In this Spark video, dental experts share perspectives and benefits of a focused dental care strategy for veterinary hospitals, animal owners and pets. There is consensus that oral health affects pets differently and why veterinary dentists believe radiographs are critical in dental treatment. Source: NAVC Spark, February 16, 2018. Oral health disease is probably the most … [Read more...]
Create success when you disagree
Whether you are a frontline person, supervisor or middle manager, sometimes you get a decision handed down with which you do not agree. What you do at that point says a great deal about you and your ultimate success or failure. Source: Harvard Business Review, February 9 2018. To convince yourself of the decision, put yourself in the shoes of someone who believes deeply in … [Read more...]
Exotic baby animals need unique milk formulations
Animal health pros who care for exotic animals will appreciate the efforts described here. Milk for each species is unique. The team at Wombaroo in Australia is developing powdered milk formulas for exotic baby animals, including lions, kangaroos, koalas and pandas. It is one of few organizations conducting research in this area. The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content: Colorado no longer requires import entry permit for GlobalVetLINK customers
KUDOS to GlobalVetLink (GVL) and the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) – Animal Health Division for their successful collaboration to integrate record-keeping platforms to streamline paper trails and data entry for livestock entering Colorado. The integration migrates data from the GVL system directly into USAHERDS in real time. It allows for efficient and accurate … [Read more...]
Update your LinkedIn pages yearly
William Arruda, cofounder of CareerBlast, advises updating your LinkedIn page annually. December or now, his seven most important recommendations still apply: Update your photo. Revise your summary. Update your current experience entry. Add multimedia. Record accomplishments. Evaluate your groups. Make your contacts current. Source: Forbes, December … [Read more...]
Use criticism to your advantage
Honest feedback is one of the more valuable tools we have for self-improvement. Yet, it is a catch-22, according to Mel Robbins. Researchers from the University of Michigan and the Gottman Institute concluded that in order to keep a relationship or work team performing well, five or six positive interactions were needed for each criticism or negative interaction. Source: … [Read more...]
A case for micro-leading
Micromanagers are not helpful in the long run, says Steve Keating. But, his perspective changes when it comes to developing new or inexperienced team members. Keating proposes a new term: micro-leading. It is simply closely supervising someone for their own development and learning. Leaders must also understand that good judgment comes from experience. If your people lack that … [Read more...]
Vaccine or vaccine failure?
It’s hard to put a price tag on preventing an animal from suffering, says Cheryl Day, National Hog Farmer editor, in her comments about the February issue. Her team has collected a series about vaccination and herd health that is worth review, regardless of what species dominates your time. These articles include: What would the world be like if we didn’t vaccinate pigs? … [Read more...]
Survey shines light on pork industry’s biosecurity investment
A new survey study from Iowa State University (ISU) reveals the challenges of biosecure swine production and the variations of adoption of biosecure measures. It also highlights opportunities to help increase biosecurity measures. For animal health pros, the challenges in these results further underscore the themes of compliance across all species. Specifically, note the … [Read more...]
Don’t let urgency take over importance
Given the number of interruptions animal health pros face daily, it is important to regularly return to this topic. An urgent item is a task that cries out for immediate attention. Important tasks are those that, once done, will add value for the long-term. Important tasks move you forward. Source: Entrepreneur, February 6, 2018. It's easy to let the urgent overtake the … [Read more...]
A case for washing dishes
Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates both say that handling dinnerware is part of their daily routine. I agree. Here's why you should consider it: More (and better) ideas could flow as you rinse It keeps you humble You remember that helping even in small ways is still helping Source: Inc., November 2017. Small acts of service, such as washing the dishes, remind you that you … [Read more...]
How good breeders raise puppies
Fearless puppies don’t just pop out of their dam, say hello to the world and settle into biddable dogs. Linda Rehkopf shares her approach to raising puppies that grow into happy, confident dogs. Breeders and puppy owners alike will value this information. Source: Fear Free Happy Homes, January 30, 2018. Starting with a sire and dam that were both calm confident adults at … [Read more...]
Signs of a sick dog
Dog Breeds Center recently surfaced as another media source targeting animal owners. Mark Reed offers dog owners some signs that a dog might be sick. The tips are logical and the images represent situations well. Consider this resource for social media posts and website content. Source: Dog Breeds Center. All of these symptoms and any sudden behavioral change require an … [Read more...]
Horse personalities affect training and riding
Horses can display traits that qualify them as social, aloof, fearful and challenging. In addition to noting specific temperament traits that best match an individual horse, it is important to notice how loudly or quietly (aggressively or passively) the horse displays his personality. The more aggressive the personality traits are, the more they become a factor in the training … [Read more...]
Incorporating equine learning principles in the veterinary practice
To help veterinary team members reduce fear and problem behaviors while promoting positive veterinary care, Robin Foster, PhD, CAAB, CHBC, described behavior modification techniques based on principles of equine learning at the 2017 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention. Incorporating learning principles into equine practice all starts with addressing the … [Read more...]
