Diana Pet Food’s Chloe’ Champion and Perrine Delime share the challenges of satisfying both pet palates and owners’ noses when developing pet diets. . . . pet food must smell great to both the pet and the owner Source: Appetizer, May 12, 2018. Link. Data from an online consumer survey showed 25 percent of respondents said that pet food odor was a very important criterion … [Read more...]
Synchronizing cows not as simple as a shot
Bethany Johnston and Aaron Berger explain the fundamentals of shortening the calving season using estrus synchronization. While simple in practice, producers need to remember that a number of factors affect pregnancy rate including cow body condition score, plane of nutrition, cattle health and bull fertility. Utilizing natural service with estrus synchronization requires … [Read more...]
Preweaning BRD is the leading cause of mortality in young calves
Presentations during the recent Academy of Veterinary Consultants meeting reviewed research with BRD-caused mortality in young calves. The mix of pathogens involved in preweaning BRD is similar to older calves. Diagnostics labs find Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, mycoplasma and coronavirus, usually in association with at least one other … [Read more...]
Be watchful for rain rot on horses
With record rainfall across much of the country, horses may get rain rot. Its signs are unmistakable: After coming in from the rain, the horse's coat begins to stand up in a peculiar pattern, either bordered by the "drip line" of rain runoff or in patches Beginning to smooth it down, you feel a radiating heat and the horse flinches from the touch By the next day, … [Read more...]
Considerations for adjusting equine vaccinations
A horse’s circumstances can change enough during a year that his vaccination program needs changing. Some instances that call for a review or of a vaccine routine include: Location Increased interaction with other horses Advancing age Source: EQUUS, March 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Risks can come from other animals that frequent a location. Raccoons, skunks, … [Read more...]
Bats are nature’s pest control
As we sat on the deck during a recent evening, bats from behind the neighbor’s chimney awoke to fly over the neighboring yards. After counting 36 of them, I stopped as they went about their insect control. Amanda Radke writes about the pros and stigmas concerning promoting bat populations for pest control. Source: BEEF, May 20, 2019. Link. Bats may have a negative … [Read more...]
Foreign animal diseases beyond ASF can wreak havoc
While ASF is currently getting all the attention, are other infectious agents could have similar economic effects and cripple the U.S. pork industry and exports, writes Attila Farkas, DVM. She discusses other diseases that have potential to hurt swine production in the U.S. Source: National Hog Farmer, May 28, 2019. Link. In modern day swine production, free trade … [Read more...]
Top 3 most common pet insurance claims from 5 providers
ASPCA Pet Insurance, Embrace, Nationwide, Pets Best and Trupanion shared their top three most common claims of 2018 with Veterinary Economics. For veterinary teams, these lists represent opportunities for discussion and consensus around treatment, products and preparations. Salespersons can use these lists as a backdrop for pre-call planning and product … [Read more...]
Cheat sheet helps when considering new equipment
It’s easy to get caught up financially analyzing an equipment buy for a veterinary hospital. Brendan Howard summarizes guidance from Karen Felstad, DVM, about various rationales for purchases. For salespersons, Felstad’s nine questions to ask before an equipment purchase reads like a pre-call planner for items to discuss or defend. Source: Veterinary Economics, May 17, … [Read more...]
Amazon is primed for growth (includes podcast)
With 100 million Amazon Prime customers globally, the company continues to grow and grow. It has entered market segments we never imagined and now owns 49 percent or more of all online sales. Professor Sunil Gupta and Host Brian Kenny discuss a case study Gupta researched and offer insights into Amazon’s insidious growth. Source: HBR Working Knowledge, May 21, 2019. … [Read more...]
Changes in middle class affect business growth
Animal health pros often examine local population economics. Pavithra Mohan reviews the history of the middle class and how the definition of it and expectations of those in it have changed and will continue to do so.. In 2019, the prevailing feeling among the self-anointed middle class may be a lack of financial security and job stability, but also a narrowing path to upward … [Read more...]
Opinion – Getting work done while dealing with being human, part 2
Last week, we started a series about getting work done. Beyond all the advice, processes and systems is a human element that is challenged by our VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) world. Any mom or dad can find meeting parenting demands often seems in direct conflict with raising kids. On the other end of too busy is not busy enough. As you’ll see, there are … [Read more...]
Horse sense required for barefoot trimming
David Ramey, DVM, tackles the barefoot trimming fad where horses have shoes removed and hooves trimmed to run barefoot. He says some proponents of barefoot trimming sometimes take a fanatical leap and may assert that shoes for horses are never a good thing, and that they always cause harm. Ramey disagrees for three big reasons: The stated assumption that “barefoot is … [Read more...]
Get serious about kidding time
Goat popularity continues to rise. As people learn to raise them, it is inevitable they will experience kidding time. Durvet’s Kassie Miller assembled a goat kidding kit to help prepare for that magical phase. This is a good list to help goat raisers be prepared. Source: Durvet. Link. Advanced prepping and quick access ensures access will ensure you will have all the tools … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens have caused 21-state salmonella outbreaks
Fifty-two people in 21 states have contracted salmonella from backyard poultry according to the CDC. Five patients have been hospitalized and 28 percent of those sickened by these home-based chicks and ducklings are children under age 5. Don’t kiss your chickens! < link > Source: USA Today, May 17, 2019. Link. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact … [Read more...]
