Includes Sponsored Content Addressing concerns about the affordability of veterinary care runs high among pet owners of all generations, according to data presented in VetWatch™: For emergency services, 42 percent of vet clients are strongly concerned, 32 percent are somewhat concerned. For routine healthcare, 33 percent are strongly concerned, 35 percent are … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 28, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post When do we need to re-treat? Cattle Chat discussion. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin - Oct 21, 2021. Link. "Pandemic posture" hurting your back? You can fix it! Source: Harvard Health Letter, October 1, 2021. Link. Here’s what to do if you’ve developed back pain from poor posture habits … [Read more...]
Canine coronavirus was found in human pneumonia samples
Coronavirus outbreaks aren't rare and will likely occur every decade or so. Research published in May 2021 has identified a canine corona virus in patients hospitalized with pneumonia. The samples came from patients at a hospital in Malaysia, taken by a collaborator in 2017 and 2018. Virologist Xuming Zhang says he wouldn't be surprised if this dog virus is, in fact, a new … [Read more...]
Behaviors that indicate equine lameness
There’s a relatively new tool for identifying subtle signs of musculoskeletal pain in horses, shares Christine Barakat. The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram is a compilation of 24 behaviors, such as “head tilting,” “tail swishing” and “spontaneous changes of gait” that have been proven to correlate with musculoskeletal pain. If a horse exhibits eight or more of the behaviors, chances … [Read more...]
Why dogs like your head and hair
Pet owners often ask why their dog licks their head, hair and so on. Petya Natrcheva shares nine reasons they act this way. Dog owners will appreciate this list if you share it on social media or in newsletters. Source: Dogs and Clogs. Link. Your dog licks your hair on your head because that’s how they show affection, or they like the taste of your skin, want to groom you, … [Read more...]
Helping pet owners deal with pet behavior issues
Getting past hesitancies to proactively discuss pet behavior is difficult, says Melissa Spooner-Raymond LVT, VTS. She reminds us that pet owners have different learning styles and provides links to various resources to help get ahead of behavior problems before they occur. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Summer 2021. Link. A simple way to provide clients valuable … [Read more...]
Comedy Pet Photography Awards announces 2021 finalists
Take a few minutes and crack a lot of smiles! Check out the photo and video finalists in the 2021 Comedy Pet Photography Awards. Some of these shots will make your day. Source: Comedy Pet Photography Awards. Link. Enjoy! … [Read more...]
Chatfields and AVMA Trust launch recurring segment for veterinary students
Complimentary “Chats with the Chatfields” is partnering with the AVMA Trust to bring listeners “V’s View from Vet School.” This monthly recurring segment will follow Veronica, a veterinary student, as she takes the journey to become a veterinarian. Source: Chats with the Chatfields, October 26, 2021. Link. Veronica has a unique pre-vet school background: She is a … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 25, 2021 edition
Pet wellness trends, Amazon’s $18 average hourly wage, SEO for boosting website performance, quality comparisons of internationally sourced products and IBPSA’s rebate program enrollment. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 25, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Counter the negative effects of sitting
According to a recent study, standing up and moving for roughly three minutes every half an hour may mitigate the negative effects of over-sitting. . . . those who exercised the most – averaging 75 steps during the three-minute breaks – saw the biggest gains.” Source: Runner’s World, October 19, 2021. Link. Over-sitting is an area we should all take seriously. Its impacts are … [Read more...]
10 things to say besides YES
Lots of folks are headed for a crash or have crashed because they have not mastered the art of answering the next request for their time and attention with something other than an unqualified, “yes.” In the interest of preserving your health, sanity and well-being, the author offers 10 things you can say besides, “Yes,” when someone asks you to attend their meeting, join their … [Read more...]
Surgeons attached a pig kidney to a human. It worked!
Researchers in New York successfully attached a kidney grown in a genetically altered pig to a human patient. The kidney worked normally representing a scientific breakthrough that may yield a new supply of organs for severely ill patients. Though the procedure won’t be available anytime soon, experts say the surgery is a milestone. Source: New York Times, October 19, 2021. … [Read more...]
What is really causing today’s extreme talent shortage?
There’s no clear answer to why employers are faced with more severe talent shortages than we’ve seen in the last 25 or more years. While the particulars differ by geography, industry, skill specialization and level, Bruce Tulgan says evidence of talent shortages is widespread: Voluntary unplanned turnover (the “quit rate”) is increasing. Pent-up departure demand (the … [Read more...]
Viruses are the villains and heroes of life as we know it
Bacteriophages are viruses known to infect bacteria and keep bacterial populations in check. Their ability to selectively kill bacteria also has medical doctors excited. Natural and engineered phages have been successfully used to treat bacterial infections that do not respond to antibiotics. Ivan Erill, PhD, discusses how virulent and temperate phages work, invade and … [Read more...]
