It seems like nobody likes to trim dog nails. Not pet owners, not the dog, nor anyone else, including vet techs and groomers). But for the health of all dogs, it must be done frequently enough to keep dogs’ nails short. Consider this article for websites, blogs, social media posts or a spring newsletter. Source: Whole Dog Journal, April 2, 2017. When nails are so long … [Read more...]
April is stress awareness month
There is a calendar event for almost everything these days. For 25 years, April has been stress awareness month. Industries such as animal health have become aware of stress in the last two years or more. Fueled by the loss of colleagues and friends, animal health pros are working hard to make changes in how we work, our expectations, physical limits and to provide resources to … [Read more...]
Big news from the 2017 AAHA conference
Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP (Emeritus), AAHA chief executive officer, took the stage in Nashville loaded for change. “Our accreditation program is our foundation — the AAHA board of directors and staff are laser-focused on our strategic priorities, all of which revolve around accreditation,” said Cavanaugh. “The membership change and the change in our conference model … [Read more...]
Make time for strategic thinking every day
No matter what your level, strategic thinking is a critical skill. It can always be improved. To hone your capacity to see the big picture, start by making sure you have a solid understanding of the industry and business drivers. Be proactive about connecting with peers in your organization and in your industry to understand their observations of the marketplace, and share … [Read more...]
HR changes to watch for in 2017
Katherine Dobbs, LVT, CVPM, PHR, says paying attention to these regulations would be wise as employment laws get reviewed by the new administration: Fiduciary rule CEO pay ratio Affordable Care Act Overtime rule Pay equity Parental leave Predictable scheduling Source: Clinician’s Brief, March 2017. Employment law has never been easy to keep up with, … [Read more...]
Grain-free pet foods: fact or fiction?
Many pet owners believe grain-free diets are better for their pets because they assume they are more natural, carbohydrate-free and less likely to result in health problems. This is not the case. No credible evidence has been found showing grain-free diets are better for pets, nor do any nutritional foundations support this claim. Source: Clinician’s Brief, March 2017. Pet … [Read more...]
The quirks of working with goats and sheep
Goats live on about 128,000 farms in the United States, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, with a population of about 2.6 million. Sheep are on fewer farms, 88,000 with a population of about 5.4 million. Veterinarians in small ruminant practices also tend to llamas, alpacas, deer, elk who live on thousands of farms. Source: JAVMA, April 2017. Veterinarians who … [Read more...]
There are diets for pets at each life stage
Nutrient needs of dogs and cats change with age, so veterinarians should consult established guidelines and give clients clear direction to help them select the appropriate pet food at each life stage. Deborah E. Linder, DVM, DACVN, shares the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines and considerations at various ages. Source: Clinician’s Brief, … [Read more...]
South Korean dog meat farm closed down (warning: disturbing images)
Humane Society International estimates that around 17,000 dog meat farms operate in South Korea, rearing a total of 2.5 million dogs for human consumption every year. Rescuers share the story of 55 dogs recently saved from a meat farm outside Seoul. Source: Dogs Today, March 21, 2017. The conditions, deprivation and layout of this completely indoor facility was unusual and … [Read more...]
Feline microbiome prompts poop sampling
The title reads, “Scientists Really Want You to Send Them Your Cat’s Poop.” What? A team of researchers is trying to make your cat just a little less inscrutable — by studying its poop. The science project is called Kittybiome. Source: Science of US, March 24, 2017. Kittybiome researchers are “applying the techniques refined in humans to understand more about the cats and … [Read more...]
Drug residues in milk at 20-year low
It is likely you won’t see these data reported in mainstream media. But, as animal health pros, we can smile about how much effort keeps our milk supply healthy and drug-free. Source: The Dairy Site, March 21, 2017. Just 350 tankers out of more 3.5 million loads of milk tested positive for drug residues in fiscal year 2016, ending 30 September, according to the National … [Read more...]
Kim Allen, 35 years and still smiling
Kim Allen was introduced to me for the first time more than 20 years ago. Her demeanor was friendly, focused and it was apparent she was destined to be a leader in our industry. Today, Allen is keenly aware of helping the next generation of female executives within the industry. She is optimistic about a newly formed organization called Women in Leadership and Management in … [Read more...]
Wallace talks KC and the KC Animal Health Corridor
Craig Wallace, CEO, Ceva, U.S. Holdings, Inc. recently talked about the value of the Kansas City area to life sciences, especially animal health companies. As 2017 chairman of the KC Animal Health Corridor, Wallace invites animal health pros and investors to attend Global Animal Health Week in Kansas City, August 28-29. Source: KC Animal Health Corridor, March 3, … [Read more...]
Editorial – Resist setting goals you don’t care about
Animal Health Digest was born out of my desire to serve the industry that has been my career home for more than 30 years. Frustrated that I never seemed to have enough time to read what was being published on animal health topics spawned this idea nearly two decades ago. Ms. Saunders explains why my passion to read for an industry gave birth to a key focus are that aligned with … [Read more...]
Middle management is so exhausting
People are fascinated with the dynamics of power in organizations. They often focus on top leaders or how to deal with and motivate the more powerless workers. The reality is that most employees possess a middling amount of power and must repeatedly alternate between interacting with higher- and lower-power colleagues. The experiences discussed in this article are prominent … [Read more...]
