Could health plan autonomy with company support be a better option for employees than current group plans? Deanna Cuadra shares how individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements may benefit employees and employers. She shares pros and cons to ICHRAs and traditional group coverage. Source: ebn, May 22, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Beyond getting a yes, factors that restrict adherence
A recent pet experience allowed me to watch a dozen pet owners and their pets come and go from a veterinary office. Over half of the pet owners returned to their cars and sat in the parking lot for several minutes, displaying what could be described as a 1,000-yard stare. Others seemed to share the visit results with a passenger or via a phone call. THERE IS A LOT to process … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 23, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 16, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the May 16th AHD Bulletin – Cheese by-product turned into plastic. Link. What do your customers value? Link. Biofilms affect animal health. Link. ===================================== Seven simple ways to improve your memory Source: Better Report, … [Read more...]
Kansas Department of Agriculture set to host animal health workshops
With sessions targeted for producers and veterinarians, as well as emergency management and county officials, the Kansas Department of Agriculture workshops will take place across the state. The workshops will focus on: The role of the county in a disease response: how to respond to a livestock truck rollover, disposal of dead animals and sheltering animals in case of … [Read more...]
Boehringer Ingelheim and Detroit Horse Power announce education partnership
Through riding and caring for horses in a safe and enriching space, Detroit Horse Power provides under-resourced youth with opportunities to learn valuable lessons about perseverance, empathy, responsible risk-taking, confidence and self-control. As part of the agreement to expand the non-profit’s existing programming in the areas of horse health and equine industry careers, … [Read more...]
Miniature poodle wins 2024 best in show at Westminster
Sage, a four-year-old female miniature poodle from Texas and handled by Kaz Hosaka is the first female dog to be named Best in Show since 2020. Hosaka will end his 45 year showing career with Sage’s win. The runner-up Reserve Best in Show went to a German Shepard. Source: Daily Paws, May 14, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Is H5N1 a threat to U.S. swine herds?
Influenza is constantly changing, shared Amy Baker, DVM, PhD, in a recent webinar for swine producers. Influenza from a native waterfowl host has the potential to infect swine. Those same viruses can also interact with humans and poultry. Baker emphasized awareness, precautions and surveillance. Several species, including pigs, birds, wild mammals and humans, have the … [Read more...]
Common causes of hives in horses
Several factors, including medications, supplements, plants, mold and insects, can trigger hives, with a warm and wet climate often making them worse writes Aja Harvey, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM. Coincidental or not, hives and most other diseases involving the skin are more common during the warmer and more humid months. . . . even the most well-maintained properties are never free of … [Read more...]
Spring health check for senior horses
EQUUS editors share five areas to focus on when doing spring health checks for senior horses: coat, joints, teeth, body condition and feet. Consider sharing this article on social media and in newsletters to remind horse owners to check on their senior horses. Source: EQUUS, April 24, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
2024 Comedy Pet Photo Awards finalists gallery
Always a favorite of AHD Bulletin readers, the images in this year’s finalist gallery are sure to give you a smile or chuckle. Enjoy! Source: Comedy Pet Photography Awards. Link. … [Read more...]
A poor guide to dog allergy medications
Commentary In the article linked here, Jennifer Bailey, DVM, shares what medications can be given to a dog to relieve allergy symptoms. The article is a red flag for our team because it empowers pet owners to use the information to medicate their dogs outside of the veterinary-client relationship. Given the many possible reasons for allergies, the article fails to … [Read more...]
A dog walk temperature chart for every season
Commentary Our temperatures in the Kansas City area reached the upper 80s last weekend. The changes in neighborhood dog behaviors were noticeable as they sought shade and were less active on walks. Beyond the normal concerns about dogs shut in cars and hot pavement burning pads, our recent post about the thermoneutral zone for cattle <Link> sparked digging to find such … [Read more...]
Whisker fatigue in cats: what it is and how to help (video)
Because a cat’s whiskers are constantly transmitting information, there’s a theory that this can lead to whisker fatigue, writes Sarah Wooten, DVM. She explains the situations that lead to whisker fatigue and behaviors that can indicate a cat is getting sensory overload. It is thought that contact with everyday items can lead to whisker fatigue, particularly food and water … [Read more...]
Hospital noise affects feline patients negatively
Findings from a recent study investigated the effects of hospital environment noise levels on cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy surgery and indicated a correlation between higher noise levels and increased stress in cats. The researchers asserted that respiratory rates are a reliable tool for assessing stress levels in cats. Minimizing noise levels is a key strategy … [Read more...]
Advocacy from Veterinary teams helps pet owners choose pet insurance
Sponsored Content For veterinary teams, pet insurance is a part of meeting the needs of today’s animal owners. A 2022 survey of veterinary professionals revealed: More than 90 percent of veterinary teams wish more of their clients had pet insurance. 2 percent of veterinary teams believe that pet insurance is a beneficial way to help clients manage the lifetime cost … [Read more...]
