According to the recent study, Efficacy of major anthelmintics for reduction of fecal shedding of strongyle-type eggs in horses in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States published in Veterinary Parasitology odds are high that some commercially available dewormers – fenbendazole, oxibendazole, and pyrantel pamoate – showed poor efficacy on the majority of farms … [Read more...]
Blog posts spur debate, discussion
Dr. Andy Roark provides perspective about recent posts he wrote about technicians and low cost clinics. He notes that two articles got amazing amounts of attention. Both were cheered by thousands of readers, stirred discussion and debate, and rubbed some people the wrong way. Review the articles and Dr. Roark’s commentary. Then you can decide. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, … [Read more...]
Social media opens doors, helps clients
Social media presents exciting opportunities for veterinary clinics to get personal and let their culture shine. Their Facebook feeds, YouTube videos, and Instagram pics are often intimate make clients feel like a member of the family. Social media opens new doors for communication – and client services – by allowing clients to ask questions, voice concerns, provide feedback … [Read more...]
Milk still does a body good
Almost every week we see something in the media about vitamin D deficiencies, sources and its value to human health. This article reviews study results and trends among U.S. adults, where osteoporosis and low bone mass concerns. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, February 29, 2016. Fluid milk is the main vehicle that carries vitamin D. In fact, recently released results from a … [Read more...]
AASV Conference convenes
Reflecting the global swine market, communication and science are the themes presented to the 1,100 attendees at the AASV Conference this week. "We need to start building that muscle within our membership of how you relate to people, how you talk to people from different generations, how you talk to people from different genders or other parts of the world and understand where … [Read more...]
Limit invasive species spread in pastures
Suburban acreage owners will appreciate this article as a resource, as will livestock producers. Veterinary teams, retailers, dealers and sales representatives can use this information to discuss European starlings, feral swine, brown trees snakes and other invasive species that pose potential risks. Source: Beef Magazine, February 24, 2016. According to the USDA blog, “It … [Read more...]
Researchers sniff out reasons for canine fecal clouds
The science of canine flatulence, measurement of odor and the elements of the troubling odors emitted by dogs are presented in this article. Descriptions of Flatulence Aroma Retention Togs and the Odor Judge bring smiles. Still, the serious attempt to understand flatulence and odor variations is appropriate considering how much more integrated dogs are in our lives these … [Read more...]
New rabies regulation can save lives
This consumer information is important to veterinary teams and the company representatives who call on them. Rabies vaccinations remain critical to incidence control in all mammalian populations. Read the info, follow the links and determine hospital protocols. Once decisions are complete and vet team members on are all on board, assertively communicate your rabies protocols to … [Read more...]
Cats speak for good reasons
Since we can’t understand their body language, cats learn to vocalize based on their needs and human environments. Veterinary teams and retail associates will find this interesting, as will animal health pros who own cats. Source: Washington Post, February 24, 2016. Swedish phonetics expert and cat lover Susanne Schötz has developed a program to analyze and interpret cat … [Read more...]
Dr. Little looks at robots, genetics and Uber
Adam Little, DVM, tracks technology developments and their potential in animal health. In this issue, he looks at technology and the pet industry, genetics and provides some thoughts on Uber. Source: Exponential Vet, Issue 9, March 1, 2016. This week, we have a great overview by The Atlantic on the Future of Pets, a look at how robotics are being deployed in the home and … [Read more...]
Tyson moves toward antibiotic-free pork
Responding to consumer demand, Tyson announced a new line of meat sourced from pigs raised without drugs, labeled Open Prairie Natural Pork. Source: Takepart, February 25, 2016. While the industry has long argued that it simply cannot raise animals without antibiotics—going so far as to say that doing so would be cruel or inhumane, as sick animals could die—changes in … [Read more...]
Vaccine half-doses can work for small dogs
More than 14,000 people have access to this article that presents the half-dose method of vaccinating small dogs. It references a pilot study conducted by Jean W. Dodds, DVM, to determine whether or not a half-dose distemper and parvovirus vaccine elicited enough immunity to these viruses in adult dogs weighing under 12 pounds. Source: Dogs Naturally, February 26, 2016. The … [Read more...]
Activate inactive clients
Learn how a free program from Partners for Health Pets (PHP) can help recover the ~50 percent of clients who become inactive in a three-year period. Source: AAHA NewStat, February 25, 2016. Partners for Healthy Pets (PHP), an alliance of 100+ veterinary associations, veterinary colleges, and animal health companies focused on preventive care led by AAHA and the American … [Read more...]
New rules of travel rewards program
For many travelers, the current crop of award schemes are at best a distraction and at worst a false promise. With the lackluster earning rates and high-priced awards, it will be years before average travelers accumulate enough miles to book an award trip. Learn the changes and see possible alternatives in this article. Source: USA Today, February 25, 2015. With the … [Read more...]
Fly resistant cattle make for good discussions
Fly resistance is a heritable trait, say researchers. It’s often overlooked. Researchers continue to identify specific genes, but in the meantime selecting for bulls and cows that carry fewer flies can work. Source: Beef Magazine, February 25, 2016. Today, cattle breeding and selection focuses on many things, but heritability of fly resistance is often overlooked. “All the … [Read more...]