Avoid pitfalls with email campaigns
Despite increasing use of social media and texting, email marketing is still effective to reach prospective and existing customers. To ensure your emails do not end up in the trash, avoid these 14 email marketing mistakes. Source: CIO, December 14, 2017. Email marketers and small business owners share their tips on how to decrease the likelihood of your emails being … [Read more...]
There is no replacement for direct interaction
One of the primary reasons to get teams together has to do with the hardwiring of the human brain. Yes, our technology is constantly improving, which allows for more virtual meetings and geographically diverse teams. But, “building trust is a multisensory experience,” says Valérie Berset-Price. “Only when people are physically present together can they use all of their senses” … [Read more...]
Top 5 diseases of domestic ferrets
Ferrets are playful, curious and relatively docile — characteristics that have made them popular as pets. Because of their curious nature, unique biology and increased lifespan due to improved care, ferrets are prone to diseases that can be debilitating. Source: Clinician’s Brief, February 2017. Ferrets are likely to encounter one or more of these clinical problems in their … [Read more...]
Universal canine vaccination eliminates human exposure to rabies
MSD Animal Health/Merck Animal Health has announced the publication of a new study in the journal Vaccine. It demonstrates that universal canine vaccination is an effective public health policy for eliminating human rabies exposure. The study reviewed examples of a successful One Health collaborative strategy that focused on elimination of canine rabies as the most expedient … [Read more...]
Spring horse care checklist
Spring is here and summer will follow quickly. Here’s a list of important health care reminders animal health pros can share with horse owners before summer gets into full swing. Source: Horse Channel, March 18, 2015. 7 things to do to prepare horses and barns for the season ahead: Spring vaccines Dental care Coggins Pasture management Physical exam Barn … [Read more...]
New chart helps find the right dental treats
The treat market gets more crowded every day. Differentiating one dental treat from the next is challenging. Not all canine dental treats are created equal. The chart in this article will help dog owners find the best chews for their pets. Source: Firstline, March 16, 2017. Eleven canine dental treats have been awarded the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s (VOHC) Seal of … [Read more...]
Not my circus, not my monkeys (includes video)
CVC educators, Drs. Sarah Wooten and Kimberly Pope-Robinson, offer some perspective to help veterinary professionals stop personally owning every team and client problem. Source: Vetted, March 15, 2017. As members of a giving profession, veterinarians sometimes struggle to learn that dirty little word: NO. INSIGHTS: Animal health pros will recognize the situations and some … [Read more...]
Air out the office now!
Study after study has shown that the amount of ventilation, or fresh outdoor air brought inside, is a critical determinant of health. A research team from Harvard and Syracuse Universities dug deeper to find out if better air influences a worker’s ability to process information, make strategic decisions and respond to crises. The results show it is time to air out the office … [Read more...]
Customer context important in demand generation efforts
Marketing and sales persons will find this Important. A customer has many different interactions with a company, their buying process is just one of many touch points. If marketers make the mistake of thinking about demand generation in isolation, this could lead to a poor customer experience. Marketers responsible for generating demand need to think of their demand generation … [Read more...]
Differentiate or die
Staying competitive in the face of non-traditional sources is a real market situation for many traditional businesses, including animal health clinics and retailers. Ace Hardware’s president and CEO, John Venhuizen, compared competing with the massive online retailer Amazon to warfare and encouraged Ace store owners to identify areas where they can beat Amazon. They can’t … [Read more...]
Remind outdoor enthusiasts about disease risk for them and their companion animals
The AVMA provides a reference guide about diseases that outdoor enthusiasts such as, campers, canoers, kayakers, backpackers and hikers and their companion animals may encounter. It is the time of year when pets and their owners take to the field. Source: AVMA, March 17, 2017. This document is by no means intended to discourage people from enjoying outdoor activities; … [Read more...]
Effectiveness of animal testing being compared to other methods
All drugs and some chemicals must be tested on animals before humans, but no one is certain how well such tests predict the toxic effects on people. A Johns Hopkins University team hopes to find out by comparing standard animal tests with more modern scientific methods that use human cells or computer models. Source: The Baltimore Sun, March 16, 2017 via AAHA NEWStat. Data … [Read more...]
FDA regulates stem cells
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is encouraging its members to comply with a recent FDA guidance document that outlined regulatory requirements for animal cell-based products (ACPs). Source: Modern Equine Veterinarian, Issue 2, 2017, page 8. There is considerable concern about the impact on the equine veterinary industry,” Said Christopher E. Kawcak, … [Read more...]
WVC recaps 2017 conference
The WVC 2017 program and conference was attended by more than 6,000 veterinarians. Plus, more than 1,400 veterinary technicians and 360 practice managers were among the 14,000 veterinary professionals who attended. W. Mark Hilton DVM, PAS, DABVP (beef), assumed the position as the WVC 2017 president. He is a technical consultant for the Elanco Animal Health beef team and a … [Read more...]
Trichomonosis cat-roversy brewing
Tritrichomonas foetus has been recognized as a cause of chronic colitis in cats in the last 20 years. The protozoan is now considered a common infectious causes of large bowel diarrhea. Dr. Jody Gookin and colleagues at the College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, explain that one of the more pressing challenges is that feline trichomonosis is resistant … [Read more...]