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...]
Never miss a good chance to shut up
Patrick T. Malone will return in a couple weeks. In his place, we’re sharing thoughts on silence from John P. Weiss. Working alongside Patrick over the years, silence is a skill he masterfully demonstrates in nearly every interaction. Silence allows the what else? thoughts to surface and be available to discuss. Weiss’ reflections on silence are less about decision trees, … [Read more...]
Upskilling is do or die, but employees also need a career path
Opinion It is difficult to avoid thinking about how poorly we engage veterinary technicians when reading Mike Bertolino’s comments about upskilling. While some animal hospitals support the advancement of veterinary technicians’ education and certifications, one might conclude we’ve been doing it wrong. Advancing vet tech skills and certifications without a career growth … [Read more...]
Combatting ageism in the workplace
Age discrimination worsened during the pandemic, writes Theresa Hegel. The price of ageism is high with three fourths of older workers reporting seeing or experiencing age discrimination at work. Hegel offer five strategies to root it out of your company culture. Source: Advertising Specialty Institute, May 12, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Our team at AHD routinely suggests what … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 19, 2022
Last week’s THREE most read posts Celebrate graduations. Link. Pandemic lessons for all. Link. 30 is not the new 20. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, May 12, 2022. Link. =================================== CAPC 2022 annual pet parasite forecast Source: Vet Advantage, April 2022, page 50. Link. AHD first … [Read more...]
Review: the effects of dust on feedlot health and production of beef cattle
We know feedlot dust affects cattle health and performance. 2022 weather forecasts indicate drought conditions are likely in prime cattle feeding geographies. Research helps us understand the effects of dust and what to do about it. Dust is not just dirt and sand that becomes airborne. Groups of cattle produce organic dust and particulate matter at a relatively high … [Read more...]
Implanting nursing calves bumps weaning weights
Production costs continue to rise making decisions about management practices important. Paul Beck says research shows implants given during the suckling phase will increase average daily gain of steer calves by approximately 0.10 pound per day. The increase in gains by implanting heifers is slightly better at 0.12 pounds per day. Implanting calves before weaning is cost … [Read more...]
Springtime skin problems in horses
Horses can develop allergies, infections and other skin conditions at any time of year, but some are more common during the warm, wet spring weather. Heather Smith Thomas reviews four equine skin problems that are common in spring. This article and previous AHD posts providing information on hives <Link> and an allergy infographic <Link> offer animal health pros … [Read more...]
Biology of the chicken: 4-part series
Chickens show up on Nat Geo Wild’s veterinary shows more frequently these days. Whether it’s the Critter Fixers, Drs. Schroeder or Dr. Pol, it is obvious chicken enthusiasts require considerable education and support from their veterinarians. This four-part series from Backyard Chickens is a good set of resources for beginners or those who need a review. Source: Backyard … [Read more...]
Reminder: Protect pets from toxic blue-green algae
Toxic blue green algae risks to pets hit the news in 2019. The EPA indicates it is a risk in all 50 states. A recent story from St. Louis NPR exposes the challenges of testing bodies of water to keep the public and pets safe <Link>. Jennifer Coates, DVM, shares what we need to know about harmful algal blooms and how to keep pets safe in this … [Read more...]
Engaging veterinary technicians improves practice success
Unless you’ve been hiding, the industry buzz about using veterinary technicians better is familiar. Having credentialed veterinary technicians on veterinary teams with the skills needed is a critical part of building an efficient practice. However, efficiency only comes when those skills are used effectively. The AVMA continues to promote and support increased involvement … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club: Handling nutrition objections (videos)
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Jodi Davis, senior manager of university relations for Royal Canin, addresses the emotional nature of nutrition for pets, especially centered around obesity and how to address issues with owners. The virtual event is presented in three YouTube videos. Nutrition questions top the list of veterinary students and are part of everyday … [Read more...]
Pet retailers asserting their position with pet owners
Opinion There is little doubt marketing efforts represented in the following articles will deflect attention from preventive medicine and potentially reduce some pet owners’ abilities to afford primary veterinary care. It is not my intention to condemn retail offerings. Rather, animal health pros need to consider how we approach and educate pet owners about the essential … [Read more...]
Study: Taking a one week break from social media improves well-being, depression, anxiety
At the end of one week, researchers studying abstaining from social media found significant between-group differences in well-being, depression and anxiety. The intervention group fared much better on all three metrics. These results held even after control for baseline scores, as well as age and gender, shares Cal Newport. . . . the simple study design and the clear effects … [Read more...]
VetWatch™ Commentary, for Week 19 – thru May 14, 2022
Complimentary Content Trends from more than 32,000 practices and shelters help animal health professionals understand shifts in our industry’s business. The data captures purchasing trends reported for practices & shelters of core therapeutic and supply categories. The VetWatch™ weekly report provides the option to see trends by geographies, a significant benefit for … [Read more...]
CDC: Test before you travel
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its domestic travel recommendations and now advises all travelers to consider taking a Covid-19 test as close as possible to the departure time of a trip, but no more than three days prior to the trip. Source: Northstar Meeting Groups, May 17, 2022. Link. The CDC continues to recommend that all people . . . properly … [Read more...]
5 employer strategies to help with rising inflation
Includes Commentary Inflation rose 8.5 percent year-over-year in March, the highest inflation rate since 1981, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employees are now looking to their employers for help as inflation challenges their lives, says Kathryn Mayer. She offers five ways employers might address inflation challenges. Coupled with the current … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 12, 2022
Last week’s most read posts The Great Resignation is becoming a great midlife crisis. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, April 28, 2022. Link. =================================== The cost of pet care for cats is often underestimated Source: Catster, April 22, 2022. Link. Cost findings for annual and lifetime spending are … [Read more...]
Disease outbreak in BLM facility: Wildfires, dust storm and wind indicated
Source: Paulick Report, May 7, 2022. Link. A highly contagious, equine respiratory disease outbreak began on April 23 at the Cañon City Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro Facility in Colorado. We noted the explanation of outside horses being brought into a vaccinated herd during relocation caused by fire and drought. … [Read more...]