Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA, delivers a twisted take on the importance of purebred pets, puppy mills and irresponsible breeding methods to veterinary practices. Where would you be without your purebred patients? It’s true! If we waved a wand and eliminated purebreds, the economics of our profession would be instantly turned upside down. We’d see record unemployment among generalists … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2018
Manage the environment to reduce dog-on-dog household aggression
Pat Miller reminds us that not all dogs get along, even though they are a social species. He reviews potential stressors and offers counter measures to reduce the tensions in a household. Source: Whole Dog Journal, January 3, 2018. Link. When you have identified your dogs’ triggers, you can manage their environment to reduce trigger incidents and minimize outright conflict. … [Read more...]
Virtual pig farm tour educates grade-schoolers (includes video)
The Nebraska Farm Bureau virtual field trip program recently helped second grade students in Nebraska experience some swine production steps. Students used the internet to interact with the swine producer and learn more about where their food comes from. Source: Nebraska Farm Bureau, May 11, 2018. Link. Getting an up-close look at a pig is not something everyone gets the … [Read more...]
In-person VCPR is key, even for telemedicine
Beyond legal and liability reasons, establishing a veterinary-client-patient relationship needs to start with an in-person visit, says the AVMA. On-site visits help ensure all senses get engaged. Source: AVMA@Work, May 16, 2018. Link. The AVMA Telehealth Resource Center is your go-to information source, with basic definitions and frequently asked questions, practical steps … [Read more...]
Virulent Newcastle disease confirmed in U.S. backyard flock
The first case of virulent Newcastle disease in the U.S. since 2003 has been confirmed in a small flock of backyard exhibition chickens in Los Angeles County, California. In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free … [Read more...]
Tom Gillespie, DVM, named among 2018 Pork Masters
Passionate aptly describes Dr. Tom Gillespie. Whether it is the pigs, production challenges, pork producers or global industry colleagues he can be counted on to help make pork production more efficient, safe and valuable. He is always ready for the next challenge. Source: National Hog Farmer, May 22, 2018. Link. For Gillespie, communication is one of the major challenges … [Read more...]
Align your job with your motives
Do you ever need to psych yourself up to go to work? If so, your job might not align with your personal motives. This is important because motives are the place from which you draw energy. Consider these five common motives to could identify what drives you. Source: Fast Company, April 30, 2018. Link. A mismatch in job and motives will wear you down and eventually cause you … [Read more...]
Heat index resource helps cattlemen
A common question heard in cattle country is, “Is it too hot to work cattle today?” Thanks to a collaborative effort between the USDA, Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University, the University of Oklahoma and the weather co-op known as Mesonet, we now have a National Cattle Comfort Index guide and mapping program readily available on the internet. The program was … [Read more...]
Those extra coyotes you see are real
If it seems like coyotes are everywhere, it’s because they are. A North Carolina State University professor and graduate student mapped the historic range of coyotes using archaeological and fossil records. They then plotted the coyotes’ range expansion across North America from 1900 to 2016 and reviewed more than 12,500 records covering 10,000 years. The study adds to the … [Read more...]
Training is better remembered when administered in small doses
Managing the forgetting curve is critical in training programs and life in general. Studies suggest that as much as 90 percent of information is forgotten within 30 days, and 70 percent of that loss happens within one day. Derek Smith reviews how corporate trainers are approaching this age-old problem. Source: Training Industry, May/June 2018. Link. To combat the forgetting … [Read more...]
Tips from the world of procrastination research
We were going to post this a couple weeks ago, but we put it off. 😉 Psychological research has revealed that procrastination is an emotion-management problem. When we procrastinate, we get relief from facing an aversive task now. That’s why we procrastinate. These scientific findings are reflected in our everyday experiences with statements such as: “I don’t feel like … [Read more...]
Go ahead, skip that networking event
David Burkus asserts that networking events often fail to live up to their billing. He instead recommends getting involved in activities with a purpose or higher stakes. Source: Harvard Business Review, May 14, 2018. Link. The problem with networking events is that there’s no bigger purpose other than just having conversations with people, and without that bigger purpose — … [Read more...]
Average employees are worse than bad ones
There are three ways mediocre employees present themselves: They don't acknowledge when they're falling short They're unwilling to learn new skills (or improve old ones) They love to play the victim Source: Inc., May 9, 2018. Link. Average employees shouldn't dictate a company's success. Demand excellence from employees, give them the resources they need to … [Read more...]
Opinion: Fly services have potential
There is historical rationale in the recommendation for veterinary practices to add a fly control service for their clients. More than 35 years ago, we had master fly-baiter contests and awards to help promote fly control at a time when our industry was just learning the science behind preventing production losses and transfer of diseases such as pinkeye and anaplasmosis. In … [Read more...]
Culling and re-homing chickens aren’t always the best options
Lisa Steele shares her perspectives for aging hens after they quit laying eggs. This information can be especially helpful for backyard chicken raisers. Source: Countryside Daily, May 15, 2018. Link. Older chickens serve a purpose, says Steele. Consider: Older chickens make better broodies Older chickens make better mothers The eggs of older chickens are generally … [Read more...]
