Commentary The cost of fulfillment is a considerable factor in what veterinary clinics and retailers pay at the point of sale especially when measured as a percent of net income versus gross sales. In recent weeks we have urged animal health pros to consider improving replenishment planning, adjust inventory levels and to better understand how the cost of moving products … [Read more...]
Climate connections
Across our planet, animals and the diseases they carry are shifting to accommodate a globe on the fritz, writes Zoya Teirstein. She shares concerns about a warming planet, pathogens and diseases. Source: AP, Grist, July 18, 2023. Link. Across the planet, animals — and the diseases they carry — are shifting to accommodate a globe on the fritz. And they’re not alone: Ticks, … [Read more...]
Pet benefits a desired trend in employee retention
Nearly half of Gen Z and millennials would be more likely to stay at an employer that offered pet benefits according to a survey by Nationwide. The benefits they want include: 40 percent: Pet insurance 29 percent: Paid time off to care for a pet 27 percent: A pet-friendly office 14 percent: Leave to care for a new pet, sometimes called “paw-ternity” Source: … [Read more...]
Predatory journals: caution required, says veterinarian
Commentary Lisa A. Fortier DVM, PhD, DACVS, warns veterinary and readers about predatory journals and publishers noting hundreds of thousands of articles with questionable or nonexistent peer reviews are dumped into the scholarly market. NOTE: Knowledge is power but knowledge without action can be useless <Link>. The reality Dr. Fortier shares is a primary reason … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 10, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 3, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from August 3rd AHD Bulletin – Weight stigma infiltrates work. Link. Addressing relentless licking by dogs. Link. Covetrus® expands GreatPetCare™. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Speaking of feral hogs. Watch this!
A trucker shared his experience with a large sounder of feral hogs south of Altus, Oklahoma! Drivers beware. Source: KWTV - NEWS 9 via Facebook, August 8, 2023. Link. (0:19) … [Read more...]
Summer bugs cost farmers and ranchers
Bug populations reach their high points this time of year. Cassandra Olds, PhD, shares the economic costs of various pests, current control methods, pesticide resistance and reminds us that sanitation is key. Summer flies, grubs, bots, deer flies, ticks, plus mosquitoes can create all sorts of problems for livestock producers. Source: Successful Farming, July 29, 2023. … [Read more...]
Heat, humidity kill hundreds of U.S. cattle during world’s hottest month
Hundreds of cattle died from extreme heat and humidity in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska in late July. Kansas State University updated an online weather tool, Kansas Mesonet, in June to use National Weather Service forecasts to predict comfort levels for cattle a week ahead of time because day-of weather warnings are too late. They just couldn't handle the extra stress of the heat … [Read more...]
Bug spray with DEET is NOT safe for dogs (video)
When dogs are exposed to DEET whether it is through their skin or if they ingest it by licking their fur or licking where you’ve applied the spray, it can cause wobbly walking, shakes, seizure, diarrhea and vomiting.” - Cristine Hayes, DVM, DABT, DABVT Source: News19, August 3, 2023. Link. DEET is so dangerous for pets, the ASPCA recommends removing pets from the area when … [Read more...]
Yes, animal chiropractic is a thing
Commentary Having a conversation* with Dr. O (William Ormston, DVM) is mind-expanding. He is a veterinarian with a passion for exploring, learning, teaching and sharing the benefits of animal chiropractic, a branch of physical medicine. We are pleased to share this recent article. For a four-legged animal to move correctly, it requires every bone, muscle, ligament, tendon … [Read more...]
Kudos for Texas A&M University Veterinary Emergency Team’s pop-up vet clinic results
A free pet clinic manned by a staff of about 80 was part of the annual Operation Border Health Preparedness in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. It is a sparsely populated area and one of the more economically-distressed regions where high unemployment rates and low per capita income make the expense of pet care hard to meet. One thousand, twenty-two house pets, mostly dogs, … [Read more...]
Work-life balance is the wrong goal
To James Kerr’s way of thinking, life is never in “balance.” Sometimes work needs to take top priority, sometimes family does and sometimes we need to take the top spot for ourselves on the importance list. He favors work and life integration. Work and life integration involves finding ways to harmonize and blend your work responsibilities with your personal life in a way that … [Read more...]
Viticus Group announces time-sensitive WVC Annual Conference early registration price
Complimentary Commercial Content Early registrants for the 2024 WVC Annual Conference can take advantage of a limited time $96 registration price. Registration sales open on September 6th. The 96th WVC Annual Conference will be held February 18th through February 21st, 2024 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Source: Viticus, WVC press release, … [Read more...]
Engagement for boomers: What they want, how to give it.
Commentary Employers can no longer expect a new hire to build tenure. The total separations rate of U.S. jobs is 47.2 percent as of 2021, including voluntary and involuntary turnover. Additionally, age influences attrition rates with millennials twice as likely as boomers to quit their jobs. All things considered, workers nearing retirement age are good candidates to fill … [Read more...]
