Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 22, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the August 22nd AHD Bulletin – The top 3 skills you need to succeed in an AI-driven world. Link. Seek to understand workflows before you pivot. Link. PRRS-resistant pigs - producer urges caution, transparency. Link. Logic, emotion affect decisions. Link. … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2024
What did we miss at the VIS?
The 2024 Veterinary Innovation Summit, organized by the NAVC’s Veterinary Innovation Council, provides a platform for veterinary and industry professionals to explore new ideas and technologies. Past gatherings have opened eyes as companies work to ensure an innovative and resilient future for veterinary medicine. The networking and relational elements are also not to be … [Read more...]
Highlights from the 2024 KCAHC Animal Health Summit
Ending a busy 10 days in Kansas City, the 2024 Animal Health Summit hosted by the KC Animal Health Corridor provided the industry with information on sustainability in the consumers’ mind when buying meat, addressing access to veterinary care, including a pipeline of veterinary talent, where technology is going and what it can provide. Congratulations to Craig S. Wallace, … [Read more...]
AAHA Trends magazine is going ALL digital
After 40 years in print as one of the top veterinary practice management magazines in the industry, Trends is going fully digital, starting Jan. 1, 2025. The new platform will combine the existing newsletter, NEWStat and Trends articles and features. Source: AAHA NEWStat, August 06, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Viticus Group introduces new Premium Pass for 2025 WVC Annual Conference
The 97th WVC Annual Conference is scheduled for March 2-5, 2025, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Registration opens on September 7th and includes a premium pass designed to provide an upscale, seamless and elevated conference experience from registration to event completion above and beyond the standard conference registration. Source: Viticus Group, August … [Read more...]
$7 million federal grant to fund K-State’s Biomanufacturing Core and Training Facility
Good news in the KC Animal Health Corridor! The newly funded building in Manhattan, Kansas is one of four the university plans to construct as part of its biomanufacturing training and education initiative. K-State officials said the Biomanufacturing Core and Training Facility will improve the university’s ability to perform cutting-edge research, as well as workforce … [Read more...]
Questions for beef producers planning to expand
Sometimes our roles as animal health pros involve helping customers and clients think through future decisions. With beef cattle prices surging against lower inventories, Wesley Tucker shares eight questions producers should consider before planning a beef herd expansion. Available land, interest and labor costs along with carrying capacity are important considerations as … [Read more...]
Beware of these common vaccine mistakes
The Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance program includes guidelines on vaccination with best practices on mixing and drawing up vaccines, product handling and storage, and choosing correct syringe and needle sizes. The guidelines are reviewed rigorously and are updated using current scientific recommendations. Julia Herman, DVM, MS, asserts the importance of record … [Read more...]
Need birdshot? Call your packer.
Going bird hunting? Skip Walmart and get ammo at your major beef packer. You’ll have a 100 percent chance of finding birdshot or buckshot there. It may not be loaded into shells, but you can pick it out of the fat layer and muscle of a carcass. Birdshot and buckshot have been found in beef carcasses since the National Beef Quality Audit started in the 1990s. It is STILL A … [Read more...]
Renting dairy cow uteruses, a possible new frontier for beef cattle show stock breeders
Proving that livestock producers are forward thinkers, Maureen Hanson shares an embryo surrogacy project that may help develop more revenue for a dairy and provide a dam for beef embryos sitting in tanks. Source: Drovers, August 9, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: We noted a number of potential benefits from this collaboration, including synchronization of many cows together, … [Read more...]
Why equine disease reporting varies between states
Some equine diseases trigger alerts in some states but aren't reported at all in others, writes Leslie Barlow. She shares why disease reporting can be confusing including the alphabet soup of organizations involved in determining what to report or not. Barlow manages communications at the Equine Disease Communication Center. Source: The Paulick Report, August 20, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Reinforce the importance fall equine vaccinations, wellness checks
Commentary, Commercial Content In a recent survey of horse owners, Boehringer-Ingelheim found 92 percent of them said boosting vaccinations was important . . . BUT, only 55 percent followed through to administer the boosters. Labor Day weekend is a favorite time for horse owners to get out with their favorite mounts. Equine practices have an opportunity in the coming … [Read more...]
West Nile Virus now a permanent U.S. resident
Until late summer 1999, few American horse owners had heard of West Nile virus. The story of how it was found, spread, monitored and prevented is worth reviewing. Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, writes the 25-year story of WNV in the U.S. in the feature linked here. Understanding the history informs our current situation as CDC data indicates 48 states and the District of Columbia … [Read more...]
Common allergy medications can be deadly to pets
Well, of course . . . BUT do pet owners and their guests really guard where pills are stored and ingested. It’s not uncommon to find an aberrant pill that didn’t reach the weekly pill organizer or a person’s mouth. With cats on the table and dogs in our laps, this release from the Pet Poison Helpline underscores the risks of our pets getting into our medications, as well as a … [Read more...]
