Planning now for spring calf weaning and preconditioning makes sense before producers are taxed with the work of calving. Weaned and preconditioned calves can bring more dollars at sale time. As veterinarians meet with producers for VFD consultations, preconditioning is a topic that adds value to the compliance visits. Source: Beef, September 7, 2017. There are numerous … [Read more...]
NAVTA bi-weekly updates
Cannabinoid research, new tests for tick-borne diseases and reminders about Micotil 300 safety are among the content offered in this issue from NAVTA. See what material is important from the vet tech/nurse groups’ perspectives. Source: NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly, September 26, 2017. INSIGHTS: Micotil 300 was introduced in 1992, so there is a need to re-educate today’s … [Read more...]
Awesome dentistry tools
Our industry has been pushing pet dental care for more than 20 years. Greater understanding of the human-animal bond is helping to grow the potential for dental care. Mary Berg, BS, RVT, RLATG, VTS, a well-known dental educator, talks about three handy products and reinforces the use of a soft bristle brush. Source: Firstline, August 4, 2016. See Berg’s review of: … [Read more...]
A refreshed look at EQ
Mike Paul, DVM revisits the philosophy of emotional intelligence (EQ) from the mid-1990s and references its values in today’s settings. Psychologists define EQ as “the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others.” Emotional intelligence indicates the ability to read and understand others in social contexts. EQ is commonly said to consist of four … [Read more...]
Dealing with dry eye
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a condition that commonly referred to as dry eye. The medical term means inflammation of the cornea and surrounding tissues from drying. Ian Herring, DVM, offers an easy flowchart to focus on the most common etiologies. Sales representatives, think Schirmer tear tests. Source: Clinician’s Brief, May 2017. Dr. Herring offers a set of … [Read more...]
The research continues; AJVR, October 2017
Research remains the cutting edge of the animal health discovery. The October AJVR is no exception. We noted the paper, Pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of metformin hydrochloride in healthy mixed-breed dogs. Also noted was the book review of Leaders of the Pack: Women and the future of veterinary medicine. Source: American Journal of Veterinary Research, October … [Read more...]
APGAR acronym helps see early warning signs of stress
Workload pressure, including tight deadlines and too much responsibility and lack of managerial support are main work factors employees say causes work-related stress. The APGAR scoring system is widely recognized as a protocol for rapidly taking stock of a newborn human’s overall medical condition. Reapplied to workplace challenges, the Stress-APGAR acronym recalls five key … [Read more...]
Leman conference honors Morrison, urges co-opetition
The 2017 Leman Swine Conference, which ended September 28, was dedicated to the legacy of Bob Morrison, a student of Allen D. Leman who died recently in a tragic accident. His concepts of learning and working together were evident throughout the sessions. Source: National Hog Farmer, September 22, 2017. Kevin Shultz reports that Leman 2017 did not disappoint. It offered … [Read more...]
Mobile device impacts
Whether at work, in a meeting, at the dinner table or at the movie theater, mobile devices are an ever-present distraction. The world has been rewired. And, nobody wrote a user’s manual. The first article here shares study results from teens and parents in Japan and the U.S. The second addresses reasons we become addicted to phones which may be tapping into our basic … [Read more...]
Researching what dogs think
Peering into a dog’s brain, researchers like neuroscientist Gregory Berns can see how it reacts to stimuli such as hand signals, sounds and smells. Activity in the reward center can show whether dogs prefer human affection over food, and which ones may not be fit for duty as service dogs. Source: National Geographic, September 2017. Berns launched the Dog Project at Emory … [Read more...]
51st World Dairy Expo opens next week
World Dairy Expo® is a five-day event showcasing dairy cattle and the newest technologies available to the dairy industry. The annual show takes place at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. It is a unique animal health gathering. Plus, Wisconsin’s fall colors often provide postcard-like scenery. Source: World Dairy Expo, September 2017. World Dairy Expo … [Read more...]
Ketamine; time for a review
Ketamine is a common, safe, injectable anesthetic used in veterinary medicine. In 1999, it became a Schedule III non-narcotic substance under the Federal Controlled Substance Act. Veterinary teams need to review the licit and illicit aspects of ketamine, how to deter and report theft associated with illicit demand and weak regulations, and the legal requirements surrounding the … [Read more...]
Veterinary well-being initiatives move forward
Keeping industry professionals healthy is the focus of two announcements this month. AAHA just introduced the Healthy Workplace Culture Initiative. A major part of the initiative’s launch is the 20-page “AAHA’s Guide to Veterinary Team Wellbeing,” available at http://bit.ly/2jKCw5i. Additionally, The AVMA announced that Dr. Jen Brandt joined the staff as the association’s … [Read more...]
Manage anxious horses
The Horse staff talked to veterinarians, researchers and equine professionals about causes of anxious behavior in horses. They sought solutions to improve safety for horses, riders and bystanders. Here are possible causes the professionals shared: The horse's vision is compromised The horse is in pain The horse's tack doesn't fit The diet is out of whack The … [Read more...]
Dealing with snarky comments
Passive-aggressive comments that mask anger lurking beneath the surface constitute snark. It seems like the world is getting snarkier all the time. But that doesn’t mean you must let those jabs drag you down or stress you. Source: Forbes, September 8, 2017. Everyone has the ability to build bigger mental muscles so they can handle tough circumstances and snarky people in a … [Read more...]
