It is that time of year for exciting hikes and nature walks, but remember to watch for snakes. The number-one rule for hiking is for us and our dogs to stay on the trail, experts say. The snakes are waiting in the high grass where they’re harder to see. Rock climbers need to watch where they put their hands, too. Source: NPR Shots, May 12, 2019. Link. Like humans, dogs are … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2019
Promote pet chipping this month
May is National Chip Your Pet Month and an excellent time to turn up attention to the benefits of placing microchips in pets. Once pets are chipped and registered in a national pet recovery database, services like the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool < link > can reference the chip against hundreds of registries’ databases. Pets with microchips are up to 20 times … [Read more...]
3 questions to ask before having a meeting
Aaron De Smet, Gregor Jost and Leigh Weiss write about the challenge of productive meetings. Their topic is leader focused. In determining if a meeting is necessary, much of their guidance applies to ALL staff. Meetings should not be held unless leaders can affirm that they are necessary, define their purpose and ascertain the role of all participants. Source: McKinsey and … [Read more...]
Tech ad parody almost too real to believe it’s not real
We had to share this 'spoof' in light of the attention to cell phone overuse; a phone camera that looks up, so you can keep looking down. Too real for sure! In a new parody ad, designer Alex Cornell makes fun of our ever-increasing smartphone dependency, using the language of tech advertising so precisely that some viewers might not even realize it’s a parody. Source: Fast … [Read more...]
Two ways to read; one is useless
Most of us learn to read in school, and when we do, it’s for one of two reasons: to memorize or to critique. . . both with the intent of choosing right or wrong, writes Zat Rana. . . . anytime you read something with the mindset that you are there to extract what is right and what is wrong, you are by default limiting how much you can get out of a particular piece of … [Read more...]
FCC warns, one ring robocall wave in progress again
Robocalls are annoying at minimum. You answer and it may take up to 30 seconds for a person to answer. Now the Federal Communications Commission has issued a warning about so-called one-ring robocalls, a scam that doesn’t require the receiver of the call to pick up the phone, but to call back. In April, Americans received 4.9 billion robocalls, or 163 million calls per day. . … [Read more...]
Managing perfectionism
When your patients can’t talk to you, it is hard to not seek perfection. Rebecca Knight offers ideas of how to let go of a penchant for perfectionism. It is a double-edged sword, she writes. It can motivate you to perform at a high level and deliver top-quality work. Or, it can cause you unnecessary anxiety and slow you down. Many perfectionists have a proclivity to ruminate — … [Read more...]
False beliefs about introverts and extroverts (podcast)
Most people don’t fit neatly into one “introvert” or “extrovert” box. Even people who feel pretty solidly in one camp, can have traits that we often associate with the other, shares Kathleen Davis. This kind of dual behavior is pretty common. It’s not a black and white category. Susan Cain, author. Source: Fast Company, April 10, 2019. Link. How introverts can get noticed at … [Read more...]
Be aware of accounts that eat your lunch
Randy MacLean explains distributors’ challenges of big accounts and the financial consequences of servicing them. It is a familiar story of top-line revenue versus cost-to-serve, fixed-cost conundrums that have long-been prevalent in animal health markets. It is also a situation common to livestock veterinary clinics and retailers that is exacerbated by ongoing consolidation … [Read more...]
Skin-eating fungi destroying frogs and salamanders globally
A new study, published in Science, is the first comprehensive tally of the damage done by the chytrid fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). In all, the fungi have driven the declines of at least 501 amphibian species, or about one out of every 16 known to science. Source: National Geographic, March 28, 2019. Link. Calling for … [Read more...]
U.S – Mexican border cattle ranches dealing with tick fever, quarantine
Two closely related tick species, one called the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, and another called the southern cattle tick, R. microplus are responsible for bovine babesiosis in border counties in Texas. A disease without a cure, tick fever is managed with strict quarantines. Fever ticks can carry parasites that infect and destroy the red blood cells of … [Read more...]
Antibody versus antigen tests; let’s review
Mississippi State DVMs Claire L. Fellman and Todd Archer provide a brief introduction to immunodiagnostic tests, including immunofluorescence assays, ELISAs, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The underlying principle of immunologic testing is antigen:antibody specificity. Source: Clinician’s Brief, May 2017. Link. Although antibodies can be used to detect antigens, … [Read more...]
Poisonous plants for cattle, horses, dogs, cats
Spring brings a flowery green up but, plants toxic t0 our critters may lurk among the blooms. We compiled some resources for cattle, horses, dogs and cats below. Use them on social media and to solve problems with animal owners. Source: Plants toxic to cats, ASPCA. Link. Source: Plants toxic to dogs, ASPCA. Link. Source: Poisonous plants that can kill cattle, BEEF, … [Read more...]
