Experts report that lead content in some municipal water systems is high. This article on human risk begs for a reference about pet risk. It’s not only a problem in cities. Lead also occurs in some rural systems where urban sprawl has created the need to tap old well water and rural water delivery systems. We offer two references for veterinary hospital teams to … [Read more...]
Use travel time productively
Animal health pros are on the move during the first quarter of each year attending conventions, national sales meetings, CE events and the like. Maintaining productivity while traveling is challenging. This article offers ideas on how to use wisely use travel time. Source: Harvard Business Review, November 5, 2015. Travel has become a standard part of many professionals’ … [Read more...]
Hire a cat sitter or not?
Veterinary hospital teams will find this article valuable for newsletters, websites or blogs. Team members will want to have this as a resource for owners looking to responsibly leave their cat at home. Source: Tufts Catnip, January 25, 2016 newsletter. Ideally, the visit to a cat’s home shouldn’t just be for feeding and emptying the litter box. The pet sitter should spend … [Read more...]
9 new pickups for 2016
If you are in animal health, trucks are part of discussions. Here’s a look at what’s available for 2016. Source: Beef, January 14, 2016. Today’s pickups give you jaw-dropping technology, stylish, comfortable interiors plus plenty of horsepower under the hood teamed with muscle in the powertrain to haul the livestock and get the job done. Whether it’s fixing fence, moving … [Read more...]
Beef herd rebuilding in 2016
We’ll have more cows to keep healthy this year, but producers will likely see profits decline. For animal health pros, this is sweet and sour. It means more doses but they have less value to producers. This signals the need for re-promoting comprehensive health plans at all levels of production visit by visit. When markets decline, animal health products are often overlooked. … [Read more...]
74,650 in 365 days – a new record
200-plus pounds of milk each day from a single cow? Astounding! It’s all the more reason I often see the dairy cow as a living manufacturing plant, or a milk-making machine. Stories like this underscore the continuous need to maintain preventive health protocols, in addition to optimizing nutrition. In a cow like Gigi, even the slightest health problem could negatively … [Read more...]
Editorial – Understand the customer’s perspective
People often like to discover their own solutions. Technologies, processes and practices have tactically improved the business of people doing business with people. This doesn’t mean folks don’t want help at times. Too often, companies look at customers as cash machines that can satisfy shareholders and offer solutions without the customer in mind. When we approach business … [Read more...]
Biosurveillance vital to swine industry
Technological advancements support increasing biosurveillance activities to react more rapidly to disease outbreaks. Understanding active and passive disease surveillance processes is critical for marketing and sales personnel working in the swine segment. Building the network of communication is well underway. This article indicates developments will strengthen the network, … [Read more...]
Celebrating seedstock icon Dave Nichols
Dave Nichols made his mark on the beef seedstock business over the last 60-plus years. His father’s coaching, “Your word is better than your bond,” remained as a guiding principle for this man and his operation. Known as a character, Nichols’ persistence, commitment to learning and undying support of family and employees make this article worth reading. Source: Drovers … [Read more...]
Three stages of calving (parturition)
This is a nice review of the stages of the calving process. A note in the third stage reminds some of what Grandpa always did may not be the best method for placental shedding. This article is a sound reference for veterinarians to review with their cow/calf clients, as well as clinic personnel. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, January 20, 2016. Animal scientists and … [Read more...]
Winter storms’ impact
The devastating effect of winter storms Goliath and Jonah will hurt livestock producers for months. The former killed more than 50,000 dairy and beef cattle. The latter’s effect on dairy, swine and poultry won’t be known for weeks. An untold number of veterinary hospital visits that were scheduled before the storms will likely never be rescheduled. Keeping those businesses … [Read more...]
ED hits horses, too
I was stopped in my tracks by this article. Stallions may lose interest in breeding or have trouble impregnating mares. Foaling season is underway so breeding season is about to start. David Ramey, DVM, walks readers through broad categories of stallion problems in this article. Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 2016, page 55. Things to think about if it appears … [Read more...]
Deer herd population declining
Deer seem to be everywhere. However, in some areas herd populations are in decline. Hemorrhagic disease tops the list of five reasons for this according to Quality Deer Management Association’s Kip Adams. Source: Whitetail Journal, February 2016, page 8. Top 5 reasons for deer herd decline. 10 year data comparisons note regional differences. INSIGHTS: Veterinarians and … [Read more...]
Help stop canine brucellosis
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is urging veterinarians to play a major role to help stop the spread of canine brucellosis, a contagious and incurable bacterial infection most often found in breeding kennels. The agency’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service released best practices for veterinarians and kennel operators who may encounter the disease, which causes … [Read more...]
Where do dogs really come from?
A new study may help us understand the origin of modern dogs as we know them. Scientists have some consensus but many hypothesis are still at odds. Source: The New York Times, January 18, 2016. One reason for the conflicting theories, according to Greger Larson, a biologist in the archaeology department at the University of Oxford, is that dog genetics are a mess. In an … [Read more...]
