It won’t be long before chickens are the new family dog, according to Kathy Shea Mormino, aka the Chicken Chick. She may be on to something. More than one percent of U.S. households now raise chickens. Plus, the USDA estimates that by 2019, urban chicken flocks will increase by 400 percent. Mormino is attuned to this growth as she answers questions for her 743,000 followers on … [Read more...]
Respect a cat’s hiss
Jane A Kelly shares perspectives on why cats hiss. Some feline behavior experts believe that the cat learned how to hiss by imitating the sound of snakes. Mimicking the sound of other species is a survival technique used by many animals, and there’s no mistaking the distinct warning given by a hiss. Source: Catster, August 21, 2017. Ultimately, the cat hiss is designed to … [Read more...]
Lone star tick is rapidly migrating
Lone star ticks have been implicated in a handful of zoonotic illnesses (not Lyme disease) that are serious to humans and animals. Experts in human allergy, parasitology, and entomology joined to discuss the lone star tick, its geographic spread and the zoonotic diseases it can transmit during the AVMA 2017 convention in Indianapolis. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August … [Read more...]
Dog pee: normal or not?
Arden Moore goes through everything from urine color to frequency to how to obtain a pee sample from a dog. It is light but informative content. Consider using it for websites, newsletters or social media. Source: The Bark, August 28, 2017. The liquid gold stream exiting from a dog contains priceless clues on just how healthy the dog is. Snicker if you will, but any … [Read more...]
Working with bad listeners
It’s a challenge to work with people — peers, junior colleagues, customers, or even bosses — who just don’t listen. Rebecca Knight offers some dos and don’ts in this discussion of distracted and distracting communications. Source: Harvard Business Review, August 24, 2017. Here are some strategies for working with colleagues who never seem to be listening: Consider work … [Read more...]
Put down the phone
Wendy Myers suggests ways to get clients and staff members to hang up their phones and listen. Addictive cellphone use is a growing problem and contributes to declining listening and retention skills. Try a collaborative rather than confrontational approach when dealing with smartphone use. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 23, 2017. Distracted clients may be … [Read more...]
“1” can change everything; KC Animal Health Corridor
Global Animal Health Week kicked off in the Kansas City area Friday, August 25. Supported by the commitments to the KC Animal Health Corridor, a series of events garnered record participation from around the world. Check out the “goings on” at #KCAnimalHealth Source: KC Animal Health Corridor. Events included: 1st “Women in Animal Health” panel discussion Market … [Read more...]
AHD Bulletin, shorter this week
We’ve spent the last five days engaged with animal health colleagues during the Global Animal Health week, KC Animal Health Corridor Homecoming and CVC Kansas City convention. Obviously, such activities reduce the time to curate materials for animal health pros. Our AHD Bulletin is shorter than usual this week. Many of the posts will be about the challenges of human … [Read more...]
Beyonce goes to vet school
Vet School: As told by Beyonce is the title of this parody compilation of the singer’s hits assembled by future veterinarians. Third-year Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences students recently used the video to welcome the class of 2021. Source: AGDAILY: If “All the Single Ladies” got stuck in your head, watch out for “All the … [Read more...]
Pig transformation changing with the times
In a fun and informative retrospective, Pork’s JoAnn Alumbaugh reviews the history of pig confirmation and the societal influences that shape a hog as we know them today. Source: Pork, August 10, 2017. Genetics, diet, marketing trends and once more, consumer tastes, continue to evolve so the composition of modern pigs evolves as well. Pig farmers now consider all of the … [Read more...]
Feline calcivirus review
Feline calcivirus is a single-stranded nonenveloped RNA virus that frequently presents clinical symptoms in young cats and kittens as acute upper respiratory or ocular signs. The virus often infects cats who become subclinical carriers of the virus. Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2015. FCV should be treated on an outpatient basis, if possible, as it is highly … [Read more...]
Go home from work now!
A new study in the European Heart Journal found that people who worked long hours were more likely to develop atrial fibrillation, a rapid-heartbeat condition that can lead to strokes and heart failure. Longer work hours were also associated with obesity, risky alcohol use, depression and anxiety. Source: Science of Us, July 21, 2017. Working too much can harm your health, … [Read more...]
U.S. Court of Appeals puts gray wolf back on endangered list
The debate about whether or not to list or delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species list will likely bring new legislation and further definition to managing endangered species. Still, the recovery of a nearly extinct predator has been a remarkable wildlife management process. Source: Drovers Cattle Network, August 2, 2017. Currently there are Republicans and … [Read more...]
When dogs make you late
A fun one! Karen London loves the benefits of dog ownership. She is also realistic about how they can delay a disciplined morning routine or other plans. Source: The Bark, July 17, 2017. No matter how much we love our dogs, it can be frustrating when they make it extra challenging to get to work on time. … [Read more...]
New horse welfare guidelines and penalties released
US Equestrian Federation has released new, official guidelines for horse welfare and safety penalties. To do this, the organization has created rules to govern the actions of its members and protect horses and humans, allowing them to experience the joy of horse sports. The guidelines fall into these categories: Excessive use of whip or spurs and improper use of bits … [Read more...]
