Churn can approach one-fourth of active clients annually. Normal reasons for churn include moving, pets dying, divorce, owner illnesses and others. An industry funded program, used by more than 1,000 veterinary practices can help bring your inactive clients back. Source: AAHA NEWStat, July 18, 2017. The program, Partners for Healthy Pets (PHP) is an alliance of 100+ … [Read more...]
Human noise pollution is disrupting parks and wild places
Human-caused noise has consequences for wildlife, entire ecosystems and people. It reduces the ability to hear natural sounds, which can mean the difference between life and death for many animals, and degrade the calming effect that we feel when we spend time in wild places. Source: The Conversation, July 17, 2017. Strategies to reduce noise include establishing quiet … [Read more...]
A not-so-quiet problem: noise!
When you remodel your existing location or build a new one, noise management often gets overlooked. Researchers have documented ways that noise and distractions create stress for workers in open offices. One analysis of survey results found nearly 80 percent of workers in open offices cited noise or lack of speech privacy as a reason for being dissatisfied with their work … [Read more...]
What these sleeping positions tell owners about their dogs
Fun and thought provoking. There are many attributes in dogs’ sleeping behavior that can indicate their overall mood, health and state of mind. Some of these include the duration of their sleep, movement, frequency and location. One such attribute is the position in which they are sleeping. Source: Pet Pace, July 3, 2017. Sleeping positions and attributes can bring you … [Read more...]
Opinion – Veterinary distribution measured, supply chains challenged
Almost concurrently, I read about AVDA’s survey of veterinary distributors and a supply chain report on Amazon as a competitor, yet partner. The move to online is apparent in both articles and signals how much distributors are at the front line of a changing economy. Direct-to-consumer sales threaten their business models, which previously relied on shipping large amounts of … [Read more...]
All of us need to be in sales (video)
Sales is that five-letter word no one wants to mention. But, John Baldoni makes a case for everyone to consider sales as a reflection of you, your work and your commitment to customers. Source: SmartBrief, July 14, 2017. Re-framing sales then means re-thinking what you do. Very basically, consider sales as everything you do for a client -- service, execution, follow up and … [Read more...]
Poultry Health Today, editors’ picks
The editors of the Zoetis-sponsored publication picked the following topics as news you may have missed: IB called ‘eye of the storm’ for chicken health Medication shortage top issue for US turkey industry 'Old bug' with new name easily mistaken for E. coli peritonitis Source: Poultry Health Today, July 18, 2017. … [Read more...]
Start a meeting right
Too many meetings drag on without participants discussing the real problems that need to be addressed. People talk around the important issues during the meeting and then address them before or after it. This renders the meeting a waste of time and makes you, the meeting organizer, look bad. Combat this risk by explicitly asking that issues be discussed during the meeting, not … [Read more...]
Journal of Dairy Science, August issue quick view
We’ve linked to the table of contents for this research-rich issue. We always scan for papers that seem to be applicable to the more commercial animal health pros. The interpretive summaries and one paper are linked below: Interpretive summaries Short communication: Behavioral evaluation of the analgesic effect of flunixin meglumine in lame dairy cows Source: Journal … [Read more...]
Opinion – Bank ATMs turn 50
The authors have created an innovation-centric overview of the ATM. It is a fun read. I am old enough to remember when ATM transactions were free and ATM networks allowed for free transactions from a machine branded with a bank you did not use. Today, ATM fees range from $2.00 to $5.00, no matter how much cash you receive. The average is about $3.00 per transaction where I … [Read more...]
Rare heartworm surgery saves cat
Vets at UC Davis are claiming a medical first after successfully removing a 13 cm heartworm from a cat’s femoral artery. Source: NAVTA Animal Health Bi-weekly, July 18, 2017. NAVTA’s first post links to the story in Vet Times. … [Read more...]
New ideas about implanting feedyard heifers
We don’t see a lot about implanting these days. This article features Merck Animal Health nutritionist Marshall Streeter, PhD, as he outlined some of the research conducted in preparation for release of a new heifer implant. Since most implant research has been conducted with from steers, Merck’s new data could improve our understanding of implant use in feedyard … [Read more...]
Practical advice about dairy cow care
“Cows should not spend more than four hours a day away from food, water and resting areas. The dairy producer gets four hours a day . . . the cows get the other 20,” espoused Gordie Jones, DVM, at the recent Western Dairy Management Conference in Reno, NV. He added, “Bottom line, if I can get your cow to go to bed for one extra hour with a full stomach, she will give 3.7 pounds … [Read more...]
Opinion – Tufts studies patient-therapy animal risk
This topic has taken a long time to surface. Personally, I’ve often wondered about zoonotic risks from taking therapy animals into hospitals and nursing homes. While human patients receive many benefits from animal visits, the reality is that facilities are not monitoring or managing the risks. Guidelines for safety, health and monitoring do exist, with one set from the AVMA … [Read more...]
Early weaning is hard on pigs
Speaking about his research findings, Adam Moeser, DVM, discussed the pathophysiology of stress-induced gastrointestinal disorders in animals and people during a recent meeting in Rome, Italy. He explained that during postnatal life, major developmental changes take place in the enteric nervous system of pigs. Because the GI systems are undergoing development during this time, … [Read more...]
