We have featured multiple posts about malware and the damage it can cause. A genius group of biohackers has demonstrated that strands of DNA can be manipulated to carry an infection to computers, not human or animals. Source: Wired, August 10, 2017. In new research they plant to present at the USENIX Security conference on Thursday, a group of researchers from the … [Read more...]
5 ways to detect a malicious phishing email
Since the time email first gained widespread popularity in the 1990s, phishing scams have been showing up in email accounts. They're called phishing emails because the cybercriminals who send them are fishing for victims. Source: Carbonite, July 19, 2017. Phishing emails may be more difficult to identify these days, but there are some important steps you can take to avoid … [Read more...]
Your dog’s as fat as you
Obviously, no animal health professional would ever say that. But many are afraid of offending obese clients in the process of discussing their pet’s obesity. Ernie Ward, DVM, presents the dynamics of discussing obesity and shares communication strategies to avoid possible client embarrassment. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 9, 2017. Reframe the discussion in … [Read more...]
Avoid eclipse blindness on August 21st (includes video)
Thousands will look skyward on August 21, 2017 when the moon will pass between the earth and the sun creating a total solar eclipse. There's one thing you shouldn't do; look at the sun with your naked eye. Source: CNN, August 11, 2017. When you look directly at the sun, the intensity of the light and the focus of the light is so great on the retina that it can cook it," … [Read more...]
Research examines prejudging clients’ ability to pay
Veterinarians and their team members are renown for “judging the size of a client’s pocketbook.” This skill is often associated as a reason for a lack of compliance to product recommendations as well as routine visits. But, a study recently published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology posits that the face alone might provide clues to someone’s social class, … [Read more...]
Emoji is the new universal language
We definitely live in the digital age. Our lives are interconnected in a virtual world, with people we have often never met. The overwhelming majority of the world’s computer-literate users now use Emoji as a daily necessity. It adds levity, emotional expression and personality. Source: Linked In, August 5, 2017. Emoji is more than just happy or sad faces. It has real … [Read more...]
3 trends that will transform animal health
Animal health is an industry driven by two sectors, pets and livestock, that respond to very different market forces. Trends in these sectors need to be analyzed separately to get a clear view of the investment landscape. It is also important to pay attention to factors such as technology, that affect the industry as a whole. Source: Fortune, July 27, 2017. These four … [Read more...]
Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Certificate Program now available
With all the information published about millennials’ focus on pet life quality, this new certificate program will help participants meet these needs. During this program, participants will: Understand the unique field of animal hospice Learn how palliative care differs from conventional medicine Learn best practices in hospice care Understand what to expect in … [Read more...]
Blanket training aids in dog comfort
Have blanket, will travel. A blanket can help dogs handle adventures away from home shares, Karen London, PhD. It is a technique used commonly with service dogs that helps them relax. With training, the blanket indicates to the dog where to sit or lie down. Source: The Bark, July 24, 2017. Once a dog has been to multiple places and happily goes to lie down and stay on his … [Read more...]
AAHA accredited practice growth
We extend our congratulations to the new AAHA accredited practices. These medical teams have met the highest standards in veterinary medicine. Source: AAHA Red, July 17, 2017. Also see: AAHA newly accredited practices, May - June 2017. INSIGHTS: Attention distributor and manufacturer sales representatives! Review these lists to determine if any hospitals in your … [Read more...]
The latest from Dr. Andy Roark (recorded interview)
Hear Dr. Roark talk about social media as a "relationship accelerator" in a recent interview with DVM 360 on Your Veterinary Voice. The interview and other topics are part of his recent newsletter. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, August 2, 2017. Dr. Roark on such topics as social media as a "relationship accelerator," that scary E-word (entrepreneurship) and new graduates coming … [Read more...]
How cats say, “I love you.” (includes client handout)
Cats demonstrate their devotion to their humans in important and obvious ways if you know what to look for. Using the client handout in this article will help cat owners decipher the silent ways cats share affection. Source: Veterinary Medicine, July 25, 2017. Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, DABVP covers three area where cats share affection: Territorial tenderness … [Read more...]
SuperZoo’s new product showcase winners
SuperZoo attendees voted for the best products across nine key pet categories during this year’s July show. Source: Pet Product News, August 2, 2017. See 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each of these categories: Grooming; Aquatics; Bird; Cat; Equine; Reptile; Small Animal; Dog; Miscellaneous. … [Read more...]
August is National Vaccine and Immunization Month
Stay up to date on current vaccinations, Lyme disease prevention and how to keep practices in top shape. Four informative session are available on VetFolio: Vaccines: Current Protocols and Recommendations Introducing the Next Generation of Lyme Disease Vaccine Technology; sponsored by Zoetis Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Lyme Disease: The Latest Research and … [Read more...]
18th century racehorse champion born during solar eclipse
The world is buzzing about the coming solar eclipse. So, we share this story of a temperamental, spirited, fast steed that changed horse racing forever. The greatest racehorse of the 18th century was allegedly born during the 1764 solar eclipse, which tracked from Iberia to Scandinavia, at noon on April Fool’s Day. He was named, appropriately, Eclipse. Seventeen months later he … [Read more...]
