A big part of the holiday season is dictated by unrealistic expectations. It is full of hustle and bustle along with emotional ups and downs for some. We received this along with a note of appreciation from an AHD reader. Random acts of kindness can be a real lift for many people whether we know them or not. Consider the ideas in the full calendar from our AHD … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 30, 2023
Recent posts from AHD’s weekly Bulletins – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 2023 archives. Link. Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 2023 archives. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. ============================================ Merriam-Webster's word of the year . . . Authentic Source: BBC, November 27, … [Read more...]
KPI alphabet soup: Defining acronyms of high-performance dairies
Chad Jenkins and Mark Hodge share key performance indicators as a quick gauge and to provide clarity to a plethora of dairy data. Acronyms often add to the confusion along with some of the mathematics when talking with dairy producers. Four KPIs that have considerable impact on dairy productivity and profitability are income over feed cost, dollars per pound of dry matter, … [Read more...]
How old is too old to breed a mare?
Most broodmares are generally past their reproductive prime as they approach about 15 or 16 years old, writes Anna O'Brien, DVM, answering a horse owner’s question about a 20-year-old mare. She explains a variety of considerations beyond the mare’s health. The best thing to do to properly evaluate the mare’s reproductive health and capacity is have your veterinarian perform a … [Read more...]
Mystery canine respiratory virus has growing footprint
Eleven states have now reported a mystery respiratory illness in dogs <Link>. The mysterious illness was described as an atypical canine infectious respiratory disease that presents similar to kennel cough, but doesn’t respond to normal medication. Plus, the cough lasts longer than the normal seven to 10 days. Source: CNN, November 28, 2023. Link. At least two-hundred … [Read more...]
Washers and dryers require more frequent cleaning than you think
Washers and dryers often run daily in veterinary clinics and pet services facilities. The washer cleans clothes every time you run a load but it is not cleaning itself and dryers need more than the lint trap cleaned with every load. Cynthia Barnes shares methods for cleaning these important machines we use at home and at work. Source: Better Report, November 8, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Holiday gift ideas for pets and professionals
Julia Burke shares ideas and favored items in the pet industry to add to your holiday shopping list from several categories, including health and wellness items. Source: DVM 360, November 24, 2023. Link. Also see: Choosing safe dog toys, AHD, December 21, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
A deep dive into holiday spending trends
While millennials lead in pet ownership, they allocate less money to their pets compared to their counterparts in Generation X and baby boomers, according to BLS data. On average, pet owners plan to allocate $122 for their pets during the 2023 holiday season. The intricacies of the millennial trends, particularly in the context of holiday spending, unveil a nuanced narrative … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 27, 2023
The importance of updating business listings, petflation declining, a bit more on the mystery K-9 respiratory illness, groomer helps shelter dogs, small business finance tips and more. . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, November 27, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Holiday stress doesn’t need to derail productivity
Taking steps to manage stress now can help mitigate burnout during the holidays and beyond for staff members and management. Communication and planning are best practices, says Alyssa Place. Source: ebn, November 27, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Be curious
One of the simplest and more effective ways to brighten someone’s day is by asking them a question. Being asked about ourselves and our lives makes us feel listened to, understood, cared for and validated. Source: Axios, November 7, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Be interested and others will find you interesting. … [Read more...]
Workplace violence on the rise and so are regulations
OSHA is placing greater emphasis on employers’ efforts to prevent workplace violence. OSHA defines workplace violence as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.” It can range from threats and verbal abuse to serious incidents like physical assault and homicide. In addition to … [Read more...]
Build relationships with local pharmacies
Using community pharmacies may offer cost and convenience benefits to animal owners, writes Kate Boatwright, VMD. However, many veterinarians resist using external sources for pet medications. The two major factors contributing to this concern include frustrations in communicating with pharmacies and concern for prescription errors. Alternate sources of pet prescriptions are … [Read more...]
Study: More Americans seeking preventive care. Can animal health capitalize on the trend?
Commentary Animal health pros are familiar with the transitions from treatment to prevention that occurred in dentistry <Link>. Driven in part by advancements in technology, a modern general practice dentist is heavily focused on healthy oral care and preventing dental decay. A Health Affairs study indicates human patients are seeking similar care from their primary … [Read more...]
Looking back: most read posts from the November 2022 AHD Bulletins
Most read posts give us a sense of the priorities, problems and pain points animal health pros are experiencing when serving animal owners, their animals and each other. Despite what seems like a heightened sense of urgency, the most read posts from a year ago are grounding and remind us little changes. Animal health remains a repetitive business which benefits from educating … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 16, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 9, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the November 9th AHD Bulletin – Age-specific products for senior companion animals. Link. Better cat visits. Carriers and caregivers are the key. Link. The value of teamwork. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
USDA, only 6 strains of African swine fever virus
Accurate classification of viruses is paramount for epidemiological investigations and the development of cost-effective countermeasures, including designing vaccines for unique strains of ASFV. Researchers have reclassified the number of African swine fever virus strains from 25 to only six unique genotypes. Reclassifying ASFV from 25 to 6 genotypes is important . . . it may … [Read more...]
