Video conferencing calls dominate communications now. Camera technologies vary and may distort your image or coloring. Jennifer Jager shares tips on how to look your best when using video communications. Source: Bottomline Inc., June 1, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Cat toys, catnip, cat eyes and moving with a cat
We continue to review articles targeted to animal owners. This helps ensure animal health pros know what various publications are telling animal owners and also to provide solid information to use in communications and social media. This selection of cat articles is worth your review. Source: Cat toys: How to keep them clean, when to throw them out, Catster, March 23, … [Read more...]
Cats need heartworm prevention too
A noticeable number of heartworm infections are found in indoor-only cats. This, along with limited treatment options, makes prevention important for every cat. Brian Calabro, DVM, discusses heartworm disease in cats. Source: DVM 360, June 8, 2020. Link. Cats are not small dogs making it good to review what we know about heartworm disease in cats and to refocus our efforts … [Read more...]
Reasons dogs eat grass
John Woods tackles why dogs eat grass. In spite of research efforts, there’s no explanation for this. There is one clear warning, however. Don’t let dogs eat grass that has been chemically treated with glyphosate and don’t let them eat toxic plants. Source: All Things Dog, March 18, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Dogs and hot summer weather
Heat and sunshine can be deleterious to the health of our dogs. The articles collected for this post all refer to taking precautions with dogs during summer. Given the number of new pet adoptions recently, reinforcing this information with pet owners is important. Source: Can Dogs Get Sunburned? PetMD, June 1, 2020. Link. It’s actually very important to put sunscreen on … [Read more...]
Dog life after WFH. Prepare for separation anxiety (video).
Once stay-at-home mandates end, pet owners won't be home as much. Prepare dogs for separation anxiety before it starts. Steve Dale shares concerns about upcoming separation stress. He shares proactive tools and ideas. Source: Good Morning America, May 2, 2020.Link. Also see: Separation anxiety training, The Bark, April 2020. Link. Also see: Pet separation anxiety … [Read more...]
Myths that stop people for asking for help at work
Comfortably and confidently asking for help requires refuting misperceptions that have been uncovered in research. These are myths likely to have been heightened as a result of the ongoing pandemic adjustments. Asking for help makes you look bad If I do ask for help, I’ll be rejected Even if someone agrees to help, they won’t enjoy doing so Source: Harvard … [Read more...]
Burnout recovery: 11 strategies to help you reset
People in our networks are feeling the deepening fatigue of adjusting to the rigors of the initial pandemic period. Whether working from home or working with PPE restrictions, ongoing high stress takes a toll on the brain and body. Burnout happens gradually. You might not notice symptoms immediately. However, once it takes hold, it can affect your ability to function across … [Read more...]
Pandemic metrics unclear on alcohol use
Early data from some sources indicated alcohol use was increasing during the work-from-home period brought on by the pandemic. Recent information shows it was skewed due to channel shifting and point of sale pricing variances. You’ll be interested in the Nielsen analysis, as well as HR management guidance to reduce potential WFH abuse. Source: HR Daily Advisor, June 1, … [Read more...]
Email marketing: what to do when reopening is on the horizon
Natasa Djukanovic shares perspectives on email messaging in preparation for the next normal stages. Intent, empathy and positivity are all foundational elements of her suggestions. Source: Marketing Profs, May 26, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: This is good guidance for sales team members and marketers. We all can do a better job of writing a short email even though it takes a … [Read more...]
Storm clouds on the next pandemic horizon (video)
Scientists believe another pandemic will happen during our lifetime. A global team has developed a pattern-recognition system to identify diseases in wildlife with a high potential for zoonosis. . . . our behaviors on a global scale are facilitating the movement of a pathogen from an animal population into humans” Source: BBC, June 6, 2020. Link. The surveillance system scans … [Read more...]
Remain calm and ______________
It’s the perfect slogan on a tee-shirt. Easy to say. Hard to do. No question there is stress in the animal health industry. And, there’s no question Covid-19 has added to existing stress levels. So, how to the most successful industry professionals handle stress? Travis Bradberry’s 2014 article will give you some insight. Source: Forbes, February 6, 2014. Link. When things … [Read more...]
Moving generational labels aside to focus on perennials
Helping two college kids move into their new apartment last week, I caught myself labeling them as Zs. One expressed disgust at being labeled. After all, she had planned and orchestrated the lease, packing, move and transition beyond admirably. She was correct. She didn’t belong in a bucket with a label. I apologized and acknowledged her initiative and strategic skills. For … [Read more...]
At 10 years old, he knew he would be a vet
Sometimes we need to be reminded of how much potential we encounter on a daily basis. The challenge is to emulate stories like this in the midst of our own situations and chaos. Victor Lopez’s lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian came true after a chance meeting, two decades of struggle, rejection and unrelenting determination.” Source: Innovetive Pet Care, June 8, … [Read more...]
VVCA to clarify virtual care, telemedicine, executive director
Mark Cushing, JD, explains how the Veterinary Virtual Care Association came to be and how it plans to bring clarity, definition and structure to the growing segments telehealth, telemedicine and virtual care. . . . what was a side feature. . . is now an expectation” Source: Todays’ Veterinary Business, June/July 2020. Link. Virtual care is a tool alongside in-person care and … [Read more...]
