Sioux Falls, South Dakota, veterinarian Dayton Williams shares experiences with pets and marijuana. This report references Bubba, a dog from California that has been a recent news items. Source: KDLT, May 25, 2016. (includes video) Since marijuana was legalized in Colorado, Williams says veterinarians there have seen a huge increase in animals eating the drug. He says vets … [Read more...]
Seven listening styles and how to approach them
The White Rabbit from Lewis Carrol’s, Alice in Wonderland, said, “The hurrier I go the behinder I get.” In many cases this quote describes the listening skills of animal health professionals who are quick to move without really hearing how a customer responds. Take time to pay attention to your communication process, and listen to your listener before you speak. Source: Ag … [Read more...]
Make a list of unethical things you’ll never do
Most people want to make a positive difference and remain ethical. But, it is easy to take shortcuts, cheat or stretch the truth. Like it or not, cellphone cameras make our behaviors more easily scrutinized today than ever before. We like this exercise of writing down what you won’t do. See what you think. Source: Harvard Business Review, May 30, 2016. Write a list of … [Read more...]
Opossums – tick killers
We often associate backyard wildlife as potential carriers of leptospirosis, fleas and ticks. This article describes a role opossums play in tick reduction. "I had no suspicion they'd be such efficient tick-killing animals," said Richard Ostfeld, of the Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York. Source: Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Several years … [Read more...]
World’s most dog-friendly office
A subscriber shared this post. It is fun to see how dogs are included in the office culture and design of this pet toy company. It does beg a question about the company policy for preventative vaccines and products. So, does human resources have separate doggy resources policies? Source: Inc. Humans weren't the only considerations in building out Kurgo's offices. The ample … [Read more...]
Equine coronavirus: an emerging enteric virus of adult horses
Equine coronavirus (ECoV) is an emerging virus associated clinically and epidemiologically with fever, depression, anorexia and less frequently colic and diarrhea in adult horses. Sporadic cases and outbreaks have been reported with increased frequency since 2010 from Japan, the United States and more recently from Europe. Source: Equine Veterinary Education, April 2016. … [Read more...]
Summer horse health concerns
Summer is almost here. Horse owners and their channel support teams need to keep in mind common health concerns. Summer can be hard on horses. Source: Equus, Issue #403. The specifics of the season will vary by location, but there are some nearly universal concerns. Here's a quick look at some of the conditions that could adversely affect the well-being of horses this … [Read more...]
Giving it away doesn’t work
“Giving discounts on the fly can backfire,” asserts Andy Roark, DVM. “Time and time again, it’s a habit that gets DVMs into trouble. Worse, it’s a practice that’s strangling struggling vet practices and damaging our profession as a whole.” Source: Dr. Andy Roark, May 21, 2016. Most vets understand that giving away products or services means the clinic makes less money. … [Read more...]
Elk serve as perpetual brucellosis reservoir
Teddy Roosevelt, “the conservation president,” could not have anticipated the overlaps in wild herds and commercial livestock populations today. Nor could he have known that elk would carry brucellosis so well. One has to wonder about the elk herd expansion efforts taking place in the lower Missouri and Ohio drainages given these research findings. Source: Drovers … [Read more...]
What if meat eaters acted like vegans?
Dan Murphy’s commentary about a recent video is comical and thoughtful. The video clip “What If Meat Eaters Acted Like Vegans,” presents a satirical look at over-the-top convictions we frequently experience about food topics. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, May 20, 2016. The running gag throughout the 3-minute clip is the absurdity of listening to the “wisdom” of a true … [Read more...]
Ease cat stress during moves
Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant, offers her perspective for dealing with felines during moves. Her proactive steps make good content for veterinary websites, blogs and newsletters. Source: Catster, May 13, 2016. Although moving is stressful for all of the members of the household, cats are especially sensitive and can be easily traumatized by the … [Read more...]
Grads need a P & L
We received Andy Kessler’s article from a subscriber. His tilt is toward recent graduates, but it seems the content offers a lesson for us all. The subscriber also commented that beyond the concept of P & L statements is the unspoken reminder that the objective is P over L. Source: The Wall Street Journal, May 22, 2016. The basic idea is to postpone consumption. Then … [Read more...]
Feed dogs like wolves
Julia Henriques, managing editor, compares dog and wolf dietary needs. Her perspective includes the scavenger behaviors we often see in dogs. Much of the information comes from Dr. Isla Fishburn (BSc Zoology and MBiolSci and PhD in Conservation Biology). Feeding fruits and vegetables has some merit, according to the article. But, we believe a warning on which fruits and … [Read more...]
Preconditioned calves are profitable
Proactively managing calf health pays dividends. We’ve been beating this drum for decades. Like BVD management, a critical component of pre-conditioning, we still have a long way to go, asserts Greg Henderson, editorial director. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, May 2016, page 31. Preconditioning your calves is a no-brainer. It makes money for everybody in the chain and … [Read more...]
