Aiming to standardize cardiopulmonary resuscitation practices and make outcomes more comparable to human cases worldwide, multiple discipline specialists collaborated to develop new recommendations when performing lifesaving CPR on pets, including: Chest compression techniques Chest depths and techniques Breathing support Medication dosages and … [Read more...]
Show me the money in pet food
With a nod to Jerry McGuire, we’re sharing Tim Wall’s review of the U.S. pet food companies with $100 million in sales for 2023. The 22 companies combined for almost 40 percent of the $147 billion U.S. pet owners spent on pet food, treats and other products. Source: PETFOOD Industry, August 2, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
4 acupressure points for dry, itchy skin in dogs
Brief, daily acupressure sessions can be used to enhance pruritis treatments, write Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis. They share how to stimulate specific acupressure points for dry skin that traditional Chinese medicine calls “wind heat.” Source: Animal Wellness Magazine, August 4, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Sharing this article and acupressure method for pet owners to do at home … [Read more...]
Tangible tick tactics with Dr. Dryden (podcast)
Michael Dryden, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM, often known as Dr. Flea, discusses strategic methods for avoiding ticks, shares tips for preventing secondary disease and offers insights into why tick strategies have changed. He speaks about tick range expansion that impacts how veterinary teams can help animal owners reduce the risks in different regions. Source: Clinician’s Brief, … [Read more...]
Advocacy from veterinary teams helps pet owners choose pet insurance – Part 4
Sponsor Content Our series on how veterinary teams position and share the benefits of pet insurance continues. ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance field representatives have continued seeking feedback from veterinary professional advocates as part of an initiative started during VMX and WVC <Link>. In addition to the new comments in the link below, we’re sharing the … [Read more...]
AI is a powerful tool, but not for small businesses
While AI's potential is vast, its practical applications and benefits for small businesses remain a contentious topic, writes Louis Mosca. He reminds us that significant human oversight and intervention are still needed when implementing AI. Source: Forbes, July 29, 2024. Link. The extent to which AI can drive revenue and enhance productivity varies widely depending on the … [Read more...]
SuperZoo preview
Flipping through Pet Business’ SUPERZOO preview gives animal health pros a look at consumer-facing marketing and product trends. Taking place in Las Vegas August 13th through 16th, the convention is where the retail pet industry comes together to discover the latest products, trends and innovations, along with well-rounded education sessions. Source: Pet Business, Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 5, 2024
Pet spending growing despite inflation, growing brands through partnerships, employee well-being program benefits, three qualities of a mindful leader and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 5, 2024. Link. NOTE: The IBPSA Master Business Academy starts October 14th. The intensive 10-week program covers three core areas essential for business success: … [Read more...]
Five techniques to help negotiate with a bully
Communication is difficult enough without having to deal with a bully, especially when negotiating. Stephanie Vozza shares what the author of “For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation,” suggests for training your brain to approach the conversation calmly and then work through the bully’s position and perspective hoping to deescalate the negative … [Read more...]
When your boss suddenly reduces your scope
Scope reductions frequently arise within the context of restructuring, strategic shifts or mergers and acquisitions. Dina Denham Smith acknowledges these changes can be hard on egos and confusing. She suggests ways to manage emotions, avoid spiraling out of control, dedicate yourself to your next steps and learn from the experiences. Source: Harvard Business Review, August … [Read more...]
Adjusting to your customer
The ability to connect with customers in a meaningful way and offer solutions that meet their needs and solve their problems means you’ll be relevant to them. Source: Veterinary Advantage, December 2023. Link. Explore the challenges that each customer is facing and find ways to help.” INSIGHT: Every team member is a representative of your practice. … [Read more...]
Veterinary Visionaries release Psychological Health and Safety Guidelines
There is a role for everyone in the Psychological Health and Safety Guidelines. It champions work-life balance, physical health, mental health support and professional growth opportunities when leaders intentionally work to build a positive workplace culture. Connor Dunwoodie interviewed members of the task force to learn why implementing these guidelines in practice culture … [Read more...]
Communicating value for technician appointment fees
Wendy S. Myers, CVJ, shares ways to position veterinary technician appointments, including: Using a health assessment description for technician appointments versus exams for veterinarian appointments Listing the technician’s name on the invoice Educating front desk persons to clarify the reason for a visit to determine whether a technician or veterinarian visit is … [Read more...]
Inflation pinching pet owners’ pocketbooks forcing pet spending decisions
This article appeared as the fifth article in the August 5 edition of IBPSA FastBites <Link>. NPR’s Lola Murti shares the challenges of rising costs for pet owners, how they are adjusting and what drives cost increases across the pet services industry. Source: NPR, July 30, 2024. Link. “<Re: price increases> It's higher ingredient, higher packaging, higher … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 1, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 26, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the July 26th AHD Bulletin Smart ways to handle too much business. Link. Sharing cases can create confusion. Link. Beware of these toxic flowers in gardens, yards, building sites. Link. Toxic leadership. Link. … [Read more...]
