The eyes of aging dogs often show a blueish haze as old lens fibers degenerate and new fibers are laid down. Eileen Fatcheric, DVM, explains the importance of distinguishing between lenticular sclerosis and the advancing blindness caused by cataracts. Her article is good content for social media and newsletters as some dogs live longer than previous generations. Source: … [Read more...]
11 senseless cat owner sins with safer alternatives
Catster’s vet team shares 11 senseless cat owner sins. They outline things cat owners should never do or even think about doing. Share the article on social media and in newsletters to drive home common safety and health issues. Source: Catster, January 9, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Helping maintain comprehensive oral-care habits
Includes Commercial Content Pet oral hygiene is often overlooked and considered post dental problems. Oral care is gaining attention and retailers have many options to support it as a health and wellness category. Combining efforts with local veterinarians is good business and timely as National Pet Dental Health month promotions begin in February. Source: Pet Business, … [Read more...]
Naturally slimmer versus naturally bulkier cats
More than half of cats are overweight and 25 percent are obese, according to this article. The author shares cat breeds and their tendencies to be thin or overweight. There’s also information about how much to feed cats and conditions that cause weight gains or losses. Source: Animaltalk Magazine, January 15, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Cat owners are known to devour cat … [Read more...]
Prophalysis, key to controlling cryptosporidia
There’s no vaccine to control cryptosporidium, a parasite, not a bacteria and common scours-causing pathogens in preweaned calves. Preventing crypto versus treating it is best, according to Lea Poppe. She cites three proactive prevention strategies: Limiting environmental exposure Colostrum delivery Egg immunoglobulin enhancement Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
Skinny horses can founder, too
Low levels of adiponectin, a hormone from fat deposits, reflect an increased risk of laminitis. Traditionally thought to be a problem in obese horses, new study results show that obesity is not a reliable indicator of laminitis risk and poor metabolic health. Body condition score alone should not be used to assess metabolic risk factors in horses: thinner horses may still have … [Read more...]
YYuk! Average office desks contaminated with more bacteria than public toilets
The surfaces around your workplace are some of the worst bacteria hotspots you come in contact with each day, writes Jessica Bennett. Keyboards, telephones, computer mice, desktops, coffee cups, door knobs and more can have more than 30 times the bacteria compared to public toilet seats. Bennett offers ways to clean up these bacteria traps. Animal health pros have a handy … [Read more...]
Shelter overcrowding persists, adoption rate slow
Citing financial challenges, housing issues and increasing costs of care, Kate Gibson reports on the growing number of pets being abandoned or relinquished. An increase in puppies and purebred dogs being brought to shelters is noted. The reduction of spay/neuter access during the pandemic may be a contributor. Source: CBS News, January 9, 2024. Link. We need to increase … [Read more...]
Petfood industry, a lot on its mind going into New Year
Health and wellness, e-commerce and sustainability were identified as top of mind by Lindsay Beaton. We noted the mention of prevention in the treats and supplements category. Source: PETFOOD Industry, January 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Guide to monthly communication ideas to engage and attract clients
Complimentary Content Lifelearn Animal Health offers for a limited time the free Ultimate 2024 Marketing Communication Strategies Inspiration Guide to help practices target communications and support practice marketing. It provides timely, engaging and fun ideas, along with examples to consider each month to help: Keep clients engaged all year long Make your job … [Read more...]
22 team-building activities and games for 2024
While they tend to get a bad rap, the right kinds of team-building exercises can bring people closer together, help teams work more effectively and identify strengths in individuals. Not all team-building exercises need to elicit mandatory extroversion.” – Anonymous Source: the muse, December 14, 2023. Link. Team building doesn’t have to be an all-day affair. In fact, taking … [Read more...]
Mindful’s top article in 2023, How to meditate.
Whether on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or Instagram, animal health pros often mention meditation. More than a million people viewed this article about how meditation can inject far-reaching and long-lasting benefits into our lives. The idea behind mindfulness seems simple—the practice takes patience.” Source: Mindful. Link. The author shares five reasons to meditate: … [Read more...]
6 inspiring morning habits of highly successful people
For those still searching for a New Year’s resolution, consider adjusting your morning habits. It doesn’t matter what time you wake up, but it does matter what you do when you first wake up, writes Will Polston. Without a morning routine, people rely on how they feel emotionally when waking up which is reactive rather than proactive. Good habits are formed and maintained by a … [Read more...]
The making of the corporate athlete
Harvard Business Review surveyed readers about articles that made a meaningful impact on the way the person thinks, works or leads <Link>. JayDee shared he fundamentally shifted his perspective to managing energy rather than time to achieve high performance. He shared this approach worked for his team which now has regular energy audits and encourages practices that … [Read more...]
Prevention top of mind for new year for AVMA president, Steve Dale (podcast)
Rena Carlson, DVM, and Steve Dale, CABC, talk about resolving to be more comprehensive about pet preventative care including diet, oral care, vaccination, parasite control, behavior training and lifestyle enrichment. The discussion includes the growth of reptiles, small mammals and opinions about telemedicine sources. The podcast is good for sharing on social media or linked … [Read more...]