Beware of over-vaccinating your dog
Articles like this create a need to help veterinary teams engage with clients about vaccination. While recent information shows an increase in rabies in North America, questions about vaccination need and frequency continue. Our team at Animal Health Digest believes it is important to show professionals the information being sent to consumers, as well as channel-based or … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content: The latest on the feline sarcoma controversy
A roundtable of experts discusses injection site sarcomas in Part 1 of this Clinician’s Forum overview. The experts include Sarah Boston, DVM, DVSc, DADVS; Audra Fenimore, DVM,DACVM; Shannon Vawter, DVM, MS and Nancy Welborn, DVM. Source: Clinician’s Brief, May 2016. KEY POINTS The most recent studies suggest that in the genetically predisposed cat the injection of … [Read more...]
Sharpen equine shot skills
Stacy Tarr, DVM, Wellington, Colorado, reminds readers of the right and wrong ways to give horses intramuscular injections. She also warns that assuming clients know how to do it may be a mistake. Source: Western Horseman, June 2016, page 30. (direct link unavailable) Tarr recommends a three-step process: Clean the site Use the right needle Administer in one … [Read more...]
Salmonella outbreaks linked to turtles
Animal health professionals need to spread the word about small turtles and the potential for salmonella infections. Turtles carry the bacteria on their skin and shell, but they do not get sick. Of those persons infected this year, 41 percent are under the age of five and about 30 percent required hospitalization. Source: CNN, May 19, 2016. Between January 2015 and April of … [Read more...]
A parent’s checklist
Millenials in or entering the workface have been characterized as entitled, lazy and a host of other unflattering terms. While this may be true in many cases, the root cause goes back to parents who allowed such behavior in their child’s formative years. So, when the former dean at Stanford university wrote about parenting in a piece titled, “8 skills everyone should have by … [Read more...]
Overcome your fear of public speaking
Representatives and veterinary team members are generally comfortable speaking one on one. Speaking before a group however can be a different story. Here are four tips to deal with potential fears. Source: Inc., May 16, 2016. Maybe you need to convince others that an idea makes sense. Maybe you need to show investors how a project or business will generate a return. Maybe … [Read more...]
JAVMA contents
For your convenience, we have linked to the table of contents in the latest issues of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Source: JAVMA, May 15, 2016. Source: JAVMA, June 1, 2016. … [Read more...]
The 21 most valuable career skills
Learn which skills are in demand and add to earnings in today’s job market. There are also tips about how to acquire those skills. Source: Money, June 2016. You can’t remain stagnant,” says Lydia Frank, PayScale’s editorial director. “You always want to be learning something new; you always want to be advancing.” … [Read more...]
Fighting equine influenza
Equine influenza virus can spread through an entire herd in a matter of days. We can no longer assume that older horses are immune. This feature covers the virus, viral mutation, pathways and recovery. Veterinary teams, dealer associates and sales representatives will appreciate the fresh resources on this ugly virus. Source: EQUUS, June 2016. (direct link … [Read more...]
JAAHA contents
For your convenience, we have linked to the table of contents in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. Source: JAAHA, May/June 2016. … [Read more...]
More on VFD
The veterinary feed directive gets more explanation in two articles in this issue. The dynamics of veterinarian and nutritionist interactions are presented along with veterinarians’ perspectives on continuing industry progress. Source: Beef Vet, Summer 2016. With a consumer base that’s increasing removed from food production, yet relentlessly interested in it, the VFD could … [Read more...]
When your boss is terrible at leading meetings
Our AHD team likes the perspective that everyone in a meeting is responsible for making it valuable. We have all wasted time in poorly organized meetings. This article has something for anyone who attends meetings. Source: Harvard Business Review, May 16, 2016. Three broad perspectives are available to you in every meeting: You can offer to do things to support your … [Read more...]
It’s time to demand less food waste
Whether it is portion size, harvesting and storage issues or cosmetic perfection for packaging, we waste nearly half of all food produced, says JoAnn Alumbaugh, editor. She gives all of us compelling information to consider as we seek to feed the world. Source: Pork Network, May 16, 2016. Do the basic math: If we can feed 6 billion people on 2 billion to 2.8 billion tons of … [Read more...]
Flea control toolkit available
Death to the devil’s jumping beans! sets the tone of the flea control toolkit featured in this issue. A series of articles covers client issues, selling products, handling client objections, how fleas got here, infestations and script examples. Source: DVM360, May 2016. What do you tell the client who, three weeks ago, started the flea control you recommended and now sees … [Read more...]
Nat’l FFA organization and foundation name new CEO
Mark Poeschl of Brookville, Ohio, will become the new chief executive officer of both organizations effective Aug. 1, 2016. Poeschl, a former FFA member and past state FFA president from Nebraska, brings strong business, customer service, financial, IT and global perspectives to the organization. He currently serves as vice president, group director, stakeholder engagement at … [Read more...]
Millenials: the job-hopping generation
Data supports the thinking that those born between 1980 and 1996 move from company to company more than any previous generation. 60 percent of millennials open to a new job opportunity Millennials most likely generation to switch jobs Millennials are the least engaged generation in the workplace Source: Gallup Business Journal, May 12, 2016. Why are millennials … [Read more...]