Two intriguing Bridge Club topics are left in April: Hurricane Harvey: Lessons Learned by from Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists Thu, April 19, 2018, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM CDT Ryan Buck, president of Houston’s Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, shares lessons from Hurricane Harvey’s devastation of the 54,000-square-foot facility and rebuilding for employees, the … [Read more...]
Bony changes in the equine neck
Neck pain and stiffness are common problems in performance horses. Scientists recently showed that even horses without obvious signs of neck pain or stiffness might have abnormal bony changes there. Older and taller horses had an increased prevalence and severity of disease in the research. Source: The Horse, April 3, 2018. (Link) In the study, “Characterization of Bony … [Read more...]
Cats need dental care – Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (includes photos)
Dental month is a memory, but dental issues still affect cat health. Heidi B. Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, with Main Street Veterinary Hospital and Dental Clinic, writes about dealing with stomatitis in cats. Source: Clinician’s Brief, January 2018. (Link) Stomatitis can refer to any inflammation in the oral cavity, but, clinically, it typically refers to the exaggerated immune … [Read more...]
Kitten health insurance enrollment is growing
The number of kittens enrolled in pet health insurance is on the rise. According to Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group™, providers of ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance, kitten enrollment increased 62 percent between 2012 and 2016. Source: Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group, April 10, 2018. (Link) This growing interest presents veterinarians with many opportunities to … [Read more...]
GlobalVetLINK honored by Technology Association of Iowa
Congratulations to the GlobalVetLINK team for being awarded a 2018 Prometheus Award naming it as the software company of the year. This award makes the sixth Prometheus Award from various categories since the company was founded in 1999. GlobalVetLINK’s has become the world’s most trusted, secured and independent repository of animal health data. Source: GlobalVetLINK, April … [Read more...]
Change is hard. Leading it is harder.
Change is hard. It is especially hard on the person leading the change. Compound this by being new to the organization you are leading through the change and the task can seem insurmountable. These thoughts will help. Source: LinkedIn, July 10, 2017. (Link) Change is exhausting, especially if you have a big vision, so you need to break it down into manageable pieces and … [Read more...]
The gender wage gap hurts nearly all females
The gender wage gap is a nuanced and complex issue writes Lydia Dishman. She breaks down how it varies across categories, and the ultimate impact it has on the economy including: Gender wage gap by ethnicity Gender wage gap by profession The causes of wage gaps Why closing the wage gaps would boost the economy Source: Fast Company, April 10, 2018. … [Read more...]
First Fear Free Practice certified
The Pet Doctor in O’Fallon, Missouri, became the world’s first Fear FreeSM Certified Veterinary Practice this month. Owner Dr. Marcy Hammerle became individually certified in 2016. She was also the first veterinary hospital owner to apply for practice certification when that program launched on April 2, 2018. Hammerle was determined her practice would be the first Fear Free … [Read more...]
The view from the gut
There has been ongoing confusion about microbe management in the gut. Continuous research is helping determine which bugs are good or bad, what happens during the production cycle and how antibiotics affect gut microflora. We determined that recent information published by National Hog Farmer would be best presented in its entirety. Animal health pros can anticipate parallel … [Read more...]
Baxter Black still here; says mules are peculiar
Baxter Black is NOT hanging up his hat on poetry. He continue to be a mainstay on U.S. Farm Report and recently talked about mules. ENJOY! Source: Drovers, March 26, 2018. Black’s previous commentary on leaving the ranch generated hundreds of responses by those worried that he would no longer offer poetry and humor. … [Read more...]
9 rules of being an adult at work
It is important to be regularly reminded of what it means to be a responsible and mature adult in the office. These may seem basic but remember immature moves could change the way people perceive you and determine whether you actually succeed in your career. Alyse Kalish offers nine rules of being an adult at work: Show up on time Dress appropriately Do what’s … [Read more...]
Dealing well with annoying co-workers
Working on a team can be tough. Coworkers have an undeniable knack for driving us up a wall. To make the most of it, teamwork, the Muse team offers its favorite tips for successfully working with annoyances. Source: The Muse, April 5, 2018. 3 things you need to remember when you coworkers are driving you insane This RBG quote proves you can be friendly with … [Read more...]
Perfectionists and business days dwindle
Alice Boyes, PhD, discusses perfectionists, their strengths and how their tendencies sometimes lead to self-sabotage in the workplace. She offers practical solutions for minimizing the downsides of these tendencies and to keep things moving. Procrastination or decision paralysis is one of the perfectionist traits that slows progress. Source: Harvard Business Review, April 2, … [Read more...]
2018 ATV-UTV roundup; 11 new options to consider (slideshow)
Whether you own a two-acre property in the suburbs, a suburban acreage, love to explore the outdoors or work on a farm this ATV-UTV review is worth reading. Source: Beef, March 28, 2018. When it comes to getting around quickly while spending less on fuel, ATVs or four-wheelers, and utility or side-by-side vehicles, are the answer. While they’ll never replace your pickup, … [Read more...]
Farts: funny, diverse and sometimes lethal
Little did Dani Rabaiotti, a PhD zoology student at the Zoological Society of London, know that a simple question by brother would propel her into the literary world. She didn’t know the answer to, “Do snakes fart,” so she turned to Twitter. And, as quickly as a gaseous dog can clear a dining room, she had the answer and then some. Virginia Tech ecologist Nick Caruso saw the … [Read more...]
