If it seems like coyotes are everywhere, it’s because they are. A North Carolina State University professor and graduate student mapped the historic range of coyotes using archaeological and fossil records. They then plotted the coyotes’ range expansion across North America from 1900 to 2016 and reviewed more than 12,500 records covering 10,000 years. The study adds to the … [Read more...]
Training is better remembered when administered in small doses
Managing the forgetting curve is critical in training programs and life in general. Studies suggest that as much as 90 percent of information is forgotten within 30 days, and 70 percent of that loss happens within one day. Derek Smith reviews how corporate trainers are approaching this age-old problem. Source: Training Industry, May/June 2018. Link. To combat the forgetting … [Read more...]
Tips from the world of procrastination research
We were going to post this a couple weeks ago, but we put it off. 😉 Psychological research has revealed that procrastination is an emotion-management problem. When we procrastinate, we get relief from facing an aversive task now. That’s why we procrastinate. These scientific findings are reflected in our everyday experiences with statements such as: “I don’t feel like … [Read more...]
Go ahead, skip that networking event
David Burkus asserts that networking events often fail to live up to their billing. He instead recommends getting involved in activities with a purpose or higher stakes. Source: Harvard Business Review, May 14, 2018. Link. The problem with networking events is that there’s no bigger purpose other than just having conversations with people, and without that bigger purpose — … [Read more...]
Average employees are worse than bad ones
There are three ways mediocre employees present themselves: They don't acknowledge when they're falling short They're unwilling to learn new skills (or improve old ones) They love to play the victim Source: Inc., May 9, 2018. Link. Average employees shouldn't dictate a company's success. Demand excellence from employees, give them the resources they need to … [Read more...]
Opinion: Fly services have potential
There is historical rationale in the recommendation for veterinary practices to add a fly control service for their clients. More than 35 years ago, we had master fly-baiter contests and awards to help promote fly control at a time when our industry was just learning the science behind preventing production losses and transfer of diseases such as pinkeye and anaplasmosis. In … [Read more...]
Culling and re-homing chickens aren’t always the best options
Lisa Steele shares her perspectives for aging hens after they quit laying eggs. This information can be especially helpful for backyard chicken raisers. Source: Countryside Daily, May 15, 2018. Link. Older chickens serve a purpose, says Steele. Consider: Older chickens make better broodies Older chickens make better mothers The eggs of older chickens are generally … [Read more...]
Pest busters for 2018
Here’s a great list of products available for animal pest control. From premise sprays to pour-ons managing insects is critical to production successes. Source: BEEF, May 2018], page 22. Link. Available products for parasites and pest management. INSIGHTS: Consider printing these pages to use as a handy reference when discussing products in these categories with … [Read more...]
Opinion – Manage maggots and bots in dogs and cats
Images of screwworm infestations in newly born kittens, ferrets and rabbits before 1966 still bring nightmares. Clear are the memories of tiny, near-hairless, days-old animals lying across my palm while we systematically removed screw worms from holes nearly the size of a pencil eraser. Fly control product stations were everywhere on our farm. We bought ducks to help clean … [Read more...]
JAVMA, May 15th Issue
Questions about prolonging an animal’s life, economics of a veterinary degree awareness about a veterinary career, summary of the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study and features of horses treated for recurrent colic are some great items in this issue. Source: JAVMA, May 15, 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Equine animal health pros will want to review the recurrent colic … [Read more...]
Amarillo to get new Texas Tech vet school
The Amarillo, Texas, city council approved an arrangement last week that guarantees a concept for a new Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine will become reality. The city will support an Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) pledge of up to $69 toward the $90 million project. This will be the first new veterinary school in the U.S. in 40 … [Read more...]
Fading kitten syndrome is real. Not all born alive will live.
There is now a scientific explanation for kittens born alive, but don’t live long. Dr. Eric Barchas says it is fading kitten syndrome. He explains, a staggering proportion of kittens succumb to fading kitten syndrome before they reach nine weeks of age. Fifteen percent to 27 percent die before nine weeks of age even in well-managed catteries. Source: Catster, May 10, 2018. … [Read more...]
Price, price, price
When products move from single channel to multi-channel sources, there are sensitivities around price to the consumer. The real issue is on dispensed items such as flea, tick, heartworm, parasiticides and in some cases NSAIDs and vaccines. The team at Vet Advantage put together a price benchmarking tool to help veterinary teams understand how certain products are priced across … [Read more...]
Vet tech nerd book works as a second brain
Julie Carlson, CVT, was tasked by her lab teacher to make a nerd book while in vet tech school. It is essentially a portable cheat sheet for day-to-day veterinary technician life in a note-card sized binder that fits in scrub pockets. Firstline has partnered with Carlson to start a series which will offer free, downloadable PDFs to use to put your own nerd book … [Read more...]
Veterinarian’s cat-handling tutorial goes viral (includes video)
Dr. Uri Burstyn, medical director of Arbutus West Animal Clinic and Vancouver East Veterinary Clinic, posts online instructional videos about caring for cats. His most recent video, “How to pick up a cat like a pro – Vet advice on cat handling,” has become a surprise hit, with nearly three million views on YouTube Source: Global News Online, May 14, 2018. Link. Burstyn … [Read more...]
