Dressing in this case refers to garments designed for a Jersey cow herd for the Christmas holiday. Farmer Becky Houzé’s Jerseys are making history as the first herd to wear matching Christmas jumpers. You’ll smile when you see these cows in holiday attire. Source: The Bullvine, December 11, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
4 tips to limit party liability
Still have a holiday party to attend? With the potential for great fun and bonding with colleagues, comes the opportunity for some missteps, as well. Lisa Nagele-Piazza, JD, SHRM-SCP suggests four tips to limit party liability. One is to carefully plan the day and time of the event. Setting a timeframe helps maintain control. Another is to manage alcohol consumption for … [Read more...]
5 tips for better blanketing
Horses will appreciate their caregivers following this advice when selecting and using his blankets this winter: Check the fit of blankets each year Consider getting your horse “underwear” Multiple blankets? Mark them according to the appropriate conditions for their use If temperatures fluctuate, blanket for the anticipated high of the day Remove blankets … [Read more...]
Why do some vaccinated horses still get sick? (podcast)
Elizabeth Davis, DVM, explains how vaccines prime the immune system and why some horses might still get sick. The idea of vaccination is intended to provide, in a very safe way and at a small level of exposure to the immune system, so that on future exposure to the immune system at the time of disease challenge, that the horse is is protected. Source: The Horse, October 22, … [Read more...]
Chickens don’t like snow, but sweaters aren’t needed
Chickens hate snow, says Marissa Ames. However, they possess an amazing tolerance for cold. She shares winter preparation considerations to help chickens fare well without much squawking. Draft-free coop Good air circulation Warm bedding Fresh water Dry food and grains Something to do Source: Backyard Poultry, November 19, 2019. Link. People have kept … [Read more...]
Things veterinarians want every cat owner to know
Sophia Mitrokostas shares an excellent list of topics veterinarians want cat owners to know. Beyond seeing what the DVMs interviewed prioritized, this article and list are worth sharing with new cat owners. Source: INSIDER, November 15, 2019. Link. Caring for cats and kittens isn't always straightforward. Veterinarians shared key things every cat owner should know: One … [Read more...]
8 best pet movies of 2019
Liza Brooke recommends eight pet movies for families and friends to watch during the holidays. She offers a wide selection of pet movies released in 2019 that span live-action dramas to hilarious animated films. Here’s her list: A Dog’s Way Home The Secret Life of Pets 2 The Queen’s Corgi A Dog’s Journey The Biggest Little Farm Spy Cat The Art of Racing … [Read more...]
Phones, airplanes and airplane mode
As animal health pros travel for the holidays and upcoming conventions, Sven Bilén shares the developing use of cellular phones on airplanes. He explains the risks and rationales for no live calls while flying. Switch your phone to airplane mode when in the air Source: The Conversation, November 16, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: With Bilén’s explanations, it will be easier to … [Read more...]
Fair Oaks Dairy; what’s different now? (video)
Mike McCloskey says he didn’t think it would ever happen on their farm. Now, months after the allegations, he shares the changes made including more video oversight, intense animal welfare training and additional veterinarian resources. Fair Oaks Farms is a dairy and agri-tourism destination in Indiana. It prides itself on opening up its operation, being transparent and … [Read more...]
Skip the bran and other winter horse feeding tips
Christine Barakat shares simple tips to keep horses happy and healthy when the weather turns cold. Even seasoned horse owners will appreciate these reminders, including the snow saucer tip for hauling hay. Source: EQUUS, November 25, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this for social media, newsletters and targeted mailings to horse owners. … [Read more...]
Why dogs kick their feet after pooping
It is instinctive, right? Jake Rossen shares the basics about this strange behavior which looks like a dog is covering his poop. He reminds us this is territorial behavior, not poop embarrassment. By kicking up the area, the dog mixes pheromones from the feet and creates a visual disruption to signal other dogs of territory boundaries. The pheromones from the kicking are … [Read more...]
Cleaning the stuff dogs use daily (video)
Gear dogs use every day often harbor mold and bacteria. Here's how to clean dog bedding, toys, food and water bowls, collars and other dog stuff. The short video is very suitable for social media, newsletters and pet owner communications. A little effort from pet owners to maintain dog gear goes along ways to prevent the possibility of more serious issues. Source: Web MD. … [Read more...]
More cold weather tips for dogs and dog owners
Melissa Kauffman addresses keeping dogs comfortable during cold weather. Three of her tips prompted us to post the article: Don’t let dog nails get too long during winter Bathe your dog regularly during cold weather Use flea-and-tick protection during cold weather Source: Dogster, November 21, 2019. Link. While there are some dangers for dogs with winter, using … [Read more...]
Use Twitter to build your brand’s influence
Interested in expanding your Twitter game in 2020? It’s easy to see why. The Pew Research Center has found that, “U.S.-based Twitter users are younger, have more education and more influence than the general U.S. population.” Twitter success doesn’t come with simple posting, however. Source: Hubspot blog. Link. To maximize ROI for your time, consider social media consultant … [Read more...]
Dare to disrupt
The world has always been in a state of disruption, but it’s happening at warp speed now. It affects every industry, including animal health. Golf phenom Matthew Wolff has a swing that is radically different from those of most professionals. Luckily, he had a coach that encouraged him to be “a lone wolf, not a follower.” Wolff’s comments in a recent Golf World article can help … [Read more...]