6 reasons salespersons win or lose a sale
Research by Steve Martin dug into sales effectiveness. The project goals were to understand how customers perceive the salespeople they meet with, explore the circumstances that determine which vendor is selected and learn how different company departments and vertical industries make buying decisions. Source: Harvard Business Review, June 23, 2017. Martin shares six key … [Read more...]
Horse wellness and medical coverage options expanding
Equine insurance policies have historically been used by sport and breeding horse owners. That changed this June when the Crum & Foster Pet Insurance Group began offering American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Pet Health Insurance to owners of horses that do not hold a high monetary value. Source: The Horse, July 31, 2017. There are many owners who … [Read more...]
Pets seen as starter children
Forty four percent of millennials see their pets as “practice” for the real deal, with 21 percent citing that as the main reason for welcoming an animal into their homes. Another 23 percent said it was at least part of the reason. These are just three key points animal health pros can take home from a recent study conducted by the business consultancy, GALE. Source: Ad Week, … [Read more...]
DVMs losing revenue to parallel service providers
The AABP and AVMA recently released findings that alternate sources or parallel services providers pose an ongoing financial risk to profits in the bovine segments. This is not a new phenomenon, but technology and expanding services by the alternate channels is intrusive to the traditional veterinary channel. Source: Beef Vet, Fall 2017, page 6. Parallel providers offer … [Read more...]
August is a great time to promote pet vaccination awareness
For a long list of reasons, many pet owners do comply with recommended vaccine guidelines. Veterinary healthcare teams are the most critical link to get dogs and cats and the disease protection they need when they needed. August is National Immunization Awareness Month and is a great time to reinforce the importance of protecting pets against disease, just like we do our … [Read more...]
AAHA/VMG Chart of Accounts now available for free
This free tool is a first success for the AVMA's Economic Advisory Research Council, which is tasked with "organizing and efficiently using the veterinary profession's scarce resources.” Kudos to all involved in providing this resource to all veterinary practices. Source: DVM 360, June 30, 2017. The chart of accounts will allow practitioners to better organize their … [Read more...]
Enjoy work more by caring less
For work-obsessed Americans, the thought of caring less about our work is practically heretical. Yet, many of us are working more than ever, enjoying it less and finding less fulfillment from the work we do. So, it might be time for a radical change in our attitude. Source: Quartz, August 9, 2017. There are many ways to train yourself to care less about work. Sure, you … [Read more...]
Fight mosquitoes, help fellow humans
Population control methods we now see as emerging practices in animal health are rooted in a lengthy history of reducing human risk from malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. Since 2007, Bill Gates has been seeking solutions to age-old mosquito challenges. He remains hopeful we can eradicate malaria and the mosquitoes that carry it. Source: LinkedIn, August 16, … [Read more...]
Speaking of tapeworms
Sometimes there’s more to the human-animal bond than we want to admit. More interactions with wildlife as our cities expand into their habitat increase opportunities for new challenges, including a wide variety of Echinococcus spp. tapeworms. Dogs act as an intermediate host between wildlife and humans in some species. Source: Clinician’s Brief, July 2017. Surveillance in … [Read more...]
Ringworm calls for carpet and surface cleaning
Treating Microsporum canis in pets is straightforward. Veterinary teams frequently make recommendations for cleaning the home, but the efficacy of these recommendations has not been evaluated. Decontamination of hard surfaces involves thorough mechanical cleaning followed by disinfectant application. Less is known about successful decontamination of carpet with … [Read more...]
Environmentally friendly ways to dispose of dog poop
Stephanie Colman investigates the best ways to dispose of our dogs’ feces. She reviews bags, composting and multiple alternatives. Despite desires to contribute less overall product to landfills, the most realistic method for safe pet waste disposal is still putting it in the trash. Source: Whole Dog Journal, July 2017. For the health and safety of my family, my friends, … [Read more...]
Understand feline sexual aggression
There are good reasons to neuter a male cat during the first six months or so of his life. In addition to population control, neutering eliminates or at least reduces the occurrence of some undesirable sex-related behaviors. Source: Catster, August 2017. Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, notes that about 10 percent of neutered cats will continue to display unwanted behaviors. “Owners … [Read more...]
How much food to feed a cat
Feeding a cat is not complicated, but is based on many variables. These include its weight and age, food-type selection, its activity level, and whether it is pregnant or nursing. Source: Catster, June 19, 2017. Cat owners are often puzzled by the question: “How much should I feed my cat?” Catster unpacks information needed about feeding a cat. INSIGHTS: Animal health pros … [Read more...]
Richest salespeople share 5 key habits
Whether you sell in a traditional, carry-the-bag mode, a retail setting or a professional services business, there are key habits that most top-earning reps use regardless of industry: They prioritize quality over quantity They only sell to the top If it doesn't make them money, they don't do it They understand the difference between outcomes and to-dos They … [Read more...]
Sales is all about doing
You can apply Jeffrey Gitomer’s perspectives on acting on what you know. In sales, “thought conversion” is critical. Convert the lessons you hear, the things you observe, and the things you know and believe to be true, into positive action. He shares seen keys to convert listening and knowing into doing. Source: Ingram’s Magazine, November 2016. In your personal … [Read more...]