What really motivates you at work?
You may be engaged in your work, stimulated by your team and motivated by your employer’s mission. But their rewards and recognition strategy may need improving. Carrie Ott-Holland offers five practical techniques to increase the likelihood of getting the rewards and recognition you value most. To keep a good thing going, reflect on and talk about what you want and need to … [Read more...]
Why thunderstorms upset some dogs
There’s no scientific evidence proving why some dogs are more bothered by storms than others. In this article, the author posits that dogs feel the storm coming and offers ways to help them feel less stressed. Sound only plays a small part in dogs’ overall fear of a thunderstorm. As the storm approaches, barometric pressure drops, making static electricity more common and … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – May 20, 2024
Surprising pet hotel statistics, millennials want vets with apps, new age of pet tech, scaling small businesses, women in the pet industry, tips to maintain cash flow and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 20, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Get team members to participate in team meetings
Beyond the traditional meeting agendas, setting expectations and open-ended questions, Luis Velasquez shares ways leaders can make it safe for team members to engage in and contribute to meeting discussions. Source: Harvard Business Review, May 20, 2024. Link. As leaders, we must cultivate teams where every member’s contributions are not only heard but eagerly anticipated, … [Read more...]
How anxiety became a catchall for every unpleasant emotion
Nearly a quarter of adults visited a psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist or other mental health professional in 2022, compared to 13 percent who did so in 2024, shares Allie Volpe. No longer stigmatized or discussed in secret, mental health and mental health-adjacent terms have trickled out of the therapy room and into casual conversation. Because anxiety intersects with so … [Read more...]
Continuous improvement
The moral of the story is if something worked yesterday, that doesn’t mean it’s the best thing to do today. Look at every interaction point a customer has with your organization and ask, “Is there a way to make it better?” Source: Vet Advantage, April 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Always look for improvement. … [Read more...]
Microchip check station for lost pets (video)
What a great idea! The All Dogs Clinic in Rogers, Arkansas, now has a 24/7 microchip check station available on the outside of its building for anyone to use. Source: KNWA/KFTA, May 16, 2024. Link. (0:51) … [Read more...]
Compare margins and markups to ensure a healthy pharmacy in your practice
Acknowledging the importance of margin and markup pricing, Rachel Singletary, CVPM, shares the basics of when to use each method, how the PIMS systems are involved and meeting the market prices. It is important to remember: Markup is a cost-based calculation to determine price Margin is a price-based equation that includes a percentage objective against COGS … [Read more...]
New York City birds found carrying H5N1
Discovering a few wild birds carrying highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza highlights that the interface between animals and humans that may give rise to zoonotic infections or even pandemics is not limited to rural environments and commercial poultry operations. It extends into urban centers, according to the American Society of Microbiology. Source: Infectious Disease … [Read more...]
Price Pritchett shares the importance of cutting down on negative thinking (video)
The author of several books on multiplying personal performance, Price Pritchett, PhD, is an expert on fast-growth strategies and breakthrough performance. He joined Lewis Holmes to discuss the question, “Which do you think is more important . . . positive thinking or negative thinking?” “The studies are unequivocal . . . it’s less negative thinking.” Source: Lewis Holmes … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 16, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 9, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the May 9th AHD Bulletin – Advances in equine disease detection. Link. Differentiating mastitis from teat sealant residue at freshening. Link. Temple Grandin, PhD, joins Fear Free as director, animal well-being. Link. … [Read more...]
What do your customers value?
In most parts of the U.S. your potential customers have multiple clinics to choose from. So how do you differentiate your practice from others? Source: Vet Advantage, May 2023. Link. <BQ> “The same advice I gave distribution reps who are calling on your practice will work to create connections for the potential customers of your clinic.” INSIGHTS: It’s all … [Read more...]
Biofilms affect animal health
Water bowls and drinkers that aren’t regularly scrubbed often develop bad-tasting biofilm that discourages drinking. Biofilms are part of the normal complement of microbes in many healthy animals. However, biofilms can be very harmful making them important to remove. The CDC estimates that up to 70 percent of human bacterial infections in the Western world are caused by … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club seeking nominees for Bright Minds award in U.K and Singapore
Announcing the inaugural Bright Minds Singapore award and its second annual Bright Minds U.K. Award The Bridge Club is seeking nominees in three categories: Industry Influencer Practice Game Changer Wellness Champion Source: The Bridge Club, May 15, 2024. Link. Since the inaugural Bright Minds Awards in 2018 more than 16 professionals and organizations have been … [Read more...]
Seats still available for hands-on Veterinary CE at the NAVC Institute
Space is available in Strategic Leadership, Orthopedic Surgery, Ultrasound Intermediate, and Advanced and General Ophthalmology during the May 20-24, 2024 NAVC Institute in Orlando, Florida at The Caribe Royale Resort. Small class sizes allow for immersive, personalized instruction. Source: NAVC. Link. The hands-on training and skills veterinarians and veterinary … [Read more...]