Citing the results of her own research on productivity at work, Charlotte Fritz says the findings on microbreaks is counterintuitive but real. Nearly across the board, microbreaks that were not job-related, such as getting a glass of water, calling a relative, or going to the bathroom, didn’t seem to have any significant relationship to people’s reported energy (what we called … [Read more...]
Sorry for the delayed response
You will find this satirical look at our communication challenges amusing. Whether purposefully or accidentally, the challenges of delayed responses will remain. You’ll recognize some of Susanna Wolff’s examples. After reading this, review previous posts and consider options to improve email and text communications. Source: The New Yorker, March 16, 2017. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
Vet professionals more likely to be hurt on the job than firefighters
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people in the veterinary services profession were the second most likely to have nonfatal injuries in 2016, behind nursing and residential care workers and ahead of truss makers, police officers, and firefighters. About 12 percent of people in the veterinary services profession reported work-related injuries or illnesses—four times … [Read more...]
10 Excel functions everyone should know
The title says it all. Take a look to see if you can add to your spreadsheet skills. Harness just a few of these ten items, and you can transform your typical work day. Source: Harvard Business Review, October 10, 2018. Link. Whether you want to help justify data-driven business decisions at a high level, or simply get home to your family earlier, mastering the right Excel … [Read more...]
Fall leaves can be toxic to horses
As fall colors paint the countryside, remember that falling leaves can pose a potentially deadly threat to horses. Dr. Tania Cubitt reviews trees whose leaves are dangerous in this article sponsored by Standlee Forage. Source: Horse Network, October 10, 2018. Link. Do not dispose of your raked leaves into your pasture Also see: Red maple leaves dangerous for horses, Animal … [Read more...]
Cool stuff seen at World Dairy Expo 2018
The 52nd World Dairy Expo ended October 5. By all accounts, it was successful and full of promise. The Progressive Dairyman team assembled a collection of cool stuff from their experiences there. Some of these advancements may interest dairy clients and veterinary teams that service dairies. Source: Progressive Dairyman, October 9, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
Read what fall vegetables are good for dogs
Melvin Peña reviews common fall vegetables and discusses their value and potential side effects when dogs eat them. Consider using this article in social media posts and seasonal e-newsletters. Source: Dogster, October 3, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
Giant mosquitoes flourish in post-hurricane flood waters
Reports of giant mosquito sightings add to the confusion of dealing with post-hurricane damage,. Mosquito biologist Michael Reiskind explains why these gallinippers, often three times larger than normal mosquitoes, are showing up in the receding flood waters. Source: The Conversation, October 11, 2018. Link. The gallinippers belong to a genus of mosquitoes that specialize … [Read more...]
Go ahead. Talk to yourself; its normal and good for you
Our AHD team members are remote. We occasionally reference times when we catch ourselves talking to ourselves out loud. Talking to yourself is normal and is good for your mental health. That is, if you have the right conversations, writes Wendy Rose Gould. If we speak out loud, it forces us to slow down our thoughts and process them differently because we engage the language … [Read more...]
Keep pets safe during the holidays with these tips
Just in time for Halloween, candy and ghosts, here’s a nice resource from the American Veterinarian editorial staff. Use the Fast Facts Sheet in social media posts, e-newsletters and as handouts during pet visits. . . .this holiday season being a responsible pet owner means taking precautions to keep your pet happy and healthy well into the new year. Source: American … [Read more...]
Leash, harness and halter guidance for better walks
Mikkel Becker reviews handy tools to help pet owners control the chaos of leashed walks. There’s a good chance that several clients are struggling in this area and may not know you can give them advice. Even if a dog comes in with all the right equipment, that doesn’t mean its owner is using it properly or that it’s working for the dog. Source: Veterinary Medicine, October 1, … [Read more...]
Chasing tail, fun or malady for felines?
Tail chasing in dogs is common and likely a game. In cats, however, it is less common, writes Michaela Conlon. Infections, allergies, hyperesthesia and stud tail are conditions where tail chasing is common. Cats can also chase their tails for a number of medical reasons,” Dr. Sasha Gibbons explains. “Cats will chase their tails if there is an infection and the tail is … [Read more...]
Reclaim the lost art of handwritten thank-you notes
Bruce Weinstein shares three benefits of making a habit of hand writing thank you notes and a how-to guide too: Gratitude wows You’ll remain top of mind Monotasking is mindfulness in action Adding the practice of handwritten thank-you notes will take you to next-level success and help you make an even bigger difference in the lives of people you care … [Read more...]
19 veterinary practice managers earn prestigious CVPM designation
The Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) credential is recognized and respected by practice leaders and our animal health industry. Certification is provided by VHMA’s voluntary certification program that provides assurance of professional quality services. The exam is offered electronically to qualified CVPM candidates across North America. Source: VHMA, September … [Read more...]
Don’t wash farm-fresh eggs
While Salmonella infections are rare from any egg, Ana Hotaling sought expert advice about the safety of farm-fresh eggs compared to supermarket eggs with regard to Salmonella. That advice is summarized in these safety practices for those who raise their own chickens: Keep your coop clean Collect eggs frequently Do not wash your eggs Throw away cracked … [Read more...]
