Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 11, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the January 11th AHD Bulletin – Understanding active listening and distractions. Link. The pros and cons of servant leadership. Link. 22 team-building activities and games for 2024. Link. ============================================ Study: Antibiotics … [Read more...]
Cold weather challenges arthritic horses
Barometric pressure is added as a contributing factor to equine joint stiffness that accompanies colder weather joint issues. The author makes recommendations including keeping horses moving, proper shelter and involving veterinary support for those horses experiencing lameness. Source: EQUUS, January 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Decision making in severe equine asthma. Diagnosis and monitoring.
The authors of this paper developed a flow-chart to help equine practitioners in the process of decision making associated with diagnosing and monitoring SEA. To improve diagnostic and treatment accuracy they present various tests that help monitor the occurrence of pathological changes, such as mucus accumulation and bronchial smooth muscle hypertrophy secondary to the … [Read more...]
How the No-Kill movement betrays its name
A neighborhood overrun with cats is a spectacle of contradictions, writes Jonathan Franzen. He shares the pros, cons, controversy and politics surrounding feral and outdoor cats. By keeping cats outdoors, trap-neuter-release policies have troubling consequences for city residents, local wildlife—and even the cats themselves.” Source: The New Yorker, December 25, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Cell phone addiction, how it impacts our relationships
Commentary It irks me when a customer service person interrupts an in-person interaction to answer the phone. Now, cellphones are an insidious part of our culture and impact our ability to have authentic in-person interactions in business and our personal lives. Simon Sinek shares the psychological power smartphones signal when visibly present and signs of phone … [Read more...]
11 senseless cat owner sins with safer alternatives
Catster’s vet team shares 11 senseless cat owner sins. They outline things cat owners should never do or even think about doing. Share the article on social media and in newsletters to drive home common safety and health issues. Source: Catster, January 9, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Helping maintain comprehensive oral-care habits
Includes Commercial Content Pet oral hygiene is often overlooked and considered post dental problems. Oral care is gaining attention and retailers have many options to support it as a health and wellness category. Combining efforts with local veterinarians is good business and timely as National Pet Dental Health month promotions begin in February. Source: Pet Business, … [Read more...]
Naturally slimmer versus naturally bulkier cats
More than half of cats are overweight and 25 percent are obese, according to this article. The author shares cat breeds and their tendencies to be thin or overweight. There’s also information about how much to feed cats and conditions that cause weight gains or losses. Source: Animaltalk Magazine, January 15, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Cat owners are known to devour cat … [Read more...]
How companies are supporting employees experiencing menopause
Commentary One statement in this article defines the importance of the topic it covers. “By 2025, there will be over 1 billion people worldwide experiencing menopause.” Organizations that take employee well-being seriously realize that getting ahead of conditions like menopause reduces an incredible burden on their workforce and can improve the bottom line say the … [Read more...]
How much automation is too much?
Commentary Self-service phone options offer streamlining for businesses and customers. BUT, when these options require multiple prompts, take two minutes or more and end without the ability to talk to a human, the customer service experience suffers. Digitization provides important advancements in providing better veterinary medicine and patient outcomes, but animal owners … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 11, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 4, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the January 4th AHD Bulletin – Will we be ready? Introducing Gen Alpha. Link. Cat takes exception to coyotes attacking the family dog (video). Link. Communication – a critical skill for success. Link. … [Read more...]
Beef on dairy, the perfect cross
The average number of milk cows for the nation's total dairy herd remains level <Link>. To produce milk a cow must have a calf whether the calf is desired or not. So, dairy producers eager to create a valuable calf have the beef-on-dairy revolution booming. These crossbred animals are making a considerable contribution to meat cases, thereby driving research on producing … [Read more...]
Veterinarians listed 2nd of 9 top investments to grow cattle profits in 2024
Beef prices are predicted to remain strong in 2024 providing opportunities for producers to make proactive investments in their operations. We’re sharing this article since spending money with veterinarians ranks second in Mindy Ward’s top investments listing. Veterinary teams that understand how producer investments make farm businesses more resilient and profitable become … [Read more...]
AHS resource for heartworm prevention
Animal health pros need to keep beating the drums about preventing heartworm. Prevention nonadherence remains prevalent in the U.S. The incidence of heartworm disease has continued to rise in previously known hot spots, but also in unexpected locations with previously low heartworm rates <Link>. Short articles like this one from the American Heartworm Society make good … [Read more...]
YYuk! Average office desks contaminated with more bacteria than public toilets
The surfaces around your workplace are some of the worst bacteria hotspots you come in contact with each day, writes Jessica Bennett. Keyboards, telephones, computer mice, desktops, coffee cups, door knobs and more can have more than 30 times the bacteria compared to public toilet seats. Bennett offers ways to clean up these bacteria traps. Animal health pros have a handy … [Read more...]
