For high-performing animal health pros, Sunday night can become a pre-Monday period that shortens the weekend. Stephanie Thurrott makes a case for transforming the way your weekend winds down by surrounding yourself with family and friends and sharing a meal as a part of Sunday routines. Sunday suppers aren’t dinner parties. . . It’s the ritual that matters.” Source: NBC … [Read more...]
Spring checklist for horse owners
Sponsored Content Ben Franklin’s well known axiom, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” describes the checklist for equine enthusiasts eager to participate in first big trail ride, show or clinic of the season. Dee McVicker and Christine Barakat offer five areas for horse owners as a pre-season checklist: Health status Weight Fitness Transport … [Read more...]
Colostrum, more than just immunoglobulins (webinar video)
Colostrum is important to all mammal newborns. It is essential for the final development and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. Calves that receive high-quality colostrum have higher survival rates, lower age at conception, and will yield more milk through the second lactation. Michael Steele shares information on colostrum supplementation, the … [Read more...]
BCS: low cost, big impact
VFD regulations are driving more productive interactions between livestock producers and their veterinarians. Routine site visits including face-to-face meetings are important to the success of this initiative and improve VCPR. <link> Matt Hersom is an advocate for body condition scoring (BCS). It has a low cost and high value that can help any cattle producer make good … [Read more...]
Reinforce the importance of cat visits to veterinary clinics
Cat Friendly Homes from the AAFP provides direct-to-cat-owner information on why annual preventive care check-ups are vital to helping cats live a long, healthy life. The website offers information that supports cat-friendly practices. The monthly newsletter is a good reminder to communicate with cat owners on key feline health topics and support in-clinic efforts to increase … [Read more...]
Treats without Kcals
Recent posts have focused on the importance of including the Kcals from treats in nutritional assessments and counseling. An owner of four Golden Retrievers has figured out how to treat his dogs without any Kcal consequences. Source: Buzz videos. Link. Also see: Search Results for: treats, Animal Health Digest. Link. INSIGHTS: Fun videos easily capture the attention of … [Read more...]
Tiny tapeworm mimics symptoms of liver cancer
Echinococcus multilocularis is well established in wild canids in southern Ontario. Researchers indicate the tapeworm is migrating, could enter the northern U.S. and is considered a zoonotic public health risk. Adult E. multilocularis infect wild carnivores, including foxes, wolves and coyotes, but may also affect dogs and cats. Rodents such as lemmings, voles, and deer mice … [Read more...]
When the end is near: discussing quality of life
Mary Gardner, DVM, discusses approaching quality of life conversations by bringing together the veterinary medicine expert and the client who is the expert on the pet. The end-of-life decision should be better informed and the outcome hopefully less burdensome to everyone involved she says. Source: DVM 360, February 25, 2020. Link. Gardner advocates for breaking the … [Read more...]
Today’s Bulletin is shorter than normal
Today’s AHD Bulletin has fewer postings than normal, thanks to some technical glitches. You will still find items about personal and professional development, practice improvement, livestock and companion animals. A full-length Bulletin will be delivered next Thursday. Thank you for your understanding. Source: Animal Health Digest. Link. Use this link to review February 2020 … [Read more...]
Talking money with animal owners (video option)
Veterinary team members frequently anticipate client objections to treatment recommendations before the conversation gets started, writes Wendy Hauser, DVM. She offers proactive recommendations to help handle money discussions, including team training. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, February 2020. Link. A disconnect can arise between pet owners and veterinary teams … [Read more...]
Why dogs run away when they are called
Whether bullheaded or poorly trained, some dogs go the opposite direction when called to come. Victoria Schade shares common errors dog owners make when dealing with dogs that won’t return to hand. Source: PetMD. Link. Instead of having a conversation with your dog when you want him to come running, it’s better to use a single-word cue, like “come” or “here,” and then follow … [Read more...]
Success strategies for newborn calves
There is a 4-hour window to optimize antibody absorption and immunity in newborn calves, according to Brian Vander Lay, veterinary epidemiologist. Once a calf gets its first meal the gut wall begins to close and they lose the capacity to absorb essential antibodies in colostrum necessary for immunity. He offers five strategies to ensure healthy calves. Share this on social … [Read more...]
U.S. Cattle Trace to lay groundwork for federal requirements
Amid confusion from the government’s Animal Tracing Act and more recent proposed mandates for RFID from APHIS, a group of producers have formed the voluntary cattle tracking system, U.S. Cattle Trace (USCT). The inevitability of foreign animal disease risk underpins the priorities of this developing system. Source: BEEF, February 2020. Link. USCT is a producer-driven … [Read more...]
USDA predicts livestock sector poised for continued growth
Despite trade issues, the USDA is predicting record livestock production with improved trade outlook and low feed costs. Consolidation is expected to continue, especially in the dairy segment. Source: Feedstuffs, February 20, 2020. Link. Over the past half-century beef, pork and chicken prices have fallen by more than 50%, and output in the U.S. has more than doubled. These … [Read more...]
Good VCPR important for all animals, even horses
David Ramey, DVM, shares experiences in managing the VCPR with horse clients. He focuses on the challenges of communications and reminds us that the P is what it is all about. . . . it seems that just about anything that I say to people about their horses comes with an undertone of apprehension. Given that people are asking me advice for how to care for their horses, I am … [Read more...]
