The Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine is a big step closer to reality as of last Friday. The Texas Legislature’s Conference Committee for the state budget voted to include $17.4 million to establish the school at Texas Tech in Amarillo. The budget is now on its way the House and Senate before getting Governor Greg Abbott’s signature. Source: Lubbock … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2019
If you are approached by a service dog without its owner, it may need your help
Ashley Brewer shares what to do if a service dog approaches you without its owner. In all likelihood, the owner needs help. Share this article using social media, e-newsletters and texts. Knowing how to engage the animal to help you find its owner is important because it is different than how we’ve been trained. Source: Animal Planet, May 9, 2019. Link. . . . any verbal cue … [Read more...]
50 ways dogs communicate with their people
The position your dog sleeps in means something, writes Inno Asuncion. He shares 50 more common dog behaviors explained in human terms. This is fun to share on social media, in e-newsletters or as part of a follow-up message after initial clinic or retail visits. Source: Animal Planet, August 21, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
New AVMA website provides resources for veterinary students, early professionals
The AVMA recently launched a new website to help guide veterinary students and early career veterinarians. My Veterinary Life < link > is intended to help navigate the transition from student to veterinarian, nurture personal wellbeing, and establish strong financial habits. Source: AVMA. Link. The website represents AVMA’s commitment to provide guidance, direction and … [Read more...]
Top 10 ways to lead by example
Joel Dickerson started working with Petroleum Service Corporation loading railcars. Now president, he leads the firm that serves petrochemical, refining, midstream and marine transportation industries. He recently shared his Leadership Top 10 during the company’s awards banquet. It is a list worth studying because he developed it from real-life experiences, not a … [Read more...]
Compassionate, directness are transformative when combined
We define it (compassionate directness) as empowering employees to speak up, give feedback, disagree, and surface problems, pain points and constructive criticism. And to do this immediately, continuously, and with clarity, but also to do it with compassion, empathy and understanding. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, May 9, 2019. Link. According to a poll from H.R. management … [Read more...]
Lifetime value of clients helps determine marketing spend
What is the most you can spend to acquire a new client for your veterinary practice and still be profitable? If you do not know, you're not alone. I developed a formula that helps determine what you can afford to pay to gain a new client based on its lifetime value of to your practice. Calculate your number to eliminate any marketing efforts that aren't profitable. Source: … [Read more...]
Canine parvovirus spiking again
Recent reports of canine parvovirus (CPV) infections in areas around the country remind us of how prevalent and challenging this virus is in dogs. CPV itself is small and nonenveloped, making it one of the more robust viruses affecting animals. While our industry has been fighting CPV for nearly 50 years, the only way to stop its spread is to vaccinate dogs. Because of its … [Read more...]
Thunder, firecrackers and more loud sounds
Spring storms have been frequent and loud this year in the Midwest. Add graduation celebrations with fireworks and it’s a noise-averse dog’s nightmare. Bonnie Beaver, DVM, shares strategies for managing sound sensitivity in dogs. The information is an excellent reference to share with dog owners frequently. Studies have suggested that nearly 49% of dogs are reported by … [Read more...]
Collegiate meat judging featured by Sports Illustrated
Comparing the core components to NCAA athletics, Mike Piellucci goes in-depth into the recruitment, rivalries, commitment, competitions and impact of this intercollegiate meat judging. The skill set of a champion meat judge is both eminently teachable and difficult to master: quick decision making, critical reasoning, self-assurance and, above all, the ability to quiet one’s … [Read more...]
May is National Beef Month
There’s plenty to appreciate when it comes to beef. It’s in the hamburger you cook on your grill, the gelatin that makes up the marshmallow you roast, the gum you chew, the medicines you take, the soap you wash with and in many other products. Beef and its by-products have an immense impact on our society and around the world. Source: Kansas Farm Food Connection. Link. . . . … [Read more...]
Opinion – Getting work done while dealing with being human, part 1
There are myriad recommendations for improving our work productivity. For some, it is just hard to get through the day without dealing with yet another system. So instead of highlighting another way to get it done, I’ll present articles in the coming weeks that include human stuff, such as being overwhelmed, being a working mother, slow times and rapid changes, and a good … [Read more...]
Trim chicken beaks, claws and spurs
Chickens’ spurs, toenails and beaks are made of keratin continually grow says Gail Damerow. Like dogs, chickens naturally wear down toenails and beaks unless their environment reduces the scratching and surface contact needed. Then its time to trim. The diagrams provided will be familiar to animal health pros, they simply feature chickens instead of dogs or cats. Source: … [Read more...]
Goats are cute, but they aren’t easy pets
Brian Barth wonders if 2019 will be the year that goats join dogs, cats and parrots in the pantheon of animals that have gone from wild to domesticated. Barbara Jamison, owner of Puget Sound Goat Rescue, shares goat husbandry requirements about this farm animal trying to become a pet. They include: Most importantly, you must adopt at least two. Herd animals are profoundly … [Read more...]
Top 50 pet food companies in the world
This is a compelling look at economic mass in the pet food industry based on 2018 results. The companies listed also have links associated with them. Source: Petfood Industry, May 2019. Link. Also see: Pet market trends, signals from other services, Petfood Industry, May 2019. Link. The increasing use of non-medical pet services extends even to daily dog care needs . . … [Read more...]
