Here's an excellent layman's explanation of what it means when analysts or scientists say that something is statistically significant. This article offers detailed descriptions of the three components of significance: mean difference, variance and sample size. Source: Harvard Business Review, February 16, 2016. When you run an experiment or analyze data, you want to know if … [Read more...]
A veterinarian’s secret life
Kudos to High Plains Journal for this well-rounded, fact-filled look at what it takes to be a veterinarian. HPJ readership includes 49,000 paid and audited subscribers plus another 70,840 persons in pass-along readership. It is likely your customers will have seen this frank depiction of veterinarians. Source: High Plains Journal, February 15, 2016. Going to vet school is … [Read more...]
Quiz: Are You a Client Compliance Expert?
Compliance in veterinary medicine is defined as the patient receiving the care the veterinary team believes is best. The acronym CRAFT, where compliance = recommendation + acceptance + follow-through, can help the team remember this definition. It is important that the client accepts recommendations. Following the recommendations at home is just as important. Source: … [Read more...]
Shorter meetings. More action.
Veterinarians, veterinary assistants and sales persons will benefit from Peter Bregman’s assertions in this short article. Learn how leading meetings with a hyper-focused approach changes the value of meetings. Check your cellphone at the door and come prepared! Source: Harvard Business Review, February 22, 2016. If you have half the time to accomplish something, you become … [Read more...]
Under-schedule in 2016
Along with a declined meeting request, a reader sent me this article. He indicated he was acting on the advice from Elizabeth Grace Saunders and suggested some future dates. Many animal health professionals feel productivity pressure and sometimes forget the importance of prioritizing and finishing. Ms. Saunders suggests these areas to reclaim your desired experiences of … [Read more...]
Recognizing, quantifying pain in horses
Our industry continues to study the impact and dynamics of pain in all species. This article introduces a new equine pain scale and its implementation in a hospital setting. Equine veterinary teams and representatives that service them will benefit from reading and discussing the information presented. Source: Equine Veterinary Education, January 2016. Pain management is … [Read more...]
Spending on pets up in 2015
Americans spent almost $61 billion on pets in 2015 – a 4.4 percent increase from 2014. This article notes cautious optimism about the future of the pet industry and cites areas of success and others that are experiencing challenges. Source: Reuters, February 22, 2016. The amount of money being spent on pets has increased every year since 1994, according to the American Pet … [Read more...]
Exam room do’s and dont’s
Ensuring a positive experience for animals and the clients is critical for customer satisfaction and retention. This private space provides the ideal opportunity for veterinary team members to educate clients on preventatives and treatments. Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition), Wamego, Kansas, identifies exam room disciplines that make exam room visits smooth and … [Read more...]
Write like a third grader
If you want people to reply to your emails, write like a third grader. According to the makers of the Boomerang mail plug-in, this reading level is about the right complexity for the average message. Source: Washington Post, February 16, 2016. To get replies, the company suggests using shorter, simpler sentences – hence the third-grade level. Writing this way generally gets … [Read more...]
Help clients with species-appropriate diets
One hundred percent of dogs and cats that visit a veterinary hospital or retail center eat some type of food. The diet category gets more confusing every day. Most animal owners make diet choices with little information. This article compares the needs of cats and dogs eating raw diets and presents the realities of species differences. Source: Dogs Naturally, February 19, … [Read more...]
VFD – repeat after me
We at AHD believe it is important to continue to offer quality resources about the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). Each time people review something important, there evidence that they achieve a new level of understanding. Thus, repetition helps. VFD is important, requires mutual engagement between veterinarians and clients. It will take time to get a VFD in place with each … [Read more...]
Seven qualities of a good veterinary assistant
According to the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA): “While every position within the veterinary practice team is important, veterinary assistants play a pivotal role, literally ... In the course of a single day, an assistant provides help to veterinarians and veterinary technicians, which in turn allows those team members to perform the tasks and … [Read more...]
Editorial – Things that keep vets up at night
The results of dvm360’s triennial survey are out. The survey makes clear veterinarians are concerned. They feel the same changes we feel and more. Addressing their concerns with proper action remains a strong challenge. Enterprising reps will set aside the detail book and use these survey results to have solution-centered dialogues with their accounts. “B” accounts will … [Read more...]
Comprehensive dental assessment improves compliance
Hospitals that enjoy successful dental strategies include dental practices every day and as a component of wellness programs. This article is fresh, thought-provoking and compelling for veterinary teams and representatives. Source: AAHA Trends, February 2016, page 43. (link unavailable) Dental compliance improved when the practice began giving clients an estimate for a … [Read more...]
Vegan pet diets – good or bad?
Pet nutrition blogger Rodney Habib openly contrasts the vegan pet food movement compared to meat-based diets citing nutritional and sustainability issues. Veterinary teams may get caught up in some of this conversation. Consider this article for a team discussion in practices. Representatives can engage using this and provide support from company technical service groups or … [Read more...]
