Thanksgiving is a week from today. It’s a great holiday, but it can also present hazards for pets. AVMA offers home, party and travel advice that’s ready to go in clinic counter material, blogs and newsletters. Source: AVMA. Holiday food needs to be kept away from pets, and pet owners who travel need to either transport their pets safely or find safe accommodations for them … [Read more...]
Avoid, treat equine ulcers
Studies indicate that between 60 to 90 percent of horses have gastric ulcers. Stress from showing or intense riding can exacerbate dormant problems. Animal health pros can share these quick tips with horse owners to help address equine ulcer prevention and treatment. Source: Horse and Rider, web posting. Here's how you can help your horses avoid ulcers: Provide … [Read more...]
Build off-leash skills in dogs
Most dog owners would love to go leash-free when taking out their dogs. However, there is no way to guarantee the safety of a dog off-leash. Skills presented here can improve on the human-animal bond and reduce risk should a dog get loose. Source: Whole Dog Daily, November 13, 2016. Mardi Richmond from Santa Cruz, California offers tips and perspectives about off-leash … [Read more...]
Behavior drugs, nothing to fear
Veterinary teams are slowly getting over their concerns about using behavior drugs. The debate about animal anxiety continues but, “it should have been dead decades ago,” says Nicholas H. Dodman, BVMS, Dipl. ACVA, Dipl. ACVB. Client acceptance is stronger now as more humans use anti-anxiety and depression medications. Source: Veterinary Practice News, November 8, … [Read more...]
Healthy gut, healthy pig
The gut of a pig contains 70 percent of his immune system, which makes it a crucial barrier to keep out pathogens and toxins. The investment to support gut health pay offs by helping to set up the pig for lifetime production and performance. Source: National Hog Farmer, November 11, 2016. To work toward a pig’s optimal health and to give the young pig the best chance to … [Read more...]
Harness depicts canine moods
A harness called Inupathy ("inu" means dog in Japanese), has been invented by biologist Joji Yamaguchi. It measures the dog's heart rate and uses an algorithm to indicate different moods through a colored LED light. Red means excited or anxious, blue for relaxed, white for focused and rainbow for happy. Source: The Bark, November 10, 2016. Inupathy is expected to be … [Read more...]
Drs. Blach and Clark, tips for healthier practices
Is My Practice Healthy? is a practice development commitment from Edward L. Blach, DVM, MS, MBA, and Andrew R. Clark, DVM, MBA. Each week, they write tips and commentary in a platform designed to provide an educational venue and community where stakeholders in the veterinary industry can go to learn about veterinary practice management and industry economics. Our team at AHD … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – CEVA tackles feline fleas and ticks
Ceva announced the introduction of Catego™, the first fast-acting flea and tick topical parasiticide made specifically for cats on November 2, 2016. It contains the active ingredients Dinotefuran, Fipronil and Pyriproxyfen. Catego kills fleas within six hours, and on the day of application achieves 97% efficacy within three hours, according to company references. Source: … [Read more...]
New End-of-Life Care Guidelines
AAHA teamed up with the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) to create the 2016 AAHA/IAAHPC End-of-Life Care Guidelines. A first for the veterinary profession, these groundbreaking guidelines provide practice teams with the framework and tools to develop a comprehensive, collaborative, end-of-life plan and better recognize the needs of … [Read more...]
Get Smart About Antibiotics Week
Four educational programs are available on VetFolio during the November 14-20, 2016 antibiotics week. An annual one-week observance promoted by the Centers for Disease Control, the objective is to raise awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic prescribing and use. Source: VetFolio, November 12, 2016. Learn more about the … [Read more...]
New canine blood bank to serve DFW metroplex
When dogs undergo surgery or get hurt in accidents, they sometimes need emergency transfusions. Canine Blood Heroes is opening its first Texas location. It will operate from the Animal Emergency Hospital of North Texas in Grapevine. Once stocked, the facility will serve animal hospitals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Source: pressreader, November 12, 2016 and Dallas Morning … [Read more...]
Leaders have flaws, too
Even the most brilliant leaders have flaws. The story of Civil Water General Stonewall Jackson, an extremely effective battlefield strategist, illustrates how flaws limit the potential of even the best leaders. Source: War History Online, October 30, 2016. Yet despite all these faults, Jackson played a vital role in the Confederate army and is rightly remembered as a … [Read more...]
Know which products need a VFD before time runs out
The veterinary feed directive (VFD) takes effect January 1, 2017. Here’s a handy list of products affected by the new rule compiled by the National Pork Board and the University of Wisconsin. Source: AGDAILY, November 10, 2016. A VFD can only be issued from a licensed veterinarian, based on a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, before a producer may use feeds … [Read more...]
Stop the leash pulling, PLEASE!
Following chronic barking and house soiling, stopping leash pulling is a top dog owner wish. This behavior adjustment is also a safety measure for owners. The video resources and the training approaches presented here are good tools to share with clients and customers. Source: Petcha.com, November 8, 2016. Here are a few reasons dogs pull on the leash: They have four … [Read more...]
Golden retriever’s favorite toy comes to life
Just for fun! See what happens when a dog’s favorite toy comes to life. Source: Petcha.com, November 8, 2016. Watch how a dog reacted when her favorite toy, a Gumby doll, seemingly sprang to life. … [Read more...]
