Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 20, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the June 20th AHD Bulletin – Cat acne: causes, signs, treatment. Link. 6 myths about cooling horses in hot weather. Link. Cheese now drives dairy growth. Link. ===================================== Sitting is the new smoking. Get off your … [Read more...]
Global Alliance for Rabies Control launches Dog Welfare Certificate course
GARC’s new Dog Welfare Certificate course is designed to provide essential knowledge for anyone involved or interested in canine care. Free and self-paced, the course offers foundational knowledge crucial for anyone looking to care for a dog whether it is their own, or a dog in the community. Source: Global Alliance for Rabies Control, June 23,2024. Link. The course is … [Read more...]
Audubon’s 2024 Audubon Photography Awards
Animal health pros always enjoy great photos and video of the wildlife world around us. Audubon’s annual contest features stunning work from professionals, amateurs and young people that highlights the beauty of birds and the joy of capturing them through photographs and videos. Mathew Malwitz won the grand prize for his photo of Blackburnian Warblers, shared in this … [Read more...]
You really are a mosquito magnet. Here’s what you can do about it.
Tired of getting bit up on an evening walk or working in the yard? New research proves mosquitos can pick you out in a crowd. Connie Chang shares research on the odors they’re drawn to, what scientists recommend to keep them away and how a future personalized repellant might work. . . . even in complex situations with multiple sources of odor, mosquitoes do seem to prefer some … [Read more...]
Rest is NOT a waste of time
Rest is an elusive need that many of us have trouble making time for, despite how badly we need it. Source: Repertoire, May 2024. Link. With the busyness of our work schedules and daily lives constantly compounding, it’s important to build time to unplug from our phones and calendars to recharge and reset. You will be better at whatever role you have by simply taking time … [Read more...]
Exploring holistic care remedies and therapies for common dog ailments
If for no other reason than to answer animal owner inquiries, we recommend veterinary teams review the information in the article linked below. Anderson Cox covers acupuncture to essential oils and more. Exploring natural remedies and therapies for common dog ailments is not a trend, rather a shift towards a more balanced, whole approach to canine health, Cox says. He … [Read more...]
Biosecurity compliance research shows motivation is not the problem
Commentary An exploratory study conducted to establish a baseline for worker motivation and to identify the primary factors that could be affecting biosecurity compliance in swine operations showed motivation is not the problem. Biosecurity compliance is influenced by job resources, availability of performance feedback and rewards. The preliminary study discoveries should … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 20, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 13, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the June 13th AHD Bulletin – Comedian: Taking my dog to the vet. Link. Brakke study shows pet owners not always aware of e-retail options. Link. Debunking fly spray myths. Link. ===================================== Woof! A new wrinkle in marketing real … [Read more...]
Enter the AAHA Trends Teams@Work annual photo contest
Our industry celebrates technicians with National Veterinary Technician Week in October. Now named the Teams@Work photo contest, AAHA seeks photos to reflect and feature veterinary assistants. Share your best photos of technicians and assistants working in the practice. Enter here <Link>. Source: AAHA NEWStat, June 17, 2024. Link. Also see: Winners from the 2023 … [Read more...]
Extremely rare, sacred white buffalo calf born in Yellowstone
A rare white buffalo calf was born in June in Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park. Jason Bittel shares the significance of this leucistic calf in the current time as well as some of the indigenous lore surrounding white buffalos. White buffalo are sacred animals in Native American culture and considered both a blessing and a warning." Source: National Geographic, June … [Read more...]
How to enter flow state (video)
Flow is more than just concentrating or paying attention; it's a unique mental state of effortless engagement. The producers of ths video share ways we can adjust to enter flow more often. They say those who more frequently experience flow report higher levels of positive emotions, creativity, and feelings of accomplishment. Source: TED, July 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Undoing cynicism at work
The rise of cynicism is making many of us miserable at our jobs. Only 15 percent of workers say they are thriving, with the rest saying they are indifferent or downright miserable at work. Source: AXIOS, June 11, 2024. Link. Cynicism, if it were a pill, would really be a poison." - Jamil Zaki, PhD INSIGHT: Start by fixing your own cynicism. … [Read more...]
Recent graduates share their best practice tips
Four hard-working, dynamic bovine practitioners shared some practical ideas and recommendations during the final session of the AABP Recent Graduate Conference. While we work on animals, we work for and with people . . . so be prompt, be practical, be polite and practice one’s skills.” - Andy Harding, DVM Source: Bovine Veterinarian, June 11, 2024. Link. Related content: 5 … [Read more...]
CVT shares how she advocates for pet insurance including her own experiences (part 3)
Sponsored Content Certified veterinary technician Sarah Walsh is a strong advocate for pet insurance at Wignall Animal Hospital in Belvidere, Vermont. Her experiences with her own animals reinforce the benefits pet owners can expect when insuring their pets against illness, accidents and disease. Summarizing, Walsh shares these simple points: Why ASPCA® Pet Health … [Read more...]