Advancing oral care at home, COHAT in the veterinary hospital
Attention VMX attendees! Visit booth #1416 to learn about new advancements in veterinary dental diagnostics. Addison Biological Laboratories is hosting D.A.V.I.D. X-Ray in their booth to introduce it to the veterinary community. Learn about an AI tool that helps veterinary teams read a dental radiograph or photo with the accuracy of a board-certified veterinary … [Read more...]
Petfood industry, a lot on its mind going into New Year
Health and wellness, e-commerce and sustainability were identified as top of mind by Lindsay Beaton. We noted the mention of prevention in the treats and supplements category. Source: PETFOOD Industry, January 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Changes at JAVMA, AVJR modernizing, speeding processes
The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and its sister publication, the American Journal of Veterinary Research, are being modernized rapidly under the leadership of its latest editor, Lisa Fortier, DVM, PhD. An updated website and the immediate appearance of journal articles in PubMed and ePub ahead of print are examples, along with more rapid review times … [Read more...]
Groomers can play important role in skin and coat care
Groomers who increase their understanding of skin and coat care can develop more pivotal roles in caring for the integumentary system which includes the epidermis, dermis, hypodermis, associated glands, hair, and nails. Jennifer Bishop Jenkins shares perspectives on communication with local veterinarians, advancing education and bridging some of the gaps in pet care … [Read more...]
10 Trends to watch in 2024
Harvard Business School faculty share insights from their research about business trends companies are expected to face in 2024. They offer advice about how managers and their employees can navigate challenges and opportunities this year. Source: Harvard Business School, Working Knowledge, January 2, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
The pros and cons of servant leadership
Servant leadership is based on a simple concept: that as an employee, a worker is present to serve the organization. Source: ConnectUS, February 6, 2019. Link. As one moves up higher into leadership, then there are more people to serve. INSIGHT: Much like a jet engine, there is a lag from spool-up to thrust. … [Read more...]
Understanding active listening and distractions
Commentary With all the distractions of checking personal devices, social media and other interruptions it's a wonder any work gets done at all. Consider these articles as you head into meetings and travel to VMX. Active listening involves mastering a host of other skills, writes Amy Gallo. It includes reading body language and tone of voice, maintaining your attention, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 4, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 28, 2023. Link. A review of 2023’s highly viewed posts in 13 categories. Most read posts in 2023, all categories – Don’t be afraid to ask the sensitive questions. Link. Study: PRP gel accelerates skin wound healing in horses. Link. How to deal with an angry … [Read more...]
Proper vaccination at the right time increases calf welfare and value
Administering appropriate respiratory vaccines before sale and commingling is crucial for providing immunity during the stocker and feedlot stages of the beef supply chain. Summarizing research on beef calf preconditioning programs, Paul Vining says proper vaccination against BRD-related pathogens during calfhood establishes robust immunity. This enhances calf welfare and … [Read more...]
Lone Star Tick added to label of revolution® PLUS (selamectin and sarolaner topical solution)
Complimentary Commercial Content The U.S. FDA recently approved a label extension for Revolution Plus (selamectin and sarolaner topical solution) for the treatment and control of tick infestations caused by Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick). It is good news for veterinary teams and cat owners alike. With this label extension, Revolution Plus, a simple-to-apply, … [Read more...]
Some types of plastics should never be microwaved
Before you throw holiday leftovers into the microwave, know if it is safe to reheat your lunch if stored in a plastic container. Safety depends on the type of plastic used. In an article about plastic, we found some warnings pertinent to our own safety when using those convenient microwaves. Heating some plastics can cause the materials to release additives, aka chemicals … [Read more...]
Why good communication is essential to sales
Commentary Like it or not, if a person pays you for a product or service it is technically a sale and indicates transfer of title or completion of an action. Animal health pros who improve their communication skills enhance their value to their clients and company, writes Justin Zappulla. Note*: We comment on the discussion of “you versus I” below. The difference between … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – January 1, 2024
Staff readiness program coming in February, pet food in the context of global meat production, demand increasing for subsidized vet care in British Columbia, easy questions for market research, recreating vet care in United Kingdom, AI in small business, call for speakers for 2024 Flow Conference and more. . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, January 1, 2024. Link. The … [Read more...]
Mindful’s top article in 2023, How to meditate.
Whether on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or Instagram, animal health pros often mention meditation. More than a million people viewed this article about how meditation can inject far-reaching and long-lasting benefits into our lives. The idea behind mindfulness seems simple—the practice takes patience.” Source: Mindful. Link. The author shares five reasons to meditate: … [Read more...]
6 inspiring morning habits of highly successful people
For those still searching for a New Year’s resolution, consider adjusting your morning habits. It doesn’t matter what time you wake up, but it does matter what you do when you first wake up, writes Will Polston. Without a morning routine, people rely on how they feel emotionally when waking up which is reactive rather than proactive. Good habits are formed and maintained by a … [Read more...]