Farmers and ranchers have until July 1 to nominate their dogs to become the Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year. The contest celebrates farm dogs and how they support farmers and ranchers in producing food for families and pets. The grand prize winner will win a year’s worth of Purina dog food and $5,000 in prize money. Source: American Farm Federation, April 12, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
8 reasons dogs don’t listen
Dog owners will appreciate the advice and perspectives from this article. Consider it for social media, newsletters or with appointment follow-up communications. When dogs don’t listen, it has more to do with weaknesses in training strategies than anything else. Lynne Fedorick, CPDT-KA, shares reasons dogs don’t listen. Dogs think proactively. They are doers. They don’t … [Read more...]
Dealing with dog training sabotage
Behavior issues remain a top cause of dogs being relinquished. While sabotage might sound harsh, dogs need consistency to establish and keep behavior patterns. Kathy Callahan, CPDT-KA, discusses why a family needs to get on the same page to avoid confusing their pet. The pet’s confusion issues are often compounded when a being boarded or going to a daycare provider. No matter … [Read more...]
Safe encounters of the K-9 kind
A large percentage of dogs are not socially adept at meeting new dogs. Pat Miller offers tips on managing intentional get-togethers between dogs that haven’t met before. Few dog owners handle the frequent and often-tense encounter with another dog in a way that protects their dog, preserves his good behavior and supports positive feelings about other dogs.” - Pat Miller, … [Read more...]
Who owns that pet? (podcast)
Hosts Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, RVT, tackle the tricky topic of how veterinary clinics determine who is a pet’s owner, who can make decisions, and, ultimately, who is responsible for paying. The situation is more common than you think and can be an issue for daycare and boarding locations, as well. Source: Veterinary Viewfinder podcast, April 6, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Counseling pet owners on pediatric nutrition
Choosing a pet food IS overwhelming with the number of commercial options available, a plethora of advertising, label vernacular and popular trends. Kate Boatright, VMD, shares three key areas in which veterinary team members should be competent discussing with owners of puppies and kittens: The best food for the new pet How much to feed When to switch to an adult … [Read more...]
First aid tips for pet owners
Spring and outdoor activities are wonderful but come with risks of injuries for pets. Pet owners need to be prepared to offer first aid to their pets when an injury occurs. First aid is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it can help save a pet's life until it gets veterinary treatment. The AVMA offers several resources suitable for social media, newsletters and … [Read more...]
The veterinary team’s role in the human-animal bond
Veterinary care is anchored by relationships. Rebecca Rose, CVT, shares her belief supporting the human-animal bond as the center of the veterinary profession. She recommends reintroducing the importance of the human-animal bond with the entire team and ensure it appears in the values, vision, and mission of the practice. Source: Veterinary Practice News, March 15, 2022. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 14, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Traditional recruiting is broken. 6 ways to reimagine it. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 31, 2022. Link. =================================== How long is too long to leave a dog alone? Source: Whole Dog Journal, January 10, 2020. Link. 10 to 12 hours is too long for a dog to be … [Read more...]
Heartworm prevention: language influences care (video)
The language of care resources from the AVMA are featured in AAHA’s NEWStat. The first article includes a video with role plays of a heartworm client seeking a refill without a heartworm test. The second focuses on the language of care survey results and provides a downloadable ebook to help veterinary team members speak to pet owners in a way that helps them hear and … [Read more...]
Dirty pet food bowls common, full of pathogens
Researchers from North Carolina State University surveyed dog owners about their animal feeding habits and swabbed pets' food dishes for bacteria. The findings suggest a need to educate pet owners about pet food handling and hygiene to minimize bacterial contamination of dishes, especially for high-risk populations. Source: HealthDay, April 6, 2022. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
Avocado. Toxic for pets or not?
This new research may create confusion as avocado meal is used as a pet food component. Avocados contain a chemical called persin, a natural fungicide, which could be toxic to dogs that eat the fruit. However, in an experiment, persin seemed to be destroyed and inactivated during kibble production, leaving the resulting product safe for dogs. The Journal of Animal … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 11, 2022
Pet retailer’s guide to animal healthcare, OSHA resources required, wearable pet tech, pet industry advocacy, work force issues and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, April 11, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
The 411 on fetch
We’re including this item because it will be especially helpful for new dog owners. Playing fetch with our dogs is well known, but not all know it is a DNA-driven trait and may psychologically feel good to most dogs. Source: Happy Puppy Tips, Link. Also see: Dog toys: How to pick the best and safest, Humane Society of the U.S. Link. Also see: The 16 best dog toys to … [Read more...]
Science explains puppy dog eyes
There’s no doubt puppy dog eyes capture our attention. Citing research comparing fast twitch muscles in wolves versus dogs, Anne Burrows, PhD, says her findings suggest dogs’ faces have evolved anatomically to improve their connections with people. Source: NBC News, April 5, 2022. Link. Domestic dogs and humans are adept at accurately understanding one another’s facial … [Read more...]
