All puppies go through stages of development. Two of them are often referred to as the fear period or stage. The author explains each stage and ways to help a pup mature into a confident, happy, socialized dog. For most dogs animal health pros see, stage 1 has already passed during weeks three through twelve. Stage two generally arrives at about four to six months and can … [Read more...]
Dewclaws. Leave ‘em or remove ‘em?
Eileen Fatcheric, DVM, says the best answer to the dewclaw question is, “sometimes.” She shares the anatomy, pros, cons and the general opinions of breeders and dog owners based on the activities the dog will be expected to perform. Source: Whole Dog Journal, February 1, 2023. Link. All dogs are born with front dewclaws while hind dewclaws are absent in most dogs. The … [Read more...]
How much food to feed a dog
“How much do I feed my dog?,” is one of the most common questions animal health pros hear from new and seasoned dog owners. John Strassburger reminds dog owners that food volumes are different for every dog. He offers some calorie guidance and suggestions. Bottom line, dog owners will read this so animal health pros need to be aware of the guidance. Source: Whole Dog … [Read more...]
Keep the cat, manage the allergens
Cats are thought to be the third most common cause of indoor allergies, yet over 80 percent of cat owners ignore advice to give up their cat to help manage allergies. So, animal health pros often get questioned about reducing allergens, albeit not that directly. This article explains allergen sources and several ways to reduce their effect on the cat owner and family. Note … [Read more...]
Vector-borne disease screening critical to pet health
To help veterinarians stay ahead of the curve and provide the best care to their patients, this article explores why comprehensive screening is critical to pet health. It includes key insights into a lesser-known tick-borne disease that has become more frequently detected than Lyme. “Anaplasma is becoming the most common vector-borne infection they’re seeing dogs are exposed … [Read more...]
Vet pharmacist. Marijuana intoxication in dogs (video).
Complimentary Content Marijuana intoxication in dogs doesn’t make them high, it makes them incredibly ill. Keep all of those products up and out of the reach of our favorite pets.” – Elaine Blythe, Source: Veterinary Pharmacy Education, Instagram, April 10, 2023. Link. (2:00) Also available on Facebook. Link. Marijuana is toxic to dogs, cats and horses. There is no antidote … [Read more...]
Professional Animal Care Certification
Commentary There’s no doubt animal training improves care and stewardship while helping to increase the quality of life for our pets. It seems every week we see another person or organization launching some level of training. While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, duplication has its own challenges. Third-party training is available for pet care personnel … [Read more...]
Certified Veterinary Assistant Program summer session starts May 15
For some interested in working in veterinary medicine there is a stigma around the education requirements to become a veterinary technician or veterinarian. The Certified Veterinary Assistant Program is an excellent way for such a person to get started intentionally with entry level skills that benefit the practice and confirm the interests of the student. The Certified … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 10, 2023
2022 pet industry sales and trends, pet industry’s hottest small businesses, trends from the 2023 Global Pet Expo, Apple Pay support for small business, compliance to laws and regulations while bootstrapping, elevating small business appeal and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites – April 10, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Gatekeepers and the keys to the kingdom
Commentary Brian Sullivan’s article is written to help sales representatives work with the often imposing gatekeepers in veterinary clinics. Access challenges are the brunt of age old stories about Doc’s Aunt Sally or the new person who has been told to never interrupt the veterinarian unless it is a spouse, child or the police. Behind the access barriers is a message that … [Read more...]
Don’t leave home without the right amount of cards, cash and ID
Are wallets still necessary? As wallets get thinner, people are rethinking how much they still need to carry in cash, cards and identification. F. Martin Ramin queried financial advisers to get recommendations for what to carry. Carry at least two but no more than three credit cards, a small amount of cash, a government ID and a card with your phone number in case the wallet … [Read more...]
Suicide attempt survivor writes “How Not to Kill Yourself”
Clancy Martin tried dying by suicide more than a dozen times. Using what he learned from those attempts, the philosophy professor with the University of Missouri-Kansas City wrote a new book, How Not to Kill Yourself, A Portrait of the Suicidal Mind. It can be helpful for anyone, but given the high rate of suicide in the veterinary profession, the book can be a lifesaver for … [Read more...]
A 2-minute burn out check up
Burnout is the result of chronic stress and, at work, that stress tends to accumulate around your experiences of workload, values, reward, control, fairness and community. Chris Bailey’s short assessment can help you gauge whether you’re on the path to burnout, and where you should focus your attention to make beneficial changes. Source: Harvard Business Review, April 9, … [Read more...]
Busy work
Self-generated busyness can crowd out the important things we need to do in our personal and professional lives. Source: Fast Company, March 20, 2023. Link. Letting go of distraction can feel difficult at first because it requires courage and determination. INSIGHT: Identify your business and social KPIs. Then determine what activities impact them positively. Prioritize … [Read more...]
The 5 most trusted pet retailers in 2023
Five pet retailers were recognized on Newsweek’s second annual Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2023 list. The list includes Amazon, Chewy, PetSmart and PetCo in the retail category top 10. Tractor Supply was not mentioned in the article but took 10th place. Walmart was ranked 25th. <Link> Source: Pet Product News, April 7, 2023. Link. Also see: Franchising is … [Read more...]
