New Cat Friendly Guidelines aim to provide a better understanding of feline emotions and how, in the veterinary clinic, interactions with cats and the physical environment can be adapted to achieve a truly cat-friendly experience. The guidelines take a cat-centric approach, respecting their emotions and the resulting behaviors. . . . ‘cat friendly interaction’ replaces ‘cat … [Read more...]
Lepto on the rise
Michelle Evason, BSc, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), says there is a global jump in the number of dogs diagnosed with leptospirosis, including some hot spots where lepto exposure and infections are likely to occur. Her article offers perspective on One Health concerns, hot spot areas and the ongoing need to embrace client education and use vaccine to prevent infections. . . . … [Read more...]
More than 100,000 veterinary and pet professionals now Fear Free certified
Congratulations to Marty Becker, DVM, and the Fear Free organization for achieving this significant milestone in training animal health professionals at all levels about providing emotional wellbeing, enrichment and the reduction of fear, anxiety and stress in pets. Source: Cision, September 27, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
How to keep your brain sharp; memory starts to decline in your 30s (3 videos)
Forgetting often happens simply because we’re not focusing. Paying attention to something long enough to really observe it is key to memory, but that’s being threatened by all the rush of modern society. You’ve got to make efforts to set up your memory and keep it working. You want to enhance whatever natural abilities you might have.” - Richard Restak MD. Source: TODAY, … [Read more...]
Don’t forget to inhale
Complimentary Commercial Content* Niklas Göke shared an excerpt from his new book, 2-Minute Pep Talks, now the #2 new release for Kindle books in the personal growth category. The excerpt is a transcript from pep talk #14. Living is exhaling. Don’t forget to inhale, writes Göke. . . . if do is all you do, it’ll be impossible to extract happiness from even the most … [Read more...]
How to know if it is time for a new job
Gregg Vanourek recommends reevaluating your job every couple of years and finding ways to enhance it while scanning for new opportunities. He shares his perspective on why people stay in a bad job too long and the effect it has on future opportunities. Source: GreggVanourek.com, September 23, 2022. Link. Most of all . . . stop drifting through your career and don't settle.” … [Read more...]
The elevator pitch
Earlier this month I shared the importance of opening a conversation effectively <Link>. Once that is accomplished, you have less than a minute to engage your audience and Carmine Gallo has excellent tips to help you to do just that. Source: Harvard Business Review, October 3, 2018. Link. What is your idea? If you can answer in one compelling sentence, you can hook … [Read more...]
Stop feeling guilty about delegating
The last few years have left many animal health leaders with short staffing and heavy workloads for all team members. Guilt about adding more work to a team member’s to-do list has been a primary obstacle voiced by many leaders, writes Dina Smith. . . . when unchecked guilt gets in the way of delegating, it’s a no-win situation. Increased leader workload results in anxiety, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 22, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – September is National Pet Health Insurance Month. Link. Chewy’s autoship sales hit all-time high in Q2. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, September 15, 2022. Link ====================================== Bird flu now in 40 states Source: Successful Farming, September 19, 2022. Link. Threat … [Read more...]
Resources for communicating with clients and each other
National Pet Insurance month often exposes reluctance from clients when veterinary teams assert the benefits of pet insurance coverage. Knowing how to get on the same page more efficiently can truly provide a win-win-win result. ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance offers continuing education courses to help veterinary teams improve their communication skills. Two such courses are … [Read more...]
Take it easy on the dogs
Researchers, trainers and veterinary and training professional organizations are advocating for greater oversight for dog training, which is unregulated in many countries, including the U.S. Many experts say that aversive methods, which include positive punishment and negative reinforcement, are overused. Punishments such as shock collars may not be doing much good.” - Ula … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – September 19, 2022
Flow Business Conference starts in Orlando today! Pet owners spending $300 per month, Fetch by The Dodo, Galaxy Vet’s approach to practice ownership, avoiding burnout, Amazon launching small business grant program, social media marketing for small businesses, rural DVMs needed, loyalty programs and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, September 19, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Microsoft exec: My 2-step rule for having hard conversations at work
Microsoft’s chief marketing officer asserts a better approach to handling difficult conversations at work. It starts with clear, confident communication. Source: CNBC, September 18, 2022. Link. The most successful people in the workplace are life-long learners. They are willing to ask a lot of questions and listen to other people’s opinions and experiences especially when … [Read more...]
5 ways to stop overthinking and make faster decisions at work
Decision-making can be fraught with overthinking, writes Melody Wilding. She shares five strategies to break the cycle of overthinking and make confident decisions in less time. Source: The INSIDER, May 27, 2022. Link. Daily strategies that can minimize getting bogged down in making choices: Let go of perfectionism Put the problem in perspective Let your intuition … [Read more...]
How to get better at learning
Being a quick study doesn’t mean you’re the smartest person in the room. It’s that you’ve learned how to learn, shares Ulrich Bolser. He shares three practical, research-based ways to build your learning skills. Effective learning often boils down to a type of project management.” - Ulrich Boser Source: Harvard Business Review, May 02, 2018. Link. A growing body of research … [Read more...]
