Complimentary content DNA testing options are continuously being developed for dogs and adoption of the technology is on the rise. Veterinarians can now use genomic testing to screen for common, actionable disorders to anticipate health issues and enable preventative care. Join Lindsey Kock, DVM, and Lauren Thorne of Neogen® for a free RACE CE approved Table Talk: … [Read more...]
Petco launches Vital Care Wellness Plan
"Petco's Vital Care Wellness Plan is the latest offering in our mission to improve the lives of pets and pet parents. With Vital Care we are offering critical, everyday services, from nail trims and teeth brushing to vet care, in a way that has never been done before - all in one accessible destination." - Ron Coughlin, Petco CEO. Source: Rural Marketing News, October 12, … [Read more...]
How men can confront other men about sexist behavior
W. Brad Johnson and David G. Smith tackle becoming courageous watchdogs for equity, dignity, respect and fairness in the workplace. They share the essential need for active confrontation of other men for sexism, bias, harassment and all inappropriate behavior. Public allyship, they say, may be the toughest part of male allyship. Allyship is hard work. Excellent allies have … [Read more...]
4 tips to encourage employees to get a flu vaccination
Chaz Hinkle reminds us of the importance of annual influenza vaccinations and the flu’s annual pressure on healthcare facilities and workers. The ongoing coronavirus challenge adds to the importance of getting everyone vaccinated. Source: Human Resource Executive, September 29, 2020. Link. Studies show that getting vaccinated can reduce flu illness, doctors’ visits, missed … [Read more...]
Impediments to empowerment
OPINION National Veterinary Technician’s Week was filled with celebrations, acknowledgment and for me, discovery. Participating in two virtual roundtables encompassing virtual care and veterinary technician use, common threads became apparent as I listened: Veterinary teams are taxed and running on fumes Workflow and staffing models are in continual flux, including … [Read more...]
SAD: turn toward the light
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), seasonal depression or winter depression usually starts in the fall when daylight hours decrease and less temperate weather drives us inside. The American Psychiatric Association explains that SAD may arise from a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by fewer hours of daylight and less sunlight, which can shift the biological internal … [Read more...]
Writing advice for science types and using an editor is important
Scholarly writing has a reputation for obscurity and obfuscation, says Josh Jones, who shares novelist Cormac McCarthy’s editing advice. His straightforward counsel is an invitation for writers of all kinds to remind themselves of the fundamental principles of clear, compelling and communicative prose. Scientific papers also rely heavily on jargon, overly long, … [Read more...]
Metronidazole is not FDA-approved for dogs
Opinion Regardless of accuracy, it concerns me when articles and videos* like this one are published in consumer publications. Regardless of how frequently metronidazole is prescribed by veterinarians, it is not yet approved by the FDA for veterinary use. * The video features Jerry Klein, DVM, AKC’s chief veterinary officer Source: AKC, September 21, 2020. … [Read more...]
5 ways to optimize your pet’s health
Complimentary content Katie Woodley, BVSc, cVMA, GDVCHM, brings a collaborative mindset to integrative veterinary medicine. She combines western and eastern approaches to improving the quality of life for pets. A frequent guest on The Bridge Club Pets*, she anchors on food being the foundation for health. She asserts five steps to implement into pet's lives for optimal … [Read more...]
Hackers target webcams and cash flow
Sponsored Content Clint Latham, JD, addresses security issues in an effort to help the veterinary profession conquer the world of cyber security and ensure veterinary data remains secure. Two new posts cover webcam security and ransomware. Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Services. Link. 7 steps to determine if your webcam has been hacked, October 5, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen translates dog diarrhea and new puppy musts
Complimentary content Two new YouTube editions of Is this a Thing? are now available. Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, talks about new puppies and dealing with diarrhea in her initiative to help pet owners understand veterinary jargon and be more comfortable communicating with veterinarians. Source: Dr Jen the Vet, YouTube. Link to YouTube channel. … [Read more...]
How to start a fight with a client
Louis Dunn turns customer experience training upside down from what to do to what not to do. She shares phrases staff members use that can kill your client service and make a client feel as if you are trying to make them angry and start a fight: Our policy is . . . We have been really busy . . . Press 1 for…Press 2 for…Press 9 to repeat these choices . . . … [Read more...]
The future of veterinary telemedicine
Complimentary Content Roger Redman, DVM, and president of American Association of Veterinary State Boards shares his perspectives on telemedicine. He believes telemedicine isn’t just a part of the veterinary future, but that it guarantees the profession has one. He discusses VCPR, the expanded use of telemedicine platforms to facilitate access and the potential for dedicated … [Read more...]
Disinfecting or just cleaning? Contact time MATTERS!
Commentary With news media reporting a resurgence of Covid-19 infections this fall, it is time to revisit contact time. Best practices say to remove dirt then disinfect. But if the disinfectant used does not remain wet for the duration of its contact time, we are essentially just cleaning. Considerations in your community Conversations this week with the head nurse of … [Read more...]
CDC updates information on Covid-19 airborne risks (with video)
Well duh! The CDC now says people should also avoid crowded indoor spaces and ensure indoor spaces are properly ventilated by bringing in outdoor air. This update is a result of mounting evidence from super-spreader events. The guidance for physical distancing remains in place and needs further emphasis as winter drives more personal interactions indoors. The balance of … [Read more...]
