Productive conflict is a hallmark of high-performing teams. Some teams struggle to communicate dissenting opinions without triggering resistance and defensiveness, writes Liane Davey. They fall into unproductive conflict by invalidating one another as they argue. IF you can validate your teammate’s perspective, expertise, and feelings, you will keep the conflict focused on … [Read more...]
Can veterinary insurance could save the veterinary technician?
Tiffany Bartlett, LVT, BAS, reviews research on the value of veterinary insurance to determine if it could help make the sustainable career choice for veterinary technicians. She discusses potential confusion between hospital wellness plans and pet insurance and exposes educational needs for veterinary technicians and hospital staff members. Source: NAVTA Journal, … [Read more...]
How clean is that stethoscope?
A new study in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology underscores the importance of adhering to rigorous infection control procedures beyond handwashing. The study was conducted in a human hospital intensive care unit. Itcompared single-use stethoscopes to traditional reusable stethoscopes carried by medical personnel. All stethoscopes were significantly … [Read more...]
Replicating the cleaning power of cats’ tongues
What scientists study is amazing. Add technology and a 3D printer and the cleaning power of a cat’s tongue becomes a viable product development opportunity. A cleaning brush inspired by new research on the unique structure of a cat’s tongue is on the way. Source: AAHANEWStat, November 29, 2018. Link. Cats’ scratchy tongues enable them to keep themselves so clean. … [Read more...]
Choosing the right Christmas wishes
Merry Christmas to our 20,000-plus readers. We’ve enjoyed curating content for our animal health pro followers in 2018. We’ll return to our regular weekly schedule on January 3, 2019. Finding inspiration for holiday greetings can be perplexing. Hallmark writers provide a guide for greetings and share ideas about what to write in your holiday cards. Source: Hallmark, … [Read more...]
Are small dogs inherently finicky eaters?
Small dogs are perceived to be more finicky eaters by their owners. In research on the topic, small dogs were found to be less focused on their food and easily distracted. While an obvious commercial summary, some of this information may help animal health pros help small dog owners with diet choices. The small dogs showed greater differences compared to the medium dogs in … [Read more...]
Music that helps you be more productive
Jared Lindzon writes about music in the workplace and its influence on productivity. The choices must address human and animal needs in animal health facilities. We’ve added sources for your consideration that address productivity, personnel and animals. ¯ . . . music is preferred over any other background noise in the workplace. . . A continually changing music stream is … [Read more...]
Opinion – Healthcare disruption trends may impact animal health
The article referenced sheds insight on how human medicine development might play out in animal health. . . . technology and cost pressures are causing a“shift left” in health care... Technology is transforming how we do business at a remarkable pace and breadth of innovation, from vertical integration to virtual reality. A POLITICO working group brought together a group … [Read more...]
Beyond NSAIDS, multimodal pain considerations
There’s more to chronic pain management than NSAIDS, writes Robin Downing, DVM. She reviews how omega-3 fatty acids and microlactin, along with managing normalizing body composition help address inflammation and pain. To manage inflammation and its associated pain from a multimodal perspective means we must recognize all the ways inflammation can arise and how we can … [Read more...]
Equine surgeon survey: injuries are to be expected
Injuries rob us of time, add medical costs and diminish the joys of life. While accidents happen, some injuries are easily avoided. Rose Kennedy describes the most common injuries from the most important areas of your life: home, work and sports <link>. The five most common work injuries are: OverexertionSlipping/trippingFalling from heightsReaction injuriesFalling object … [Read more...]
Calcium needed to strengthen eggshells overnight
Urban chickens sometimes make eggs that have weak shells.Eggshells are a primary defense against food-source bacteria and an important indicator of chicken health. Kathy Shea Mormino explains the development of healthy, strong eggs and why a nighttime calcium source is necessary for strong egg development. . . . while building an eggshell a hen can use and replace the … [Read more...]
Condition cows now
Though we try to reduce calorie intake during the holidays, it’s the opposite for cows. They need more calories to regain good body condition and prepare for the upcoming calving and lactation period. It’s not so much that it’s needed for calving,but we want them at least at a BCS of 5 at breeding and most cows will lose body condition as long as the calf is at her side. . … [Read more...]
USDA, beef industry dispute Consumer Reports article
Before your second cousin condemns you for serving prime rib at a holiday dinner, be aware of the controversy Consumer Reports stirred up <link>. The article was recently updated, as well <see below>. I am confident that it is important for animal health pros to be informed of this information, especially considering the reputation of Consumer Reports. Source: Capitol … [Read more...]
Veterinary groups unite to fight antimicrobial resistance
Veterinary groups across North American and Europe have released a Joint Statement on Continuous Monitoring of Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance. The statement describes broad steps and strategies veterinarians around the world can take to preserve the effectiveness and availability of antimicrobial drugs while safeguarding animal, public and environmental health. … [Read more...]
Ways to improve access to veterinary care
In a perfect world, all animals would have equal access to veterinary care. But this is not reality. Multiple factors keep pet owners from seeking the veterinary care their animals need. There ARE solutions writes Amanda Landis-Hanna, DVM. Access barriers can include language,transportation, education, culture, socioeconomics, medical or mental illness,and rural or urban … [Read more...]
