We continue to learn more about the effects of interacting with dogs. A new study used live dogs to measure brain activity as human subjects interacted with a dog versus a stuffed animal. The findings indicate that cuddling with real dogs and stuffed animals increases brain activity in the prefrontal region, but dogs cause significantly more brain activity than stuffed … [Read more...]
AAHA releases new 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for dogs and cats
Noting 44 percent of the pet population is senior dogs and cats, the new senior care guidelines offer actionable strategies for adoption by veterinary teams. These can create senior-friendly environments that welcome senior pets, including modification of physical environments, prioritizing care to keep families together and taking different approaches to healthy and unhealthy … [Read more...]
For better health this year, keep it simple
The less time you are required to spend on healthy behaviors, the better. When we eliminate or reduce the struggle, we are far more likely to succeed. If something is fast, convenient and easy, we’ll keep doing it.” Source: The Washington Post, January 1, 2023. Link. Also see: When life is busy, focus on a few key habits, Harvard Business Review, May 2019. Link. Daily or … [Read more...]
Good hydration linked to healthy aging, better health
As we age our body’s regulation of fluid intake and thirst declines. As little as a two percent water deficit can produce fatigue, confusion or mood changes. Recent study results suggest that proper hydration may slow down aging and prolong a disease-free life. About half of people worldwide don’t meet recommendations for daily total water intake, which starts at six … [Read more...]
8 techniques to assertively keep others from interrupting you
Constant interrupting can lead to feeling dismissed, belittled and even rejected. You can be assertive. And still be nice.” Galina Hitching Source: Science of People. Link. Hitching shares five main reasons people keep interrupting you: They are just too excited Interrupting can show connection and relationship Sometimes interrupting is a power play It is a part … [Read more...]
Communication strategies for delivering bad news
Heather Loenser, DVM, shares her experiences with addressing troubling news with animal owners. She warns against confusing empathy with sympathy. . . . <veterinary team members> can get overwhelmed by feeling they need to “fix” the feelings of a person who has found themselves in an unfixable situation with their pet. Here’s the deal, though: you do not need to fix … [Read more...]
Anthropomorphism, a threat to animal welfare
Commentary Anthropomorphism, giving human characteristics to a non-human entity, has long been a part of the human experience. In this article from Protect the Harvest, the authors discuss consequences from expecting an animal to emulate human traits. Just as we should not expect a human child to act like a dog, we should not expect a dog to act like a human child, as they … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 21, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – Happiness and meetings. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 15, 2022. Link. ==================================================================== U.S. warns of escalating ransomware attacks Source: Security Affairs, October 2022. Link. U.S. government agencies warned that the Daixin Team cybercrime … [Read more...]
Dairy industry posts lowest positive drug residue yet; sets new standard
Data from the National Milk Drug Residue Database website dates back to 1994 and represents 99 percent of the U.S. milk supply. A recent report showed only 424 out of 3,879,182 samples tested positive for an animal drug residue. This is lowest positive test rate in the history of the program and it is also the fifth consecutive year fewer than 600 milk samples tested positive … [Read more...]
FDA releases 2021 report on antimicrobial use in livestock
The FDA instituted elements of veterinary oversight of antimicrobials in 2017. The recent 2021 Summary Report on Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed for Use in Food-Producing Animals shows that compared to 2015 (peak year of sales), 2021 sales decreased 38 percent. Sales in 2021 versus 2020 decreased by less than 1 percent between 2020 and 2021. Source: National Hog … [Read more...]
Manuka honey and silver in animal wellness and wound care
Commercial Content included It is common for pet owners to use over-the-counter antibiotic creams when their pet has a skin infection or a wound which often leads to overuse of antimicrobials. Lucas Pantaleon, DVM, MS, DACVIM, MBA, shares ways medical-grade manuka honey and silver are used as a first line defense for treating skin microbiome issues. Source: Pet Age, … [Read more...]
Effective ways to treat pet behavior problems
Regardless of a pet’s age, the holidays have potential for behavior issues. Many of them can be avoided with consistent human behavior and proactive training. We’ve curated seven behavior articles from professional and lay sources that can be used to refresh knowledge of and approaches to behavior issues. The sudden onset of a new behavior or worsening of a previously … [Read more...]
Cannabinoids in veterinary medicine (video)
Complimentary Content For those who did not join live, The Bridge Club’s in-depth conversation with experts from across the profession addressed questions it has about cannabinoids. Cheryl Good, DVM, moderated conversation with guests: Mark Cushing, J.D. CEO, of Animal Policy Group Jeffery Pollard, DVM, DABVP, from the advocacy committee, Veterinary Cannabis … [Read more...]
If you see a brown clump on your Christmas tree, throw it out immediately
If you discover a walnut sized/shaped egg mass, on your Christmas tree, don’t fret, clip the branch and put it in your garden. That brown clump is likely 100 to 200 praying mantis eggs. The inside temperatures cause them to hatch and then without a natural environment, they starve. Source: Elvis Duran, December 1, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Signs you may have a drinking problem
If you are always thinking about your next drink and it begins to interfere with other tasks in your life, this can be a sign that it’s time to seek help.” Source: Vet Candy, September 29, 2022. Link. Shauna Simmons shares some signs that you may have a problem and you should consult with an addiction expert. … [Read more...]
