Acknowledging World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, Scott Weese, DVM, shares his perspective on when to say antimicrobial versus antibiotic, noting they are pretty much interchangeable. . . . antibiotics are a subset of antimicrobials.” Source: Worms and Germs Blog, November 21, 2022. Link. Weese shares generalized definitions: Antimicrobials: substances that inhibit or … [Read more...]
The power of 15 minutes of focus
“Small habits done repeatedly truly do add up.” Sara Shafer shares culture building tips from Eric Termuende applicable to any workplace team. A healthy, vibrant culture is the new competitive advantage. Your biggest opportunity to fuel business growth likely has to do with creating a great culture.” – Eric Termuende Source: PORK, November 11, 2022. Link. Also see: Follow … [Read more...]
Prepare for possible recession
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” – Anonymous As 2023 approaches, preparing for potential recessionary effects* is important. Speaking at the AVMA Veterinary Business and Economic Forum, economist Dana Peterson shared why a recession seems eminent in 2023. R. Scott Nolen shares an overview of her comments and assertions including: Housing market changes … [Read more...]
“Letters to Chewy Claus” promises food and product donations (video)
Complimentary Commercial Content The “Letters to Chewy Claus” program will give extra love and care to some of the most vulnerable pets living in shelters and rescues this holiday season with the help of Greater Good Charities. For every letter submitted to Chewy Claus before December 15, Chewy will donate one pound of food to one of their non-profit partners, up to … [Read more...]
Vetsource unveils new brand reflecting company’s growth
Complimentary Commercial Content Following the acquisitions of Vet2Pet and VetSuccess, the new Vetsource brand marks an inclusive start for its expanded portfolio of veterinary business solutions. It represents a singular brand that encompasses client engagement (formerly Vet2Pet), and data and insights (formerly VetSuccess), as well as prescription management. Source: … [Read more...]
African swine fever . . . catching up
Commentary It is a rare day without some media reference to ASF. Foreign countries are experiencing active infections in domestic herds and wild hogs. We believe it is important to expose all animal health pros to the efforts in the U.S. to block ASF from entering the country. ASF is a potential One Health issue paralleling HPAI and FMD in its potential effect on food … [Read more...]
USDA updates National Bovine Brucellosis Surveillance Plan
Brucellosis has been eradicated from domesticated cattle herds in all U.S. states. However, B. abortus is still present in wild bison and elk in the greater Yellowstone area. The updates seek to increase the ability to detect brucellosis with a high degree of confidence and avoid potential zoonoses. Source: Feedstuffs, November 11, 2022. Link. Also see: Brucellosis: … [Read more...]
Equine anaplasmosis easily confused with Potomac horse fever
Darned ticks! Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum* that infects white blood cells. The Anaplasma organism typically infects horses from late fall to early spring and is spread by Ixodes ticks* which also spread Lyme disease, says Jean-Yin Tan, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM. *previously known as Ehrlichia phagocytophila and Ehrlichia … [Read more...]
Topical anesthetic may be a solution for needle-shy horses (video)
A recent study to evaluate the efficacy of using topical lidocaine to numb injection sites has confirmed veterinarians’ clinical impressions. Decreasing injection reactivity improves safety for equine veterinarians and handlers. . . . application of topical anesthetic just two minutes in advance of intramuscular injection can effectively reduce the behavioral reaction of … [Read more...]
Keep your eye on the coconut . . . oil
Includes Commercial Information Jackie Jurchenko, MSc, shares information about using coconut oil with pets in this article and infographic. She explains the different types of coconut oil, their properties and potential uses such as: Is coconut oil safe for dogs' skin? Coconut oil for dogs' itchy skin. Coconut oil for dogs' skin allergies. Source: Top Dog … [Read more...]
Senior pets deserve individual care plans
Mary Gardner, DVM, advocates for individual care for senior pets versus the cookbook approach too often adopted by medical professionals. These factors provide context for each pet’s story: its ailments, its personality, and the pet owner’s four budgets: financial, physical, time and emotional. Source: AAHA Trends, November 2022. Link. Also see: Search Results for: Mary … [Read more...]
Canine Leishmaniasis: Update on epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention
Commentary We’re providing this paper as an update on the status of leishmaniasis. We captured these statements for animal health pros to consider: Canine leishmaniasis is expanding to the Northern Hemisphere, where it is barely known, due to climate change and the importation of dogs. Sandflies are the only proven vectors of Leishmania infantum, but direct … [Read more...]
Top 10 pet toxins: in the Chatroom with the Chatfields
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Jen the vet and Dr. Jason Chatfield are joined by Dr. Renee Schmid from the Pet Poison Helpline and Safety Call International to chat about the top 10 toxins in pets in 2021. Includes V’s view from vet school. The Pet Poison Hotline is available for anyone concerned an animal has ingested or been exposed to a potential toxin. Animals are … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club – Cushing to discuss cannabis
Complimentary Content The Bridge Club will address what a practice can do with cannabinoids, state-by-state issues, what veterinarians can say and if selling is allowed in an upcoming virtual event. No fees but registration is required. Mark Cushing, JD, is the guest speaker. Virtual event via Zoom: December 7, 2022. 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. CST Source: The Bridge Club. … [Read more...]
