Burnout expert Kelley Bonner notes few are talking about how to deal with the underlying issues that masquerade as burnout. It isn’t simply a synonym for stress, the WHO definition suggests; it’s the result of deep, long-term stress that hasn’t been dealt with, either by the sufferer or their employer <Link>. . . . burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from … [Read more...]
Survey says: Younger pet owners plan to spend less, lose pets in 2022
Compared to Gen X and baby boomers, younger pet owners worry more that they may need to spend less on pet food and treats in 2022 or change to a less expensive brand. In a November 2021 survey by the American Pet Products Association, distinct generational differences arose related to economic issues. The percentage of millennials and Gen Z concerned how finances will affect … [Read more...]
3 key factors led to a record-setting 2021 holiday season
As economic and production factors from agriculture affect animal health potential in food animal markets, retail trends are reflected in the companion animal health marketplace. Katherine Cullen shares the key factors that carried through 2021 into the holiday season along with a look at the multichannel shopping journey: Early shopping The price was right Stores … [Read more...]
It’s not just you.
Learn how your focus is more scattered now and ways to get it back. Your attention didn’t collapse; it was stolen by big and powerful forces. You haven’t become weak. You’ve been hacked.” - Johann Hari Brain fog is a common theme in discussions with animal health pros as they envision an end to pandemic interruptions and adjust their 2022 behaviors. Hari shares five key … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 3, 2022
Last week’s most read post USDA grants emergency-use authorization for RHDV2 as virus spreads. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, Jan 27, 2022. Link. =========================== Losing our cookies? Source: Media Post, January 20, 2022. Link. B2C brands are dealing with the impending loss of third-party data … [Read more...]
Breeding pint-sized Herefords
We thought this was a fun and interesting departure from most cattle articles we reference. Cow size is often a subject cattlemen discuss. Size is important in mini-Hereford breeding, as well. The origin of the miniature Hereford is the original English Hereford, which is a horned breed. Bred to hold the size to about two-thirds of traditional Hereford stock, the minis could … [Read more...]
New study examines social behaviors of dairy calves
This article adds to the recent post on calves referencing articles in the Bovine Veterinarian. Link. A new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada) examines young dairy calves’ motivation to seek companionship from other calves. The study results indicate that young calves are motivated for full social contact . . .“ Source: The … [Read more...]
The energy field of horses
In this age of mindfulness and stress reduction guidance, Joan Ranquet’s article caught our attention. She explains, we all are electromagnetic beings with an energy field around us often called the aura. Frequently referenced as a “sixth sense,” this phenomenon is also called morphic resonance or swarm theory, she writes. Most of us have experienced this with a dog or cat, if … [Read more...]
Raising emus and emus as pets (video)
Sharing her experiences with raising emus, Alexandra Douglas found that emus make the best pets when they are young. Emus are very dangerous if you do not understand them, she says. Male birds are friendlier at least until breeding season. Emus are sociable creatures, they like water and do best with at least one other emu in their flock. Source: Backyard Poultry, February … [Read more...]
Chatfields chat about itchy pets
Complimentary Sponsored Content We’re reposting this episode. Highly viewed in early December 2021, it is timely as winter days lengthen ahead of spring. Dr. Jen the Vet and Dr. Jason Chatfield are joined in the Chat Room by Millie Rosales, DVM, DACVD, to discuss common reasons pets itch. Skin issues are always in the top 10 reasons pet owners seek veterinary care. Note … [Read more...]
6 red flags your body is breaking down from overwork
“Death by overwork” doesn’t happen overnight; it slowly accumulates over years, shares Christina Ro. Quoting the Cleveland Clinic, she shares some of the bigger red flags of an unhealthy work-life balance: You’ve stopped taking care of yourself Your sleep is out of whack You’re skipping meals or not eating enough You’re not getting in enough exercise to balance … [Read more...]
Empathy app can make tough times less so
Beth Z, a professional speaker, author and nerd, is known for her fun presentations that help people better use technology. After losing her mother-in-law last Thanksgiving, she discovered empathy (Link), an app to help after a loss. Source: Your Nerdy Best Friend, February 1, 2020. Link. The app helps with: Funeral Arrangement Details Obituary Writing Family Task … [Read more...]
Galaxy Vets call for an update to the veterinary professional oaths
Initiating a movement to revise the language of veterinary professional oaths to include a commitment to attend to personal health and mental well-being, Galaxy Vets has offered a way to gather support for amending the oaths. The addition would parallel an amendment made by the World Medical Association into the Declaration of Geneva, or “The Modern Hippocratic Oath" taken by … [Read more...]
Catching up or just back to normal?
Opinion The recent Vetwatch™ Commentary provides consistent data to help assess the scope, velocity and significance of developments in the veterinary care sector across the United States. Following more current trends, the national 3-week rolling average for practice revenue growth fell to -9.1 percent. None of the nine census divisions posted positive revenue growth for … [Read more...]
Wild pigs, a ticking time bomb on U.S. pork industry
Feral hogs pose a serious threat to the health of the U.S. pork industry specifically if African swine fever were to infect and spread in wild herds. There is no vaccine nor cure and the disease has a long track record of crossing international borders and wiping out billions of pigs. Source: PORK, June 29, 2021. Link. Wild pigs have exploded in numbers across the U.S., … [Read more...]
