As the third quarter of 2023 begins, the animal health industry continues to adapt to ever-changing new norms. Dr. Google’s influence may be diminishing as new information sources expand in the B2C sector capitalizing on major publications’ use of their databases from other markets. It is important to remember media sources still influence animal owners’ understanding and … [Read more...]
Bear cam livestream returns for salmon run
Need a few minutes break? Watch bears catch salmon in Alaska. The famous bear cam livestream at Alaska’s Katmai National Park is back for its 12th year running, documenting the park’s brown bears as they find the best salmon fishing spots in Brooks Falls. Watch the YouTube livestream at the link below and spot the bears jumping, diving and even belly-flopping to catch their … [Read more...]
Veterinarian personality, job satisfaction and well-being
There does not appear to be a specific personality profile for veterinarians and most personality types are unrelated to their well-being. The personality trait neuroticism is the exception. Like other neurotic individuals, neurotic veterinarians experience more negative affect, less positive affect, and lower life satisfaction . . .” Source: Advances in Small Animal Care, … [Read more...]
The hard truth
The biggest lie we tell ourselves is: We crave truth. But the truth is hard and often uncomfortable. Being honest with someone is actually more respectful than holding back. Source: AXIOS, June 22, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Be blunt, respectful, factual and actionable Also see: How to deal with people who pretend to know more than they do, Fast Company, June 28, 2023. … [Read more...]
Check your assumptions at the door to avoid medical gaslighting
Commentary Medical patients around the country are complaining about a phenomenon known as medical gaslighting. Most doctors aren’t intentionally trying to gaslight their patients, nor do they even realize they’re doing it, according to Karen Lutfey Spencer, PhD. But there can be serious consequences including loss of trust. It is logical to extrapolate the consequences of … [Read more...]
Seven times, seven ways
Speaking to the challenges of modern communications, Matthew Kirchner shares how today’s myriad modes of communication make memory and recall more difficult. He reminds us that few people will remember an instruction, request or message delivered only one time as recent research indicates our attention spans are getting worse. Kirchner explains his mantra of seven times, … [Read more...]
The 5 love languages of cats
Cats offer so many levels of emotion akin to humans, writes John Woolf. They show their affection in a multitude of ways, he says sharing subtilties and five ways cats express affection for owners. Reading a cat is different, to be sure, than reading a dog.” – John Woolf Source: John Woolf, Linkedin, June 26, 2023. Link. The love of a pet is one of the greatest joys a human … [Read more...]
11 years of dry versus wet cat food influenced cat health
Around eight years of age, metabolic or physiological changes are occurring that are having impacts on cat health, according to Emma Bermingham, PhD. Her 11-year study of the same group of cats has focused on the long-term effects of commercially available diets on cats’ health. . . . at eight years the cats bodyweights started to diverge. Cats on the dry kibble diet started … [Read more...]
New VIP podcast episodes. Are you caught up?
Shawn Wilkie and Ivan Zak, DVM, began Veterinary Innovation Podcasts in July 2019. Since then, they have produced more than 150 podcast episodes featuring innovations and topics our industry is working to address. Podcasts from the last 30 days include: The power of AI in veterinary medicine. Link. Effective pet owner education. Link. Building high-performing … [Read more...]
Chewy expands CarePlus insurance and wellness offerings
Commercial News Item As B2C commercial offerings expand, animal health pros need to understand what is available to pet owners and what may influence decisions about preventative care and treatments. “ – Kirk Augustine Chewy recently announced the availability of CarePlus insurance and wellness offerings that feature expanded coverage options and prices from two providers, … [Read more...]
Study: PRP gel accelerates skin wound healing in horses
A scientist in Pakistan recently shared study results that indicate using platelet-rich plasma can be a safe, effective approach to hastening wound healing in horses. Muhammad Talha Sajjad, DVM, MPhil, PhD, found PRP gel encourages re-epithelialization and accelerates skin wound healing by promoting wound contraction and stabilization of the collagen fiber arrangement. … [Read more...]
How cats took over the world
Research on feline DNA clarifies our ancient relationship with cats. Some experts consider cats only "semi-domesticated" since they look and behave so much like their wild relatives. Cat DNA from archaeological sites across Europe, the Middle East and Africa shows cats lived with humans between 300 and 15,000 years ago. Population dispersal occurred with advances in agriculture … [Read more...]
Actor Michael Caine: Use the difficulty
Actor Sir Michael Caine shares some great perspectives in this short video clip. . . . when anything bad happens, you gotta' USE the difficulty.” – Micheal Caine Source: Aurelio Reis, Facebook reels. Link. INSIGHTS: Caine’s assertion resembles the proverbial phrase, “when life gives you lemons make lemonade.” … [Read more...]
The opposite of triggers, glimmers are all around us
A trigger is a person, place, thing or situation that elicits an intense or unexpected emotional response. Glimmers on the other hand are tiny micro-moments of joy that allow us to feel calm and give us a sense of inner peace. On the surface, glimmers may sound trivial says Deb Dana, LCSW, but they’re crucial to calming down our central nervous system. . . . glimmers can ease … [Read more...]
Agreement or commitment?
An agreement is a contract for mutual benefit. A commitment is deeper and more comprehensive. Commitments are worth the extra time and effort.” Source: gearsmagazine.com, March 5, 2021. Link. With commitment, there’s no going back – no limitation is recognized. It is the equivalent of the modern phrase, “I’m going all-in!” … [Read more...]
