Staying abreast of nutritional guidelines is challenging. The U.S. Department of Agriculture updates dietary guidelines for Americans every five years. Women’s needs vary from men’s and age plays a role, too. Source: Repertoire, August 2016. Four main areas receive focus in this article referencing Harvard Medical Publications: Vary food choices Rethink fats Curb … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Procedure lighting quality critical
Lighting technology has evolved immensely in the past decade. There are new terms to understand and more options to consider. Lighting needs vary by practice, location and procedure. Source: Repertoire, August 2016. Consider this checklist before you invest in new or upgraded clinic lighting: Intensity Color Heat generation Shadow reduction Positioning … [Read more...]
Egg binding in pet birds
Cockatiels, budgerigars (e.g. parakeets) and finches are the most popular pet birds worldwide and the species most commonly affected by egg binding. These birds tend to present with more severe clinical signs, possibly because of their small size. Egg binding is the failure of an egg to pass within a normal period of time. Although there can be variability and numerous … [Read more...]
Apiary owners must bee ready for VFD
New Veterinary Feed Directive regulations are will apply to beekeepers’ apiaries. Yes, bees are considered livestock by the federal government. European foulbrood is a bacterial disease that affects honeybee larvae before the capped state and is characterized by dead and dying larvae in the hive. It is treated with oxytetracycline sold under the trade name Terramycin and is … [Read more...]
Type A designation to go up in smoke?
In the category of “WHAT?” we offer this piece on how the origin of Type A personalities has research funding origins from tobacco companies. As the old saying goes, “put that in your pipe and smoke it.” Source: Science of US, August 22, 2016. Detail-oriented as they are, the Type A’s among us may be interested to know three curious facts concerning the origin story of … [Read more...]
NAVTA now recognizes 13 veterinary technician specialties
The Academy of Veterinary Ophthalmic Technicians has been recognized as an official specialty by NAVTA as of August 16. The NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technicians Specialties (CVTS) was formed in 1994 and is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The CVTS provides guidelines to veterinary technician organizations to facilitate the formation of a specialty … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Parasitology experts discuss vector control
Ceva recently announced the second phase of a study by John McCall, MS, PhD, which examines the effects of topical repellent-insecticide plus oral heartworm preventive on development of heartworm disease. The results support using a topical parasiticide to repel and kill mosquitoes, rather than relying solely on an oral heartworm preventive. Ceva’s educational campaign elements … [Read more...]
Travel with the right horse papers
It takes a handful of documents to travel across the country with horses. In addition to health certificates and Coggins tests, this author outlines equine and personal documents critical when crossing state lines. It is a good reference piece to share with horse owners. Source: The Trail Rider. Rebecca Gimenez, PhD, shares information about each travel document: what … [Read more...]
AAEP risk-based vaccinations
This article provides a refresher for equine veterinary teams. Veterinarians are uniquely positioned to understand the risks posed to individual horses because of where they live, the lifestyles to which owners expose them and the diseases that are active in a practice area. Reviewing the facts about equine diseases that can be prevented or minimized through vaccination is … [Read more...]
Cure tail rubbing in horses
The main causes of tail rubbing in horses are presented in this article. It also offers ways horse owners might treat the issue(s), Including involving veterinarians. Bugs Pinworms Dirt, sweat, dry skin Other allergies Habit Source: Horse and Rider, August 14, 2016. Tail rubbing can be a frustrating problem. Sometimes the cause of a horse’s itching isn’t … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – The importance of mosquito control and repellency
Phase 2 of a study by John McCall, MS, PhD, further supports using a topical parasiticide to repel and kill mosquitoes, rather than relying solely on an oral heartworm preventive. His two studies combined send a powerful message regarding the efficacy of a double defense protocol. Ceva’s campaign website FightHeartwormNow.com now includes a series of videos featuring key … [Read more...]
Mosquitos and horse health from AQHA sponsors
The AQHA Daily health archive contains two articles about mosquitoes and West Nile virus provided by AQHA sponsors. Horse owners should read these. Animal health pros who interact with horse owners should be familiar with information like this. Source: AQHA Daily, July 2016. Equine west nile threat increases during peak mosquito season, July 31, 2016. What horse … [Read more...]
3 tips stop chaotic barking when the doorbell rings
Jennifer Mauger, certified dog trainer, offers tips to help silence dogs when the doorbell rings. She references classical conditioning methods to redirect a dog’s associations with the doorbell. Consider using this article for blog posts, websites or as a pet owner handout. Source: Petcha.com, August 16, 2016. Mauger’s tips require practice and repetition but work: … [Read more...]
Janet Donlin to succeed Ron DeHaven at AVMA
Congratulations to Janet Donlin, DVM, CAE, as she assumes the day-to-day leadership of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Donlin replaces Ron DeHaven, DVM, MBA, as executive vice president and CEO of the 88,000-member organization. Dr. DeHaven is retiring September 12 after nine years in the post. Source: AVMA@Work, August 11, 2016. Retiring CEO DeHaven said … [Read more...]
The impact of pet food purchase frequency
Veterinary teams and retailers often struggle with managing pet food marketing opportunities. In addition to space and inventory concerns, ensuring the product moves out is critical to getting margin on sales. David Sprinkle shares that the frequency of pet food purchasing is a key factor to pet food retailing and target marketing. Frequency of purchasing affects everything … [Read more...]
