For more years than I can count, compliance has ranked as one of the top challenges facing the veterinary industry. When I saw this article on resiliency I thought it could easily be retitled, “Five Ways to improve your Compliance Messaging.” But, this only applies if everyone from the front desk, to the technicians, to the practice managers, to the DVMs, to the owners, to the … [Read more...]
Free hot dog lesson plan available
Kids are often responsible for pet care year-round. A free lesson plan to help them learn how to deal with the problem of dogs left in cars in hot weather is available from Red Rover. It works to strengthen the bond between people and animals. Simply request the plan via email. Source: Red Rover. Students will enjoy applying concepts in physics, biology and mathematics to a … [Read more...]
Keep your dog cool
Temperatures in the Southwest are already hitting 100º and up. The rest of the country will soon follow. All too often, we read and hear about dogs dying from being left too long in cars in the sun. Fortunately, there are tips galore, posters, signs and even a Cool Dog Pledge at My Dog Is Cool. Source: My Dog is Cool. Leaving your dog in a car for “just a minute” may be too … [Read more...]
Keep the weed from Fido
A Denver-area emergency animal hospital is treating at least five dogs a day for marijuana ingestion. Clinics are seeing increases, too. Fox Hollow Animal Hospital used to see it once or twice a year, but now see it once or twice a month since pot became legal in Colorado in 2014. Source: KDVR, May 9, 2016. It was just so terrifying, infuriating and sad. I felt so helpless … [Read more...]
Outsmart angry outbursts
So much of our communication is transactional — a word here, a sentence there — that we forget that at its essence, communications is relational. It sounds simple, but in reality there is nothing simple about communicating, especially when emotions are involved, says Peter Bregman. Source: Harvard Business Review, May 6, 2016. The problem with most communication is that … [Read more...]
Home exercises for dogs takes commitment, patience
Home exercises can help manage pain for some dogs. Micheal Petty, DVM, reminds pet owners be sure their dogs get accurate diagnoses and to discuss home exercises for dogs with their veterinarian before beginning an exercise regimen. Veterinary teams will find this information good for a team discussion. Also consider using article reprints as handouts or as a link on … [Read more...]
Education important for success with novel proteins
Education will be a critical component of adding novel proteins to pet diets according to Mark Mendal, with the consulting firm Pet Proteins. He spoke during Petfood Forum 2016 on April 19, 2016. Supply challenges may also be an issue. Source: Petfood Industry, April 19, 2016. Increasing the role of novel proteins in pet foods and treats allows manufacturers to expand the … [Read more...]
First impressions matter
Whether you are a sales rep, on hospital staff or a DVM, there is never a second chance to make a first impression. Some people seem to have a knack for creating a positive first impression with everyone they meet. Just like there are no overnight successes, no one is born with this ability. They work at it. And these people who create positive first impressions aren’t just … [Read more...]
Petcube is Skype for Fido and Fluff
The stress of being stuck in traffic or working late while one’s dog or cat waits at home may be eased with Petcube, a new smart camera. Paired with a smartphone app, it lets users watch, talk and play with pets in real time time using a laser pointer. Source: Sacramento Bee, May 4, 2016. It’s basically like Skype for you and your pet, but your pet doesn’t have to pick up … [Read more...]
Ticks, ticks, ticks and more
Ticks are second only to mosquitoes in the number of diseases they transmit. With tick populations growing and their proclivity to carry and transmit disease, it is critical to prevent them from feeding on pets and people. The information in this series of articles is comprehensive and understandable. All animal health pros can benefit from a deeper knowledge of ticks, … [Read more...]
Mixed messages diminish preventive care value
Consistent messages from each staff member that preventive care is fundamental to pets’ health is critical for preventive care successes. Consistency starts with setting and maintaining standards. The more veterinarians in a practice, the more important standards are as each vet may have his or her ideas and recommendations. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, April 2016. The … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Tick season is year-round
Year-round tick control, tick myths, discussing ticks with clients and even fleas are featured in this Vetfolio podcast. SimparicaTM (sarolaner) Chewables from Zoetis is presented as a solution. Source: VetFolio, May 8, 2016. Introducing safe monthly chewables that offer persistent protection from fleas and ticks. … [Read more...]
Traditional vet practice models must change
The Changing Pet Ownership study offers insight into three generations of pet owners of multiple ethnicities. It also describe implications of market changes to veterinarians and the pet industry as a whole. Brakke Consulting and Trone Brand Energy joined forces to complete the study. Source: Brakke Consulting, May 6, 2016. Press release. This study points to a number of … [Read more...]
People prefer human interactions in customer service
It is not easy to reach someone in person when seeking customer service. According to Accenture Strategy’s latest Global Consumer Pulse Research, U.S. consumers say it is becoming harder to do so, even as companies work to be more accessible. Source: CRM.com, May 2016. As organizations invest in digital technologies and channels to support customer service, they have … [Read more...]
4 networking mistakes to stop making immediately, if not sooner
The old joke goes, “You can easily tell if a DVM is an introvert or extrovert. The extroverted DVM is the one who looks at YOUR shoes during a discussion.” Natural tendencies make networking difficult for some, whether they’re introverts or extroverts. This article provides sound considerations for networking. Source: Inc, May 4, 2016. In environments where you should be … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – 100 years of horse history
We found this content and video fun. It also offers a historical pictorial. Source: Horse Network, May 3, 2016. Look back at how the events, horses and Absorbine® products that shaped the way we live and ride today. … [Read more...]