Stay ahead of new tech
Adam Little, DVM, tracks technology developments and their potential in animal health. 3-D printing is on his radar. AAHA also featured 3-D in the article below. Veterinary teams and companies that serve them will want to keep track of these advancements to be ready to apply the technologies when they’re ready for daily practice situations. Source: Exponential Vet, Issue 8, … [Read more...]
Trader Joe’s going cage-free by 2015
Trader Joe's has thrown its weight behind the growing cage-free egg movement, making it one of few grocery chains to do so. Our AHD team checked egg pricing at a Kansas City grocer, then compared price increases between regular eggs and cage-free. Store brand Eggland’s Best Store brand – cage free Eggland’s Best – cage free Grade A Large Grade A Large Omega 3 … [Read more...]
Local conditions affect West Nile Virus spread
Carried by birds, predominately crows and jays, West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitos. Rainfall and land cover affect the incidence of disease, according to Mississippi State University researchers. Local land areas with a greater variety of vegetation and landscape seem to reduce the incidence according to the study. Vaccination is still critical to prevent … [Read more...]
Editorial – Generational overload
Media sources are full of information about boomers, gen Xers, millennials and recently the iGens, or Generation Z. Depending on which date ranges you use, I live with a boomer, a gen Xer, a millennial and an iGen. We’re all different, have different attitudes and approach communication, problem solving and planning differently. I’ve found that engaging in safe, open discussion … [Read more...]
Equine cellulitis
When a horse’s leg swells to double or triple the normal leg size overnight, owners and vets must take immediate action. Cellulitis, while common, can be frightening for owners. Having a veterinary professional respond quickly and decisively is critical to avoid further injury. Caused by bacteria penetrating the dermis and multiplying in the subcutis, the origins of cellulitis … [Read more...]
Trail riding with dogs
Understand the value, training and best breeds to develop a good trail dog. The companionship for horse and rider is represented in this essay and pictorial. Source: Horse Illustrated, March 2016, page 36. (direct link unavailable) Trail dogs are common on ranches and farms, but less so in areas where people trail ride for pleasure. But a good trail dog is worth his weight … [Read more...]
Help horses with hives
An untold number and types of allergens cause hives. Barb Crabbe, DVM, reviews myths and facts about hives in horses in this article. Animal health pros who deal with horses and their owners will appreciate this article as new information or simply a review. Persons working with FFA or 4-H groups can use this information to position allergy testing and explain first aid for … [Read more...]
Not everything is a hairball
Feline gastritis is the focus of this article for cat owners. Veterinary hospital teams will benefit by reviewing the information and redistributing the content to cat-owning clients. Source: Tufts Catnip, February 8, 2016. Vomiting, refusal to eat and lethargy are the most common signs of gastritis. “The most common reasons for gastritis are self-limiting dietary … [Read more...]
Waiter! There’s a bug in my feed
“Bugs” to most animal health professionals translates to probiotics and prebiotics. This will change as the recent changes in EU regulations allow edible insect proteins in animal feed. Source: Feed International, February/March 2016, page 6. According to research, farmed insects may offer a more efficient and sustainable source of protein in poultry and aquaculture diets … [Read more...]
Canine influenza resources available from AVMA
Veterinary hospital teams and the representatives who support them will find reviewing the information now available to veterinarians and pet owners from the AVMA valuable. Media coverage about Canine influenza has made pet owners aware of the disease. They’re seeking information, too. Hospital teams and reps who support them will find the latest information from AVMA valuable. … [Read more...]
Scoot or squeeze
Anal sac troubles affect as many as 12 percent of dogs, according to multiple sources. Yet, animal health professionals have no clear understanding of what causes anal sac issues and there is limited research on the subject. Further, there is confusion on the topic of anal sac expression. Source: The Whole Dog Journal, January 2016. Page 16-17. (direct link … [Read more...]
Calcium important to canine health
Dr. Ben Character positions calcium as an important component of canine physiology. Veterinary hospital teams will enjoy this article. It is also good information for clinic websites or newsletters. Source: The Retriever Journal, February/March 2016. (direct link unavailable) Calcium is involved with muscle contraction, nerve conduction, coagulation, phosphorus regulation, … [Read more...]
Tracking canine cancer
Genetic makeup, breed size and lineage are factors that determine cancer risk in dogs. This article follows the development of canine cancer studies and changes in the incidence of cancer in Golden Retrievers. Source: Bark, Winter 2015. The high incidence of cancer in Golden Retrievers appears to be a relatively new phenomenon. A health report in 1999 by the Golden … [Read more...]
Three must-reads from ‘The Horse’
This issue is well done, diverse and interesting. It reflects the partnerships with AAEP and AAVT. Horse owners won’t toss it away. It starts with the drive-to-work observations of Stephanie Church, editor-in-chief, who notes how easily interspecies contact can muddle our best prevention efforts. If you deal with horse owners in any capacity, this issue is a keeper. Source: … [Read more...]
Dogs vs. stairs
A subscriber sent this.. We hope you smile as much as we did when you watch it. Source: Petcha.com. There is something about stairs that some dogs just can’t figure out. Petcha compiled some funny clips of dogs using some "unique" methods to figure it out. … [Read more...]