PR News is a source for communications intelligence. We’re sharing some stories its editors deemed important for 2021. Animal health pros using social media, conducting marketing or working with customer experience efforts will find good tips in this collection. Source: PR News. Link. AP Style Updates: Social Media PR NEWS looks at social media terminology to ensure … [Read more...]
National Geographic’s 12 most intriguing animal discoveries of 2021
‘Virgin births’ in a rare bird, Covid-19 found in wild deer, other animals, cloning a black ferret, elephant evolving to lose tusks, wild horses and donkeys digging desert wells, ants that shrink and regrow their brains and more. . . Source: National Geographic, December 8, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Veterinary Practice News top 10 news and features stories in 2021
It has been another wild year and we covered a lot of ground, say the editors at VPN. They provide a look back at what was being read throughout the year. They list the top 10 in news and feature stories respectively. Source: Veterinary Practice News, December 15, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Drs Chatfield share their top 5 animal stories
There’s always a laugh, something to learn and some sibling banter when Dr. Jen the Vet and twin brother, Jason Chatfield, DVM, get together for an episode of Chat’s with the Chatfields. The latest episode covers their top 5 animal stories and more. Source: Chat’s with the Chatfields, YouTube, December 16, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
2021’s top 10 VIP episodes
Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak have produced 84 podcasts in the last two years providing animal health pros a unique opportunity to learn about innovations in our marketplace. VIP provided a list of the most-listened to podcasts for us to share with you. Seven new podcasts are already planned for 2022. Source: Veterinary Innovation Podcast, December 24, 2021. … [Read more...]
Most read Animal Health Digest posts of 2021
As 2021 ends, our team celebrates six years of curating, selecting and then supplying actionable content for animal health professionals. To date, about 6,500 posts are stored in our AHD website. What you read helps determine where we seek content that can be applied to how you work and interact with customers and stakeholders. We’ve assembled the most read posts of 2021 in … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 23, 2021
Last week’s most read post The difference between disinfecting and sanitizing, according to the CDC. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 16, 2021. Link. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Working with a difficult direct report Source: Crucial Learning, September 8, 2021. Link. It only takes one difficult direct report to make … [Read more...]
Winter, chickens and predators: tips to keep flocks safe
Weather fluctuations can create a shortage of food for some wild animals. This makes predation of chicken flocks more likely to occur. Extreme weather can change things from a time of scarcity to a season of starving. The author shares techniques to prevent attracting predators and to help if predators are already there. . . . chickens, their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to … [Read more...]
How DVMs choose stem cells or PRP for equine tendon and ligament injuries
Tremendous interest exists to understand how to use regenerative therapies (orthobiologics) such as platelet-rich plasma and mesenchymal stem cells to treat tendon and ligament injuries in horses. Some tendon and ligament injuries have a better chance of benefiting from orthobiologics than others. Roger Smith, MA, VetMB, PhD, DEO, FHEA, LAAssocECVDI, Dipl. ECVSMR, ECVS, … [Read more...]
Jingle Bells was not written with yuletide merriment in mind
We’ve been duped, writes Rebecca Berry. The Jingle Bells song, written 164 years ago, was a sleighing song whose original title was One Horse Open Sleigh. But yuletide intentions did not inspire songwriter James Pierpont, rather sleigh races he witnessed. . . . jingling sleigh bells were not festive adornments because having bells was the law. Heavy fines were issued if a … [Read more...]
Choosing safe dog toys
Dog toys, according to the experts, are a must-have. Sheila Pell shares the challenges and realities of choosing them, and presents safety concerns and offers safe toy suggestions. What makes a toy special to a dog may escape human logic, but knowing your dog can help you make wiser choices.” – Sheila Pell Source: The Bark, December 2021. Link. Takeaway tips: Avoid balls … [Read more...]
Whole Dog Journal’s 2021 dog gear of the year
Nancy Kerns and Kathy Callahan, CPDT-KA, review the most exciting and useful dog products they’ve seen and enjoyed this year. The doggy bathroom and LickiMat Wobbler caught our attention. Source: Whole Dog Journal, December 17, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
5 ways to keep cats happy
Simple things that can make a cat feel good. The authors shares five of them, including using a drinking fountain instead of a stationary bowl. Consider this article for social media and newsletters. Source: Tufts Catnip, June 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
That latest scoop on feline vaccines, VETgirl
The most recent updates to the AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccine Guidelines have adjusted how veterinarians and cat owners approach vaccination and disease prevention. Now pet owner clients are included as essential members of their cats’ healthcare teams, cats have been defined into five populations and lifestyle has been taken into consideration. The result is a much more … [Read more...]
How to include cybersecurity training in employee onboarding
Cybersecurity training is rapidly becoming as important as safety training for businesses and their employees. Teaching new hires why cybersecurity policies exist is important, as is showing them how to correctly complete procedures. Making sure both ‘why’ and ‘how’ are understood helps increase the likelihood your company policies will be followed. The world of security … [Read more...]
