Wish there were more hours in the day? Sorry. Everyone gets 24 – no more, no less. If you’re serious about personal productivity, time is not the most critical issue. Personal productivity is mainly about attention. Source: Forbes, October 8, 2019. Link. The first person we will break an appointment with is always ourselves, requiring us to spend time “dragging” tasks from … [Read more...]
Toxic algae a concern as hunters hit the fields (videos)
One area of pet safety concerns is the growing challenge of toxic blue-green algae. While not actually algae at all, they are types of bacteria called cyanobacteria. The bacteria are normally present in many lakes and stagnant waters. Not all states report where the cyanobacteria have been found, some do. The risk is that these bacteria form poisonous toxins, microcystins, … [Read more...]
What dogs see (video)
Enjoy this video clip that shows what the world looks like through the eyes of a canine. Use it on social media and link it in newsletters. Source: Healthy Pets, WebMD. Link. Dog’s eyes pick up on fewer colors than human eyes. A lot of things appear grayish brown but dogs see yellows and blues. Reds and greens are colors dogs don’t spot. … [Read more...]
Field research looks at what affects canine pulse rate during walks
Karen B. London, PhD, shares preliminary results from a recent field study < link > which explored the pulse rate of dogs on walks. Researchers found some interesting results related to leash length, sniffing and shaking-it-off behaviors. Longer leashes allowed more sniffing Sniffing and shaking-it-off both correlate with lowering pulse rates Source: The Bark, … [Read more...]
7 human foods that are good for dogs
In contrast to all the warnings about table scraps, Marcelle Chastain shares seven human foods that can be shared with dogs since they are high in nutrients and low in calories. She notes which fruits and vegetables require seed removal or cutting into chewable portions. Pears Watermelon Cucumbers Blueberries Celery Fresh peaches Carrots Source: Inside … [Read more...]
How many dogs does it take to change a lightbulb?
Tick or Treat? Brandy Arnold shares an old dog joke. As each breed answers the question, you’ll crack a smile. Source: Dogington Post, February 2012, Link. … [Read more...]
219 million people to dress pets for Halloween
The National Retail Federation annual survey results indicates there will a lot of four-legged pumpkins this Halloween with 172 million people planning to celebrate Halloween. Twenty-nine million of them plan to dress their pets in costumes. Animal health pros know Halloween is stressful for most pets before they get dressed up. We captured a selection of articles, tips and … [Read more...]
Land O’Lakes, American farmers treated well by CBS
The CBS program, 60 Minutes profiled Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford October 6. She is presented as the farmer’s advocate. The interview presents American farmers as the forward-thinking innovators they are. Source: 60 Minutes, October 6, 2019. Link. “A woman named Beth Ford has emerged as the farmer’s advocate. Last year, she became the CEO of Land O’Lakes. . . . But it’s also a … [Read more...]
What to know about keeping backyard chickens (podcast)
In this article and podcast, Maurice Pitesky, DVM, and host Andy Schneider, outline their top husbandry recommendations for managing, housing and feeding backyard birds. . . . many of the problems that arise in backyard flocks can be traced back to issues with husbandry. Good husbandry practices can minimize these stresses and let keepers get the most out of their … [Read more...]
Opinion – Contributing factors to indoor air quality
Confining animals to a barn, limited area or coop creates air-quality challenges for the animals and the people who care for them. The discussion of occupational exposures limits for humans versus animals is valid and applicable to most of these settings. This review summarizes the impact of air quality on swine production and discusses the main factors related to air … [Read more...]
Fungi directly linked to equine inflammatory airway disease (video)
A three-year study found a direct link between fungal particles in the lungs and inflammatory airway disease (IAD) in horses. Eliminating exposure to fungi is critical to IAD prevention. Source: Horse Network, October 2, 2019. Link. In the 700 horse study published by The Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine < link > researchers found that: fungal elements are … [Read more...]
Rethinking red meat
New nutrition recommendations published in the Annals of Internal Medicine < link > say that red and processed meats are not bad for us, contradicting current guidelines. A panel of 14 persons working in various fields related to nutrition used a research approach that rates the certainty of the evidence. They focused on the absolute risk rather than the relative risk of … [Read more...]
Second dog? Be ready for something different.
Here are tips that single-dog owners need to read BEFORE they become a multi-pet household. Commitment, pet matching, second pet age and schedule adjustments are presented. Two can be trickier than one . . . unless you prepare. Source: Associated Press, October 5, 2019. Link. For many pet owners and pets, the process can be challenging. The cheerful bonding they’d hoped for … [Read more...]
9 common dog training mistakes
“Are YOU the problem?” Teoti Anderson asks before she offers tips about common dog behavior problems. Not using clear, consistent cues is a common mistake people make when training their dogs. Her nine common mistakes dog owners make reducing the value of dog training efforts make for a good resource for social media, newsletters and for new pet orientations: Leaving a … [Read more...]
Treat-training works better than praise, punishment
Dogs respond best to food treats instead of petting praise or punishment, according to researchers. Erica Feuerbacher has found that dogs will stay near a person who’s praising them for the same amount of time as if they’re being ignored. Punishment also works to change behavior, but can have serious side effects including damaging the human-animal bond. Source: Associated … [Read more...]
