Now three years old, The Bridge Club continues to gain momentum, popularity and fill gaps in our social and professional networks. Animal health pros rely on each other’s experiences and perspectives. The Bridge Club virtual events have evolved to emulate discussions often had over lunch or at the watering hole during on-site industry conventions. Source: The Bridge Club. … [Read more...]
Rev up replacement heifers
Patsy Houghton, president and general manager of Heartland Cattle Co., McCook, Nebraska, gave advice for developing heifers in fall 2020, spring 2021 and beyond in a recent Angus University webinar. She offered seven challenges to help commercial cattlemen improve their replacement heifers: Place selection pressure on fertility Enhance your calf crop value Improve … [Read more...]
Preg-check beef cows early
Identifying reproductive issues, managing input costs, more efficient culling along various preg-checking methods are presented in this article. Producers have a variety of options for managing nonpregnant cows and heifers.” Source: Bovine Veterinarian, July 10, 2020. Link. Current cattle markets, weather outlooks and feed availability are all factors that should be … [Read more...]
5 steps to decrease somatic cell counts (infographic)
Like you and me, cows are physically more stressed when it is hot. Somatic cell counts in milking dairy cows are a signal to dairy producers that an immune response is occurring. Add the influence of stress hormones and changes in cow behavior, the result is often an increase in environmental mastitis. It’s important to keep stalls clean, provide good fly control and provide … [Read more...]
Preconditioning, premiums and the real value of vaccines
Cow doc Jake Geis, DVM, discusses preconditioning calves, getting a better return on your vaccine and parasite control investment in the entire herd, not just calves. Cattle buyers place the most preference in a preconditioning program for the number of days weaned. . . because they know it means the cow-calf producer took on the risk of doing the actual job of weaning and … [Read more...]
Cats can make you sick or even kill you
Just as our industry is getting more clients to bring cats to clinics, become better educated on prevention and improve the human-animal bonds cats empower, we get these warnings. Cat lover Richard O’Brien, MD, uses a scary title to outline slight risks and big risks when sharing space with cats. . . . don’t test a cat’s limits of composure. Protect your pet, yourself and your … [Read more...]
Leptospirosis Cliff notes: Screen, test and treat leptospirosis better (webcast)
Complimentary commercial content from VETgirl and Merck Animal Health Natalie Marks, DVM, reviews common and uncommon presentations of leptospirosis in general practice, lab abnormalities not to miss and keys to successful therapy. The review includes clinical signs of leptospirosis in dogs, signalment, what treatment is, and how to diagnose it. Also included is a brief … [Read more...]
Neutering study lays out guidelines for 35 dog breeds
Our industry has struggled to answer questions about when or if to consider neutering for dogs because of great disparity between breeds. A new, 10-year study by researchers at the University of California – Davis, examined 35 dog breeds and found vulnerability from neutering varies greatly depending on the breed, size and sex. Source: UC Davis, July 15, 2020. Link. “We … [Read more...]
Pigs used to save human lungs
Here’s an exceptional extension to the human animal bond. While still in early development, using pigs to revive damaged human lungs is promising. By hooking up lungs that had been rejected for transplant to the pigs, research scientists were able to revive the lungs in 24 hours.” Researchers indicate there are two possible applications for this research. Pigs could be used … [Read more...]
Getting to the bottom of goosebumps
Scientists have found the same cell types that cause goosebumps are also important for regulating stem cells that regenerate the hair follicle and hair. In this study, we identified an interesting dual-component niche that not only regulates the stem cells under steady state, but also modulates stem cell behaviors according to temperature changes outside.” - Ya-Chieh … [Read more...]
10 fun facts about mosquitoes
Fun? Well maybe for an entomologist. ;-) Animal health pros are the perfect sources to CONFIDENTLY help animal owners decrease the risk from mosquito-borne diseases. But, products on the shelf or not discussed never repel or kill one of the pests. Talk about them. Mid-summer is the peak time for mosquitoes!” Source: The Outdoor Wear, July 16, 2020. Link. People with Type O … [Read more...]
Dictation platform built for veterinarians now available on Mac
Mac users are celebrating as Talkatoo announces it has finished production of its revolutionary dictation software in a version for macOS. Up until now, it was only possible to do so on Windows. Talkatoo’s voice dictation solution offers tremendous flexibility and convenience for vets everywhere, even on their personal laptops. . . Windows or Mac.” Source: Talkatoo. Link. … [Read more...]
4 tips for marketing to millennial pet parents
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...]