Rural infrastructures declining, negatively affecting agriculture (includes video)
Safe, efficient transportation methods are crucial to successful agriculture. Aging of roads, bridges, railroads, waterway technologies and ports challenges how we will move ag products around our country and the world. Natalina Sents investigates the decline in rural infrastructure and what can be done to fix it. Source: Successful Farming, May 6, 2019. Link. The … [Read more...]
Transparent negotiations, a counterintuitive approach
Author Todd Caponi shares how playing your cards face up on your pricing model can result in: Elevated mutual trust right through to the finish line Higher deal values where clients are giving you something for everything they take More predictable deals Source: Sales and Marketing Management, May 12, 2019. Link. Negotiation doesn’t need to be difficult. . . … [Read more...]
Coping with disagreements
From time to time, team members get into disagreements. Conflicts and disagreements are a difficult aspect of working life. Unfortunatelly, a disagreement between two team members often spreads to others. Jonathon Hancock sought top tips from his network for dealing with the disagreements that arise. Source: Mind Tools, May 9, 2019. Link. The financial costs of … [Read more...]
Veterinarian’s close call with suicide highlights industry wide problem (includes videos)
Two veterinarians share experiences by video in an effort to keep other veterinarians from contemplating suicide. The suicide rate among veterinarians is twice the national average, due to long work hours, high student debt, a quest for perfection and clinical outcomes that can be heartbreaking. Source: WUSA9, May 14, 2019. Link. Will McCauley, DVM and Chris Miller, DVM … [Read more...]
Commercial content from AAHA NEWStat
We captured the commercially sponsored content below as featured in AAHA NEWStat for review. Source: AAHA NEWStat. Link. How do you know which pet supplements are safe?, May 1, 2019. Link. Sponsored by Rx Vitamins Survey reveals good opportunity for veterinarians to include feline MCS assessments, May 1, 2019. Link. Sponsored by Kindred BioSciences BabelBark … [Read more...]
Oh, my aching cat
As cats age, arthritis is a likely challenge. One study showed 90 percent of cats over the age of 12 experience some radiographic signs of arthritis. Young cats can also suffer from this condition. Excess weight and obesity add to the problems. Cailin Heinze, VMD, discusses joint supplementation and indicate glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and omega-3 fatty acids are widely … [Read more...]
Common skin problems in cats
From allergic dermatitis to rodent ulcers, a variety of skin problems can afflict cats. Janice Huntingford, DVM, reviews the most common ones, along with their causes and treatments. Source: Animal Wellness, July 6, 2018. Link. Regardless of cause, allergic dermatitis frequently manifests as “miliary dermatitis,” which is not a specific disease but rather a disease … [Read more...]
Behaviorist tells how to stop cats from scratching furniture
Marilyn Krieger discusses scratching behaviors of cats and how cat owners can train them to scratch in acceptable places. She reminds us that scratching is natural and instinctive to all felines. They scratch because: Scratching objects is one of the ways cats communicate. Scratching is a displacement behavior After napping, there is nothing as fulfilling as a slow … [Read more...]
Take Fido for a bike ride in his own basket
John Wood offers a look at five bicycle baskets that allow a pet owner to take a smaller dog along for a ride. He says the baskets are safer than a small dog running alongside a rider. Biking enthusiasts will enjoy getting this information via social media or in an e-newletter. Source: All Things Dog, May 13, 2019. Link. Choose properly-sized pet baskets which have: … [Read more...]
Brucella canis confirmed in Iowa commercial breeding facility
Canine brucellosis is considered zoonotic and is highly contagious among dogs. It causes severe reproductive problems. Iowa's State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand, confirmed several cases of "canine Brucellosis" coming from a commercial small-dog breeding facility in Marion County southeast of Des Moines. When spread to humans, a rare occurrence, B. canis produces flu-like … [Read more...]
Expand your social reach with Facebook stories
It seems like Facebook changes every day. At least it gives us the courtesy of telling us the direction in which it’s moving. Its recent focus has been expanding Facebook Stories. How can you make best use of Stories to grow your business? Facebook offers these suggestions: Create ads that leverage speed to keep readers' attention. Stories with sound lead to better … [Read more...]
Fighting decision fatigue at home and work
Beckie Mossor, RVT, shares information about our growing understanding of decision fatigue. It is the worst when we have too many decision to make in a short amount of time, she writes. Decision fatigue affects individuals differently, and factors like sleep, nutrition and stress also help determine our mental stamina. She shares simple steps we can take to decrease the … [Read more...]
True grit helps you achieve
It turns out that intelligence might not be the best indicator of future success. According to psychologist Angela Duckworth, the secret to outstanding achievement isn’t talent. Instead, it’s a special blend of persistence and passion that she calls “grit.” Source: Forbes, March, 6, 2017. Link. That’s why IQ and SAT scores aren’t a good indicator of someone’s future success. … [Read more...]
Senior pet diets warrant serious conversations
While every dog or cat that enters a veterinary or retail facility needs a pet diet, animal health pros may shy away from a discussion of individual pet diet needs. Especially true as pets age, nutritional recommendations are important at all stages of pets’ lives, but they’re critical as pets age. Animal owners are bombarded with marketing messages about pet diets. They need … [Read more...]
3 top posts in April show diversity of interests by AHD users
Cranky cats, clinic access and dairy consolidation were hot topics last month. Take a look, or re-look, at the three posts that were the most read last month. Finicky feline eaters: born or made? Link. Multiple reasons prevent access to veterinary care Link. Consolidation continues as nearly 3,000 U.S. dairy farms closed in 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: We’ll look at what … [Read more...]