Groomers and boarders know more than hair. Nutrition is important, too and they discuss it often. Source: Understanding the nutritional needs of pets, Pet Boarding and Daycare, January/February 2020. Link. Content was provided by the Professional Pet Boarding Council < link > INSIGHTS: There are more than 25,000 persons engaged as professional groomers and in pet … [Read more...]
Pet groomers gathering in Pasadena
The Groom ExpoWest gathers groomers from across the country February 20 to 23. One of multiple expos across the United States, groomers and pet boarding pros will expand their knowledge, explore new products and tools plus network with each other. Source: GROOMEXPOWEST. Link. The styling contest is the highlight of the expo. INSIGHTS: Grooming and boarding pros not … [Read more...]
Dealing with procrastination
Eric Olszewski stopped putting things off when he learned to see life as one big deadline. A perpetual procrastinator, he would let time fly by until panic set in, at which point he finally buckled down and did whatever it took to get through the work he was avoiding. He learned he was suffering from too much freedom. . . . simply overwhelmed by the multitude of options in my … [Read more...]
Protect customers from themselves
It’s conventional wisdom to sell how a customer wants to buy, but that isn’t always in the customer’s best interest. Many customers have unknowingly self-sabotaged (Dr. Google) their own buying process. It is a trusted advisor’s role to save customers from the consequences of their own actions. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, February 11, 2020. Link. Here’s the seller’s quandary: … [Read more...]
It’s not your phone. It’s you.
Stanford communication scholar Gabriella Harari finds that it is personality that influences how people use their digital devices. Technology is a medium to channel our everyday behavior. Her research examines two broad questions and challenges previous theories: What do digital media reveal about personality? How might digital media change personality? Source: … [Read more...]
Quiz: Is your ego is hurting your success? (video)
Suzy Welch offers ways to determine if you are confident or arrogant. She says, “Success makes some people grow, and it makes some people swell.” Source: CNBC, July 2019. Link. Also see: Related posts from Animal Health Digest Me. Me. Stop talking so much about yourself, February 11, 2020. Link. This was the most read post from the February 13, 2020 Bulletin … [Read more...]
Research: Why we’re motivated by discounts and surcharges
Alicea Lieberman and Kristen Duke discuss research on the structure of an incentive as either a surcharge or a discount. Incentives can be used to shape people’s behavior. Their research suggests that these tools can be effective, not only in changing one-time behaviors, but also in shaping social norms. Source: Harvard Business Review, February 13, 2020 <link> . . . … [Read more...]
Free horse advice is worth what you pay for it
Not discounting internet and social relationships, Kaylon Sullins Robinson asserts there are questions that when asked online could lead you and your horse into a dangerous or unhealthy situation. She highlights three: Should I call the vet? How can I fix this? What bit should I use? Note that Robinson recommends calling the veterinarian or trainer in each of her … [Read more...]
Poultry and protein trends covered at IPPE
Global experts spoke at the Poultry Market Intelligence Forum at the 2020 International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta recently, describing trends in the poultry and egg industries. Dr. David Hughes, professor at the Imperial College of London, predicted that during the first two decades of this century, we will see 40 percent growth in protein consumption, which … [Read more...]
Chickens in a minute (video)
Sponsored content from Nutrena With Easter around the corner and farm stores getting ready for new chicks, basic chicken care questions are eminent. Consider this video for social media posts, websites and newsletters. Source: Backyard Poultry, March 2019. Link. Chickens are hardy creatures that are lower maintenance than many house pets, but they do need some basic care … [Read more...]
Itchy cat? Think location, location, location.
Amelia White, DVM, MS, DACVD, offered VMX attendees insight about managing several types of allergies in cats. Her presentation begins with a discussion of behaviors that indicate causes or imposters. Joan Capuzzi, VMD, summarizes the content in the following categories. Cats and their eosinophils Creepy crawlies When food’s the culprit Atopy: allergies “on … [Read more...]
Can dogs savor their food?
Beyond taste bud comparisons, Tavor White shares science references on dogs and savoring flavor. According to Alexandra Horowitz, dogs have 300 million olfactory receptor cells compared to five million in humans. Add that the part of their brain that analyzes smells is approximately 40 times bigger than ours and a dog’s sense of smell is up to one million times greater than … [Read more...]
The dog park is no place to socialize a puppy
Dog parks may seem like great additions to the community, but they’re rife with problems for you, and for your dog writes Sassafras Lowrey. She offers things to know and consider before heading to the dog park. Dog parks are not a safe place to socialize a puppy under 6-12 months old.” Nik Hof Source: New York Times, February 6, 2020. Link. Having your dog in a dog park … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club preps for WVC
Brenda and Catherine highlight their robust plans for the coming week at the Western Veterinarian Conference, including must-see events and two live events The Bridge Club is hosting while in Vegas. <link to video> Source: The Bridge Club events. Link. All access memberships are $35 for calendar 2020. Register here < link > … [Read more...]
Approach accountability issues with curiosity, not blame
Melissa Raffoni says a “lack of accountability” is rarely intentional. More often, it’s the result of an underlying issue, such as unclear roles and responsibilities, limited resources, a poor strategy, or unrealistic goals. She offers ways to turn situations around beginning with self-assessment. Source: Harvard Business Review, February 10, 2020. Link. Commit to setting … [Read more...]
