The FDA has added more products to its warning against using selected hand sanitizers potentially containing methanol. Methanol can "be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening when ingested," the FDA noted. Source: Newsweek, July 14, 2020. Link. The administration also raised concerns for "products that are fraudulently marketed as … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2020
15 items that need wiped down every day
Cleaning as usual is not enough during this pandemic. We all know we need to be extra careful and take the necessary measures to keep us, our families and colleagues safe. Noah Holland shares 15 things you might forget to wipe down on a daily basis. Here are five of them: Smartphones Eyeglasses Doorknobs, light switches Toilet handles Communal … [Read more...]
Colorado squirrel positive for bubonic plague
A squirrel tested positive for bubonic plague in Morrison, Colorado, last week. Unusual in squirrels, plague caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis is found in rodents and their associated fleas throughout the Western U.S. The report is a reminder for the growing number of people choosing camping in western U.S. parks for summer vacations and trips, regardless of their state … [Read more...]
DVMs, MDs collaborate to address zoonoses
The prevalence of zoonoses points to the need for veterinarians and their human counterparts to connect and work together today in ways most haven’t historically.” - Audrey Ruple, DVM. The progressive nature of the coronavirus pandemic has underscored the need for medical professionals from all disciplines to interact, share knowledge and activate their collective … [Read more...]
Read this BEFORE you head out on vacation
Scott Edinger compares returning from vacation to a space shuttle on reentry. With the right preparation before a flight, the friction on reentry can be managed well with the right angles. Metaphors aside, he offers good counsel that may be more relevant now than in 2012. Source: Harvard Business Review, June 27, 2012. Link. Clear the decks Allow yourself to check … [Read more...]
Build your mentoring team
It is well-documented that those who are mentored outperform and out-earn those who are not. They get promoted more often and report lower burnout rates.However, having just one mentor is limiting. Having a team of mentors puts you in the driver’s seat. Source: Forbes, July 6, 2020 Link. Tell people what your goal and plan is. Mentors will emerge with guidance and … [Read more...]
Choosing a backup generator
Weather events are the most common reasons for the power to go out. Aging power grids in the U.S. are susceptible to outages as more and more electricity is demanded. Daniel D. Chapel shares factors to consider when making an electrical backup generator decision. Source: DVM 360 Hospital Design, June 2020, page 6. Link. . . . the average duration of an electrical power … [Read more...]
Signs of a coyote attack
Complimentary commercial content from Nite Guard, LLC Canis latrans, the coyote, is an increasingly present inhabitant of suburban landscapes. One of the more adaptable of all wild mammals, the coyote is implicated in the deaths of chickens, livestock and backyard pets. They are bold and yet stealthy predators with appetites befitting a 25- to 40-pound working dog. … [Read more...]
What to do when the rats show up with the chickens
Ana Hotaling discusses dealing with rat infestations in chicken coops. Her concepts are directed toward prevention of the rodents and to avoid the infections and parasites rats carry for chickens, pets and humans. She also warns against using poisoned baits to avoid accidental poisoning of a cat or dog that finds a rat away from its burrow. A female Norway rat gives birth to … [Read more...]
Articles to help cat owners
Cat owners can be as curious as their cats. Many religiously participate in feline social media groups and share their experiences peer to peer. B-to-C publications also provide perspective on feline health, owner issues and wellness solutions, although the cover-to-cover reading habits for which cat owners are known has not drastically changed their habits with wellness … [Read more...]
Articles to help dog owners
Meeting the needs and curiosities of dog owners is part of what B-to-C publications seek to provide. Not all the material gets read thoroughly, so we assembled recent articles that can help dog owners better understand their canine pals. Source: How to satisfy your working dog’s instincts, Animal Wellness, July 6, 2020. Link. Satisfying a working dog’s instincts begins with … [Read more...]
Training and behavior products category booming
Let’s face it, there is a growing need for canine companions to be well-behaved in a variety of settings. In fact, the need has created a fast-growing product/services category that includes innovative training and behavior products. Client education is also a strategy for retailers to serve clients who need help with improving their pets’ behaviors. Source: Pet Product … [Read more...]
The experts every dog owner needs
It takes a village, writes Bryn Nowell. From veterinary team to social media groups, she identifies resources for pet owners. Source: Dogster, June 25, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: The list of those who offer input on the care of any given pet is extensive. We have asserted the importance of seeing beyond the DVM dialogue to be more visible in local and social media to help set … [Read more...]
Dog year not equal to 7 human years
Research published last week in the Cell Systems journal debunks the thinking that multiplying a dog’s age by seven is equivalent to its real age. Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine developed a new formula that tracks molecular changes, mainly the changing patterns of methyl groups, in the DNA of Labrador retrievers. It shows dogs age … [Read more...]