Chewy and Petco are increasingly reliant on pet health care for sales
Commentary With our recent post, “Pet-owning households on decline while spending remains strong” <Link> still resonating, we stepped back to the comments on quarterly reports from pet retailers Chewy and Petco. Gabrielle Fonrouge summarized key points from the respective earnings reports commenting, “Pet health care will be key to whether the companies can grow and … [Read more...]
The virtual vet will see you meow
A lot of us embraced virtual visits with our doctors during the pandemic. Some of us still prefer them. Pet owners’ adoption of veterinary telemedicine has not kept pace. A recent survey of more than 1,200 American cat owners showed that 72 percent of respondents used telemedicine for themselves, yet only three percent used it for their cats. Source: The New York Times, … [Read more...]
Stop giving s*!& away for free (video)
Commentary In what could be described as a rant, Amy N. Newfield, CVT, VTS (ECC), issues a call to action we’ve heard for decades. Stop giving away your valuable services for free! Stop telling clients that you agree that veterinary medicine is expensive and that your prices are too high! Stop apologizing for your prices! You are devaluing your time and your talent.” Amy N. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 13, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, April 6th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from March 30th AHD Bulletin – Hauser: Reverse the downward trend of pets missing vet care. Link. JVECC makes a case for quality improvement in vet med. Link. Finding the optimal pattern of a customer journey. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences … [Read more...]
Pig monitoring is feasible
Commentary Looking like production manufacturing from the Science Channel’s How it’s Made, swine production is rapidly moving forward with technology. Radio frequency, wireless sensors, remote monitoring, individual pig behavior data and more are advancing efficiencies exponentially. One can’t help thinking about how far swine production has come in the last century and what … [Read more...]
Uterine prolapses, a review
No prolapse is exactly like the next one and there’s likely not a worse thing that can happen to a cow. Most prolapses occur following birth and within 24 hours. Rhonda Brooks shares feedback from veterinarians about handling uterine prolapses, clients and being prepared when arriving at the farm. When I was in practice, we actually had a chart taped to the wall by every … [Read more...]
Why white-tailed deer don’t get Lyme disease
White-tailed deer are important to the survival of deer ticks but they are not involved with transmitting the Lyme bacteria. The serum component of white-tailed deer blood kills Lyme bacteria. Whatever it is in the deer that’s killing the germ is part of the innate immune system, a part that precedes antibodies, shares Stephen Rich, MS, PhD. Although deer, such as white-tailed … [Read more...]
Efforts to save endangered equine breeds
“Heritage-breed horses are not just useful and beautiful—they are an irreplaceable reservoir of equine genetic diversity,” says Charlene R. Couch, PhD. “These animals offer valuable traits that were developed over centuries, such as stamina, unique gaits, hardiness, sound feet and good skeletal structure.” The ancestral sources of many of the heritage breeds no longer exist … [Read more...]
Remember the social aspect of working with mules and horses (video)
Arkansas mule trainer Bob Smith shares the approach he uses with mules like Red in this informative video. We often leave the social aspect behind when we’re working with mules and horses. Too often we ignore the social nature and focus on what we want them to do for us . . . ” – Bob Smith Source: Missouri Mule Makeover/Ozark Mule Days, Facebook, March 30, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
U.S. bans big cat ownership
A bill outlawing unlicensed people from owning, breeding and transporting big cats in the United States was signed last December. The Big Cat Public Safety Act, which identifies lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, cougars and hybrids of these species, goes one step further, banning licensed exhibitors from allowing public petting of big cats and their cubs. Source: … [Read more...]
Dog paw infections: Causes, symptoms and treatments
JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM, reminds us that dog paw infections can be uncomfortable, but they are treatable and preventable. She reviews how and why paws get infected and ways to prevent dog paw infections through good care. Dog paw infections come from three types: bacterial, fungal and yeast.” Source: Great Pet Care, March 18, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for … [Read more...]
Prioritize canine influenza vaccines based on animals at risk during shortages
Scott Weese, DVM, shares ways to determine which dogs need the canine influenza vaccines most since our industry continues to see shortages in flu vaccine supplies. Dogs considered to have increased risk of severe disease include seniors, pregnant, immune compromised, brachycephalic and those with significant cardiac or respiratory disease. Canine influenza is one potential … [Read more...]
Dogs, lawn care and cancer
The pesticides and herbicides that make mass food production and smooth grass easier may negatively impact the ecosystem, but also the health of our pets. Lauren Trepanier, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP, shares findings from three ongoing studies that compare chemical exposures in dogs with and without cancer. Source: The Humane Society of the United States, March 31, 2023. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 3, 2023
British Columbia doubling veterinarian numbers, Illinois legislature working to ban declaws, using AI to find employees to match a company, planning for retirement and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, April 3, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
How to spot a fake website
Even if one is a cautious user of digital technology, fake websites often catch us off guard. Spotting a fake website is quite easy but many people still fall for these scams every day. This article explains some of the different ways you can tell if a website is fake. Source: Simply Geeky, July 2022. Link. … [Read more...]