Genome sequencing has led researchers to try to understand behavioral traits in dogs. Humans have had 20,000 years to tinker with domesticated dogs, selecting for attributes that made good hunters, guards and herders as well as loyal companions. The author references Wisdom Panel as a way to learn more about individual dogs. Source: The Bark, July 2018. Link. knowing which … [Read more...]
Equine vet techs deserve a seat
Kyle Palmer, CVT, addresses the benefits of having an equine veterinary nurse to aid in planning calls, scheduling, inventory checks, call records and billing, driving and helping with on-farm calls. He makes a solid case. Source: Equine 360, June 29, 2018. Link. Hiring a trained veterinary technician isn’t an expense—it’s an investment. … [Read more...]
And you thought role-play was challenging
Live role-play has always been a challenging training exercise in training, at least for those participants who get anxious being watched. Soft skills, regardless of one’s level in society, are key to effectiveness in life. From self confidence to communication skills and emotional intelligence, they all play a significant role in determining a person’s success and happiness. … [Read more...]
Tips for taking animal histories
Animal owners hold important clues to their pets’ problems. This article features tips to help make history taking more effective and comprehensive. The importance of the pet owner interview as a diagnostic tool should not be overlooked. Source: Clinician’s Brief, February 2018. Link. Good organizational skills are essential to ensuring the patient’s history is obtained … [Read more...]
Make windshield time more productive, safe
Chances are you spend a lot of time in your car. Here’s something that might help you appreciate your home-away-from-home a little more. Source: Repertoire, July 2018, page 62. Link. Animal related insurance claims, the importance of tire pressure, professional automotive negotiators and more advances in travel technology. … [Read more...]
New guide helps solve dog-to-dog aggression (book review)
Canine behavior specialist and author Nicole Wilde focuses on the challenges of and around multi-dog living in her new book, Keeping the Peace: A Guide to Solving Dog-Dog Aggression in the Home. <link> The book is arranged in six parts: Useful behavior diary (to facilitate learning more about canine body language) Foundational program to help manage triggers, and … [Read more...]
Prevent heat stroke in dogs (includes infographic)
Heat stroke in dogs can occur for a variety of reasons. They are especially susceptible since they might push themselves or stay in the heat to please owners. Jennifer Lesser shares how to recognize the symptoms of heat stroke in dogs and how to prevent it. Source: Dogster, July 9, 2018. Link. “Heat stroke is a rapidly progressive and dangerous disorder in which the dog’s … [Read more...]
2018 Audubon Society photo awards announced
Take a break and enjoy! The winners of the 2018 Audubon Photography Awards competition were announced this week. More than 8,000 images in professional, amateur and youth categories were entered. Plus, all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces were represented. This year’s competition celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the species protected by … [Read more...]
Tips for traveling with horses
Traveling with a horse comes with multiple challenges, so it’s important to be prepared. Here are five tips to share with horse owners via social media, websites and targeted communications. Plan Your Route (and Your Breaks) Ahead of Time Know What Documentation You Need Practice Makes Perfect Keep Your Trailer in Tip-Top Shape Know the Hidden Health Risks of … [Read more...]
9 tips to keep kitties cool
JaneA Kelley shares tips about keeping cats cool and comfortable when the weather gets hot: Cool your cat down with ice Add a home-made air conditioner to the cat’s favorite lounging spot Elevate the cat’s bed Provide a fan for the cat Pet cats with a wet towel Close curtains Avoid cooling gel packs Postpone play time Never, never, never leave a cat … [Read more...]
Dogs get sunburned just like us
Dogs’ coats protect against a lot, except the sun’s UVB and UVA rays. Yes, they can sunburn enough to warrant emergency treatment. Our friends at Nationwide offer tips on sunburn prevention and low- and high-res graphics that help create great reminders for bulletin boards, clinic counters, blogs, websites and take-home material. While these fair-colored and thin-furred dogs … [Read more...]
Electroceuticals reduce anxiety, stress in pets (includes video)
"Electroceuticals are, as a prescription medical device, approved for anxiety," says Ava Frick, DVM. Because of how electroceutical microcurrents function throughout the brain, animal stress levels can be reduced. Source: American Veterinarian, July 3, 2018. Link. Microcurrents are introduced to the body through little clips that go on the ears. The low frequency, … [Read more...]
3 recommendations for new kittens
Karen Primm, DVM, shares her recommendations for new kittens for a fun and happy home life after she’s covered the basics for the medical side. A hide-able, grazing-bowl-free option A good scratching post, along with a regimen of FELISCRATCH by FELIWAY® <save the couches> A carrier that opens on the top and front Source: FIRSTLINE, June 15, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
AAHA newly accredited practices for May and June
Twenty-three AAHA practice teams completed accreditation since May 15, 2018 to claim the coveted Accredited Practice status. Take a few minutes to view the list to find a practice you call on or where someone you know works. These teams meet the highest standards in veterinary medicine. Give them a call, send a note or email them your congratulations. Source: AAHA Red, June … [Read more...]
Close the gaps in client communications
Some practices have not realized the significance of the gap between what a veterinarian tells a client and what the client actually hears. “The Opportunity” is a white paper that was written after working with healthcare teams and owners for five years. It offers a survey tool with the same name. <link> The paper includes comprehensive data analysis and encourages … [Read more...]