Celebrating veterinary technicians, nurses and assistants
Commentary This week our industry acknowledges the efforts of veterinary technician. Since 1993, National Veterinary Technician Week has taken place the third week of October. Its objectives recognize veterinary technicians are critical to the day-to-day function of veterinary practices and play vital roles in preserving animal health and welfare. Often tireless champions … [Read more...]
The dilemma of pandemic pet pounds
The challenge of obesity in dogs has been exacerbated by the pandemic lockdown. The WFH messages promoted to date involve pets getting more exercise, but Kim Kavin’s Washington Post story indicates many dogs have packed on extra weight. On the other hand, dogs that have lost weight might have a few aches and pains from the increase in activity. Dog owners should work with … [Read more...]
7 steps to see if your webcam has been hacked
Things like snooping, webcam hacking and location tracking happen every day, but we are still not used to taking all the warnings seriously says Clint Latham, JD. He shares steps to ensure nothing phishy is going on. If you suspect someone is accessing your webcam without your consent, don’t ignore your sixth sense.” – Clint Latham, JD Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Security. … [Read more...]
Infection control. Back to basics.
Commentary What? Again? Yes, absolutely! The topic of infection control and disinfection products, protocols and methods dominated media and discussions starting in February 2020. Medical and veterinary hospitals hurried to update protocols, train staff and implement checks and balances to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission. Through all the confusion, animal health … [Read more...]
Immunity discrimination could become HR’s next legal nightmare
HR professionals are responsible for innumerable variables during these times. In addition to allowing for more flexibility as employees put family first, now comes considerations about immunity discrimination. Source: Human Resource Executive, September 22, 2020. Link. “It’s going to be hard for managers to not think about this when they’re making workplace decisions,” says … [Read more...]
7 ways BtoB content can change everything
Guest contributor Brendan Howard educated and entertained dvm360 business section readers for years where he built a loyal following. He now freelances and agreed to share some of his business-to-business (BtoB) content expertise with animal health pros. Here’s a sample. You’ll find the rest of the article at the link. Source: 7 ways BtoB can change everything, October 8, … [Read more...]
Poop runs downhill . . . Vet techs catch it!
Commentary The old saying, ”it ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” is appropriate for this time period. In recent conversations and reports, the stress levels on animal hospital teams is nearly a constant topic. Juggling heavier client loads, new staffing models, staff members balancing at-home schooling and work are some of the reasons. National Veterinary Technician Week is … [Read more...]
Zooming as the norm
With more people than ever working remotely, it feels like we’ve been in more meetings than normal in 2020. The desire to sync up with our teams more often when we are all working from our homes makes sense. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, September 9, 2020. Link. That is, start your meetings by making sure everyone on the call understands the Purpose, the Outcomes, and the … [Read more...]
Improvements in overnight monitoring care
Complimentary Commercial Content from Kevin Maher, VetMeasure Overnight monitoring care is often necessary for a veterinary patient and can be difficult for the veterinary team, animal owner and the animal. Today, there are options for pet wearables that practices can use to monitor various vitals including: a patient’s axillary temperature, respiratory rate (range), and … [Read more...]
5 essential reads on how coronavirus spreads through the air
Challenging the ongoing confusion and behavioral apathy many of us are witnessing, Stacy Morford turned to scientists to help explain what aerosols are, how airborne particles can transmit the coronavirus and how to protect yourself. The articles were recently published in The Conversation. Source: The Conversation, September 23, 2020. Link. The 5 essential reads … [Read more...]
Lucca shares data security tools and legislation
Sponsored Content from Lucca Veterinary Data Security Clint Latham, JD, is adamant that veterinary clinics realize the importance of cyber security, understand their liabilities and use readily available tools to protect clinic data. Leaving data security to the IT guy is not enough, he says. Lucca Vet’s latest blog post explains a free security tool called Blacklight and … [Read more...]
Don’t become a case report
Scott Weese, DVM, reminds us that needle sticks are largely considered a regular event in veterinary medicine and mostly not a big deal. BUT . . . beyond the immediate discomfort lies the potential for one of the rare complications of or the transfer of an emerging disease, heaven forbid. Weese says that like a lot of things in infection control, the science of needle safety … [Read more...]
Renew the discussion of standardizing veterinary technician credentials
Covid-19 has quieted the discussion of veterinary technicians versus veterinary nurses. But, the need for standardized credentials is more apparent now than a year ago. As practices expand staffing to accommodate more flexible schedules and increasing pet owner numbers, the need for veterinary technicians has increased exponentially. Kenichiro Yagi MS, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), … [Read more...]
Clear expectations needed for best results
Our expectations are world-class customer service.” Does this mean we answer your call within three rings? Does it mean our customer service representatives are multi-lingual? Does this mean our customer service department is open 24/7/365? Does it mean the customer is always right? Exactly what does it mean? It illustrates the need to set clear expectations. Rachel Botsman’s … [Read more...]
Family commitments, bosses and work
Not all bosses understand when family commitments need to be balanced with work schedules and priorities. Rebecca Knight shares ideas to help mitigate the tensions when bosses are indifferent. Getting your boss to understand and support your needs comes down to clear, honest and frequent communication. If you’re willing to initiate that dialogue, you’re more likely to get … [Read more...]