Building trust from the start: Why first impressions matter
Commentary We’re all selling something although not all of it goes onto an invoice. Perhaps it is seeking a raise or better hours, an extra day of PTO, trading for a new car, finding qualified buyers for the last three puppies out of a litter, getting support for a service club event or helping our child sell the last two cases of cookies, we’re all selling … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 3, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 27th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from July 20th AHD Bulletin – 6 signs YOU are the bully at work. Link. 12 plants and herbs that naturally repel mosquitoes. Link. Goal setting made easy. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
New antibiotic regulation shines a light on the need for veterinarians
It has been almost 60 days since USDA’s GFI #263 rule on over-the-counter antibiotics was implemented. The key elements are establishing a VCPR and obtaining a prescription. Courtney Love interviewed two veterinarians to see how the rules change has impacted their practices noting the need for rural veterinarians. Source: Successful Farming, July 28, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Livestock producers reminded to protect against anthrax
Two confirmed cases of anthrax in North Dakota are a reminder to livestock producers to take action to protect their animals from the disease, especially in areas with a history of the disease. Effective anthrax vaccines are readily available, but it takes about a week for immunity to be established and must be administered annually for continued protection. Source: BEEF, … [Read more...]
One of these bees is not like the others
A well-known Sesame Street tune comes to mind when reviewing Tod Oder’s article on the types of bees in the U.S. While animal health pros have more responsibility in the treatment of disease in honey bees, there are many more types of bees to consider. Drought conditions are hard on pollinator populations, too. I saw four types in my own backyard this last weekend drinking … [Read more...]
Equine network debuts brand for new horse owners
The Equine Network announced My New Horse for equestrians just getting into horse ownership or riding. Partners Kent (aka Kent Feeds) and W.F. Young assert the brand will deliver a community and resources to new horse persons at the beginning stages of ownership. The website will feature content created by industry experts, Kent nutritionists and editors of respected … [Read more...]
Livestock guard dogs growing in popularity
Livestock guard dogs are an increasingly popular tool in livestock management, writes Terri Queck-Matzie. Most weigh more than 100 pounds and are bred to live outside with livestock and not as a pet for people’s homes. Anatolian shepherds, Akbash, Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz, and Central Asian shepherds are breeds recognized by the AKC. Source: Successful Farming, July 11, 2023. … [Read more...]
Taking a vacation improves your well-being. Here’s how.
The bottom line is that employees and employers benefit mentally, physically and spiritually from vacation. Making sure your people and you regularly take time off is key to creating a more sustainable workplace with healthier, happier employees, writes Rebecca Zucker. . . . every year more than half of Americans give up paid time off . . .” Source: Harvard Business Review, … [Read more...]
How to confront someone at work
Hot days certainly take a toll on our bodies, but they can also test our tempers <Link>. . . . hot and especially humid weather is known to be associated with increases in aggression and violence, as well as a lower general mood.” Weather aside, conflicts in the office are inevitable, and the only option is to deal with them, BUT do so in a positive, professional way. … [Read more...]
Employers share employees need training on how to behave in the office
From eye contact to empathy, business leaders shared concerns about employee business behaviors in a survey conducted by ResumeBuilder.com. The results show that employees need refreshers on how to do such things as hold workplace conversations, dress appropriately, take lunch breaks and even make eye contact. Some employers are now offering etiquette classes. Being … [Read more...]
Telehealth can benefit small private practices
Erica Jain shares reasons small medical practices can benefit from telehealth technologies. These benefits also apply to veterinary practices. Telehealth technologies level the playing field between large and small medical practices.” – Erick Jain Source: Medical Economics, July 27, 2023. Link. Jain asserts telehealth services help: Overcome staff shortages Streamline … [Read more...]
Will the avian flu fly in and splash down this fall?
It is NOT too early to work with poultry producers to increase avian flu biosecurity measures and surveillance. How much the disease will impact U.S. poultry this coming fall has not been predicted to date but it is always good to be prepared.” The BirdCast estimates 109 million birds are already on the move (a map image is shown in the Worth a Glance section). Additional … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 27, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 20th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from July 20th AHD Bulletin – Straight talk about veterinary workforce issues. Link. Filtering is a critical skill. Link. Best joint supplements for dogs. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Will animals at your county fair launch the next pandemic?
Since 2011, there have been more confirmed human cases of swine flu in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, according to the article linked here. Most have come from agricultural shows and fairs. Dr. Andrew Bowman, a molecular epidemiologist at The Ohio State University, and his colleagues have documented the dangers and looked for ways to make pig shows safer. He says … [Read more...]
4 things to bring ROI to cattle operations
Animal health pros who work with or call on cattle producers benefit from understanding how producers make money. Wesley Tucker explains how to use herd income generated from drought-induced downsizing to consider making strategic investments in forages, fence or water, irrigation, feed storage and handling in lieu of paying higher taxes. Source: MissouriRuralist, July 24, … [Read more...]
Cattle report shows no herd rebuilding in sight
Commentary Beef may be what’s for dinner, but the beef replacement heifer inventory is the lowest in 50 years. For animal health pros working with beef producers, this is not a budgetary forecast disaster. There is a long-standing segment of the market that avoids the use of vaccines and preventatives. Now is the time to help producers optimize the value of each living … [Read more...]