Commentary with Commercial Sponsored content from Virox® Animal Health Veterinary clinic owners and managers frequently reference staff members who are worn down, tired and near exhaustion. Pandemic safety protocols have added much more diligence beyond 24/7 mask wear. Disinfecting protocols have been adjusted and remain a primary measure in curbing pathogen transfers. In … [Read more...]
How to sharpen your mind and tune up your brain in 15 minutes daily
Fifteen minutes may seem like a short time to improve your brain, but doing it consistently can have a significant effect long-term. Mental exercises improve your mind and are great for protecting your brain, retrieving information, recalling what you learn quickly and sharpening your focus. Numerous studies reveal the importance of mental activities as we age. Source: … [Read more...]
It’s okay to write down the unwritten rules
Many of us have struggled with the unwritten rules, the things you don’t ask or say. . . or the topics you dare not breathe a word about. Authors Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy say, “It’s good practice to write down the unstated cultural and emotional norms that exist within your team or company. They might have changed since you all started working from home, or perhaps … [Read more...]
Training Industry’s top 10 magazine and web articles from 2020
Like skiers racing ahead of an avalanche, training industry professionals have progressively adjusted learning strategies to address goals and objectives to support WFH and remote learning. Agile learning strategies used creativity and innovation to close skills gaps and prepare employees for immediate continuity and for future roles. Source: Training Industry, December 20, … [Read more...]
IVPA members join AHD subscribers
Beginning in January 2021, the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association will share the weekly Animal Health Digest Bulletin with its members. The IVPA represents more than 300 independent veterinarians who provide and lead professional animal health services in their communities. As is similar with other industries, the IPVA believes veterinary clients should have … [Read more...]
Covid fatigue is winning at the worst possible moment
Covid-19 fatigue is manifesting in an alarming number of people shrugging off safety measures and consuming less news about the pandemic, according to a new Harris Poll conducted exclusively for Fast Company. 27 percent of Americans say they’re less likely to engage in certain safety precautions than they were six months ago, curtailing things like frequent handwashing, … [Read more...]
6 tips to identify calves susceptible to BRD
John Richeson typifies BRD as the most difficult mammalian diseases to manage in the world. He shared a more focused approach to managing feeder cattle risk and six things feeders can look for to identify high-risk calves. Targeted metaphylaxis is using certain metrics to try to predict whether an animal is going to be at greater risk for BRD, so we can make individual animal … [Read more...]
75 days to prep for calving
Say what?! It’s time to plan for calving season as the first of the 2021 crop will start dropping around March 1. Greg Henderson provides tips to help producers prepare: Assess the body condition of your cows and heifers Review the herd health plan Conduct an inspection of your calving facilities to make sure everything is in working order Check your calving … [Read more...]
Lyme disease ticks produce antibiotic that protects them from human skin bacteria
Vet Candy shares new research findings that help answer some questions about Ixodes scapularis, the deer tick. Puzzled by the ticks’ immune system, which keeps them safe from contracting pathogens themselves, a research team led by Univerisity of California’s San Francisco's Seemay Chou identified a natural pathogen of ticks and established a mechanism for it. “Ticks pass … [Read more...]
BBB: Fraudsters are taking advantage of the pandemic puppy trend
The Better Business Bureau indicates pet fraud reports are five times higher in 2020 than in 2017. People between the ages of 35 and 55 represented half of the fraud reported to the BBB in 2020. Source: Daily Paws, December 8, 2020. Link. According to the BBB Scam Tracker, the financial losses are astronomical as well: the average individual amount lost is $750, with the … [Read more...]
Signs and treatment of dog tooth infections
John Huff, DVM, FAVD, Dipl. AVDC, shares his perspectives on dog tooth infections, what causes them and things for owners to watch for. He names chewing on objects that are too hard for your dog’s teeth, which could be common dog-chew items like tennis balls, deer antlers, pig’s ears and rawhide as common culprits that can cause teeth to break and become susceptible to … [Read more...]
Recent updates from Lucca Veterinary Data Security
Sponsored Content Clint Latham, JD works to help privately owned veterinary practices understand and protect their data from outside cybersecurity risks. We’ve linked his most recent updates from the Lucca Vet blog. Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Security blog. Link. 9 cyber threats facing veterinary hospitals, December 2, 2020. Link. 7 email risks that threaten … [Read more...]
MaxiGuard® Oral Cleansing Wipes now available in 10 packs
Sponsored Commercial Content Responding to requests from veterinary clinics, Addison Biological Laboratories announced a new package size for the popular MaxiGuard® Oral Cleansing Wipes. The 10 packs are packaged in a convenient foil pouch < link >. Source: Addison Biological Laboratories, December 14, 2020. Link. There has been consistent, strong demand from … [Read more...]
Building trust in the emergency setting
Trust is pivotal in the emergency setting writes Monica Sterk, DVM. Normally not the primary veterinarian, emergency teams must quickly gain the client’s trust, so they can make difficult decisions based on the findings and guidance in the moment. Sterk shares simple building blocks that lead to a successful relationship during an emergency visit. Source: DVM 360, … [Read more...]
2020 e-commerce surge carried pet food along for the ride
“One of the driving factors behind the e-commerce growth trends for pet food was the growth of millennial pet owners who were preconditioned to online shopping. The pandemic has taken this storyline and put it on steroids,” according to Tom Elliott citing a new report from Capstone Headwaters. In a related discussion, Fritz Wood, CPA and Vertical Vet's Dr. Ernie Ward … [Read more...]
