Dogs love the sound of your voice, especially when you say certain words. Source: Daily Paws, January 15, 2021. Link. From the study, dogs liked these words best: Walkies, dinner/food/eat, treat, get it, fetch. 7 pet-friendly home design tips Source: Animal Wellness, January 21, 2021. Link. The author shares seven pet-friendly home design tips from … [Read more...]
Disabled fish gets special life jacket made to help him swim
This is not another fish tale. An unfortunate goldfish was suffering from an untreatable swim bladder disorder. It left him sitting upside down at the bottom of the tank until Stacey O’Shea outfitted it with a customized life jacket so it wouldn’t sink. Source: New York Times, February 15, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
The cat’s microbiome
Researchers are learning more about the feline microbiome, says Ingrid King, former veterinary hospital manager, certified veterinary journalist and author. She shares a few tips to help keep it healthy. A cat’s gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of organisms that can be affected by many factors says King. One of the biggest threats comes from antibiotics which … [Read more...]
Recognizing the dangerous signs of hypothermia in dogs
The polar vortex is crippling much of the U.S. In this timely article, Deb M. Eldredge, DVM, shares information about hypothermia pet owners can use now. While we tend to think of hypothermia in cold weather, it can happen in warm weather, too she says. Individual body temperatures below 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit can be life threatening. Source: Daily Paws, November 25, 2020. … [Read more...]
Dogs load bucking bulls in the open
This is how one cattle rancher loads bucking bulls. He never leaves his horse, nor uses a corral; just an open trailer and four, well-trained cattle dogs. Put your own twist on this as you please and enjoy! Source: Mel’s video of the day. Link. … [Read more...]
Lyme disease is getting skinked
Black-legged ticks in the southeast U.S. prefer to feed on lizards, particularly skinks. Skinks don’t transmit Lyme as easily as the white-footed mice in the northeast U.S. Jean Tsao, a disease ecologist, and her team found a clear divide in ticks’ preferred hosts and behavior south of Virginia, matching the pattern of both tick infections and Lyme disease. Source: Science, … [Read more...]
Lepto IS a thing! Dr. Jen the Vet
Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, discusses Leptospirosis sp. including history, zoonoses, clinical signs, environmental concerns and modern approaches to prevention. Every dog, EVERY dog is at risk for lepto. Every dog ought to be vaccinated for lepto.” - Dr. Jen the Vet Source: Is this a Thing? Dr. Jen the Vet, February 10, 2021. Abbreviated version. … [Read more...]
Overcoming barriers in cost-of-care conversations
Complimentary Sponsored Content – Part 3 of a February 2021 series In the first two posts <post-1> <post-2>, study results reported by Wendy Hauser, DVM, and team indicate clients and veterinary team members feel better when proactive education about pet health insurance occurs and demonstrated a strong correlation between insured pets and the care these pets … [Read more...]
Webinar: Veterinary medicine as a team sport
Sponsored Content David Liss, CVPM, will discuss the realities of teamwork in the veterinary industry, showcase team dynamics at play and present strategies and techniques to align teams and crush it every day in a new Virox webinar, February 25. For example, effective infection prevention program requires the participation of everyone on the roster. There is no charge for … [Read more...]
7-step process helps you deal with stress, so it doesn’t affect your health (video)
Life can be rough at times and Covid-19 scares and protocols don’t help. They add to everyday stress. Our bodies aren’t designed to constantly be under that pressure. We have to learn healthy ways to deal with the stressors that don’t go away, says Dr. Seth J. Gillihan. “Key is being able to process the stress, so it's not building to a breaking point.” It can feel like … [Read more...]
Huddle up each morning
Two examples highlight the benefit of check-in meetings. First, a recent Nat Geo episode of The Wild Life of Dr. Ole <Link>, featured Ole Alcumbrac, DVM, hosting a stand-up meeting discussing the day, staff substitution while he would be out and follow-up required on a couple of cases. It ended with a request for questions or concerns. This is a real-world example … [Read more...]
Realizing the full potential of veterinary nurses
Kate Boatright, VMD, presents ways today’s veterinary nurses can boost practice efficiencies and improve client experiences. Veterinary nurses are patient care specialists. Their skills should be engaged in every aspect of patient care. . . . veterinary nurses are one of the most underutilized and, often, underappreciated resources. Don't let their skills atrophy!” Source: … [Read more...]
AVMA resources address diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine
The AVMA has a suite of resources available to help veterinary professionals address and remove barriers to equity and inclusion. Creating socially conscious educational and work environments are imperatives for veterinary professionals whose oath includes public health. Veterinarians, team members, and students must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs … [Read more...]
The 5 things customers want
Randy MacLean works in distribution. His perspective on five things customers want and how to deliver them is applicable anywhere in the animal health supply chain. He believes customers are affected and influenced almost exclusively by: Availability On-time delivery No product failures Smooth (and short) interactions Acceptable price Source: Modern … [Read more...]
Saying it and doing it are different
I learned a valuable lesson from my mentor, “Saying you want something is one thing, but actually doing something about it is very different.” We prove what we desire most by our actions, not by our words. Source: becomingminimalist. Link. In too many cases, what we say we want is different from what we pursue. INSIGHT: A goal without a plan is just a wish. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 11, 2021
Clever app encourages you call your friends Source: Fast Company, February 4, 2021. Link. . . . one of the biggest regrets among people on their deathbeds was that they hadn’t kept in touch with their friends.” Data backup 101 for veterinary practice owners – Sponsored Content Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Services, February 1, 2021. Link. Data backups are important … [Read more...]