‘Invisible fence’ keeps cattle on ranch, protects environment
“The possibilities are endless” shared Florida cattleman Jim Strickland talking about his experiences with GPS collars and cellphone tower enabled virtual fencing. Beyond containment in designated areas, the technology makes ranching more efficient. Strickland can change grazing boundaries from his computer, keep cattle out of areas he wants to protect or areas effected by … [Read more...]
Progressive Cattle’s Top 10 online articles from 2023
Commentary Readership metrics indicate what cattle producers could use help with from animal health pros. We can’t get so caught up in running the road, making calls and pitching services that we lose touch with our customers’ interests. The economic importance of cow longevity and depreciation topped the list that includes hydroponic forages, timing for weaning, … [Read more...]
Cat vomiting: 7 causes, how to help
Includes Commercial Content Cats vomit. The sounds are familiar to cat owners who are often apathetic about the occurrences. Some causes of cat vomiting are relatively benign and may even resolve on their own while others can be more serious. Elizabeth Racine, DVM, shares common causes, what vomiting requires more than casual attention, vomit color charts, various remedies … [Read more...]
Cannabis product use in cats and dogs in the U.S.
Sharing the results from a pet owner survey, Trina Hazzah, DVM, DACVIM, CVCH, offers a view of how pet owners are using cannabidiols, their perceptions of its efficacy and attitudes about trying cannabis or cannabidiols. The results underscore the need for veterinary education and the legal ability to discuss administering cannabis in companion animals. . . . only 21 percent … [Read more...]
FDA issues warnings of unapproved antimicrobial animal drugs
Nine manufacturers and distributors received warning letters with concerns citing unapproved and misbranded antimicrobial animal drugs in violation of federal law. The animal products mentioned in the warning letters are marketed and labeled for minor species such as aquarium fish and pet birds. They contain antimicrobials that are important in human medicine, such as … [Read more...]
Fired? Terminated? Ways to forgive yourself and move on
Not all annual reviews go as planned. Company market opportunities change, new management adjusts strategies or individual performance is not ideal. Getting fired or terminated can be a traumatic personal and career experience even if it may have been out of your control. Erica Lamberg shares what experts say are specific steps that can help ease the sting and get you on the … [Read more...]
New in 2022-2023: Drug approvals, indications and generics
NOTE: It is difficult to keep track of what’s coming, what got approved in other countries and what has been approved for use in the U.S. When reviewing the 2023 approvals, we thought a few were missing only to find them on the 2022 list. Both years are linked here. Jim Budde, PharmD, RPh, DICVP, highlights some of the key drugs recently approved for the treatment of small … [Read more...]
Dairy heifer’s follicles may predict their future
Heritable trait research continues to be a scientific frontier in animal production decisions and stewardship of animals as a resource. Too many ovarian follicles, at too young of an age, likely means a shortened herd life for dairy females.” Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 2017. Link. Follicle numbers are a moderately heritable genetic trait in dairy cows which may … [Read more...]
American Angus Association releases cow longevity prediction
Expected progeny differences have been applied to improve the genetics of beef cattle for almost four decades. The new Functional Longevity research expected progeny difference trait’s purpose evaluates how long Angus cows will stay in the herd and how many calves they will produce. At its most basic, functional longevity looks at how long a sire’s daughters will stay in the … [Read more...]
What’s new in preventing and treating laminitis in horses?
Hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis is a form of laminitis that develops in the face of high circulating insulin levels. It can typically be managed but only if diagnosed quickly, writes Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc. She reviews interesting research including the use of radiographs to monitor and measure changes in the lucent zone which is parallel to the coffin bone. Treating acute … [Read more...]
Respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in dogs are linked (video)
ICYMI. The link between respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in dogs has been well documented, writes Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM. She says treating respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases at the same time works. Long-term studies of dogs undergoing airway surgery and medical treatment of gastrointestinal disease show improvement with interventions.” Source: The … [Read more...]
Behavior tips to make owners and handlers better
Samuel Ceisler is right. There is always something we can learn about how and why dogs behave the way they do. Whether owner, dog sitter, boarding kennel staff member, vet clinic employee or veterinarian, one of Ceisler’s behavior tips will be something new or something you forgot. He breaks down the most common dog behaviors and what they mean so you can figure out exactly … [Read more...]
Cat Friendly Practice improves feline visits and laboratory testing, diagnoses increase
Keeping with the paradigms of business process measurement, a team of researchers compared Cat Friendly Practices with non-CFP control practices to determine whether CFPs had an increased proportion of clinical visits, number of visits per cat per year and inclusion of diagnostic testing. The results are compelling and support the CFP disciplines. The average revenue per … [Read more...]
Forbes list of the world’s most powerful women
The Forbes 2023 Power List was determined by four main metrics: money, media, impact and spheres of influence. It includes political leaders, the heads of major companies and more. Each of these 100 women are helping to shape the policies, products and political fights that define our world. Barbie is 100th on the list. Source: Forbes, December 5, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
An expert’s view on calming products for horses
Horse owners can choose from several types of products formulated to help calm horses. Animal behaviorist Bonnie Beaver, DVM, DACVB, DACAW, discusses feed supplements, pheromones and aromatherapies marketed to promote calmness in horses. She emphasizes the need for caution and veterinarian counsel. Source: EQUUS, July 12, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]