VVCA unveils Veterinary Telemedicine Regulatory Map
Mark Cushing, JD, and Ali McIntyre, executive director of VVCA, share work done with the Animal Policy Group research team that helped create the most definitive, comprehensive and accurate state-by-state map of all laws and regulations, including COVID guidance from governors, about telemedicine or virtual care. <the map> is a living, breathing tool . . . not just for … [Read more...]
Opportunities, optimism for veterinary hospitals into 2021
Complimentary content from IDEXX Jay Mazelsky, president and CEO at IDEXX, recently shared his thanks and optimism in a LinkedIn post citing important trends from his company’s data insights. “Veterinary hospitals are providing more care for pets,” he said. A recent IDEXX study showed 77 percent of pet owners agreed that taking care of their pet’s health is as important as … [Read more...]
Telemedicine platforms expanding reach to animal owners
Complimentary Commercial Content The rush to meet pet owners in the cloud and expand veterinary virtual care has two new advances this week according to company press releases. whiskerDocs announced they will start telemedicine in four states beginning January 1. VCPR will be established virtually. FirstVet, brings on-demand telehealth to American animal owners’ … [Read more...]
Apathy or pandemic burnout?
Nearly everyone is suffering from mental fatigue right now, says psychologist Yvonne Thomas. She shares some of the key signs of mental fatigue: You’re inefficient You don’t feel compassion for others You’re procrastinating more than ever You’re struggling with sleep and appetite Thomas also shares some coping methods: Create countdown strategies … [Read more...]
Animal welfare through an animal activist’s eyes
Dairy farmers met an activist during a recent Dairy Cattle Welfare Council webinar. Taylor Leach reports on the discussion, including the biggest three concerns from activists’ point of view: Individual calf housing Tie-stall barns Bull calf treatment Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 2, 2020. Link. Being aware of what animal welfare is – that it’s going … [Read more...]
Role of veterinarians, nutritionists changing on dairies
University of Kentucky Extension professionals say the role of veterinarians in the dairy industry is everchanging. The size and sophistication of dairies has reduced the hands-on need for exams and treatments. Now veterinarians play an intrinsic role in establishing protocols, especially as they relate to treatments with antibiotics, pain management and training farm employees … [Read more...]
How cats get their stripes
Animal health pros interested in genetic mechanisms will find this article interesting. Evidently, the same genes color wild and domestic cats. Researchers say this is an example of nature’s thriftiness. Source: Science, December 2, 2020. Link. Gregory Barsh and his colleagues have shown that a 70-year-old theory explaining patterns in nature holds true for fur color in … [Read more...]
Tail pull injuries and recovery in cats
Tail-pull injuries are relatively common in cats and present as a limp, sometimes painful, tail. Jonathan Miller, DVM, MS, DACVS, reviews a recent paper discussing the return of urinary and defecatory function in cats with sacrocaudal luxation. Despite nerve dysfunction commonly being noted at the time of injury, most cats regained function with time.” Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
50% of dog owners believe their pets have separation anxiety
Commentary To most animal health pros, study results revealed in People will come as no surprise. If anything, the WFH months has increased visibility to issues many pets were already experiencing and now owners want to address the issues. Results from the survey found that 53 percent of dog owners overall and 60 percent of hybrid workers believe that their dogs has … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen’s top 5 holiday dangers for pets
Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, and twin brother Jason Chatfield, DVM, discuss holiday dangers for pets in a new edition of Is this a Thing? They discuss these top 5 holiday dangers: Out of town guests; people and their pets Holiday decorations; tinsel, ornaments and seasonal plants Holiday travel; microchipping and registration reminders Holiday foods Weather … [Read more...]
Hold the emoji and other tips for successful email negotiations
Alena Komaromi shares the benefits of using emails in B2B negotiations. Some of her key points include: Instant access, often by many parties in an organization, which creates transparency Allows a rich diversity of materials to be used as attachments Suitable when gender, age, racial biases or linguistic issues could mar the process Source: INSEAD Knowledge, … [Read more...]
Discuss treatment plans to avoid surprises
Emily Shiver, practice manager, CVPM, CCFP, shares proven tips to help present treatment plans and their financial components. Note the physical alignment, transparency, empathy, outcomes and acknowledgement elements she highlights. Presenting treatment plans with empathy and compassion helps to eliminate some of the stress of this delicate discussion. It also potentially … [Read more...]
Pet Business customer loyalty survey results
Results from a 2020 survey of persons using small businesses reinforces the importance of three factors important to boarding, daycare and groomers. These factors are familiar in veterinary surveys and important to consider as the clients are the same. Deliver high-quality service consistently: 62 percent said this is the most important trait Create a personalized … [Read more...]
VVCA Mark Five series compares telemedicine policies: AVMA, AAVSB, and VIC
Continuing his series about the dynamics of telemedicine in the veterinary space, Mark Cushing, JD, compares the policies of three organizations that set guidance for veterinarians. He first reminds us that the VCPR rules were established to create a legal basis for state boards to take disciplinary actions against a practitioner, NOT to protect animals under the care of … [Read more...]
Healthcare community learns about growth of telemedicine in veterinary care
The healthcare community is becoming more aware of the health value of pets for people. In a survey conducted by Xtelligent Healthcare Media, 11 percent of respondents identified pet ownership as a social determinant of health, five percent screen their patients for pet ownership and nine percent partner with organizations within the community to address the ups and downs of … [Read more...]