Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 12, 2024. Link. Most read posts from December 12, 2024 AHD Bulletin Are you asking the right questions? Link. Better flooring creates fewer slip-ups. Link. Bred heifers need individual care, nutrition during winter months. Link. USDA offers support to address rural veterinarian shortage. … [Read more...]
Review: Conjunctivitis medications: topical and oral solutions
There are almost as many medication options to treat conjunctivitis as there are reasons for inflammation of the conjunctiva. Renee Carter, DVM, DACVO, outlines different treatment options for the various causes of infections in the eyes of cats and dogs. Source: Clinician’s Brief, August 2022. Link. Image credit: PetSure … [Read more...]
Lori Teller, DVM, joins Guardian Vet as Chief Veterinary Officer
As CVO, Dr. Teller will provide visionary leadership to further develop GuardianVets’ technology-enabled services, which include after-hours triage and daytime call overflow support to meet the evolving needs of their clients and thrive in a competitive landscape. Source: GlobeNewsWire, GuardianVets, December 17, 2024, Link. … [Read more...]
Barkpass acquired by Steve Zeidman to expand leadership in pet licensing, dog park management
Steve Zeidman, a 25-year veteran in the animal care technology industry and entrepreneur, acquired Barkpass, a software company specializing in pet licensing and dog park management, from founders Josh and Bri Larson. Barkpass has revolutionized how communities handle pet-related administrative tasks, making life easier for pet owners and municipal officials. Source: … [Read more...]
Should we be concerned about H5N1 in horses?
The risk of H5N1 influenza infection in and from horses is probably very low. Horses rank far down the list of species about which I’m concerned, writes Scott Weese, DVM. However, they’re still on the list. Weese discusses some limited research on horse susceptibility, whether a horse could infect a person and remaining vigilant to the risk of recombination of flu viruses in … [Read more...]
Equine dental exams require sedation
Jeff Reiswig, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, shares the importance of sedation when examining a horse’s mouth. The article presents sedative safety, administration, volume and length of time sedation lasts. Source: The Horse, December 17, 2024. Link. Examining a horse’s mouth without sedating him is ‘essentially pointless’” Also see: 20 things a horse’s teeth are telling you, The Horse, … [Read more...]
Don’t feed the wildlife
The intersection of wildlife and domestic pets gets closer to our back doors every day. The USDA recently updated its wildlife information, including signage for airports, parks and public places. Yet, the need for public education must extend beyond “don’t feed wildlife in your yard.” This coyote was photographed in a backyard a half mile from my home in Liberty, Missouri, … [Read more...]
“The tip of the iceberg.” Two cats die after drinking recalled raw milk.
Two cats have died after consuming recalled raw milk from Raw Milk Farms LLC, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health stated in a news release last Thursday. The two cats lived in the same household. After eating the product, they exhibited lack of appetite, fever and signs of neurological problems. Source: Los Angeles Times, December 12, 2024. Link. “I think this … [Read more...]
Cats may help spread bird flu, scientists warn
Jess Thomson shares research results that identify cats as a reservoir to infect humans with H5N1 from birds or cattle. The researchers identified several key mutations in the H5N1 sequence from infected cats that may suggest adaptation to cats is the potential to jump from cats to humans for the first time. The ability of the H5N1 virus to persist and adapt in mammalian hosts … [Read more...]
Gallup: 7 workplace challenges for 2025
Commentary This was a disheartening read. Sure, employers and managers can make a difference through communication and setting expectations. Yet, employees must come to grips with their own expectations and the continuous improvement necessary to remain successfully employed and contribute to a business’s objectives.* Issues with childcare, feedback and recognition are … [Read more...]
Open-source veterinary carbon calculator now available for use in the U.S.
A new tool is now available to help calculate greenhouse gas emissions are produced at a veterinary clinic. The Veterinary Carbon Accounting for Local Clinics tool is a U.S.–focused, open-access resource developed through a collaboration between Colorado State University Impact MBA students and the Veterinary Sustainability Alliance. There is mounting pressure on businesses to … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 16, 2024
Managing Gen Zs at work, DVM warns against Christmas tree bows, human-dog bond science, PetsMart launches pet streaming service, pet behavior consults, the link between owner demographics and canine nutrition and more . . . Source: IBPSA, December 16, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Before you decide on your New Year’s Resolutions, consider . . .
We were recently introduced to Katelyn Jetelina at Your Local Epidemiologist. She and Megan Maisano comment on the Make America Healthy Again movement, falsehoods in the narrative and dialogue on diet-related chronic diseases. We’re sharing the article because, after all, healthy animal health pros provide better animal health care. Evidence has shown that a targeted focus on … [Read more...]
How to combat lifestyle creep with a financial fast
The problem with lifestyle creep is that you don’t notice it happening, writes Emily Guy Birken. She shares how a financial fast can get your lifestyle in better alignment with your money goals, asserting that radically changing your financial behavior for a set period of time helps you recognize which money decisions are nothing more than habits and which are important to you. … [Read more...]
27 “strange” things highly sensitive people do
Commentary It helps to be sure we understand people around us, especially those who may react differently to situations than we expect. In her book, “Quiet,” Susan Cain reframes how we think about sensitivity and shines a light on the power of being highly attuned to the world. In the article here, writer Jenn Granneman shares perspectives on how highly sensitive peoples’ … [Read more...]
