Explaining the objectives for a new program to be launched in 11 Southeast Asia countries Navneet Dhand BVSc&AH, MVSc, MANZCVSc, said, "If you want to prevent these diseases from happening in the future, you have to look beyond humans. You would have to look for these viruses in domestic animals, in wildlife populations; and to achieve that you need a trained animal health … [Read more...]
10 things to never do to a dog
Pet adoptions are at an all-time high. Some new owners need training on pet care. Dog owners sometimes put their pet in harm's way without realizing it. Sophia Mitrokostas shares a few things veterinarians say to never do to a dog, including: No running with sticks Don’t use retractable leashes Check with vet before using a human product on a dog Avoid ice … [Read more...]
Recognize and treat early dog arthritis symptoms early
Regardless of pet life stage, familiarity with common signs of arthritis in dogs can result in faster intervention. This, in turn, can lead to improved quality of life for everyone involved, writes Marybeth Bittel. Bittel collaborates with a veterinarian to share common signs of arthritis and what to do if a pet shows changes in behavior. Source: Dogster, April 8, 2020. … [Read more...]
Watery eyes may signal medical conditions in dogs
An overflow of tears, called Epiphora may indicate minor to major medical conditions. Christina Korb, DVM, and DJ Haeussler Jr, DVM, MS, DACVO, provide a diagnostic chart to help explain what all those tears might represent. Source: Clinician’s Brief, April 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Pollen or cat allergy?
Watery eyes, runny noses and scratchy throats are symptoms of environmental allergies, as well as pet allergies. About twice as many people are allergic to cats as dogs. A truly hypoallergenic cat does not exist, even though some breeds are thought to be. Cat allergies are caused by a reaction to a protein in cat dander, urine and saliva. The author shares steps to lessen … [Read more...]
82 percent of feline friendly practices reported visit increases in 2019
The 2019 Cat Friendly Practice (CFP) survey showed improving the veterinary experience for the cat and caregiver increases visits. The techniques for CFP practices are applicable during this pandemic once a cat is transferred to the veterinary team. Cat owners with cats seen for the first time in 2019 are a high priority for communication efforts during 2020. A simple call … [Read more...]
Make your problem your business
It is difficult to imagine how big an opportunity can be when it’s a problem or market that is very specific. You may dismiss it as a problem you identified that is uniquely yours and assume it is a small opportunity. Or, you can’t fathom how you would possibly create a business model around the concept. Source: Forbes, April 21, 2020. Link. We were spending our time … [Read more...]
Veterinary Virtual Care Association formed
To help the profession navigate how to implement virtual care into practices, Veterinary Virtual Care Association, a new nonprofit organization has been formed. This global association is dedicated to developing best practices for delivering virtual care for animals, defining quality standards and protocols for practicing virtual care, sharing experiences among practice teams, … [Read more...]
This one made me laugh
While we are dealing with a global pandemic, nomenclature fanatics are working to name all the colors. Yes, all 16.7 million of them. To date, about 1.1 million have been named. For those working from home with children, this is a fun activity to share as a family. Or, invent a new Zoom game to replace geocaching. . . color caching. Why laugh? We once painted a farmhouse … [Read more...]
Car noises you should never ignore
“Did you check the tires?” was a frequently asked question when we jumped into the car to go somewhere. Jill Trotta shares five car noises we should never ignore and what to do about them. Source: BottomLine Inc. Link. INSIGHTS: Newer automobiles warn you when things are not working correctly. But our ears, eyes, nose and touch sensations remain very important to keep our … [Read more...]
Postcards are still effective
Commentary What’s old is new. What’s tried is true. After two decades of everything digital – postcards? Yes, postcards are returning as a way to stand out. This is what MailChimp promotes in a recent LinkedIn campaign. The primary benefit of postcards is for our customers to have something tangible delivered right to their mailbox.” – MailChimp customer Source: Linked In. … [Read more...]
16 ways to get your emails read
Do you consider yourself a designer when writing an email? Dan Pallotta thinks so. He says a design approach is necessary to get emails read. He shares ways to achieve this. Source: HBR Ascend, September 2019. Link. A good design gives you an edge. It’s the difference between getting read or getting ignored. . . . develop an eye for the difference between visual order and … [Read more...]
We ARE living the new normal – Part 3, biosecurity strategies ensure progress
COMMENTS Biosecurity is not new to animal health pros. It is central to successfully providing safe care for animals and their owners. Diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, hog cholera, bird flu, leptospirosis, PEDV, PRRS, salmonella and BVD have pushed us to focus on optimizing infection controls, using quarantine areas and hospital pens in concert with … [Read more...]
We ARE living the new normal – Part 2, communication strategies for moving forward
Comments Strategies are the how of moving forward. They are meaningless unless we know the why. Getting to why requires focus. The words of the veterinarian’s oath clearly identify the why. . . . I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal … [Read more...]
We ARE living the new normal – Part 1, situation analysis
Comments Change management experts are returning to their themes of adaptability, including life and business always accepting change as a constant. In some ways it is refreshing. Yet the day-to-day strategy changes, coupled with statistical analysis have most people running in place awaiting what comes next. From what has been published in recent weeks related to … [Read more...]
