This issue is well done, diverse and interesting. It reflects the partnerships with AAEP and AAVT. Horse owners won’t toss it away. It starts with the drive-to-work observations of Stephanie Church, editor-in-chief, who notes how easily interspecies contact can muddle our best prevention efforts. If you deal with horse owners in any capacity, this issue is a keeper. Source: … [Read more...]
Dogs vs. stairs
A subscriber sent this.. We hope you smile as much as we did when you watch it. Source: Petcha.com. There is something about stairs that some dogs just can’t figure out. Petcha compiled some funny clips of dogs using some "unique" methods to figure it out. … [Read more...]
Build more profitable relationships with small customers
Pareto’s economic law or, the 80/20 rule, when applied across account analytics often places good, small customers into a “call less often” category. In essence, we call on the 20 percent of the customers whose historical contribution was 80 percent of the revenue. Source: Modern Distribution Management, February 2, 2016. Making money with smaller customers is possible, if … [Read more...]
Animal health and technology intersect
Exponential Vet is the brainchild of Adam Little, DVM. Adam met with Animal Health Digest during NAVC to discuss his approach to the curation of articles focused to explore the intersection of animal health and technology. He is passionate about technology and his profession. AHD is proud to provide our subscribers a link to his bi-weekly Exponential Vet newsletter. Source: … [Read more...]
Dog tails tell
TV personality Cesar Millan explains how a dog’s tail tells his emotions in this article. Veterinary hospital teams will find this valuable for in-service days with elementary school kids and puppy classes. Source: Cesar’s Way, February 3, 2016. Animals’ primary methods of communicating are through eye contact, their ear position, and their tails. When an animal is being … [Read more...]
Heartworm prevention requires compliance
While exercising today, I heard a familiar buzzing sound. It was a mosquito. In February. It’s a a stark reminder that heartworm prevention needs to be in place 12 months a year. This article and handout linked to it can help restart compliance discussions. Source: DVM 360, February 2, 2016. Whether your clients just don't realize the risk and serious implications of … [Read more...]
Use technology to manage business cards
If you return from a conference and were at least half-engaged, you brought back a stack of business cards. Follow-up is a challenge as we return to our regular jobs and catch up on work that piled up while we were gone. Alexandra Samuel shares her seven-step strategy for using social media to turn conference introductions into ongoing connections. Source: Harvard Business … [Read more...]
Stop judging your new consumer
Pre-judging clients is an age-old challenge for the veterinary community. Today, however, “Mr. Google” is now a partner in hospital team efforts to get clients to listen and decide on their animals care, according to Julie Carlson, an author and a certified veterinary technician. Source: DVM 360, February 1, 2016. It’s easy to get frustrated by clients. You’re trying to do … [Read more...]
Young people moving away from social media
Thank you to the subscriber who sent this article. We may be seeing the next evolution in digital media. Young people were the first to use social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. They may now be the first to leave and move on to something new, explains Felicity Duncan, assistant professor of digital communication and social media with Cabrini College. This … [Read more...]
Heads up, sales! Change is nigh!
To be successful in the future, sales departments will have to understand that the sales process has taken a back seat to the buying process, writes Carlos Hidalgo. Sellers must understand the perspectives of leads and become subject matter experts, he adds. Finally, sales and marketing departments must understand the importance of working together to generate and define … [Read more...]
Social studies for calves
The headline stopped me. Dairy veterinarians and reps servicing dairy accounts need to consider the practice of pairing calves based on the study this article references. It is surprising separation anxiety is not referenced given our experiences with early and post-weaning stress in most animals. This is not unlike trying to lessen anxiety by pairing two puppies or two … [Read more...]
Happiness deserves a list, too
Beyond your bucket list, developing a daily list may be more critical to your overall happiness, according to Claire Diaz-Ortiz. She recently took part in a personal development exercise and shares her experience in this blog post. It includes a how-to for us to consider. Source: Linked-In Influencer, February 1, 2016. There are alot of things that fill me up in life. And, … [Read more...]
Reps can be full business partners
Veterinarians, especially those working toward more active veterinarian-client-patient relationships in the face of the veterinary feed directive regulations, can be considered reps in this article by Pat Malone of The PAR Group. (See VFD-still much to do, 2/4/16). Leaders, he says, gain and keep wholehearted followers for a given course of action. Consider Malone’s five key … [Read more...]
VFD – still much to do
“Ignorance of the law excuses no man from practicing it,” wrote, Addison Mizner, a 19th century architect. This quote is appropriate to Wes Ishmael’s article. It says many producers and some veterinarians are still unaware of how critical the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) and veterinary feed directive (VFD) are to future production practices. Source: Beef, … [Read more...]
Handout helps determine pets’ quality of life
Veterinary hospital teams are often asked to help decide when it is time to euthanize. This reference includes a useful handout to help pet owners sift through choices. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, October 2014. When evaluating quality of life, personalized patient and client information is needed to reach an educated, informed, and supported choice that fits not only the … [Read more...]
