The success of the group housing movement in swine production will depend on training sows and gilts, according to researchers at Kansas State University. Monitoring feed efficiency by individual sow is but one of the factors that complicates the changes in sow and gilt management. In one study, gilts spent 10 weeks in pre-training, two weeks in training, then moved into … [Read more...]
Updates from Is My Practice Healthy
Drs. Blach and Clark developed IMPH to fulfill these objectives: To provide an interactive and educational venue to improve practice management for veterinary practices. To educate veterinary practice owners, associates, and managers regarding how to focus on a small number of key data points to improve practice profitability and value. To provide the necessary … [Read more...]
Rainrot diagnosis becomes high tech
Rainrot can be nothing more than a pesky irritation that comes along with the rainy/wet season of the year. It has the potential to become more serious if not managed. Formerly, diagnosis was limited to evaluating skin scrapings under a microscope, but new technology may improve diagnosis; all at lower cost than cytology. Source: Equus Magazine, December 2016. In chronic … [Read more...]
Disease outbreaks – are farriers carriers?
When a disease outbreak is announced, farms, horse owners, shows and other equine entities reconsider their ways of working for a time in hopes of preventing further spread of the disease. Farms will quarantine horses that return from shows, cancel events and other such preventative measures. However, how often do they consider the farrier appointments? Typically, farriers … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin added to the National Women’s Hall of Fame
Temple Grandin, Colorado State University and animal sciences professor and world-renowned spokesperson for autism, has been named to the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She is one of only 10 women to receive the honor this year. Source: Colorado State University, February 10, 2017. A professor of animal sciences for more than 20 years, Grandin has made enormous … [Read more...]
Coaching is the key to success
With society's inward focus, the concept of helping others succeed may not seem to be the answer to the perennial question, "What's in it for me?" Yet, when one stops long enough to contemplate the commonality of the success around us, we begin to see how coaching others to succeed plays a central role in our individual success. Source: Evan Carmichael 2014. If you want to … [Read more...]
Diagnostic dental radiographs: A concise how-to
Mary Berg, RVT, RLATG, VTS (Dentistry), demonstrates her preferred method of obtaining these types of images. She has been teaching veterinary technicians how to take dental radiographs for more than 20 years. Her proven techniques are shared and discussed in this article and video. Source: Firstline, January 18, 2017. Berg’s simplified positioning methods eliminate the … [Read more...]
2017 NAVC breaks record. Changes name.
The 2017 NAVC set attendance records in the new venue at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida. As the 33rd annual event opened, it was announced it will be known as the Veterinary Meeting & Expo, or VMX, starting in 2018. The “Meeting” portion of the name encompasses all of the world-class educational offerings of the event, while “Expo” illustrates the … [Read more...]
Top 5 genetic diseases of cats
The most frequent conditions are complexly inherited and involve combinations of multiple genes and environmental factors. Jerold S. Bell, DVM, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, discusses: Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) Diabetes mellitus Lymphocytic or plasmacytic inflammatory disease Polycystic kidney disease Hypertrophic … [Read more...]
Joining an organization can help animal health pros
Multiple organizations advocate for the animal health profession and provide an array of services and benefits to members. Keith Loria sorts out the acronym alphabet soup and explains who is who and who does what. Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 31, 2017. Veterinary professionals, regardless of specialty or job path, can join an association—or multiple … [Read more...]
10 secrets to keep your veterinary nurses happy
Phil Zeltzman, DVM, DACVS, CVJ, went behind the scenes and has deep, confidential conversations with veterinary surgery and anesthesia nurses. From these discussions he developed a list of behaviors that will keep them smiling. Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 27, 2016. How to keep your surgery and anesthesia nurses happy during the new year and beyond: Get … [Read more...]
Global pet care sales hits $100 billion milestone
Sales for all pet products and services totaled US$103.5 billion globally in 2016, surpassing the US$100 billion mark for the first time, writes Debbie Phillips-Donaldson. This 4.7 percent growth rate stands out among other consumer packaged goods industries, according to analyst Jared Koerten. Source: Petfood Industry, February 7, 2017. Focusing on the US, by far the … [Read more...]
Disinfect tube feeding equipment to prevent disease spread
While esophageal feeding of colostrum can revive weak goat kids, washing hands and disinfecting equipment thoroughly between uses is necessary to prevent the spread of diseases like Johne’s, mycoplasmosis and CAE. Follow these steps to effectively disinfect syringes and tubes: Rinse immediately after use Wash with warm soapy water to remove all debris Dilute 1 ounce … [Read more...]
Take steps to reduce abortions this kidding season
Q-fever, Chlamydiosis and toxoplasmosis are common causes of infectious abortions in goats. Prevention strategies include vaccinating, feeding antibiotics and quarantining new purchases until after kidding. Herds with multiple abortions in a short time frame or abortion rates in excess of three percent to five percent of the total number of pregnant animals should submit … [Read more...]
Hot car temperatures kill pets
Lest you think it’s too cool to worry about pets left in parked cars, think again. Police in Palm Springs, California, report that a dog left inside a car for more than three hours there, died of heat exhaustion February 5 – a 70°-day. Yet, his body temperature reached 104°. The dog’s owner was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. Source: KESQ, February 6, 2017 There … [Read more...]
