Complimentary Commercial Content Mella and QSM Diagnostics have unveiled the addition of the QSM OTTER eQ instrument platform in the Mella Desktop Application. The test improves antibiotic stewardship for veterinarians by increasing the accuracy of identifying bacterial infections. The integration with Mella reduces duplication and allows for the test results to be sent … [Read more...]
Shedding season tips
Contains Commercial Content Most pets experience intensive shedding during fall and spring. Whether a retailer, groomer, pet sitter or veterinarian, shedding season is a good time to reinforce skin care and offer tools and tips to manage the hairy situations to pet owners. Source: Happy Puppy Tips. Link. … [Read more...]
How to read a scientific paper
David W. Ramey, DVM, confirms the challenges veterinarians face to stay current with biomedical reading. He says a system for reading and evaluating scientific papers is important to avoid getting overwhelmed and shares an algorithm for deciding if a paper is worth the time to read it. . . . it is reasonable to assume veterinarians are already behind in their reading and they … [Read more...]
Managing negative responses
No matter how skillful you are, in today’s environment you are likely to encounter negative reactions. Source: Vet-Advantage, October 2022. Link. Switching pronouns from you to it, that or this may seem like a small thing now, but in a leadership conversation this simple act is extremely powerful in helping your customers separate themselves from the problem at … [Read more...]
The 25-minute meeting — REALLY?!
Commentary This SmartBrief survey graphic underscores the need for better meetings. Too often meetings are called without intention and result in more meetings. Two articles address meeting overload, restructuring them and improving results. The Nano Tools for Leaders® from Wharton Executive Education offers tips to halve the time and double the impact of your meetings. … [Read more...]
Sticky work environments retain veterinary professionals
Sponsored Content Wendy Hauser, DVM and founder of Peak Veterinary Consulting, provides perspective and potential solutions to the challenges of retention and talent shortages many veterinary hospitals are experiencing. Private practice is often a stagnant career path . . . where, as tenure advances the perception that individual’s efforts make a difference decrease, job … [Read more...]
Smart device syncs pet food formulation with dog behavior
Complimentary Commercial Content Artificial intelligence may be able to suggest what pet food formulations match a dog’s behaviors. A collaboration between two Mars divisions, IAMS dog food brand and Whistle pet activity trackers, resulted in a system that uses data on a dog’s behaviors to determine what diet may be best for that pet specifically. Source: PETFOOD Industry, … [Read more...]
National Cat Day is October 29th
Since 2005, National Cat Day has focused on informing the public about the need to rescue cats. Over time it has also become a celebration of the most popular four-legged pets in America. Consider using some of these resources in communications to support this day of feline recognition. Source: National Today. Link. Also see: Morris Animal Foundation, October 21, 2022. … [Read more...]
Campaign seeks to make November senior pet month
Senior Pet Advocates is recognizing November as Senior Pet Health Month. The group believes it is important to emphasize senior pets require additional care, such as more frequent examinations and diagnostics. Plus, their owners may need nutritional and behavioral counseling. Source: AVMA, October 18, 2022. Link. Senior Pet Advocates plans on growing support for the … [Read more...]
Pet vaccination questions addressed by Scott Weese, DVM
Scott Weese, DVM, shares his thoughts on a series of vaccine issues, questions and dogmas surrounding rabies and core pet vaccines. . . . we need to vaccinate <pets> until we’re sure they’re old enough to respond properly to a vaccine.: - Scott Weese, DVM Source: Worms and Germs Blog. Link. Part 1: rabies vaccine timing, October 20, 2022. Link. Part 2: the puppy … [Read more...]
October’s news from the KC Animal Health Corridor
Spencer Breithaupt retires from MWI Animal Health, networking event scheduled, recapping the Spirit of Service award luncheon and a call for Day in the Life videos to help shape the next generation of our industry. Source: KCAHC, October 2022. Link. The KCAHC hosts 75 percent of our industry’s businesses. It is the single largest concentration of animal health interests in … [Read more...]
Dog food home deliveries: inefficient, absurd, yet convenient via ecommerce
Home delivery market opportunities continue to expand. Industry analysts predict that the amount of dog food ordered online will surpass what's bought in stores by 2025. With 77 million or more dogs in the U.S., this one change in buying habits has serious ripple effects on supply chains. Source: Insider, October 19, 2022. Link. The mess of overlapping networks that bring … [Read more...]
What to know about seasonal depression
Seasonal affective disorder is more than the winter blues. It is a form of clinical depression. Its symptoms last longer and come and go with the seasons. As much as 10 percent of the U.S. population is affected by it. SAD can be managed using evidence-based therapies that include outdoor time, bright light therapies, cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant … [Read more...]
Veterinary First Responder Certificate Program
AVMA’s certificate program serves as a framework to ensure veterinarians and veterinary students have the knowledge and skills to serve as first responders. The requirements include courses from FEMA. Currently, only Texas A&M 4th-year students can complete the VFRCP. However, the available program courses are open to any veterinary student or graduate veterinarian to … [Read more...]
What do audiences remember?
