The term burnout has been applied to everything from being tired during the weekend to the malaise of an entire generation. The WHO legitimized what it calls “burn-out” recognizing in the latest version of its International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health problems, a handbook for recognized medical conditions < link >. Source: World Economic … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2019
Dogs need vets to manage arthritis
Veterinarian Kathryn Primm reminds us that May is National Arthritis Awareness Month. It is a perfect time to be aware of the subtle signs pets who might be in pain from conditions such as arthritis provide and to seek veterinary help when necessary. The article is worthy of posting on social media or in e-newsletters. Source: Fear Free Happy Homes, May 6, 2019. Link. If … [Read more...]
Keep dog paws healthy
Christine Caplan, CVT, reviews the various aspects of dog paw health. She says foot problems can be as uncomfortable for dogs as they are for us. Caplan provides this list of common problems and conditions: Allergies Seasonal hazards Cuts, abrasions, lacerations Nail problems Cracked or dry pads Growths Source: Animal Wellness Magazine, May 28, 2019. … [Read more...]
Man’s best friend ready to help with summer chores
Caution! These pics will make you smile. Summer may seem late, but it will get here soon. It’s likely a dog will be along for the ride. Farm Journal’s Sonja Begemann compiled a fun set of dog photos working farms and checking cattle. Source: AgWeb, May 28, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: This may provide inspiration for a local clinic photo contest featuring the best farm and ranch … [Read more...]
Study: Dogs act as sentinels to human risk for Lyme disease
New research from the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) quantifies the association between canine seroprevalence for the disease-causing bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, and human incidence of Lyme disease, the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the U.S. The overall association shows that human incidence increases as dog seroprevalence increases. Source: Infection … [Read more...]
Why cats bite
They can be lying there purring, docile and without warning, cats sometimes start biting. Cat behavior expert Dusty Rainbolt shares a few reasons why cats bite: Health problems and pain Aggressive play Defense and offense Love bites and petting If the ears go back and the tail starts moving, stop petting the cat. – Dusty Rainbolt Source: Catster, May 21, 2019. … [Read more...]
Pet food smell important for pets and pet owners (includes video)
Diana Pet Food’s Chloe’ Champion and Perrine Delime share the challenges of satisfying both pet palates and owners’ noses when developing pet diets. . . . pet food must smell great to both the pet and the owner Source: Appetizer, May 12, 2018. Link. Data from an online consumer survey showed 25 percent of respondents said that pet food odor was a very important criterion … [Read more...]
Synchronizing cows not as simple as a shot
Bethany Johnston and Aaron Berger explain the fundamentals of shortening the calving season using estrus synchronization. While simple in practice, producers need to remember that a number of factors affect pregnancy rate including cow body condition score, plane of nutrition, cattle health and bull fertility. Utilizing natural service with estrus synchronization requires … [Read more...]
Preweaning BRD is the leading cause of mortality in young calves
Presentations during the recent Academy of Veterinary Consultants meeting reviewed research with BRD-caused mortality in young calves. The mix of pathogens involved in preweaning BRD is similar to older calves. Diagnostics labs find Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, mycoplasma and coronavirus, usually in association with at least one other … [Read more...]
Be watchful for rain rot on horses
With record rainfall across much of the country, horses may get rain rot. Its signs are unmistakable: After coming in from the rain, the horse's coat begins to stand up in a peculiar pattern, either bordered by the "drip line" of rain runoff or in patches Beginning to smooth it down, you feel a radiating heat and the horse flinches from the touch By the next day, … [Read more...]
Considerations for adjusting equine vaccinations
A horse’s circumstances can change enough during a year that his vaccination program needs changing. Some instances that call for a review or of a vaccine routine include: Location Increased interaction with other horses Advancing age Source: EQUUS, March 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Risks can come from other animals that frequent a location. Raccoons, skunks, … [Read more...]
Bats are nature’s pest control
As we sat on the deck during a recent evening, bats from behind the neighbor’s chimney awoke to fly over the neighboring yards. After counting 36 of them, I stopped as they went about their insect control. Amanda Radke writes about the pros and stigmas concerning promoting bat populations for pest control. Source: BEEF, May 20, 2019. Link. Bats may have a negative … [Read more...]
Foreign animal diseases beyond ASF can wreak havoc
While ASF is currently getting all the attention, are other infectious agents could have similar economic effects and cripple the U.S. pork industry and exports, writes Attila Farkas, DVM. She discusses other diseases that have potential to hurt swine production in the U.S. Source: National Hog Farmer, May 28, 2019. Link. In modern day swine production, free trade … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Pet Anxiety Awareness Campaign kicks off June 2nd
Kristen Levine began a campaign three years ago to raise awareness about the need to recognize the symptoms of fear, anxiety and stress (FAS) in dogs and cats. She wants to encourage pet parents to speak to their veterinarians about how to get their pets relief. An estimated 50% of dogs and cats suffer from FAS Source: Cision, May 21, 2019. Link. Each week in June one of the … [Read more...]
AAFP releases diabetes educational toolkit
Effective management and treatment of feline diabetes is based on a combination of patient goals, finances, implementation of a treatment plan and the patient’s response. A strong partnership between the veterinarian and the cat caregiver is key to achieve optimal results. To help veterinarians and cat owners better understand and manage diabetic cats, the AAFP has released … [Read more...]