Listening session about the Veterinary Nurse Initiative, July 10
Join the HSVMA at 5:00 p.m. Pacific time, July 10 as they host Heather Prendergast and Ken Yagi from the National Credential Task Force for an online discussion about NAVTA's Veterinary Nurse Initiative. Attendees will be able to ask questions after the overview. This session is FREE for members and non-members! Also note the request letter we received on July 3, 2018 from … [Read more...]
Take way better photos of your cat
Many veterinary hospitals use photographs as part of digital pet records. Pet photography is also widely seen on social media. Photographer Grace Chon offers nine tips that will drastically improve your cat photos. Consider this article for social media posts and as a resource on websites. Source: Modern Cat, June 21, 2018. Link. Your cat, needless to say, is super … [Read more...]
Remember to vaccinate horses for rabies
It is easy to forget rabies vaccinations for horses, but it is critical to remember. Of the five core diseases for horses, rabies is the deadliest. Horses are nearly four times more likely to contract rabies than dogs. Across the U.S., the majority of horses are not vaccinated for rabies and often have a higher risk of exposure than dogs. Source: AQHA, June 18, 2018. … [Read more...]
Dealing with dog lipstick, or not
Dr. Eric Barchas shares perspective on the often embarrassing, happy dog attribute in male dogs, the dog penis. His approach quickly moves away from nicknames to anatomy in an article that makes it easier to answer a dog owner’s question. This will make a good resource when supporting telemedicine calls or during sensitive conversations with a pet owner. Source: Dogster, … [Read more...]
Make Independence Day meaningful
As Independence Day approaches, I am reminded of a story my friend John Teeter told me several years ago. He was lucky. His customer, R.D. Floyd, demonstrated to Teeter what the flag meant to him – not only with an emphatic request, but by serving our country with honor. It’s a lesson that reminds us that the 4th of July is about more than cookouts and fireworks. Source: … [Read more...]
Study of animal personality, mood to give new welfare insights
AgResearch’s Animal Welfare Team is working to expand the knowledge of livestock behavior, at a time of growing consumer demand for strong welfare standards. Studies like this could be used to compare how animals experience different farming situations and to improve design of production systems. Source: Feedstuffs, June 12, 2018. Link. New research exploring the moods and … [Read more...]
The dos and don’ts of moving with pets
Nancy LaFever reminds us that moving is especially disturbing for our pets, because they don’t understand what’s going on. She offers steps to make the move safe and less stressful for owners’ animal companions. Source: Sparefoot Blog. Link. Here is a sample of the tips offered: Plan ahead for boarding Designate a pet room Utilize crates and carriers … [Read more...]
Latest NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly
Veterinary nurses easily outnumber veterinarians. See what is important to the NAVTA members in this edition. Source: NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly, June 19, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
Muscle through grunt work with the right mind
Everyone has grunt work. It’s those repetitious, uninspiring tasks that can often be boring and exhausting. Mary Carlomagno says there are three major emotional obstacles that stand in the way of muscling through the grunt work: How we feel about what we are doing, which places us in a judgmental, often unpleasant state. We wait for perfect conditions to begin, such as … [Read more...]
Quarter horse history emphasizes one type of horse
Quarter horse enthusiasts will enjoy the history, debates and stories in this two-part article. The discussion unfolds in 1950. Source: AQHA Journal, June 8, 2018. Link. There has never been but one type of Quarter Horse since the breed’s inception so many years ago. That description is lost through the various interpretations. But there was a time, not so many years ago, … [Read more...]
What a dog can teach us about customer service
Customers, prospects and their companions are not compliance issues that need to be corrected based on arbitrary rules. Nor are employees. In fact, excellent customer service and happy employees go hand in hand. You simply don’t get one without the other. Ask Charlie Mitchell. Source: Purpose Unlimited. Link. The station manager could have turned his encounter with Charlie … [Read more...]
Protect bees from summer heat
Bees work to keep their hives at 95 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, according to Angi Schneider. But, when the sun bares down and the temperatures near 100 degrees, bees have to work to cool the hives to stay alive. She offers these recommendations to protect bees from the summer heat: Place hives where some afternoon shade will protect the hives Paint hives white and … [Read more...]
Do dogs understand time?
Are dogs just very good at guessing, or do they really understand and keep track of time? Matt Soniak explores the topic in this interesting article. Source: Pet MD. Link. A review of research on the subject by psychologist William Roberts found ample evidence that many different animals are sensitive to time. “They can learn to go to a particular place for food at a … [Read more...]
The most important thing to teach dogs
Before you dive into this article, write down your top three answers to test yourself. Nicole Wilde admits that not biting, potty skills and socialization are important for dogs. But for day-to-day living the most important thing you can teach them is how to ask politely for what they want. This article is sound advice for pet owners and is worth using for social media … [Read more...]
5 end-of-life myths about pets – BUSTED
Cherie Buisson, DVM, CHPV, has devoted much of her time to veterinary hospice and palliative care. She routinely hears many end of-life-myths. She shares five of them with comments to help animal health pros better understand end-of-life care. They’re not in pain because they’re not crying If pets are eating, they have a good quality of life There is a perfect time … [Read more...]