The introduction of a Master of Veterinary Clinical Care pilot <Link> from Lincoln Memorial University raised a lot of questions. As promised, they are addressed in this second video from The Bridge Club. Source: The Bridge Club, July 27, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
NSAIDs, cats, and anesthesia. Are the kidneys at risk?
Although NSAIDs can alleviate postoperative pain in healthy cats, potential adverse effects on kidney perfusion often discourage use of them in analgesic protocols. Berit Fischer, DVM, DACVAA, CCRP, shares results of a study that examined the effects of preoperative NSAIDs on renal function. Source: Clinician’s Brief, April/May 2021. Link. The study authors concluded that … [Read more...]
Tick cases on the rise. Lyme vaccines omitted, questioned.
Entomologists have noted the tick population has climbed 15 percent since last year, making Lyme disease more prevalent this year according to CNet’s associate writer Katie Teague. She shares tick information for consumers, including information specific to Ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease. NOTE Teague's article does not identify Lyme vaccines as an option for dogs. She does … [Read more...]
Rabid puppy exposes dozens in Georgia and South Carolina
Opinion If you’ve not read this recent account of rabies exposures, please do so. We still have gaps in rabies management and prevention. . . . only 39 states mandate rabies vaccination for dogs; 11 states have no statewide legal requirement for rabies vaccination of any species. Feline rabies vaccination is required in 34 states, and vaccination of ferrets is required in … [Read more...]
Modeling fierce self-compassion
Some people worry that self-compassion will make them soft, but it gives us incredible power, writes Kristin Neff in an excerpt from her book, Fierce Self-Compassion. The book shares how women can harness kindness to speak up, claim their power and thrive. Neff shares three elements of self-compassion, self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness, that each have an … [Read more...]
Communication is key
Remote, in-person or some combination of both, the pandemic has taught us a valuable lesson about the importance of timely, honest, and effective communication. Source: Gallup, June 28, 2021. Link. The Gallup study on the effect of communication in organizations also found that employees who work in an environment where communication is open, timely and accurate are more … [Read more...]
People aren’t just quitting their jobs, they are redefining success
Millions of people are coming out of the pandemic more anxious and depressed than before, according to a global study in the journal, “Frontiers in Medicine.” Instead of chasing an antidote to burnout, we need to incorporate well-being and recharging practices into our work and our lives, writes Arianna Huffington. There’s a global phenomenon in which a record number of people … [Read more...]
Employees blamed for a problem created by employers
Peter Cappelli asserts it is time for a sharp realization by the human resources profession. He says employers are trying to hire a lot of people to fill their earlier layoffs, and they struggle to hire the people with the skills and experience they want fast enough at the wages they want to pay. That is not a labor shortage. Cappelli believes there are just under 22 million … [Read more...]
Ageism in the workplace is alive but unwell
Ageism is alive and unwell in the workplace, according to Michael North and Ashley Martin. Their research found workers who openly oppose racism and sexism were still prejudiced against older workers. Older women are spared from some of these expectations compared with older men. There's this sort of subtle tension where older adults are expected to step aside and get out of … [Read more...]
Lincoln Memorial University pilots new advanced degree option for veterinary professionals
A pilot degree program that offers a Master of Veterinary Clinical Care degree was the focus of The Bridge Club discussion July 22. Following a study of needs and opportunities, the Veterinary Innovation Council recommended that accredited colleges and schools of veterinary medicine explore the development of pilot master of science training programs as discussed during the … [Read more...]
Back to school, but with unprecedented challenges (podcast)
LaVerne Evans Srinivasan joins Mohamed Younis to discuss the barriers students and parents face when going back to school and the resources they can seek. Despite differences in the quality of educational opportunities, this is a unique moment where this disruption hit everyone. Pandemic recovery challenges will affect students in employee and client families alike." Source: … [Read more...]
Speaking of Pets – a worthwhile resource
It’s a challenge filling e-newsletter, blog and website content. Enter Speaking of Pets, a 2-minute podcast from NPR and Alabama Public Radio. Host Mindy Morton covers everything under the sun in short, easily usable pieces. Source: NPR, Speaking of Pets, Link. Speaking of Pets with Mindy Norton is for people who care about pets and about humane treatment for animals in … [Read more...]
Vets DO IT on the phone – Chatfields chat with Aaron Smiley, DVM
Dr. Jen the vet and Dr. Jason Chatfield are joined by Dr. Aaron Smiley to find out what is and isn't legitimate telemedicine. Smiley is one of the founders of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association and a champion of monetizing virtual care interactions. Telemedicine is not new. . . 140 years and going strong. What’s new is the expansion in technologies.” – Aaron Smiley, … [Read more...]
Chatfields seek People’s Choice Podcast Award nominations
Opinion, Complimentary Twin veterinarians Jen and Jason Chatfield hosted the top veterinary podcast in 2020. It was the first-ever veterinary podcast to be a finalist for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards (Science and Medicine). In 2021, the veterinarians launched a new podcast, Chats with the Chatfields. They are seeking nomination support for the 2021 People's Choice … [Read more...]
Unplugged: embracing boredom
Disengaging from digital interference and being connected 24/7 requires commitment and practice. Going off the communication grid is considered healthy but is not without its challenges. In a recent blog post, Eric Garcia writes, “. . . in fact, the more I’ve unplugged, the more I’ve come to appreciate boredom.” He writes about the challenges of truly unplugging and allowing … [Read more...]
