Without effective infection control, prevention and biosecurity (AAHA Infection Control, Prevention, and Biosecurity Guidelines) implemented in the veterinary primary care and referral settings, the clinician’s efforts at disease prevention and treatment are compromised and sometimes nullified. Practices struggle on several fronts, from identifying infectious animals before … [Read more...]
Adverse vaccine reactions in veterinary medicine: an update
Natalie Stilwell, DVM, MS, PhD, provides a review of the latest “need-to-know” adverse reactions information about vaccines for canine and feline patients. She reminds us that many cases are associated with either misuse of the vaccine or over-vaccination. Source: DVM 360, September 19, 2019. Link. Stilwell reviews a paper on the current understanding of adverse vaccine … [Read more...]
Banfield announces new suicide prevention training
Banfield Pet Hospital announced ASK (Assess, Support, Know), a program that helps veterinary professionals recognize and address emotional distress and suicidal thoughts in themselves and others. Observing that one in six veterinarians consider suicide, Banfield will complete these three efforts by January 6, 2020: Close schedules at all Banfield hospitals for two hours to … [Read more...]
Enjoy the funny wildlife photo contest
Help the judges pick the choosing your Affinity Photo People's Choice Award from the finalists of The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2019. Click the link below to make your choice from the 40 finalists’ photos. And have a laugh too! < click here to vote > Source: The Comedy Wildlife Rewards. Link. … [Read more...]
Factoid. Computers were born in corn country
Computers and their capabilities have captured industrial capacity and our growing curiosities alike. Doug Jacobson, PhD, shares the story of the first computer. Named the ABC, it was built at Iowa State University (ISU). It is also home to the nation’s first public veterinary school, Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Boring Midwest? Maybe … [Read more...]
Visualizing social media use by generation (Infographic)
There are 4.4 billion social media users today. Ashley Viens describes how it has altered the way we interact both online and offline . She also notes the rate of social media growth is slowing, though use is still growing. From 2017 to 2018, the average person increased usage by three minutes per day, while becoming a new user of 0.8 social media accounts. What happens in a … [Read more...]
Bill Gates answers, “What should we never forget?”
Niklas Göke comments about watching the new 3-part documentary about Bill Gates on Netflix < link >. The interviewer asks question after question of Gates who answers directly and honestly. He was asked the question, “What was the worst day in your life?” The answer? “The day my mother died.” Göke shares the following: No matter who you are in this world, no … [Read more...]
Maintaining peace has its price
Author and psychotherapist Dennis Portnoy, MFT, says the excess pursuit of harmony is not altruistic. If you’re a person who goes to great lengths to avoid discord, he shares what you need to know about “harmony addiction.” Source: BottomLineInc, September 1, 2019. Link. People who chronically set aside their own interests tend to tell themselves that they are making … [Read more...]
Practicing narrative medicine; diagnostic listening
Narrative medicine is a young field in human medicine and even younger in veterinary medicine. Yet, some of the best veterinarians practice narrative medicine instinctively. Narrative medicine feels more like collaboration between the veterinarian and animal owner. <narrative medicine> is authentic engagement. . . diagnostic listening . . . rather than perfunctorily … [Read more...]
Positivity pays off
We all have a choice. We can choose to be positive and encouraging, or we can choose to be a pessimist and have self-pity. It’s a power we all have. Each of us encounters hard times, hurt feelings and pain. The key is to realize it’s not what happens to you that matters; it’s how you choose to respond. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, September 2, 2019. Link. One of the most … [Read more...]
Tick study: One single tick, multiple pathogens of tick-borne diseases
Ticks can carry several different pathogens capable of several different tick-borne diseases, sometimes in a single tick, according to a study in mBio < link >. Notably, the lone star tick is a very aggressive tick that can transmit a bacterium that causes a disease known as Ehrlichiosis. The lone star tick has also been implicated in cases of a novel form of meat … [Read more...]
Opinion – Star Wars tech featured at NAVC E-Commerce Summit
Imagine a pet owner talking to a virtual assistant via Alexa about a problem with their dog at 3:00 a.m. which sets up a live phone call from a veterinarian only minutes later. Or, having your cellphone notify you that your dog is barking excessively because the house is on fire or a stranger has entered. These and other technologies had attendees riveted as presenting … [Read more...]
Stress eating: 5 strategies to slow down
Our August 27 post, “Stressed? Pet it away,” < link > drew a lot of views as did the June 25 post, “Dogs absorb our emotions,” < link >. Veterinary team members sometimes correlate a pet owner’s weight to an overweight pet. In the interest of reducing even more stress, we’re sharing Kelly Bilodeau’s post on stress eating. (Stress) can set off physical and emotional … [Read more...]
SILO film highlights need for grain bin safety
As harvest gets into full swing, the dangers of grain entrapment in elevators and silos are ever-present. The independent film, SILO <Link>, is inspired by true events and portrays what happens when a teenage community member becomes entrapped in a 50-foot tall grain bin. Source: Progressive Farmer/DTN, September 5, 2019. Link. Let us not forget the guttural anguish of … [Read more...]
Opinion – Feral chicken populations growing
Domestic animals reproducing in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication, defines “feral.” When horses, pigs, cats, parrots and now chickens go wild, problems are not far behind. People in California, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, Hawaii and some island countries are developing a love/hate relationship with the free-ranging birds. As bird … [Read more...]