Increase retention while eliminating burnout
This sounds impossible in today’s competitive environment, but it is not that hard. Gallup has identified three simple steps to accomplish it. Source: Gallup, August 25, 2021. Link. They know what is expected of them. They have what they need to get their work done. And their manager helps them manage their workload, collaborate effectively, and see a clear path to a bright … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 21, 2021
Last week’s. . . . . . most read post Grain-free? Grain-ful? The Chatfields discuss pet food choices. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin - Oct 14, 2021. Link. Label pea-protein cat food as not for ferrets, vet says Source: Petfood Industry, October 11, 2021. Link. Bladder stones in ferrets may be related to diets containing … [Read more...]
Undeniably Dairy campaign designed to reach Gen Z
Did you know The dairy checkoff’s Undeniably Dairy campaign has a new wave to create deeper connections between Gen Z and dairy products. The campaign will use media channels and marketing strategies, including gaming, social media influencers and digital content, to engage with Gen Z to grow sales and trust of dairy. Did you know dairy can do more than set you at ease? It … [Read more...]
4 facts about heaves in horses
Heaves is an allergic-based disease that compromises a horse's ability to breathe, similar to the way asthma affects humans. Horse heaves is chronic and can threaten a horse's long-term health and performance. Fall always brings changes to air quality as harvesting adds more dust particles, new hay sources become available, and horses begin spending more time inside. All … [Read more...]
Terms of venery beyond packs and herds
Here’s an article to use on trivia night. It wasn’t scientists who coined fanciful names like “a charm of hummingbirds" or "a cauldron of bats." Rather, 15th-century Englishmen would come up with names for animal gangs while hunting. Bloat, gaggle, murder and shrewdness all denote groups of animals too. Source: Word Genius, May 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Safely control those rodents moving in with you
It’s that time of the year when rodents move inside to escape chilly weather. They can damage buildings, walls, contaminate food items and transmit diseases to people and pets. It is important to take proper precautions to keep them from entering. Choose and consider the best ways to keep the rodents away. It can be natural or chemical. Source: The Outdoor Wear, October … [Read more...]
Kid approved chicken chores
The Centers for Disease Control continues to warn people to stop cuddling and kissing backyard poultry because chickens may spread salmonella. The warnings are warranted, but chickens are excellent starter animals for homesteaders or home-produced food enthusiasts. Kids enjoy the birds too. Patrick Diggs, PhD, shares chicken chores kids can help with and reinforces the CDC … [Read more...]
Nutrition tops cat owners’ topics for vet questions
Nutrition is the number-1 topic cat owners want to talk about with their vet, according to a survey of 1,001 cat owners by Royal Canin. The survey also found that three in five cat owners do not take their cat to the vet regularly. Encouraging cat owners to take their pets to the vet can help address diet-related medical conditions. Source: Petfood Industry, August 22, … [Read more...]
Dog breeds you can hold in one hand
The author provides a list of the top 10 smallest dog breeds. Teacup dog breeds are lovely companions to have, but their life span is shorter than those of larger dogs. The best option is to find a toy breed at the lower end of the reasonable height and weight levels. Source: Puppies and Pooches, September 16, 2021. Link. It is better to find a genuine dog breeder and vet, … [Read more...]
Dogfight over pet prescriptions AND a Bridge Club discussion
OPINION Market share is determined by where and WHY customers spend their dollars. Chewy’s investment into telemedicine and compounding is yet another event in the ethical versus OTC dynamics of the animal health supply business. An extension of the historic catalog business, online pet supply options increase convenience, avoid visits to the veterinary clinic and are … [Read more...]
New business formed to help independent veterinary practices
Complimentary Commercial Content A team of industry veterans began working as Veterinary Practice Performance with independent veterinary practices in August. Led by founder and president Rob Conn, people, resources and services have been assembled specifically for independent veterinary practices. A proprietary AI inventory system is among the services available. Conn … [Read more...]
Loyalty programs: 8 levers to turn customers into fans
Loyalty programs are an often-overlooked area for performance improvement that can help offset the ongoing willingness among consumers to try new brands and retailers, writes José Carluccio. He shares three key takeaways along with eight drivers of loyalty program value. Source: McKinsey and Company, October 12, 2021. Link. Key takeaways: More than three-quarters of … [Read more...]
There’s no traffic jam on the extra mile
The Golden Rule is getting a makeover in some companies. Brian O’Connell says these company leaders say they instill their own golden rules at work and strive to make them stick. They're gratified when they see their employees follow those rules in the workplace. Source: SHRM, October 12, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Fast Bites – October 18th edition from IBPSA
2021 holiday shopping season trends, biggest dog companies and their popular brands, retailer Pets at Home adds video interaction with store experts, grain-free food trends, the IBPSA Rebate Program launches and more. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 18, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Empathetic leadership
Effective leaders demonstrate a wide range of skills, abilities and characteristics that all play a part in their effectiveness. The ability to empathize with others plays a major role as Tracey Brower explains. Source: Forbes, September 19, 2021. Link. 76 percent of people who experienced empathy from their leaders reported they were engaged compared with only 32 percent … [Read more...]
Rethink just-in-time, at least for now
Supply chains at all levels are upended. Bridget McCrea shares five inventory management strategies organizations can use now to manage current volatility and optimize for the future. Businesses need accurate data to review historical activity, run projections and make good inventory management decisions. This is a time for great creativity and flexibility on the inventory … [Read more...]