The age at weaning affects a cat’s later behavior. Early weaning increases aggression and stereotypic behavior. Based on a study conducted at the University of Helsinki, the recommended weaning age of 12 weeks should be raised by at least two weeks. Source: Phys.Org, September 13, 2017. The detrimental effects of early weaning have been studied in other animal species, but … [Read more...]
Researching what dogs think
Peering into a dog’s brain, researchers like neuroscientist Gregory Berns can see how it reacts to stimuli such as hand signals, sounds and smells. Activity in the reward center can show whether dogs prefer human affection over food, and which ones may not be fit for duty as service dogs. Source: National Geographic, September 2017. Berns launched the Dog Project at Emory … [Read more...]
51st World Dairy Expo opens next week
World Dairy Expo® is a five-day event showcasing dairy cattle and the newest technologies available to the dairy industry. The annual show takes place at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. It is a unique animal health gathering. Plus, Wisconsin’s fall colors often provide postcard-like scenery. Source: World Dairy Expo, September 2017. World Dairy Expo … [Read more...]
Ketamine; time for a review
Ketamine is a common, safe, injectable anesthetic used in veterinary medicine. In 1999, it became a Schedule III non-narcotic substance under the Federal Controlled Substance Act. Veterinary teams need to review the licit and illicit aspects of ketamine, how to deter and report theft associated with illicit demand and weak regulations, and the legal requirements surrounding the … [Read more...]
Veterinary well-being initiatives move forward
Keeping industry professionals healthy is the focus of two announcements this month. AAHA just introduced the Healthy Workplace Culture Initiative. A major part of the initiative’s launch is the 20-page “AAHA’s Guide to Veterinary Team Wellbeing,” available at http://bit.ly/2jKCw5i. Additionally, The AVMA announced that Dr. Jen Brandt joined the staff as the association’s … [Read more...]
Cesar and National Dog Week
This week is National Dog Week. Cesar Milan offers some things you can do that dogs will appreciate. It is not too late to post this for customers on social media, websites or even signage. Source: Cesar’s Way, September 24, 2017. Cesar gives five ways to celebrate dogs during this week — and every other week of the year: Let your dog be a dog Stop being so … [Read more...]
Manage anxious horses
The Horse staff talked to veterinarians, researchers and equine professionals about causes of anxious behavior in horses. They sought solutions to improve safety for horses, riders and bystanders. Here are possible causes the professionals shared: The horse's vision is compromised The horse is in pain The horse's tack doesn't fit The diet is out of whack The … [Read more...]
Dealing with snarky comments
Passive-aggressive comments that mask anger lurking beneath the surface constitute snark. It seems like the world is getting snarkier all the time. But that doesn’t mean you must let those jabs drag you down or stress you. Source: Forbes, September 8, 2017. Everyone has the ability to build bigger mental muscles so they can handle tough circumstances and snarky people in a … [Read more...]
The answer to why
All kinds of things make us happy at work: hitting a goal, getting a promotion, landing a new client, completing a project; the list goes on. But happiness is temporary. The feeling doesn’t last. Nobody walks around energized by the memory of a goal hit 12 months ago. That intensity passes with time. Instead of looking for happiness at work, consider what is fulfilling about … [Read more...]
Help cows and heifers during fall calving
Managing the amount of time heifers or cows are in labor before getting help is a challenge ranchers face during calving season. Glenn Selk offers some timing perspectives. Consider using this article in discussions with cow producers this fall. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, August 23, 2017. Research information shows that calves from prolonged deliveries are weaker and … [Read more...]
Let science help you choose good passwords
Passwords are an annoying part of online life, but they aren’t going away. While the password policies of the past decade have caused more user pain than security gain, research is finding ways to create passwords that work for regular people. Source: The Conversation, August 30, 2017. Make your password at least 12 characters, and mix it up with at least two or three … [Read more...]
10 steps for milking excellence
Each year, regardless of milk price, the top 20 percent to 25 percent of dairy producers show some profit per cow. Pamela Ruegg, DVM, identified 10 smart things dairy farmers do to achieve milking excellence: Set performance goals. Rapidly identify problems. Milk clean cows. Standardize milking routines. Train staff. Maintain and update milking systems. … [Read more...]
Help clients understand therapeutic diets
Elisa Jordan writes about discussing therapeutic diets with clients and addressing their benefits, effectiveness, cost and necessity. Emphasizing the medicinal qualities of such diets help pet owners understand exactly what they’re paying for and how they’re actually treating their pets. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 25, 2017. A problem surrounding these diets, … [Read more...]
Pain and P3 remnants
Sixty percent of declawed cats have residual P3 fragments according to a recent study. Back pain, inappropriate elimination, biting, aggression and barbering occurred more often in cats with retained P3 fragments. Only increased biting and inappropriate elimination habits were seen in cats without them. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, June 2017. This study’s findings may … [Read more...]
Everything dairy; Journal of Dairy Science, October 2017
Animal health pros servicing dairy farmers, dairy veterinarians or marketing products for dairy use need to skim the studies in this month’s issue. Our team found two papers of interest: Dairy calf management—A comparison of practices and producer attitudes among conventional and organic herds Effect of prepartum exercise, pasture turnout, or total confinement on hoof … [Read more...]
