This list of more than 40 common interview questions can help you get comfortable with what you might be asked, what hiring managers are really looking for in your responses, and what it takes to show that you’re the right person for the job. Source: The Muse. Link. … [Read more...]
For cat owners
Cat owners are passionate about all things cat. The number of media items on a monthly basis aimed at cat enthusiasts can be intimidating. It is always fascinating to curate some of these articles that interest animal health pros, including those suitable for sharing in client communications. We assembled a selection you can easily use. Source: Why do cats purr? Animal … [Read more...]
For dog owners
As much as animal health pros prefer to share knowledge and education from their own perspective, time limits the ability to create new content to share. To help keep communication going, we assembled articles for dog owners worthy of sharing. Source: Steve Dale; Ban retractable leashes, PetVet Magazine, April/May 2020. Link. Source: Chiggers on dogs: What you need to … [Read more...]
It takes all kinds
Sporting dog and working dog owners are supporting a resurgence for dogs to do what they were bred to do. Like many peri-urban dog owners, Hannah Hays’ experiences with her pet Vizla lit a fire in her to help her dog become himself. Dog owners like her support wildlife conservation, habitat and organizations for dog enthusiasts. For those who have never … [Read more...]
AKC: Signs of chronic pain in dogs
Pain is personal to the pet, the owner and the veterinary team and can be hard to identify. Kevin T. Fitzgerald, DVM, provides solid information for dog owners, including a list of top signs of chronic pain in dogs and how it can be eased. Source: AKC Family Dog, March/April 2020. Link. Diet is perhaps the most underused pain relief method.” - Kevin T. Fitzgerald, … [Read more...]
Groomers sound off on skin care
Whether dog or cat, groomers are often the first to discover skin issues. We assembled articles published by GroomertoGroomer to provide perspective on groomers’ involvement in skin care. Source: Stepping up skin care in the salon, Groomer to Groomer, March 2020, page 34. Link. Source: Feline skin issues? Take a bubble bath! Groomer to Groomer, March 2020, page 46. … [Read more...]
Advising pet owners on nutritional adequacy
“Is this kibble okay to feed my dog?” This is a common question asked of veterinary team members. With the amount of press pet obesity garners, animal owners are sensitized to get the right food for their pets. Human food trends also impact pet owner choice. Label confusion and lack of knowledge about nutrients and ingredients add to the challenges. Clinicians need to focus … [Read more...]
Discovering and speaking to consumer types
Lindsay Beaton translates recent consumer research in the context of pet food consumer mindsets. There are 11 types of consumers, each with its own habits, priorities, and influences. Notably, she identifies four commonalities that overlap most types: Convenience Ease of online access Customization of experiences Product clarity Source: Petfood Industry, July … [Read more...]
Integrated pest management key to fly control
It is documented flies cause losses in beef, dairy, small ruminant and swine production. They are also a nuisance at home, around backyard animals and in stables. Janna Block, North Dakota State University Extension livestock systems specialist, discusses the importance of using the right type of fly control at the right time for the right duration to control pests … [Read more...]
National Audubon Society’s 2020 winning photos are beautiful
Take a much-needed break and look at this slideshow of 10 winning photographs from the 2020 Audubon Photography Awards. You’ll be glad you did. Source: BirdWatching, July 10, 2020. Link. The award-winning entries were selected from more than 6,000 submissions from across all 50 states, Washington, DC, and seven Canadian provinces and territories. … [Read more...]
VFD forced beekeepers and veterinarians together
Since the 2017 implementation of the veterinary feed directive, beekeepers and veterinarians are learning from one another. It was a surprise to the bee community. They did not anticipate the rule, which restricts beekeepers from using certain antimicrobials in honeybees without a veterinary feed directive or prescription from a veterinarian. It won’t take many years to get us … [Read more...]
Void in urban livestock veterinary care due to lack of facilities, interest or experience
Research results indicate an increasing demand for veterinary services for poultry and livestock in cities and suburbs and a need for ongoing continuing education of practitioners, as well as the animal owners according to UC Davis research. This segment of agriculture has been largely overlooked by the veterinary community in North America.” - Dr. Alda Pires “The health and … [Read more...]
What is normal? And, what does it mean to me?
Covid-19 turned the world upside down. Then the death of George Floyd set it on fire. Since then it gets a daily dose of gasoline from pundits, politicians and protesters. As it burns, we wonder, “Will the world ever be normal again?” Source: Purpose Unlimited. Link. Normal is an illusion. The world has never been normal and never will be. INSIGHTS: We tend to categorize … [Read more...]
Noisy children get WFH parent fired
Whizy Kid’s article sparks memories of a 15th century saying, “Children should be seen not heard.” Fueled by the story of a California woman whose employer fired her because her children were allegedly too noisy, Kid discusses employment at will, just cause, gender discrimination and wrongful termination. Source: Refinery 29, July 10. Link. The pandemic has burst the dam on … [Read more...]
FDA hand sanitizer warning list grows to 59
The FDA has added more products to its warning against using selected hand sanitizers potentially containing methanol. Methanol can "be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening when ingested," the FDA noted. Source: Newsweek, July 14, 2020. Link. The administration also raised concerns for "products that are fraudulently marketed as … [Read more...]
