Commentary The monthly Insiders’ Insights Key Performance Indicators Report compares revenue and patient trends for 2022 versus 2023. Revenues are generally positive for practices and individual patients, while patient visits show a declining trend. New patient percentages look a bit more like they did prepandemic which is reflected in the decline in new patients year … [Read more...]
Impacts of commingling preconditioned and auction-derived beef calves with BRD
Commentary Cattle science continues to study ways to decrease morbidity, mortality and reduce use of antiinfectives as cattle move around the country. The study referenced reinforces the value of preconditioning and addresses the effects of comingling auction-derived calves with the preconditioned ones. Preconditioning reduced BRD and antimicrobial use in the feedlot, in … [Read more...]
5 steps for using care to unlock employee happiness and health
MetLife’s 21st annual U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study found a connection between employee health and caring employers. Eighty percent of employees who feel cared for at work describe themselves as holistically healthy compared with 40 percent who feel an absence of care from their employer. Fifty-eight percent of employees overall feel cared for when working. Missy … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 16, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 9, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from March 9th AHD Bulletin – Pet owners feeling the sting of inflation. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. New York City rats can catch the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, study finds Source: CNN, March 9, … [Read more...]
Practical advice for assessing newborn calf vigor
Spring calving is well underway. March storms stress cattle and cattle producers alike. Logically, there is a focus on ensuring calves get a good start and that dams recover quickly to care for and feed calves. While an APGAR test for calves would give cattle producers a clue when to intervene in a newborn’s life, Barry Whitworth, DVM, shares practical advice from studies about … [Read more...]
Rebuild pastures in 2023 ahead of rebuilding herds
Sponsored Content Grazing lands have taken a beating. They need recovery. And that takes time. Source: BEEF, March 1, 2023. Link. Emphasizing the rebuilding of pastures during 2023 will pay off as market opportunities arise in the coming years. INSIGHTS: This is a good coffee shop topic for animal health pros working with beef producers and their veterinarians. It presents … [Read more...]
Understanding immediate and long-term effects of wildfires
Writing about the effects of 90 or more wildfires in the western U.S. during 2022, Corey Geiger reminds us how smoke and fine particulate matter stress cows and calves. Mature cows are impacted immediately which is seen in reduced milk production. Calves however may be affected for their production lives. . . . the preweaning period is critical in future performance . . . … [Read more...]
What veterinarians were talking about at AASV
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting is an important event for swine practitioners and the swine industry. The swine health topics discussed at the March 7 meeting included biosecurity, African swine fever, traceability, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and more, writes Jennifer Shrike. She provides an overview of the information speakers … [Read more...]
Miniature goats in the city
The self-sufficiency movements are bringing more farm animals into backyards. Farm stores often have mini goats for sale alongside chicks, ducks and rabbits during the Easter season. Jenny Rose Ryan discusses some of the boundaries and opportunities for including miniature goats in the city. For those with a decent-sized city lot a bit of know-how about local zoning and … [Read more...]
7 things to know to keep rabbits healthy and hopping
Morris Animal Foundation shares seven things to know before adopting a rabbit. Bunnies are often sold alongside chicks during spring. Like dogs and cats, they need special care, attention and training. Source: Morris Animal Foundation, January 19, 2023. Link. Also see: Search results for bunnies, AHD. Link. RHDV, rabbit math, abandonment, cute factor and more about … [Read more...]
Raising chickens comes with built-in health risks for them and their keepers
It’s time again for Easter chicks and to urge animal health pros to reinforce the zoonotic risks associated with them. The CDC warns, “Don’t kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, and don’t eat or drink around them. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick <Link>.” As part of a series, Isabelle Louge, DVM, encourages owners to first find and contact … [Read more...]
Fighting foot funk
Heather Smith Thomas shares the importance of regular hoof care. Mud and moisture can soften and impair the hoof’s structural integrity, making it vulnerable to hoof infections like thrush, white line disease and abscesses she says. Source: The Horse, March 13, 2023. Link. Keeping the hoof clean and dry is important, rather than just using various hoof-strengthening paints … [Read more...]
Domestication of cats and why they are like us
Recent experiments suggest that cats are more socially intelligent and attuned to familiar humans than we realize. These studies even indicate that cats like us. . . . there is no reason to suppose that humans deliberately domesticated cats . . . if anything, cats domesticated themselves.” - Danijela Popovic, PhD Source: New Scientist, March 7, 2023. Link. Also see: Why … [Read more...]
Dogs, special brownies and more
“What to do if your dog eats marijuana,” by Jennifer Bailey, DVM, addresses a growing issue in homes with pets. Whether edibles, weed or vape cartridges, many of these familiar options are also attractive to dogs. Marijuana was ranked 9th in top Toxin Trends <Link>. Consider this article for social media posts and newsletters to keep pet owners informed of the safety … [Read more...]
A primer on mastitis in small animals
Mastitis can have a dramatic effect on the quality of life of any animal. It is painful, can become a more serious systemic infection and can challenge owners to care for young animals unable to nurse effectively. Don Vaughan shares how mastitis presents in small animals along with diagnosis, treatment and effects. Client education can go a long way toward preventing mastitis … [Read more...]
