For those who like to take photos of their cats, there’s a new reason to do so. Sylster.ai, a Calgary, Alberta, Canada, animal health technology company, developed an app calledTably that uses a phone’s camera to determine whether a cat is feeling pain. Source: Yahoo!news, July 27, 2021. Link. An app that learns patterns from images o cat faces can be helpful but cat owners … [Read more...]
Top 10 tips for caring for senior dogs or cats
Complimentary Commercial Content November is when we celebrate National Senior Pet Month. . . . once a pet becomes a senior, every day is senior care day.” Keeping a senior pet happy is all about paying attention, shares Katherine Carbanaro. As dogs’ or cats’ needs change with age, owners need to learn about accommodating them and adjusting routines when needed. Among the … [Read more...]
How to raise a barn cat right
Barn cats deserve to be treated like other high-performing work animals. If you want an animal to perform work for you, then you should feed it adequate nutrition, so it has the energy and stamina to perform, asserts author Janet Garman. She addresses spay and neutering, veterinary care, shelter, nutrition, feeding locations, collars, microchips and monitoring working cat … [Read more...]
Do cats get separation anxiety?
Little work has been done to assess potential separation-related problems in cats. Using canine questionnaire studies as a model, researchers investigated the topic with cat owners. The results suggest that pet cats are social and develop bonds with their owners and about 13 percent of cats may have signs of separation-related problems. Source: Vet Candy, November 27, 2021. … [Read more...]
Big puppy paws; big dog or not?
It is possible to understand the relationship between a puppy’s paw and the puppy’s size when one knows the growth stages a puppy undergoes. However, the author concludes one cannot rely on finding the puppy’s size using its paws as the result might be wrong. Determining the size of the puppy based on its paws is a fun and interesting activity. Other alternatives to consider … [Read more...]
Treat nutrition: The why, how and what of proper treating
Treating is a rapidly growing subcategory of pet nutrition. Jessie Nelson AAS, CVT, VTS, and Kara M. Burns MS, MEd, LVT, VTS, VTS-H, discuss the importance of understanding treat use and their nutritional value when working with pet owners. <treats> are intended to be given in moderation. However, many clients may be unaware of this distinction.” Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
What reptiles REALLY need to thrive with Joerg Mayer, DVM
Complimentary Sponsored Content Responding to viewer inquiries, the Chatfields host Joerg Mayer, DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM, to discuss reptile care, feeding crickets and whether to feed live rodents to snakes. Specifically, the discussion of sunlight versus artificial sunlight is enlightening. Source: Chats with the Chatfields, November 24, 2021. Link. 54 minutes. … [Read more...]
Zoetis horse video emphasizes human-horse bond
Complimentary Commercial Content Horses recognize care and dedication and they return it tenfold. Zoetis Equine’s Facebook video shows horses and their caregivers in everyday settings and relationships with people of all ages. Source: Zoetis Equine, December 10, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Kudos to the Zoetis equine team. Well done. Nice video! … [Read more...]
No college degree? More employers than ever just don’t care.
Most U.S. working age adults do not have a 4-year college degree. New growth in apprenticeship programs that lead to jobs are resulting in paid, on-the-job training, benefits, coaching and access to employee and alumni networks. Over the past five years, employers have been trying to solve for two things: the long-predicted skilled labor shortage; especially in … [Read more...]
IBPSA FastBites – December 13, 2021
Pet training apps, 2021 U.S. pet food and treats update, less is more mindset, five points for small business advertising, reminder to submit for IBPSA rebate program, the latest from AHD and more . . . If some new holiday employees plan to stay into 2022, don’t forget the species-specific education and certification programs available for enrollment in the IBPSA online … [Read more...]
Is your criticism of employees really contempt?
When it comes to leading morale, Kate Nasser says to rethink criticism and how you give it. She gives examples of criticism that comes across as contempt and says to watch your words and your tone of voice. Communicating with respect and objectivity has value. It helps you and your employees grow. Showing contempt for them crushes morale and results. Rethink criticism and make … [Read more...]
The power of pressure
We need to rethink how we think of pressure and how we manage it, writes author Dane Jensen. In his book, The Power of Pressure, he asserts seeing pressure as an ally as one learns to respond to peak pressure moments differently than long-haul pressures. Pressure isn’t just a nasty by-product of life, it’s an essential input into high performance. A life well-lived requires … [Read more...]
Managing intellectual diversity
Most workforces are equally divided into thirds among conservatives, moderates and liberals when it comes to social issues. Forty-one percent strongly favor their employer requiring Covid-19 vaccinations to enter the workplace, while 31 percent strongly oppose. The list of differences goes on, so these three suggestions are essential to getting the work done. Source: Gallup, … [Read more...]
Top 4 workplace trends for 2022
The undercurrent of 2022 will be a hot jobs market, and that has implications for every decision that employers make, employers need to be responsive to what employees want.” - Daniel Zhao, Glassdoor Source: Employee Benefit News, December 8, 2021. Link. Glassdoor predicted four trends they expect to emerge next year: Hiring will get harder Remote work will increase … [Read more...]
Leveraging digital communications and chats
Svetlana Stavreva shares feedback and discovery from moderating a Twitter chat about communications and public relations in the digital era that gathered experts from all over the world. In Question 2 she asked, “Is the constant repetition of the same message a friend or a foe?” Stavreva shared surprise from feedback indicating same-messages repetition is a must for brands and … [Read more...]
