Ongoing studies demonstrate some millennials distrust advertising. MWI Animal Health shares four ways animal health pros can reach this group of potential or current clients. Build meaningful relationships Meet millennials where they are with high-tech communications Establish a strong social media presence Keep the conversation going Source: MWI Animal Health, … [Read more...]
Two types of toughness required for success
You can either experience baby steps as insulting frustrations or as small, precious achievements.” - Ross Ellenhorn, PhD Source: Forge, July 22, 2020. Link. Personal change is not about having one lovely nirvana-like moment of self-acceptance. It’s about accepting yourself where you are — and accepting the fact that, right where you are, you lack something you believe will … [Read more...]
Animal health businesses ripe for ransomware attacks
Complimentary commercial content from Lucca Veterinary Data Security We asked Clint Latham to provide AHD readers with guidance on ransomware and data security. He offers three easy ways to avoid a ransomware attack that apply to all of us. . . . ransomware attacks have increased over 400 percent during Covid-19 WFH guidance” – Clint Latham Source: Lucca Vet, July 27, … [Read more...]
Every horse on a farm is at risk
There are risk avoidance opportunities in health care for humans and animals. Even top-of-the-line biosecurity cannot prevent core disease sources from getting on a property and infecting horses. These diseases can lead to death, but vaccinations help avoid morbidity and mortality. Equine veterinarians discuss the five core diseases: Rabies West Nile virus (WNV), … [Read more...]
Toilet training cows?
What? YHTBKM, right? We had to share this one along with some tongue-in-cheek. Behavioral scientists’ research results concluded that cattle have the intelligence and neurophysiological foundations that make toilet training possible. The learning method of so-called operant conditioning, which is based on a reward for the desired behavior, has proven itself. Practical … [Read more...]
Have you herd? Ruminants in a sustainable food system (AABP podcast).
Animal health pros are an important part of the front line to manage perceptions and truth about animals, animal stewardship and the impact of animals on our environment. Sara Place, PhD, discusses greenhouse gas emissions, how cattle are a solution to providing a sustainable food source for humans, and why the Food and Agriculture Organization’s report on GHG production … [Read more...]
True or false? Hormones and steroids are added to chickens.
Commentary During recent calls with a dozen animal health pros, I asked about hormones and chickens referring to marketing on packaging in supermarkets. Only four of the 12 knew a definite answer. Let’s get this right once and for all! Fact: federal regulations prohibit the use of added hormones and steroids in all poultry. The chicken that is labeled “Raised without … [Read more...]
Help cat owners recognize an emergency
Cats don’t come with warning labels, and a person who doesn’t know the symptoms can’t be expected to recognize them” – Eric Barchas, DVM Barchas begins with a tip about what healthy gums look like and then shares a list of more common and serious cat emergencies that includes: Difficulty breathing Sudden paralysis of the hind end Known (or likely) ingestion of … [Read more...]
Dogs and cats, plus string equal real problems
Animal health pros know what John Hutcheons, DVM shares. What is important is how he demonstrates the problems with string. Kudos to Dr. Hutcheons for using his camera and sharing the images. Keep string, yarn and other like materials away from pets. This includes frayed or damaged rope toys.” – John Hutcheons, DVM Source: LinkedIn, June 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Practitioners … [Read more...]
Pet pain points and tools for assessment
Pain! It’s one of the biggest challenges and important topics in veterinary medicine. Pets naturally avoid showing pain. Clients do not recognize pain and taking a pet to a practice likely masks pain even more with an adrenal response. Fortunately, there are now tools to identify and differentiate pain. Source: JAVMA, April 1, 2020. Link. Katie Burns shares these tools for … [Read more...]
Telemedicine content missing new VVCA references
Commentary More content appears nearly every week on telemedicine. In animal health there is an organization, albeit relatively new, that has been organized to help define virtual care in animal health and frequently not referenced in published content. That organization is the Veterinary Virtual Care Association < link > whose mission is to elevate the standard of … [Read more...]
Even B2B buyers want emotion in their content
Feelings? Yes, feelings! Jodi Harris says we should demonstrate deeper awareness and understanding of the positive outcomes and experiences our audience wants. Still, focusing on transactional behaviors we want to drive remains important to today’s marketing. It is true for B2B and B2C. Marketers need to adjust their content priorities so they can answer the new questions and … [Read more...]
From the streets to the swine barn
Our industry is full of success stories, many which never get told. Jennifer Shrike shares a story of a young woman whose childhood might have sent her spinning out of control. Instead, an innate drive, plus a few empathetic persons and a culture of helping hands sustained and buoyed Gracee Workman. From a bed on a concrete floor, to managing the Ohio State University swine … [Read more...]
Fast tracking psychological safety
“This is NOT a DRILL,” writes Natalie Richardson who says psychological safety has emerged as a golden child in the field of team development. She shares current challenges against a historical perspective along with five tested safety tools you can use to support teams and rapidly develop psychological safety. Psychological safety is defined as a shared belief among teams … [Read more...]
Who is shopping for pet insurance?
Carley Lintz reviews takeaways from a recent survey of 20,000 pet owners who expressed interest in pet insurance. The results show both the importance and the urgency of having pet insurance as COVID-19 pushes many into financial insecurity, according to Woody Mawhinney of Pawlicity Advisor, the survey company < link >. We noted the dominant interest from dog owners … [Read more...]
