If Super Bowl LI taught us anything, it was to persevere and stay focused. Often, the best defense is a good offense, even when you don’t get rolling until the fourth quarter. The same principles are applicable when confronted with a low-cost or low-price competitor. Laura Patterson discusses five ways to have a fighting chance: Differentiate Be customer-centric … [Read more...]
Animals get first-class treatment at JFK
It doesn’t qualify as an airport lounge, but the new ARK at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City provides top-flight services to animals travelling by air. Racebrook, the company backing the project, partnered with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the New York State Department of Agriculture, to build the world’s first privately owned … [Read more...]
“I recommend . . .” or “Rover needs . . .”
Confidence is contagious. Your customers buy you before they buy a treatment, dental care, preventatives and anything else. Remember, it is important to demonstrate your confidence in the courses of action you advocate. Source: Evan Carmichael, 2015. A leader cannot inspire anyone to a higher point of view than his own viewpoint. That is why it is essential you believe in … [Read more...]
SAD affects dogs, too
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a well-known human ailment. Darker, drearier, winter days may cause low moods. New research reveals it seems to affect dogs too. “Lethargy, an increased appetite, irritability and a reluctance to go outside and exercise are typical behaviors exhibited by dogs in the colder months when natural sunlight is at a minimum.” Source: Dogs Today, … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – AAHA Resources for dental month
Improve dentistry at your practice and help clients understand the value of proper dental care with a variety of resources from AAHA Press. It is easy to let the month of February go by without acknowledging Nation Pet Dental Health Month. Fortunately, animal health pros understand the importance of promoting dental care for our animals. The resources available help enable … [Read more...]
Biter or catnip-er
Cat owners will appreciate the perspective in this excerpt about biting in cats. A cat may be a mild biter during play or may mean business when she chomps down, inflicting pain and drawing blood. In either case, biting behavior must be corrected. Source: Tuft’s Catnip, January 30, 2017. Biting may have become a very effective means of communication for a cat. She may … [Read more...]
Tunes calm dogs
Dogs were generally less stressed when they heard music, and they showed a slight preference for reggae and soft rock according to researchers at the University of Glasgow. Source: The Washington Post, January 27, 2017. The study, published in the journal Physiology and Behavior, built on previous research by the same team that found shelter dogs hearing classical music … [Read more...]
Science, micro-bugs and dirt
Animal health pros will appreciate this AgProfessional’s Readers’ Choice 2016 product of the year even if they never use it directly. Consider the pressure on GMOs and traditional methods of antibiotic use. Now look at what science can do to dirt to make it more nutrient rich for crops. Source: Ag Pro, January 30, 2017. Focusing on microbials for soil health is still a … [Read more...]
Assess senior horses’ quality of life frequently
Geriatric horses should be seen at least yearly, and more frequently if they have metabolic issues, such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, hoof or dental disorders or some other chronic illness. During annual health checks, Joanne L. Ireland, BVMS, PhD, Cert AVP(EM), MRCVS, recommends that veterinarians include an assessment of activities and functional tasks similar to … [Read more...]
Sheep Yoda makes heart surgery history
Yoda, a therapy sheep at the Ranch Hand Rescue Counseling Center and Animal Sanctuary, has made history by undergoing Patent Ductus Arteriosus ligation. Sometimes observed in humans after birth, PDA is a heart problem in which the ductus arteriosus blood vessel remains open, which allows blood to recirculate into the lungs. Surgical repair has been done on children, dogs and … [Read more...]
Bugs in the kibble
Insects are a promising source to generate protein sustainably and with a low carbon footprint. Bühler Insect Technology Solutions, located in China, has begun operations to develop scalable, industrial solutions for the rearing and processing of insects to provide novel protein sources for livestock, human and pet food. Source: Petfood Industry, January 17, 2017. One … [Read more...]
15 life hacks that could help you
Sara Todd writes, small, seemingly mundane changes you make to your daily routine can deliver returns. They can work for busy veterinary practices and seven-day-a-week retail employees. Source: Quartz, December 2, 2016. Here is a sample of the hacks Ms. Todd shares: I started planning my outfits for the week on Sundays I stopped mindlessly scrolling through my … [Read more...]
You and your dog’s personalities influence how you both walk
The general conclusions of a recent study showed the personalities of human and dog influence the walk, and that the walk is a part of life which involves power negotiations between the dog and the human. It also reports that according to those interviewed for the study, people want their dogs to enjoy getting to “be a dog” by running free on walks. Source: The Bark, January … [Read more...]
Vet-Advantage acquired by NAVC
Congratulations to Chris Kelly and the team at Veterinary Advantage as they become part of the mix at NAVC. Our team at AHD wishes them and the NAVC the best. Source: NAVC, January 27, 2016. Veterinary Advantage joins the NAVC alongside clinical, peer reviewed journals, Today's Veterinary Practice and Today’s Veterinary Technician, as well as a new business journal, Today’s … [Read more...]
Editorial – It may be time for vendor-managed inventory
Dr. Blach presses the thinking envelope again. He asserts that vendor-managed and potentially vendor-owned inventory may be closer than we think. It is hard to imagine how this could happen since most practices and retailers cannot replenish inventory today based on a running forecast. Vendor-managed inventory would theoretically eliminate stock-outs, but integrating … [Read more...]
