A lot of animal health pros sit for long hours in cars, airplanes, trucks and at desks. There is strong evidence that standing regularly is good for our health. A new study in the journal, Annals of Internal Medicine shows you may be able to cut your risk of early death simply by standing every 30 minutes. Alyssa Jung’s article covers the benefits of standing desks and notes … [Read more...]
Fear Free Happy Homes newsletter now available
The Fear Free Pets movement is well underway. A newsletter is one of the tools available for pet owners. With the growing adoption of fear-free practices, we wanted to help expose animal health pros to some of the tools being used by Fear Free practices. Source: Fear Free Happy Homes, November 14, 2017. Become a Fear Free Happy Homes member today, and experience all that … [Read more...]
Eating “clean’ food wasteful, Iowa State says
We are constantly reminded of organic, all-natural and raised without antibiotics designations on food items. Beyond these definitions are even more food label considerations. New research from Iowa State University shows that consumers are unaware of the costs related to producing “clean” label foods. Source: Drovers, November 10, 2017. Ruth Litchfield, an expert on food … [Read more...]
World Antibiotic Awareness Week
This week is one that celebrates each year’s discoveries and updates on antibiotic use. Animal health pros are at the front of proper antibiotic use and education. 2017 is the third year that World Antibiotic Awareness Week is taking place, focusing on human health care, agriculture and the environment, and is part of the WHO global action plan, “Antibiotics: handle with … [Read more...]
You gotta see this year’s comedy wildlife photo finalists
You’ve gotta look! The 2017 finalists for The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been announced. And, they’re great. Take a few minutes for some fun. Source: The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, November 2017. You can see four years’ worth of fun photos. INSIGHTS: Great blog and social media ideas here. … [Read more...]
Getting to yes or yes!
Wendy Myers offers sound advice about positioning options that require one of two yes answers by avoiding yes/no questions. It takes a little work and practice, but ultimately animal owners are looking for this guidance when they come to veterinarians. Take five minutes out of the next five team meetings and practice this approach as a group. Then put it to work. Source: … [Read more...]
Quiz – Legal implications of dispensed medications and written prescriptions
Animal health pros who sell, prescribe or dispense prescription substances will benefit from taking this quiz. The quiz reviews common scenarios for dispensing and submitting prescriptions for noncontrolled and controlled substances. Consider making this a team exercise. For sales personnel, being competent in the topics this quiz reviews will make you a better resource for … [Read more...]
Keep pets safe during cold weather (includes printable handout)
Just like people, pets’ cold tolerance can vary based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level and health. Be aware this and adjust accordingly. The AVMA website content and the PDF handout make the cold weather tips easy to distribute to pet owners. Tips include the easy to forget antifreeze clean-up warning and other excellent reminders. Source: AVMA, November … [Read more...]
Reintegration into society difficult for veterans
Veterans Day was celebrated Saturday, November 11th. Honoring those who served is important, but it may be more important to help them reintegrate into society. Benjamin Sledge writes from his own experiences and shares perspectives about how today’s society is not tuned to support the returning veteran. Source: Medium, November 10, 2017. Realistically, I think a lot of … [Read more...]
Biosecurity takes a team
Diligence, teamwork, research, technology and collaboration are required to maintain biosecurity on farm and within the collective U.S. swine populations. Kevin Shultz distilled the frequently cacophonous elements of biosecurity efforts in this article. It truly takes a team willing to be cooperative, even though they are often competitive. Together, biosecurity remains a key … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken trend causes spike in infections, 1 fatal
This article explains why we have focused heavily on backyard chicken trends. The growth of raising backyard chickens in U.S. cities and suburbs brings a soaring number of illnesses from poultry-related diseases, some of them fatal. Since January, more than 1,100 people have contracted salmonella poisoning from chickens and ducks in 48 states, according to the Centers for … [Read more...]
Human food trends are mirrored in 2018 pet food market
Knowing what is trending in pet foods or pet owners’ minds is important for animal health pros to understand since we seek to proactively help manage pet health. Debbie Phillips-Donaldson reviews the first of many trend predictions released by Mintel. Trends that have been in play for a few years now, such as transparency, health and wellness, and personalization will take on … [Read more...]
Opinion – Immune response and nutrient metabolism swine research evolving rapidly
This research information should interest to any animal health pro as whose focus is on prevention and managing disease. The immunes system has high biological priority. When pathogens are detected, the immune response becomes the animal’s energetic priority and changes how dietary nutrients and calories are utilized. Source: National Hog Farmer, October 2017. Any energy … [Read more...]
3 tips to start your day right
Since we turned our clocks back over the weekend, these tips may help the chronological confusion for some of us. The first few minutes of waking up can set the tone for the rest of the day. Adding mindful habits to the start of the day can help you to feel more in sync with the sunrise. Source: Mindful, November 6, 2017: Elisha Goldstein shares 3 mindful actions to start … [Read more...]
Women’s leadership Q/A: Never let them see you sweat
This Q/A with Kimberley Bennett, senior director of Kentucky Beam Bourbon Experiences at Beam Suntory will resonate with the increasing number of female animal health pros. Bennett has always worked in male-dominated industries and learned early on to "never let them see you sweat." She says women "need that network of strong-minded women to cheer for your success and share … [Read more...]
