Pet ownership statistics vary between sources and methodologies. Karin Brulliard and Scott Clement review the challenges and discrepancies in the numbers from several sources. . . . a prominent survey shows a rise in pet ownership, three others suggest stability Source: Washington Post, January 31, 2019. Link. “For me, as an academic, I’m offended by the fact that … [Read more...]
Oral ulceration diagnosis needs proper etiology (slide show)
Jan Bellows, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DABVP, provides a comprehensive look at oral ulcers and a diagnostic flow chart to help with diagnosis. As National Pet Dental Health Month helps bring clients to veterinary hospitals, oral abnormalities may be discovered during exams. Oral ulcers have several causes ranging from physical trauma to malignancy and are characterized by a loss of … [Read more...]
Firm dental recommendations nearly tripled compliance
John Jeffreys, RVT, CVPM, < link> took the initiative to adjust how dental recommendations were being presented. By moving from low-pressure suggestions to a more needs-based dialogue, the practice grew dental revenue in a short time. . . . it is our job to educate the client and make a firm recommendation for what their pet needs. Source: DVM 360, January 10, 2019. … [Read more...]
February is National Dental Pet Health Month
It is time again for National Pet Dental Health Month, an annual event AVMA sponsors. The association offers a toolkit to help clinic’s work as effective as possible during the promotion. Source: AVMA. A website to help clients help their pets is here. Link. A website exclusively for AVMA member veterinarians to help clients is here. Link. Make the most of the free tools … [Read more...]
Revenue growth may be wishful thinking – re-post
Editor’s note: Oops! We had the wrong byline on Patrick Malone’s post last week, so we’re re-running it here. Please accept our apologies. According to a recent healthcare survey conducted by TD Bank, 87 percent of veterinarians surveyed expected to grow revenue in the next two years. Given the continuing onslaught on pharmacy revenue from 800 Pet Meds, Chewy and others, I … [Read more...]
Be an agile practice to remain competitive
Maureen Metcalf’s article on leadership trends in the next five years appeared on forbes.com last August. It caught our attention because of the applications to the animal health industry. No trend is more important than the need to become an agile practice. Source: Forbes, August 21, 2018. Link. As leaders, it's important to adopt a nimble mindset and culture. Being nimble … [Read more...]
Things to know about DMSO
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in an industrial solvent turned anti-inflammatory therapy. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for topical use on horses. However, veterinarians regularly use the chemical off-label in other ways to treat an array of inflammatory conditions from laminitis to neurological problems, writes Christine Barakat. She shares some history … [Read more...]
Pardon me, that horse is . . . uh, fat!
Obesity in horses carries a bunch of problems. David Ramey, DVM, shares some of the them, offers solutions and a story, as well: Fat horses are insulated horsesExercise intoleranceLaminitis You should be able to feel your horse’s ribs easily, but not see them (much). Source: Horse Network, January 27, 2019. Link. Keep your horse at a good weight. He’ll feel better, … [Read more...]
Opinion – Livestock producers still facing nuisance laws
As the noise increases about non-traditional-sourced 'meat' proteins, increasing pressure on source and production practices, the livestock industry remains under fire. Urban sprawl and the conversion of farm property to acreages encroach on buffer areas next to livestock production facilities. Iowa attorney Eldon McAfee says agricultural nuisance lawsuits in Iowa are … [Read more...]
As Farm Aid turns 30, its focus raises questions (includes video)
Farm Aid was created during the farm crisis of the 1980's and is today is a nonprofit with the stated mission of helping farmers and farm families. Clinton Griffiths questions the current focus while sharing information about the organization. Source: Drovers, January 25, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Paws down, deformed puppy getting better after surgery
A puppy born with his front paws facing up rather than down is on the mend after surgery at the Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. Source: Associated Press, January 25, 2018. Link. Clary says Milo, apparently part beagle and coon hound, suffered from congenital elbow dislocation. Clary inserted pins into Milo’s elbows to realign the joints … [Read more...]
Help educate clients about tick-borne diseases
The risks of tick-borne infections are worth noting and you don’t need to sell from a zoonotic risk standpoint to get the point across. Both dogs and humans can be sequentially or simultaneously infested with more than one tick species, according to Edward B. Breitschwerdt, DVM. He shares basic information that can help veterinary and retail teams address tick risks … [Read more...]
Cats need their claws
Research about the negative effects of declawing cats is becoming more widely known. All cats, even indoor cats, need their claws for balance, mobility, protection, grooming and gripping prey and objects. Studies show declawed cats often experience pain from remaining bone fragments; nail regrowth, reluctance to move or play, lameness and chronic pain. All of these factors … [Read more...]
Calm anxious cats with music
Cat owners, groomers and veterinary teams all appreciate the challenges of skittish felines. Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, shares information about the benefits of playing music in order to create a more serene environment. Two resources she recommends are: MusicMyPet.com <link> “Relax My Cat” on You Tube < link > Source: Tufts Catnip, February 2019. Link. For … [Read more...]
Study: We’re finding new feline viruses faster than we can figure them out
The authors of a recent review in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery < link > say, “the rate at which novel [or previously unknown] viruses are being discovered now exceeds our understanding of their clinical relevance.” (The researchers) also raised important questions because the potential pathogenic role of novel viruses can be difficult to … [Read more...]