Opinion – Convenience and the consumer (slide show)
Americans spent more on pets in 2018 (avg. $662) than on fresh fruit and vegetables, alcohol, beef, pork and poultry, water and other services or medicinal drugs <link>. Consumer research on convenience can help us better understand animal owner needs as a reflection of how they manage their lives. Consumers’ choices in terms of where, how and why they buy are … [Read more...]
Random acts of wellness don’t work
Despite a greater focus on workplace wellness programs, some employers are not getting it right, says Ron Loeppke. They need to fully commit and embrace the programs to make them successful. “Wellness doesn’t work if it’s not done in the right way. Random acts of wellness ain’t gonna cut it.” – Ron Loeppke Source: Human Resource Executive, January 22, 2020. Link. Just as … [Read more...]
A manager’s checklist
The greatest gift of leadership is a boss who truly wants you to be successful.” Jon Taffer Source: LinkedIn Pulse, August 19, 2019. Link. Bad boss behaviors lead to poor employee engagement and high turnover. Check yourself against this short list of deal breakers. INSIGHTS: A truly great boss can be hard to find, but difficult to leave and impossible to forget. … [Read more...]
Me. Me. Me. Stop talking so much about yourself.
The temptation to always talk about ourselves hurts our conversations and over inflates our egos, writes Tim Denning. He shares what happens when you stop talking about yourself. Source: The Medium, January 29, 2020. Link. There is something to be said about being interested in people. Here are a few of the benefits according to Denning. People feel you’re interested in … [Read more...]
Castrating pigs, lambs, and goat kids
Janet Garman’s article on castration appeared a few weeks after we updated our readers on how dehorning and castration guidelines have been updated to include pain mitigation <link>. Garman’s review is a good reason to communicate about pain management to animal owners. Castrations are routinely done on the farm without veterinarian support, so determining how to … [Read more...]
American Heartworm Society seeks individual clinic data
Veterinarians are urged to take time to submit clinic data to support the 2019 AHS Heartworm Incidence Survey. Each veterinary practice that submits data on the number of animals tested and diagnosed over the 2019 calendar year enables the AHS to create a more comprehensive and useful map” - Chris Duke, DVM, president AHS Source: DVM 360, January 28, 2020. Link. Survey … [Read more...]
Fire ants getting busy, especially after heavy rains
Sponsored by Neudorff USA Already fired up by warmer weather, red imported fire ants will become even more active and dangerous after recent heavy rains in southern states. Livestock, poultry and pet owners are advised to watch for the telltale mounds the pests build. Newborn calves and foals are especially at risk in … [Read more...]
Hey, language aficionados. . . lest you get something back-a$$ward
The dinner table discussions must have been interesting where siblings Ross and Kathryn Petras grew up. They provide nine words and phrases we are probably using wrong, according to their book, That Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Means <link>. We think some of you will laugh out loud reading the examples. . . . it’s not a mute point at all, because a point isn’t … [Read more...]
The 50-plus crowd is not dead yet!
Bill Murray’s Jeep ad during Super Bowl LIV may be an exception to marketers’ assumptions that 50-somethings are desperate for companionship, struggle with health decline and ruminate on their own deaths. When people in the 50-plus demographic are shown in ads, they’re sometimes presented in a negative light, says Vaughn Ensley. Portrayals of those over 50 are negative 28 … [Read more...]
Super Bowl Ads: 5 best, 5 worst
How ‘bout those C H I E F S! It has been a wild week in the KC Animal Health Corridor. Even veterinarians were celebrated in the Super Bowl ad from WeatherTech <link>. Jeff Beer says the $6 million to run a Super Bowl ad thanking the veterinarians that saved Scout, WeatherTech’s CEO’s dog, is either genius or a waste. Source: Fast Company, February 2, 2020. Link. The … [Read more...]
Coronavirus and ASF are different beasts (comparison PDF)
Jennifer Shrike walks through the differences between 2019-CoV and African swine fever viruses in a discussion of sources, risks, similarity and differences. ASF has a DNA genome. CoV has an RNA genome which allows the virus to mutate and change similar to influenza viruses. This is how CoV acquires the ability to infect different tissues and to infect different species of … [Read more...]
The scoop on poop. Fecal microbiota transplantation in horses.
Treating a horse with diarrhea is expensive and inconvenient. The clinical impression at Tufts Equine Center is that fecal transplant is an effective treatment. Its clinician-scientists wanted to look closer into the effects of fecal transplant on the gut of treated horses. Cummings School researchers have been working to document the effects and mechanisms of this … [Read more...]
Saying goodbye, a horse owner’s difficult decision
It is relatively uncommon these days for a horse to die of natural causes, writes Natalie Voss. At some point a horse owner, along with their veterinarian, will need to decide when it’s appropriate to euthanize. . . . it is best to think about end-of-life plans for horses regardless of age” Source: Acreage Life, March 2020. Link. Predetermine what is an acceptable quality of … [Read more...]
Hatching calculator determines incubation period
As more poultry moves back into neighborhood backyards, some hobbyists are interested in using incubators to hatch eggs. This handy calculator determines the incubation period for chicken, duck, goose, turkey, quail, peafowl, guinea fowl, pheasant and emu eggs. Source: Backyard Poultry, February 3, 2020. Link. The article also has links to several how-to … [Read more...]
Things to avoid doing to a cat
Adding to information we shared in a December 10, 2019 post <link>, Sophia Mitrokostas consulted with veterinarians and veterinary technicians to highlight things that cat owners get wrong. Cat owners should not force attention on cats. Though cats enjoy human attention, they like it in smaller doses than dogs, and on their own terms.” – Wendy Houser, DVM Source: … [Read more...]