Guide to answering the most common interview questions
This list of more than 40 common interview questions can help you get comfortable with what you might be asked, what hiring managers are really looking for in your responses, and what it takes to show that you’re the right person for the job. Source: The Muse. Link. … [Read more...]
For cat owners
Cat owners are passionate about all things cat. The number of media items on a monthly basis aimed at cat enthusiasts can be intimidating. It is always fascinating to curate some of these articles that interest animal health pros, including those suitable for sharing in client communications. We assembled a selection you can easily use. Source: Why do cats purr? Animal … [Read more...]
For dog owners
As much as animal health pros prefer to share knowledge and education from their own perspective, time limits the ability to create new content to share. To help keep communication going, we assembled articles for dog owners worthy of sharing. Source: Steve Dale; Ban retractable leashes, PetVet Magazine, April/May 2020. Link. Source: Chiggers on dogs: What you need to … [Read more...]
It takes all kinds
Sporting dog and working dog owners are supporting a resurgence for dogs to do what they were bred to do. Like many peri-urban dog owners, Hannah Hays’ experiences with her pet Vizla lit a fire in her to help her dog become himself. Dog owners like her support wildlife conservation, habitat and organizations for dog enthusiasts. For those who have never … [Read more...]
AKC: Signs of chronic pain in dogs
Pain is personal to the pet, the owner and the veterinary team and can be hard to identify. Kevin T. Fitzgerald, DVM, provides solid information for dog owners, including a list of top signs of chronic pain in dogs and how it can be eased. Source: AKC Family Dog, March/April 2020. Link. Diet is perhaps the most underused pain relief method.” - Kevin T. Fitzgerald, … [Read more...]
Groomers sound off on skin care
Whether dog or cat, groomers are often the first to discover skin issues. We assembled articles published by GroomertoGroomer to provide perspective on groomers’ involvement in skin care. Source: Stepping up skin care in the salon, Groomer to Groomer, March 2020, page 34. Link. Source: Feline skin issues? Take a bubble bath! Groomer to Groomer, March 2020, page 46. … [Read more...]
Advising pet owners on nutritional adequacy
“Is this kibble okay to feed my dog?” This is a common question asked of veterinary team members. With the amount of press pet obesity garners, animal owners are sensitized to get the right food for their pets. Human food trends also impact pet owner choice. Label confusion and lack of knowledge about nutrients and ingredients add to the challenges. Clinicians need to focus … [Read more...]
Discovering and speaking to consumer types
Lindsay Beaton translates recent consumer research in the context of pet food consumer mindsets. There are 11 types of consumers, each with its own habits, priorities, and influences. Notably, she identifies four commonalities that overlap most types: Convenience Ease of online access Customization of experiences Product clarity Source: Petfood Industry, July … [Read more...]
New cattle virus on watch list as causative agent for calf diarrhea
Almost no one in North America is looking for the Bovine kobuvirus in cattle or other species. However, it was isolated in four of nine samples from cattle in Illinois as the causative agent for calf diarrhea. It remains to be seen how this emerging disease agent influences health, although previous studies conducted elsewhere in the world have found bovine kobuvirus in fecal … [Read more...]
BVD tears at dairy profits
Complimentary commercial content from Zoetis Bovine Viral Diarrhea is a disease issue in cattle worldwide. It is like a shadow in herds that robs production and herd health. BVD can be controlled with diligent management steps revolving around testing, culling, vaccination and farm biosecurity. . . . often BVD is a subclinical disease, and its symptoms get lost amid the … [Read more...]
Slap some honey on that wound
David Ramey, DVM, breaks stride to talk about the natural healing properties associated with honey. Yes, the stuff from bees. He reviews some honey history and then digs into the chemical properties of honey which has a high sugar content, acid, and hydrogen peroxide all packaged in a gooey natural liquid that doesn’t spoil if kept airtight. Source: Horse Network, July 13, … [Read more...]
Void in urban livestock veterinary care due to lack of facilities, interest or experience
Research results indicate an increasing demand for veterinary services for poultry and livestock in cities and suburbs and a need for ongoing continuing education of practitioners, as well as the animal owners according to UC Davis research. This segment of agriculture has been largely overlooked by the veterinary community in North America.” - Dr. Alda Pires “The health and … [Read more...]
Noisy children get WFH parent fired
Whizy Kid’s article sparks memories of a 15th century saying, “Children should be seen not heard.” Fueled by the story of a California woman whose employer fired her because her children were allegedly too noisy, Kid discusses employment at will, just cause, gender discrimination and wrongful termination. Source: Refinery 29, July 10. Link. The pandemic has burst the dam on … [Read more...]
Colorado squirrel positive for bubonic plague
A squirrel tested positive for bubonic plague in Morrison, Colorado, last week. Unusual in squirrels, plague caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis is found in rodents and their associated fleas throughout the Western U.S. The report is a reminder for the growing number of people choosing camping in western U.S. parks for summer vacations and trips, regardless of their state … [Read more...]
DVMs, MDs collaborate to address zoonoses
The prevalence of zoonoses points to the need for veterinarians and their human counterparts to connect and work together today in ways most haven’t historically.” - Audrey Ruple, DVM. The progressive nature of the coronavirus pandemic has underscored the need for medical professionals from all disciplines to interact, share knowledge and activate their collective … [Read more...]