Demand for pet groomers, grooming remains high
The demand for grooming is outpacing the number of groomers available, according to Paula Hendrickson. She discussed the situation with grooming industry peers in the article linked here. Burnout is a concern as professional skills specialization and certification advance customer expectations and groomer economics. Source: Pet Product News, March 8, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 13, 2023
Safety tips for traveling with pets, increasing demand for pet-friendly workplaces, types of YouTube videos that grow business, more legislation limiting retail pet sales, trends in pet nutrition and more. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 13, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Association for Veterinary Informatics requesting survey input
The Association for Veterinary Informatics is seeking feedback from stakeholders and interested parties with a vested interest in sharing and creating common data standards within the veterinary profession. The Interoperability Committee of the AVI will be facilitating and promoting the development of standards, protocols and implementations that improve the interchange, … [Read more...]
Social media management in 1 to 3 hours per week
Cheyanne Flerx took on the job of social media in addition to her duties as a veterinary assistant. She shares a few tips to help work within a limited time frame. Social media doesn't have to be a chore . . . but it does take planning ahead.” Source: AAHA NEWStat, February 23, 2023. Link. Flerx’s basic tips are: Plan ahead and be proactive Work in task batches … [Read more...]
The modern pet telehealth industry is improving veterinary practices
Vetster’s Cerys Goodall writes about the benefits and opportunities for veterinary telehealth in the article linked here. For veterinary teams who have yet to fully use telehealth, it makes a good backdrop for a team discussion. Goodall says telehealth provides unique solutions for consumers and veterinarians while filling in the gaps of in-person clinics. She adds that … [Read more...]
Pets can teach us about love, grief, life and death
Karen Fine, DVM, wrote the recently released book, “The Other Family Doctor.” The book’s subtitle, “A veterinarian explores what animals can teach us about love, life, and mortality,” aptly describes Fine’s observations. She shares these experiences and how they relate to the realities of veterinary practice today with Fresh Air’s Dave Davies. The half-hour interview ranges … [Read more...]
The right stuff for success
The right stuff works across industries, professions and occupations. Source: Veterinary Advantage, February 2023. Link. Their focus is on the problem, not the person involved. INSIGHTS: High performance attitudes, characteristics and skills are universal. … [Read more...]
How (and why) social media is affecting healthcare providers
This article discusses the evolution of online communities for medical information sharing, their credibility and trends among healthcare practitioners. For the first time, data from a recent survey showed that content from social media influences human practitioners' perceptions and prescribing behavior. This trend in human medicine raises concerns, as well as exposes … [Read more...]
3rd annual burnout study released by Galaxy Vets
Results from the third Galaxy Vet burnout study indicate an overwhelming majority of veterinary professionals don’t feel support from peers, supervisors or hospital owners. Not being heard had a direct correlation with the burnout rate. Galaxy Vets shared these key findings summary with AHD: Burnout returned to pre-pandemic level Practice managers, CSRs, assistants … [Read more...]
Last-mile delivery race is a losing proposition
Commentary The Forbes article linked here provides context for animal health pros as our industry deals with growing resupply costs while holding margins in line to service animal owners. By land or drone, the retail industry is waging big money on last-mile delivery timelines. The prospect of a return on investment seems murky at best, shares Greg Petro. He describes the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 9, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 2, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from March 2nd AHD Bulletin – Vet Watch Insight Report. 8.5 percent YTD practice revenue growth, other improvements. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. 10 most popular articles of 2022 from HBR’s Working Knowledge … [Read more...]
Properly test water sources before turnout
Producers need to check water sources for total dissolved solids and levels of sulfates, pH and nitrates before turning cattle out this spring. Routine testing is advised as water quality fluctuates throughout the growing season. Drifting snow and topsoil during winter also affect water quality. Low-quality water can reduce animal health and productivity, while high-quality … [Read more...]
Vaccines need a boost, especially for calves
Commentary Seen through animal health pros’ eyes, Abby Bauer’s article is basic. However, seen through a younger producer’s first experiences, it is a reminder and a reinforcement of the importance of vaccine booster timing especially since producers often do their own vaccinations. Boosters should be administered one to two months after the initial vaccination to build … [Read more...]
Animal health efforts DO reduce need for antibiotics
Animal health and nutrition companies are constantly working on ways to improve animal health and provide antibiotic-free alternatives for use in animal feed. Global sales of antibiotics for veterinary use are down nearly one-third since 2011, according to the World Organization for Animal Health with some major livestock-producing countries in Europe, as well as the United … [Read more...]
Camel cloning is big business in Dubai
Fascinating! Nisar Ahmad Wani, scientific director at the Reproductive Biotechnology Centre in Dubai, first cloned a camel in 2009. Now he and his team research and develop new cloning techniques and maintain cell banks to produce dozens of cloned dromedary camel calves each year. Source: CNN, March 1, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]