Harvard Business School Professor Frances Frei gives a crash course in trust: how to build it, maintain it and rebuild it. She shares her experiences dealing with a large corporate team and how to apply that learning in organizations. If we can learn to trust one another more, we can have unprecedented human progress.” Source: TED2018. Link. (14:56) … [Read more...]
Employee engagement in the U.S. hits 11-year low
Employee engagement trends are significant because they link to important performance outcomes such as productivity, employee retention, customer service, safety incidents, quality of work and profitability that are crucial to organizational leaders, writes Jim Harter. He shares 1-Q-24 research results. The U.S. now has a ratio of 1.8 engaged employees for every actively … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 18, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 11, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the April 11th AHD Bulletin – Words are important. Link. Insects on farm animal menus. Link. whiskerDocs® 2nd patent: Integrated animal health records. Link. ===================================== 16 compliments you didn’t realize are actually pretty … [Read more...]
USDA approves Pradalex (pradofloxacin injection) solution for certain respiratory diseases in cattle and swine
Pradalex (pradofloxacin injection) is a 3rd-generation fluoroquinolone ranked as a critically important antimicrobial. The labeling of the drug includes a statement that it should be used only after considering other, non-fluoroquinolone therapeutic options. Pradalex is approved in certain ages and classes of cattle for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease associated … [Read more...]
NOMV seeking 2024 annual awards nominations
Not One More Vet announced that nominations are now open for the NOMV Annual Awards. Nominations are due June 1, 2024. Several awards exist in the Individual Category and also the Group/Activities. Winners will be announced via a virtual awards ceremony in September 2024. The Gala Awards will be notified in advance and awarded at the Gala in Chicago on October 5, … [Read more...]
Majority of U.S. dairy cows live on big dairies
The big dairies are getting bigger with 834 farms having more than 2,500 cows, an increase of 120 farms versus the 2017 census. The recently released 2022 census reveals there were 24,082 dairy operations with off-farm milk sales, down from 39,303 in 2017. These herds are producing five percent more milk from 9.4 million cows, a number which remained nearly unchanged from … [Read more...]
Cull cows more valuable than ever
Cull cow weight and cull cow price have always been keys to profitability for beef producers. Culls are often forgotten. Gene Johnston shares tips for getting more money for old cows. About 20% of the total revenue of a cow herd comes from cull animals.” - Patrick Linnell, CattleFax Source: Successful Farming, April 12, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: We noted Wayne Morgan's … [Read more...]
Comparison of beef calves in conventional or natural systems for backgrounding and finishing
A recent study in Applied Animal Science offers guidance for producers weighing how to manage beef calves and meet market demands. The results offer perspective on the trade-offs between backgrounding and finishing systems: Conventionally managed steers in the study had greater average daily weight gain and feed efficiency and reached their target finished weight faster, … [Read more...]
Essential nutrients cats need in their diets
We often hear, “a cat is not a small dog.” That phrase is especially meaningful when delivering the main things cats need in their diets. Rachel Giordano shares six vet-verified, nutrient essentials cats need in their diets, what they do and where they are found: Animal protein Fat Carbohydrates Water Vitamins Minerals Source: Catster, April 12, 2024. … [Read more...]
American Heartworm Society updates heartworm guidelines
After thoroughly reviewing the latest research, the American Heartworm Society has updated its canine heartworm guidelines on heartworm prevention, diagnosis and treatment AND added a new section with "spectrum of care" information. Source: American Heartworm Society. Link. Download the summary here <Link>. AHS recommends annual antigen and microfilaria testing as well … [Read more...]
It is important to count dogs’ teeth
Michael Jennings, VMD, DAVDC, writes about dentigerous cysts which are often seen in young brachycephalic dogs. They develop around an unerupted tooth when the epithelial lining covering the enamel produces fluid, causing expansion and destruction of surrounding bone. Jennings shares the importance of counting teeth, determining if a tooth is missing or unerupted and … [Read more...]
Vet technician shares honest thoughts on French Bulldogs
Frenchies are adorable, hilarious and highly social dogs, so their popularity is no surprise. But the health problems associated with the breed are discouraging, writes Jenna Stregowski, RVT. She shares pros and cons of the breed. The high demand for Frenchies means that more people are breeding them. Unfortunately, some lack the knowledge and experience to do so ethically and … [Read more...]
Title protection for vet techs, next week on The Bridge Club
For veterinary technicians and our industry, titles are confusing state by state. Join Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, SPHR; Beckie Mossor, RVT; Sam Geiling, RVT and Shannon Nowak, LVT, RVT, to discuss the state of title protection for veterinary technicians April 24th in a Bridge Club virtual discussion on Zoom. Registration is free. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. … [Read more...]
Americans sleeping less, more stressed
Highlighting disturbing sleep and stress trends, Gallup shares Americans are sleeping less and are less satisfied with the amount they sleep. Gallup polling and other research show a strong connection between sleep, stress and overall health. The decline in sleep and the increase in stress levels in the U.S. are consistently worse for younger women than for men and older … [Read more...]
