Most of us learn to read in school, and when we do, it’s for one of two reasons: to memorize or to critique. . . both with the intent of choosing right or wrong, writes Zat Rana. . . . anytime you read something with the mindset that you are there to extract what is right and what is wrong, you are by default limiting how much you can get out of a particular piece of … [Read more...]
FCC warns, one ring robocall wave in progress again
Robocalls are annoying at minimum. You answer and it may take up to 30 seconds for a person to answer. Now the Federal Communications Commission has issued a warning about so-called one-ring robocalls, a scam that doesn’t require the receiver of the call to pick up the phone, but to call back. In April, Americans received 4.9 billion robocalls, or 163 million calls per day. . … [Read more...]
Managing perfectionism
When your patients can’t talk to you, it is hard to not seek perfection. Rebecca Knight offers ideas of how to let go of a penchant for perfectionism. It is a double-edged sword, she writes. It can motivate you to perform at a high level and deliver top-quality work. Or, it can cause you unnecessary anxiety and slow you down. Many perfectionists have a proclivity to ruminate — … [Read more...]
False beliefs about introverts and extroverts (podcast)
Most people don’t fit neatly into one “introvert” or “extrovert” box. Even people who feel pretty solidly in one camp, can have traits that we often associate with the other, shares Kathleen Davis. This kind of dual behavior is pretty common. It’s not a black and white category. Susan Cain, author. Source: Fast Company, April 10, 2019. Link. How introverts can get noticed at … [Read more...]
Skin-eating fungi destroying frogs and salamanders globally
A new study, published in Science, is the first comprehensive tally of the damage done by the chytrid fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). In all, the fungi have driven the declines of at least 501 amphibian species, or about one out of every 16 known to science. Source: National Geographic, March 28, 2019. Link. Calling for … [Read more...]
Antibody versus antigen tests; let’s review
Mississippi State DVMs Claire L. Fellman and Todd Archer provide a brief introduction to immunodiagnostic tests, including immunofluorescence assays, ELISAs, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The underlying principle of immunologic testing is antigen:antibody specificity. Source: Clinician’s Brief, May 2017. Link. Although antibodies can be used to detect antigens, … [Read more...]
Poisonous plants for cattle, horses, dogs, cats
Spring brings a flowery green up but, plants toxic t0 our critters may lurk among the blooms. We compiled some resources for cattle, horses, dogs and cats below. Use them on social media and to solve problems with animal owners. Source: Plants toxic to cats, ASPCA. Link. Source: Plants toxic to dogs, ASPCA. Link. Source: Poisonous plants that can kill cattle, BEEF, … [Read more...]
Research reveals complex chicken intelligence and emotion
Tamsin Cooper’s article on poultry cognition reveals evidence about smart chickens. Neurologist Lori Marino is aware of how complex and intelligent chickens are. She collated evidence of their mental and emotional capacities to raise awareness of their need for good welfare as individual sentient beings. People who are not familiar with chickens are often amazed at how smart … [Read more...]
The power of thank you
A Portland State University study shows that being thanked more often at work predicted better sleep, fewer headaches and healthier eating, because it improved employees’ work satisfaction. Source: Science Daily, March, 13, 2019. Link. Many people inherently connect their identity to their job and feelings of appreciation within their roles. Employers who understand and … [Read more...]
Complaining a bit is okay. Being grateful is better. (includes video)
Julie Compton shares perspectives about complaining from authors Kaia Roman, Guy Winch, Ph.D., and Cleo Wade. The purpose of griping is to tell us that something in our lives needs to change. But, a few of us get stuck in chronic complaint mode. Winch says some griping is healthy but too much can fill us with constant stress hormones. It can also infect those around us with our … [Read more...]
Veterinary Hospital Managers Association partners with Animal Health Digest
Our AHD team welcomes the VHMA membership and looks forward to collaborating with this growing group of animal health professionals. The VHMA is a nationally recognized thought leader and innovator in providing training, education, and resources to more than 3,600 members. It is a trusted resource that the veterinary sector relies on for industry insights, research and advocacy … [Read more...]
Understanding sexlink hybrid chickens
Don Schrider delves into chicken breeds, crossbreeding and explains how sexlink chickens produce dependable gender offspring for retail locations to sell. He includes a good history of breeds and crossbreds to expand your chicken knowledge if you are unfamiliar with commercial or backyard chicken production. His information is useful for veterinary teams and retailers … [Read more...]
Equine rabies often insidious and vague in horses
We often picture unnaturally aggressive skunks, raccoons or dogs foaming at the mouth when we think of rabies. Although it isn’t widely found among horses in the United States, veterinarians diagnose about 40 cases per year. Betsy Greene relates that the potential risk of human exposure from even one infected horse is concerning. Source: The Horse, April 2019. Link. Greene … [Read more...]
Formula, cat years x 7 = human years, no longer valid
The timeworn cat age formula no longer holds true, writes Elizabeth Vecsi. A cat celebrating his first birthday is actually the equivalent of a person who is 15 years old, a 10-year-old cat is the equivalent of 56 and a 17-year-old cat is the equivalent of 84. Source: Catnip, April 26, 2019. Link. New Feline Life Stages Guidelines developed jointly by the AAFP and AAHA … [Read more...]
Opinion – Pets becoming part of long-term eldercare
A Google search produces dozens of visiting pet organizations that provide pet therapy visits to elder care facilities. The results are positive and the organizations require visiting pets to be trained for such activities. Ramona Marek reviews a growing trend of allowing seniors to bring their pet from home when they enter a care facility. I’m supportive of fur, feathers … [Read more...]