Help cows and heifers during fall calving
Managing the amount of time heifers or cows are in labor before getting help is a challenge ranchers face during calving season. Glenn Selk offers some timing perspectives. Consider using this article in discussions with cow producers this fall. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, August 23, 2017. Research information shows that calves from prolonged deliveries are weaker and … [Read more...]
10 steps for milking excellence
Each year, regardless of milk price, the top 20 percent to 25 percent of dairy producers show some profit per cow. Pamela Ruegg, DVM, identified 10 smart things dairy farmers do to achieve milking excellence: Set performance goals. Rapidly identify problems. Milk clean cows. Standardize milking routines. Train staff. Maintain and update milking systems. … [Read more...]
Pain and P3 remnants
Sixty percent of declawed cats have residual P3 fragments according to a recent study. Back pain, inappropriate elimination, biting, aggression and barbering occurred more often in cats with retained P3 fragments. Only increased biting and inappropriate elimination habits were seen in cats without them. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, June 2017. This study’s findings may … [Read more...]
Everything dairy; Journal of Dairy Science, October 2017
Animal health pros servicing dairy farmers, dairy veterinarians or marketing products for dairy use need to skim the studies in this month’s issue. Our team found two papers of interest: Dairy calf management—A comparison of practices and producer attitudes among conventional and organic herds Effect of prepartum exercise, pasture turnout, or total confinement on hoof … [Read more...]
Review BRD protocols now
Jim Sears, DVM with Bayer Animal Health, reminds producers to review and train on the bovine respiratory disease protocols before a shipment of cattle arrives. He offers a few simple tips to simplify your protocol decisions and help operations be efficient in treating BRD: Make protocols as simple as possible. Be objective – when selecting products, evaluate why each … [Read more...]
A game plan for the difficult conversation you have been putting off
Carrying an issue without resolution is like carrying debt. You’ll eventually have to pay the principal (by having the difficult conversation), but the longer you wait, the more interest you’ll pay in anxiety and dread. Source: Harvard Business Review, April 12, 2017. Life is full of difficult conversations, particularly if you’re invested in having a great team at work. … [Read more...]
Reboarding existing employees
Robert David makes a strong case for continuous boarding of new and current employees. He discusses the ways technology has changed how we work, but also how employees approach their work and careers. Source: SmartBrief, July 31, 2017. Organizational effectiveness initiatives should be geared toward continuous onboarding of employees, and this is especially the case for … [Read more...]
Strategic errors affect long-term business success
Hugh Latif offers perspectives on strategies and tactics, which are frequently confused. Strategic errors can be fatal because they deal with business direction. Tactical errors are easier to fix, absorb and are less costly than strategic errors. Source: The Globe and Mail, September 5, 2017. Strategy is tied to the overall direction and represents the main highway taken to … [Read more...]
Quarter-by-quarter sales; a vicious, costly cycle
September has been a critical revenue month in animal health for decades. Companies seeking to grow by 10 percent to 15 percent annually race to achieve last year’s revenue numbers by the end of September. If they do, they draw closer to making their growth goal. Data shows that sales reps give better terms to customers who wait until the last minute — with both sides … [Read more...]
A quadrillion reasons those microbes matter
When cattle are fed, producers feed an ecosystem of bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Rumen microbes work together to break down what a cow eats, turning the feed into energy and protein. Keeping microbes flourishing can keep cows productive and in the herd. The numbers are mind-boggling. Source: Beef, August 24, 2017. Three main microorganisms are responsible for breaking down … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Fall equine wellness (includes video)
Zoetis has provided the American Quarter Horse Association with material about preparing horses for the risks of fall season. Annual spring vaccinations help offer disease protection and can activate an immune response. Now that it’s almost fall, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) vaccination guidelines recommend at-risk horses be vaccinated for equine … [Read more...]
“Let cats scratch” says the AAFP
Revising its previous 2015 position statement on declawing, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) now strongly opposes onychectomy as an elective procedure. The AAFP’s position stresses the need for veterinary teams to educate cat caregivers, as many are unaware that declawing is a surgical amputation of the third phalanx. Scratching is a normal feline … [Read more...]
AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines revised
The 2017 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines were developed to help support veterinary teams as they determine protocols for each of their patients’ risk factors, life stage, and lifestyle. Published in the September/October edition of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA)—and for the first time, as an online educational resource for the veterinary … [Read more...]
Sleep better when dogs are in the bedroom, not bed
Mayo Clinic research scientists recently conducted a study to determine how sleeping with dogs impacts sleep quality. The findings of this small study indicate those who kept their dogs in their bedroom experienced better sleep, compared to those who didn’t. Those who slept with their pet in bed suffered from lower quality of sleep. Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, … [Read more...]
Engage more clients, retain more clients
Customer engagement and experience management are key value drivers to client retention. Value delivery methods are critical to ensure clients keep your business top of mind. An engagement program with multi-touch messaging and a strategy to drive client loyalty will help create success. Source: MWI Messenger, September 2017, page 9. Client engagement creates loyalty. Equal … [Read more...]