Measuring owner-cat bonds
Here’s a fun quiz worthy of social media posts and e-newletter links. Cat owners will enjoy taking the quiz and then learning how to increase the bond with their cats. Source: Modern Cat, October 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
7 secrets to choosing the best food for cats
Elizabeth Pask and Laura Scott discuss cat food secrets and present information for cat owners to help them make the best choices for their individual animal(s). Their topics cover: Tinned food versus dry foodRead the ingredient listWhat’s the deal with grain?Good fats vs. badFiber versus fillerAdd fresh foodsConsider your cat’s life stage and activity level Source: … [Read more...]
Stop buying grain-free pet food!
Grain-free dog food, accounted for 44 percent of pet food sold in specialty stores in 2017, according the New York Times. Along with pet foods that are vegan, organic, raw and you name it, consumers continue to increase spending on specialty pet food. However, veterinarians are concerned that grain-free diets pose health risks to dogs, especially if consumed long-term. FDA … [Read more...]
Rethinking osteoarthritis: findings from the 2019 VET Report
Successful management of osteoarthritis (OA) requires a multifaceted approach, according to findings in the 2019 Veterinary Emerging Topics (VET) Report from Banfield Pet Hospital. The report considers 3 areas of concern for pets with OA—weight gain, reduced mobility, and the progress of arthritic changes—and offers veterinarians a means to better manage and treat these … [Read more...]
Connecting buying style to clients
In a recent presentation about self-awareness and self-management, Betsy Charles, DVM, related self-awareness to dealing with animal owners’ choices. She shared perspectives about over buyers and under buyers at a recent conference. Self-awareness is the ability to accurately perceive your own emotions and stay aware of them as they happen and if you don’t know yourself … [Read more...]
Mind tricks keep us addicted to our phones (includes video)
Zip, whoosh, boink, Ta-dah, ding! Add red dots, alert boxes and brightly colored notices and our cell phones tinker with the habit-forming parts of our brains to keep us coming back to them. Nicole Bayes-Fleming explains how those trigger-action-reward systems are integrated in persuasive design to be habit-forming. The average person spends a combined total of one … [Read more...]
Manage flu in swine and you
Whether it’s the neighbor’s pot-bellied pig, the large swine operation nearby or your family, flu season is here, and we all need to pay attention. Since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, research has been conducted to better understand human and pig influenza. Because flu viruses can be transmitted between pigs and people, biosecurity is important to prevent the spread of influenza from … [Read more...]
Be sure pets are safe during cold weather
Winter weather challenges pets, livestock and animal owners. The AVMA offers information on its website, including client handouts for members. It is especially important to remind new pet owners of the limitations cold weather places on our pets. Frozen water bowls are commonly overlooked. Remember to warn people how much outdoor and feral cats like warm automobile engines. … [Read more...]
Learn to use productive procrastination to your benefit
Talk about oxymorons! Clinical psychologist Nick Wignall says procrastination can be a powerful productivity tool. Procrastination is quite normal and is nothing to feel ashamed about. There are ways to use procrastination to your advantage, he says. He recommends three steps to become a productive procrastinator: Pay attention to negative self-talkProcrastinate … [Read more...]
Revenue growth may be wishful thinking
According to a recent healthcare survey conducted by TD Bank, 87 percent of veterinarians surveyed expect to grow revenue in the next two years. Given the continuing onslaught on pharmacy revenue from 800 Pet Meds, Chewy and others, I sense this is more wishful thinking rather than a realistic expectation. When you’re ready to acknowledge the threat and act, read on. Source: … [Read more...]
Good news for veterinary technicians
Enhancing the use of veterinary technicians was a core topic during the recent AVMA House of Delegates business meeting. Clearly the value of veterinary technicians is unquestioned. The consensus was that efforts need to be made across the profession to increase technician use and boost job satisfaction. Source: AVMA@work, January 25, 2019. Link. Additionally, the AVMA … [Read more...]
How to follow up with people after a conference
Dorie Clark provides a framework for structuring post-conference follow-up to increase chances that new connections turn into meaningful professional relationships. What matters is capturing the data and making a list of people you spoke with whose cards you didn’t obtain. Source: HBR Ascend, January 2019. Link. Most new relationships will fall into three categories, … [Read more...]
AQHA opens Horsemen of the World exhibit
The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum <link> opened a new exhibit last November. The Horsemen of the World exhibit showcases the unique bond between horses and horsemen around the globe. Visitors can view the exhibit at the Hall of Fame & Museum in Amarillo, Texas through November 2019. Source: AQHA. Link. Despite differences in breed, discipline … [Read more...]
Test tube horses becoming more common
We found this article on intracytoplasmic sperm injection informative and the science discussed educational. It is remarkable how modern science is extending blood lines using both mares and stallions despite some medical impediments. Source: Ranch Horse Journal, January 2019. Link. The benefits to this are that you are able to breed a mare that has always been an … [Read more...]
Focus on what you can control
Clint Schwab* reminds swine producers to remember to let technology take a backseat to good old-fashioned execution. Regardless of individual species focus, any animal health pro will capture something useful in his article about human and animal resources and maximizing production. He discusses training, feed quality, biosecurity, breeding and stress reduction. . . . … [Read more...]