Customer service: Smiles are not enough
For repeatable, sustainable customer service excellence, you need systems and standards for the great people you hire, writes Micah Solomon. Standards are ways of delineating “how we do things around here.” Systems are slightly more elaborate; they are essentially groups of standards. Standards and systems are both important components to successfully serving … [Read more...]
366 days this year. Saturday is February 29th.
2020 starts a new decade and is also a leap year. Leap day falls on a Saturday, to boot. Here are ideas for the bonus day this coming this weekend: Take a 29-minute walk Spend 29 focused minutes and realign with your life objectives Reconnect with at least one person who you’ve been meaning to call Share time with your kids, significant other or remaining … [Read more...]
Why salespeople struggle at leading
The first of the year always brings changes in company hierarchies. Dina Gerdeman discusses sad scenarios that often play out. Top-performing salespeople get promoted to become sales managers, but don’t actually know how to manage. Unable to disconnect from the thrill of selling, the result brings productivity issues, disgruntled salespeople head for the door and the new … [Read more...]
PRRS made swine industry better
PRRS remains the number-one cause of economic impact in the U.S. swine industry. First described in the U.S. in the late 1980s < link >, PRRS has challenged swine veterinarians and producers to improvement all management practices. In addition to biosecurity advancements, PRRS made the swine industry better in five ways: Improved communication Fostered … [Read more...]
The Easter bunny has company
Farm stores are preparing for the classic Easter chicks and rabbits. Now, some sell miniature goats. Angela von Weber-Hahnsberg discusses goat farming with pygmy goats and other miniature goat breeds. The small size and unique traits of miniature goats attract children, newcomers to the world of goats, and veteran goat breeders alike. Miniature goats of all kinds are … [Read more...]
The emotional gauntlet of raising meat chickens and other livestock
One person’s chicken is another person’s dinner. It is an age-old challenge for animal owners who work hard at having healthy food animals. Consumers avoid visualizing a living, breathing animal as the source of the neat, plastic-wrapped package sliding over a scanner at the grocery. Marissa Ames provides thought-filled perspectives on raising animals for meat protein. She … [Read more...]
Pathogen-specific risk factors in acute outbreaks of respiratory disease in calves
Animal health pros and bovine veterinarians working with dairy producers may find validation for some of their hypotheses in this research. The conclusion statement tells the story: Viral infections play an important role in epidemic outbreaks of respiratory disease, and a strict winter seasonality is especially present for bRSV. Bovine coronavirus was most prevalent and … [Read more...]
Delaying on-arrival vaccination may reduce morbidity, mortality
Vaccine labels all contain verbiage like, “. . . is indicated for vaccination of healthy cattle as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by . . .” For years veterinarians have recommended vaccination against respiratory viruses during initial processing of high-risk cattle on arrival to the feedlot or background operation. New research indicates it may be better to … [Read more...]
My cat has a cold sore (vivid photos)
Clients rarely notice their dog's or cat's oral ulcerations, says Dr. Jan Bellows. Oral ulcers arise from inside or outside causes and they are wounds that require treatment. Ulcer persistence depends on their etiology and the animal's ability to self- repair. Treating these painful lesions in dogs and cats requires figuring out what's causing them. – Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, … [Read more...]
Opinion – Managing obesity? You have to count the treats.
In a recent post referencing the 2020 Banfield report <link>, I shared the experience of adjusting the diet for our Morkie. The discovery of the number of Kcals in his treats led me to seek resources that help animal health pros counsel pet owners on the impact of calories from treats. Treats are frequently mentioned in articles that give nutritional guidance, but limited … [Read more...]
Pet nutrition important to professional groomers and boarders
Groomers and boarders know more than hair. Nutrition is important, too and they discuss it often. Source: Understanding the nutritional needs of pets, Pet Boarding and Daycare, January/February 2020. Link. Content was provided by the Professional Pet Boarding Council < link > INSIGHTS: There are more than 25,000 persons engaged as professional groomers and in pet … [Read more...]
Dealing with procrastination
Eric Olszewski stopped putting things off when he learned to see life as one big deadline. A perpetual procrastinator, he would let time fly by until panic set in, at which point he finally buckled down and did whatever it took to get through the work he was avoiding. He learned he was suffering from too much freedom. . . . simply overwhelmed by the multitude of options in my … [Read more...]
Research: Why we’re motivated by discounts and surcharges
Alicea Lieberman and Kristen Duke discuss research on the structure of an incentive as either a surcharge or a discount. Incentives can be used to shape people’s behavior. Their research suggests that these tools can be effective, not only in changing one-time behaviors, but also in shaping social norms. Source: Harvard Business Review, February 13, 2020 <link> . . . … [Read more...]
Monster firework sets Guinness record (video)
Sometimes we need a break from the serious business of animal health and wellness. So, we offer you a look at the world’s largest-ever aerial firework. The behemoth that weighed 2,797 pounds (three pounds lighter than a Toyota Corolla) Launched from a 26-foot long mortar (almost eight feet longer than a Suburban) The shell measured in at just over five feet across … [Read more...]
Itchy cat? Think location, location, location.
Amelia White, DVM, MS, DACVD, offered VMX attendees insight about managing several types of allergies in cats. Her presentation begins with a discussion of behaviors that indicate causes or imposters. Joan Capuzzi, VMD, summarizes the content in the following categories. Cats and their eosinophils Creepy crawlies When food’s the culprit Atopy: allergies “on … [Read more...]