How to have a great one-on-one
Often there’s a problem that needs discussing, but your boss always seems too busy. So, you keep it quiet and hope it goes away. Sound familiar? Without regular one-on-ones, team members' work might be overlooked and development opportunities forgotten. Other workplace problems, such as team disputes or mistakes, could also get ignored. Good one-on-ones are the cornerstone of … [Read more...]
Handling scheduled drugs requires teamwork
Team accountability sums up this article about scheduled drug handling. Too frequently, we forget that inventory is managed best by a trained, knowledgeable team. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, August 2016, page 13. Team Takeaways: Veterinarians: Each veterinarian should carry his or her own individual DEA license, as well as any required state licensure, to ensure … [Read more...]
Antibiotic resistance: a human health perspective
Our AHD team urges all animal health professionals to read this three-page overview of the inherent challenges we will deal with as the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) grows. Source: National Institute for Animal Agriculture, August 11, 2016. Sustainable solutions to the AMR problem are required because the “arms race” between human efforts to find magic bullets to … [Read more...]
New dog breeder certification program verifies standards
The Pet Leadership Council, an organization comprised of pet industry leaders, animal welfare advocates, veterinarians and academia, announced its support for Canine Care Certified, a new national, voluntary program that sets rigorous, science-based standards for professional breeders. The program is built on five pillars of care for dogs and puppies in a professional breeding … [Read more...]
Best price does not guarantee best value
Andrew R. Clark, DVM, MBA, details the cost of shopping for the best price. His calculations are worth reviewing. Beyond the cost of shopping, there is also the cost of a separate purchase order, another check needed to pay an extra invoice and the likelihood of a separate box to receive, verify and stock with the “deal” purchased. Source: Is My Practice Healthy?, August 12, … [Read more...]
Inventory availability critical to distributor relationships
Eric Jensen shares his thoughts on how customers value distribution based on a survey of wholesale distributors. The results place inventory availability nearly as important as relationships. Technical support ranked third, while delivery time and price ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Source: Industrial Distribution, August 12, 2016. If you are a distributor, while … [Read more...]
5 alternatives to cat declaws
It is tremendously frustrating for clients if their cat scratches everything, but there are alternatives to surgical declawing. This author shares simple things cat owners can do to prevent unwanted scratching and avoid a major surgery: Make the objects of inappropriate scratching unattractive Get some good scratching surfaces Provide distractions Trim cat’s … [Read more...]
Reality TV comes to the Vet University
Life at Vet U, a new docu-series will soon air on Animal Planet. The program follows a group of fourth-year veterinary students as they complete their training while learning from pioneers of veterinary medicine at Penn Vet's Ryan Hospital and New Bolton Center. A premiere date has not been announced. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 1, 2016. View a special trailer … [Read more...]
Embracing the open pet pharmaceutical transition
Results from the 2015 Pet Pharmaceutical Market Study, a collaboration of Brakke Consulting, Inc., and Trone Brand Energy are summarized in three main areas: Tracking the portable pet prescription movement Diminishing veterinary pharmacy revenues Veterinary pharmacy revenue loss coping strategies The study collected responses from U.S. companion animal … [Read more...]
TV schedule for equestrian events at the 2016 Olympics
Viewing options for Olympic equestrian events are provided for network, cable and streaming sources. Source: HorseChannel.com, August 1, 2016. There’s good news and less-good news for equestrian sports fans in the United States as the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro approach. The good news is that pretty much everyone, no matter how they consume television, will get … [Read more...]
Preparing for IRS Section 179 tax deductions
The end of the year will be here before you know it. Now is a good time to look into those capital equipment options to help take advantage of the IRS Section 179 tax deductions. Pam Foster shares information targeted for distribution representatives in this two-part series. The information is applicable to veterinary teams as well. Source: Vet Advantage Blog. Starting … [Read more...]
Dr. Little’s students write for Exponential Vet
Summer participants in the Veterinary Student Innovation Program write about what might be coming. The veterinary students have been working alongside early stage animal health companies to help bridge the gap between technology and the veterinary practice. See their contributions on the following topics: Turning suture material into biological sensors Starving cancer … [Read more...]
Some NSAIDs work better than others for osteoarthritis
As mainstay treatment for osteoarthritis, NSAIDs inhibit one or more steps in arachidonic acid metabolism, including inhibition of prostaglandins by cyclooxygenase (COX). Sales representatives and veterinary teams will find this review of drugs and supplements valuable. Consider using it to lead a discussion in a veterinary team meeting or during a lunch and learn … [Read more...]
Anthrax spreads from reindeer to humans in Siberian heat wave
For the first time since 1941, there is an anthrax outbreak. One child has died, and almost 100 other persons have been hospitalized, with dozens of confirmed cases. More than 2,300 reindeer have succumbed to the disease. “There is no epidemic in Yamal. Only a small area was quarantined,” the region’s governor told the Associated Press. Yamal is a subdivision of … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Multimodal approach needed in heartworm prevention
Phase 2 of a groundbreaking study by John McCall, MS, PhD, demonstrates a great need to change the approach to fighting the rising incidence of heartworm infection in dogs. New data shows that blocking transmission from dogs to mosquitoes and from mosquitoes to dogs, using repellents/insecticides and macrocyclic lactone preventives are part of a multimodal approach. McCall's … [Read more...]