Second-guessing, the great re-think
Many of us see the results of second-guessing played out weekly if not daily. The tendencies to make decisions in a vacuum or change directions from a previous decision is near-rampant in some companies and organizations. These authors outline fixes for common re-think behaviors. Clarify the decision-making process Establish a “silence denotes agreement” ground rule at … [Read more...]
A veterinarian’s secret life
Kudos to High Plains Journal for this well-rounded, fact-filled look at what it takes to be a veterinarian. HPJ readership includes 49,000 paid and audited subscribers plus another 70,840 persons in pass-along readership. It is likely your customers will have seen this frank depiction of veterinarians. Source: High Plains Journal, February 15, 2016. Going to vet school is … [Read more...]
Quiz: Are You a Client Compliance Expert?
Compliance in veterinary medicine is defined as the patient receiving the care the veterinary team believes is best. The acronym CRAFT, where compliance = recommendation + acceptance + follow-through, can help the team remember this definition. It is important that the client accepts recommendations. Following the recommendations at home is just as important. Source: … [Read more...]
Shorter meetings. More action.
Veterinarians, veterinary assistants and sales persons will benefit from Peter Bregman’s assertions in this short article. Learn how leading meetings with a hyper-focused approach changes the value of meetings. Check your cellphone at the door and come prepared! Source: Harvard Business Review, February 22, 2016. If you have half the time to accomplish something, you become … [Read more...]
Under-schedule in 2016
Along with a declined meeting request, a reader sent me this article. He indicated he was acting on the advice from Elizabeth Grace Saunders and suggested some future dates. Many animal health professionals feel productivity pressure and sometimes forget the importance of prioritizing and finishing. Ms. Saunders suggests these areas to reclaim your desired experiences of … [Read more...]
Gender-sorted semen can improve beef herd
The next level of sophistication in herds that use artificial insemination (AI) is the selective use of gender-sorted semen. Dairy producers have experienced the benefits of limiting male calf production as males have little value. Justin Rhinehart with the University of Tennessee Extension, discusses the advantages and challenges of using gender-sorted technology in building … [Read more...]
Recognizing, quantifying pain in horses
Our industry continues to study the impact and dynamics of pain in all species. This article introduces a new equine pain scale and its implementation in a hospital setting. Equine veterinary teams and representatives that service them will benefit from reading and discussing the information presented. Source: Equine Veterinary Education, January 2016. Pain management is … [Read more...]
Cheap petroleum helps animal health
Current low gasoline prices may soon be the norm, according to investor and economist Dennis Gartman. Whether commuting to work or paying for fuel related to livestock production, lower fuel prices eases the challenges of paying for animal care. Source: Agriculture.com, February 8, 2016. Two years ago crude oil stayed consistently around $110 per barrel. Last year prices … [Read more...]
Spending on pets up in 2015
Americans spent almost $61 billion on pets in 2015 – a 4.4 percent increase from 2014. This article notes cautious optimism about the future of the pet industry and cites areas of success and others that are experiencing challenges. Source: Reuters, February 22, 2016. The amount of money being spent on pets has increased every year since 1994, according to the American Pet … [Read more...]
Swine Disease Matrix prioritizes pathogens of threat
Much is written about disaster planning. Yet, producers and veterinarians are seldom prepared for disease outbreaks or disasters. The Center for Food Security and Public Health at the College of Veterinary Medicine of Iowa State University announced a comprehensive set of tools to address this. Fact sheets offer information about each disease are ready for immediate use in the … [Read more...]
Exam room do’s and dont’s
Ensuring a positive experience for animals and the clients is critical for customer satisfaction and retention. This private space provides the ideal opportunity for veterinary team members to educate clients on preventatives and treatments. Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition), Wamego, Kansas, identifies exam room disciplines that make exam room visits smooth and … [Read more...]
Help clients with species-appropriate diets
One hundred percent of dogs and cats that visit a veterinary hospital or retail center eat some type of food. The diet category gets more confusing every day. Most animal owners make diet choices with little information. This article compares the needs of cats and dogs eating raw diets and presents the realities of species differences. Source: Dogs Naturally, February 19, … [Read more...]
VFD – repeat after me
We at AHD believe it is important to continue to offer quality resources about the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). Each time people review something important, there evidence that they achieve a new level of understanding. Thus, repetition helps. VFD is important, requires mutual engagement between veterinarians and clients. It will take time to get a VFD in place with each … [Read more...]
Seven qualities of a good veterinary assistant
According to the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA): “While every position within the veterinary practice team is important, veterinary assistants play a pivotal role, literally ... In the course of a single day, an assistant provides help to veterinarians and veterinary technicians, which in turn allows those team members to perform the tasks and … [Read more...]
Editorial – Things that keep vets up at night
The results of dvm360’s triennial survey are out. The survey makes clear veterinarians are concerned. They feel the same changes we feel and more. Addressing their concerns with proper action remains a strong challenge. Enterprising reps will set aside the detail book and use these survey results to have solution-centered dialogues with their accounts. “B” accounts will … [Read more...]