Introduce yourself via email the right way
Introducing yourself via email requires finesse and a little strategy to stand out among the other emails in an inbox. These six steps help make the process easier. Source: Grammarly, July 31, 2017. Your goal is to create a connection with an individual, so you want your greeting to be personal. Always use their name. Make sure it’s spelled correctly and avoid using … [Read more...]
Beat the mid-summer slump
Unless you’re on vacation, dragging yourself into the office during the summer can sometimes feel like the last thing you want to do. It’s not just because the weather is perfect and you couldn’t imagine spending the entire day indoors. Sure, the office might be the last place you want to be because your colleagues are gone, and your productivity might feel like it hinges on … [Read more...]
12 reasons pets need heartworm protection
Here is a handy list of reasons to protect dogs, cats and ferrets against heartworm infection. Provided by the American Heartworm Society, it is available in both a slide show and list form. Source: Linked In, July 26, 2017. There’s no such thing as heartworm “season.” Chances are, you don’t live in a heartworm-free zone. Pets with heartworms are found across the United … [Read more...]
Social media snapshot as a stunning infographic
Social media, a name we once gave for a platform such as Facebook, has become difficult to define. Constant iterations expand and grow how social media is used. Those trends include the growth of live streaming, messaging apps and conversational commerce. Source: Mashable, August 2017. It’s meant to remind the viewer that social media is about the people in the center of … [Read more...]
August 15 JAVMA ready for study
From the news section: A fatal neurologic disease is raising the possibility of local extinctions of Western deer and elk herds. In other news, disagreements over information sharing, technology, and privacy have hindered progress on how to track horses on a wide scale, although microchipping advocates say this approach provides an ideal solution. Source: JAVMA, August … [Read more...]
AQHA Daily Health Archive
A colleague contacted me looking for good references for an article he was working on. I sent him to the AQHA website. So, in the spirit of supporting animal health pros who post equine information on websites, blogs and social media, we’re linking you the health archive on the AQHA website. Source: AQHA Daily. Scroll through many topics presented as original and sponsored … [Read more...]
Guidelines for working farm kids updated
The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety has updated guidelines for children working in agriculture for the first time in 20 years. The guidelines give parents a recommended age range for specific tasks and a set of competencies as well. Source: Pork, August 2, 2017. Children performing jobs not consistent with their abilities is the main … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin, DVM, honored by National Women’s Hall of Fame (includes video)
Her determination and drive to prove she could make it in the meat sciences field has placed her in a group of women that includes Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Rosa Parks. So not only did she make strides in her field as a person with autism, but she also made strides as a woman. Source: The Autism Site, August 2017. This incredible woman, a Professor of Animal … [Read more...]
Laser pointer play ill-advised
It is common for people to be amused by the behavior of a frantic dog pouncing on a moving dot of light from a laser pointer. Karen London, PhD, shares why this game is not advised for dogs. Source: The Bark, July 26, 2017. No matter how much dogs respond to them, I recommend against the use of laser pointers. It’s just too likely that the game will negatively affect the … [Read more...]
Opinion – Keep dogs safe on beaches
Good content often falls short of the whole story. In this case, the article presents good considerations for sharing a beach trip with a canine. However, references to ensure the pet is protected from diseases easily shared in a public area are missing. In community parks or dog parks, the risk of leptospirosis can be as significant at beaches. The risks are not just from … [Read more...]
Stop that itch
At least two dermatological issues are always among the top 10 ailments veterinary teams face with dogs. Anthea E. Schick, DVM, DACVD, with a fun editorial twist from Dr. Sarah Wooten, share the latest research findings from the 2017 North American Dermatology Forum that every private practitioner needs to know For animal health pros at all levels, this information is clearly … [Read more...]
Canine influenza is spreading
Animal health pros, especially veterinary healthcare teams must be vigilant and stay abreast of the latest news about this highly contagious disease. This includes: areas affected, prevention and canine influenza treatment protocols where appropriate. Communicating with clients is paramount to alleviate concerns and allow for risk assessment. A one-size-fits-all statement is … [Read more...]
Steve Dale talks mosquitoes (includes videos)
Mosquito prevention and the Double Defense protocol are covered by Steve Dale, CABC and host of the syndicated radio programs, Steve Dale’s Pet World and The Pet Minute that air on more than 100 stations. The video is something you can use to educate clients. Consider sharing it via websites, blogs and social media posts. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, July 31, 2017. It is … [Read more...]
Empathy important during that special time
The incredible bond that develops between military personnel and the animals that support them into battle is in a category all its own. This was evident July 26 as Marine veteran Jeff DeYoung carried his best friend Cena past a line of well-wishers on a decommissioned Navy ship to be euthanized. The 10-year-old black Labrador suffered from bone cancer. Source: Washington … [Read more...]
Cattle now and in the future (includes video)
Galen Erickson, University of Nebraska animal scientist, offers insight into the trendiness of cattle feeding that deserves attention from the industry. Source: Progressive Cattleman, July 31, 2017. Video, courtesy of Certified Angus Beef. … [Read more...]