Legal ramifications of lay persons providing veterinary advice online
Animal owners frequently seek solutions for their horses and pets online. Some lay people are exposing themselves to liability by giving advice as if they are veterinarians. It happens all the time in chat rooms, Facebook groups and various internet venues. If a layperson is giving information about a specific condition, they’re diagnosing. That’s practicing without a license, … [Read more...]
IBPSA FastBites – December 20, 2021
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council turns 50, a new IBPSA member platform, small business trends, considerations for managed security service providers and more. . . Source: IBPSA FastBites, December 20, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
STOP being nice at work. Kindness trumps nice.
Nice and kind are not the same thing, writes Kelly D. Parker. Though similar, kindness is the clear front runner, with the power to motivate teams, boost productivity and foster a culture that attracts and retains top talent. She shares three reasons to ditch nice in exchange for kind: Niceness breeds uncertainty Nice people want to be liked Niceness slows … [Read more...]
Getting stuff done when you’re feeling down
If you’re depressed, your number-1 job is to look after yourself. Productivity is secondary to your mental health, says Alice Boyes. However, learning how to be productive when you’re feeling down can help with depression recovery. Source: Harvard Business Review, October 20, 2021. Link. Summary. When people are depressed their energy, activity, and mood levels decrease … [Read more...]
Iowa State University to test teaching with telehealth technology
A USDA grant allows veterinarians at Iowa State’s Swine Medicine Education Center to partner with precision farming company Dystinct and the VetNOW veterinary telehealth platform to test the learning platform. The partnership proved the concept works as students learned how to draw blood from a pig while being taught from a veterinarian using telehealth technology. Source: … [Read more...]
Best of Pat Malone 2021
Pat Malone’s posts consistently rank near the top of those you read each week. Here are this year’s most popular. Spoiler alert. They’re as relevant in 2022 as they were in 2021. Source: Animal Health Digest. 2021. updated 12/23/2021 Top 10 most-read posts from Patrick T. Malone: Be interested. Link. Communicating without words. Link. Complex … [Read more...]
University of Missouri, Jefferson College enabling veterinary technician education
The University of Missouri has partnered with Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri, to create a new transfer agreement for veterinary technology students. The objective is to help meet the country’s growing demand for veterinary technicians, The ‘two plus two’ agreement allows undergraduate students who earn a two-year associate degree in veterinary technology at … [Read more...]
5 retention strategies for combatting the Great Resignation
OPINION Retention has not been a common term in the employment marketplace and only occasionally considered in customer strategies in recent years. Peter Corless says, “It is imperative that we get creative with retention strategies and cater to the needs and wants of today’s workforce.” Organizations need to shift from a work-life mindset to a life-work mindset and place … [Read more...]
Why Doc Lunsford and his orange slices define Christmas
Every now and then someone or something bestows upon us the real meaning of Christmas. AHD contributor Jim Whitt shares his annual post about Doc Lunsford’s generosity, unconditional acceptance and the most difficult gift to share. Source: Purpose Unlimited, Link. Doc could never repay my parents for the kindness they showed him – at least not financially. But I could never … [Read more...]
“Farmers thrive when their animals thrive.”
That’s what fourth-generation, Iowa dairy farmer and TikTok sensation Dan Venteicher said in a recent conversation with Kristen Peck, chief executive officer at Zoetis. The pair talked about the importance of taking care of the cows so they produce more milk and remain healthy. Venteicher also shared the reality of using technology and data to help care for and in this case, … [Read more...]
Winners announced: the Animal Friends Comedy Pet Photo Awards 2021
Zoe Ross was named the overall winner with her shot of little Pepper, the puppy in 'Whizz Pop!’. The Comedy Pet Photo Awards seeks to promote positive awareness of animal welfare issues and celebrate the incredible and valuable contribution that pets can and do have on our lives.” Source: Comedy Pet Photo Awards, December 10, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: See all the finalists at … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 16, 2021
Last week’s most read post Toxic positivity. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 9, 2021. Link. AHD posts one year ago Archives for December 2020, Animal Health Digest. Link. Zoonotic infection from household aquarium Source: Worms and Germs, November 30, 2021. Link. Scott Weese, DVM, reminds us to use some … [Read more...]
Dry cow rest may equal more live calves
The old method of putting cows into a dry pen and forgetting them is being debunked by research. Getting cows started off right in the dry period, keeping them healthy and ending it fully rested means more calves, more milk and happier dairy persons. Research from Ohio State University shows improving the factors that encourage close-up cows and heifers to lie down and rest … [Read more...]
Keeping horses warm and healthy this winter
Christine Barakat’s article is focused on older horses, avoiding chills and checking blankets daily. Considering the U.S. weather to date, chilling from sweating under a blanket is as likely as chilling from the cold. Wide temperature swings are hard on all animals living outside. With all the wind likely to arrive with winter, keeping water fresh and free of debris is … [Read more...]
Fat leg disease or edema?
It is not uncommon to see horses swell with subcutaneous edema. It happens most frequently in the hind legs and resolves when the horse begins exercising again. Alternatively, swelling can be a bacterial infection and indicate a different condition with several potential causes. Regardless of the exact cause, the swelling will be extreme, hot and very painful to the touch, … [Read more...]