Dog import rules changed, but simplified
Effective today, the CDC is implementing new requirements for dogs arriving from countries that are canine rabies-free or low-risk. Beginning August 1, dogs that have spent at least the last six months in countries such as Canada and Mexico will need to meet these few requirements before U.S. entry: Be healthy on arrival Be at least 6 months old at the time of entry or … [Read more...]
What’s your diagnosis?
This deformed giraffe was spotted at an unnamed private game reserve in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Sara Ferguson, DVM, shared, “Without radiographs to prove the bone has been broken, we would refer to the giraffe as having severe torticollis or wryneck." Source: Live Science, July 23, 2024. Link. Photo by Lynn Scott … [Read more...]
When probiotics might help a horse
Gut health continues to be a frequent topic across all species. In this article, Christine Barakat and Melinda Freckleton, DVM, share situations where probiotics might be worth a try. Probiotics are designed to aid a horse’s digestion by restoring the balance of gut microflora disturbed as a result of illness, stress or medication.” Source: EQUUS, June 24, 2024. Link. Also … [Read more...]
How to teach a horse to dance (includes [amazing] video)
At the Paris Olympics, hundreds of competitors will try to marry athletic prowess to artistic grace, but only those competing in dressage will attempt it while sitting astride a willful animal. Source: The New York Times, July 30, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Using a weight tape to manage a horse’s condition and protect his health
Weight tapes, while not as accurate as a scale, can provide vital information about a horse’s health. University of Edinburgh researchers investigated the utility of weight tapes over a two-year period in a study that included 1,716 horses. Source: EQUUS, June 24, 2024. Link. Horse owners with access to a scale can easily correlate the scale reading to the weight tape making … [Read more...]
Assessment of the effect of gabapentin on blood pressure in cats with and without chronic kidney disease
Fractious cats challenge veterinary staff and owners. Getting a good blood pressure reading with an upset feline gets difficult. Researchers studied the effect of gabapentin on blood pressure in cats with and without chronic kidney disease. Gabapentin has an effect on arterial BP in cats with and without CK. This effect appears to be more than just the result of stress … [Read more...]
Short nose? Beware of BOAS
Cases of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome are on the increase, writes Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS, VTS-H. Her article reviews medical and nutritional management of BOAS and GI signs in brachycephalic dogs. A case report in SOAP format is also shared. BOAS is progressive; age at presentation ranges from a few months to a few years. After 5 years of age, a first … [Read more...]
The chemistry behind the smell of wet dogs
Chemist Andy Brunning, a British chemistry teacher, distilled the essence of the complex molecular reactions into the infographic shared here <Link>. The aroma of a wet dog starts with a cast of tiny critters like yeasts and bacteria that take up residence on the pet. These bugs leave behind “micro excreta” in the form of volatile organic compounds that are carried away … [Read more...]
Study shows how dogs feel when we hug them. You may not like the results.
Dogs don't always love being hugged, writes Angela Vuckovic. She shares study results published in Applied Animal Behavior Sciences revealing dogs in the study often responded to being hugged by expressing feelings of extreme physical stress and anxiety. Misinterpreting a dog's reaction to being hugged, can be harmful to owners and their dogs. Source: Pet Guide, June 2024. … [Read more...]
New app helps pet owners book backyard space for their dogs
An new app, Sniffspot, connects pet parents with homeowners willing to rent out their private property as dog parks. The app is available nationwide, with Sniffspot reporting 20,000 listings and 100,000 guests. Prices vary depending on a yard's size, location and amenities. Designed for private play, only the people and dogs in each booking are allowed in the spot during a … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 29, 2024
Niche markets in the pet industry, compliance for paying independent contractors, disaster preparedness, internet security and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, July 29, 2024. Link. The IBPSA IBBY Committee has chosen the following finalists for this year’s Pet Care Business Excellence Awards from a record number of nominations. … [Read more...]
Trust your gut (with audio)
The connection between decision making and gut feelings has become a hot field for research, says Arthur C. Brooks. Our understanding of the mechanisms of “gut and brain" is still incomplete, but tests of the quality of decisions made from feelings as opposed to conscious analysis yield strongly suggestive and useful results. Source: The Atlantic, July 18, 2024. Link. Three … [Read more...]
Workplace superheroes need to remove their capes at home
Stop . . . look . . . listen! The guidance here may be incriminating for some achievers, but it is a good review of how things can go haywire at home after a busy, successful day. Being decisive, logical and goal- or task-oriented at work can be your superpowers, but at home, they can get in the way of genuine connection with family members who may feel unappreciated or … [Read more...]
Interested? Then ask.
While no one wants to be seen as rude, nosey, overbearing or insensitive, I believe the fear of asking some questions is often overblown. Source: Veterinary Advantage, August 2023. Link. How can we help others succeed if we don’t know where they want to go?” INSIGHTS: Ask “And what else?” until the answer is “nothing.” Also see: The power of questions, AHD Archives, … [Read more...]
Stop chasing vanity metrics
Our industry is full of new businesses and brands. Darian Shimy shares how some metrics are meaningful and others deflect business teams away from their purpose. His article, while focused on startups, is a good reminder to do the most meaningful things. Source: Entrepreneur, July 23, 2024. Link. . . . prioritize mission-driven growth levers over vanity metrics . . . focus … [Read more...]