How to make better career decisions
Timothy Yen offers a practical, five-step framework to focus on what’s important when making big career decisions. He emphasizes feelings and values, what matters most to yourself and other people, objectively considering realities versus assumptions and then shares how to put it all together. Source: HBR Ascend, May 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
RESPONSIBLE pet imagery in marketing, advertising and outreach is important
The authors of this piece urge animal health pros to be vigilant in how we portray pets and their owners. They emphasize the need to do it in a positive and healthy environment. Using more responsible imagery to connect and engage with your pet-loving audience can go a long way toward influencing and changing behaviors for the better — improving safety and 'norms,' and helping … [Read more...]
USDA grant to help fund KSU scholarships to develop rural vets
The KSU CVM recently received a $250,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to create the Rural and Underrepresented Scholarship for Hopeful Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Students program. Source: AAHA NEWStat, April 16, 2024. Link. Students from underrepresented groups and applicants from rural backgrounds … [Read more...]
Chewy CEO on new technology in new veterinarian clinic care clinics (video)
Chewy CEO Sumit Singh discusses the launch of Chewy’s first veterinarian clinic, how it’ll help Chewy’s finances and more. He shares his perspective on veterinarian demand and matching DVM and customer experiences at scale. His comments about the effects of the pandemic on demand and the transition to e-commerce are notable. Animal healthcare is a new frontier . . . we’ve … [Read more...]
whiskerDocs® announces second patent: Integrated animal health records
Processes outlined in a new patent can significantly improve providing health care for animals by leveraging advanced technologies in data analysis and machine learning. The systems and processes patent expands the assessment and management of pet health by utilizing new technology that supports personalized medicine, predictive modeling, early intervention and unique insights … [Read more...]
Insects on farm animal menus
Sharing her fascination for livestock innovations, Phibro’s Leah Dorman, DVM, writes about how insects may provide an alternate, sustainable protein source in livestock diets especially where soy is not easily grown. Source: Explore Animal Health, March 23, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Dorman is referencing controlled and mass-scaled production of insects for protein. Hobby … [Read more...]
Video game teaches cow handling
Mooving Cows is a 3D isometric mobile game that’s changing the way dairy farm employees understand and interact with cattle. University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Jennifer Van Os, PhD, developed the game with feedback from Wisconsin dairy farmers, including Spanish- and English-speaking staff on farms. It provides an alternative to traditional animal handling training … [Read more...]
From mixed practice to swine specialist, Randy Jones, DVM (podcast)
Randy Jones, DVM, is an icon in swine practice and production. He shares his journey from a mixed veterinary practice to specializing in pigs, the pig industry’s evolution to specialization in farm management and veterinary roles. Source: Popular Pig Podcast, March 28, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Get cows bred earlier using estrus sync
The main constraints for producers considering adopting a synchronization protocol are labor, facilities and costs. Still, the main advantage of implementing synchronization technology is an added opportunity for more females to conceive in the first 21 days of the breeding season. The authors present benefits of estrus synchronization for beef cows in natural breeding … [Read more...]
Sedating horses for hoof care
Commercial Content Dr. Holly Helbig, a Zoetis veterinarian, detailed how to administer Dormosedan Gel orally for minor, non-painful procedures to be done on an anxious horse during the recent Zoetis Hoof-Care Product Knowledge Clinic. Some of the common uses of Dorm Gel besides shoeing are sheath cleaning, mane pulling, body clipping, hair trimming, bandage changes or … [Read more...]
Veterinarian discusses cannabinoid use in horses (audio recording)
Holistic veterinarian Joyce Harman, DVM, shares where hemp-derived cannabinoids may have benefits in horses. She indicates horse owners have found CBD products help to calm horses and show promise for treating chronic pain in them. Therapies incorporating CBD may be beneficial for treating a variety of equine conditions but Harmon says it is currently most often used to … [Read more...]
Excess weight NOT a foregone conclusion with feline spays, neuters
Kitten season is routinely followed by decisions about spaying and neutering, including future concerns about weight gain. The loss of sex hormones when a cat’s ovaries or testicles are removed can make it less likely to engage in physical activity and therefore less likely to burn as many calories moving around. The author calls the spay or neuter a nutritional inflection … [Read more...]
Sneezing in cats
News of cats contracting avian flu may have clients more sensitized when their cat sneezes. Many prevalent viruses and bacteria generate symptoms that are consistent across multiple infectious agents. The warming of spring plants and trees also exposes cats to allergens. We’re sharing an article about sneezing in cats and an avian flu information sheet regarding cats from … [Read more...]
Cats with MDR1 mutation at risk of severe reactions to popular medication
Katrina L. Mealey, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, DACVCP, and her team have identified cats with the MDR1 genetic mutation are at risk of severe adverse reactions to the active ingredient in some top-selling parasite preventatives for felines. The ingredient, eprinomectin, appears safe and effective for most cats except those with the MDR1 gene mutation. Genetic testing is the only … [Read more...]
Taking cats outside responsibly
Colleen Grablick shares her experiences with training her cat to go outside on a leash and discusses the reasoning behind managing the predatory instincts often associated with outdoor time. She shares the AVMA recommendation to use a catio or leash for outdoor time, asserts the need for a training harness and leash training, as well as supervision during outdoor … [Read more...]
Responding to feedback
Being open to feedback doesn't necessarily mean that you should simply accept it, writes Ed Batista. Sharing four potential responses, he reminds us to stay open to feedback, even when we disagree with it or find that it disconfirms prior assumptions. Source: EdBatista.com, March 25, 2024. Link. . . . feedback always says as much about the giver as the recipient. It's … [Read more...]