Review BRD protocols now
Jim Sears, DVM with Bayer Animal Health, reminds producers to review and train on the bovine respiratory disease protocols before a shipment of cattle arrives. He offers a few simple tips to simplify your protocol decisions and help operations be efficient in treating BRD: Make protocols as simple as possible. Be objective – when selecting products, evaluate why each … [Read more...]
Personal branding must be your first focus
Many people find it hard to stand out. Personal branding is the key to giving yourself an advantage in your current job and when you search for a new one. Source: Entrepreneur, July 10, 2017. To become a respected intellectual in your field, you have to know what you’re talking about, offer genuine counsel and really mean what you say. Done well, personal branding can walk … [Read more...]
A game plan for the difficult conversation you have been putting off
Carrying an issue without resolution is like carrying debt. You’ll eventually have to pay the principal (by having the difficult conversation), but the longer you wait, the more interest you’ll pay in anxiety and dread. Source: Harvard Business Review, April 12, 2017. Life is full of difficult conversations, particularly if you’re invested in having a great team at work. … [Read more...]
Reboarding existing employees
Robert David makes a strong case for continuous boarding of new and current employees. He discusses the ways technology has changed how we work, but also how employees approach their work and careers. Source: SmartBrief, July 31, 2017. Organizational effectiveness initiatives should be geared toward continuous onboarding of employees, and this is especially the case for … [Read more...]
Rabies is still a public health issue
Despite that rabies continues to be a public health threat, some animal health pros fail to recognize its persistence. Vaccination alone is not the "silver bullet" for continued control of this nearly 100 percent fatal disease. If vaccination is the foundation of rabies control, then animal control is the cornerstone of it. Source: Vetted, April 14, 2017. Since the 1960s … [Read more...]
Strategic errors affect long-term business success
Hugh Latif offers perspectives on strategies and tactics, which are frequently confused. Strategic errors can be fatal because they deal with business direction. Tactical errors are easier to fix, absorb and are less costly than strategic errors. Source: The Globe and Mail, September 5, 2017. Strategy is tied to the overall direction and represents the main highway taken to … [Read more...]
Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcases best in nature photography
Take a break from puppy and kitten photos and look at what else nature offers. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition attracted nearly 50,000 entries from 92 countries. Source: The Atlantic, September 14, 2017. The Wildlife Photographer of the year competition, founded in 1965, is an annual showcase of the best in nature photography. Wildlife Photographer of the … [Read more...]
Quarter-by-quarter sales; a vicious, costly cycle
September has been a critical revenue month in animal health for decades. Companies seeking to grow by 10 percent to 15 percent annually race to achieve last year’s revenue numbers by the end of September. If they do, they draw closer to making their growth goal. Data shows that sales reps give better terms to customers who wait until the last minute — with both sides … [Read more...]
A quadrillion reasons those microbes matter
When cattle are fed, producers feed an ecosystem of bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Rumen microbes work together to break down what a cow eats, turning the feed into energy and protein. Keeping microbes flourishing can keep cows productive and in the herd. The numbers are mind-boggling. Source: Beef, August 24, 2017. Three main microorganisms are responsible for breaking down … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Fall equine wellness (includes video)
Zoetis has provided the American Quarter Horse Association with material about preparing horses for the risks of fall season. Annual spring vaccinations help offer disease protection and can activate an immune response. Now that it’s almost fall, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) vaccination guidelines recommend at-risk horses be vaccinated for equine … [Read more...]
Riding Japan’s Cat Café train
The Japanese have made stationery cat cafes popular and successful. Now a collaboration has the put the concept on the move via a train. The main difference is the train was full of rescue kittens rather than sedentary cats in the cafes. Read about Bill Adler’s experience and consider the possibilities. Source: Atlas Obscura, September 11, 2017. The cat train was a … [Read more...]
“Let cats scratch” says the AAFP
Revising its previous 2015 position statement on declawing, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) now strongly opposes onychectomy as an elective procedure. The AAFP’s position stresses the need for veterinary teams to educate cat caregivers, as many are unaware that declawing is a surgical amputation of the third phalanx. Scratching is a normal feline … [Read more...]
Groom advice, stop feeding horses treats
Megan Withers offers advice to horse owners about feeding too many treats. In her experiences, horse owners train horses to exhibit some bad behaviors by over-treating. This is good content for clients with unruly critters, new horse owners or young people just getting involved in horsemanship. Source: Horse Network, September 9, 2017. When your horse nickers for you as you … [Read more...]
Avoid things that kill or hurt cats
Client education is a continuous challenge in veterinary practice or in a retail environment. Many new pet owners have little or no awareness about common risks. Articles like this that review risks to cats at home make good content for websites, social media posts or new pet kits. Source: Catster, September 5, 2017. The three most common cat injuries are represented by … [Read more...]
AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines revised
The 2017 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines were developed to help support veterinary teams as they determine protocols for each of their patients’ risk factors, life stage, and lifestyle. Published in the September/October edition of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA)—and for the first time, as an online educational resource for the veterinary … [Read more...]