Feline heartworm experience creates DVM advocate (video)
Experience is an influential teacher. Ellen Bishai, DVM, PhD, shares the story of her cat's ordeal with heartworm disease and the resulting commitment to feline heartworm preventatives. For me, if there is a preventative I can do that's not going to hurt the pet...I don't see any reason not to do it." - Ellen Bishai, DVM, PhD Source: DVM 360, March 31,2022. Link. The way our … [Read more...]
Get ready for Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May
As ticks wake up and crawl out of cover, April and May are great times to reinforce pet owner knowledge on tick and Lyme Disease prevention. 2021 saw an increase in tick populations. We’ve found no reason to expect 2022 will be any different. Source: lymedisease.org. Link. … [Read more...]
10 grooming myths debunked
Daryl Conner collaborated with groomers to identify and address common myths about grooming, including: Bathing frequency and seasonality Shampoo pH and conditioner use Non-shedding breeds and mixes Cats don’t need baths Puppy age required prior to grooming Source: Groomer to Groomer, April 2022, page 6. Link. Also see: Hidden dangers of the pet care … [Read more...]
Top-searched product attributes for pet food according to NielsenIQ
Pet owning consumers are seeking specific product attributes, and they are changing the way they shop for products. There is an increasing shift toward omnichannel options and e-commerce outlets, writes Jordan Tyler. The NielsenIQ researchers dug into frequently searched terms that will interest animal health pros. In the top-searched attributes for dog food and treats, the … [Read more...]
Burst the myths about raw food diets for dogs and cats
Raw feeding isn’t new, but it is widely misunderstood. This author looks at five common falsehoods about feeding dogs and cats a raw food diet. He touts the raw dietary option as one of the more nutritionally beneficial choices but also acknowledges challenges. Proper raw diets for dogs and cats are made up of meat, bone, organ meats, vegetables, and supplements. All these … [Read more...]
Play groups enrich dogs’ lives
Dogs need both dog-dog play and dog-human play. The two serve different purposes says Vint Virga, DVM. Playgroups have resulted in an increase in live release rates in shelters which is a trend that benefits animal welfare overall. <play groups> give dogs an opportunity to have more social interaction as well as to practice appropriate play behavior in a controlled … [Read more...]
The latest on age and gonadectomy
A lot of confusion remains about spaying or neutering dogs. There is even conflicting evidence about whether it should be done at all. Timing of gonadectomy surgery is not one size fits all. Counseling with pet owners is an important component of decision making. There is no single or definitive source of information on effects of gonadectomy for each breed, and most current … [Read more...]
AAHA’s updated Pain Management Guidelines: A paradigm shift in managing pain
The 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats mark the first update of the guidelines since 2015 and there have been big changes. Tony McReynolds shares some of the most important changes from discussions with members of the pain guidelines task force including: incorporation of the last eight or nine years of research and development and understanding in pain … [Read more...]
Texas A&M lab: Pets have been getting Covid-19, too
Research on 600 animals from homes where a person had Covid-19 shows about a quarter of the pets sampled since June 2020 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. One quarter of those infected pets were symptomatic with what is described as a very mild illness that resolved without veterinary interventions. Gaining support from the CDC, the lab’s SARS-CoV-2 surveillance will continue, … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s chat about blood transfusions in dogs, cats
Complimentary Sponsored Content The Chatfields welcome Richard Stone DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), to the chat room. The Chatfields and Stone discuss blood transfusions, client reactions, risks and where the blood comes from. Stone and Dr. Jason were classmates at Texas A&M University. Source: Chats with the Chatfields, You Tube, February 27, 2022. Link. 56 … [Read more...]
Coccidia in dogs and cats
Coccidia are a major issue for puppies and kittens under eight weeks old and can even kill them. After the first exposure, Coccidia parasites may remain present in the animal's intestines, and they're just waiting to take advantage of any digestive upset, writes Marty Greer, DVM. The bacteria is rarely the initial cause of the diarrhea, but once diarrhea starts, the Coccidia … [Read more...]
The 7 habits of highly effective dog owners
Complimentary Commercial Content Those who appreciate Stephen Covey’s seven habits will enjoy this special edition. Tiffany Lovell, CPDT-KA, CSAT, AAI, shares how the seven habits apply toward more successful relationships with dogs. Source: Whole Dog Journal. Link. … [Read more...]
Dogs can enjoy TV
Domestic dogs can perceive images on television almost like we do. They also recognize sounds from it. The author shares what affects what dogs really see on TV, canine dichromatic vision, motion detection and channels dogs enjoy. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. Sitting in front of a screen is not a replacement for outdoor play and exercise, but can be fine on occasion, … [Read more...]
Cruelty-free pet brands growing
More brands are coming to market that are certified as cruelty-free, making them an option garnering attention from animal owners. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. When it comes to understanding what exactly qualifies a brand as “cruelty-free,” consumers are often left to fill in the gaps . . . . . . there is no “official” or government-sanctioned cruelty-free label” … [Read more...]
Petco’s healthy strategy is paying off
Petco has expanded Vital Care wellness rewards program to include new services and added cats. References to growth from its customer experience and retention strategies makes this article informative reading for animal health pros. Vital Care members typically spend three times more with Petco than non-members” - Ron Coughlin, CEO Source: Forbes, March 8, 2022. Link. Seven … [Read more...]