Leave the work stress behind
Animal health pros frequently allow work stress to become home stress, often at the expense of families, relationships and our own health. Jackie Coleman and John Coleman share five tips for keeping work stress from becoming home stress: Confine your work to particular times and locations Develop good mobile device habits Establish a good support network Have an … [Read more...]
Editorial – Assemble a top-notch crash cart
Maybe I spent too long in marketing, sales and sales leadership. For any distributor representative, this article provides an awesome opportunity to have a targeted discussion about being prepared with veterinary hospital team members. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, August 2016. Preparation is key to performing well in any emergency situation, and nowhere is preparation … [Read more...]
Rising shipping costs coming
FTR, a transportation forecasting firm, believes that shipping rates will increase soon as available capacity will be negatively impacted by economic conditions while a new regulatory drag will affect the trucking industry in 2017. The firm predicts that current wave of new regulations will last at least through 2019, which could see the Shippers Conditions Index drop to new … [Read more...]
Vetted looks at tomorrow’s vet med
See the futurist views of veterinary industry specialists in these areas: The topic of cancer Critical care on another level A retrospective on the fantastic fate of feline medicine Dentistry The prominence of public health A vital future, with one caveat – student debt vs. salary potential Destiny of dermatology Source: Vetted, October 14, 2016. Stop … [Read more...]
Vendor discounts can reduce profit
Andrew Clark offers some spot-on perspective discussing vendor discounts. We would add: Markup is a cost-based calculation while margin is a price-based formula Pricing and invoicing of dispensed items is a market-conditions discipline to remain competitive Free goods should be received at their unit value, not $0.00 Source: Is My Practice Healthy?, November 5, … [Read more...]
Help ensure cats play with safe toys
Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant, offers points to consider when choosing hazard-free toys for feline pets. These tips can be used by animal health pros in kitten kits, on websites, in newsletters and blogs. Source: Catster, October 21, 2016. Encourage cats to play! It enriches their lives and is a fun source of physical, mental, and emotional … [Read more...]
Hemp-derived CBD eases dogs’ anxiety
Amidst controversy about legalized marijuana, enter hemp-derived CBD (cannabidiol). You have likely heard heard of the benefits of hemp-derived CBD products for pain management, but may be surprised to learn they also help address behavioral problems. Dr. Robert Silver, a licensed, nationally recognized holistic veterinarian, explains the potential. Source: Modern Dog, … [Read more...]
R E S P E C T retains clients
Steven Pearson, DVM, shares five ways to ensure your veterinary practice can meet clients' needs. He reminds us all that time is valuable, regardless on which side of the exam table you stand. He says practices must provide high-quality services in a relaxed and consistently respectful manner to reach their full potential. Source: Veterinary Practice News, November 1, 2016. … [Read more...]
Unlearning, not learning, is a real challenge
Many of us have experienced unlearning after buying a different automobile. The new key works differently, the gearshift is now on the column or the windows are controlled by a button not a crank handle. Mark Bonchek suggests that learning organizations have focused incorrectly. The problem isn’t learning: it’s unlearning. In every aspect of business, we are operating with … [Read more...]
It’s OK to never wash your coffee mug
What? That was the first reaction to this headline. An interesting scientific take on those dirty, stained mugs that exist in nearly every office environment follows. Source: Science of US, November 3, 2016. It’s fine to never wash your mug, as long as you’re not sharing it with anybody else. Better than fine, in fact: It may actually be the most sanitary option. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Engineers study how hummingbirds hover
Mechanical engineers at Stanford University are studying the biomechanics of hummingbird hovering flight. The combination of technology and biology shown here is fascinating. Animal health pros will appreciate the video and the direction of the research presented. Source: bioGraphic, October 18, 2016. Hummingbirds are true masters of flight. As the tiny birds move from … [Read more...]
Win the talent war with effective coaching
Developing talent in newly hired veterinary school graduates has long been a primary requirement in practice success. Mentoring a new graduate is challenging and often does not follow a defined plan. Magdalena Mook asserts that developing a strong coaching culture across all employee strata is an important element of retention and competitiveness. Source: Human Resource … [Read more...]
Mobile greatly influences searches, purchases
Price transparency is truly in-hand, according to a recent survey that investigates how U.S. consumers use their smartphones in stores. 47 percent plan to use their smartphone to search for competitors' prices 36 percent will look up product reviews 30 percent will sign up to receive in-store promotions 28 percent will take pictures for future reference 16 … [Read more...]
Elephant footprints create microhabitats
Just for fun! A recent study of footprint impressions of the African elephant revealed the water-filled imprints can host mayflies, leeches, tadpoles and more. Source: Scientific American, November 2016. Researchers at Germany's University of Koblenz-Landau and other institutions analyzed the contents of 30 footprint pools in Uganda. They found that at least 61 different … [Read more...]
Develop effective elevator pitches
Presenting yourself effectively is an important skill. Whether networking, interviewing for a job or meeting with clients, being able to concisely communicate what you do is a critical success skill. Source: Personal Branding Blog, November 3, 2016. Outplacement organizations tell clients that in order to be prepared for different kinds of circumstances; they must have both … [Read more...]