15 items that need wiped down every day
Cleaning as usual is not enough during this pandemic. We all know we need to be extra careful and take the necessary measures to keep us, our families and colleagues safe. Noah Holland shares 15 things you might forget to wipe down on a daily basis. Here are five of them: Smartphones Eyeglasses Doorknobs, light switches Toilet handles Communal … [Read more...]
DVMs, MDs collaborate to address zoonoses
The prevalence of zoonoses points to the need for veterinarians and their human counterparts to connect and work together today in ways most haven’t historically.” - Audrey Ruple, DVM. The progressive nature of the coronavirus pandemic has underscored the need for medical professionals from all disciplines to interact, share knowledge and activate their collective … [Read more...]
Read this BEFORE you head out on vacation
Scott Edinger compares returning from vacation to a space shuttle on reentry. With the right preparation before a flight, the friction on reentry can be managed well with the right angles. Metaphors aside, he offers good counsel that may be more relevant now than in 2012. Source: Harvard Business Review, June 27, 2012. Link. Clear the decks Allow yourself to check … [Read more...]
Build your mentoring team
It is well-documented that those who are mentored outperform and out-earn those who are not. They get promoted more often and report lower burnout rates.However, having just one mentor is limiting. Having a team of mentors puts you in the driver’s seat. Source: Forbes, July 6, 2020 Link. Tell people what your goal and plan is. Mentors will emerge with guidance and … [Read more...]
Choosing a backup generator
Weather events are the most common reasons for the power to go out. Aging power grids in the U.S. are susceptible to outages as more and more electricity is demanded. Daniel D. Chapel shares factors to consider when making an electrical backup generator decision. Source: DVM 360 Hospital Design, June 2020, page 6. Link. . . . the average duration of an electrical power … [Read more...]
Signs of a coyote attack
Complimentary commercial content from Nite Guard, LLC Canis latrans, the coyote, is an increasingly present inhabitant of suburban landscapes. One of the more adaptable of all wild mammals, the coyote is implicated in the deaths of chickens, livestock and backyard pets. They are bold and yet stealthy predators with appetites befitting a 25- to 40-pound working dog. … [Read more...]
What to do when the rats show up with the chickens
Ana Hotaling discusses dealing with rat infestations in chicken coops. Her concepts are directed toward prevention of the rodents and to avoid the infections and parasites rats carry for chickens, pets and humans. She also warns against using poisoned baits to avoid accidental poisoning of a cat or dog that finds a rat away from its burrow. A female Norway rat gives birth to … [Read more...]
Articles to help cat owners
Cat owners can be as curious as their cats. Many religiously participate in feline social media groups and share their experiences peer to peer. B-to-C publications also provide perspective on feline health, owner issues and wellness solutions, although the cover-to-cover reading habits for which cat owners are known has not drastically changed their habits with wellness … [Read more...]
Articles to help dog owners
Meeting the needs and curiosities of dog owners is part of what B-to-C publications seek to provide. Not all the material gets read thoroughly, so we assembled recent articles that can help dog owners better understand their canine pals. Source: How to satisfy your working dog’s instincts, Animal Wellness, July 6, 2020. Link. Satisfying a working dog’s instincts begins with … [Read more...]
Training and behavior products category booming
Let’s face it, there is a growing need for canine companions to be well-behaved in a variety of settings. In fact, the need has created a fast-growing product/services category that includes innovative training and behavior products. Client education is also a strategy for retailers to serve clients who need help with improving their pets’ behaviors. Source: Pet Product … [Read more...]
The experts every dog owner needs
It takes a village, writes Bryn Nowell. From veterinary team to social media groups, she identifies resources for pet owners. Source: Dogster, June 25, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: The list of those who offer input on the care of any given pet is extensive. We have asserted the importance of seeing beyond the DVM dialogue to be more visible in local and social media to help set … [Read more...]
Dog year not equal to 7 human years
Research published last week in the Cell Systems journal debunks the thinking that multiplying a dog’s age by seven is equivalent to its real age. Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine developed a new formula that tracks molecular changes, mainly the changing patterns of methyl groups, in the DNA of Labrador retrievers. It shows dogs age … [Read more...]
Family dogs likely encourage toddler’s social and emotional development
Animal health pros likely have a good grasp on the value of dogs in homes. A newly published study focuses on children too young for school. Toddlers from dog-owning families who participated in the study published in Pediatric Research were 30 percent less likely to have conduct and peer problems compared to preschoolers from families who didn't own dogs. Source: CNN, July … [Read more...]
Make the oral health discussion memorable
Amanda Carrozza shares suggestions for making actionable recommendations in the examination room and promoting ongoing oral care at home. Her ideas reflect a team approach and prioritizing home care as part of communications. Source: DVM 360, June 29, 2020. Link. Too often clients perceive discussions about their pet’s oral health as “friendly suggestions” instead of … [Read more...]
New company to streamline social media content for practices
Complimentary commercial content SimplyDONEsocial launches as a curated social media platform with a virtual party July 22nd. The new company is a collaboration between Eric Garcia, founder of Simply Done Tech, Jenise Walker with TheSociableVET, and Bruce L. Truman with BLT Consulting, SimplyDONEsocial will address social media management challenges for veterinary … [Read more...]