Gen Z, more connected than any generation, all about authenticity
Generation Z Vectors by Vecteezy"> Last week we shared “Gen Z speaks, writes differently than their bosses,” <Link> referencing an article from The Washington Post. In a related article, Melanie Gaboriault asserts Gen Z really is all about authenticity. Based on her experiences as a mom of three 15- to 18-year-olds, she says they prioritize social channels … [Read more...]
2023 vet med hiring and retention trends
What does 2023 hold for the veterinary profession in terms of hiring and retention?” Stacy Purcell answers with five veterinarian hiring and retention trends. Source: AAHA Newstat, December 18, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Helping animals in Ukraine: Galaxy Vets Foundation’s year in review
Complimentary Content The war in Ukraine caused a massive animal welfare crisis and limited access to veterinary care for millions of pets. Galaxy Vets Foundation’s first initiative, Animal Help Ukraine, was launched in spring 2022 in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Key facts: 275 veterinarians and techs/nurses from the U.S. and the world signed up to … [Read more...]
Middle managers are exhausted. Top teams need to listen.
Recent challenges required managers to stretch beyond the leadership skill sets that many possess or were trained for, says Denise Hamilton. . . . the past few years have been tumultuous and overwhelming for just about everyone, but middle managers have faced extraordinary challenges as businesses have gone from crisis to crisis . . . “ Source: MITSloan, December 16, 2022. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 15, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – The top pet products of 2022. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 8, 2022. Link. ====================================================== When coyotes attacked, a dog killed 8 of them, saving a flock of sheep Source: The Washington Post, December 9, 2022. Link. John Weirwille sprang out of bed early … [Read more...]
Scott A. Dee, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM, on his career (video)
Discussing his career transition intentions after 35 years, Dr. Dee will be staying with Pipestone and adjusting his focus on a subset of specific projects, including feed risk, U.S. SHIP, and our IMAGINE AMR study. He shares standout moments, major contributions, some untold stories, what he will miss most and more. Source: Swineweb, December 6, 2022. Link. (21 minutes) He … [Read more...]
Boredom busters for urban chickens
Following the trend in keeping animals occupied, Jodi Helmer shares boredom busters to keep urban hens happy. . . . it’s essential to provide opportunities for enrichment, including novel materials, entertaining experiences, and puzzles to solve.” Source: Backyard Poultry, December 6, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Helmer’s tips are good content for social media, newsletters and … [Read more...]
Environmental toxins and their impact on dogs
Dogs are affected by environmental toxins just like people are, says Lauren Trepanier, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVCP. She shares research about lymphoma and bladder cancer and how toxic chemicals in homes and yards contribute to risk. Animals can help us detect environmental dangers to people.” Source: Morris Animal Foundation, TedXMileHigh, October 21, 2022. Link. (21 … [Read more...]
Helpful gifts for someone going through chemo
Most of us know or have known someone going through cancer treatment. It can be exhausting and isolating. Created with input from people who’ve endured chemotherapy, this list of 32 gift ideas that are helpful to patients. Source: SELF, December 6, 2022. Link. “When you’re going through this, the support and little gestures from your friends and family do mean the world to … [Read more...]
Signs of decision fatigue and tips to manage it
Decision fatigue can affect anyone. It is different than indecisiveness. It is the result of the volume of decisions, small or large, we make daily and further compounded by having so many choices. Elizabeth Yuko, PhD, says decision fatigue is mental energy depletion that sets in after making a series of decisions in a fixed time. She shares ways to manage it. Source: … [Read more...]
Gen Z speaks, writes differently than their bosses
If you are perplexed by young employees’ writing and conversation, chances are they’re just as confused by yours. Those born between 1997 and 2012 are bringing their own style of communication to work. In multigenerational workplaces, this new style can create confusion and angst. This article offers examples of how new and traditional styles of communication can help bridge … [Read more...]
VetWatch® Commentary for Week 48 thru December 7th
Opinion The numerical trends in the VetWatch updates can appear to be minimal. However, considering the average annual value of a cat at about $400 and the average annual value of a dog is at least $900, retaining and engaging clients is critical to long-term practice revenue, healthier pets and happier clients. Simple math shows a veterinarian with 4000 active clients of … [Read more...]
Antibiotics for livestock become prescription-only in 2023. Are you ready?
Sandy Stuttgen reviews the changes when the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine plan for supporting veterinary antimicrobial stewardship will be fully implemented. As of January 1, 2023, all remaining over-the-counter antibiotics are switched to prescription-only status. The VCPR is the key that unlocks the medicine cabinet. Source: Swineweb, December 2, 2022. Link. Under … [Read more...]
Let’s review: Drugs used to prevent heartworm in dogs and cats
Lindsay A. Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVM, tackles what has become a plethora of drugs available to prevent heartworm. She reviews the macrocyclic lactone-based drugs the Food and Drug Administration approved for prevention of heartworm disease and Environmental Protection Agency approved mosquito repellents. Source: Clinician’s Brief, October 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: We recently … [Read more...]
The top pet products of 2022
Pet Business’ annual Industry Recognition Awards highlights the products and vendors that drove innovation in the pet industry over the past year. In addition to new beds, leashes, treats and CBD/hemp products, here are examples we noted: Animo GPS - Merck Animal Health; an activity monitor for dogs with GPS tracking Recovery Double Sleeves - Suitical International … [Read more...]