Hunting dogs encounter more risks than backyard pets, including toxins that we want everyone to avoid. Every year, hunting dogs in the U.S. die as a result of drinking from contaminated sources, ingesting harmful substances, trauma and getting lost, writes Toinette Strusinski-Broschay, DVM. Her tips for hunting dogs apply to dogs who go camping and hiking . Source: The … [Read more...]
How Amazon may shape the packaging of products you sell
Tide just announced its new Eco-Box, an alternative to the classic bottle of laundry detergent. It’s still soap. It is also a look as to how Amazon and other e-commerce retailers are dictating what stuff looks like. This new box is designed to work well with e-commerce, ship well and be more environmentally friendly. It ships without secondary boxing or bubblewrap, is lighter … [Read more...]
Antimicrobial resistance: hospitals, farms share more than you think
Antibiotic exposure is inescapable and makes antibiotic resistance a reality we can’t avoid. We share a lot of bugs and resistance genes, but we also may share a lot of solutions,” Bill Pomputius says. “Our use of antibiotics accelerates the pace at which antibiotic resistance emerges and spreads in bacteria through both evolution and selective pressure.” Source: PORK, … [Read more...]
Needs and wants are okay, but problems are even better
Sales representatives! Stop, look, listen! This applies to consultative selling situations. It’s OK asking clients about their needs, but the whole reason you exist is to offer different perspectives, to help clients see possible alternative solutions and encourage them to think at a different level. Source: MTD Sales Training, October 26, 2018. Link. As the emphasis is put … [Read more...]
Top 10 reasons why pets see veterinarians
The lists of top reasons pets see veterinarians don’t change much year to year, according to Healthy Paws Pet Insurance’s third annual Cost of Pet Health Care 2018 report. The report ranks the top 10 ailments for dogs and cats that triggered a vet clinic visit. With trends stable in ailment-related veterinary visits, clinics can more comprehensively plan staffing and inventory … [Read more...]
Ways to use CliftonStrengths to improve your employee experiences
Employee satisfaction, advancement and retention are great challenges in the animal health business. Gallup identified seven life cycle stages during which employers can affect the employee experience the most. Applying a strengths-based* approach at each stage of the life cycle can ultimately result in an improved employee experience. It's up to managers and their leaders to … [Read more...]
Eye-in-the-sky hired help works for cattle producers
Drones provide potential for practical applications beef producers, according to Amanda Radke. She discusses four ways that a drone could enhance management practices on ranches. Collect more data with much less labor Aerial maps can improve land management practices Monitor livestock, fences and water sources Collect data on individual animals While drones … [Read more...]
Greenhouse gas is only part of the puzzle
Concern about the long-term sustainability of livestock production gets a lot of media attention. However, according to Al Rotz, there is fairly limited scientific information out there to support what is being said. When it comes to livestock and long-term impact, Rotz said, “I don’t see cattle being much of a contributor to global climate change.” . . . the greenhouse gas … [Read more...]
Don’t let rodent control slip through the cracks
Mice and rats are looking for warmer digs and can sneak into any building anywhere. Elizabeth Ferry and Casey Zangaro write about pest control with a dairy view and their assertions fit scenarios animal health pros often encounter. Rodents have been recorded to carry up to 45 diseases than can easily be transmitted to farm animals if they are in the same vicinity Source: … [Read more...]
Challenges for antibiotics continue in ag (includes videos)
The pressure on antibiotic use in agriculture continues to rise. Veterinarians are seeing more cases of antibiotic resistance and are rushing to find ways to manage animals effectively without using antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. . . . the future of effective antibiotics isn’t certain for humans nor animals, says Bob Smith, DVM. Source: Drovers, November 5, 2018. … [Read more...]
Future is bright for veterinary technicians
There are plenty of doors waiting for you to open and explore, writes Ann K. Johnson, LVT. about opportunities for veterinary technicians. We agree! Veterinary medicine changes every day. Some days by leaps and bounds … others by micro-steps. There’s a place for veterinary technicians within all of these changes. Source: FIRSTLINE, June 2017. Link. Many technicians start out … [Read more...]
Shift your perspective at work by telling yourself a different story
We all tell ourselves stories about work. These stories shape the way we think, lead and make decisions. For instance, if the story that runs through your head all day is “Everything’s a battle in this office,” you’re more likely to expect hostility and be primed to attack. Negative stories like this one generally don’t help you, so consider shifting to a new … [Read more...]
Coaching for people who want to work with animals
Before you brush someone off about the challenges of becoming a veterinarian, share this article with them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, certain positions in the veterinary field are growing quickly. There are a variety of employment opportunities within the veterinary profession that do not require you to become an actual veterinarian. Source: Tuft’s Catnip, … [Read more...]
Ethical conflict and moral distress widespread in veterinary practices
According to survey results, veterinarians report widespread ethical conflict and moral distress across many practice types and demographics. Most veterinarians have little to no training on how to decrease the impact of these problems. Source: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, August 6, 2018. Link. Ethical conflict and resulting moral distress may be an important … [Read more...]
NEW! AAHA announces infection control, prevention, and biosecurity guidelines
The first 2018 AAHA Infection Control, Prevention, and Biosecurity Guidelines offer practical standard operating procedures (SOPs) to guide veterinary teams in creating truly clean and safe environments. A focus on infection control measures in veterinary practices is essential, now more than ever, especially with the increase in emerging and antimicrobial resistant … [Read more...]