Microbiome; it’s a bug eat bug world
“The microbiome is a collection of different microorganisms that we find in the intestinal tract of animals, and we know these microorganisms are essential to immune development,” says Christopher Chase, DVM. “Understanding how they interact with the gut, and particularly the epithelium of the gut, is really important.” In the last decade, research has shown the epithelial … [Read more...]
5 quota-killing mistakes only experienced salespeople make
Jeff Hoffman gives perspective about seasoned salespersons and offers steps that can help avoid making common errors. He lists these five mistakes he has observed with seasoned reps: They over-qualify They lean too heavily on existing champions They stop learning They haven't networked within their company They ignore the importance of small … [Read more...]
Opinion – Get truly curious about the customer
Customers recognize selective listening and when we aren’t asking the right questions or probing to understand what’s really happening and learning what it means to them personally or professionally, according to David Brock. They’re often looking look for our help but find us unwilling to take the time to understand their markets, their business, their strategies . . . their … [Read more...]
Opinion – FREE, one-day shipping is an oxymoron
Amazon recently announced it will spend $800M to bring free, one-day shipping to Prime members. This is an indictment of our increasing inability to plan past our noses. Distribution companies have been fighting this costly next-day fight for years, often without directly assessing the increased costs to customers who require the service. Failure to plan is simply a plan to … [Read more...]
Canine parvovirus spiking again
Recent reports of canine parvovirus (CPV) infections in areas around the country remind us of how prevalent and challenging this virus is in dogs. CPV itself is small and nonenveloped, making it one of the more robust viruses affecting animals. While our industry has been fighting CPV for nearly 50 years, the only way to stop its spread is to vaccinate dogs. Because of its … [Read more...]
Thunder, firecrackers and more loud sounds
Spring storms have been frequent and loud this year in the Midwest. Add graduation celebrations with fireworks and it’s a noise-averse dog’s nightmare. Bonnie Beaver, DVM, shares strategies for managing sound sensitivity in dogs. The information is an excellent reference to share with dog owners frequently. Studies have suggested that nearly 49% of dogs are reported by … [Read more...]
Collegiate meat judging featured by Sports Illustrated
Comparing the core components to NCAA athletics, Mike Piellucci goes in-depth into the recruitment, rivalries, commitment, competitions and impact of this intercollegiate meat judging. The skill set of a champion meat judge is both eminently teachable and difficult to master: quick decision making, critical reasoning, self-assurance and, above all, the ability to quiet one’s … [Read more...]
Opinion – Getting work done while dealing with being human, part 1
There are myriad recommendations for improving our work productivity. For some, it is just hard to get through the day without dealing with yet another system. So instead of highlighting another way to get it done, I’ll present articles in the coming weeks that include human stuff, such as being overwhelmed, being a working mother, slow times and rapid changes, and a good … [Read more...]
Goats are cute, but they aren’t easy pets
Brian Barth wonders if 2019 will be the year that goats join dogs, cats and parrots in the pantheon of animals that have gone from wild to domesticated. Barbara Jamison, owner of Puget Sound Goat Rescue, shares goat husbandry requirements about this farm animal trying to become a pet. They include: Most importantly, you must adopt at least two. Herd animals are profoundly … [Read more...]
Rural infrastructures declining, negatively affecting agriculture (includes video)
Safe, efficient transportation methods are crucial to successful agriculture. Aging of roads, bridges, railroads, waterway technologies and ports challenges how we will move ag products around our country and the world. Natalina Sents investigates the decline in rural infrastructure and what can be done to fix it. Source: Successful Farming, May 6, 2019. Link. The … [Read more...]
Transparent negotiations, a counterintuitive approach
Author Todd Caponi shares how playing your cards face up on your pricing model can result in: Elevated mutual trust right through to the finish line Higher deal values where clients are giving you something for everything they take More predictable deals Source: Sales and Marketing Management, May 12, 2019. Link. Negotiation doesn’t need to be difficult. . . … [Read more...]
Veterinarian’s close call with suicide highlights industry wide problem (includes videos)
Two veterinarians share experiences by video in an effort to keep other veterinarians from contemplating suicide. The suicide rate among veterinarians is twice the national average, due to long work hours, high student debt, a quest for perfection and clinical outcomes that can be heartbreaking. Source: WUSA9, May 14, 2019. Link. Will McCauley, DVM and Chris Miller, DVM … [Read more...]
Oh, my aching cat
As cats age, arthritis is a likely challenge. One study showed 90 percent of cats over the age of 12 experience some radiographic signs of arthritis. Young cats can also suffer from this condition. Excess weight and obesity add to the problems. Cailin Heinze, VMD, discusses joint supplementation and indicate glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and omega-3 fatty acids are widely … [Read more...]
Behaviorist tells how to stop cats from scratching furniture
Marilyn Krieger discusses scratching behaviors of cats and how cat owners can train them to scratch in acceptable places. She reminds us that scratching is natural and instinctive to all felines. They scratch because: Scratching objects is one of the ways cats communicate. Scratching is a displacement behavior After napping, there is nothing as fulfilling as a slow … [Read more...]
Brucella canis confirmed in Iowa commercial breeding facility
Canine brucellosis is considered zoonotic and is highly contagious among dogs. It causes severe reproductive problems. Iowa's State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand, confirmed several cases of "canine Brucellosis" coming from a commercial small-dog breeding facility in Marion County southeast of Des Moines. When spread to humans, a rare occurrence, B. canis produces flu-like … [Read more...]