Cloning dogs in the present tense
John Woestendiek provides a chronology of dog cloning progress and realities. It is following an arc much like in vitro fertilization did in the 1970s. Today, cloned dogs are being churned out at a rapid clip and at less expense than ever before in South Korea, Texas and China, he says. Costing as much as $50,000 . . . you’re not getting the same dog; you’re not getting a pet … [Read more...]
In-house diagnostics making gains
Clients expect test results faster than ever before. Learn the benefits for the patient, client, practice and clinician of keeping testing in-house. Source: Vet Practice, September 12, 2019. Link. The animal diagnostic market is a major and flourishing sector; it accounts for 22 percent of the entire veterinary market and is worth US$4.2 billion globally. INSIGHTS: Newer … [Read more...]
Hate distractions? Good. Your perception of reality is at stake
If you’re trying to pay attention to multiple things, you’re not going to be as good at it versus if it were one at a time. It’s not just being slowed down . . . it might affect what you’re perceiving in the moment.” We are constantly inundated with push notices, texts, flashing signs, banners or the next tab. All this distraction may come at a massive cost. It’s not only to … [Read more...]
5 questions for the first day of work (infographic)
One of the most important, yet toughest things to do while moving into a new job or role is letting go of assumptions. This makes it extremely important to ask the right questions and be open to unlearn and relearn even seemingly trivial things. Source: HBR Ascend, September 12, 2019. Link. Every workplace has its own culture—how things are done, what is valued, and how … [Read more...]
Understand your voice
Your voice makes a big impression. Its pitch, speed and volume determine how people view your professionalism, whether to trust you and if you’re emotionally stable. How you sound may be more important than your words, writes Susan Berkley. She discusses improving our vocal persona, while improving how we use our voice. . . . your voice can either enhance the impact of what … [Read more...]
More veterinary technicians = higher practice efficiency
Recent AVMA analytics reveals that veterinary hospitals with more technicians and other non-DVM staff are likely to operate more efficiently. The optimal mix of non-DVM and DVM staff depends on several factors, including: practice type and size the demand for veterinary services in an area the availability of qualified veterinary professionals: professional and … [Read more...]
Veterinary technicians; heroes, heroines in scrubs
It’s been said, “the poop rolls downhill.” In most vet clinics, the technicians catch it. But these talented professionals frequently make the day, save a case and step in to help animal owners understand what’s going on. Kudos to the dvm360 staff for collecting some real-life experiences as the 2019 National Veterinary Technician Week approaches October 13-19. Source: … [Read more...]
Feeling in control can help prevent burnout
There are lots of reasons people feel burned out at work, writes Elizabeth Grace Saunders, a time management coach. An overstuffed to-do list, tasks that seem meaningless or a lack of connection with others are easily identified. If you don’t have autonomy in your job or a say in the decisions that affect your professional life, it can take a toll on your well-being. One of … [Read more...]
Embarrassment is fuel. Use it.
Anthony Moore says most people are living on someone else’s terms. They live to avoid fear, risk and embarrassment. He offers ideas to stop being afraid of looking stupid and consistently live the life you want. Source: The Ascent, May 20, 2019. Link. Just because you fail doesn’t make you a failure. So much of this life is process; getting a little better/smarter every … [Read more...]
We ARE being watched
'Who is watching you?”' is the cover story of the current issue of Consumer Reports. Our increasingly digital world has created mountains of data and there are few laws to safeguard the information. There are ways to take better charge of your privacy. We’re sharing three topics below that are available without subscriptions. Source: Consumer Reports, October 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Opinion – Raising the next generations at home, at work
Kids < people > who recognize their choices in life feel more confident in their ability to create a better future for themselves. It sometimes seems young folks entering the workforce lack understanding of how the world works. We can either growl about it or engage our leadership skills to help them grow. Amy Morin’s article, “A psychotherapist shares the 7 biggest … [Read more...]
Eating healthy for busy pros
Laura Baltodona, DVM, describes the challenges busy professionals face getting proper nutrition . Whether practitioner, veterinary technician, sales representative or office worker, animal health pros may spend more time ensuring their pets’ eat than themselves. Batodona says the key for healthy eating is: 1) set an intention and 2) know it doesn’t need to be fancy. Despite … [Read more...]
Smartphones help teach clinical ophthalmology
Lucien V. Vallone, DVM, DACVO, shares various applications using of smartphones for teaching ophthalmoscopy skills in veterinary medical training programs. He outlines techniques for fundus and anterior segment imaging that generally do not require the purchase of accessory equipment. Source: Clinician’s Brief, August 2019. Link. Advancing smartphone technology is allowing … [Read more...]
Malone’s call to action
Pat Malone challenges distributor representatives to augment selling skills and approach each customer from a different perspective. He sites the decreasing market share coming direct from the veterinarian as a problem to help solve. “ a problem isn’t a problem until there is the realization that it is a problem” Practice managers attending the upcoming VHMA convention can … [Read more...]
Opinion – Vet student communication skills training programs need help
Research from Colorado State University suggests support for communication skills training programs and recognition of their value continue to grow. However, a lack of resources, faculty expertise, validated methods for outcomes assessment and leadership remain as challenges. As animal health pros, this research confirms what we’ve known for years. Therefore, working with … [Read more...]