Culture is not about pizza, ping-pong or management retreats, asserts Jessica Kriegel, EdD. Instead, leaders must be intentional about the experiences they create for their employees. She shares common misconceptions regarding workplace culture and how to promote a healthy work environment. If culture is how we think and act to get results, then it's really based on the … [Read more...]
Instinct Science acquires VetMedux
ICYMI. Instinct Science, a leading software provider for veterinary hospitals, announced this week that it acquired VetMedux, a trusted education and point-of-care information company that owns Clinician's Brief and Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs. Instinct is on an ambitious path to provide game-changing software tools to the veterinary caretakers of today and tomorrow,” said Caleb … [Read more...]
Without the farrier, early laminitis infection may go undetected
When a farrier sees the symptoms of endocrinopathic laminitis, it’s essential that the owner immediately be informed and encouraged to seek veterinary assistance. The veterinarian needs to check the fasting level of insulin in the horse and plan an exercise, diet and/or medication program to reduce insulin levels. If the owner and vet both do their part, the foot should return … [Read more...]
Using standing equine CT in veterinary diagnostics
Equine standing CT is an accurate diagnostic imaging tool that could make CT safer and more accessible due to its ease of use, writes Haylie Kerstetter. Newer technology allows horses to remain standing, making it safer for animals and easier for veterinarians to use.” Source: The Horse, January 25, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Horse owners are known to read content voraciously. … [Read more...]
Episode 3, Zoetis’ Born of the Bond
Complimentary Sponsored Content The health of an operation depends on the health of its herd. This episode of The Born of the Bond Series documents the story of the Schuler Red Angus Operation. By being proactive in vaccinating their cattle, the Schulers have helped their operation avoid any serious health issues for more than two decades. The Born of the Bond series … [Read more...]
The path to retention in veterinary medicine
AAHA’s recent retention study reveals challenges that must be met to keep educated veterinarians and vet techs by proxy practicing. Veterinary medicine has a problem: attrition. The study’s introduction includes these factors: 30 percent of those in clinical practice plan to change practices or leave within the next year. Once they leave clinical practice, only 10 … [Read more...]
When bosses should slow things down
“Better slow down there, young fella . . . see, if you take your time . . . you get a more harmonious outcome,” says the character Joe Gill to J.T. in the movie Crossfire Trail. It parallels another colloquialism, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” Both quotes apply to the author’s assertion in the first article here. Two articles with two divergent perspectives are … [Read more...]
A plan is not a strategy
A comprehensive plan with goals, initiatives, and budgets is comforting, BUT starting with a plan is a terrible way to make strategy, says Roger Martin, MBA, author and Thinkers50 Number One Management Thinker in 2017. Martin’s YouTube video, A Plan Is Not a Strategy, was the most watched in 2023. What most strategic planning is in the world of business has nothing to do with … [Read more...]
Combatting lack of adherence to heartworm preventatives
Animal health pros need to share images like this one over and over. We recently featured disturbing data on noncompliance <Link> and called for more realistic imagery in that post. Kudos to AHS for this image of heartworm. What will you do with it? Source: American Heartworm Society, X, January 18, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 25, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 18, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the January 18th AHD Bulletin – Cell phone addiction, how it impacts our relationships. Link. Leadership or sales tactics. Link. Practices that push cow-calf profitability. Link. ============================================ Elanco’s multi-year … [Read more...]
Biosecurity methods update, learning across segments
Driven by African swine fever, avian influenza, PRRS, the realistic risk of hoof and mouth disease, more livestock producers are paying more attention to how to protect our domestic food production animals and in the process protect human populations from zoonoses. We’re sharing two articles as animal health pros interact and work with animal owners. The devil remains in … [Read more...]
Marketing might benefit from some cynicism
Commentary We put Hannah O’Rourke’s article calling for more realistic messaging in this section acknowledging veterinarians serving producers are providing services and products in B2B settings focused on optimizing revenue in addition to animal health. She lends a dose of realism given how frequently products are presented as the Holy Grail with no room for business owners … [Read more...]
Cannibis? Keep aware of pet owner choices
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...]