Considering blood pressure with routine exams
When it comes to veterinary patient care, blood pressure is seldom included in a routine preventive physical examination. Brenda Tassava, CVPM, CVJ, VLCE, discusses the benefits, challenges and establishing protocols. This is a great topic for a team meeting. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, October 2018. Link. Take Action notes: As a team, consider cases where BP … [Read more...]
Opinion – Exploration of veterinary shortages in the wake of the Veterinary Feed Directive
The findings in this report offer no great surprise. Many geographic areas were identified across the United States where food animal veterinary services may be inadequate to implement the Veterinary Feed Directive and meet other producer needs. Consider however, many animal health pros believe the VFD is the tip of the iceberg for antibiotic vigilance. What happens when … [Read more...]
This is how you are unknowingly making people happy (slide show)
It’s the little things that help the most. A phone call instead of a text. Looking someone in the eyes when speaking to them. Lending a helping hand without being asked. Remembering a birthday. And, saying thank you. Source: Our Life in Brief, October 29, 2018. Link. Sometimes only one small and simple act of kindness can bring much joy and happiness to those surrounding … [Read more...]
10 things to do after checking into a hotel room
Holiday travel, Q4 industry events and national sales meetings will place animal health pros in hotels as the year closes. Arriving at the hotel is every traveler’s happiest moment as they know that they have finally made it to their destination and that they can get some rest! writes John Roper. BUT WAIT! Before you kick your shoes off, there are some important things that … [Read more...]
Toe abscesses need more attention
Shane Terrell, DVM, believes there is a lot of opportunity to improve early detection and treatment of lameness in cattle. Although lameness falls significantly behind respiratory disease and digestive upset as a cause of morbidity and mortality, it is the third cause of health issues in feedlots. Education and early detection can reduce the overall impact of lameness on herd … [Read more...]
Winter hair growth in cattle signals time for lice control
Mark Hilton, DVM, discusses the two types of lice that live their entire life cycle on cattle. The growth of winter hair coats is a signal to cattle producers to consider lice control methods. He says injectable products that cover sucking lice need a pour-on to cover biting lice. He also cautions to be sure of dose requirements; one-dose or two-dose. Source: BEEF, October … [Read more...]
What equine DVMs say about core vaccinations
Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA, helps support horse owner education with this Zoetis sponsored article. Consider it for social media posts, e-newletters and website content. The high mortality rate, human risk, and vaccine efficacy have led veterinarians to identify five vaccines they consider “core:” West Nile virus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, tetanus, and … [Read more...]
Opinion – Determining how often sales reps should call on customers
J. Michael Marks tackles a frequently contemptuous topic about distribution sales representatives. . . . in my experience, most sales reps are market-servers, not market-makers. . . we’ve found that 95% of what customers buy from distributors they have bought before. The devil is in the details in this reference. How one defines sales really determines whether Marks’ … [Read more...]
AAHA’s Newly Accredited Practices
Working to achieve the AAHA Accredited status is a significant milestone for veterinary clinic teams. The following veterinary hospitals met the accredited standards from September 14 to October 12. Congratulations to: VCA Battle Creek Veterinary Services, Salem, OR VCA Iris Animal Hospital, Keizer, OR Animal Hospital of Garland, Garland, TX Plaza Veterinary … [Read more...]
Sponsored content from AAHA Red, AAHA NEWStat
We’re sharing sponsored content from recent AAHA Red and AAHA NEWStat issues, two media offerings available from AAHA Press, the publishing arm of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Stress less with the needle-less Bordetella protection, AAHA Red, October 22, 2018. Link. Forty percent of cat owners find veterinary visits personally stressful, AAHA Red, … [Read more...]
Muzzle is not a dirty word
Muzzles are one of the more effective safety tools veterinary teams use. Dr. Michael Miller shares his ideas about muzzling and dealing with clients whose dogs can benefit from muzzling. Source: DRANDYROARK, October 31, 2018. Link. . . . some people think when we muzzle a dog, it’s cruel. It’s not. It’s a matter of safety. We all love animals and love the patients we work … [Read more...]
Assertively address the issue of fat cats
Felines are faring worse than their canine counterparts, with more than a 169 percent increase in overweight cats over the past 10 years, writes Rachel Beck, referencing 2016 Banfield data. She provides a body score card, tips and tricks for talking with cat owners about their cat’s weight. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Spring 2018. Link. Prevention, demonstration, … [Read more...]
Winterize for pet safety
Falling leaves remind us that winter is coming. Krista Carothers shares tips from veterinarians to help keep pets safe as the temperature drops: Limit their time outside Know when winter gear is necessary Monitor working and older dogs Don’t assume your outdoor cat can cope in the cold Make sure indoor cats stay indoors Prepare your pooch for long hikes … [Read more...]
47,000 ticks on a moose and that’s an average
According to Dr. Peter J. Pekins’ research, warmer winter months increase the ability of ticks to acquire a moose host and survive winter months. While large numbers of ticks aren’t great for adult moose, they’re especially bad for moose calves, which can die from the onslaught. Source: New York Times, October 18, 2018. Link. The abundance of moose enables the ticks to … [Read more...]
VHMA blogs enlighten
For some animal health pros, the roles and responsibilities of veterinary hospital managers are not well known. Each month, the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association posts on two blogs and researches a topic. We’re linking to the most recent editions of The Champion’s Corner and Practice Pulse which contains the VHMA’s Insiders’ Insight Report. Source: VHMA, October 2018. … [Read more...]