Revisiting Old Yeller ahead of World Rabies Day 2024
The news story of at least one puppy in a litter of unvaccinated puppies transported from North Texas to a Denver-area dog rescue that was found to have rabies prompted Dan Solomon to write the article shared here. Fred Gipson’s 1956 novel, “Old Yeller” and subsequent movie depictions of it may not be familiar to Millennials or Gen Z and likely won’t be on reading lists for Gen … [Read more...]
Essential items needed when hiking with dogs
Many dog owners will take to the trails or field as summer wanes and cooler fall temperatures prevail. Patrick Lumontod has assembled a list of essential items for being out and about with dogs. Water, ID tags, microchips and a photo are among the items he lists. The article is good content for social media. Source: Top Dog Tips, December 6, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Many dog … [Read more...]
AKC turns 140 in September
The AKC staff provides a historical look at how the AKC started from hunters’ desires to standardize their animals to what it is today. The original dogs registered were Pointer, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, English Setter and Gordon Setter. The Lancashire Heeler was the latest dog registered in … [Read more...]
Feline foster care guidelines and cat care
The Feline Foster Care Guide from ASPCAPro is a robust reference for people wanting to foster, fostering organizations, shelters and pet services teams, as well. Source: ASPCAPro, via AAHA NEWStat, August 24, 2024. Link. Related: Human benefits of fostering shelter animals, DVM360, August 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 26, 2024
Veterinarians on strike in UK pet market, concerns about cats contracting bird flu, GlobalVetLink partners with Bond Vet to streamline pet travel, high school certificate program creating job-ready students for work in vet hospitals, helping small business employees with retirement plans and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
How to gauge a company’s culture before accepting a job
Christine Korol, PhD, reminds us that job interviews are a two-way street. As much as the company is evaluating you, it is critical you are also evaluating whether this company is a good match for you. Her article shares good reminders of how to prepare for an interview and gain knowledge of the company with the position available. Source: Psychology Today, August 22, 2024. … [Read more...]
The puzzle of personality: who are you, really?
Human personality pioneer in the study of well-being, Brian R. Little, PhD, dissects the surprising differences between introverts and extroverts. He then explains why your personality may be more malleable than you think. You’ll enjoy his TED talk and maybe gain some perspective about yourself, a colleague, friend or client. Source: TED, February 2016. Link. [15:06] We’re … [Read more...]
Character and integrity
All smart leadership and business decisions are founded on the bedrock of character and integrity. Operating with character and integrity means having unwavering certainty, especially when faced with difficult choices. Source: Inc., August 19, 2024. Link. It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” – Warren Buffett INSIGHTS: Integrity is the … [Read more...]
5 key voluntary benefits on the rise in 2025
Voluntary benefits, which can span from disability coverage to gym memberships, are valued by employees and employers, experts say. With open enrollment around the corner, Dawn Kawamoto shares popular voluntary benefits noting their importance in retaining diverse, five-generation workers. Pet insurance was named in the five benefits highlighted. Source: Human Resource … [Read more...]
33 Pet companies make list of fastest-growing businesses in the U.S.
A broad range of pet businesses made Inc. 5000’s list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. They include corporate and group practices, nutrition companies and service providers. Consider reviewing what these companies are doing, providing and manufacturing. Many of the trends we see every week are reflected in their growth. Source: Pet Product News, August … [Read more...]
5 silent revenue drains and ways to plug them
Janine Malloy shares ways practices lose revenue in booking, serving and billing clients. The drains she presents become more problematic when staff members are not on the same page. Missed charges and no-shows remain a significant challenge, especially if the hospital is short-staffed. Source: DVM360, August 21, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
The 5 levers of compliance
Commentary People ultimately do business with people they trust and respect. It is not a new phenomenon but requires exerting intentional effort. Clients want a practice team who treats them and their pets as individuals and then works to establish a services relationship. Last August, when sharing an article by Wendy Hauser, DVM, I asserted the priority of engaging … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 22, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 15, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the August 15th AHD Bulletin – Immunity, more than just giving a shot, let’s review. Link. Personal transformation through leadership. Link. The most expensive pets to own; annual and lifetime costs ranked. Link. TikTok 2024 Shopping Trends: “Bending … [Read more...]
Addison named to the Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation’s Honor Roll
Veterinary microbiologist and founder and president of Addison Biological Laboratory, Bruce Addison, is only the second non-veterinarian to earn the prestigious place on the Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation’s Honor Roll. Source: The Fayette Advisor, August 13, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Turkey, egg and dairy groups call for new approach to avian flu
Fall bird migrations <Link> have begun and producers are looking for answers to protect their animals from HPAI. They believe an effective vaccine is necessary to protect food supplies and public health. The report here quotes a USDA official who says the agency is leaving “no stone unturned in the fight against H5N1.” The spokesperson shares concerns about the … [Read more...]
Climate-neutral farming is possible
“Reducing methane reduces warming,” shares Frank Mitloehner, PhD, who sits down with Elanco’s Jeff Simmons to discuss trust, cows, milk and the climate. The interview covers the complex relationship between livestock and climate change and the importance of finding solutions to reduce global emissions. Elanco recently introduced Bovear®, a first-in-class methane-reducing … [Read more...]