How to charge for technician appointments
When your practice uses technicians like physician assistants, technicians will work at the top of their licenses, improving job satisfaction and employee retention, says Wendy Myers, CVJ. She shares ideas on reallocating types of appointments from veterinarians to technicians and assistants. Of course, checking state guidelines on licensed technician and veterinary assistant … [Read more...]
The cost of dying: Supporting employees through grief, despair and moving on
Grief and loss are part of our human condition and their effect differs between individuals. As a society, we are hesitant to talk about death and loss let alone address it in the workplace. One resource indicates as many as 31 percent of employers would welcome help on how to support bereaved employees, especially when it comes to making the first move. Unsupported grief in … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 22, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 15th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from June 15th AHD Bulletin – Dealing with no-shows. Link. Appearance and animal owner perception. Link. Sympathy versus empathy. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. ========================================== … [Read more...]
The effect of day-only versus day-plus-night cooling of dairy cows
We shared cattle heat stress reminders in a recent post <Link>. The results of a recent study showed the benefits of enhanced day+night cooling versus day-only cooling of dairy cows. Over the duration of the study, enhanced day+night cooling cows produced more milk, had lower rumen temperatures and reduced panting compared with day-only cooling cows. When temperatures … [Read more...]
Best to know what dog owners are reading about metronidazole
Commentary The Whole Dog Journal headline reads, “Metronidazole Works Like Magic in Dogs.” While the information Eileen Fatcheric, DVM, shares about diarrhea and how veterinarians approach resolution is informative, publishing this information in a pet owner publication may be an editorial faux pas. Source: Whole Dog Journal, June 1, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: We cannot … [Read more...]
How your body language may be causing your team to disconnect
Body language speaks for you unconsciously and unfortunately, it’s hard to control. Just like you can’t fake a genuine smile, you can’t fake emotion. You can try to suppress your feelings, but your body language will leak it. “There’s the saying, ‘Fake it ‘til you make it.’ But the fake will fade,” says Linda Clemons. Source: Fast Company, June 6, 2023. Link. If your words … [Read more...]
Words matter and some need to go away
Flashing back to Words Matter Week, @besunnynotsalty shares some great words to remember in an Instagram post sent by a colleague. We’re sharing them with you. The most important word?. . ‘We’ . . . The least important word? . . ‘I’ “ Source: @besunnynotsalty, Instagram, March 7, 2023. Link. Use your words carefully and make your words count. Also see: Five corporate … [Read more...]
Quiet quitting or setting boundaries
Employees need to take a more active role in improving their work lives, rather than a passive one. Source: TIME, September 9, 2022. Link. If you’re really upset about something, you can often overestimate how unsolvable it is and you don’t need to quiet quit to get out of a situation. INSIGHTS: You are your best advocate. Also see: Search results for quitting, AHD … [Read more...]
Why it is so hard to ask for help
Many of us struggle to ask for help. Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries, DBA, MBA shares reasons we are reluctant to ask for and accept help. He then offers ways to overcome the barriers: The fear of being vulnerable The need to be independent The fear of losing control The fear of rejection Over empathizing with others. A sense of victimhood Source: Harvard … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 15, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 8th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from June 1st AHD Bulletin – How to deal with an angry client. Link. Gen Z’s nonchalance infiltrates the workplace. Link. 2022 National Beef Quality Audit shows increase in quality and efficiency. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by … [Read more...]
Walmart to build a new case-ready beef facility in Olathe, Kansas
Set to open in 2025, the plant will create more than 600 new jobs and further Walmart’s commitment to creating an end-to-end Angus beef supply chain. Once opened, the new facility will package and distribute a selection of Angus cuts from Sustainable Beef, LLC in North Platte, Nebraska, to serve stores across the Midwest. Walmart announced an equity investment in Sustainable … [Read more...]
Serotonin and dopamine blood levels in ADHD-like dogs
From the study: Like humans, dogs can suffer from ADHD-like behaviors. A study from Spain analyzed the levels of serum serotonin and dopamine in dogs with signs similar to the ones presented in human patients with ADHD. Study data suggests a strong relationship between serotonin and dopamine and ADHD-like behaviors. Dogs clinically classified as ADHD-like showed lower … [Read more...]
How the veterinary shortage affects groomers
Addressing the opportunities groomers may have due to the veterinary shortage and advancing treatment options, Cliff Faver, DVM, reminds groomers to know what is acceptable and what is not for a groomer to do in their state of residence. Owners and veterinarians may expect groomers to express anal glands, treat ears and even scale teeth routinely, but some procedures are not … [Read more...]
HR’s role in changing the conversation about alcohol use
For employers and their HR pros, it is increasingly important to understand that alcohol use is not an “all or nothing” proposition for employees, says Terri-Lynn Mackay, PhD. Rather, it exists on a spectrum, from people who do not drink to those who have a diagnosed disorder. Mackay shares ideas for changing the conversation about alcohol use in the workplace and … [Read more...]
Chiropractic care for companion animals
Mobility problems affect the quality of life for 10 percent of dogs, says Marie Barling, DVM. She also notes that figure may be understated since 20 percent of dogs have arthritis. In this article, Barling share the opportunity to extend care beyond prescriptive medicine to include elements of physical medicine including laser, acupuncture and manual therapy, including … [Read more...]