Commentary We’re reposting these resources after learning that a neighbor’s 8-year-old terrier spent nearly four days recovering after ingesting cannabis during a visit from guests. The family thought the dog had ingested an Rx tablet but questions from poison control led them to discover one of the guests had dropped a marijuana bud. “Avoiding CBD discussions won’t stop … [Read more...]
Essential oils smell good to us but may be dangerous for pets
We live in a smell-sensitive society awash with myriad options for improving the aromas of our environs. With more than 60 percent of households with pets, the $2 billion U.S. air freshener market continues to grow <Link>. Aware of the potential health or environmental risks associated with synthetic chemicals, consumer demand is increasing for organic and natural … [Read more...]
Burnout in veterinary medicine: A work-life balance guide
Complimentary Content from Guardian Vet Burnout remains a huge concern and rates of veterinary compassion fatigue are extremely high. Its effects are pervasive impacting veterinarians, vet technicians and others in practices, as well as practice economics. Pulling from discussions on the Vet Health Podcast, Bryce Patterson shares a guide that looks at individual and … [Read more...]
Vets identify 4 barriers to pet food nutrition communication
Commentary Four main barriers may hinder communication about nutrition between pet owners and vets, according to research published in JAVMA <Link>. Time Misinformation and information overload Pet owners’ apprehension toward new information Veterinarians’ confidence in nutrition knowledge and communication skills Collecting diet and treat information … [Read more...]
Are cross-selling and personalization now the same?
We are in the midst of a software revolution, writes Armondo Roggio. He shares perspectives on the rapid changes in e-commerce marketing approaches fueled by ever-evolving AI which is blurring the lines between personalization and cross-selling. He warns marketers to avoid putting merchandising on auto-pilot and allow an AI to take over. The better AI becomes, the more blurry … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 18, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 11, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the January 11th AHD Bulletin – Understanding active listening and distractions. Link. The pros and cons of servant leadership. Link. 22 team-building activities and games for 2024. Link. ============================================ Study: Antibiotics … [Read more...]
Decision making in severe equine asthma. Diagnosis and monitoring.
The authors of this paper developed a flow-chart to help equine practitioners in the process of decision making associated with diagnosing and monitoring SEA. To improve diagnostic and treatment accuracy they present various tests that help monitor the occurrence of pathological changes, such as mucus accumulation and bronchial smooth muscle hypertrophy secondary to the … [Read more...]
Cell phone addiction, how it impacts our relationships
Commentary It irks me when a customer service person interrupts an in-person interaction to answer the phone. Now, cellphones are an insidious part of our culture and impact our ability to have authentic in-person interactions in business and our personal lives. Simon Sinek shares the psychological power smartphones signal when visibly present and signs of phone … [Read more...]
Brands share feeding fundamentals for puppies and kittens
The puppy and kitten diet market is replete with brands. Glenn A. Polyn shares insights from various brands on the nutritional needs of puppies and kittens in this article. Consistent delivery of nutritional elements that support steady growth and managing feed timing and volume are common to most brand messages. Polyn advocates for retailers to become more knowledgeable about … [Read more...]
How companies are supporting employees experiencing menopause
Commentary One statement in this article defines the importance of the topic it covers. “By 2025, there will be over 1 billion people worldwide experiencing menopause.” Organizations that take employee well-being seriously realize that getting ahead of conditions like menopause reduces an incredible burden on their workforce and can improve the bottom line say the … [Read more...]
How much automation is too much?
Commentary Self-service phone options offer streamlining for businesses and customers. BUT, when these options require multiple prompts, take two minutes or more and end without the ability to talk to a human, the customer service experience suffers. Digitization provides important advancements in providing better veterinary medicine and patient outcomes, but animal owners … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 11, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 4, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the January 4th AHD Bulletin – Will we be ready? Introducing Gen Alpha. Link. Cat takes exception to coyotes attacking the family dog (video). Link. Communication – a critical skill for success. Link. … [Read more...]
Beef on dairy, the perfect cross
The average number of milk cows for the nation's total dairy herd remains level <Link>. To produce milk a cow must have a calf whether the calf is desired or not. So, dairy producers eager to create a valuable calf have the beef-on-dairy revolution booming. These crossbred animals are making a considerable contribution to meat cases, thereby driving research on producing … [Read more...]
AHS resource for heartworm prevention
Animal health pros need to keep beating the drums about preventing heartworm. Prevention nonadherence remains prevalent in the U.S. The incidence of heartworm disease has continued to rise in previously known hot spots, but also in unexpected locations with previously low heartworm rates <Link>. Short articles like this one from the American Heartworm Society make good … [Read more...]
Dealing with drug-resistant hookworms
ICYMI. Drug-resistant hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum) are now widespread in dogs across the United States and have been identified in Canada. Hookworm anthelmintic resistance is no longer limited to a single antimicrobial. It has been documented for several common deworming drugs, including fenbendazole and febantel (benzimidazoles), macrocyclic lactones, avermectin/milbemycin … [Read more...]
ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance wants to hear from you
The ASPCA Pet Health Insurance team is looking forward to different conversations at the upcoming 2024 VMX. Stop by booth #1311 and share the discussions you are having with dog, cat and horse owners about pet insurance. Ask about the various tools available to support those important discussions. The expectations clients have of veterinary services continue to evolve making … [Read more...]
Advancing oral care at home, COHAT in the veterinary hospital
Attention VMX attendees! Visit booth #1416 to learn about new advancements in veterinary dental diagnostics. Addison Biological Laboratories is hosting D.A.V.I.D. X-Ray in their booth to introduce it to the veterinary community. Learn about an AI tool that helps veterinary teams read a dental radiograph or photo with the accuracy of a board-certified veterinary … [Read more...]
Kicking off the new year with pet insurance (podcast)
Ricky Walthers, DVM, chief medical officer at Pawlicy Advisor, discusses trends and misconceptions surrounding pet insurance and how veterinary teams can educate clients about pet insurance to help them better understand the importance of having it. . . . only about 3 percent of U.S. pet owners have pet insurance . . .” Source: The Vet Blast Podcast, January 3, 2024. Link. A … [Read more...]
Groomers can play important role in skin and coat care
Groomers who increase their understanding of skin and coat care can develop more pivotal roles in caring for the integumentary system which includes the epidermis, dermis, hypodermis, associated glands, hair, and nails. Jennifer Bishop Jenkins shares perspectives on communication with local veterinarians, advancing education and bridging some of the gaps in pet care … [Read more...]
How to attract and retain older workers
With not enough new workers to replace those who are leaving, employers are taking a more serious look at retaining and attracting older workers, writes Kate Rockwood. By 2030, an estimated 150 million jobs globally will have shifted to workers older than 55. So, companies must look to mature job seekers to solve their labor needs to survive and thrive from now into the future. … [Read more...]
Understanding active listening and distractions
Commentary With all the distractions of checking personal devices, social media and other interruptions it's a wonder any work gets done at all. Consider these articles as you head into meetings and travel to VMX. Active listening involves mastering a host of other skills, writes Amy Gallo. It includes reading body language and tone of voice, maintaining your attention, … [Read more...]
Five studies to examine tongue tips for swine disease monitoring
The direction of swine research is fascinating and frequently cutting-edge in understanding zoonoses, population immunity control, biosecurity and more. New studies referenced in this article seek to uncover more needed information about how to apply tongue tip monitoring to support producers and veterinarians as herds recover from or contract emerging diseases. One would hope … [Read more...]
Proper vaccination at the right time increases calf welfare and value
Administering appropriate respiratory vaccines before sale and commingling is crucial for providing immunity during the stocker and feedlot stages of the beef supply chain. Summarizing research on beef calf preconditioning programs, Paul Vining says proper vaccination against BRD-related pathogens during calfhood establishes robust immunity. This enhances calf welfare and … [Read more...]
Benefits, risks of chew treats
The AHD team has vigilantly shared content about treats and chews, especially when it comes to the calories these mostly non-essential products add to an already overweight pet population <Link>. Discussing chews specifically, Laura Gaylord DVM, DACVIM, and Donna Raditic DVM, DACVIM, CVA, share an overview of the three types of chews and potential benefits and risks when … [Read more...]
Why good communication is essential to sales
Commentary Like it or not, if a person pays you for a product or service it is technically a sale and indicates transfer of title or completion of an action. Animal health pros who improve their communication skills enhance their value to their clients and company, writes Justin Zappulla. Note*: We comment on the discussion of “you versus I” below. The difference between … [Read more...]
Promotions. Ready or not?
Managing so veterinary clinic employees work at the top of their education is a frequent topic in animal health media. Yet, not all employees are ready to advance or be awarded a promotion. Luis Velasquez shares ways to turn a potentially negative situation into a constructive, forward-looking dialogue when a promotion is not yet warranted. Discussing a promotion with an … [Read more...]
Will we be ready? Introducing Gen Alpha.
Commentary Food for thought. As a baby boomer, the challenges of adapting communications to meet the coming generations and still communicate with remaining Silents, other Boomers, Millenials, Gen X and Gen Z often seem daunting. Our curators spend worthwhile time sorting out the animal health narrative for what is new, seasonally relevant or repetitively adjusted to fit an … [Read more...]
Right? Wrong? Or, curious and open-minded?
Commentary Intellectual humility is gaining more attention, writes Daryl Van Tongeren. His assessment of our current culture, when it’s more common to defend your position than change your mind, seems important to consider as we move into 2024 and beyond. Tongeron’s assertion that the human tendency to desire growth while also harboring strong resistance to the … [Read more...]
Highly-read AHD posts from 2023
In this edition of the Animal Health Digest Bulletin, you’ll find highly-read posts in 13 categories. Now in our ninth year of curating content for animal health professionals, our team remains committed to sharing content in the context of daily interactions with animal owners, veterinary teams and industry colleagues. Source: Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 28, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 21, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 14, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the December 14th AHD Bulletin – Underutilized and underappreciated. Link. What’s new in preventing and treating laminitis in horses? Link. Keeping it simple. Link. ============================================ Sorry, dogs: Cats can play fetch, too, … [Read more...]