Animal hospitals need to prepare now for summer rebound
Michael Raphael shares why he believes animal hospitals are positioned for one of the busiest summers in years. According to his reference data, the main drivers to revenue returning are recapturing delayed well visits, vaccinations, oral health procedures and surgeries. He shares five reasons animal hospitals are well-positioned for the summer and ideas to get prepared: … [Read more...]
March 2020 – Top post review (3 of 3)
March 2020 – the month when the coronavirus feces hit the fan. Animal health pros faced the challenges and worked hard to mitigate risks while learning what changes the next day would bring. Defining essential versus non-essential was necessary to facilitate prevention of coronavirus transfer. Work-from-home mandates literally ground some businesses to a halt, forcing high … [Read more...]
April 2020 – Top post review (2 of 3)
The Animal Health Digest curation model delivers published information in the context of how animal health professionals work and interact with each other, with customers or clients and within their affiliated networks. Our industry spends millions annually supporting media. A portion of this supported content falls into the category of one and done. By physically reviewing … [Read more...]
May 2020 – Top post review (1 of 3)
The end of meteorological spring < link > has yielded to summer. Weather and the coronavirus pandemic have made it a memorable one. Animal health pros have quickly adopted digital communications, learned new methods of balancing home with work and found myriad ways to adapt to pandemic threats, tornadoes and flooding. Our Animal Health Digest weekly readership remains … [Read more...]
Pet separation anxiety likely after pandemic pause
The pandemic WFH pause has some silver linings. For pet-owning families, pets and people became much more attuned to each other’s behaviors and idiosyncrasies. Animal health pros have been proactive in assessing the potential for pet separation anxiety issues as family members return to work and summer activities leaving pets alone at home. Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA, shares ways … [Read more...]
Raising Gallons video part of dairy month effort (video)
Dairy Management Inc. and state and regional checkoff teams around the country are showcasing dairy’s resilience and community impact during the Covid-19 pandemic in celebration of National Dairy Month. The efforts began on World Milk Day, June 1, with a Raising Gallons video < link > DMI created in partnership with state and regional checkoff organizations. The video … [Read more...]
Here’s the beef. . . well maybe
Darrell Peel, Oklahoma State University ag economist, says beef markets are moving past the worst of the disruptions that caused upheaval recently. Beef markets were thrown into turmoil in March as food service markets, such as restaurants, were sharply curtailed and beef demand suddenly rose in the retail grocery sector. He discusses the supply chain, price fluctuations and … [Read more...]
Iowa DVMs offered free training on foreign animal diseases
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is offering a free, online, continuing education program for veterinarians licensed in Iowa titled IowaFADefense. The focus of IowaFADefense is to increase the state's ability to rapidly detect, respond to, and contain foreign animal diseases. The diseases covered in the program are: African swine fever, classical swine … [Read more...]
Never seen a screwworm? Here’s why.
Except for occasional reintroductions, primarily in imported dogs and horses, the screwworm has been eradicated in the U.S. Eradication started in the 1950s with the joint vision of ranchers working with USDA in a multidecade effort that included Mexico and Central America. This fascinating article sheds light on what it took to get rid of screwworms. As importantly, it focuses … [Read more...]
The 4 parasites horses hate
Sponsored Content from Bimeda U.S.A. Take a look at how modern deworming approaches are preventing the evolution of super parasites and the techniques to employ to keep horses healthy. This special edition covers: The four worst parasites for a horse What’s the future of parasite control? Know the most effective deworming techniques The most effective deworming … [Read more...]
Rabbits, RHDV and what you need to know
The most recent report indicates that RHDV has spread over 1,000 miles in the last six weeks with no end in sight. Since people, insects, birds, and other animals, including pets, can spread the virus to a healthy rabbit, there are many safety precautions rabbit guardians should take to help protect their rabbit, including vaccination. Even if a rabbit is indoors-only, they … [Read more...]
1 in 10 veterinarians surveyed considered suicide due to student loans
Travis Hornsby shares information garnered from a survey of his community of borrowers. The group is much more likely to have six figures of debt and have graduate degrees. We asked him to give us a bit of comparative perspective against other professions. Source: Student Loan Planner, May 19, 2020. Link. Veterinarians also have one of the highest student debt burdens of … [Read more...]
3 keys to post pandemic retailing
Mark Kalaygian shares three factors for pet specialty retailers to consider when devising a strategy for doing business in a post-pandemic environment: Recession realities New weapons for brick and mortar locations Craving contact Source: Pet Business, May 26, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Stop, look and listen to Kalaygian’s assertions. Veterinary clinics that have … [Read more...]
What MAP means for veterinary clinics
Minimum advertised pricing is one of the positive outcomes of a more aggressive OTC retail environment. While veterinarians may dislike having to change their focus from cost-based margin, MAP offers a much improved and level playing field at the customer’s pocketbook. Source: Veterinary Advantage, March 2020. Link. In today’s world, vendors need to have their products … [Read more...]
Subscription wellness plans: a long-term answer?
Bob Lester, DVM, shares his experiences and perspectives on subscription wellness plans. Subscription preventive care plans are not discount or loyalty programs. They are not pet insurance. Instead, they are a fundamental way of approaching veterinary practice. They empower clients and the veterinary team with a laser focus on delivering preventive care so that pets can live … [Read more...]