Given the number of interruptions animal health pros face daily, it is important to regularly return to this topic. An urgent item is a task that cries out for immediate attention. Important tasks are those that, once done, will add value for the long-term. Important tasks move you forward. Source: Entrepreneur, February 6, 2018. It's easy to let the urgent overtake the … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2018
A case for washing dishes
Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates both say that handling dinnerware is part of their daily routine. I agree. Here's why you should consider it: More (and better) ideas could flow as you rinse It keeps you humble You remember that helping even in small ways is still helping Source: Inc., November 2017. Small acts of service, such as washing the dishes, remind you that you … [Read more...]
How good breeders raise puppies
Fearless puppies don’t just pop out of their dam, say hello to the world and settle into biddable dogs. Linda Rehkopf shares her approach to raising puppies that grow into happy, confident dogs. Breeders and puppy owners alike will value this information. Source: Fear Free Happy Homes, January 30, 2018. Starting with a sire and dam that were both calm confident adults at … [Read more...]
Signs of a sick dog
Dog Breeds Center recently surfaced as another media source targeting animal owners. Mark Reed offers dog owners some signs that a dog might be sick. The tips are logical and the images represent situations well. Consider this resource for social media posts and website content. Source: Dog Breeds Center. All of these symptoms and any sudden behavioral change require an … [Read more...]
Horse personalities affect training and riding
Horses can display traits that qualify them as social, aloof, fearful and challenging. In addition to noting specific temperament traits that best match an individual horse, it is important to notice how loudly or quietly (aggressively or passively) the horse displays his personality. The more aggressive the personality traits are, the more they become a factor in the training … [Read more...]
Incorporating equine learning principles in the veterinary practice
To help veterinary team members reduce fear and problem behaviors while promoting positive veterinary care, Robin Foster, PhD, CAAB, CHBC, described behavior modification techniques based on principles of equine learning at the 2017 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention. Incorporating learning principles into equine practice all starts with addressing the … [Read more...]
Record attendance supports inaugural VMX (includes video)
Congratulations to the NAVC team for its success with its first VMX. The attendee summary shows solid improvement in the ratio of exhibitors to conference attendees. The theme, Your Education. Your Experience. Your Conference. is apparent in the VMX video which offers a flavor of the event. For veterinary team members, the educational opportunity was further enhanced by the … [Read more...]
Innovetive Pet Care acquires NC hospital
Founder’s Circle member, Innovetive Pet Care announced it acquired the veterinary management assets of Animal Hospital of Wilkes in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. In turning the reins over to Innovetive Petcare, Dr. John Stinson said, “We can now provide our doctors and staff better benefits and resources to ensure the Animal Hospital of Wilkes continues to excel. We look forward … [Read more...]
Protect cats from fleas
From the black plague during the 14th century to now, fleas have caused much grief. As summer approaches, it is important to reinforce flea control in indoor and outdoor cats. This article descrives flea control evolution, infection, modern control methods and products. Animal health pros who interact with cat owners will appreciate this straightforward discussion of feline … [Read more...]
5 signs of cat dental disease
JaneA Kelly reminds us the American Veterinary Dental Society says almost 70 percent of cats start showing signs of oral disease by their third birthday. Because cats hide their pain, cat owners may not know a cat’s mouth is hurting until its oral disease becomes severe. Of course, a preventive care program consisting of brushing your cat’s teeth daily is recommended. The … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club: virtual value
Gifted Leaders founder and VetPartners President Dr. Jeff Thoren hosted an engaging Bridge Club virtual conversation, “Mind Full or Mindful? Maintaining a Peaceful Presence in a Hectic World,” February 19th. Thoren offered his go-to resources and getting-started recommendations. For those who stayed for the after-party discussion, participants revealed some terrific … [Read more...]
CDC begs people to stop cuddling chickens
More people are now getting salmonella for reasons we’ve noted on AHD multiple times: showing too much love for their backyard chickens. Last year, 23 percent of the people who reported contracting salmonella from homegrown fowl had recently kissed their chickens (seven percent) or snuggled them (16 percent), shares Dr. Megin Nichols. Nichols investigates salmonella and E. coli … [Read more...]
Customer service is the new marketing
People have lost their faith in gimmicky and overstated mass marketing campaigns, shares Micah Solomon. Today, they place more stock in what they experience directly with your company, what their friends experience and what the people they listen to online experience. He says adding emotional transportation to your customer’s experience makes it marketing. Source: Forbes, … [Read more...]
KC Animal Health Corridor continuing workforce development efforts
A 2015 study predicting a shortage in skilled labor for manufacturing jobs spurred Kansas City area manufacturers to begin developing meaningful workforce solutions. Since then, the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor has worked alongside industry executives to close skill gaps affecting the global animal health industry. One tool KCAHC developed is ExploreKCCareers.com. It … [Read more...]
Home tooth infection care ill-advised
Jackie Brown’s article, “Dog tooth infection signs and treatments,” includes information about home remedies. He engages the expertise of John Huff, DVM, FAVD, Dipl. AVDC, to discuss dental challenges. Huff explains, “If you think your dog might have a tooth infection, don’t try to treat it at home. All the brushing in the world doesn’t correct the infection. Instead, make … [Read more...]