Zoobiquity at NAVC
Aratana Therapeutics hosted Dr. Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers, co-authors of Zoobiquity for a live presentation of their experiences linking connections between human and animal health. Natterson-Horowitz referenced pathologies shared by non-humans and people which are not explicitly infectious such as breast cancer, heart failure, obesity and self-injury. Source: … [Read more...]
NAVC notes
The 33rd annual NAVC Conference drew 17,328 attendees setting a new attendance record. The 2017 conference will take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, February 4 – 8. Source: Inside NAVC, January 19, 2016. INSIDE NAVC is the official newspaper of the NAVC Conference. This tabloid, published on-site and distributed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday … [Read more...]
Prep now for Pet Dental Month
Progress slowly continues in realizing the potential of the dental market. Multiple barriers remain, yet the health benefits are widely accepted. February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Veterinary teams and sales personnel getting ready for the event will appreciate these two articles. Source: True Prophylaxis, JAVMA News, January 15, 2016, page 130. There is a long … [Read more...]
Solving equine skin problems
Equine skin problems are uncomfortable and perplexing. Anna O’Brien, DVM, reviews common skin problems and what to do about them in this article. Equine veterinary hospital teams and the reps who call on them will benefit from reviewing this article and discussing the various treatment options. Source: Horse Illustrated, February 2016, page 57. (direct link unavailable) The … [Read more...]
Toenail trim tips
Proper, routine nail care is emphasized in this well-illustrated article. Groomers, vet technicians and hospital team members will benefit from understanding the biomechanics of nail care in dogs. The information is also good for clinic websites and newsletters. Source: Dog Naturally Magazine, January/February 2016. Trimming nails does not have be a traumatic event … [Read more...]
WSAVA updates vaccination guidelines
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association guideline changes reflect the growing attitude that a one-size-fits-all approach is impractical. The guidelines redefine core vaccines from a global perspective and supports an adjustment to boosters based on scientific evidence, such as maternal anti-bodies. Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 12, 2016. . Compared with … [Read more...]
VFD regulations affect dairies
We will tire of VFD articles almost before we get started. However, compliance and understanding come with repetition and multiple perspectives. Fred Gingrich, an Ohio DVM, concisely discusses VFD regulations from a product perspective. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 5, 2016. It is important to recognize what products are affected by these rules. For cattle, the … [Read more...]
Defusing emotional conversations
Opinion differences are inevitable when working together. Ron Friedman, Ph.D. shares a strategy for times when conversations become so emotionally charged they have nothing to do with the issues at hand. Source: Harvard Business Review, January 12, 2016. What do you do when a conversation is spiraling out of control? When you’ve tried all the patient listening you can … [Read more...]
Skills for safety trainers
Where there are people doing jobs, safety training is critical. Learn some best practices in this article supported by the National Agronomic Environmental Health and Safety School. Source: AgProfessional, January 2016, page 46. “Captivate your audience, but don’t treat them like captives,” says Fred Whitford, PhD, Purdue. “A trainer always has to provide the key message he … [Read more...]
Hoe, cows hoe!
Training their palates so cows eat noxious weeds is the topic. Producers will find this article intriguing and valuable. It is an interesting take on managing forage density. Source: Modern Farmer, January 11, 2016. For years, livestock educator Kathy Voth has been telling farmers and ranchers exactly this—that cows can be trained to eat broadleaf “weeds,” which can … [Read more...]
Editorial – The bright side of sleep
The infographic caught my attention in this blog. It reminds me of a video once presented by a health insurer during a company meeting. If you have not discussed the importance of sleep with your hospital team or your representatives, consider this as a reminder. (No commercial intention in this post.) Source: Nuyu Blog, 12/22/15. Sleep is a natural part of life and … [Read more...]
Holding people accountable
Peter Bregman hones in on five areas of clarity that foster accountability in those around us. Whether you’re the president or dog walker, these help. Source: Harvard Business Review, January 11, 2016. Accountability is not simply taking the blame when something goes wrong. It’s not a confession. Accountability is about delivering on a commitment. It’s responsibility to an … [Read more...]
If a cat poops in the bed…?
Cat poop and Aristotle? Not two references you would expect to see in an article. However, the author uniquely correlates behavior to philosophy to discuss a common problem. Veterinary team members will value the perspective. Consider this content for clinic websites, blogs or newsletters. Source: Catster, January 5, 2016. Aristotle’s concept of the “four causes” provides a … [Read more...]
Curling lips mean what?
Sent by a subscriber, this is a serious, yet comical look at lip curling. The links are fun, too. Veterinary team members will enjoy sharing this with clients via websites or blogs. Enjoy! Source: Slate, January 12, 2016. The flehmen response is a scent-sucking mechanism employed by many mammalian species. It’s easy to mistake the behavior for aggression, since the animal … [Read more...]
Coupon use trending to digital
Goodbye cut-out and print coupons. Welcome digital point-of-choice incentives. This article follows our recent references to millennials and their mobile-based preferences. More concerning than a change in point-of-sale promotions is the reference to no planning and the “get-it-now” mentality. Clearly changes are underway. Animal health retailers, dispensing DVMs and … [Read more...]