Five dairy “do NOT do’s” in 2018
Nutritionist Mike Hutjens offers wisdom for dairymen facing low milk prices and low margins: Do not - Remove minerals from rations Cheat heifers; slow down growth Delay breeding with longer calving intervals Avoid body condition scores > 3.25 without rBST Saving a dime and lose a dollar (organic trace minerals, hoof trimming, bull breeding) Source: … [Read more...]
Pest busters for 2018
Here’s a great list of products available for animal pest control. From premise sprays to pour-ons managing insects is critical to production successes. Source: BEEF, May 2018], page 22. Link. Available products for parasites and pest management. INSIGHTS: Consider printing these pages to use as a handy reference when discussing products in these categories with … [Read more...]
Opinion – Manage maggots and bots in dogs and cats
Images of screwworm infestations in newly born kittens, ferrets and rabbits before 1966 still bring nightmares. Clear are the memories of tiny, near-hairless, days-old animals lying across my palm while we systematically removed screw worms from holes nearly the size of a pencil eraser. Fly control product stations were everywhere on our farm. We bought ducks to help clean … [Read more...]
JAVMA, May 15th Issue
Questions about prolonging an animal’s life, economics of a veterinary degree awareness about a veterinary career, summary of the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study and features of horses treated for recurrent colic are some great items in this issue. Source: JAVMA, May 15, 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Equine animal health pros will want to review the recurrent colic … [Read more...]
Amarillo to get new Texas Tech vet school
The Amarillo, Texas, city council approved an arrangement last week that guarantees a concept for a new Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine will become reality. The city will support an Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) pledge of up to $69 toward the $90 million project. This will be the first new veterinary school in the U.S. in 40 … [Read more...]
Fading kitten syndrome is real. Not all born alive will live.
There is now a scientific explanation for kittens born alive, but don’t live long. Dr. Eric Barchas says it is fading kitten syndrome. He explains, a staggering proportion of kittens succumb to fading kitten syndrome before they reach nine weeks of age. Fifteen percent to 27 percent die before nine weeks of age even in well-managed catteries. Source: Catster, May 10, 2018. … [Read more...]
Price, price, price
When products move from single channel to multi-channel sources, there are sensitivities around price to the consumer. The real issue is on dispensed items such as flea, tick, heartworm, parasiticides and in some cases NSAIDs and vaccines. The team at Vet Advantage put together a price benchmarking tool to help veterinary teams understand how certain products are priced across … [Read more...]
Vet tech nerd book works as a second brain
Julie Carlson, CVT, was tasked by her lab teacher to make a nerd book while in vet tech school. It is essentially a portable cheat sheet for day-to-day veterinary technician life in a note-card sized binder that fits in scrub pockets. Firstline has partnered with Carlson to start a series which will offer free, downloadable PDFs to use to put your own nerd book … [Read more...]
Veterinarian’s cat-handling tutorial goes viral (includes video)
Dr. Uri Burstyn, medical director of Arbutus West Animal Clinic and Vancouver East Veterinary Clinic, posts online instructional videos about caring for cats. His most recent video, “How to pick up a cat like a pro – Vet advice on cat handling,” has become a surprise hit, with nearly three million views on YouTube Source: Global News Online, May 14, 2018. Link. Burstyn … [Read more...]
Fear Free tips to handle big dogs
Mikkel Becker offers some tips to avoid injury while handling, lifting, restraining and caring for large and giant-sized canines. She says to consider the following strategies: Avoid the wrestling match. Evaluate your default. Dig for the root. Do your future self a favor. Replace restraint. Pharmaceuticals could be your friend. Treat yo’ patient. … [Read more...]
Gen Z puts brands on notice
This spring’s high school graduates are the first Gen Z persons to enter the work force or colleges. Gen Z is bypassing the traditional political system and focusing on consumerism as a channel for change, according to a recent study. This generation is expecting brands to use their platform for good, especially as they feel the political system and politicians has let them … [Read more...]
Dogs and their owners may live forever
George Church, a biologist at Harvard Medical School, thinks he might be able to help dogs live longer lives and bring age-defeating treatments for humans to market at the same time. In fact, he has cofounded the company Rejuvenate Bio, to do it. It claims preliminary tests on beagles make animals “younger” by adding new DNA instructions to their bodies. Source: MIT … [Read more...]
Better be early
I have a magic pill to sell you. It will help you make more money, be happier, look thinner, and have better relationships. It’s a revolutionary new pharmaceutical product called Late-No-More. Just one dose every day will allow you to show up on time, greatly enhancing your life and the lives of those around you. Source: Forbes, August 2, 2015. Link. There’s a reason we set … [Read more...]
Erin Brenneman sharing farm life with a new generation
Our industry is blessed to have passionate advocates like Erin Brenneman, the city girl turned pig farmer and social media maven. Her story is lived out across the country on farms and livestock production locations, but few dedicate themselves to educating a new generation. This is a must-read for animal health pros. Brenneman’s passion helps people from all backgrounds … [Read more...]
Pet owners are alarmingly unaware about flea and tick dangers
Despite herculean efforts over more than two decades, a new study reveals 72 percent of pet owners don't research flea and tick prevention. Only half say they treat their pets year-round. Source: Pet Product News, May 9, 2018. Link. A new consumer study, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Merck Animal Health, reveals that there are knowledge gaps among U.S. pet owners … [Read more...]