The gut instinct is valuable
You just shared your recommendation or opinion with a customer. The response was clear: his eyes went down; he turned his head slightly away; the shoulders slightly slumped and then exhaled audibly through pursed lips. The customer's gut instinct was likely engaged. Jeff Walter discusses accounting for gut instinct in an ag world that has developed reliable technology and … [Read more...]
Working cats need veterinary care
Outdoor cats, or barn cats are important to some property owners’ rodent control. They are not to be considered feral. Janet Garman appropriately describes barn cats as working ones. She says barn cats deserve to be treated like other high-performing work animals and to feed them adequate nutrition, so they have the energy and stamina to perform. Remember to provide consistent … [Read more...]
A guide to shots for cats
Steve Dale, CABC, provides a well-positioned discussion of feline vaccination needs, challenges and the impact of not vaccinating. Most cat owners need this reinforcement to keep their cats vaccinated. Share it on websites, in newsletters and in social media posts. Source: Catster, March 28, 2018. After reviewing literature regarding feline vaccines, Dr. Margie Scherk comes … [Read more...]
Street nails: an equine emergency
Nails or other objects that have punctured the bottom of a horse’s hoof, sometimes called street nails, require careful veterinary inspection. Veterinarians should only remove a nail after he or she has thoroughly evaluated the its location in the hoof and collected radiographs, if necessary. It is important to determine if there is any involvement with deeper structures of the … [Read more...]
Research suggests equine influenza virus is zoonotic
Duke University researchers recently sought to answer a longstanding question about the equine influenza virus (EIV). Can it infect people? Their answer is “yes.” Their ongoing work may lead us to better understand human-to-horse infections, as well as horse-to-human transfers. Source: Equus, March 22, 2018. As for what individual horse owners can do to protect themselves … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens may pose health risks to humans
Zoonotic diseases that backyard poultry may spread to humans include salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and avian influenza viruses. Widespread outbreaks of human Salmonella spp. infections linked to contact with backyard chickens have been documented in the United States since the 1990s. Source: Clinician’s Brief, March 2018. Veterinarians should advise owners of backyard … [Read more...]
Control flies, prevent disease
Fly control warrants concern from every animal health professional. John Maday discusses the cattle perspective, including VFD restrictions to historical practices. Producers can benefit by working with their veterinarians to focus more on parasite control and less on medicated feeds for preventing diseases associated with flies. Source: Drovers, April 4, 2018. Effective … [Read more...]
Latest Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
The April 15, 2018 issue of JAVMA has three papers that caught our eyes. We’ve linked to the abstracts below: Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2016 Outcomes of and risk factors for presumed canine H3N2 influenza virus infection in a metropolitan outbreak Case-control study to determine herd-level risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in nursing … [Read more...]
Zombie raccoons; 200 new viruses in reptiles, amphibians, fish
These two articles expose the reality of living with wildlife. Distemper is likely the cause of strange-acting raccoons in Ohio. Meanwhile, researchers indicate viruses that infect amphibians, reptiles and fishes are studied little compared to the ones that affect mammals and birds. Source: The Washington Post, April 5, 2018 (paywall). Residents in Youngstown, Ohio, … [Read more...]
Surprising side effects from using technology
The repetitive motions from texting and typing, plus poor posture can lead to aches and pains. This article reviews the side effects and offers some fixes: Hand pain Hand numbness and tingling Neck and back pain Hand and wrist fixes Back and neck fixes Source: Harvard Health Letter, April 2018. … [Read more...]
Is technology driving pets insane?
Brian Cooley suggests that advances in technology could be causing undue stimulation and stress for pets. Their senses are tuned differently than our own. They may detect a cacophony of noise and strobe effects that we don't, particularly as we fill homes with technology. Source: CNet, April 4, 2018. Unless you're planning to move off the grid, you aren't going to banish … [Read more...]
AAHA accredits 69 hospitals since last October (includes video)
Congratulations to the newly accredited veterinary hospitals and their teams. Animal health pros in any position can celebrate this level of commitment by these veterinary professionals. No other medical discipline offers an accreditation program. See what accredited team members say about the process. Source: AAHA Red. Congratulations and welcome to the growing group of … [Read more...]
Be fit to lead
While good health may, or may not a good leader make – or break – it does contribute to good brain function, sustained energy output and being physically resilient. These are important attributes for leaders, but the behaviors that contribute to these qualities are often sorely neglected. Source: Center for Creative Leaders, July 10, 2017. Given all this, we often encourage … [Read more...]
Presenting euthanasia as a reasonable option may benefit DVMs, owners and pets
Euthanasia and end-of-life considerations are predictable stressors for veterinary professionals, says Katherine Goldberg, DVM. What follows is a rational and strategic discussion of euthanasia from both the DVMs’ perspectives and the pet owners. She thoughtfully suggests we rethink euthanasia from something we must or should consider to something we might or could … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club, membership has privileges
Bridge Club All Access memberships come with these benefits: Attend all virtual events, no individual event cost Attend all Bridge Club Live networking events at no additional cost Receive invitations to member-only virtual and live gatherings Receive password-protected links to all recorded Bridge Club conversations The primary objective for The Bridge Club is … [Read more...]