According to the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA): “While every position within the veterinary practice team is important, veterinary assistants play a pivotal role, literally ... In the course of a single day, an assistant provides help to veterinarians and veterinary technicians, which in turn allows those team members to perform the tasks and … [Read more...]
Second bacterium linked to Lyme disease
Researchers at the Mayo clinic have discovered a second bacterium, related to Borrelia burgdorferi that can cause Lyme disease in humans. Borrelia mayonii infections do not act quite the same as B. burgdorferi which is associated with a bulls-eye rash. Source: NPR, February 10, 2016. The new species hadn't appeared during routine tests on thousands of other samples over the … [Read more...]
Comprehensive dental assessment improves compliance
Hospitals that enjoy successful dental strategies include dental practices every day and as a component of wellness programs. This article is fresh, thought-provoking and compelling for veterinary teams and representatives. Source: AAHA Trends, February 2016, page 43. (link unavailable) Dental compliance improved when the practice began giving clients an estimate for a … [Read more...]
Vegan pet diets – good or bad?
Pet nutrition blogger Rodney Habib openly contrasts the vegan pet food movement compared to meat-based diets citing nutritional and sustainability issues. Veterinary teams may get caught up in some of this conversation. Consider this article for a team discussion in practices. Representatives can engage using this and provide support from company technical service groups or … [Read more...]
Stay ahead of new tech
Adam Little, DVM, tracks technology developments and their potential in animal health. 3-D printing is on his radar. AAHA also featured 3-D in the article below. Veterinary teams and companies that serve them will want to keep track of these advancements to be ready to apply the technologies when they’re ready for daily practice situations. Source: Exponential Vet, Issue 8, … [Read more...]
Understand the milk replacer label
Learn about five areas on the milk replacer tag or label to understand milk replacer choices and their value. Adam Geiger, walks through label sections and their meaning in this article. It is a good reference for sales representatives and veterinary teams who service dairy producers. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, January 25, 2016, page 62. (direct link unavailable) Consider … [Read more...]
Local conditions affect West Nile Virus spread
Carried by birds, predominately crows and jays, West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitos. Rainfall and land cover affect the incidence of disease, according to Mississippi State University researchers. Local land areas with a greater variety of vegetation and landscape seem to reduce the incidence according to the study. Vaccination is still critical to prevent … [Read more...]
Editorial – Generational overload
Media sources are full of information about boomers, gen Xers, millennials and recently the iGens, or Generation Z. Depending on which date ranges you use, I live with a boomer, a gen Xer, a millennial and an iGen. We’re all different, have different attitudes and approach communication, problem solving and planning differently. I’ve found that engaging in safe, open discussion … [Read more...]
Equine cellulitis
When a horse’s leg swells to double or triple the normal leg size overnight, owners and vets must take immediate action. Cellulitis, while common, can be frightening for owners. Having a veterinary professional respond quickly and decisively is critical to avoid further injury. Caused by bacteria penetrating the dermis and multiplying in the subcutis, the origins of cellulitis … [Read more...]
Not everything is a hairball
Feline gastritis is the focus of this article for cat owners. Veterinary hospital teams will benefit by reviewing the information and redistributing the content to cat-owning clients. Source: Tufts Catnip, February 8, 2016. Vomiting, refusal to eat and lethargy are the most common signs of gastritis. “The most common reasons for gastritis are self-limiting dietary … [Read more...]
Prevent winter colic
Colic tops the list of winter equine health challenges. Water, diet and movement are critical. Equine veterinary teams and dealers will appreciate this resource when working with horse owners. The content is also appropriate for websites, newsletters and blogs. Source: EQUUS, February 8, 2016. Cold weather may conspire against your efforts to keep water flowing to your … [Read more...]
Canine influenza resources available from AVMA
Veterinary hospital teams and the representatives who support them will find reviewing the information now available to veterinarians and pet owners from the AVMA valuable. Media coverage about Canine influenza has made pet owners aware of the disease. They’re seeking information, too. Hospital teams and reps who support them will find the latest information from AVMA valuable. … [Read more...]
Understanding the vet bill
Mel Winger, DVM, addresses vet bill dynamics in this concise article. His financial perspective indicates the value of a herd veterinarian that never shows up on an invoice. Dairy veterinary hospital teams and reps who support them will find the information valuable for staff meeting discussions. Source: Dairy Herd Management, February 14, 2016. Even though the vet bill … [Read more...]
Calcium important to canine health
Dr. Ben Character positions calcium as an important component of canine physiology. Veterinary hospital teams will enjoy this article. It is also good information for clinic websites or newsletters. Source: The Retriever Journal, February/March 2016. (direct link unavailable) Calcium is involved with muscle contraction, nerve conduction, coagulation, phosphorus regulation, … [Read more...]
Heartworm prevention requires compliance
While exercising today, I heard a familiar buzzing sound. It was a mosquito. In February. It’s a a stark reminder that heartworm prevention needs to be in place 12 months a year. This article and handout linked to it can help restart compliance discussions. Source: DVM 360, February 2, 2016. Whether your clients just don't realize the risk and serious implications of … [Read more...]