Family dogs likely encourage toddler’s social and emotional development
Animal health pros likely have a good grasp on the value of dogs in homes. A newly published study focuses on children too young for school. Toddlers from dog-owning families who participated in the study published in Pediatric Research were 30 percent less likely to have conduct and peer problems compared to preschoolers from families who didn't own dogs. Source: CNN, July … [Read more...]
Make the oral health discussion memorable
Amanda Carrozza shares suggestions for making actionable recommendations in the examination room and promoting ongoing oral care at home. Her ideas reflect a team approach and prioritizing home care as part of communications. Source: DVM 360, June 29, 2020. Link. Too often clients perceive discussions about their pet’s oral health as “friendly suggestions” instead of … [Read more...]
New company to streamline social media content for practices
Complimentary commercial content SimplyDONEsocial launches as a curated social media platform with a virtual party July 22nd. The new company is a collaboration between Eric Garcia, founder of Simply Done Tech, Jenise Walker with TheSociableVET, and Bruce L. Truman with BLT Consulting, SimplyDONEsocial will address social media management challenges for veterinary … [Read more...]
Pet owner views during social distancing
Fewer than 40 percent of veterinarians are confident about how well they understand what pet owners think, according to Diggo research. There is a definite gap between what pet owners think and what veterinarians think they think. This gap is getting wider. The infographic in this article summarizes pet owner responses and includes their current intentions, thoughts about … [Read more...]
The importance of surgical instrument reprocessing
There is heightened vigilance now on infection control, including sterilization of instruments in veterinary settings. Dan McGinley reviews some of the dos and donts about surgical instruments veterinary teams need to consider. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 2020, page 32. Link. Also see: How often do you clean your stethoscope, Virox Animal Health. Link. Note … [Read more...]
Infection prevention is everyone’s business
Complimentary commercial content Virox is hosting a free webinar, “Ask an Infection Prevention Expert”, Thursday, July 16 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Registration allows viewers to submit their questions about infection prevention and control. This topic is timely as people return to work with concerns about staff, animal owner and animal safety. The webinar will feature Nicole … [Read more...]
4 ways to reduce the online risk in your practice
Complimentary content provided by Clint Latham, Lucca Veterinary Data Security. Link. The web browser has become the new operating system says Clint Latham and with the expansion of browser options come security risks. This is especially important to veterinary practices that rely on cloud-based practice management systems which increase web presence and exposure to … [Read more...]
Finding happiness for veterinary professionals
Webinar invitation Join in as Talkatoo and petsapp collaborate to feature one of TED’s more popular speakers. Harvard Medical School professor Robert Waldinger is scheduled to deliver, “Finding Happiness: Lessons from the Longest Study on Adult Development and What it Means for Veterinary Professionals.” Webinar date, time: July 29, 2020. 2:00 p.m. EDT. Registration is … [Read more...]
Vulnerability can be a leadership asset
It is a given that no one is invincible. Even Achilles had a weakness. Business today is less of a war and more of a competition for minds and hearts. So, revealing what we already know – that you are vulnerable – can be an asset. Source: Fast Company, June 29, 2020. Link. Leaders gain invaluable respect and trust by asking more questions (and valuing the input) rather than … [Read more...]
We need sellers who sell, not take orders
Commentary David Brock shares he remains stunned by how few people who are in sales roles, truly sell. His article is clouded with somewhat of a rant BUT, he makes good points that are relevant in this current pandemic, WFH and changed contact methods environment. Customers need help, they want help. . . particularly in these times. They need to learn, to see new … [Read more...]
Facing the heat in a face mask
Come on man! A face mask in this heat? Really?!?! Sound familiar? This common objection is not new territory per se’, but ideas for making mask wearing more bearable are timely. Molly Longman shares ideas learned from doctors to make wearing a mask on a 100-degree day worth it. . . . the fact is, face masks work. They reduce transmission, helping to curb the spread of … [Read more...]
French dogs 95-percent effective at smelling Covid-19 virus
Weeks of trials produced positive results at veterinary school and research centre l'École Nationale Vétérinaire in Maisons-Alfort, where researchers say German Shepherds trained to detect coronavirus showed a 95-percent success rate in sniffing out the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.. . . . the dogs had to identify the presence of the virus by smelling sweat samples taken … [Read more...]
Rabies reported in cattle in 3 states
Considered rare, five rabies cases in cattle have been reported in three states. Rhonda Brooks shares information about historic incidences in cattle, rabies forms and protecting livestock. In the U.S., several distinct rabies virus variants have been identified in terrestrial mammals, including raccoons, skunks and foxes. In addition to these reservoirs, multiple species of … [Read more...]