Tufts veterinary dermatologist Lluis Ferrer, DVM, shares information on Demodex mites, including the recent confirmation of them taking up residence in dogs’ hair follicles. Demodex mites have been detected in the skin of all mammals and are considered part of what is called the cutaneous microbiome. He reminds us that Demodex mites are crawling on our faces all the time. Note … [Read more...]
Take steps to prevent workplace violence
Workplace violence can erupt unexpectedly. While we don’t believe it will happen in our workplace, as of June 13th, 2017, there have been eight workplace killings. Lynne Curry offers five things every employer should be doing: Don’t hire danger Uncover surprises Investigate Assess potential threats Source: Alaska Dispatch News, June 13, 2017. The many … [Read more...]
Opinion – Dogster: Heat stroke and other summer hazards
One reason we curate content from publications for pet owners is to be sure that animal health pros are aware of what is being pushed to their clients. Often, content like this article is complementary to veterinary recommendations. However, some information can be misleading from an animal health or population control perspective. We offer this article for your … [Read more...]
Communicate clearly during organizational change
For many animal health pros, this article represents something they wish their leadership would do. Still, we lead our organizations from many positions and many layers, so this information is valuable well beyond the C-suite. Source: Harvard Business Review, June 13, 2017. There are four questions that senior teams often skate through too quickly: Why do we need to … [Read more...]
39?, 49? and counting? Quit lying, embrace your 60s.
Lesley Seymour faced her fears and announced to her world that she had turned 60 years old. She shares some fears and perspective that many animal health pros face or will face in the next few years. She says her research suggests the “60s” is the happiest decade, yet for many it represents an uncharted path and a definite change in career paradigms. Source: The Muse, June … [Read more...]
Ditch postcard reminders, embrace digital
Wendy Myers asserts that it's time to ditch postcard reminders and look into texting and emails to communicate with patients. She references the dental business trends and suggests we abandon the status quo of “We’ve always sent postcards” and dip into the digital revolution. Source: Veterinary Practice News, June 14, 2017. Texts have a 99 percent open rate, and 95 percent … [Read more...]
Horse people and the hygiene hypothesis
There is much discussion currently about the microbiome. Rebecca Parker discusses why horse people seem to be made of tougher stuff and brings in the hygiene hypothesis, microbes and the inherent exercise in her article. She also references the benefits of being outdoors and the serenity it takes to work with horses. Source: Horse Network, June 13, 2017. Where do we find … [Read more...]
Fresno Humane Animal Services pros rescue hundreds
More than 900 birds, rabbits, piglets, guinea pigs and other small animals were discovered in the back of a truck last Friday in Fresno. The temperature hit 107 degrees in the truck where the animals had no access to water. Animal control officers acted quickly. Amazingly, they only found 18 dead animals. Source: Los Angeles Times, July 20, 2017 (paywall) and Fresno Bee, … [Read more...]
Best puppy photos in 2017 from Gun Dog (photo essay)
Just for fun! Gun Dog readers love to share puppy photos. The annual Gun Dog reader puppy photo essay is one of the more popular features of the year. Source: Gun Dog, June 13, 2017. Here are some of the best puppy shots received for 2017. INSIGHTS: I’ll bet you grin at least once! … [Read more...]
Take the “flea talk” quiz
All animal health pros will talk fleas as some point. Here’s a fun quiz to see if you are flea talk ready. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, April 2017. Fleas are probably the most common ectoparasite of companion animals, but many pet owners are ambivalent about flea infestations. Helping clients understand the importance of flea infestation prevention can be difficult, but … [Read more...]
Treating a dog with a severe spinal injury
Most of us enjoy a story about passionate pet owners and their efforts to return an ill or injured pet as close to normal as possible. It takes heart, collaboration and effort from the pet owner, the veterinary staff and others. Enjoy this heartwarming story of Chuckie and those who have improved his quality of life. Source: Washington Post, June 13, 2017. Chuckie … [Read more...]
Millenials need to use the phone – to talk
It is commonly perceived that most millennials have mastered function on today’s smartphones, except for one. Using these phones to have a conversation seems like a foreign concept to many. Today’s communication technology offers several ways to bypass having conversations – conversations that could strengthen business relationships. Millenials or not – proper phone use is a … [Read more...]
Canine Influenza Virus questions in 2017
The million-dollar question about the current H3N2 outbreak is whether it will worsen or fizzle out — and how many dogs will be affected. Steve Dale discusses the challenges in the dog show world and beyond. Source: Veterinary Practice News, June 7, 2017. The H3N2 virus exhibits extremely high mobility and low mortality, and an estimated 3 to 5 percent of dogs infected die. … [Read more...]
When you get outsold by a competitor, learn from it
Paul Reilly writes from a field sales perspective, but his discussion applies to veterinary teams, retailers, telesales teams and field sales forces. Losing a customer or sale is normal. Frequently, salespeople will lose business and later justify that price was the cause. Blaming a loss on price is easy, less personal and lets the salesperson off the hook. But the fundamental … [Read more...]
Focus on feline health from AVMA
Sometimes the job of curation is already done for us. Multiple aspects of feline health are featured in this AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief. Topics include: Poll results on preventative care New health record system for pets Negative pressure therapy for healing Rabies in Tampa Update on whisker fatigue Source: AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief, June 14, 2017. … [Read more...]