Use technology to manage business cards
If you return from a conference and were at least half-engaged, you brought back a stack of business cards. Follow-up is a challenge as we return to our regular jobs and catch up on work that piled up while we were gone. Alexandra Samuel shares her seven-step strategy for using social media to turn conference introductions into ongoing connections. Source: Harvard Business … [Read more...]
Stop judging your new consumer
Pre-judging clients is an age-old challenge for the veterinary community. Today, however, “Mr. Google” is now a partner in hospital team efforts to get clients to listen and decide on their animals care, according to Julie Carlson, an author and a certified veterinary technician. Source: DVM 360, February 1, 2016. It’s easy to get frustrated by clients. You’re trying to do … [Read more...]
Happiness deserves a list, too
Beyond your bucket list, developing a daily list may be more critical to your overall happiness, according to Claire Diaz-Ortiz. She recently took part in a personal development exercise and shares her experience in this blog post. It includes a how-to for us to consider. Source: Linked-In Influencer, February 1, 2016. There are alot of things that fill me up in life. And, … [Read more...]
Reps can be full business partners
Veterinarians, especially those working toward more active veterinarian-client-patient relationships in the face of the veterinary feed directive regulations, can be considered reps in this article by Pat Malone of The PAR Group. (See VFD-still much to do, 2/4/16). Leaders, he says, gain and keep wholehearted followers for a given course of action. Consider Malone’s five key … [Read more...]
VFD – still much to do
“Ignorance of the law excuses no man from practicing it,” wrote, Addison Mizner, a 19th century architect. This quote is appropriate to Wes Ishmael’s article. It says many producers and some veterinarians are still unaware of how critical the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) and veterinary feed directive (VFD) are to future production practices. Source: Beef, … [Read more...]
High-intensity emotions affect our work
For most workers the physical effort we exert in our day jobs does not warrant the fatigue we feel at day’s end. Learn how high-intensity emotions affect our energy in this informative article. Source: Harvard Business Review, Managing Yourself, February 1, 2016. Whether you’re getting amped up with anxiety or with excitement, you are draining yourself of your most … [Read more...]
Become a fantastic listener
Active listening is a challenge for most animal health professionals. Our attention and intentions are frequently distractions from truly hearing what another person has to say. This article offers guidance for becoming a better listener. Source: Lead Change Group, February 1, 2016. Most of us think that we are average to good listeners. Unfortunately, that is the status we … [Read more...]
CE and job satisfaction connected for vet techs
The current veterinary technician turnover rate is 35 percent and the average term of employment is 12 years, according to metrics in this article. Practice managers and veterinary hospital owners will find the information valuable as they seek to retain veterinary technicians as vet tech positions are projected to continue growing. Source: The NAVTA Journal, Dec/Jan 2016, … [Read more...]
Passive-aggressive behavior and team dynamics
We bring all of our life experiences into the workplace. Learning early to avoid conflict or swallow our opinions or feelings can lead to passive-aggressive behavior in workplace teams. Whether a team member, team leader or team supporter, this article brings perspective to dousing conflicts directly. Source: Harvard Business Review, January 25, 2016. The majority of teams … [Read more...]
Top 5 Indications for fluid therapy
Lisa M. Powell, DVM, offers a great review of fluid therapies and when they’re critical. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, January 26, 2016, weekly newsletter. Fluid therapy, a mainstay treatment, is indicated in a variety of disease states that may result in mild dehydration to severe hypovolemic shock. Depending on the disease and its severity, fluids administered either … [Read more...]
AAHA’s Cavanaugh eyes 2016
Mike Cavanaugh, AAHA CEO, emphasizes using resources in the supply chain and communicating with clients in this Q and A piece. Source: Veterinary Advantage, January 2016 Digital Issue, page 12. The vehicles we use for communicating with clients offer incredible opportunities for us to stay in touch in between appointments and educate our clients on the importance of … [Read more...]
Lead in water is dangerous
Experts report that lead content in some municipal water systems is high. This article on human risk begs for a reference about pet risk. It’s not only a problem in cities. Lead also occurs in some rural systems where urban sprawl has created the need to tap old well water and rural water delivery systems. We offer two references for veterinary hospital teams to … [Read more...]
Use travel time productively
Animal health pros are on the move during the first quarter of each year attending conventions, national sales meetings, CE events and the like. Maintaining productivity while traveling is challenging. This article offers ideas on how to use wisely use travel time. Source: Harvard Business Review, November 5, 2015. Travel has become a standard part of many professionals’ … [Read more...]
Zoobiquity at NAVC
Aratana Therapeutics hosted Dr. Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers, co-authors of Zoobiquity for a live presentation of their experiences linking connections between human and animal health. Natterson-Horowitz referenced pathologies shared by non-humans and people which are not explicitly infectious such as breast cancer, heart failure, obesity and self-injury. Source: … [Read more...]
NAVC notes
The 33rd annual NAVC Conference drew 17,328 attendees setting a new attendance record. The 2017 conference will take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, February 4 – 8. Source: Inside NAVC, January 19, 2016. INSIDE NAVC is the official newspaper of the NAVC Conference. This tabloid, published on-site and distributed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday … [Read more...]