Almost every sales expert will extol the virtues of storytelling in the sales process. But, not every story is effective. It must be relevant to the listener. (Answer the question “why should I care?” in your opening.) It must connect emotionally with the listener first, then analytically with a payoff that describes what the listener will have as a result of your … [Read more...]
The impact of training recommendations on patients and clients
Behavior-related issues are cited as determining factors in more than half of all pets relinquished to shelters. This AAVSB RACE-accredited article helps reset expectations for what modern dog training should be and the importance of veterinary team members’ knowledge of training approaches and local trainers. Source: NAVTA Journal, Apr/May 2016, page 36. (direct link … [Read more...]
Here come the bugs!
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) gazed into the future and doesn’t like what’s coming. Its computer models for 2016, released April 19, predict growing threats to dogs and cats from multiple vector-borne diseases. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 19, 2016. For the entire year, CAPC predicts: Growing risk of Lyme disease in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and … [Read more...]
3 tips help keep pets safe during storms
Storm season will be around for a few more weeks. These three, common-sense tips will help keep your pets as safe as possible during severe weather. Source: White Oaks Veterinary Clinic. You can increase the chances that your pet will survive a storm by following these tips from our Edmond, OK, veterinary team... … [Read more...]
Local DVM recommends year-round prevention
Lawrence Gerson, VMD, shares his perspective and recommendations for heartworm and other parasites. He references the recent attention to mosquitoes and the Zika virus, the need for year-round prevention and its benefits on other parasite threats to pets and humans. Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 23, 2016. (via AVMA SmartBrief, April 25, 2016) Dogs can be bitten by … [Read more...]
Steps to a more satisfying life
There is at least one tip for everyone in this article. Here are four of eleven tips offered: Set appropriate expectations at home, at work and in the community. Spend 10% of your time creating and monitoring your life plan. Be present in all that you do. Multitasking is not being present. Measure accomplishment by results rather than by hours worked. Source: … [Read more...]
Editorial – Re-examine your e-commerce strategy
"Digital channels have become the dominant medium for influencing decision-making and building a stronger relationship between the brand and the end user”, says a 2011 Oracle report. It is past time for veterinary hospitals to reassess and update their digital strategies to include product sales. While this article focuses on distribution, consider that for many consumer … [Read more...]
Stay safe during tornadoes
Spring storm season is in high gear. With it comes rain, wind, hail and tornadoes. Driving safety may seem basic, yet reminders like these never hurt. Share with team members who may be servicing routes and sales folks on the road. Source: Travelers. Remember, severe weather demands your undivided attention, so turn down the radio and minimize other distractions. … [Read more...]
10 Memorial Day pet safety tips
The Memorial Day weekend is just a month away. There’ll be picnics, campouts, boat rides and even fireworks. What’s celebratory to us may not be to our pets. Here are 10 pet safety tips ready to include in newsletters, blogs and counter materials. Source: Pet 360. Unlike people, dogs won’t associate the noise, flashes and burning smell of pyrotechnics with a celebration. … [Read more...]
Horseboarding, a growing new sport
Under the category of what will they think of next, horse enthusiasts in the UK have a new sport. It combines a form of skateboarding, a piece of rope, obstacle courses and horses. Source: Horse Network, April 22, 2016. A Horseboarding “team” is comprised of one horse and two riders: the equestrian and a mountainboard rider, who’s towed behind the horse on a quick-release … [Read more...]
Learning to learn
“The ability to learn faster than your competitors may be the only sustainable competitive advantage,” said Arie de Geus, a business theorist. The animal health market is one place where complacency to learning could spell the end. Though targeted to executives, the guidance applies equally to all animal health professionals. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 2016. The … [Read more...]
Why money doesn’t motivate employees
Motivation is an age-old business problem. This article addresses some of the thinking behind using incentives to motivate employees. Note that there is an assumption that the standard pay level is enough to sustain employees’ basic needs. Source: Incentive, March 30, 2016. In many companies, money is the most frequently used motivator – even though research shows that … [Read more...]
Top dog and cat medical conditions
Learn about the top 10 medical conditions affecting dogs and cats and their associated costs based on Nationwide claims data from 2015. Here are the top three in each category. Top three medical conditions in dogs: Allergic dermatitis Otitis externa Benign skin neoplasia Top three medical conditions in cats: Feline cystitis, or FLUTD … [Read more...]
Free April AQHA Journal
This month's digital edition of The American Quarter Horse Journal, plus the Journal High-Point Supplement, are free for readers to enjoy via computer, tablet or phone. Many animal health professionals are aware of the AQHA but may never have seen its publication. Source: America’s Horse, April 11, 2016. Whether you’re a die-hard competitor, recreational rider, a horse … [Read more...]
Live a less distracted life
Thirty percent of daily productivity is lost by checking email within the first 30 minutes of waking up. Read about The 4 P’s of managing for a less distracted life: psychology, physiology, performance and persuasiveness from Tracy Dowdy, CVPM. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, April 2016. Research shows getting more than 8 hours of sleep a night improves memory, performance, … [Read more...]