Lead employees during a crisis
In times of crisis, there are two directions human nature can take us: fear, helplessness and victimization or, self-actualization and engagement. On the latter, if leaders have a clear way forward, human beings are amazingly resilient. There is a documented “rally effect.” Source: Gallup, March 23, 2020. Link. Research has found four universal needs that followers have of … [Read more...]
Milk replacers versus fresh milk. A value discussion.
Someone recently said that milk replacers are more nutritionally consistent than fresh milk. Ioannis Mavromichalis, PhD, takes on the statement and discusses the value of fresh milk and milk replacer use in calf supplementation. Source: Feed Strategy, April 20, 2020. Link. . . . the notion that cow’s milk is unsuitable because it is too variable in composition simply makes … [Read more...]
Correcting dehydration is always job 1 with calf scours
Calf scours are complex, multi-factorial and expensive in the immediate and mid-term life of the animal. Alan Newport discusses calf scours causes, interventions and consequences. Prevention of scours requires the combined experiences of veterinarians and the calf care team. Source: Beef Producer, April 14, 2020. Link. The calf’s age is as important as the color of the … [Read more...]
STD Awareness Month applies to more than humans
Sexually Transmitted Disease Awareness Month, better known as April, will be over soon. Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease that can cut a calf crop in half. Infected animals show no outward signs; it is a lifelong infection and there is no treatment. There is still time to have conversations to help producers understand the disease and work with a veterinarian to … [Read more...]
How to manage pinkeye
Fly season is well underway. It marks the beginning of pinkeye infections to come by mid-summer. Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK, or pinkeye). Pinkeye costs the beef industry an estimated $150 million annually. Historically, Moraxella bovis was considered the primary IBK pathogen. More recently, mixed cultures of M. bovis, Moraxella bovoculi and Mycoplasma … [Read more...]
It is fly season again!
EQUUS Extra sponsored content Nothing can ruin a nice ride or antagonize a horse quite like the multitude of flying pests that emerge this time of year. More than an annoyance, they can also cause a host of health issues, including allergic reactions, skin infections and viral diseases. This article reviews the insects most likely to pester horses and how to stop … [Read more...]
Debunking 4 common horse-feeding misconceptions
Clair Thunes, PhD, acknowledges that knowing what and how to feed a horse can be confusing with the options available these days. She says to read and follow the manufacturers’ labels. . . . be sure to measure feeds by weight, not volume.” – Clari Thunes, PhD Source: Horse and Rider, April 8, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Thunes offers concise counsel that horse owners will … [Read more...]
Dog personality strongly linked to human personality
The human-animal bond works both ways. People and dogs have shared a relationship for at least 15,000 years, so it is no surprise that dog personality has been affected, say researchers. Conversely, the benefits of the human-animal bond are frequently expressed as dogs helping people. Paula Fitzsimmons shares how dogs and humans benefit. Source: PetMD, Link. Dogs and people … [Read more...]
Blastomycosis. There are fungi among us.
Scott Weese, DVM, reviews study results on the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, its prevalence and how dogs may speed up the process of diagnosis in humans. Source: WormsandGerms Blog. April 20, 2020. Link. Blasto lives in two forms, therefore dimorphic, says Weese. In the environment it lives in the form of a mold, and its exposure to this form that can result in … [Read more...]
Early or delayed dog neutering? What to tell clients.
Neutering is an elective procedure for which there is still no definitive, universally accepted yes or no answer. While frustrating, it is more productive to use this subject as an opportunity to shape our expectations, and those of our clients, regarding medical decision-making writes Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMA. Source: Veterinary Practice News, March 27, 2020. … [Read more...]
They bought Easter baby chicks. Now what?
Chicks and bunnies are a great project for youngsters. The key word is project. Many families have added pets during this 2020 pandemic. Some of them are baby chicks. With the newness now gone, the questions start. We chose some resources that can be shared on social media, in newsletters or directly with individuals having chick questions. Sources: How to tell the … [Read more...]
Identify and recapture missed charges
Like a poorly tuned automobile, veterinary clinics lose revenue because services and items never get billed. There is no change in costs, rather a reduction in revenue and margin. 17 percent of lab tests do not get billed (AAHA) 5 to 10 percent of all charges are not billed (source unknown) Missed billings have consequences A hospital grossing $2 million could … [Read more...]
Better inventory management is worth the effort
The current pandemic adjustments put inventory in motion in new ways. Alan Newport reviews inventory shrink in the context of a busy dairy practice. Shrink in this review has little to do with theft, rather it is caused by not recording inventory transferred to mobile units or not invoiced. . . . it's important the veterinarians form a habit of creating an invoice for the … [Read more...]
Earth Day turns 50
Happy 50th birthday Earth Day The 50th anniversary of Earth Day was yesterday. The first Earth Day in 1970 launched a wave of action, including the passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States. The Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts were created in response to the first Earth Day, as was the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency … [Read more...]
Avian egg size trivia quiz
This click-bait quiz is fun. Check out the answer. Which bird lays the largest egg relative to its body size? Eagle? Kiwi? Ostrich? Emu? The ostrich is the largest bird in the world and it lays the largest egg of any bird species. If you look at egg size relative to the size of the bird that lays it, however, a different feathered, flightless creature comes … [Read more...]