Summertime reflection
Consider a few minutes of rest and renewal through a summer morning reflection. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, May 30, 2024. Link. A moment each morning will reignite your passion and devotion to your work.” INSIGHTS: Making time to sharpen the saw makes the job easier. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 6, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 30, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the May 30th AHD Bulletin – Glyphosate in dog food. Link. Microbial metabolites in feline anal glands aid cat communication. Link. Veterinary team advocacy helps pet owners choose pet insurance (2). Link. ===================================== She’s the … [Read more...]
Take these 5 steps before posting that job listing
Sponsored Content As the old saying says, “the hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” Adding another person to a team should be a strategic decision, not just throwing another body at the workload. The time, effort and costs when hiring a new person may never be recovered and more than double if the wrong person is hired. Marlo Lyons shares how to conduct a comprehensive … [Read more...]
NAVC HiVE Event to take place in Minneapolis, June 15th and 16th
The broader veterinary team plays a critical role in the veterinary industry, providing assistance in the medical and clinical arena via a wide range of advanced skills, in addition to being the key interface with customers and animals. Vet Nurse+Tech HiVE and Practice Management HiVE events are part of the NAVC’s continued expansion of in-person experiences across the country … [Read more...]
Three words to use regularly
Commentary No one is an expert on everything. Still, we often succumb to the temptation to have the answers, which makes it hard to admit when we don’t. Jason Aten says there is power in saying, “I don’t know,” and we agree. Some of the best experiences animal health pros have are when they admit they don’t know and engage with customers or colleagues to find the answer that … [Read more...]
Finding a job when you don’t know what you want to do next
We’re sharing this as the discourse about educating, acquiring and retaining professionals in veterinary practices continues. Finding a job or the next one, even when the market need is strong, remains difficult. It takes self-reflection, intention, action, motivation and resilience. Mimi Aboubaker writes that the multitude of career paths and job opportunities available is … [Read more...]
How to ask questions that get people to open up
Few people are taught how to ask good questions. Many conversations would go much better if we avoided jumping to conclusions and just took the time to clarify. Question-asking is like any other skill, says author Jeff Wetzler. It takes practice, but the benefits are worth it. Source: Fast Company, May 27, 2024. Link. Quality questions create mutual benefit. You don’t know … [Read more...]
Attitude, value, and talent
The Covid years were difficult for everyone. Yet some practices and their people emerged stronger. Why did some grow while others wilted? Source: Vet Advantage, April 2022. Link. What we perceive as value may not be what our customers value now.” INSIGHTS: Malone shares his belief that when you stop growing, you begin to die. How did you improve yourself today? … [Read more...]
Could dogs and cats be passing superbugs to owners?
New research presented at the recent ESCMID Global Congress in Barcelona, Spain, suggests dogs and cats play important roles in the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The focus was on bacteria resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems, which are considered the last line of defense when other antibiotics have failed. Understanding and addressing the … [Read more...]
House mice test positive for H5N1 bird flu
Nearly a dozen house mice in Roosevelt County, New Mexico have tested positive for H5N1 bird flu, according to federal officials, adding them to the growing list of mammals being infected with avian influenza. Source: The Telegraph, June 5, 2024. Link. This brings the virus closer to human homes . . . increasing the risk of direct exposure and infection.” - Rick A. Bright, … [Read more...]
18th anniversary veterinary X-ray contest announced by VPN
Veterinary Practice News launches the 2024 'They Ate What?!' X-ray Contest, sponsored by Dechra Veterinary Products. A longtime favorite, practices share the strange things pet have eaten, their wild stories and extraordinary X-rays. Source: Veterinary Practice News, May 31, 2024. Link. How to enter: Go to https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/xraycontest Log in or … [Read more...]
Honing your ambivert side
The ambivert is somewhere between an extrovert and an introvert. Suzanne Degges-White, PhD, shares characteristics of the ambivert leader and ways to hone those skills and strengths. Ambiverts bring the best of both worlds to leadership due to their diverse strengths.” Source: Psychology Today, May 14, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 23, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 16, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the May 16th AHD Bulletin – Cheese by-product turned into plastic. Link. What do your customers value? Link. Biofilms affect animal health. Link. ===================================== Seven simple ways to improve your memory Source: Better Report, … [Read more...]
Kansas Department of Agriculture set to host animal health workshops
With sessions targeted for producers and veterinarians, as well as emergency management and county officials, the Kansas Department of Agriculture workshops will take place across the state. The workshops will focus on: The role of the county in a disease response: how to respond to a livestock truck rollover, disposal of dead animals and sheltering animals in case of … [Read more...]
Miniature poodle wins 2024 best in show at Westminster
Sage, a four-year-old female miniature poodle from Texas and handled by Kaz Hosaka is the first female dog to be named Best in Show since 2020. Hosaka will end his 45 year showing career with Sage’s win. The runner-up Reserve Best in Show went to a German Shepard. Source: Daily Paws, May 14, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Rural Media Group’s Patrick Gottsch passed away May 18, 2024
Patrick Gottsch, the founder and president of Rural Media Group, passed away May 18, 2024, at the age of 70. He was a champion of rural America, devoting more than half his life to empowering farmers and ranchers, giving them a voice at the table. Rural Media Group, Inc. is the parent company to RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel, The Cowgirl Channel, and Rural Radio 147. Source: … [Read more...]