This study from in a Portuguese veterinary hospital summarizes evaluations of 64 cats that randomly presented for different dental procedures. Researchers wanted to understand feline dental disease as a pain trigger during routine examination and whether disease severity correlates to the degree of pain. This study concluded that cats with dental disease feel pain during … [Read more...]
The quality of life question ALL DVMs should be asking
Certified in hospice and palliative care, Cherie T. Buisson, DVM, CHPV, faced agonizing thoughts and questions when her own dog’s quality of life reached a decision point. Her wrestling, rationales and emotions are expressed in her blog post. The decision point came in the form of a question Buisson now uses with clients when facing end of life decisions. What will he be … [Read more...]
4 ways to have cost conversations with clients
Sponsored Content Compiled from more than 1,200 veterinary professionals, results from the 2021 AAHA Financial Care Study* shine a spotlight on opportunities for practices to improve the way they discuss costs with animal owners. The four key takeaways and the associated statements shared in this article are worth reviewing with the entire veterinary team. These statements … [Read more...]
AAHA Connexity. Early bird pricing ends tomorrow.
Complimentary Reminder Connexity is for everyone in the veterinary industry. From veterinarians to vet techs, practice managers to medical directors, find your colleagues at Connexity. Recharge your energy. Rekindle your passion. Reconnect with friends and colleagues. September 14-17, 2022. Nashville, TN. Source: AAHA NEWStat, June 7, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
PetSmart launches new veterinary service practice
Deploying an independent business ownership model, PetSmart Veterinary Services is positioned to provide a complete solution for veterinarians to open their own franchised practice. The more convenient vet hospital locations will connect pet owners with local, trusted veterinarians. To ensure the highest standard of care, every PVS hospital will be required to maintain … [Read more...]
Futile veterinary care is widespread, study finds
We’re confident some of you have seen the results of the new Cornell-led study that documents the prevalence of futile care. If not, the article from Cornell is a good place to gain some knowledge. Futile care is defined as continuing treatment when relevant goals can no longer be reached. The veterinarians’ sense of obligation to pet owners was reflected in the data, with 60 … [Read more...]
5 ways to stop overthinking and make faster decisions at work
Deliberation is an essential quality, especially when we have so many options. Yet, decision making can get stalled with overthinking. Melody Wilding shares five strategies to break the cycle of overthinking and make confident decisions in less time. Wilding focuses her strategies on a profile type she calls a sensitive striver. These are high-achieving persons who process … [Read more...]
Over 55, not retired after all
The pandemic created opportunities for many persons to leave the workforce as they had known it. Some took early retirement. Some quit to avoid Covid. Now they find themselves needing to make ends meet or being lured back for more flexible jobs and higher wages. The return of older workers has been concentrated among those in their late 50s and early 60s, people who were … [Read more...]
VetX International seeking input for 2022 VEER Study
VetX International recently launched a survey for veterinarians, nurses and students to assess the key drivers of career happiness, stress and mental wellbeing. More survey entries will enable deeper insight into the current landscape of veterinary medicine. Take 10 minutes to share your perspectives. Survey Link. Source: Brendan Howard, LinkedIn. June 1, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Email remains the cornerstone of many marketing initiatives
Myriad marketing efforts influence the buying behaviors of online shoppers. Emails have the most influence, from general mailings seen as influential among 44 percent of those who are part of the post-purchase communication flow. A recent Digital Commerce 360 survey reviewed buyer preferences and responses to different types of marketing communications. Saving shoppers money … [Read more...]
Chewy behind Amazon, ahead of Walmart in automatic reorders
Forty-four percent of Chewy’s customers are enrolled in its Autoship program, which lets customers specify when they want replenishment orders. Those customers spend considerably more than others who shop on Chewy.com. Autoship customers buy $820 per year on average from Chewy versus $423 for other Chewy customers. They buy 15.5 times annually versus 10.4 times and spend $53 … [Read more...]
Facts versus myth. Telling the story of beef sustainability.
Grilling season often elicits concerns about meat production. Sustainability, environmental perceptions and the lack of consumer education can escalate those discussions. The beef industry has responded to the criticisms assertively addressing fact versus myth and reminding consumers that beyond the meat, there are a lot of uses for cattle byproducts. We’re sharing two … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 2, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Why is it so hard to shut up? Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, May 26, 2022. Link. =================================== The best (legal) site for free e-books, music, and movies Source: Fast Company, May 15, 2022. Link. Hoopla acts like a library, meaning that you’re “borrowing” content for a … [Read more...]
Performance impact of weaning pigs at older age
Raising pigs to meet market demands has required considerable research to manage pig health, sow fertility, genetics, nutrition, meat quality and production costs. Weaning age trials done by Pipestone Applied Research shows promising results across many factors. An older pig grew faster and was hardier, requiring less labor and overall production inputs on the finishing … [Read more...]
Horses don’t need glasses
Remembering the famous Mr. Ed from reruns of the 1960s television program, Rebecca Berry became curious about horses’ eyesight. She says horses rarely have issues with their eyes focusing light, which is why they don’t need glasses, contacts or a powerful light source. Source: Horse Network, May 17, 2022. Link. Horses are thought to have 20/30 to 20/60 vision. This … [Read more...]