5 diseases you can catch from pets
Zoonotic transfer from dogs and cats are rare, according to Jason Stull, PhD, with The Ohio State University. His research exposed the five most frequent pet-to-human disease transfers. Have this resource available for pet owners in veterinary hospitals, hospital websites or newsletters. Complete with photos, it is also good information for veterinarians and veterinary … [Read more...]
Proud flesh tips
Equine veterinary teams need to see what equine owners receive via email. The information presented here, including the linked material, makes good content for a clinic website or newsletter. Source: Equine Network, February 2, 2016. As a horse's wound begins to heal, pinkish granulation tissue fills in the gaps between soft tissues. Granulation tissue normally stops … [Read more...]
High-intensity emotions affect our work
For most workers the physical effort we exert in our day jobs does not warrant the fatigue we feel at day’s end. Learn how high-intensity emotions affect our energy in this informative article. Source: Harvard Business Review, Managing Yourself, February 1, 2016. Whether you’re getting amped up with anxiety or with excitement, you are draining yourself of your most … [Read more...]
Natural pet food claims becoming complicated
Labeling challenges, key word definitions and regulatory oversight challenges the natural pet food market, as well as our human food markets. This quick read will provide some insight as veterinary teams and sales representatives discuss this food category, including treats. Source: Petfood Industry, February 1, 2016. Managing marketing claims on pet food packaging and in … [Read more...]
100 years of cattle numbers
The cattle inventory is experiencing the highest increase in U.S. cattle inventory in 35 years. This retrospective of 100 years of history lends perspective to the ups and downs of the cattle industry. Source: Cattle Trader Center, January 31, 2016. The cattle inventory reached 100 million head for the first time in 1962. It remained over 100 million for 26 years until … [Read more...]
Editorial – There are no food activists in blizzards
Jennifer Latzke occasionally sounds off in her editorials and blogs. This post is one of those. You’ll appreciate the pragmatic view she presents. Source: High Plains Journal, February 1, 2016. If photos of empty grocery shelves in towns up and down the East Coast are any proof, there must not be that many food activists in blizzards. Empty milk cases, naked produce … [Read more...]
Become a fantastic listener
Active listening is a challenge for most animal health professionals. Our attention and intentions are frequently distractions from truly hearing what another person has to say. This article offers guidance for becoming a better listener. Source: Lead Change Group, February 1, 2016. Most of us think that we are average to good listeners. Unfortunately, that is the status we … [Read more...]
Weather looks good
Art Douglas, PhD, professor emeritus, Creighton University, presented his annual analysis of the U.S. weather outlook for the coming growing season. It looks pretty good. He’s presented his long-term forecasts during the CattleFax Conference for 40 years. This quick read will help you be ready for the next discussion at the local gathering spot. Source: Drovers … [Read more...]
CE and job satisfaction connected for vet techs
The current veterinary technician turnover rate is 35 percent and the average term of employment is 12 years, according to metrics in this article. Practice managers and veterinary hospital owners will find the information valuable as they seek to retain veterinary technicians as vet tech positions are projected to continue growing. Source: The NAVTA Journal, Dec/Jan 2016, … [Read more...]
Livestock wearables now reality
The art of reading a cow is being augmented by actual measurements from wearable digital technology. Herdsmen with cellphone technology can monitor body temperatures, heat cycles, rumen conditions, GPS locations and more. Source: Modern Farmer, January 28, 2016. The market for wearable technology for animals is expected to grow from around $1 billion currently to $2.5 … [Read more...]
Biosecurity vigilance urged as PED immunity dissipates
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus is still circulating in the U.S., according to Paul Sundberg, DVM, executive director of the Swine Health Information Center. Noting lowered incidence, he says improved biosecurity and a buildup of natural immunity by exposed herds have helped reduce the level of PED. This natural immunity may be short lived, however. Source: The Pig Site, … [Read more...]
Canine influenza on the move
Discussing media content about disease movement and prevalence directed toward consumers is critical for animal health professionals. We are frequently challenged to maintain consumer confidence in our pharmaceuticals, biologicals, even veterinarians, while we fight to do what’s right for animals and their owners. Thankfully, the AVMA is the information resource in this article … [Read more...]
No bones about it
“With a knick-knack, paddy whack, give a dog a bone,” go the lyrics of This Old Man a nursery rhyme published in 1906. According to Erik Barchas, DVM, bones are a no-no. Veterinary teams might use this as a discussion item for a staff meeting so everyone is on the same page in the practice. Source: Dogster, January 12, 2016. Bones — and it doesn’t matter whether they’re … [Read more...]
Keep cats happy
Veterinary teams building feline practice will appreciate this article. Sharing some of this content via websites or newsletters may keep clients and their feline friends purring. Source: Catster, January 15, 2016. Interacting with the cats, observing behavior and making homes feline-friendly help keep cats mentally and physically healthy. See recommendations in these key … [Read more...]
Read labels right
Animal health pros, especially veterinary teams must be able to explain labels on pet foods, treats and related items. Labels are becoming more important to consumers. Source: Petfood Industry, January 14, 2016. Human food trends continue to heavily influence pet food trends, and not just when it comes to the food itself—package labeling has become an increasingly important … [Read more...]