Ideas to stop the infernal caterwauling at night
Being awakened by household cats in the wee hours of the morning can irritate cat owners. If the cat is healthy, then behavioral interventions are possible. Cat behaviorist, Mieshelle Nagelschnider, offers tips to address that pesky meowing: Feed later in the evening Keep your cat awake more during the Reset your cat’s internal hunting time clock Ignore the … [Read more...]
No answer to, “How many cats are too many?”
There is no magic number at which “how many” becomes “too many.” It’s more like a magic threshold one crosses at which point life goes from being “feline-friendly” to “feline-unhealthy.” The author discusses various elements of healthy cat socialization, bonding, space and resources. Source: PureWow, October 3, 2019. Link. Commenting on too many cats in one household, … [Read more...]
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody!
We include articles about leadership and defining responsibilities in sources we review. A recent article reminded us of a poem credited to former CBS news anchor and poet Charles Osgood. His “Responsibility Poem” illustrates how important it is to take responsibilities seriously and to own them. The short version is shown here. We’ve linked two sources where the full … [Read more...]
Learn collaboration from Songland
We can learn something from television now and then. The new show, Songland, demonstrates how collaboration by amateurs and experts can take an idea for a song and turn it into a hit. When encouraged to collaborate, employees can take companies to chart-topping success. Source: Purpose Unlimited, October 8, 2019. Link. “A culture of collaboration engages employees. They … [Read more...]
Consumers REALLY want brands and culture to mix
This article is important to marketers, sales teams and business owners. Twitter’s new study, “The Impact of Culture < link >,” emphasizes how much consumers expect and even want brands to be culturally relevant: aligning well with cultural events, promoting trends that define today’s culture and supporting social issues that benefit everyone. Brand involvement in … [Read more...]
Suits, navigation and beer
Three articles consider the validity of suits for men, navigation challenges as we age and a perspective on beer labels’ value to civilization history. Perhaps one can provide fodder for a conversation with a colleague or customer. Source: How the power suit lost its power, Vox, September 30, 2019. Link. The suit has become a uniform for the powerless. Source: As we age, … [Read more...]
The state of ransomware attacks (infographic)
You can be held hostage any day by a ransomware attack. Small businesses are especially vulnerable to ransomware. There are different and evolving types of ransomware attacks, often beginning with something as simple as a malicious link in an email. Use this information to better understand the potential threats and see some tips on how to protect your network. Source: … [Read more...]
Americans are unprepared for Real ID. There’s less than one year to prepare
Come October 2020, U.S. travelers will require a Real ID or approved passport to board domestic flights. All Americans traveling by air will need a Real ID to board a flight within the U.S. on and after Oct. 1, 2020. Exceptions include citizens under the age of 18, who are traveling with a compliant companion who is 18 years old or older, those who only need their ID for … [Read more...]
Key points on leptospirosis to share with animal owners
At the intersection of animals and humans, zoonotic diseases are public health concerns. Among them are multiple Leptospira species that can infect dogs, cats or human. These bacteria have worldwide distribution. The organisms are commonly shed in urine. Lepto infections are often initiated after ingestion of contaminated water. In one study, it was estimated that … [Read more...]
Top 5 keys to successful management of otitis externa
Ear conditions are usually listed in the top 10 reasons pets visit veterinarians < link >. Otitis externa is a common inflammatory condition that affects 15 percent to 20 percent of dogs and 4 percent to 7 percent of cats. Erin E. Aufox, DVM, and Elizabeth R. May, DVM, DACVD, explain their five steps to it: Classification Treatment Monitoring Maintenance … [Read more...]
Tighten up your bandaging skills (photo slides)
Tisha A. Harper, DVM, DACVS, discusses common complications associated with external coaptation*, and how can their occurrence be minimized. Along with general guidelines, she reviews common bandaging problems and complications. She also includes resources for educating clients about at-home bandage care. *External coaptation refers to the use of casts, splints, bandages, … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club discussion on the veterinary shortage
In the October 17 Bridge Club conversation, Mark Cushing, Animal Policy Group founder and Jim Lloyd, DVM, PhD, former University of Florida dean, will share new data and lead an insights-filled discussion about the near-term future of supply and demand, and what the profession can do answer the need. Source: The Bridge Club. Registration < link > Thursday, October 17, … [Read more...]
Failure is a step to success
Failure simply means that I set an intention that I was not able to live up to or a goal that I did not achieve. The only sure-fire way I know to completely avoid failure is to never set intentions and never state your goals. Source: Forbes, September 27, 2019. Link. A life without failure is a life without striving. Of course, no one (knowingly) strives for failure. We … [Read more...]
Interruptions tops the list of time management challenges
The clear winner in time management challenges is the dreaded interruption, shares Mike Figliuolo. Once someone breaks your concentration, it takes 5 to 15 minutes to get back on track. Source: SmartBrief, August 7, 2019. Link. If you don’t protect your time, no one else will do it for you. Reader poll question (nonscientific, n=240,000) What is the biggest challenge … [Read more...]
Dealing with pressing industry issues, Banfield Industry Summit (video)
Banfield Pet Hospital invites leaders in the animal care industry to come together and explore the industry’s most pressing issues every year. The SPARK video provides a look at the Summit and the issues discussed. Source: SPARK, September 27, 2019. Link. Here is a sampling of issues discussed at the Summit: 60 million pets not receiving regular veterinary care Vet … [Read more...]