Need to vent?
With the right balance and a few self-checks, you can maintain the right to complain (occasionally)—but you can also do it in a way that doesn’t disrupt the rest of your team. Source: The Muse, June 19, 2020. Link. You can vent all you want, but nothing is going to get better unless you also come up with solutions. INSIGHT: As with many challenges, an outside sounding … [Read more...]
Dealing with plastics. 2,4,5. . .Let’s review.
Plastics in packaging and containers have made myriad products more secure, visible and easier to transport. They continue to be a hot topic in environmental circles. Consider reviewing the recycling number coding system and put guides in break rooms at clinics or retail establishments. Plastic products are typically labeled with a number surrounded by the recycling symbol. … [Read more...]
Meeting the needs of the elder horse
Includes Sponsored Content In this issue of EQUUS Extra, seven key management challenges presented by advancing horse age are discussed. The intention is to increase the chances of an aging horse enjoying a longer, healthy and productive life. The key is to remain vigilant to subtle changes in their demeanor and condition and to catch developing issues before they grow out … [Read more...]
You don’t have to be CEO to be a visionary leader
Commentary There are many layers of leadership in business and society. Animal health pros can lead by example when dealing with each other or with animal owners. Opportunities abound in smaller businesses to affect company direction, vision and help increase consistency among team members. In research for the HBR Leader’s Handbook, the authors identified three critical … [Read more...]
Employees, where are your manners?
Business etiquette is on the decline, according to those interviewed by writer Callum Borchers. He interviewed five business professionals who cite various reasons for the downturn, as well as potential negative consequences for poor manners. Potential hires, existing employees and hiring personnel share equal blame for the trend. Source: The Wall Street Journal, September … [Read more...]
YOU define your self-worth
Your job is one of the first aspects you share when introducing yourself. This ties our identities to what we do for a living. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, August 4, 2022. Link. Make sure you have a life outside of your job. INSIGHTS: Most people have multiple dimensions, and their career is just one of them. … [Read more...]
Oscar, blind, sees with his heart
Sometimes animal health pros need to stop and marvel at the animals we support and care for. A colleague shared this story and we’re sharing it with you. Sean Dietrich is a self-professed dog guy whose best friends all have fleas. He tells the story of meeting Oscar, a blind bluetick hound. You’ll enjoy it as much as we did. Source: Sean Dietrich, Facebook, September 11, … [Read more...]
988 – September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Suicidal thoughts or actions can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or background. September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Be aware of these resources. Call 988 immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis. If you don’t want to talk on the phone, chat at 988lifeline.org Text NAMI to 741-741 to connect with a free, trained … [Read more...]
Walmart goes after the pet parent market with The Dodo partnership
Pet parent targeting continues to increase in the strategies of pet specialty retailers like Petco, Pet Smart, and Chewy who have learned that many pet owners seek to pamper their dogs and cats like beloved family members. Walmart is looking to expand its reach in the pet category with a collaboration with pet-centric media brand The Dodo, a division of Vox Media. In … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 8, 2022
Last week’s most read post KCAHC #AHSummit22 exceeds expectations. Link. Last AHD Bulletin - Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, September 1, 2022. Link. =================================== Leveling the parental-leave playing field Source: SHRM, June 6, 2022. Link. The lack of paternal leave-taking not only affects the well-being of new parents and … [Read more...]
What is the time, temperature needed to inactivate PRRSV, PEDV?
Using foggers in supply entry rooms for decontamination of fomites entering sow farms to mitigate risk is a common practice. However, recent research questions the efficacy of this method for pathogen inactivation, especially in complex situations where pathogens may be shielded by organic material or blind spots. In this study on time and temperature required for virus … [Read more...]
Tips to minimize antibiotic use for mastitis
Pamela Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, wants dairy producers to avoid immediately reaching for an antibiotic when mastitis flares up. She recommends taking a step back to analyze the situation. Antibiotic treatment of dry cows and of clinical mastitis cases accounted for greater than 75 percent of all antibiotic usage.” - Pamela Ruegg, DVM, MPVM Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 20, … [Read more...]
Dynamics of gut microbiota development in the growing dog
As much as 70 percent of an individual dog’s immune system is in the gut and influenced by the microbiome. This review paper aims to provide an overview on the current knowledge of factors shaping the gut microbiota of young dogs. Evidence-based information is necessary to advise dog breeders and owners to promote a healthy microbiome and lifestyle in puppies*. Microorganisms … [Read more...]
Meet the dog that learned to walk like a human
If you’re having a rough day or facing a tough challenge, don’t let either get to you. Instead, turn to Dexter the dog for inspiration. The Ouray, Colorado, Brittany Spaniel was hit by a car when he was a puppy. He lost one front leg and the other one was badly damaged. He moved with the help of a wheelchair for a while – until he didn’t. Source: CBS Evening News, July 8, … [Read more...]
Test yourself on which dog shampoo to use
Knowing how and when various shampoo products for dogs are used can provide multimodal interventions and support therapies helpful for dermatologic treatments. Source: Clinician’s Brief, May 2022. Link. … [Read more...]