9 mosquito myths debunked
Jason Cameron and Amy Lawhorne tackle myths about mosquitoes and share ways to help protect you and your family. They share the 7 Ts of mosquito control. Tip Toss Turn Remove Tarps Take care Team up Treat Source: diy Network, link. INSIGHTS: This is good information for social media posts, e-newsletters and websites. Consider sharing it with … [Read more...]
250-plus unrivaled names for dogs
New pet owners might appreciate this set of unique names for dogs. These names include the least-common dog names in the world, creative dog names, and some which are a little exotic that offer an extra specialness that dog owners may find intriguing. Consider this for social media posts, e-newsletters or new pet kits. Source: All Things Dog, May 2, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Research reveals complex chicken intelligence and emotion
Tamsin Cooper’s article on poultry cognition reveals evidence about smart chickens. Neurologist Lori Marino is aware of how complex and intelligent chickens are. She collated evidence of their mental and emotional capacities to raise awareness of their need for good welfare as individual sentient beings. People who are not familiar with chickens are often amazed at how smart … [Read more...]
Jan Pol, DVM on ‘What I Know Now’
At a young 76 years old, Jan Pol is the star of The Incredible Dr. Pol on Nat Geo Wild. The reality show is the channel’s number-one series and is now in its 14th season. Pol shares what he feels all creatures, even humans, need most. Source: AARP The Magazine, April/May 2019. Link. Nat Geo Wild has always been 100 percent dedicated to animals and the people who love them, … [Read more...]
Turn recruits into employees with instant communication
In this age of intense competition for recruits and recruits ghosting want-to-be employers, any way to keep the process moving forward to capture your best recruits is worth your effort. Darren Bounds, CEO of Breezy HR, suggests using text messaging to gain these recruiting advantages: speed scheduling ease appointment reminders to limit no shows Source: Human … [Read more...]
May is National Arthritis Month; remember pets, too
May is recognized annually as National Arthritis Awareness Month. Arthritis affects more than 50 million Americans, making it the number-one cause of disability in the country. Osteoarthritis is a very common problem in small animals, as well. It has been estimated that around 20 percent of dogs and 40 percent of cats will be affected by osteoarthritis at some point in their … [Read more...]
Rubicon Scientific announces new president
Congratulations to Lionel Reilly, DVM, on his appointment as president of Rubicon Scientific < link >. The market for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) is projected to reach $9,162 million by 2025. Rubicon is located in the KC Animal Health Corridor with offices in Sabetha, Kansas. Source: Rubicon Scientific, April 30, 2019. Link. Rubicon Scientific LLC is an … [Read more...]
The power of thank you
A Portland State University study shows that being thanked more often at work predicted better sleep, fewer headaches and healthier eating, because it improved employees’ work satisfaction. Source: Science Daily, March, 13, 2019. Link. Many people inherently connect their identity to their job and feelings of appreciation within their roles. Employers who understand and … [Read more...]
Complaining a bit is okay. Being grateful is better. (includes video)
Julie Compton shares perspectives about complaining from authors Kaia Roman, Guy Winch, Ph.D., and Cleo Wade. The purpose of griping is to tell us that something in our lives needs to change. But, a few of us get stuck in chronic complaint mode. Winch says some griping is healthy but too much can fill us with constant stress hormones. It can also infect those around us with our … [Read more...]
It’s National Small Business Week
For over 50 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. Many independent veterinary clinics and animal supply companies are included in this designation. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small … [Read more...]
Walmart opens news vet clinics, launches online pet pharmacy
Walmart is opening enough new, in-store vet clinics this year to grow its current 21 clinics to 100. The retail behemoth will also launch the online pharmacy, WalmartPetRx.com to rival Chewy.com. The company is also expanding online offerings for pet food, pet vitamins and supplements, including Walmart-branded products. Source: CNBC, May 7, 2019. Link. Walmart has seen a … [Read more...]
It’s National Pet Week
Since 1981, National Pet Week® has celebrated the human-animal bond. It encourages pet owners to be certain they provide their best friends with all they need for a happy, healthy life every week of the year. Everyone loves their pets, but not everyone is aware of what their pet needs to be happy and healthy long into their senior years, says the AVMA. It provides tools and … [Read more...]
Veterinary Hospital Managers Association partners with Animal Health Digest
Our AHD team welcomes the VHMA membership and looks forward to collaborating with this growing group of animal health professionals. The VHMA is a nationally recognized thought leader and innovator in providing training, education, and resources to more than 3,600 members. It is a trusted resource that the veterinary sector relies on for industry insights, research and advocacy … [Read more...]