Copper sulfate use by farriers raises concerns
While there is no ban on the use of copper sulfate in the farrier industry, a professional and educated approach should be used as the common thrush treatment can be dangerous to farriers, horses and the environment. Source: American Farriers Journal, September 19, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
AAHA publishes guidelines for the management of allergic skin diseases in dogs and cats
Managing allergic skin diseases in dogs and cats can be challenging. It requires a multimodal therapeutic approach and frequent, ongoing communication with the pet’s family members and caregivers. AAHA’s first-of-a-kind guidelines offer detailed diagnosis and treatment plans to help guide veterinary teams creating better patient outcomes and client satisfaction. Treating the … [Read more...]
NAVC’s Clinic Champion of 2023, Tammy Wynn, Angel’s Paws founder (video)
As a licensed independent social worker and therapist by trade, Wynn launched Angel’s Paws with the belief that end-of-life care should not only include medical support for the animal, but emotional support for the owners. Following a transformative experience dealing with the loss of her own pet, Wynn went back to school to become a registered veterinary technician before … [Read more...]
35 dog, cat foods now in Mid America recall; 7 infections
ICYMI. Mid America Pet Food of Mount Pleasant, Texas, expanded its October 30 voluntary recall to include additional pet food products with Best By Dates before 10/31/24, made at its Mount Pleasant facility, due to the products’ potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We noted some Member’s Mark products marketed by … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 13, 2023
Fast Bites is the weekly communication tool dedicated to the members and supporters of the International Boarding and Pet Services Association. Approximately 7,000 businesses are members and represent the pet care professionals who support dog and cat owners when they are not able to do so at home. These animal health pros often see pets four or more times each week. Source: … [Read more...]
How to ask for attention if you are an introvert
It is seldom we meet someone who doesn’t want attention in some way, at least sometimes. Some perceive introverts do not want attention, explains Hope Constance, but this is not true. She shares ways for introverts to get the acknowledgments they desire. Even though we introverts don’t crave the limelight, we still want people to acknowledge us and our hard work.” Source: … [Read more...]
Time to face the music
Too much sound can be harmful to our health as we shared recently <Link>. The wrong sounds piped into the clinic’s sound system may be annoying and bad for business, writes Marc Rosenberg, VMD. He shares a realistic situation where staff and clients were negatively affected by the choice of clinic music. Source: DVM 360, November 7, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Unconscious fear leads to productivity losses in the billions
Most managers aren’t aware they’re leading with fear, writes Hailey Mensik. Sharing the results from a leadership survey that indicates a third of corporate leaders are primarily motivated by fear. This creates less efficient and less psychologically safe work environments that cost nearly $36 billion annually in lost productivity. Source: DIGIDAY, November 8, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Did you hear what I said? How to listen better.
“Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?” is a comical scene from the 1998 movie, Rush Hour, <Link> when Carter (Chris Tucker) picks up Lee (Jackie Chan) at the airport. Many times during our everyday communications that phrase is applicable. Michael Blanding reports on research that reveals how prone the mind is to wandering and sheds light on … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 9, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 2, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the November 2nd AHD Bulletin – Heartworm prevention nonadherence prevalent in U.S., study finds. Link. Want to move up? Link. Roundtable discussion: The performance impacts of cow gut health. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences … [Read more...]
Condition of surplus dairy calves during marketing
Surplus dairy calves are sold soon after birth and often marketed through a third party before entering veal or dairy beef production. A portion of these mostly male calves failed transfer of passive immunity and exhibited clinical signs of disease on arrival at calf-raising facilities. Researchers sought to better understand elements of calf health and morbidity during the … [Read more...]
New beef-on-dairy resources available from Iowa Beef Center
Usurping the traditional information about feeding mostly Holstein, dairy-bred calves, a new web resource now focuses on the growing beef-on-dairy segment. It will offer producers and animal health pros current research and information about beef on dairy cross cattle. Source: BEEF, November 1, 2023. Link. Beef-on-dairy is such a new space, and we are constantly learning … [Read more...]
Fall wellness exams can help prevent horse problems in winter
Christine Barakat’s article is a reminder to horse owners and veterinarians. Beyond the list of seven wellness topics and health checks, the toughness discussion deserves consideration when calling on equine owners. If the clinic has facilities on site, having a series of all health checks could make the process smoother and uncover issues horses have when trailered to the … [Read more...]