“Be Curious.”
Ted Lasso fans will recognize the title as a quote from the popular series of the same name on Apple TV. Curiosity is the key to understanding your customers better and increasing your opportunities to help them. Acknowledging is the genesis of curiosity. Source: Repertoire, August 2024. Link. …the point of talking with another person is to find out what they think as much … [Read more...]
Ours IS a people business
Commentary If people didn’t have pets or raise animals, would animal health pros have relationships with so many people? I say no and have asserted that VCPR really should have been CVRP <Link>. Clients are often frustrating, much like young students, distracted, too busy to listen, emotional, sometimes afraid and even apathetic. It's a lot when you think about … [Read more...]
The guilded age of medicine is here?
No extended diatribe or commentary in this post, BUT, animal health pros work in a parallel service industry with the same humans affected by how doctors and medical systems treat them. Maybe it is no wonder animal owners often object to costs and pricing for veterinary and pet services. Worth thinking about. Source: The New Yorker, December 12, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Ways employers and employees can manage holiday-related stress
About half of workers responding to a recent Monster poll say they're more stressed than normal during the year-end holiday season. Two in five said they are less productive and a third are working a second job to supplement their income, writes Keith Button. His article shares ideas to help handle the season, which all start with communication, setting expectations and being … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 12, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 5, 2024. Link. Most read posts from December 5, 2024 AHD Bulletin Mastering and winning at customer experience. Link. 10 signs a dog is depressed. Link. Face masks reduce human exposure to swine flu. Link. Microbiome-gut-brain axis; its importance in production animal agriculture. Link. … [Read more...]
Webinar: 2024 Therapeutic Update and year-in-review
Consider this webinar to get the latest therapeutic updates as Clinician’s Brief and Plumb’s Pro authors recap which drugs debuted in 2024 and how to use them. Source: Clinician’s Brief. Link. Webinar is available on demand. Registration required. RACE approved (1 credit hour) INSIGHTS: This offering would be good preparation for animal health sales/marketing pros ahead … [Read more...]
Nikon announces Comedy Wildlife Winners of 2024
Milko Marchetti was crowned Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his hilarious shot of a red squirrel. See all the other incredible category winners and highly commended winners here <Link>. Source: Comedy Wildlife Awards, December 11, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
What’s new with equine cribbing research?
Cribbing has been studied for more than 400 years without fully understanding why domesticated horse life would cause the condition, writes Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA. She shares 10 things researchers have learned since the 2016 update. Here are three of them: Cribbing is a stress-coping mechanism, not a vice Cribbing literally changes the horse’s brain It resolved … [Read more...]
10 non-negotiables for horse management
Commentary We like the positioning of this list and the underlying message of being accountable and responsible for a horse’s care. Kudos to Devin Conley for this article, which is appropriate for any horse owner of any age. Veterinary teams can use the article to establish the need for basic health care appointments and hopefully avoid some emergency calls for horses whose … [Read more...]
How dogs say thank you
Elizabeth Gray shares five ways dogs show they’re grateful. With the holiday season taking more time from daily activities, she reminds us to return the favor and show our gratitude to our dogs. Even when we’re busy and stressed, taking just 10 minutes to play with a dog will do wonders for them. Consider this article for social media, newsletters or an interview with local … [Read more...]
Choosing the best farm dogs for herding, guarding livestock, and more
Reviewing some common farm-related tasks and the dog breeds that excel at them, Tracy Kobberdahl divides working dogs into ones that drive and ones that fetch. She emphasizes the need for training and her guidance is universal for dogs on the farm or in the home. If a dog won’t heel, sit, stay, lay down, and come, you’ll never get him to do the work you want.” Source: … [Read more...]
Survey: 62 percent of puppy owners overwhelmed by pet food choices
Commercial Content Differentiating pet food choices is increasingly difficult. Royal Canin’s recent survey found that more than half of puppy owners feel overwhelmed by the number of choices in puppy food and, more importantly, struggle to figure out what ingredients are important. Commentary The survey results are familiar, as is the challenge of leading pet owners to … [Read more...]
The top pet products of 2024
The winners of Pet Business’ Industry Recognition Awards are selected by the publication’s editorial team. They focus on the most exciting and functional products on the market and candidates in categories such as best packaging redesigns, merchandising displays and consumer-marketing campaigns. This edition of the 23rd-annual Industry Recognition Awards highlights the … [Read more...]
Rethinking dog parks
Initially viewed as ideal social venues for dogs, public dog parks now face more scrutiny for their potential risks. The authors share risks and benefits while reinforcing the need for owners to consider training and risks based on their individual pets. Consider sharing this article and a list of top local dog parks, often provided by Yelp or Rover, with dog owners on … [Read more...]
Better flooring creates fewer slip-ups
Includes Commercial References With an eye on eliminating falls and slippery surfaces, Heather E. Lewis, AIA, NCARB, AAA, discusses various slip-resistant surfaces for veterinary hospitals. Pet care services facilities have similar risks for humans and animals. Flooring is often discussed as part of Fear Free certification as well. Source: DVM 360, November 15, 2024. … [Read more...]