All about calves
Complimentary Commercial Content In our review of this January’s Bovine Veterinarian, Rhonda Brooks shares calf content was 60 percent of the top-read content. This parallels our experiences with AHD content. For the first time, we’re not cherry picking specific articles but providing the link to the full online issue. We continue to see new developments of optimizing … [Read more...]
It’s time to cull “cull cows” from our vocabulary
Cull cow weight and cull cow price have long been top factors in herd profitability. Making the decision to remove a cow from the herd is not always an easy one. Determining when the cow leaves and how is equally important. Contrary to what many believe, dairy cattle contribute much more to the beef industry than just ground beef. Changing the vocabulary from cull cow to … [Read more...]
Guinea pig might be coming to a high-end restaurant near you
While the concept might make us cringe, there are parts of the world where guinea pigs are seen as something to be farmed instead of an adorable furry house pet. Cuy (guinea pig) is popular in South America and is described to taste more like a game hen, with dark and stringy flesh. Considerations beyond edible pet concerns include factory farming-like development and carbon … [Read more...]
Educating pet owners on correcting nuisance behaviors (video)
It’s not rocket science, but redirecting pets is not a normal reaction. Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, advocates pet owners redirect problem behaviors in their companion animals rather than responding with punishment. Have we provided the pet an appropriate outlet for nuisance behaviors? What do we want the animal to do?” - Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC Source: DVM 360, … [Read more...]
Turn away from the screen and tech habits to start for a happier 2022
Realizing she needed to make changes that reoriented her brain from distraction-based impulses and toward periods of deep, sustained focus, Rebecca Ruiz shares her story and five tech habits to help us feel more in control and energized. Spend chunks of the day, even three-minute bursts, without your phone or device. To truly reorient the brain toward quiet and stillness, you … [Read more...]
Gonadectomy resources for veterinarians
Elective and often controversial, pet sterilization is an important part of pet owner decision making. As the risks and benefits of gonadectomy are re-examined, a renewed conversation about if and when to sterilize a pet is emerging. The AVMA stays on top of this topic and provides resources for veterinarians and pet owners as spay and neuter decisions are considered. As we … [Read more...]
Banks say consumers are in good shape. Cost of care opportunities?
Opinion, with Sponsored Content Believe it or not, top bankers say consumer spending is rebounding as we move past pandemic fears. Regardless of the bankers’ positions, veterinary teams and animal health businesses remain historically cautious when dealing with animal owners. Often criticized for prejudging pocketbooks, veterinary teams especially have opportunities every … [Read more...]
Latest well-being study reveals increased distress among veterinary professionals
It is no surprise the pandemic impacted many veterinarians and clinic staff, including veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, practice managers and client service representatives. More than 90 percent of study respondents reported the shortage of qualified veterinary staff has been one of the biggest concerns throughout the pandemic. Sixty eight percent indicated … [Read more...]
Mark Cuban’s new online pharmacy. Will one for critters be next?
Opinion The online pharmacy business has a new option presented as a vertical channel strategy to eliminate the middleman. Cuban’s company launched the online pharmacy, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug. Focusing on transparency, the pharmacy's prices reflect actual manufacturer prices, plus a 15 percent margin and a $3.00 pharmacist fee. Source: United Press International, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 20, 2022
Last week’s most read post Lyme-carrying ticks live longer. What? Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, Jan 13, 2022. Link. =========================== The world’s largest wildlife crossing could have a spring groundbreaking Source: LAist, January 13, 2022. Link. The Liberty Wildlife Crossing has been impressive since its … [Read more...]
Defining when to help during calving’s three stages
Understanding the stages of birthing is critical to identify when or if we need to provide help during calving season. Producers and veterinary teams alike want to increase the likelihood a calf is born alive and off to a good start, writes Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension. With calving season just around the corner and labor challenges across the … [Read more...]
Background and research supports caffeine for high-risk calves
Zach Janssen, DVM, shares how producers came to use caffeine to stimulate at-risk calves that are the result of dystocia (difficult birth), hypothermia from being born in the cold or being run down from a stressful event such as disease or transport. While caffeine citrate has proven effective in humans, we are not able to feed this synthetically produced compound to animals … [Read more...]
Bird flu confirmed in wild duck in South Carolina
A wild American wigeon, a species of dabbling duck, was discovered with the highly pathogenic Eurasian H5 variant avian influenza. The virus was considered to pose a low risk of infection to humans, but APHIS issued warnings to poultry producers. Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity … [Read more...]
Kinesiology tape on dogs? You decide.
This article is in the red flag category. Review the information with your team before an 80-pound Staffordshire terrier mix comes into the clinic taped up like an injured professional wrestler or Olympic gymnast. Proponents say that kinesiology tape can help a dog recover from chronic and acute sports injuries. At the same time, kinesiology taping is not a magic cure-all, … [Read more...]
5 scary consequences of neglecting pets’ oral care
Sponsored Commercial Content Every month and every visit to the veterinarian should include an oral care discussion about dogs and cats. The animal health industry parallels the dental months in human medicine with our own National Pet Dental Health Month in February supported by the AVMA. PetMD’s Dr. Hanie Elfenbein, DVM, PhD, reminds dog owners that poor oral hygiene … [Read more...]