Experts often conclude people are resistant to change, which is not true. We are resistant to one of the two consequences of change: success, or failure. I do not believe folks fear success. So, the resistance to change is rooted in the fear of failure. Source: Veterinary Advantage, April 2017. Link. Conversely, the lack of consequences, negative or positive, will only … [Read more...]
Considering HPAI and highly pathogenic diseases (podcast)
There are animal health pros who will never deal with poultry or fowl. However, a recent interview with Mark Bienhoff, DVM, can help all of us understand the challenges, risks and prevention strategies required when dealing with highly pathogenic animal diseases. He shares his perspectives on likely fomites including: People and vehicle traffic Dust particles Viral … [Read more...]
Survey shows pet owners unaware of vet technicians’ roles during vet visit
An important survey led by the NAVC and VCA Animal Hospitals, with support from NAVTA, revealed striking misconceptions about the role, responsibilities, education and skills of veterinary nurses/technicians. 47 percent of pet owners did not know that the role of the credentialed veterinary nurse/technician includes performing medical tasks and procedures 73 percent … [Read more...]
Top 5 equine toxins (infographic)
Sponsored Content The danger of poisons and toxins isn’t unique to small animals. Poison education is important to horse owners, as well. Spring toxin incidents are often caused by insecticides and lawn and garden products. Now is a good time to remind horse owners of those risks. ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance provides the top 5 equine toxins in an infographic suitable to … [Read more...]
Cat wheezing: What it is, why it happens, when to see a veterinarian (video)
This article includes a recommendation for cat clients to capture videos of their cats’ issue as part of a vet visit decision process and background for potential diagnosis. While telemedicine terms are not used, the “when in doubt, see a vet” guidance could include a virtual visit. Consider the opportunity to share this article along with some telemedicine information via … [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...]
Protocols without training aren’t enough
Having a well-written protocol is not sufficient for successful performance, writes Gonzola Ferreira. Highlighting the importance of training, she asserts a no training approach cannot be successful if economic losses occur because tasks are performed inefficiently or ineffectively, or if an employee suffers an accident due to a lack of training. This article is applicable … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – March 28, 2022
Member webinar to discuss using photos of customers’ pets, a DVM working to save pets in war-torn Kyiv, onboarding new staff, MetLife Pet Insurance’s new reward program, Boehringer Ingelheim invests in Televet, Inc as their preferred veterinary health technology platform in the U.S., inflation reasoning and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, March 28, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Introspection is the hard work
The more your leadership power grows, the more strength it will take to harness that power. The surest way to keep hubris at bay is to honor the work required to be a good leader with a continual regimen of honest self-evaluation and deliberate self-development. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, February 9, 2022. Link. Humility is essential to mental and spiritual fitness and … [Read more...]
Form I-9 alert: Policy allowing expired documents scheduled to end
Beginning May 1, employers will no longer be able to accept expired identity documents when verifying an employee's work eligibility on Form I-9. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is ending its temporary Covid-19-related policy of allowing employers to use expired List B identity documents for I-9 purposes. List B identity documents include driver's licenses and state ID … [Read more...]
Building meaningful feedback loops
Leaders should use feedback loops to get constant, near-real-time insights into how to better solve problems and make better decisions, says Mike Allen. Receiving quality information isn’t a given, and it’s a major leadership mistake to assume so. Allen writes about the importance of constructing feedback loops to receive consistent and quality information. Feedback loop: A … [Read more...]
Veterinary compensation varies across U.S. states
Complimentary Content In newly published research by Galaxy Vets, DVMs in Delaware earn the highest average salary ($132,304.00) compared to the lowest average DVM salary, which is in New Mexico ($76,645.00). The article also contains a state-by-state comparison table of veterinary salaries. Location does play a role in what a veterinarian can earn. As does the type of … [Read more...]
Territorialism on the rise
Research indicates a shift in what workers value in their workplaces and workspaces. Stephen Denny shares what he calls the New Territorial Imperative and the shift of values in how workers feel about their primary work territory. The human need for territory and the status it confers is as old as the human race itself. We need to give thought to this New Territorial … [Read more...]
4 tips for reengaging with audiences post-pandemic
The last two years have been a steeplechase to maintain, adjust and survive. Customers may not know or remember the ways you’re doing business and your value proposition. Edward Wyatt recommends reintroducing yourself and your business to them. <Many> may not know what the old normal was like . . . communicate like an initial introduction of yourself to your stable of … [Read more...]