Dos and don’ts of disagreeing with someone more powerful than you
Disagreements are an inevitable consequence of people working together to achieve results. It is also a natural human reaction to shy away from disagreeing with a superior. Amy Gallo offers a list of dos and don’ts when facing a decision to speak up. Source: HBR Ascend, October 1, 2019. Link. Don’t assume that disagreeing is going to damage your relationship or career — the … [Read more...]
5 reasons cats act weird
Angela Lutz shares reasons for sudden changes and weird behaviors cats display. Cat owners will value this list. Share it on social media, in newsletters or as problem-solving reference material. A cat acting weird: might signal depression could be caused by stress might be threatened because of an illness may mean the cat doesn’t like a person Source: … [Read more...]
Poop contains great information
Stool samples are telling of a dog’s health, writes Kyle Grusling, DVM. He reminds dog owners that parasites are not the only thing that can be seen on a fecal check. In addition to gastrointestinal parasites, stool samples may reveal diarrhea, mites and protozoa. Source: Whole Dog Journal, March 2019. Link. A great diagnostic or screening tool for any dog, routine poop … [Read more...]
Core travel safety tips
Holidays followed by veterinary conferences and national sales meetings will increase normal travel for animal health pros. Jessica Sager highlights the most important travel safety tips. Among them are: Keeping an emergency card accessible Making copies of important documents Ensuring you are <medically> insured Source: The Discoverer. November 18, 2019. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Defining a.m. and p.m.
The origins and reasoning for these oft-used and misused abbreviations are in this fun piece below. Source: dictionary.com, Link. In formal writing, it is best to lowercase both a.m. and p.m. and retain the periods . . . … [Read more...]
3 communication tips to implement today
Diana Peterson-Moore shares decisions each of us consciously or unconsciously makes to project ourselves and communicate who we are in the world and in the workplace. She recommends we adopt these three tips to improve our communications: Be strategic and tactical Use "I" statements and banish "you" statements Show gratitude to individual team members -- thank … [Read more...]
Making decisions about boarding
Jessica Finnegan presents considerations for boarding as part of veterinary hospital ancillary services. She reminds us that pet boarding and grooming is a hot business prospect, growing nearly double year over previous year. She challenges veterinary teams to look at boarding differently and to bolster veterinary practice revenue slowly being eaten away by online and big-box … [Read more...]
Keeping dogs safe in cold weather (includes infographic)
Keeping dogs warm outside takes forethought. Pet owners need to make sure dogs maintain their body temperature to ward against hypothermia and have protection on their paws to help prevent frostbite. When temperatures drop below 20°F, all dogs are prone to developing hypothermia and frostbite.” Sally Jones Source: Canine Journal, October 23, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: Sally … [Read more...]
Prepare horses and barns for winter
Winter is never the easiest season for horsekeepers, but with planning it doesn’t have to be particularly difficult, writes Christine Barakat. She offers tips on winter preparations that will benefit horses and owners. Source: EQUUS Extra. Link. Dehydration is the primary cause of impaction colic during winter months. . . be certain horses have access to fresh … [Read more...]
USDA withdraws RFID requirement
Recent executive orders have highlighted the need for transparency and communication before placing new requirements on American farmers and ranchers. USDA-APHIS will not implement the requirement regarding types of identification devices that must be applied to cattle. We continue to believe that RFID devices will provide the cattle industry with the best protection against … [Read more...]
Survival items to keep in your glove compartment
There are dozens of situations where you might not be able to get to survival items in your trunk. For these reasons, you consider keeping these survival items in your car’s glove compartment: Flashlight First aid kit Gloves Seat belt cutter Multi-tool Poncho We would add a candle and matches to this list. Source: The Outdoor Wear, November 5, 2019. … [Read more...]
10 tips to protect your eyesight
Exercise, stress, technology and even mindfulness practices can impact eye health. Marc Grossman, OD, LAc, doctor of optometry, author and acupuncturist, shares a multidisciplinary approach using nutrition, lifestyle changes and traditional Chinese medicine to tackle eye problems. Many of his recommendations are worth consideration by animal health pros. Source: BottomLine … [Read more...]
Colostrum, first-lactation colostrum and quality decisions
First-lactation heifer colostrum has historically been considered to be of low quality which sometimes led to it being dumped. However, first lactation colostrum should not immediately be discounted as inferior as it may be just as high of quality as colostrum from older cows. The author discusses variables worthy of sharing with producers in face-to-face discussions, on social … [Read more...]
More farmers buying inputs online
Farm Journal shares research results about how farmers use e-commerce to buy crop inputs. While intentions and behaviors were out of synch, the information on online experiences and category selectivity are important considerations. Animal health sales and marketing personnel can use these data as a reference to their own research. For farmers . . . If e-commerce adoption … [Read more...]
5 ways to bond with a rescue dog
James Woller shares five ways to welcome a rescue dog into the home so they can become a part of the family. It’s essential that you do everything you can to make her feel at ease and look for the ways to make a true and unbreakable bond, he says. Woller recommends five ways of connecting with a rescue to help them become a friend for life: Talk and touch is everything … [Read more...]