Is good enough good enough?
Consistently great work often comes down to your mindset, not how many hours you have in a day. It is about pushing for excellence and approaching every task, project or decision as an opportunity to make an impact for your customers, employees or candidates. Source: Inc., March 21, 2021. Link. Good leaders complete a task; great leaders improve upon it. INSIGHTS: On the … [Read more...]
Mixing the old with the new in veterinary practices
There is a great opportunity to pair innovative, new ways of delivering patient care with more traditional practices to elevate the standard of care, shares Link V. Welborn, DVM, DABVP, CCRT. Citing increased patient volume as a good sign, he says workforce shortages are the biggest issue facing the profession right now. Source: Veterinary Advantage, July 2021. Link. It’s a … [Read more...]
5 ways your workplace isn’t accommodating to fat people
The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 42.4 percent of the American public was obese, and 73.6 percent was overweight in 2017-2018. Being inclusive in a way that recognizes large people requires re-thinking how we think about thin and not-so-thin people*. Workplace culture comes from our larger culture, which certainly has a hierarchy around weight. Thinner people are … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 15, 2021
Last week’s most read post Society ignores low-probability events that have far-reaching consequences, Source: Animal Health Digest, July 7, 2021. Link. Become the boss of your emotions Source: Healthline, April 28, 2020. Link. The ability to experience and express emotions is more important than you might realize. The felt response to a given situation, … [Read more...]
Porcine circovirus type 2; where do we stand?
First seen in the 1990s in swine, PCV2 has been observed to be involved in a wide variety of clinical presentations. Thirty years later with millions of dollars lost by producers and millions spent chasing this virus, it is still a conundrum. The most common form of the disease is considered to be subclinical, write the authors. The evolution of the virus has followed a … [Read more...]
6 questions that are effective for identifying cats with feline arthritis pain
The lack of recognition of arthritis pain in cats is severe enough that by one estimate, less than one percent of cats with arthritis pain are seen by veterinarians. Researchers came up with a six-question, one-minute survey with simple “yes” or “no” answers for cat owners to see if their cat might have arthritis and decide if the pet needs to see a veterinarian. Source: … [Read more...]
Bridging the gap between vet techs and DVMs
Complimentary Content Join The Bridge Club for an exclusive event where Mark Cushing, CEO of Animal Policy Group, Dr. Stacy Anderson, dean of Lincoln Memorial and Dr. Jim Lloyd, former dean of University of Florida, talk about a new advanced degree option for veterinary technicians. Source: The Bridge Club. Link. The group will discuss how to bridge the gap between … [Read more...]
The hurrier we go . . .
Sponsored Content Humans tend to become lazy, especially with repetitive tasks. We dislike wasting time on things that are unnecessary or monotonous. Add busy schedules operating at full capacity and even the most structured protocols lapse. The hurrier we go . . . the behinder we get!” – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland The news of the emerging Delta coronavirus … [Read more...]
Compression socks. Who needs them, how to choose a good pair
Compression socks can improve circulation as well as relieve swelling and discomfort. There are many reasons to consider compression including: Sitting or standing without much movement for long periods A way to protect tendons If you have venous in insufficiency seen as swelling in the legs, feet, ankles To support legs during pregnancy Source: Martha Stewart, … [Read more...]
Dead butt syndrome is a real thing
Dead butt syndrome, or gluteal amnesia, is a condition that occurs when your gluteus medius gets inflamed and forgets to function normally. Our glutes aren’t designed to bear weight for long periods. Sitting for extended periods of time has been shown in multiple studies to have a major affect on how well we can contract and use our glutes effectively. Source: Huffington … [Read more...]
Regular coaching helps individuals and teams
Laura Stack, MBA, CSP, CPAE, shares a few reasons why coaching can help direct reports and teams boost productivity. If nothing else, coaching proves that management cares about the workers, their well-being, and their abilities. Coaching isn’t the same as an annual evaluation, mentoring, training or a one-time thing, writes Stack. It involves one-on-one, informal face time … [Read more...]
Emotional intelligence and recognition
With all the challenges faced by leaders in today’s rapidly changing workplace, the idea of building emotional intelligence can seem overwhelming. Here is one simple idea that can jump start your efforts. Source: Fast Company, June 29, 2021. Link. One way that leaders increase their awareness of what their people are doing well is to spend more time working with … [Read more...]
What if you couldn’t discount?
We often hear rhetoric about increasing transparency. Certainly, various internet-based search tools have created an increasingly transparent universe. David Brock discusses how selling would need to change if the price was the price period. Source: Partners in Excellence Blog, July 9, 2021. Link. . . . when we don’t have pricing as a crutch we leverage to sell, we must … [Read more...]
The rise of the eco-friendly consumer. . . our employees
Opinion For decades, our industry focused on animals while feeling forced to deal with people. Harsh? Probably, but true. In the current companion animal context, we’re seeing a growing focus on the animal owner as part of the pet care community. Additionally, the animal health pros we employ come from five generations, all of whom have their own opinions and … [Read more...]
Purchase growth plateaus, but still ahead of 2020, VetWatch™
Monitoring the scope, velocity and importance of developments in the U.S. veterinary care sector, VetWatch™ helps veterinary hospitals and the animal health industry stay on top of the ever-changing landscape affected by current events through multiple sources of real-time data. Source: VetWatch, week ending July 3, 2021. Link. For the week ending July 3, aggregate YTD … [Read more...]