Humans need vaccinations, too
Our Animal Health Digest team believes that animal health professionals are the best advocates for proactive disease management protocols, including vaccinations. While we study potential side effects and challenge select original duration of immunity terms, animal health pros in unison can advocate for preventative care in all species, including our own. This article shares … [Read more...]
Homemade feline diets are complex
Veterinary hospitals and retailers will find this article supportive of commercially available cat foods. Dr. Cailin Heinze strongly warns against preparing homemade cat meals without talking with a veterinarian and requesting a referral to consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Consider using this information on websites, in blogs or newsletters for feline … [Read more...]
Praise sandwiches don’t work
“If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all,” was likely taught to you by your parents. We’ve modified this coaching in business with "praise sandwiches”: criticisms wedged in between two generic compliments. Learn how this gives our brains indigestion. Source: Fast Company, April 14, 2016. Research has found that we remember concrete words like "chair" better than … [Read more...]
Nudging your customers may backfire
Marketers and sales representatives will find this article interesting. Maintaining the right reminder frequency is challenging. This is especially true in the most competitive point-of-sale locations where message clarity is met with strong counter messages. Veterinary teams are often hesitant to communicate proactively with customers, let alone nudge them. Learning to balance … [Read more...]
Pet weights are swelling
Cats and dogs are getting heavier, according to a release from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) that compares 2015 data to 2014 data. Source: DVM 360, March 17, 2016 cited in April 15 newsletter. One problem is that “overweight” remains largely undefined industry-wide. APOP defines clinical pet obesity as 30 percent above ideal weight. “Our profession … [Read more...]
Veterinarians get bad online reviews
Dr. Andy Roark indicates an older article has resurfaced in online communities. He takes us through three reasons respected veterinarians get bad online reviews: Guilt and sadness mutate Pets are amazing and miracles happen Second opinions have advantages Source: Dr. Andy Roark, November 15, 2015. More and more veterinarians I know and respect are getting … [Read more...]
Avoid the new allergy drug for dogs
This article warns pet owners of potential safety issues with Apoquel® (oclacitinib tablet), from Zoetis. It is indicated for the control of pruritus associated with allergic dermatitis and control of atopic dermatitis in dogs of at least 12 months of age. Holistic veterinarian Deva Khalsa, VMD, expresses opinions about the product’s mode of action, its safety profile and … [Read more...]
Horse eyes: know the basics
Equine eyes are fascinating structures. They have unique attributes and are highly complex. Most eye injuries require veterinary attention, but knowing some of the basics about how horse eyes work is beneficial. Read how David Ramey, DVM, describes how horses see, if they can see colors and much more basic information about equine eyes. Source: David Ramey, DVM, April 10, … [Read more...]
Sedating for a lameness exams may improve procedure
Mild sedation during lameness exams can help the procedure move along more smoothly and safely. However, the relaxation result of the sedative could skew results. Read this piece to learn what common lameness indicators the sedation affects and how veterinarians and owners take that into consideration. Source: Equus November, 2015 But sedation can make a horse sluggish, so … [Read more...]
Enteroliths: Colic-causing rocks
Enteroliths are rock-like concretions that are similar to gallstones in humans. They form in the large intestine of a horse; usually after the ingestion of a small pebble, grains of sand or other small, hard object. These rocks can cause anything from mild colic symptoms to full impactions that require surgery or lead to death. Luckily, there are things horse owners can do to … [Read more...]
4 tips to help retain millennials
Generational differences in work styles, habits and values can create consternation, if not downright madness, in the workplace. Millennials, the first generation to come of age in this millennium, behave much differently than the generations before them. Impatient, entitled and needy are a few descriptors shared about them. Chris Hess, on the other hand, believes … [Read more...]
Back it up! Here’s how.
The spring storm season is here. Don’t let lightning strikes, power surges and power outages zap your data. “Clinics are more at risk of a lightning strike or power surge that can negatively affect computers than they are for all the data breaches you’re reading about. Data backup failure is going to get someone first,” says Nancy Dewitz, technical and marketing consultant … [Read more...]
Help keep pets safe during storms, disasters
Help clients keep their pets safe during storms and disasters. May 8 is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. It is a reminder to create a disaster plan for pets or include them in your personal disaster plan. Eight tips are featured here. Source: AAA Oklahoma. While pets can suffer from sickness or injury as the result of a natural catastrophe, we hope to minimize … [Read more...]
Technology with Dr. Adam Little
Dr. Little reviews how biotech advances may shift demand for food animal veterinary services and the role that sensor technology plays in conservation activities. He also comments on the Mars Petcare acquisition of Whistle’s ‘Fitbit for dogs’ and human medicine developments that show promise for veterinary care. Source: Exponential Vet, Issue #12, April 12, 2016. … [Read more...]
Natural, safe ways to get rid of worms
Rita Hogan takes on conventional dewormers and offers natural alternatives. The subhead, Avoid Deworming Drugs, is a red flag to our editorial team because they are generally efficacious. Fortunately, she does suggest taking a stool sample to a veterinary hospital for testing. We share this article for your review and consideration, especially noting their April 11th Facebook … [Read more...]