The difference between disinfecting and sanitizing, according to the CDC
Sponsored Commercial Content Cleaning can mean everything from straightening up to scrubbing down. When it comes to disinfecting and sanitizing, the definitions, as set by the Centers for Disease Control, are more clear-cut. Sarah Showfety shares the definitions and actions from a home environment perspective. The step-by-step guidance is appropriate for veterinary clinics, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 9, 2021
Last week’s . . . . . . most read November 2021 post Study suggests health benefits by feeding dogs once a day. Link. . . . AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin. Link. . . . AHD posts one year ago Archives for December 2020, Animal Health Digest. Link. Amazon exec says Black Friday sales broke records Source: The Hill, November 28, … [Read more...]
Pork community focused on environmental stewardship
Opinion While traveling between Kansas City, Missouri, and the Twin Cities recently, heavy smells from poultry and pork production facilities seemed reduced compared to trips over the past two decades. Although prevailing winds might be partly responsible, more facilities are bordered by trees, ventilation systems have been added to existing buildings, green space expansions … [Read more...]
Even with screening, equine cardiac problems prove difficult to catch
Medina Spirit, the 2021 Kentucky Derby winner, died of an apparent heart attack December 6, 2021 at Santa Anita, California. While tragic, we’re reminded that screening for equine cardiac problems is not as easy as you'd think, especially in racehorses. Natalie Voss presents information equine veterinarian specialists shared during discussions about the realities and challenges … [Read more...]
Just fat, hay belly or getting on in years?
These two articles about horse obesity will be useful to horse owners. Poor-quality feed can fool horse owners when their horse looks like it’s getting fat. Feeding low-quality hay that lacks adequate protein and fiber is the cause of a horse’s belly hanging low and out to the sides. Called “hay belly,” the condition happens when poor-quality feed sits in the large … [Read more...]
Teaching the Velcro dog independence
If a dog is underfoot at every turn or is the owner’s shadow its likely it could be a Velcro dog. Various resources suggest dogs learn this behavior through inadvertent training and reinforcement of clingy behavior. Also, certain breeds that are more prone to clinginess than others. We’re sharing articles about dealing with the Velcro behaviors and teaching the dog to be … [Read more...]
Inbreeding contributes to higher costs of dog care
Most dog breeds are highly inbred, contributing to a lifelong increase in disease and health care costs. New research confirms dog breeds with higher levels of inbreeding were more likely than other breeds to need additional veterinary care. Study researchers found that the average inbreeding was close to 25 percent, which is similar to the amount of genetic similarity found … [Read more...]
Feline nuisance behaviors; it’s a thing.
Feline nuisance behaviors are normal behaviors that occur in problematic ways and are not inherently pathological, says Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC. He offers items to consider before making recommendations to cat owners for curbing their cat’s nuisance behavior. Cats have the potential to annoy people and sometimes pose a danger to themselves or others in the household. … [Read more...]
Survey says pets are as costly as a child
According to a new survey by OnePoll in partnership with MetLife, 40 percent of pet parents believe that having a pet is just as expensive than raising a child, if not more. The findings show that the average pet owner spends over $4,500 on their pet’s basic needs each year. Sixty-one percent of owners said that owning a pet is more expensive than they initially thought. … [Read more...]
What to do with pets’ itches
Complimentary Sponsored Content Itching is one of the most common reasons pet owners seek veterinary care. In this episode, Dr. Jen the vet and Jason Chatfield, DVM, are joined by Dr. Millie Rosales, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. They discuss common reasons pets itch. From skin testing for most popular environmental allergens to serology, veterinary medicine … [Read more...]
Top pet products of 2021
The 20th annual Pet Business Industry Recognition Awards celebrate the most innovative products and companies in the pet care category. Among the products are several treats, diets and supplements. With obesity issues affecting over half of all dogs and cats, veterinary teams and OTC retailers are advised to monitor the Kcal levels in these offerings. Source: Pet Business, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites, December 6, 2021
Leveraging 2021 shopping trends, Mark Cushing on advocating for animals, veterinary backlogs, top pets names for 2021 and more. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, December 6, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Tips to stop dogs from peeing on Christmas trees
A popular cartoon shows two dogs admiring a newly decorated Christmas tree. The caption reads, “Every year about this time they put in an indoor toilet.” Karen B. London, PhD, shares tips to help owners and dogs adjust to a tree’s tempting presence. Go back to Housetraining 101. No matter how well your dog is housetrained or how many years it’s been since he had an … [Read more...]
Manage seasonal affective disorder
About one in 20 U.S. residents suffer from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, according to Norman Rosenthal, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University of School of Medicine. SAD occurs during winter and causes people to become depressed, feel sluggish and be uninterested in things they previously enjoyed, among other symptoms. This article and podcast … [Read more...]
Tips to stay focused on the tasks at hand
We’ve never been more distracted at work than we are today, writes Naphtali Hoff. As we fragment our attention, fatigue and stress increase, which negatively affects performance. According to research cited by the Society for Human Resource Management: Workers are interrupted by e-mail, instant messages and other digital distractions nearly 14 times per day on average … [Read more...]