test yourself: Define your sense of humor
Just for fun! Psychology researcher Rod Martin took a different tactic to measure humor, an amorphous, multifaceted concept, in a scientific way. Modeling his approach after recently developed tests to measure anxiety, he focused not on the jokes themselves, but on how respondents used humor in everyday life. The end result would become his signature work: the Humor Styles … [Read more...]
Not all disinfectants are equal
Animal health pros must be regularly reminded that not all disinfectants are created equal. The AASV study of disinfectant effect on Senecavirus A is stark reminder of the variances in disinfectant efficacies. Source: Pork Network, March 20, 2017. Household bleach, a phenolic disinfectant, and a quaternary ammonium-aldehyde disinfectant were tested at manufacturer’s … [Read more...]
Chick time
Springtime means chick time, and it’s one of Kassie Kreissler’s favorite times of the year. Local farm and feed stores are getting prepared for the many chirps that are chick days. Kassie reminds us that taking chicks home requires some preparation. Here are a few of many things to consider: Vaccinations Housing Feed Grit Water Heat Space … [Read more...]
The reasons why dogs fight with cats
Not all dogs and cats have to get along with each other to live happy lives, but it is important to know which dogs can live with cats and which ones can’t. This is especially critical for shelters seeking homes for dogs, because nobody wants to adopt a dog who will terrorize their cat. Source: The Bark, April 1, 2017. A recent study has increased what we know about which … [Read more...]
Top priority, keep dogs’ nails short and sweet
It seems like nobody likes to trim dog nails. Not pet owners, not the dog, nor anyone else, including vet techs and groomers). But for the health of all dogs, it must be done frequently enough to keep dogs’ nails short. Consider this article for websites, blogs, social media posts or a spring newsletter. Source: Whole Dog Journal, April 2, 2017. When nails are so long … [Read more...]