Waste is an enormous problem. But, recycling is the wrong solution, writes Don Norman. The real culprit in the story of recycling is failure to identify the core, underlying problem. Recycling is the symptom, he says. The underlying problem is the design and manufacturing of so much stuff that must be discarded. Recycling is a poor attempt to solve this problem. Source: Fast … [Read more...]
Sometimes the wrong words just come out
Most people mean well. Veterinary teams often face clients whose prized animal should be put down or has died. It’s an emotional time for all. Despite best intentions during these times we end up eating our foot. The folks at CareBridge offer some perspective worth consideration. Source: CareBridge. Link. So why do insensitive and downright dumb things pop out of the mouths … [Read more...]
Wet hay, straw and grains create risk for animal owners
If you’ve ever dunged-out straw, shavings and manure-filled stalls or a chicken coop after a rainy week, you will recognize how easily mold, fungi and bacteria could be present in that substrate. Rob Riley, MD, shares how an allergic reaction to mold and bacteria in the lungs causes inflammation. This health issue is known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis or farmer’s lung. … [Read more...]
Stifle surgery and treatments: Guarded prognosis and more doesn’t help
Horses have been observed to have problems with the stifle joint for a long time. In recent years, these joints are getting noticed and treated more, yet remain an uncommon area from which lameness arises. The stile is a big joint and it’s an important one overall. Davey Ramey, DVM, discusses the challenges of stifle surgery, realistic outcomes and therapeutic options that … [Read more...]
Know calf vital signs
Jillian Bohlen, DVM, says evaluating the basic vital statistics of every calf catches sick animals early in the disease process and goes beyond visual appraisal. Her advice on measuring calf vital signs includes: Temperature: 100.0-102.5˚F Heart rate (pulse): 100-140 beats per minute Respiration rate: 36-60 breaths per minute Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
Rural Media Group announces new streaming service, RFD-TV Now (video)
Complimentary Sponsored Content RMG has just announced expanded streaming service under a new name: RFD-TV Now. It offers improved searchability, increased security, and added features such as the ability to “favorite” shows or binge watch them by season. This is good news for animal health pros who enjoy FarmHer, rodeos, horsemanship features, cattle topics like DocTalk, … [Read more...]
Dental tools for dogs
Dental month promotions are over, but oral health care and plaque control efforts remain a daily habit. Emily Watson writes about various dental tools and products available to help pet owners stay current with oral care. Her approach to using a dental toy as a reward is unique and worth sharing. From our idea files During a recent discussion with an industry colleague … [Read more...]
Video shows how to remove ticks
Pet owners will appreciate this video about removing ticks from pets. It could also lead to better tick testing if a pet gets sick after a bite. Share it on social media and in newsletters. Upload it to your website and re-share it routinely from now through fall. Source: PetMD. Link. Ticks can transmit deadly diseases to a pet within as little as 24 hours of latching on, so … [Read more...]
AVMA cautions outdoor enthusiasts about risks to their animals
The AVMA recognizes the need to increase awareness among other outdoor enthusiasts so that they are aware of the risks their pets face during outdoor adventures and what precautions they should take. The association offers excellent resources to guide animal owners to reduce risks to pets and competing animals. Source: AVMA. Link. Disease prevention quick tips … [Read more...]
NOT knowing it all
One of the skills veterinary team members possess is the ability to listen to their animal patients. They do it with their ears, their eyes, hands and even noses. These senses are critical to identifying both health and illness in critters. But when that attention is turned to an animal owner, the senses often turn off. Salespeople have similar problems and so do personnel at … [Read more...]
CDC to retail industry: dust off preparedness plans NOW
Whether it is COVID-19 or something else, proactive preparedness is important for businesses and communities. CDC recently highlighted four key preparedness areas for businesses and employers to consider during a conference call convened by the National Retail Federation: Continuity Protecting the workforce Customers Community Source: National Retail … [Read more...]
COVID-19 could be lemons or lemonade. We can make the difference.
March 2020: Update on SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 it causes Hundreds of coronaviruses circulate among animals including cattle, camels, bats, pigs, cats and dogs. Sometimes these viruses jump to humans (a spillover event) and may cause disease. SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. All three have origins in bats. SARS-CoV-2 causes the disease … [Read more...]
Make Sunday night special. Don’t lose it to Monday prep
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...]