Stay calm, listen to the dogs
Dogs are not fully colorblind. They have limited color vision, similar to humans with red-green colorblindness. They’re particularly good at seeing shades of blue, although they don’t have the same range when it comes to seeing shades of gray. When it comes to dogs’ metaphorical vision, they live in a world that is entirely black and white, says Cesar Milan. Source: … [Read more...]
Kentucky Horse Park celebrates Man o’War centennial
2017 marks the 100th birthday of Man o’War, and the Kentucky Horse Park is honoring the legend with a yearlong series of events celebrating his centennial. They kick off March 29, the date Man o’ War was foaled. Source: Horse Network, January 25, 2017. Man o’ War is a true American icon, born in Kentucky before going on to capture the country’s imagination by winning 20 of … [Read more...]
Thinking offensively or defensively matters
Kevin Eikenberry offers several contrasting statements that you can use to determine if you're attacking opportunities or reacting to situations. If you don’t challenge yourself with it, you will operate from your habits now and in the long-term. This may not give you the results you want most. Source: Leadership and Learning, January 2, 2017. If you choose to focus on … [Read more...]
3 hard words. “I don’t know.”
The best leaders use these three hard words, “I don’t know!” Lisa Kohn suggests we expect our leaders and ourselves to be infallible. It’s a huge – and impossible – mantle to carry. Instead we need to: Admit when we don’t have the answer Surround ourselves with smart people Be open to other perspectives Find people who’ve walked this road before But remember … [Read more...]
4 customer service plan essentials
As trends for increased self-service and detached decision making grow, the importance of building superior customer service teams can get lost. Andrew Medal brings the perspectives of a serial entrepreneur to this topic. The insights apply to animal health pros in traditional businesses, too. Source: Entrepreneur, January 20, 2017. Customer service is one of the most … [Read more...]
Editorial – They say we don’t care
Critics and non-agricultural lobbyists often criticize animal health pros for not caring about the environment, odors or greenhouse gases. This article flies in the faces of such critics. Source: WATTAgNet, January 20, 2017. Perdue Farms has expanded its $68 million investment in nutrient recycling on the Delmarva Peninsula with the addition of a $12 million capital … [Read more...]
11 pet food trends forecast for 2017
Experts believe pet owners will increasingly demand the same qualities in pet food they want in their own meals, such as familiar ingredients, sustainability and nutrition. Our AHD team believes some of these trends will greatly affect veterinary teams and retail associates. Review this list and consider how you may address these trends as they appear in your … [Read more...]
Eagle gets cancer operation at 46
Jess, a 46 year old wedge-tailed eagle, had a growth on his eyelid. It was considered harmless when discovered in 2015, but it recently flared up and required surgery. Learn how ophthalmologist Dr. Andrew Turner and his team operated and treated this squamous cell carcinoma. Source: The Age, January 16, 2017. There's a good chance Jess is the first wedge tailed eagle to … [Read more...]
Acclimate relief veterinarians to ensure good patient care
It is up to practice leadership and permanent team to ensure relief veterinarians are an asset to a practice without affecting the quality of patient care. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, July 2016. (partial access). First, the veterinarian and/or practice owner should prepare the team to work with a new relief veterinarian by highlighting the reasons he or she was chosen. … [Read more...]
Go home dads. The kids NEED you!
Just being a breadwinner is a rapidly fading role for men with children. The parenting resources for dads are lacking, so most are left guessing how to improve. All the studies show that the influence fathers have in the lives of their children is far greater than what was once commonly believed. The fact is that dads have a greater role in parenting than ever … [Read more...]
Kirby’s Rule of 20
The Kirby’s Rule of 20 is a classic checklist of 20 important patient parameters. Its creator, Rebecca Kirby, double board-certified in internal medicine and critical care, is the former owner of Animal Emergency Center in Glendale, Wisconsin. This checklist would help create good discussion at an upcoming practice team meeting. Don’t forget to discuss what it means to give … [Read more...]
Swine industry audits ensure safe pork
Consumer demand continues to grow for certified safe foods. The National Pork Board responded to these demands by developing an extension of the Pork Quality Assurance Plus certification called the Common Swine Industry Audit. Source: National Hog Farmer, January 2017. The CSIA, certified by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) in October of … [Read more...]
Similar, yet different
Not humanizing your dog’s mind is the best thing that you can do. Dogs and humans are very different species, reminds Cesar Millan. With dogs, our first instinct is often humanization — to treat a dog like a person — which is how a lot of canine behavior problems begin. With dogs, we need to be constantly aware of how we are different and how we are the same as them. Source: … [Read more...]
Work with vet to control parasites in goats
Successful parasite management is essential to maintaining a healthy goat herd. While parasites are naturally present in most goats, they become disruptive to health and productivity in large quantities. Goat owners can prevent parasitism by keeping a clean environment and frequently rotating pastures. Working with a veterinarian to analyze fecal samples, deworming strategies … [Read more...]
Rethink the concept of dangerous dogs
New research suggests it’s time to stop thinking of dogs as either safe or dangerous. In most cases canine aggression seems to be a learned response to a particular situation, not a personality characteristic, since a dog that growls or bites in one situation may not do so in other contexts. The article references a large survey from Rachel Casey et al, at the University of … [Read more...]