Each audience is unique. Every time we present an idea there are opportunities to improve what audience members remember. Whether we communicate in a formal speech, present laboratory diagnostics results or engage a group at a lunch ‘n learn, we want them to listen, remember and often make decisions. Research shows that audiences remember a dismal 10 percent to 30 percent of … [Read more...]
Pet Poison Helpline data drives interactive toxic trends map
Toxin Trends was created to educate pet owners and veterinary professionals on the variety of toxins that are near their communities. Chrysanthemums, 27th on the tableau toxin list, are popular fall flowers across the country. The highest number of calls to the helpline come in October as shown in the interactive map. Source: Pet Poison Helpline, Toxic Trends. … [Read more...]
Global One Health Joint Plan of Action set in motion
The objectives of the OH JPA seek to create a world better able to prevent, predict, detect and respond to health threats and improve the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment while contributing to sustainable development. Six interdependent action tracks form the plan’s pillars. These priorities are to help achieve sustainable health and food systems, reduce … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 20, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Socializing new puppies? Manage the right amount of playtime. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, October 13, 2022. Link. 10 commandments of dog ownership Source: AHD, June 28, 2022. Link. Reposting because it is important to routinely reinforce the responsibilities of pet ownership, … [Read more...]
Lame cows are not to be tolerated on dairies
“Acknowledging the importance of hoof health and purposefully reducing lameness incidences may not position farms to maximum performance and profit in the short term, but it is a must-do if a farm is going to achieve a balance of optimal profit, efficiency and welfare by definition of sustainable,” shared Jennifer Walker, DVM, in a recent presentation. At any given time, 25% … [Read more...]
Working together to keep African swine fever at bay
Commentary We noted instructions for international travelers on the USDA website <Link> including sanitizing or burning clothing and shoes. This warning is important for all animal health pros and is relevant considering the growing U.S. population of feral hogs: Do NOT visit a farm, premises with pigs, livestock market, sale barn, zoo, circus, pet store with … [Read more...]
Dogs do get depressed
Dogs don't experience depression the same way humans do, says Deb M. Eldredge, DVM. But, they can have short-term depression which is usually related to loss of a human or animal family member or a major change in lifestyle. She shares signs of depression and ways to help a dog who is depressed. Source: Daily Paws, January 20, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Veterinary technicians to share their view of the state of the profession
Join The Bridge Club as veterinary technicians discuss the state of the profession today, opportunities for growth, solutions to workflow management and ways technicians can provide more value in the current practice context. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. Register to join the conversation on Zoom, October 27th at 7 p.m. CDT. No fees. Registration required … [Read more...]
Nikon’s Small World celebrates 47 years of images. Contribute yours
Nikon’s Small World is the leading forum for showcasing the complexity and beauty of life seen through the light microscope. Its Photomicrography Competition and video competition, called Small World in Motion, are open through April 30, 2023. Animal health pros can enter one or both. In the meantime, look at the 2022 winning shots. You’ll be amazed. These are but two … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – October 17, 2022
The importance of background checks when hiring, pain points with vet visits, progressive brands seek sustainability in pet food, tips for social media profiles, plant-based protein interest, ransomware risks and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, October 17, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
What to do if you’re put on a performance improvement plan
Helen Harris says a PIP is an opportunity to improve before facing other actions, such as termination. She reminds people to take time to process the information, and fully understand why they were placed on a PIP in the first place. A good PIP is well documented and detailed . . . If you don’t agree with what’s in the PIP and your manager isn’t willing to negotiate or … [Read more...]
How work-life balance struggles for working moms have changed over the last generation (podcast)
Kathleen Davis visits with mothers and daughters who compare how they balance unpaid labor at home and how motherhood has affected their careers in this episode of the Ambition Diaries podcast. For the majority of women there is no question having-it-all and work life balance isn’t possible. . . it’s a matter of survival.” Source: Fast Company, Link. Of the many issues … [Read more...]
The hard conversation
All of us have had to, or will, deal with a frustrating work situation at some point in our careers. SOURCE: CNBC, September 18, 2022. Link. Being curious and asking questions can help defuse negative emotion and keep tensions from rising. INSIGHT: The person is never the problem. Their behavior, their performance etc. may be. Separate that from the person and focus on the … [Read more...]
Cardiologist studying female animals to gain insight into women’s health
Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, a cardiologist with the University of California – Los Angeles, is once again studying animals to explore health connections between them and humans. Her current focus is on cross-species similarities in female health and she hopes to fill historical research gaps about diseases that primarily affect women. She says understanding our place in the … [Read more...]
AAHA’s October Trends celebrates technicians, open access
Trends magazine is the premier magazine for AAHA members. During Veterinary Technician Week, all animal health pros get access to this special edition. Veterinary technicians are the backbone to animal hospitals” - Anonymous Source: AAHA Trends, October 2022. Link. In this issue: Getting well, keeping well Techs@Work photo spread What is the role of a VTS? What … [Read more...]
What hamsters can eat
Melissa Witherell, DVM, says a hamster’s diet should consist mainly of the same commercially produced pelleted rodent diet that mice and rats eat. Hamster seed diets are commercially available but should not be a hamster’s primary source of food, as it may cause nutritional deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Source: PetMD, February 16, 2022. Link. A healthy … [Read more...]