Protect cats from fleas
From the black plague during the 14th century to now, fleas have caused much grief. As summer approaches, it is important to reinforce flea control in indoor and outdoor cats. This article descrives flea control evolution, infection, modern control methods and products. Animal health pros who interact with cat owners will appreciate this straightforward discussion of feline … [Read more...]
5 signs of cat dental disease
JaneA Kelly reminds us the American Veterinary Dental Society says almost 70 percent of cats start showing signs of oral disease by their third birthday. Because cats hide their pain, cat owners may not know a cat’s mouth is hurting until its oral disease becomes severe. Of course, a preventive care program consisting of brushing your cat’s teeth daily is recommended. The … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club: virtual value
Gifted Leaders founder and VetPartners President Dr. Jeff Thoren hosted an engaging Bridge Club virtual conversation, “Mind Full or Mindful? Maintaining a Peaceful Presence in a Hectic World,” February 19th. Thoren offered his go-to resources and getting-started recommendations. For those who stayed for the after-party discussion, participants revealed some terrific … [Read more...]
Customer service is the new marketing
People have lost their faith in gimmicky and overstated mass marketing campaigns, shares Micah Solomon. Today, they place more stock in what they experience directly with your company, what their friends experience and what the people they listen to online experience. He says adding emotional transportation to your customer’s experience makes it marketing. Source: Forbes, … [Read more...]
AVMA, Merck collaborate on veterinarian mental health study
Veterinarians younger than 45 years old are more likely to experience serious psychological distress, according to a new survey conducted in collaboration with the American Veterinary Medical Association and Merck Animal Health. According to the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study, younger veterinarians are more affected by the financial and emotional stresses of … [Read more...]
The underdog strategy may make you a winner
Victimhood is a popular excuse these days for being unhappy. It doesn’t have to be this way. Certainly, there are people with greater advantages than you. This simply means you need to work smarter and harder to achieve your version of success and now there is a strategy that will enhance your chances of success. Source: Women@Forbes, February 6 2018. Have the courage to … [Read more...]
Up next on The Bridge Club
Join The Bridge Club virtual event, Mind full or mindful? Maintaining a peaceful presence in a hectic world: Expert: Jeff Thoren, DVM, PCC, BCC, VetPartners president and Gifted Leaders founder Topic: The practice of mindfulness. Dr. Thoren will share a very real look at challenges and benefits including suggestions to help take positive first steps. Date/Time: … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club, new platform for veterinary community (includes video)
Whether you meet over cards, a beverage or meal with industry colleagues, the conversations can be valued and cherished. Brenda Andresen and Catherine Haskins have developed The Bridge Club as the first video-based, professional community. The video conference platform promises to return to face-to-face discussions on topics relevant to veterinary professionals. Andresen and … [Read more...]
The best leaders are teachers
SuperBowl LII is in the books. Much of the discussion surrounding the results encompassed leadership and coaching legacies. Sydney Finkelstein has studied leadership in organizations for over a decade. He shares his surprise on the extent to which star managers emphasize ongoing, intensive one-on-one tutoring of their direct reports, either in person or virtually, in the course … [Read more...]
Ketamine: let’s review
Ketamine continues to be extensively used in the anesthetic management of horses, nonhuman primates and other non-domesticated species. However, its popularity as an anesthetic induction agent in dogs and cats continues to decline in the United States. Khursheed Mama, DVM, DACVAA, Colorado State University reviews ketamine with this outline: Pharmacokinetics and clinic … [Read more...]
10 obesity related conditions in fat pets
Nationwide reports that its members filed 1.4 million pet insurance claims for conditions and diseases related to obesity in 2017. They sorted through its database of more than 630,000 insured pets to determine the top 10 most common dog and cat obesity related conditions. Source: DVM 360, January 26, 2018. Nationwide data from 2016 showed more than 51,000 pet insurance … [Read more...]
AVJR, February 2018
Research about obese cats continues. The study titled Effects of weight loss with a moderate-protein, high-fiber diet on body composition, voluntary physical activity, and fecal microbiota of obese cats will be of interest to companion animal practices as they deal with obesity in cats. Source: AVJR, February 2018. (limited access) … [Read more...]
Beware the whites of K-9 eyes
Wide, bulging eyes that show the whites of dogs’ eyes is a behavior referred to as whale eyes. Jill Breitner explains whale eyes are a sign of fear that shouldn't be ignored. Source: Dogster, January 23, 2018. If you even think you see whale eyes, err on the side of caution. Stop what you’re doing, assess the situation and proceed to redirect the dog to something else to … [Read more...]
10 human foods dogs can eat
Rose Frosek shares healthful people foods that can be shared, guilt-free, with dogs. This list can be used on social media, in newsletters and websites. Who knows? Maybe, if the dog eats green veggies, so will the children. Source: Modern Dog. Remember that treats and other additions to your dog’s regular meal should comprise no more than 10 percent of their daily intake. … [Read more...]
“Hey,” “Hello,” “Hi” and other ways to start emails
The salutations we use to start an email affects the response rate, according to a recent analysis of 300,000 emails. While omitting a salutation on follow-up replies seems to be increasingly common, you are best off including an opening, at least in your initial email. Source: Quartz, January 22, 2018. Perhaps we should move past the era of formal salutations, as … [Read more...]