AHD welcomes the NAVTA membership
We are excited to announce that Animal Health Digest will now be made available to veterinary technicians/nurses each week by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). NAVTA executive board president Mary Berg and executive director Julie Legred will forward AHD’s weekly BULLETIN to its 15,000-plus members as a value-added service starting February … [Read more...]
Support for Leptospirosis vaccination increasing
Not every DVM is on board with the need for a leptospirosis vaccine, but the numbers are growing. The FIRSTLINE staff finds consensus among some DVMs that lepto vaccination should not be ignored. Source: Firstline, January 18, 2017. Some vets used to try to keep vaccine frequencies lower for small-breed dogs. But general-practice Dr. Jeff Rothstein says that's less of a … [Read more...]
Farriers, a necessary enigma
Nancy Rich-Gutierrez shares 5 Reasons You May Need a New Farrier with a tongue-in-cheek, experience-based overview of inappropriate farrier behavior. Source: Horse Network, January 24, 2017. Here are some examples that resulted in Nancy finding a new farrier: He compares his siring ability to that of a well-known stallion He shows up drunk He’s too rough He … [Read more...]
Plaque, tartar, gingivitis – oh my!
Pets need dentistry least three times in their lives. February is National Pet Dental Month Teeth scaling is a big part of the in-clinic dental cleaning. Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC and DABVP, offers tips for veterinary teams. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, January/February 2017. 5 guiding points can help ensure that every patient’s teeth are cleaned with similar expertise. … [Read more...]
Get over phone anxiety
For some, answering or making a phone call requires a big effort. They rehearse what to say 1,000 times, dial with shaky hands and often get a panicky feeling in their chest when the ring rings. Digital tools we have now may help phone shy people avoid calls. But calls are still necessary. Hating the phone doesn’t necessarily mean a social anxiety condition, although the two … [Read more...]
3 reasons why inside sales’ effectiveness is growing
This article may cause anxiety for some sales pros. However, it is good to learn what is happening to advance the effectiveness and importance of inside sales personnel. Even if you have a mom-and-pop vet clinic or store, some of these methods may be valuable in the near term. Source: CBS, December 5, 2016. Transaction processing is much easier and faster, and customer … [Read more...]
Influencer relationships can be tough to manage
It is hard to discount the value of advocacy and support from marketplace influencers. Marketers, however continue to find this segment difficult to manage. A recent report shows who are involved in making decisions about influencer, advocates or key opinion leaders. The report “Influence 2.0: The Future of Influencer Marketing digs into current influencer marketing … [Read more...]
Cut through the BS during interviews
Finding and hiring new team members is not easy. It is important to find candidates that mesh with your current team and that don’t spell team with an “I.” Betsy Mikel discusses givers and takers, plus how to determine if a candidate is one or the other. Source: Inc, January 4, 2017. Givers are often sacrificing themselves, but they make their organizations better," says … [Read more...]
Take a stand, compete
If Super Bowl LI taught us anything, it was to persevere and stay focused. Often, the best defense is a good offense, even when you don’t get rolling until the fourth quarter. The same principles are applicable when confronted with a low-cost or low-price competitor. Laura Patterson discusses five ways to have a fighting chance: Differentiate Be customer-centric … [Read more...]
Animals get first-class treatment at JFK
It doesn’t qualify as an airport lounge, but the new ARK at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City provides top-flight services to animals travelling by air. Racebrook, the company backing the project, partnered with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the New York State Department of Agriculture, to build the world’s first privately owned … [Read more...]
“I recommend . . .” or “Rover needs . . .”
Confidence is contagious. Your customers buy you before they buy a treatment, dental care, preventatives and anything else. Remember, it is important to demonstrate your confidence in the courses of action you advocate. Source: Evan Carmichael, 2015. A leader cannot inspire anyone to a higher point of view than his own viewpoint. That is why it is essential you believe in … [Read more...]
Swine Health Information Center helps producers and veterinarians
The four main categories of the Swine Health Information Center mission are: Preparedness, Response, Monitoring, and Analysis. “Education is key to preparedness,” said Dr. Paul Sundberg, executive director of the SHIC. In 2016, SHIC produced nine additional swine disease fact sheets, bringing the total number of fact sheets to 33. Source: Pork Network, January 30, … [Read more...]
Hay, plastic bale netting is not roughage
According to Melissa Koesler, Extension director for Garvin County, Oklahoma, a large percentage of producers now use plastic wrapping for hay instead of biodegradable sisal twine. Some of them leave the material in their pastures when feeding, or they grind or shred bales with the bale net in place. Koesler encourages producers to remove plastic netting or twine from bales and … [Read more...]
SAD affects dogs, too
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a well-known human ailment. Darker, drearier, winter days may cause low moods. New research reveals it seems to affect dogs too. “Lethargy, an increased appetite, irritability and a reluctance to go outside and exercise are typical behaviors exhibited by dogs in the colder months when natural sunlight is at a minimum.” Source: Dogs Today, … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – AAHA Resources for dental month
Improve dentistry at your practice and help clients understand the value of proper dental care with a variety of resources from AAHA Press. It is easy to let the month of February go by without acknowledging Nation Pet Dental Health Month. Fortunately, animal health pros understand the importance of promoting dental care for our animals. The resources available help enable … [Read more...]