Equine veterinarians and dealers will appreciate this extensive article as a resource when servicing horses and owners experiencing RAO (recurrent airway obstruction). Reps calling on equine vets and dealers may wish to share this article with customers as a resource for websites and for specific customers with chronic problems. Source: Equus, December 2015, page 42. (direct … [Read more...]
Thinking about going mobile?
For equine and livestock practitioners, mobile practice is a reality. It is also an option for a segment of small animal veterinarians. David Ramey, DVM, discusses some of the nuances and challenges of ambulatory practice. Source: Veterinary Practice News, December 2015, page 1, continued on page 38. Mobile practices allow DVMs to practice high-quality medicine and surgery … [Read more...]
Ups and downs of DIY wellness plans
When considering adding wellness plans to expand practice products and services, do-it-yourself (DIY) plans are frequently discussed by veterinarians and practice managers. While a DIY plans feel like an extension of independent practices, Don Jergler exposes pros and cons in this read. Source: Veterinary Practice News, December 2015, page 28. The popularity and upside of … [Read more...]
Vaccinate calves against pneumonia to fulfill their productivity potential
Significant dollars are spent annually to monitor market conditions and test assumptions. This short article shares results from independent research completed for Zoetis. Veterinarians, dealers and salespersons will find value in understanding the research results as they discuss calf management strategies with producers. The article discusses the long-term effect of disease … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Seven Reasons Why Direct Mail is Still King
Most of us enjoy receiving mail. It may not be treated as urgently as it once was, but it can still be effective and actionable. This quick read offers food for thought as 2016 strategies and plans take form. Source: MWI Messenger, December 2015, page 16. Even with all the buzz surrounding social media and website optimization, traditional direct mail marketing is still … [Read more...]
Cattle herd now in expansion phase
The cattle herd is now firmly in expansion phase and producers should be thinking in those terms, says Marty Foreman. The article takes readers through a look at trends, reasons and economic factors to consider. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork Daily, December 2015. Rising beef cow numbers will lead to a larger calf crop, increasing fed-cattle supply, rising beef production … [Read more...]
Customer experience is key to B2B success: Study
Customer experiences and the capacity to deliver are the focus of this blog post relating to select findings from Accenture’s new B2B Customer Experience Report. While focused on large companies, the report has meaning for anyone servicing customers and resellers. Source: Marketing Dive Daily Newsletter, December 2, 2015 One impediment to success is only 32 percent of … [Read more...]
Bad birds
There are no references to Hitchcock's 1963 film The Birds, in this quick read. Still, the challenge of managing both feed loss and contamination can be problematic for producers. North Dakota State University Extension Service dairy specialist J.W. Schroeder provides some perspective and elimination ideas for consideration. Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 29, … [Read more...]
Elimination of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae from breed-to-wean farms: A review of current protocols
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) remains one of the most prevalent and economically significant respiratory pathogens in the swine industry. Economic losses related to M. hyo are associated with decreased feed efficiency, reduced average daily gain, and increased medication costs. Learn about current protocols with emphasis on herd closure and medication in this peer-reviewed … [Read more...]
Crowning of the UPHA 2015 National Champions
The nearly 200 pages celebrating American Saddlebred horses, their owners, trainers and show results is a reminder of just how much passion, time and effort is involved in equine ownership. The current issue of The Saddle Horse Report is dedicated to the horses and people who participated in the American Royal show in Kansas City, Missouri. Source: The Saddle Horse Report, … [Read more...]
How to handle and store livestock vaccines
Tracey Erickson, South Dakota State University Extension's Dairy Field Specialist, provides a solid reference document for handling and storing vaccines in this quick read. While valid vet-client-patient relationships help in establishing the vaccine of choice, Erickson offers tips for how to keep and store animal vaccines and provides an overview of the types of livestock … [Read more...]
Invest in pig health and get a big ROI
ROI discussions are often challenging for representatives and veterinary teams who work with pork production personnel, ownership and facilities. Producers working to increase their revenue often cut-back on medical costs. Information in this article may be valuable to restart a conversation with clients or customers waffling on preventative and disease prevention measures. … [Read more...]
Welcome to the “antibiotic-free” fear factory
The debate continues regarding antibiotic residues. The video accompanying this article in Drovers CattleNetwork Daily is not the marketing hype of large, branded fast-food chains, rather it is an excellent resource to utilize in support of safe, meat protein production. Regardless of your role, as an animal health professional please take time to consider the value of … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – First-ever equine leptospirosis vaccine
Equine veterinarians, dealers and sales/marketing representatives who serve them will want to know about this e-blast delivered for Zoetis. Western Horseman has 160,000 subscribers, 20,000 web visits and 500,000 in total readership. Certainly, this large circulation will draw attention and create questions. The notice includes a link to a risk assessment tool, as … [Read more...]
6 things we get wrong about El Niño
Weather dominates discussions in rural and metropolitan communities. This helpful, easy read links to more information on the impacts of El Niño and La Niña. Read this before you blame El Niño for the weather. Source: AG WEB, November 24, 2015. For years, people have been pointing to El Niño as the culprit behind floods, droughts, famines, economic failures, and … [Read more...]
America’s pig farmer – doing it right
It is easy to forget that people anchor quality meat production. This article celebrates a more traditional pig farmer who is also the first recipient of the Pig Farmer of the Year award, Keith Schoemetter. This article is a refreshing perspective on environmental stewardship, animal health, community involvement and employee management. Source: National Hog Farmer, November … [Read more...]