Should I vaccinate my horse in the fall?
Summary: Vaccinations are important to help prevent disease. While it is always best to listen to your veterinarian’s recommendations, there are certainly cases when it is ideal to vaccinate for certain diseases twice a year to ensure protection. Source: Horse Talk. Vaccinations protect your horse against a host of contagious diseases. The specific vaccinations necessary … [Read more...]
EPM-causing parasites more common that thought
Summary: The parasites causing equine protozoal myeloencephalitis are ubiquitous in U.S. horses, yet fewer than one percent of the horses that carry one or both of the parasites develop clinical symptoms of EPM. Find out more about these parasites and which horses may be more predisposed to EPM. Source: The Horse. Horses cannot catch EPM from each other; rather, they’re … [Read more...]
5 ways to start brushing canine teeth
Even as industry professionals, our own dogs don’t always get the best dental care. Two articles address pet dental care. The handout offers some great ways to start brushing. Source: Firstline, April 21, 2016. Print this and give it to clients for something wonderful to chew on to teach some good dog tooth brushing techniques. See also: Vetted, April 27, 2016. “Do as I … [Read more...]
Keep backyard chickens healthy
A backyard chicken boom is in full swing. Just like large-scale operations, disease prevention is critical to keep chickens and their human keepers healthy. Most veterinarians aren’t familiar with chicken care. VFD regulations affect treatment options in small flocks just as they do in larger ones. In both instances, preventing disease is a best practice. Source: The Poultry … [Read more...]
Feline hyperthyroidism guidelines released
AAFP has issued new guidelines for managing feline hyperthyroidism. They include: Distill current research into simple, testing sequence recommendations to avoid misdiagnosis. Organize a FHT diagnosis into six clinical categories with associated strategies. Outline the currently available disease treatments. Explain how to monitor the patient to minimize co-morbid … [Read more...]
What to expect from an OSHA inspection
The most important reason to achieve and maintain compliance is not to avoid an OSHA fine, but is instead to create a safe and healthful working environment for you and your veterinary team. Source: Animal Health Solutions, May 2016, page 8. Inspections may be conducted with or without advanced notice and are often conducted based upon a current or former employee’s … [Read more...]
Editorial – Invest your energy wisely
I answered “busy” when asked about my schedule recently, but when asked if I was being productive, I hesitated and finally answered “hope so.” Many of us might respond the same way. Consider the five tenants of strategic energy application in this thought-provoking article where Peter Bregman suggests 89 percent of us are operating without much to spare. Source: Harvard … [Read more...]
Meeting job struggles
There are some pretty direct and candid posts in this week’s newsletter from Dr. Andy Roark in addition to a chuckle and a smile or two. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, May 5, 2016. The grass isn’t always grass on the other side, Sarah Boston, DVM, DVSC, DIPL ACVS: a frank discussion of working challenges with some colorful language to boot. Top 5 ways veterinary technicians … [Read more...]
She’s an angel, she’s a devil, she’s a mare
Barb Crabbe, DVM, shares steps to help manage inevitable moodiness in mares. She references methods to maximize the influence of progesterone and minimize the influence of estrogen. Source: Horse and Rider, May 2016. (direct link unavailable) Control methods fall into three distinct categories that influence (a mare’s) cycle in three different ways. (The article) discusses … [Read more...]
Vet Set Go offers a roadmap for kids who dream of vet medicine
Chris Carpenter, DVM, is guiding tweens with a quick-start guide to a career working with animals. His website, new book and videos help children learn about being a veterinarian. Source: AKC Family Dog, May/June 2016, page 42. (direct link unavailable) Vet Set Go is the first and only web community designed for aspiring veterinarians. … [Read more...]
Don’t hug the dog
Behaviorists have cautioned people for years about hugging dogs because dogs don’t like it, says Karen B. London, PhD. It is common for dogs to dislike being hugged, and for people to love hugging them. It should be no surprise that members of two different species have different preferences. Source: Bark, May 2, 2016. A recent post by Stanley Coren, Ph.D, called The Data … [Read more...]
Clinical picture of canine Lyme disease CE available
Vetfolio, the joint education platform from NAVC and AAHA, is broadcasting a free CE-accredited web conference May 9 through May 22, 2016 (On Demand). The conference covers Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, disease vectors, geographic expansion of the disease and its various forms. Source: Vetfolio News. Speaker Carrie White, DVM, DACVIM, will … [Read more...]
Gene differences in fat Labradors
Labrador retrievers have a tendency to get fat. Studies indicate 50 percent to 60 percent of labs are classified as overweight or obese. Overeating is possibly in Labs’ genes according to a newly published study. Source: Washington Post, May 3, 2016. What we’ve found in the study is that there really is a hard-wired reason for some Labradors to be completely obsessed by … [Read more...]
Top 10 pet food brands sold online
It’s a changing landscape for what brand of pet food is sold and also the source from which it is acquired. Note the increases in home delivery percentages in the top two retailers. Source: Petfood Industry, April 28, 2016. Consumers have really embraced the subscription model when it comes to purchasing pet food online. It’s a product that is much more convenient to have … [Read more...]