Complimentary Commercial Content Play is a widespread feature of social animals. Humans play. Dogs play. Amy Cook, PhD, specializes in working with shy and fearful dogs. Drawing from play therapy used with traumatized children, Cook developed Play Way to help dogs overcome their issues and to live happier, less-stressed lives. In my system, the dog leads most of the play. I … [Read more...]
Making yards pet friendly and safe
Making a fresh, plush carpet for pets and people, our yards are places for fun, games and pleasant play. Making them safe and friendly for our animal friends are the focus of these two articles. Sources: How to make your yard pet friendly, The Outdoor Wear, April 29, 2022. Link. How lawn chemicals affect your cats, even indoor cats, Conscious Cat, via AAHA NEWStat, … [Read more...]
Why veterinary technicians will never be called nurses with Liz Hughston
There are a lot of reasons veterinary technicians may never be called nurses, shares Liz Hughston MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT, LMVT, VTS (SAIM) (ECC). However, she explains why there is value in becoming a credentialed veterinary technician individually and for working toward a unified standard in the U.S. and North America. Source: The Vet Blast Podcast, DVM 360, April 28, 2022. … [Read more...]
This is exactly how long your meetings should last
Donna McGeorge, author of “The 25 Minute Meeting: Half the Time, Double the Impact,” shares why thinking ahead, preparation, attendee selection and outcome focus make a short meeting format more effective than a long one. 25 minutes is the optimal amount of time for people to focus.” - Francesco Cirillo Source: Fast Company, April 29, 2022. Link. Some meetings are necessary. … [Read more...]
The Great Resignation is becoming a great midlife crisis
The changing composition of who is quitting jobs paints an increasingly complicated picture of the state of work in America. Although quit rates have decreased slightly from their highs last year, the phenomenon is not going away just yet. Older and more tenured people are especially likely to be quitting in knowledge worker industries like finance and tech. Source: Vox, May … [Read more...]
Onboarding can make or break a new hire’s experience
Even before the pandemic and the ensuing great resignation, one-third of companies did not have a structured onboarding process. Too often, onboarding efforts are about orientation and last 90 days or fewer. To ensure long term productivity and support employee growth and success, the authors suggest onboarding is a 12-month effort. Onboarding is a team’s job where … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 28, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Asian longhorned ticks are on the move. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, April 7, 2022. Link. =================================== Love is the key to career success: Marcus Buckingham Source: Harvard Business Review, April 15, 2022. Link. (video) Buckingham says you don’t have to love all … [Read more...]
Weaning beef calves: higher feed costs but short-term savings may affect long-term profits
Opinion The story seems to repeat year after year. There’s always something to question. This year cow-calf producers face higher feed costs and extended drought in some areas which will likely raise questions about preconditioning expenses. Wesley Tucker shares his perspectives on investing in preconditioning protocols. His tips can help cattle producers sharpen their … [Read more...]
Hoof ulcers: Don’t blame the ration
Gerard Cramer, DVM, DVSc, isn’t too concerned about subacute ruminal acidosis. Instead, he sees laminitis more broadly. Along with sole ulcers, common contributors are white line lesions, digital dermatitis, foot rot and toe ulcers. . . . the most common contributors causing lameness are standing time, flooring problems, and failure to control digital dermatitis.” - Gerard … [Read more...]
Attracting and hosting mason bees. You can RENT them!
There are more than 150 species of native, non-imported mason bees, writes Amy Grisak. They are gentle and efficient pollinators who don’t have hives like the more familiar honeybees. Nesting* in wood piles, trees and other plant materials, they lay their eggs in existing gaps or tunnels. Their life cycle is like a butterfly with females laying only 15 eggs in their 4- to … [Read more...]
Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year nominations now open
Farmers and ranchers have until July 1 to nominate their dogs to become the Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year. The contest celebrates farm dogs and how they support farmers and ranchers in producing food for families and pets. The grand prize winner will win a year’s worth of Purina dog food and $5,000 in prize money. Source: American Farm Federation, April 12, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Do prescription dog foods really help?
Opinion One of the main objectives for Animal Health Digest remains to provide animal health pros with information animal owners may read, take to heart or better understand. In this article, Nancy Kerns focuses on prescription diets and admits to some peeves and challenges of educating pet owners. She says change is coming and the newly crowded veterinary diet market … [Read more...]
Bacterial UTIs and antimicrobial stewardship
The latest guidelines for bacterial cystitis offer new recommendations regarding which types of bacteriuria require antimicrobial treatment, which antimicrobials should be considered first line and duration of antimicrobial treatment. Patricia Dowling, DVM, MSc, DACVIM (Large Animal), DACVCP, shares three types of UTIs and three treatment approaches. Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
Veterinary Inventory Professional certification program closes Friday, April 29th, midnight
Complimentary Commercial Content Trained inventory professionals make an ongoing, positive impact within a veterinary practice. They right size inventory costs and help to ensure patient care can thrive. Vet Logic’s new Veterinary Inventory Professional certification program promises to become a step-by-step roadmap to take action, create processes and establish systems … [Read more...]