Help customers handle bulls safely
Bulls represent only two percent of the cattle population, yet they are responsible for more than half of farmworker fatalities and are considered the most dangerous of all domestic animals. Source: North Carolina Cooperative Extension, 2018: Link. Recognizing aggressive bull behavior and always being aware of their presence are important factors that can help keep farm … [Read more...]
Gait, lying down behavior and other factors influence dairy cattle lameness
It’s more than showing up with a limp. Lameness in dairy cattle costs productivity and economic losses. It affects other animal welfare factors including body condition, hock condition, and leg hygiene. Lameness may also influence resting and lying down behaviors as they seek comfort. Source: National Institutes of Health, November 2017. Link Gait changes and other behaviors … [Read more...]
Natural cat litters are gaining popularity
Among product segments that retailers dominate, the $3 billion litter category is projected to grow theee percent over the next five years. Clay litter sales remain strong, but new litters made from corn, grasses, coconut, hemp and even lavender are making their way into a growing natural, ecofriendly list of litter options. . . . consumers are leaning toward a natural litter, … [Read more...]
Talking about dogs and dreams
Like humans, dogs dream. Dog dreams likely summarize the day’s events and allow dogs the opportunity to process what they learn. I don’t think anyone can say for sure what dogs dream about but we can be fairly certain that they do dream,” says Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM. Source: Dogster, September 18, 2018. Link. What we’ve basically found is that dogs dream doggy things,” … [Read more...]
Grackles can expose humans, pets to parasites
Grackles and starlings often congregate before migrating in the fall. In addition to being noisy and leaving fecal material everything imaginable, they sometimes carry diseases that can be transmitted via their feces to animals and people. A recent Texas A&M University study reveals bacterial and parasite risks to humans and pets. Pets should avoid any area where grackles … [Read more...]
Beyond Facebook; secondary social media platforms for veterinary marketing
Beyond Indigo looks more closely at three social media platforms and how to best use them to reach your intended audience with the content they crave in this sponsored content: Instagram Twitter Google Business Source: Beyond Indigo, February 20, 2018. Link. While the bulk of your social media efforts should still be squarely focused on Facebook – especially when … [Read more...]
Weaning, a ‘house of horrors’ for young calves
With a Halloween mindset, Blaine Corners compares weaning a calf to sending a small child into a house of horrors alone. . . . weaned calves face frightening new surroundings. This can include unfamiliar feed, new water sources, exposure to different cattle and harmful pathogens, and increased stress. Source: Progressive Cattleman, September 11, 2018. Link. Producers can … [Read more...]
Install an off switch to dogs’ playtime
Pat Miller shares her experiences with an overly energetic dog and the benefits of teaching the off switch. She explains how to install a cue like “all done” to indicate its time to stop or change focus. Training humans to ignore your dog’s attempts to get them to play fetch might be the hardest part of this! Source: Whole Dog Journal, August 2017. Link. . . . All done!” … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club ends September with ageism topic
Stacy Pursell with The Pursell Group returns to The Bridge Club for insight on landing a new job opportunity when you are older than 50 years of age this Friday September 28. Register here. The October calendar is full of more opportunities to connect and share during these unique virtual community discussions. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. Click the link to see the events … [Read more...]
AAHA welcomes 12 new accredited practices
A dozen practices evaluated from August 15 to September 17 achieved the AAHA Accredited status. Congratulations to these practice teams for going above and beyond to meet the highest standards in veterinary medicine. Source: AAHA Red, September 18, 2018. Link. The following practices achieved accreditation: Anthracite Animal Clinic, Ashland, PA Atlantic Animal … [Read more...]
Rx for cyberbullying in veterinary practice (includes videos)
Communication is a key element to managing cyberbullying preventatively and reactively. The first line of defense is a knowledgeable team trained to respond appropriately if and when a social media storm blows in. The first thing to do is to make sure that everyone on your team is aware of the situation and that you have all the information and all the facts before making a … [Read more...]
Planning for a hobby that costs almost as much as children
Equestrians say that once they fall in love with a horse, there’s no turning back. The total cost per year for a horse is about $3,876, according to a University of Maine study. Over 30 years, an equestrian can pay out more than $116,200. Source: Bank Investment Consultant, September 11, 2018. Link. While the expenses related to horse ownership may make some financial … [Read more...]
New thinking about cribbing
Most owners want to stop their horses from cribbing. This is easier said than done. Cribbing has been a challenge for centuries with no known reason for this behavior. The horse places his upper teeth firmly on a hard object---be it a fence, stall door, water trough, or anything he can reach---pulls back, arches his neck, and gulps air into the upper part of his esophagus with … [Read more...]
As CWD spreads in cervids, states also monitor humans
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a disease that kills deer, elk, reindeer and moose or, cervids. Misfolded prion proteins can spread among cervids through saliva and excrement. These proteins may remain viable in environments for decades. The parallels to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease has scientists monitoring CWD more closely as it has spread to 20 or more states in the wild deer … [Read more...]
Understanding the Frito feet smell on dogs’ feet
Lots of pet owners notice their dogs’ paws smell like corn chips. In an interview with Huffington Post, Veterinarian Dr. Robert J. Silver explained that the root cause of so-called Frito feet is bacteria! Why do dogs' paws smell like Fritos? More importantly, why do I love to smell my dogs' paws? These are a couple of life's big questions... Carrie Underwood … [Read more...]