Favorite 2018 posts featuring Addison Biological Laboratory
Addison Biological Laboratory has helped fund AHD’s development and growth as a 2018 sponsor. As we come to the end of the year,we’ve chosen these favorite posts referencing the company. Source: Animal Health Digest. Sponsored Content – Pinkeye Cofactors, Animal Health Digest, June 24, 2018. Link.This post features the printable .pdf of New Findings with Bovine Pinkeye … [Read more...]
Favorite 2018 posts featuring Ceva Animal Health U.S.
Ceva Animal Health has helped fund AHD’s development and growth as a 2018 sponsor. Some favorite posts referencing Ceva are shown below. Source: Animal Health Digest. Sponsored Content: Pheromones; the nose knows. AHD, March 6, 2018. Link. As we seek to be better animal stewards, pheromone science will certainly provide options to reduce the negative effects of … [Read more...]
Add margin verification to year-end inventory activities
As 2018 closes, many teams are getting ready for a full, year-end inventory count. Some have already completed cycle counts of key items. They’ve discovered duplications, hidden outdates and found things they forgot they had. Once the counts are done, computer records will require adjustment. As computer counts are reset, it is a good time to review the margin settings for … [Read more...]
Being a vet and a drug dealer
With all the news about who will be selling what to whom these days, Mark Hardesty, DVM, writes about selling drugs, ethics and competitive trends from the perspective of a rural veterinarian and father. The article is historically timeless, as livestock practitioners have been adjusting to OTC and direct pressures for 30 or more years. What’s valuable is Hardesty’s account of … [Read more...]
Tufts, the future of feline health
More than 90 percent of cats seen in clinics are the result of random breeding. Jerold S. Bell, DVM, reviews common feline diseases and notes that many of them are the result of genetic predispositions and will most likely appear in other cats unless we take long-term measures. Pressure needs to be put on the cat breeding community so that it recognizes that the consumer is … [Read more...]
Clean hands save lives
A crucial element of preventive health for all species is hand washing. In fact, the World Health Organization considers hand hygiene as the pillar of infection control. While this abstract targets equine health, the information is a good reminder for all animal health pros. Although the principles and benefits of proper hand hygiene have been recognized in the healthcare … [Read more...]
Proper onboarding pays off
Onboarding is the series of processes for transitioning a new hire into a productive employee. Without a strategy and defined processes, new hires can flounder and not reach their potential. Source: Agri Marketing, October 2016, page 16. Link. Erika Osmundson provides guidance in 6 milestones for developing an effective on-boarding program. Pre-arrivalFirst impressions … [Read more...]
Virtual work skills we all need
It is routine that some interactions are virtual for all animal health pros. Examples include: Field sales phoning to manage an order with an inside sales personInside sales contacting a customer to verify a size, quantity or promotional offer before shipping an orderClinic personnel contacting animal owners to verify appointmentsTelemedicine tools Training via … [Read more...]
John Deere, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever announce partnership
A new partnership promises to help promote wildlife habitat and discover innovative ways to help farmers, ranchers and landowners turn marginal, unproductive acres into more beneficial wildlife habitat. This bodes well for songbirds, wild mammals and soil conservation efforts. Pheasants Forever, Inc. is an organization dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and … [Read more...]
How to decide whether to relocate for a job
Whether or not to relocate for a new role is a big decision, professionally and personally. Animal health pros are routinely faced with relocation decisions as companies merge. The same is true for associate veterinarians and veterinary nurses looking to advance their careers. Author and professor Jennifer Petriglieri offers some ideas to help think through whether the move … [Read more...]
Telemedicine surging in U.S. Yet, it is still uncommon.
Monitoring the development and use of telemedicine between human doctors and patients is important to animal health pros who seek to implement telemedicine approaches to animal care. Once animal owners begin using telemedicine with their doctors it will become easier to engage them regarding their animals’ health. Although telemedicine visits have increased sharply in the U.S. … [Read more...]
Manage cataracts in horses as they age
Dr. Amber Labelle addresses equine cataracts. Most horses, as do dogs and humans, get degrees of cataracts as they age, also called them senile cataracts. Note the download that many AQHA members may use as a reference. Source: AQHA, November 28, 2017. Link. The good news is that cataracts do not appear to affect horses' vision the way they affect our human vision! For … [Read more...]
Double-check broodmares in early winter
Up to 15 percent of broodmares who were checked safe-in-foal at 45 to 60 days lose their pregnancies by late fall, says Thomas Lenz, DVM. It’s a good idea this time of year to recheck all of your mares by ultrasound or palpation to confirm that their pregnancy is progressing normally, he says. Too often, a mare owner doesn’t know a mare lost her pregnancy until she doesn’t … [Read more...]
Texas landowners get feral hog reporting tool
Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute has released a new online tool <link> to help in the growing effort to control the feral hog population in the state. The wild pig website offers Texas landowners and homeowners an easy-to-use tool to report sightings of feral hogs and the damage they may have caused. Source: National Hog Farmer, November 29, 2018. … [Read more...]
How to exercise an overweight cat
Marty Becker, DVM, reminds us to introduce exercise to obese cats gently and gradually. He recommends nocturnal activity and the simple method of splitting food into four or more places. This article is timeless and can be used with social media posts, e-newsletters and directly with clients whose felines are past pudgy. Source: Vetstreet, March 2014. Link. The easiest cat … [Read more...]