Soothe those irritated ears
Craig Griffin, DVM, DACVD, shares fundamentals on how to achieve an optimal outcome in veterinary patients with ear infections or allergic conditions. Products and treatments are discussed in this article that could be used in a checklist fashion or as educational background for clinic staff and channel sales reps. Source: Veterinary Medicine, November 2015, page 288. It is … [Read more...]
The power of pet insurance
Numbers are the compelling story in this quick read highlighting data provided by Nationwide pet insurance. For example: 1.92 annual veterinary visits by clients with pet insurance, compared with 1.18 without. $542 annual spending on dogs by clients with pet insurance, compared with $376 without. Source: Veterinary Economics, November 2015, page 8. The real challenge … [Read more...]
Never-before-seen equipment lists from the 2015 Hospitals of the Year
Equipping veterinary practices whether new, remodeling or upgrading can be a challenge the hospital staff, as well as those supplying equipment. Hours of research can be involved. Equip your space like the pros brings a unique perspective on the equipment choices made by hospitals awarded Hospital of the Year status. Source: Veterinary Economics, November 15, page 12. Now … [Read more...]
Protect patients from pharmacists’ errors with these 10 tips
Congress may soon mandate that DVMs provide a prescription for veterinary drugs they have traditionally dispensed. In this hard-hitting piece, Alice M. Jeromin, RPh, DVM, DACVD, notes critical differences between human and veterinary practices. She urges DVMs to contact their congresspersons to object to the bill. Source: DVM 360, November 2015, page M1. The main problem as … [Read more...]
Understanding heart disease in cats
Suzanne Cunningham, DVM, assistant professor of cardiology at Tufts, does a nice job in this article of helping cat owners understand and identify potential feline heart disease. She reminds readers that heartworm disease is diagnosed in about 10 percent of cats these days. It should be considered as a threat to feline health, especially where hot, damp climates encourage … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Canine Bordetella vaccine: now easy to administer
Richard Meadows, DVM, DABVP, offers perspectives on Bordetella vaccination delivery options from the position of teaching veterinary students the practical aspects of vaccination. A sidebar reviews the four clinically important facts about Bordetella bronchiseptica. Source: Clinician's Brief, October 2015 print issue, page 26. As a veterinarian charged with teaching … [Read more...]
Senior cats: diabetes, kidneys and hyperthyroidism
Veterinary professionals have written three articles directed toward show cat owners in Cat Talk. This publication is dedicated to the needs of owners of more than 2 million pedigreed cats. Each issue offers profiles, perspectives and treatment options to educate the owners of aging cats. Source: Cat Talk, page 24. This "Senior Cat" issue looks at the issues that older cats … [Read more...]
Making a VFD game plan with Doc
The Drovers CattleNetwork Daily featured a great reminder of the need for the veterinary-client-patient relationship to be planned before being executed. Set to go into effect January 1, 2017, Veterinary Feed Directice (VFD) rules may seem like a long way away, but producers need to start working with their veterinarians now to develop plans. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork … [Read more...]
Case Study – Juvenile diabetes mellitus: long-term management
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians may find this case report informative and validating as they consider individual pet therapies. Source: JAAHA Nov/Dec 2015, page 419. Juvenile Diabetes Mellitus and Concurrent Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in a Labrador Retriever: Long-Term Management. A three-month old, female, entire Labrador retriever presented with vomiting, … [Read more...]
Welcome to the experience economy. It’s everything!
Should customer experience management, chief experience officer and call centers be topics in veterinary practices? Yes. The November 2015 issue of AAHA Trends takes a close look at these emerging hot topics in veterinary practices that change client services approaches and outcomes. Source: AAHA Trends, November 2015, page 20. Trends took a multi-pronged approach to the … [Read more...]
Pet business gets even more personal!
This blog post from Packaging Digest exposes even more reasons to consider personalized resources and tools for clients of veterinary hospitals. While the article is about the Just Right brand from Purina there is context here for veterinarians, practice managers and vet teams to consider as they interact with clients. Using photos in web tools and in digital medical files … [Read more...]
Write ‘em, Cowboy: Celebrating Baxter Black
My father grew up on a traditional southern Iowa farm, moved to town and worked in the financial industry, but always followed Baxter Black. I still remember his laughter at the photocopies of Baxter Black articles he would send me. Speaking of Black, in an article in the September issue of Western Horseman, Red Steagall says, "Baxter looks out a window that is uniquely his … [Read more...]
Four top nutrients every animal needs
Learn what pet owners are reading about nutrition in the October/November issue of Animal Wellness. Jean Hofve, D.V.M. walks readers through the top nutrients needed by dogs/cats: Omega 3 Fatty Acids Digestive Enzymes Probiotics Antioxidants Other articles address liver, pH and supplementation. Source: Animal Wellness, Oct/Nov 2015 page 42. Many people, … [Read more...]
Hoard’s Dairyman on intranasal vaccines and colostrum
Two articles from the November 2015 issue of Hoard’s Dairyman are worthy of consideration when interacting with dairymen, herdsmen and/or their veterinarian. 1) Geof W. Smith, D.V.M., NC State Raleigh, NC, walks through the features, functions and benefits of intranasal vaccines and makes some general recommendations for when to use them. 2) Colostrum efficacy is discussed … [Read more...]