Equine health educational resources are a click away
Sponsored Content Considering foaling season is ending soon and the positive responses to the recent equine toxins infographic <Link>, we’re sharing more equine resources from the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance digital library. Any equine enthusiast will agree that horses enrich their lives, but they also come with some predictable health risks and associated … [Read more...]
The four Fs of employee experience
Better employee experiences make people’s lives at work easier and go beyond to promote learning and growth, ensure safety and security, and foster connection and belonging. Four simple principles can assist you to help people perform to their fullest potential. When applied to employee experience, the Four Fs unlock productivity and cut down on energy-sapping frustration … [Read more...]
How to stop procrastinating
Most of us procrastinate, writes Alice Boyes, who believes the problem probably stems from one of three things: your habits and systems (or lack thereof) your desire to avoid negative emotions (like anxiety and boredom) your own flawed thinking patterns (which can make a task seem harder than it is). Boyes shares simple strategies for managing each and getting off … [Read more...]
Close the communication loop(s)
Managers who solicit ideas are under no obligation to act upon them. However, what they are obligated to do is to thank others for their suggestions. Then, let them know who made the decision and why it was made. Closing the loop means letting people know when and why vital decisions have been made.” – John Baldoni Source: SmartBrief, April 22, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Antibiotic-resistant MRSA strain genes spilling over to native hedgehogs in Europe
The coronavirus pandemic has served as a stark and tragic example of how closely animal health and human health are linked. Think about what we’ve seen in the last three years: Covid found in about 29 animal types <Link> HPAI spreading from wild fowl to poultry and now to eagles and other wild birds We’re just learning a MRSA strain may have been transferred … [Read more...]
Compounding considerations: pros, cons
When animal-use approved drugs are not available, veterinarians can turn to a compounding pharmacy to meet the needs of individual animals. The authors share the various considerations, opportunities and challenges. Compounded medications can be useful when FDA-approved medications are not available, but they should not be selected on the basis of cost alone.” Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
Rituals at work: play together, stay together
Over time, group rituals create a sense of meaningfulness that team members transfer to their work, according to various research studies. Rituals, even seemingly silly ones, help employees bond and add meaning to their work, shares the author. It's not that we do rituals and then, magically, we like doing our work later that day. It's that over time, rituals themselves become … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 20, 2022
Last week’s most read posts The cute factor is almost too much to resist. Link. Your customers buy benefits. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, April 7, 2022. Link. =================================== 7 causes of brain fog and how to regain your concentration and focus Source: Insider, March 24, 2022. Link. Brain … [Read more...]
Inflation is hurting dairy farmers
Opinion Costs are rising throughout the dairy business. Producers are seeing higher prices for diesel, fertilizer and feed. A gallon of milk costs as much as 30 cents more than it did in January 2022. Reducing expenses is a natural reaction to higher costs but in the case of animal health products, now is not the time to avoid health sustaining strategies.” – Kirk … [Read more...]
How cattle vaccination and nutrition connect
Complimentary Sponsored Content Shelby Roberts, PhD, discusses the symbiotic relationship of sound nutrition and proper vaccination which helps to maintain healthy immune functions in cattle. Vaccinations and nutrition have a symbiotic relationship in terms of maintaining healthy immune functions in cattle.” - Shelby Roberts, PhD Source: Alltech, March 8, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Asian longhorned ticks are on the move
The Asian longhorned tick reached 17 states by last fall. In the United States, the tick has been found in or near counties with large horse, cattle and sheep populations. They do not discriminate however and will use a human or a pet as a host, just the same as livestock or wildlife. The Asian longhorned tick is known to carry the virulent Theileria orientalis Ikeda … [Read more...]
8 reasons dogs don’t listen
Dog owners will appreciate the advice and perspectives from this article. Consider it for social media, newsletters or with appointment follow-up communications. When dogs don’t listen, it has more to do with weaknesses in training strategies than anything else. Lynne Fedorick, CPDT-KA, shares reasons dogs don’t listen. Dogs think proactively. They are doers. They don’t … [Read more...]
Dealing with dog training sabotage
Behavior issues remain a top cause of dogs being relinquished. While sabotage might sound harsh, dogs need consistency to establish and keep behavior patterns. Kathy Callahan, CPDT-KA, discusses why a family needs to get on the same page to avoid confusing their pet. The pet’s confusion issues are often compounded when a being boarded or going to a daycare provider. No matter … [Read more...]
Who owns that pet? (podcast)
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, tackle the tricky topic of how veterinary clinics determine who is a pet’s owner, who can make decisions, and, ultimately, who is responsible for paying. The situation is more common than you think and can be an issue for daycare and boarding locations, as well. Source: Veterinary Viewfinder podcast, April 6, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Counseling pet owners on pediatric nutrition
Choosing a pet food IS overwhelming with the number of commercial options available, a plethora of advertising, label vernacular and popular trends. Kate Boatright, VMD, shares three key areas in which veterinary team members should be competent discussing with owners of puppies and kittens: The best food for the new pet How much to feed When to switch to an adult … [Read more...]
First aid tips for pet owners
Spring and outdoor activities are wonderful but come with risks of injuries for pets. Pet owners need to be prepared to offer first aid to their pets when an injury occurs. First aid is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it can help save a pet's life until it gets veterinary treatment. The AVMA offers several resources suitable for social media, newsletters and … [Read more...]