Top 3 most common pet insurance claims from 5 providers
ASPCA Pet Insurance, Embrace, Nationwide, Pets Best and Trupanion shared their top three most common claims of 2018 with Veterinary Economics. For veterinary teams, these lists represent opportunities for discussion and consensus around treatment, products and preparations. Salespersons can use these lists as a backdrop for pre-call planning and product … [Read more...]
Cheat sheet helps when considering new equipment
It’s easy to get caught up financially analyzing an equipment buy for a veterinary hospital. Brendan Howard summarizes guidance from Karen Felstad, DVM, about various rationales for purchases. For salespersons, Felstad’s nine questions to ask before an equipment purchase reads like a pre-call planner for items to discuss or defend. Source: Veterinary Economics, May 17, … [Read more...]
Choose your mentor carefully
Having a mentor can be the catalyst for enriching career development in nearly every industry. Mentors not only bestow real-life lessons and skills upon their mentees, but also open doors to professional networks, facilitating connections to other professionals who can help shape career success. So look for these characteristics when choosing your mentor. Source: Forbes, May … [Read more...]
Amazon is primed for growth (includes podcast)
With 100 million Amazon Prime customers globally, the company continues to grow and grow. It has entered market segments we never imagined and now owns 49 percent or more of all online sales. Professor Sunil Gupta and Host Brian Kenny discuss a case study Gupta researched and offer insights into Amazon’s insidious growth. Source: HBR Working Knowledge, May 21, 2019. … [Read more...]
Changes in middle class affect business growth
Animal health pros often examine local population economics. Pavithra Mohan reviews the history of the middle class and how the definition of it and expectations of those in it have changed and will continue to do so.. In 2019, the prevailing feeling among the self-anointed middle class may be a lack of financial security and job stability, but also a narrowing path to upward … [Read more...]
Opinion – Getting work done while dealing with being human, part 2
Last week, we started a series about getting work done. Beyond all the advice, processes and systems is a human element that is challenged by our VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) world. Any mom or dad can find meeting parenting demands often seems in direct conflict with raising kids. On the other end of too busy is not busy enough. As you’ll see, there are … [Read more...]
EQUUS pop quiz: horse terms
Revisit horse-related terms and information with SAT-style analogy questions. It’s a fun way to be sure your knowledge of terms is current and where you have gaps. Have fun! Source: EQUUS, May 3, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Horse sense required for barefoot trimming
David Ramey, DVM, tackles the barefoot trimming fad where horses have shoes removed and hooves trimmed to run barefoot. He says some proponents of barefoot trimming sometimes take a fanatical leap and may assert that shoes for horses are never a good thing, and that they always cause harm. Ramey disagrees for three big reasons: The stated assumption that “barefoot is … [Read more...]
Calf rescued from badger hole (includes ‘feel-good’ video)
In what he calls the most bizarre incident in his career, Brad Osadczuk, an Alberta, Canada, rancher rescued a calf that had fallen into a badger hole. The cow kept telling him something was wrong. Source: Drovers, May 21, 2019. Link. “She kept on going back to this spot. When you walk up, you couldn’t see anything. It just was prairie grass. I happened to walk up to a … [Read more...]
Get serious about kidding time
Goat popularity continues to rise. As people learn to raise them, it is inevitable they will experience kidding time. Durvet’s Kassie Miller assembled a goat kidding kit to help prepare for that magical phase. This is a good list to help goat raisers be prepared. Source: Durvet. Link. Advanced prepping and quick access ensures access will ensure you will have all the tools … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens have caused 21-state salmonella outbreaks
Fifty-two people in 21 states have contracted salmonella from backyard poultry according to the CDC. Five patients have been hospitalized and 28 percent of those sickened by these home-based chicks and ducklings are children under age 5. Don’t kiss your chickens! < link > Source: USA Today, May 17, 2019. Link. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact … [Read more...]
Microbiome; it’s a bug eat bug world
“The microbiome is a collection of different microorganisms that we find in the intestinal tract of animals, and we know these microorganisms are essential to immune development,” says Christopher Chase, DVM. “Understanding how they interact with the gut, and particularly the epithelium of the gut, is really important.” In the last decade, research has shown the epithelial … [Read more...]
5 quota-killing mistakes only experienced salespeople make
Jeff Hoffman gives perspective about seasoned salespersons and offers steps that can help avoid making common errors. He lists these five mistakes he has observed with seasoned reps: They over-qualify They lean too heavily on existing champions They stop learning They haven't networked within their company They ignore the importance of small … [Read more...]
Opinion – Get truly curious about the customer
Customers recognize selective listening and when we aren’t asking the right questions or probing to understand what’s really happening and learning what it means to them personally or professionally, according to David Brock. They’re often looking look for our help but find us unwilling to take the time to understand their markets, their business, their strategies . . . their … [Read more...]
Opinion – FREE, one-day shipping is an oxymoron
Amazon recently announced it will spend $800M to bring free, one-day shipping to Prime members. This is an indictment of our increasing inability to plan past our noses. Distribution companies have been fighting this costly next-day fight for years, often without directly assessing the increased costs to customers who require the service. Failure to plan is simply a plan to … [Read more...]