AVMA, Merck collaborate on veterinarian mental health study
Veterinarians younger than 45 years old are more likely to experience serious psychological distress, according to a new survey conducted in collaboration with the American Veterinary Medical Association and Merck Animal Health. According to the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study, younger veterinarians are more affected by the financial and emotional stresses of … [Read more...]
The underdog strategy may make you a winner
Victimhood is a popular excuse these days for being unhappy. It doesn’t have to be this way. Certainly, there are people with greater advantages than you. This simply means you need to work smarter and harder to achieve your version of success and now there is a strategy that will enhance your chances of success. Source: Women@Forbes, February 6 2018. Have the courage to … [Read more...]
Second annual Veterinary Emerging Topics® (VET) Report
Kudos to Banfield Pet Hospital® and The NAVC® for collaborating on The 2018 VET Report. It focuses on feline antimicrobial usage and the mounting public health issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The 2017 VET Report addressed AMR in dogs. A lack of awareness about existing guidelines for antimicrobial usage in veterinary medicine has contributed to discordance between … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – My MAXI/GUARD® surprise in Better Homes and Garden
During a recent visit to the grocery, I picked-up a copy of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. A one-page article featuring a Pug titled, “Happy Teeth” caught my eye. It referenced Jan Bellows, president of the Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry. My surprise was under the heading, “The Right Tools” in the right-hand column. Number 1 called out MAXI/GUARD® Oral Cleansing … [Read more...]
GlobalVetLINK, investment announcement to fuel regulatory compliance
GlobalVetLINK (GVL®), a leader in digital animal health compliance solutions, today announced a significant investment led by Lead Edge Capital. “GlobalVetLINK is the leader of the veterinary compliance space, and we see huge opportunities for their technology on an even broader scale,” Nimay Mehta, partner at Lead Edge Capital, said. The GVL platform connects animal health … [Read more...]
Up next on The Bridge Club
Join The Bridge Club virtual event, Mind full or mindful? Maintaining a peaceful presence in a hectic world: Expert: Jeff Thoren, DVM, PCC, BCC, VetPartners president and Gifted Leaders founder Topic: The practice of mindfulness. Dr. Thoren will share a very real look at challenges and benefits including suggestions to help take positive first steps. Date/Time: … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club, new platform for veterinary community (includes video)
Whether you meet over cards, a beverage or meal with industry colleagues, the conversations can be valued and cherished. Brenda Andresen and Catherine Haskins have developed The Bridge Club as the first video-based, professional community. The video conference platform promises to return to face-to-face discussions on topics relevant to veterinary professionals. Andresen and … [Read more...]
The best leaders are teachers
SuperBowl LII is in the books. Much of the discussion surrounding the results encompassed leadership and coaching legacies. Sydney Finkelstein has studied leadership in organizations for over a decade. He shares his surprise on the extent to which star managers emphasize ongoing, intensive one-on-one tutoring of their direct reports, either in person or virtually, in the course … [Read more...]
Ketamine: let’s review
Ketamine continues to be extensively used in the anesthetic management of horses, nonhuman primates and other non-domesticated species. However, its popularity as an anesthetic induction agent in dogs and cats continues to decline in the United States. Khursheed Mama, DVM, DACVAA, Colorado State University reviews ketamine with this outline: Pharmacokinetics and clinic … [Read more...]
Opinion – Weaning age variations in pig production
The quotes below are from two excellent articles demonstrating options in pig production. Data aside, economics frequently override what’s best for piglets and sows. Part of this stems from how the swine industry has been vertically integrated and where revenue is created in the process. In beef production, calves that do not survive or are sick are often charged back on the … [Read more...]
How to launch and profit from a rewards program
As a veterinary practice and its client base grows, employees turn over and team member roles get fragmented. Identifying top clients and consistently rewarding and reinforcing their behavior becomes increasingly difficult. Practices want to be sure these loyal, trusting best clients feel appreciated and valued. This is where a loyalty rewards program can come into … [Read more...]
10 obesity related conditions in fat pets
Nationwide reports that its members filed 1.4 million pet insurance claims for conditions and diseases related to obesity in 2017. They sorted through its database of more than 630,000 insured pets to determine the top 10 most common dog and cat obesity related conditions. Source: DVM 360, January 26, 2018. Nationwide data from 2016 showed more than 51,000 pet insurance … [Read more...]
AVJR, February 2018
Research about obese cats continues. The study titled Effects of weight loss with a moderate-protein, high-fiber diet on body composition, voluntary physical activity, and fecal microbiota of obese cats will be of interest to companion animal practices as they deal with obesity in cats. Source: AVJR, February 2018. (limited access) … [Read more...]
Beware the whites of K-9 eyes
Wide, bulging eyes that show the whites of dogs’ eyes is a behavior referred to as whale eyes. Jill Breitner explains whale eyes are a sign of fear that shouldn't be ignored. Source: Dogster, January 23, 2018. If you even think you see whale eyes, err on the side of caution. Stop what you’re doing, assess the situation and proceed to redirect the dog to something else to … [Read more...]
10 human foods dogs can eat
Rose Frosek shares healthful people foods that can be shared, guilt-free, with dogs. This list can be used on social media, in newsletters and websites. Who knows? Maybe, if the dog eats green veggies, so will the children. Source: Modern Dog. Remember that treats and other additions to your dog’s regular meal should comprise no more than 10 percent of their daily intake. … [Read more...]