Optimizing nutrition for cats and dogs
Opinion Pet food content consistently asserts the changing landscape of pet nutrition and how pet owners are seeking diets that parallel their own nutrition choices. Beyond brands, ingredients, kibble versus frozen, and fresh versus processed are among the considerations. Pet owners are responsible for their pets’ proper nutrition Too many dogs and cats are obese … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 14, 2022
Chasing customer loyalty, pet food trends driving growth, cost cutting for pet owners, pet services over $9 billion now, upcoming webinars and more. . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, November 14, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Association of Shelter Veterinarians announces academic journal
Achieving a long-time goal, the ASV has launched the Journal of Shelter Medicine & Community Animal Health. The publication is the first academic journal devoted to shelter and community medicine and is a rolling admission online, gold open access journal. It will provide evidence-based research affecting the welfare of animals in shelters and communities for veterinarians … [Read more...]
How to become a better listener or how to stop talking so much
There is psychology behind why some people talk too much, says Brian Smith. For those prone to be talkers, he shares things to do to give others time to express themselves. Be mindful Stay curious Avoid speaking over others Learn to like the lull Keep pen and paper handy Source: Fast Company, October 9, 2022. Link. Also see: Search Results for: listener, … [Read more...]
5 ways to demonstrate leadership
Repeat after me. “Leadership is not a job title. Leadership is the skill to influence people to a common course of action.” Dan Hopmans shares five ways you can demonstrate your leadership. Source: Massaro Consulting, April 5, 2019. Link. Managing expectations shows your ability to see the big picture, that you understand the outside forces and complexities of even simple … [Read more...]
The power of one act of kindness
Long checkout lines, two kids and a full cart . . . the lady in front of me saw I had only two items, my dog on a leash and cash in hand. Smiling, she offered to let me go ahead of her, wishing me a good day. Researchers who synthesized results from 88 experimental studies suggest our acts of kindness and generosity, online or offline, can have meaningful ripple effects in … [Read more...]
Vet Watch trends. Do these concern you?
Commentary The latest Vet Watch trend tracking begs attention. Note the metric showing a reduction in the number of clients. It is an area where practices and the animal health pros who serve them can focus actionably. Returning clients and their pets to an active status requires individual communication supported by client base communications. Start with your own staff, … [Read more...]
Selecting the RIGHT replacement heifers (audio recording)
Selecting replacement heifers is expensive and time-consuming, writes Lindsey Sawin. Knowing the breeding objectives for a producer’s herd may be the most challenging part of the process. Sawin shares some parameters and tools commercial cattlemen can use to select the right females for their operation including: EPD: expected progeny differences CED: calving ease … [Read more...]
HPAI wipes out 49 million birds in backyard and commercial flocks
Biosecurity is critical to avoid highly pathogenic avian flu outbreaks. While infected migratory waterfowl and their droppings are frequently blamed as the cause, human-mediated spread remains significant requiring continuous biosecurity vigilance. Fully committing to biosecurity is crucial to shut down HPAI in the layer industry.” In March 2022, Carol Cardona, DVM, PhD, … [Read more...]
Tail docking . . . the debate continues
Jennifer Bailey, DVM, shares information about tail docking and its pros and cons. Tail docking is generally done only to meet breed standards for some purebred dogs. AAHA and the AVMA have issued statements that oppose tail docking: AAHA statement, updated June 2021. Link. AVMA statement. Link. Article, 2008. Link. Source: Whole Dog Journal, November 4, 2022. … [Read more...]
Dog, cat owners and veterinarians differ on pet obesity
A survey of dog and cat owners by the Association for Pet Obesity shows the challenges of pet obesity and owner education although most owners see obesity as a disease. Veterinary clinics remained the most frequent choice for pet dietary recommendations among pet owners at 41.4 percent Dog and cat owners second-most frequent choice for the best source of pet food advice … [Read more...]
Mutt mail: Top subscription boxes for dogs
Contains Commercial Content There are a growing number of pet-focused subscription boxes positioned as curated by fellow pet lovers. Boxes of toys, goodies, treats and accessories are shipped directly to the pet owners’ homes. We’re including the article and a link to a deeper subscription service list so animal health pros are aware of these services and which ones are … [Read more...]
Is Dawn dish soap safe for dogs?
Contains Commercial Content* Dawn dishwashing liquid may not be the best option to use for bathing your pets. Two experts offer advice about using Dawn soap to clean dogs. We noted the following: Dawn dish soap can be a safe choice in rare circumstances but is not recommended as a regular shampoo. Dawn is great for degreasing if your pet is exposed to oil or … [Read more...]
How to prepare a dog for a boarding kennel
Now is the time dog owners need to prepare for boarding if they are traveling over the holidays. These authors share what to look for when shopping for a dog-boarding facility that will keep a dog secure, comfortable and unharmed. They advise dog owners to see where their dog will be housed and where he will be taken to eliminate and recreate. Source: Whole Dog Journal, … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 07, 2022
Pet spending at the veterinary clinic, growth in death care business for pets, David Frei shares concerns for pandemic puppies, pet care industry’s role in senior care, keeping employees happy, tips for small business finance in 2023 and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, November 07, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
How technology can make work harder
Citing the smorgasbord of software needed to do any task these days, Hope King uses terms like toggling tax and digital dexterity to explain how tech advancements have come at mental and sometimes emotional costs along with declining productivity among knowledge workers. Source: AXIOS, November 7, 2022. Link. One Harvard Business Review study suggests workers are switching … [Read more...]