Would your life improve if you just accepted it?
We received positive comments about including content from John P. Weiss in a recent AHD Bulletin. In his Saturday letter, Weiss shares his perspectives on the power of acceptance. He challenges us to avoid resignation and embrace acceptance. Imagine how your life could change if you embraced acceptance, let go of what’s not working, and started focusing on the areas where … [Read more...]
Negativity dominates daily thoughts. Why and what to do about it.
It turns out we humans might be built for negativity, making us our own worst enemy, writes Merilee A. Kern. She shares the perspectives of several professionals. Thoughts are powerful things, and both the positive and negative lead to our moods, our physiological symptoms and our behaviors. . . “ - Monica Vermani, B.Sc., M.A., Psy.D. Source: Fast Company, May 21, 2022. … [Read more...]
Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?
Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas are on a mission to bring humor back into our lives. They say humor is a teachable skill and one of the most appreciated assets at work. . . . as far as our brains are concerned, laughing is like exercising, meditating and having sex . . . at the same time, but logistically easier.” Source: TEDMonterey, July 20, 2021. Link. (9 minutes) Our … [Read more...]
8 rules for working with your relatives
Family members may be ripe for hiring this summer. Rhonda Abrams recommends definitive and proactive rules when hiring family members. These rules also apply should you hire close friends or even third cousins once removed. When bringing family members into the business, discuss touchy issues like salary, schedule flexibility and reviews upfront. Then put it all in … [Read more...]
Most read companion animal posts of 2022
Miss some companion animal content? Catch up now. Here are the most read companion animal posts so far this year. Source: Animal Health Digest Cat obesity up more than 100 percent in 10 years. Link Cleaning up after feline messes. Link Considerations before switching a pet’s food. Link Land area twice the size of the UK needed to feed the world’s pets. Link … [Read more...]
Malone’s 2022 most-read posts to date
While Patrick T. Malone took a short break, we looked back on his posts for this year. We’re sharing six posts that were read and noticed in the top 40 percent of all AHD posts since 2022 began. Source: Animal Health Digest. Stopping the Great Resignation. Link. Emotions – make them work for you. Link. Pandemic lessons for all. Link. Ghosting. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 26, 2022
Last week’s most read posts 5 employer strategies to help with rising inflation. Link. KC Animal Health Corridor announces dates, speakers for 2022 Animal Health Summit. Link. Engaging veterinary technicians improves practice success. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, May 19, 2022. Link. One year ago: most read posts … [Read more...]
Sexed semen becoming popular in beef
Using sexed semen, beef producers can selectively breed cows to a desired bull and choose the sex of the offspring. This is beneficial if they want replacement heifers from their best cows, or bull calves from certain pairings. Source: Western Farmer-Stockman, May 12, 2022. Link. To know if use of sexed semen would be of economic value in a beef operation, each producer … [Read more...]
The importance of observation in cattle handling
Across dairy and beef country, cattle are on the move. These activities give producers an opportunity to review good stockmanship practices with seasoned and new employees. Anything that causes a cow to associate an action with something negative will cause her to be reluctant to repeat that action. It can be a huge source of frustration when cows don’t easily move when and … [Read more...]
Understanding colostrum intake by newborn pigs
Consumption of colostrum is critical for newborn piglets. We know that. We also know farrowing can last over several hours creating variability in individual piglet vitality. Various interventions are implemented for late born pigs in farrowing units across the U.S. A recent study in more than 600 piglets examined relationships among birth characteristics, early nursing … [Read more...]
How and why to take a horse’s pulse
Horse owners will appreciate learning about pulse rates as a horse health indicator. Teaching them during an exam to monitor pulse is an excellent way for veterinarians and veterinary technicians to engage with them. A horse at rest will typically have a pulse rate between 30 and 40 beats per minute. If a horse who hasn’t just finished exercising has a pulse rate of 50 beats … [Read more...]
Acute moist dermatitis; it’s that time of year
Acute moist dermatitis, like most dermatologic conditions, is not imminently life-threatening but can result in significant patient discomfort. The authors share diagnosis, treatment and management of AMD. Dogs with heavy and dense undercoats are more susceptible to developing hot spots because of increased environmental temperatures and slow drying of the coat due to lack … [Read more...]
Dark shadows and the neighbor’s new chicken coop
Personal experience A neighbor has constructed and populated a small backyard chicken coop about 100 yards from the back fence in my yard. Within a few days, I saw more hawks and owls circling the area, resting in the tall oaks and casting shadows as they flew over our neighborhood. Startled by the shadow of a swooping red-tail hawk I watched a massive one dive-bomb … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 23, 2022
Health risks to people and pets from chemically scented products, puppy boom driving profits. . . creating havoc, cybersecurity ideas for small business, hotel chain to offer dog walking services, pet food humanization requires more capacity to meet demand and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 23, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Writing thank you emails after an interview (samples included)
Some say the Great Resignation is really a Great Reshuffling of the work force. Regardless, how we follow up after an interview is critical to securing a new position. The author offers templates for rapid follow-up. Start your follow-up as soon as humanly possible by writing a killer interview thank you note.” Source: The Muse. Link. Your thank you note sets the tone as your … [Read more...]