Items of interest from JAVMA News
These items from the recent JAVMA News provide perspective for animal health pros: AVMA launches Axon, a new online CE platform < link >. This online learning platform provides a place for the entire veterinary team to access the AVMA's full library of digital learning, earn CE, and acquire skills for personal and professional development. The veterinary student … [Read more...]
Acknowledgement is not agreement
Some people have difficulty acknowledging other points of view, especially when they do not agree with them. Consequently, it is almost impossible to discuss an idea when we have opposing viewpoints. To make it easier, try thinking that you are acknowledging the other person’s right to a different point of view. Source: Vet-Advantage Magazine, April 9, 2019. Link. Our … [Read more...]
Finish!
You have only a few days left in April writes Benjamin Hardy. It doesn't matter what has happened before. It matters what you'll do now, and until the finish. The better you get at finishing things, the more confidence you'll have. Finish <this month> better than you've ever finished a month. Allow yourself to sprint powerfully to a finish line. Here is some of his … [Read more...]
Manage your email inbox
Your computer or phone buzzes with another burst of emails. “You’ve got mail,” is no longer a welcome notification. Mary Squillace offers 10 ways to manage your email inbox, according to those who get 100 or more emails per day: Only keep emails requiring immediate action in your inbox Create a “waiting folder” for action-pending emails Make subfolders or labels your … [Read more...]
Actuaries develop healthy life expectancy tool
A team at the Goldenson Center for Actuarial Research is focusing on developing a rigorous measure of quality of life. They are working to determine how many healthy years of life you have before you become unhealthy. Given our industry’s aging professional population, you will value this information, the calculator and its implications. Please note, the calculator is still … [Read more...]
China doesn’t know how many pigs ASF has killed
In documented moves that foster public distrust of the government, Chinese officials are not creating an atmosphere of trust when it comes to producers reporting African Swine Fever (ASF), a disease that has claimed more than 1 million pigs to date. Reality may be worse as farmers are not reporting all the infections. This underreporting and low official response is a pattern … [Read more...]
Events coming from The Bridge Club
The Bridge Club offers a unique engagement, learning and networking opportunity for professionals. With the priority on conversations, not presentations, our community is unique, energizing and fun! April 25th @ 7 pm CST - The Ins and Outs of Being a Relief Vet - Host: Cindy Trice - Register Here! May 14th @ 6 pm CST - Don’t Feed The Angry Gods - Host: Debra Hamilton - … [Read more...]
E-book addresses burnout, depression and compassion fatigue
Karen Parker, DVM, former director of marketing and recruitment for Innovetive Petcare, developed a resource during her tenure to help identify and deal with burnout and compassion fatigue. Parker says the free ebook includes self-assessments for burnout, compassion fatigue and depression. It also contains practical resources with which to combat them. Source: Innovetive … [Read more...]
Parasite education? There’s an APP for that
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) has designed an app to help strengthen skills in the microscopic identification of fecal parasites in veterinary clinic settings and for individual study. The Veterinary Internal Parasite Flash Card App < link > includes approximately 100 veterinary internal parasites found in dogs, cats, small mammals, reptiles and … [Read more...]
MIT study challenges goal setting
Dr. Jeanne Ross, a researcher at MIT's Sloane School of Business, says that goal-setting is an incomplete strategy for high-performance teams. Ross suggests that organizations should put their attention on formulating hypotheses, and then rapidly (and repeatedly) testing these new ideas. Source: Forbes, April 16, 2091. Link. A goal is not always meant to be reached; it … [Read more...]
Stay sharp when your ability to focus declines
We live and work in an increasingly disruptive world. Research shows interruptions occur about every 12 minutes in the workplace and even more frequently in other settings. Authors Dr. Adam Gazzaley, a neuroscientist, and Dr. Larry Rosen, a psychologist, explain how our ability to pay attention works and what we can do to stay focused. Researchers say our ability to pay … [Read more...]
Speak up when it matters
Speaking up is hard to do. We all like to think that if we see something questionable, we’ll say something. However, we are strikingly bad at anticipating how we’ll feel in future circumstances and it can be incredibly difficult to speak up in the moment. In fact, research suggests that most people tend to not act, and then rationalize their inaction. Source: HBR Ascend. … [Read more...]
5 reasons leaders fail
When leadership fails, it is often due to a successful characteristic morphing into its evil twin. Just as with the Force in Star Wars, there is a negative associated with every positive. Don’t let these pitfalls negatively impact your leadership. Source: Inc., February 11, 2013. Link. Leaders fail due to certain social-psychological blinders that inhibit their capacity to … [Read more...]
How to get through an extremely busy time at work
Many of us go through periods when we have little personal time, writes Alice Boyes. Others may be committed to jobs that regularly involve intense and long hours, creating a long-term lack of rest. She offers practical tips for thriving when you have to be fully committed. Here are some strategies that can help: Use Premack’s principle; reward system Compartmentalize … [Read more...]
Awkward doesn’t even begin to describe it
IF you talk to veterinary team members very long you’ll eventually hear about awkward situations they frequently encounter. The FIRSTLINE team gathered a few of these stories for this article. For salespersons and new clinic colleagues, stories like these are great icebreakers. To get a conversation started ask, “What happened this week that was awkward and challenging to … [Read more...]