Microchip comparison matrix
Microchipping remains a controversial subject with pet owners. To help, comparing microchips is easy with the chart in this infographic. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9 percent of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were … [Read more...]
Pink Slime case over after 5 years
A lawsuit has been settled between ABC News, one of its reporters and Beef Products Inc. (BPI), the largest producer of beef trimmings. Source: Progressive Cattleman, June 29, 2017. The lawsuit was spurred by a series of reports in March and April 2012, in which ABC and its anchor and reporters used the “pink slime” moniker to describe lean finely textured beef. “Pink … [Read more...]
Anesthetic monitoring: interpret the readings correctly
Monitors have improved veterinary medicine. But, a monitor cannot save a life unless the team member monitoring the patient understands the readings and can determine when the monitor is wrong. Any values differing from normal parameters should be investigated to determine whether they are life-threatening or merely glitches in the equipment. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, … [Read more...]
Anesthesia, quiz yourself
From adverse effects to age-related considerations, how much do you know about the many aspects of anesthesia? Veterinary teams and brave sales representatives can have fun with this quiz during a lunch and learn. Source: Clinician’s Brief, July 18, 2017. This self-quiz reviews 5 different aspects of anesthesiology in the small animal patient. For a complete discussion, … [Read more...]
The truth about tick control
Why clients don't buy tick control and other information is presented in this infographic. My pet never goes outside and other excuses. Source: Firstline, June 20, 2017. What veterinary clients don't know about tick control can hurt them. Here's a look at who's buying tick control, why clients resist and more. INSIGHTS: July and August are the heaviest summer vacation … [Read more...]
Active listening requires training
Listening is a skill that is essential. The importance of learning how to actively listen is critical to true communication and understanding. This article explores the dynamics of listening starting with the core components of active listening: Comprehending Retaining Responding Source: Farnam Street, July 3, 2017. Listening is difficult because it involves … [Read more...]
Ditch email for a full day
Our dependence on digital communications uses up much of our attention. LaSalle Network declared a “no email day” for a weekday. Here’s what its staff learned: We move faster It builds relationships We’re more creative We learn faster It encourages call-before-email We’re more energized and productive Source: Fast Company, July 5, 2017. Sometimes we need … [Read more...]
Transportation stress adds layer of risk
Greg Henderson writes about transporting cattle, but this content is applicable to pigs and horses, as well. Transportation stress remains a primary determinant of how much work awaits feedyard employees. “Cattle that are hauled long distances go through many types of stress which could include maternal separation (weaning), transportation, water and feed deprivation and more,” … [Read more...]
5 nonverbal ways to get someone to quit talking (includes video)
If you get trapped in a conversation, try one of these nonverbal tips to get out of the situation from author Vanessa Van Edwards’ article and excerpts from her book. The fish The bookmark The pupil The touch The teacher Source: Science of People, July 5, 2017. If you’re going to have a conversation with someone who you know is likely to interrupt you, you … [Read more...]
Petfood e-commerce IS changing the industry
STOP. LOOK. LISTEN. As the internet age matures, online pet food purchasing options are spurring growth as a legitimate retail channel. “The channel making the biggest strides is the internet channel, which now ranks as the fifth largest for pet products and as the third largest for pet supplies,” said Packaged Facts in its U.S. Pet Market Outlook report, published in May … [Read more...]
Remember Beef Quality Assurance guidelines
Dan Thomson, DVM, Ph.D., reminds us to remember BQA guidelines when doing injections. Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated and state-implemented program. It provides ongoing information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers about how common-sense husbandry techniques, coupled with scientific knowledge, work together to raise cattle under optimum management and … [Read more...]
10 tips to clip like a pro
Veterinarians rarely pay much attention to clipping and clippers, but they should. Poor technique and cleaning can affect the outcome of the surgery. Clipping patients extends well beyond surgery. And, clippers are a common source of frustration. Yet they are frequently abused, poorly cleaned and dropped regularly. Source: Veterinary Practice News, June 21, 2017. When all … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content: Addison Biological Laboratory featured
Congratulations to AHD sponsor, Addison Biological Laboratory, for being selected as a featured manufacturer for Spring 2017 by MWI Animal Health. The story featured Addison’s development of the first USDA conditional license for a commercial Moraxella Bovoculi Bacterin in early 2017. Moraxella bovoculi is frequently referred to as winter pinkeye. Source: Addison Biological … [Read more...]
Work at feeling successful
Lauren Siegfried shares some insights about the first 10 years of starting a career. She notes the restlessness often felt throughout careers which is not exclusive to the first decade. She suggests these things to set yourself up for success: Document your wins Contribute to team achievements Pursue a personal project Source: The Muse, July 11, 2017. According … [Read more...]
Speaking of mosquitos
We’re learning more about vector control in animal health. AHD sponsor Ceva Animal Health has helped our industry understand the need for mosquito control to help prevent heartworm. Its Double Defense protocol focuses on repelling and killing mosquitos outside the dog while killing heartworm larvae inside the dog. But what about you and me? Not all of the mosquito prevention … [Read more...]