How to follow up with someone who’s not getting back to you
Non-verbal communication skills are vehicles to success in this digital age. But, without a response, communication is not effective. While it is frustrating and sometimes disappointing, not getting a response doesn’t mean they’re ghosting you. Forty-seven percent of emails are opened or discarded based on their subject line alone. Rebecca Zucker shares key things to keep in … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 24, 2022
Last week’s most read post Preconditioning starts when the calf hits the ground. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Link. =================================== Click here for a free 7-day trial --> Link #TalkatooTerry Your dog can go vegan – but cats are natural born killers Source: The Guardian, … [Read more...]
Tips to reduce dairy farm expenses
Dairy veterinarians are often asked about cost reductions. Certainly, fuel prices now add more cost to equipment and cost of goods requiring transportation. Making small financial changes can certainly add up to big savings. The author shares where to focus to help shave some costs while maintaining production levels and producing high-quality milk. Source: The Bullvine, … [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...]
Poor sleep linked to $44 billion in lost productivity
The importance of high-quality sleep to the economy is evident. With about 155 million full- and part-time workers in the U.S. workforce, the 7 percent who report poor sleep over the prior month represents an estimated 11 million persons in the formal workforce who are executing their jobs with substandard levels of restfulness. Source: Gallup, March 18, 2022. Link. Story … [Read more...]
Amazon privacy settings you should enable
Many of us are not aware of our Amazon privacy settings. We could be sharing too much information with the company. Settings can be changed at any time. Charles Slocs shares the importance of privacy settings, browser history and more . . . Amazon has made it very easy for its users to view and change all of their privacy settings.” Source: Tech Source Online, December 5, … [Read more...]
How craving attention makes you less creative
This TED talk is good for introspection and consideration. Trying to gain followers and likes only to be left feeling inadequate and less creative can be addictive. In his candid TED talk, Joseph Gordon-Levitt explores how the attention-driven model of big tech companies affects our creativity. . . . <there is> a more powerful feeling than getting attention. . . it’s … [Read more...]
Ambulatory assistants add value for farm-call DVMs
Twenty-plus years ago, an equine veterinarian shared his troubles with keeping inventory, invoices, medical records and follow-ups current. The discussion led me to suggest he consider hiring a person to be his shadow. A few months later, he called to say thank you. He said the assistant had captured more than double the wages in lost charges alone in the first 90 days. Amy … [Read more...]
Prepare clients to be financially prepared from the start
Getting a pet has financial consequences that often surprise pet owners. Boo Larsen shares data from the recent Synchrony Lifetime of Care study along with three ways to help prepare clients for the cost of care: Prepare new pet owners for costs they may not anticipate. Recognize that an invoice of $250 or less may cause anxiety. Be upfront and open about the … [Read more...]
Galaxy Vets announce 24-hour work week, same as full-time
Galaxy Vets is introducing a 24-hour workweek. All employees, as well as the relief workforce, who commit to at least 24 hours over seven days in any of Galaxy Vets’ general practice, ER or telemedicine settings are eligible to receive a full benefits package and equity. We are taking this step because we want our people to be able to afford a better work-life balance and … [Read more...]
Help your employees be ambassadors
Many leaders and companies are facing consequences of the great resignation. New ways of hiring and retaining employees are being developed, tested and implemented. But are we engaging the old and new team members as ambassadors for our business? It is a good question for animal health pros at all levels. Think about it! “Engaging your employees as ambassadors goes beyond … [Read more...]
Unifying the old guard and new team members
The last two years have brought great change in employee makeup. Beyond the dynamics of four generations working together, there are camps of us versus them when new hires arrive. If your organization has become divided, Ron Carucci presents ways to start putting the pieces back together and reuniting people. The arrival of new faces can be unsettling, especially if those … [Read more...]
Future bound: Dr. Eleanor Green
Complimentary Sponsored Content Mike McFarland, DVM, shares a discussion with industry icon, Eleanor Green, DVM, about her career path, women in veterinary medicine, becoming the first female dean of Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, her passion for horses and more. I don’t think it’s a women’s profession or a man’s profession . . .”- … [Read more...]
Gene-edited beef cattle get regulatory clearance in U.S.
The cattle cleared by the FDA have genes altered with CRISPR technology giving them short, slick coats that let them more easily withstand hot weather. Cattle that aren’t stressed by heat might pack on weight more easily, making for more efficient meat production.” Source: ABC, March 7, 2022. Link. U.S. food regulators said short-haired cattle produced through gene editing … [Read more...]
Multitasking or rapid task-switching?
Call it what you may, dividing your attention between two or more tasks to fit them all in at once, whether from external pressure or internal need is familiar. Sadhbh O’Sullivan shares perspectives on going through your day bouncing between tasks, competing priorities and interests. The important thing here is the context in which you are multitasking . . . it can be a … [Read more...]