Covid-19: Here to stay
It is more evident Covid-19 is here to stay. It transmits easily, readily develops new strains and is as tough as flu, HIV and measles. Experts recommend we must realize that our lives will not be the same from now on, even with effective vaccines fully available and distributed worldwide. Quite literally, a new Covid-19 industry is developing to address the goods and services … [Read more...]
Why pigs don’t wear masks
Opinion Relating the challenges of pandemic mask wearing may be a reach, but swine veterinarians and producers have been fighting Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) since the late 1980s. Most animal health pros realize the importance of pathogen reduction. Air filtering has become a primary method of reducing risks in swine units where herd density … [Read more...]
Year-round chicken care calendar featured
Kenny Coogan provides a chronological guide for chicken care. It shows the commitment required to manage a flock. With Easter coming soon, this is a good resource to use on social media and in newsletters. Source: Backyard Poultry, February 7, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Economic value of U.S. insect pollination services much higher than previously thought
The economic value of insect pollinators was $34 billion in the U.S. in 2012, much higher than previously thought, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University. They also found that areas that are economically most reliant on insect pollinators are the same areas where pollinator habitat and forage quality are poor. Source: Swanson … [Read more...]
Justine Lee, DVM, discusses Leptospirosis sp. on Pet Life Radio
Complimentary In a recent episode of ER VET, Dr. Justine Lee, DACVECC, DABT, discussed canine leptospirosis. She says, “If your dog lives in the city and weighs ten pounds or more it is at risk. Tune in to learn about this deadly disease!” Resources like this are great for client education, social media posts and newsletters. Source: Pet Life Radio, ER Vet. Link. The … [Read more...]
Amateur sleuths find kidnapped dogs
Using tactics that would have made Sherlock Holmes proud, employees, friends, friends of friends and strangers all helped save a dozen kidnapped Portland, Oregon, dogs February 2nd. As doggy day care owner Sunni Liston handed a dog to its owner, a thief got in her van and took off with her phone, purse and the dogs in her charge. Thanks to phone tracking, social media and brave … [Read more...]
Giving feline injections at home is easy
Cat owners may be more squeamish about needles and injections than cats when home injections are required for diabetes or advanced kidney disease. Whatever the reason for the injections, keep in mind that cats don’t have needle phobia. The pet is not going to fear the shots.” Source: Tufts Catnip, January 13, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: It is often hard to be an expert in your … [Read more...]
7 ways to help a shy cat
Pam Johnson-Bennett, CCBC, is a pioneer in cat behavior consulting and has shared her expertise in eight books. She says shy or timid cats need help feeling comfortable. She offers tips to help shy ones come out of their shells. Source: Modern Cat, Link. INSIGHTS: Timidity is a common problem, especially for newly adopted cats and kittens. Consider this article for social … [Read more...]
Proactively educating clients about pet health insurance impacts the CARE pets receive
Complimentary Sponsored Content – Part 2 of a February 2021 series In the first post, a study by Wendy Hauser, DVM, and team, <link> showed clients and veterinary team members felt better about pet health insurance discussions when done proactively. In this second post we review the effects of how proactive pet health insurance client education impacts the care … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen the Vet presents the top 5 deadly bugs in practice
Sponsored by Virox® Technologies Animal Health Chatfield’s talk will explore the top 5 deadliest pathogens seen in everyday practice and how to prolong your life despite them. Speaker: Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM Event: Viticus Virtual Summit Date and time: February 18, 2021, 2:55 p.m. EST. Registration: Link. Source: Virox® Technologies … [Read more...]
Registration still open for Viticus Virtual Summit
Complimentary No airplanes, no noisy slot machines and with no secrets to leave behind, the Viticus Virtual Summit promises new experiences beyond normal Zoom meetings. Summit offers veterinary professionals a virtual laboratory experience, interactive sessions and hands-on demonstration videos. Register for a front-row seat as Viticus streams live … [Read more...]
Talking to yourself can improve career growth
Self-talk is one of the more effective tools to thrive at work, home or play, writes Bryan Robinson, PhD. The silent conversations we have with ourselves can make or break our happiness and success. He says the simple act of talking to yourself in the third person, helps with self-control and yields benefits of calm, clarity and confidence. Source: Forbes, February 3, 2021. … [Read more...]
Lest we forget our Valentines
Emily VanSchmus shares the history of why we celebrate Valentine’s Day. It is THIS Sunday, February 14. There’s still time to plan! People have been sending Valentines since 269 A.D. Source: Better Homes and Garden, January 11, 2021. Link. Happy Valentine's Day animal health professionals! … [Read more...]
VVCA Practice groups provide superb access for veterinary teams
Complimentary – includes discount offer! The updates to the Veterinary Virtual Care Association’s (VVCA) new Community are in place and gathering momentum. Employees from sponsoring companies can register at no charge by using the code issued to each sponsor. Groups of up to 10 individuals may join under a Veterinary Practice Team membership purchased by an individual … [Read more...]