Fear Free tips to handle big dogs
Mikkel Becker offers some tips to avoid injury while handling, lifting, restraining and caring for large and giant-sized canines. She says to consider the following strategies: Avoid the wrestling match. Evaluate your default. Dig for the root. Do your future self a favor. Replace restraint. Pharmaceuticals could be your friend. Treat yo’ patient. … [Read more...]
Gen Z puts brands on notice
This spring’s high school graduates are the first Gen Z persons to enter the work force or colleges. Gen Z is bypassing the traditional political system and focusing on consumerism as a channel for change, according to a recent study. This generation is expecting brands to use their platform for good, especially as they feel the political system and politicians has let them … [Read more...]
Dogs and their owners may live forever
George Church, a biologist at Harvard Medical School, thinks he might be able to help dogs live longer lives and bring age-defeating treatments for humans to market at the same time. In fact, he has cofounded the company Rejuvenate Bio, to do it. It claims preliminary tests on beagles make animals “younger” by adding new DNA instructions to their bodies. Source: MIT … [Read more...]
Better be early
I have a magic pill to sell you. It will help you make more money, be happier, look thinner, and have better relationships. It’s a revolutionary new pharmaceutical product called Late-No-More. Just one dose every day will allow you to show up on time, greatly enhancing your life and the lives of those around you. Source: Forbes, August 2, 2015. Link. There’s a reason we set … [Read more...]
Erin Brenneman sharing farm life with a new generation
Our industry is blessed to have passionate advocates like Erin Brenneman, the city girl turned pig farmer and social media maven. Her story is lived out across the country on farms and livestock production locations, but few dedicate themselves to educating a new generation. This is a must-read for animal health pros. Brenneman’s passion helps people from all backgrounds … [Read more...]
Pet owners are alarmingly unaware about flea and tick dangers
Despite herculean efforts over more than two decades, a new study reveals 72 percent of pet owners don't research flea and tick prevention. Only half say they treat their pets year-round. Source: Pet Product News, May 9, 2018. Link. A new consumer study, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Merck Animal Health, reveals that there are knowledge gaps among U.S. pet owners … [Read more...]
Opinion – The boundary you didn’t know you were missing
“Sir, yes sir!” We hear these words in movies with military references. This do-it-or-die attitude has crept into our approaches to management, education and employee empowerment. As in other industries, our newest, brightest animal health pros are super achievers who sometimes find themselves in new jobs that become routine. I’m oversimplifying but consider the efforts we … [Read more...]
How to manage insecure employees
Insecure employees are “hard to evaluate, hard to coach, and hard to develop,” says Ethan Burris, an associate professor at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, Austin. “The challenge is that insecure people are so concerned with how they look and how they are perceived that they either fail to solicit critical feedback or completely ignore it when it’s … [Read more...]
5 self-hate moves we mistake as self-love
Kris Gage takes on self-hate and self-love. She summarizes loving ourselves looks the same as loving others — through actions. Over time. And with their true best interest in mind. Source: Medium, May 4, 2018. Link. Gage lists these behaviors as self-hate vs. self-love: Chasing things we don’t want or that don’t want us Checking out of our own lives Talking … [Read more...]
Horse: Unfit or unwell? (includes videos)
Horse enthusiasts will return to a more regular riding schedule as temperatures rise. The horses may not be in shape or health to withstand the rigors of increased activity. Equus shares insights and videos to help horse owners recognize the differences between out-of-shape horses and those that have an underlying health issue. Melinda Freckleton, DVM, is featured. Source: … [Read more...]
Top considerations to soothe skin disease in cats and dogs
Whether it’s from allergies, bacterial infections, or external parasites, pruritus is easily among the top 10 problems veterinarians see in dogs and cats. Because meds for managing pruritus vary in mechanism of action, patient restrictions, and more, each individual case dictates which drug is used for treatment. Source: Veterinary Practice News, May 1, 2018. Link. Some … [Read more...]
Stem cell therapy for cats shows promise
The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery recently published the results of a study about the present and potential clinical applications of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in cats. The study focused on the emergence of this new therapeutic strategy and the current understanding of the biology and immunology of mesenchymal stem cells. Researchers summarized promising outcomes of … [Read more...]
Clear up misconceptions about regenerative medicine (includes video)
Regenerative medicine has become more common in the veterinary market. So has pet owners’ misunderstanding. David Dycus, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA, offers clarification and speaks to the differences of rich plasma and stem cell therapies. Probably a lot of the public's misconception is that we're simply trying to regenerate new tissues, which, while there may be some regeneration, … [Read more...]
17 tips for camping with dogs
It’s the time of year when folks head to campgrounds all over the country. Fido is often in tow, which can make for a great camping experience. Writer Jen Reeder shares basic tips to help ensure fun camping trips that include dogs. Source: AAHA. Link. Here are some suggestions to help create an outstanding experience: Let your dog check out the gear. Visit the … [Read more...]
What I wish groomers looked for
Part of what keeps me grounded in the veterinary profession is realizing that many pet care service providers—including dog groomers, and owners and employees of pet stores, kennels and boarding facilities—are in higher demand than veterinarians, writes Courtney Campbell, DVM. She acknowledges that pet owners frequently visit some of these service providers and wishes teams … [Read more...]