Prevent reverse delegation
Reverse delegation happens when delegated tasks end up back in your bucket. Dan Rockwell offers 12 sentences to prevent this. Source: Leadership Freak, March 27, 2017. Why reverse delegation happens: You want to be helpful. Over-helpful leaders end up doing other people’s work for them. You don’t see it. Some employees are skillful at delegating work to their … [Read more...]
Kids and pigs at World Pork Expo (photo gallery)
Many expo attendees never see this side of the World Pork Expo. If you’ve never been in a hog barn at the expo, a state or local fair, this is a good way to experience some of the sights. The senses for sounds and smells are left out, but the action is truly a testament to the next generation of hog producers. We dare you not to smile! Source: National Hog Farmer, June … [Read more...]
Yuk! 5 vile veterinary dermatological conditions (photo gallery)
Whew! I’ve always had a great deal of respect for the livestock veterinarians who routinely stand in the stuff and reach in the things. Animal health pros working in veterinary dermatology may never need a new rotator cuff. Still, Dr. Melissa Hall’s description and graphic photos of five of the most cringeworthy dermatologic conditions she has encountered garners a new … [Read more...]
Meet Willie Nelson, the horseman (videos included)
Music icon Willie Nelson shares the story behind his song, “A Horse Called Music.” The story couldn’t be simpler. Enjoy the music video! It also includes clips of a couple of Nelson’s heroes, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, and their horses Champion and Trigger, as well as some of his favorite scenes from his 1986 film, Red Headed Stranger. Source: Horse Network, June 8, … [Read more...]
Find the word that’s on the tip of your tongue
That term you’re searching for might be on the tip of your tongue, but most of the time, all you can do about it is stew until you either: a) have an epiphany, or b) use some nonsense word like whatchamacallit and move on. Source: Science of Us, June 12, 2017. Researchers refer to this “tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon” indicating it’s not quite as simple as just blanking out. … [Read more...]
Opinion – Virus detection reinforces sanitation
There’s a lesson here for all animal health pros. Diseases are easily spread. Consider how many times we forget that one of the more important roles of veterinary medicine and animal husbandry prevention processes is population control. Congratulations to this multi-disciplined team of researchers whose persistence has identified potential for disease contamination in trucks … [Read more...]
Rural broadband expansion continues
Animal health pros often site restrictions to broadband access as a modern pain point in rural areas. As we become more dependent on point-of-contact records and software, the addition of nearly 1,000 miles of fiber in rural California, Illinois, Iowa and Texas will help. Source: AgWeb, June 13, 2017. USDA announced it is awarding $43.6 million in loans with the intent to … [Read more...]
Recognize the signs of pain in pets (includes video)
Janice Huntingford, DVM, believes pet owners and veterinarians can work together to identify pain in dogs and cats. The pet owner is likely to be the first to notice that their pet is in pain if they know what to look for. Source: Veterinary Medicine, May 30, 2017. Watch the video to learn how Dr. Huntingford describes often-overlooked signs of pain to pet owners, or read … [Read more...]
Mitigate the costs of care in small animal practice
Access to veterinary care and, unfortunately, economic euthanasia, are problems we can no longer afford to ignore, shares Barry Kipperman, DVM, DACVIM. He notes that 30 years into his career, our profession has made significant technological advances, but negotiating with clients over the costs of patient care remains unchanged. Source: Veterinary Medicine, June 8, … [Read more...]
Learn how each team member likes to work
As a manager, it helps to spend time up front connecting and creating a common language with your team. As members of the team change or current team members’ lives change, this exercise applies to seasoned managers, as well as new managers. Source: Harvard Business Review, May 30, 2017. When your team knows how you like to work and how you plan to manage them, they’re able … [Read more...]
Exercise versus caffeine: Which fights fatigue better?
Multiple research studies have shown that sleep deprivation has the same effect on our cognition and coordination as a few alcoholic beverages. Animal health pros tend to work hard, long, demanding hours. Learn how both caffeine and exercise can benefit your periods of fatigue. Source: Harvard Health Publications, June 8, 2017. The take-home message? Caffeine can provide a … [Read more...]
Help employees be accountable
Almost every day the news brings us another story of some personal indiscretion that is ultimately blamed on someone else. “The dog ate my homework,” and “she hit me first,” are two childish examples. Yet, we now have adults abdicating responsibility for their own misadventures. Unfortunately, this lack of accountability is becoming more prevalent in our workplaces. Managing it … [Read more...]
11 things you should know about dogs and fireworks
Independence Day celebrations are a couple weeks away. The time to prepare for the anxiety dogs experience from the sounds of fireworks is now, not then. Our friends at Purina developed 11 common-sense tips that are useful fodder for websites, blogs and newsletter. Hurry and share. July 4th is almost here. Source: Purina. Before July 4th rolls around, here are eleven things … [Read more...]
Whisker fatigue isn’t funny
While it may be a beneficial term for cat food makers and cat food bowl manufacturers, whisker fatigue appears to be an actual diagnosis. When cats must eat from deep bowls and their whiskers rub against the sides, it can be a stressful experience. In turn, they may paw their food to the floor or become irritable during mealtimes. Source: New York Times, June 5, 2017 … [Read more...]
A traumatic experience can reshape your microbiome
With so much effort to find alternatives to antibiotics, we wanted to share this article describing the brain-gut connection. A team of researchers recently found that our guts may harbor evidence of difficult life experiences many years after the fact, changing everything from how we digest food to how we process stress. Source: Science of US, June 1, 2017. Even more than … [Read more...]