No kidding, goats are smart
As the number of homestead-like farms grows so does the number of goats. Researchers continue to study how they are affected by the production environment and how they see and interact with us. Goats may appear to have one-track minds, but they devote a lot of thought to social issues, too. Source: Countryside Daily, November 6, 2017. In 2017, we have seen published results … [Read more...]
Impostor syndrome sneaks up on everyone
It’s likely every animal health pro feels like a fraud from time to time. Ciera Miller, CVT, VTS, speaks to us all in her article on the imposter syndrome. Source: Firstline, October 26, 2017. Impostor syndrome, a concept where an individual is marked by an inability to recognize their accomplishments and lives with a constant fear of being a “fraud,” is extremely … [Read more...]
Work/life balance benefits work performance
One’s mind and the body health are optimized by balancing work life with personal life. Finding this balance is becoming harder, not easier. We no longer leave our work in the office. It follows us everywhere we go. The growth of 24/7 connectivity – impossible a decade ago, but normal now – brings with it challenging problems. Source: LinkedIn, November 6, 2017. Where … [Read more...]
Helmet saves equestrian’s life (graphic pictures)
Animal health pros often support the equine sports. Noel Williams shares her close call with death and reminds riders to wear a helmet. It’s a universal truth that if you’re going to ride horses, you’re going to fall off horses. You just never know when a young horse, or any horse really, is going to overreact or when their antics might cause them to lose their balance and … [Read more...]
Satisfy cat hunting instincts appropriately
Lisa Radosta DVM, Dipl. ACVB, reminds us that predatory behaviors that cats exhibit outside do not go away when they are kept indoors. She says indoor cats need stimulation and environmental enrichment. Some cats simply become bored at home, while others become frustrated by the inability to do what comes naturally: explore, exercise and hunt. That frustration can lead to … [Read more...]
Canine body language important for health, safety
Reading canine body language accurately is important for patient health and comfort, veterinary team safety and proper client education and consultation. Clues such as proximity preference, food acceptance, postures and expressions improve understanding of patient emotions. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, September 2017. The more relaxed a patient is, the more likely an … [Read more...]
Chicken anatomy 101: digestion (includes video)
Here’s a resource you can use to review your chicken knowledge. It also can be used to help educate new chicken owners, 4-H or FFA groups or staff members. Patrick Biggs, PhD, a flock nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition explains the journey from feed to egg. Source: Countryside Daily, November 6, 2017. Chickens are excellent converters of chicken feed, channeling … [Read more...]
Phone addiction has a dark side (includes video)
Philosopher Alain de Botton challenges the “lazy brain” argument about our relationship with our phones and how we rely on them. Instead, he proposes we use them as a tool for self-avoidance and have a genuinely unhealthy, addictive relationship with them. Source: Mindful, November 3, 2017. To say we are addicted to our phones is not merely to point out that we use them a … [Read more...]
Move sales conversations from safe to serious
Adam Kipnes shares a process for managing the innumerable contacts in our reach and move them toward becoming clients. The objective is not to sell everyone, rather move them progressively toward becoming a prospect instead of leaving them as a contact or suspect. Source: Forbes, November 5, 2017. The goal of the 4,3,2,1 model is to categorize each contact you have … [Read more...]
Ceva supports pet victims from hurricanes, helps mitigate heartworm risks
Craig Wallace, CEO & North America/Pacific Zone Director at Ceva USA & at CevaSante Animal tweeted information last week about one of his company’s latest relief efforts in support of pet victims of Hurricane Harvey. Ceva has proactively supported gulf coast pet victim relocations and heartworm prevention efforts. The areas of the country hit hardest by Hurricanes … [Read more...]
Telehealth; adjusting veterinary care to technology (video content)
I first experienced telehealth in the home of a Southwest Kansas feedlot veterinarian in 1996. The vet stood in his breezeway for 30 minutes questioning a producer about four potloads of light calves arriving 12 hours early after nearly 22 hours, 1,300 miles and a 50-plus degree reduction in ambient temperature during their trip. Fast forward 20 years and the topic of … [Read more...]
Prevent holiday hazards from harming family pets (photo essay)
As Halloween night turned to dawn, Christmas appeared in stores the world over. It is a reminder to prepare for our homes for guests and prepare to keep our pets safe. The AVMA offered the following tips to keep pets safe in 2013. They still resonate today. Source: DVM 360, December 18, 2013. For some pets, house guests can be scary. Pets shy or excitable around new people … [Read more...]
Innovetive Petcare employees build bikes for youth
We were pleased to receive a press release from Founder’s Circle supporter Innovetive Petcare. At its Fall Leadership Summit, company veterinary practice leaders and home office staff committed one evening to a Build-a-Bike activity. Source: Innovetive Petcare Supports the Community, November 6, 2017. Six children's bikes were constructed and then donated through the … [Read more...]
Opinion – What B2B can learn from B2C
Most animal health pros will recognize someone they’ve worked with as they consider the perspectives in this article. The best sales reps have been personalizing their messages for years to decision maker(s). Karen Olson says we can learn a lot from savvy B2C marketers. Customize your messages for your audience. Give me a reason to switch. Reward me for choosing … [Read more...]
November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month
Older pets are just as loving and loyal as their younger counterparts. Plus, adopting a senior animal companion comes with some cool advantages: Grown-up pets don’t require the constant monitoring and training that puppies and kittens do. Many are already housetrained. Since senior pets are fully grown, you’ll be immediately aware of important information like … [Read more...]