Shawn Wilkie and Ivan Zak, DVM, continue their unique podcast series speaking with industry innovators on the Veterinary Innovation Podcasts. Upcoming guests and topics are: 06/25/2020: Genetic Testing. Guest: Dr. Chris Menges, Basepaws. Link. 07/02/2020: Veterinary Workflow Optimization. Guest: Caleb Frankel, Instinct Science. Link. 07/09/2020: Neural … [Read more...]
Warning signs for African horse sickness are present
Officials and the U.S. horse industry are monitoring for African horse sickness, which will put horses at risk if it enters the country. This disease, which has a horse mortality rate of 90 percent, was recently discovered in Thailand. It is believed it was introduced by imported infected zebras. The disease is caused by an Orbivirus that is primarily transmitted by biting … [Read more...]
For hospital managers, numbers speak louder than words!
Veterinary practice managers generally track and report on a number of Key Performance Indicators. These critical figures provide valuable insights into how the practice is performing and specific factors that influence performance over time. This group of highly motivated animal health pros have received considerable support from their association in recent months. The VMHA … [Read more...]
Top 5 complications of gonadectomy
Clinicians must weigh the risks and benefits of gonadectomy with the pet owner and determine the most appropriate age to neuter different breeds and species. Although gonadectomy is considered a routine procedure, complications can arise. Karen M. Tobias, DVM, MS, DACVS, reviews five common complications of gonadectomy: Incisional complications Intra-abdominal … [Read more...]
Quiz: Exam room behavior cases (video)
Test your ability to spot the signs of anxiety in a patient with this video quiz. It is a timely review topic as animal health pros re-open after the first phase of Covid-19. Fear and anxiety are under-recognized and pervasive problems in veterinary medicine, says Leslie Sinn, CPDT-KA, DVM, DACVB. Common signs of distress include panting, lip licking, dilated pupils, avoiding … [Read more...]
Cleaning product misuse doubles Pet Poison Helpline calls (video)
Pets have been an indirect victim of increased household chemical use. Pet Poison Helpline reports a 100 percent increase in calls about the misuse of cleaning items compared to last year. In response, the Helpline put together a new video < link > with tips on how to help keep pets safe from cleaning chemicals. Source: Pet Business, June 23, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
PRIDE VMC shares with The Bridge Club
Commentary – developed with Catherine Haskins, The Bridge Club Leaders from the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PRIDE VMC) organization participated in a virtual discussion organized and produced by The Bridge Club, Monday June 22. Even with the cloud of uncertainty from Covid-19, recent civil rights issues and supreme court decisions were top of mind for the … [Read more...]
A request for help
Comments: Malone addresses one of the more common stumbling blocks all animal health pros face when experiencing resistance. These experiences drive a desire for answers to: How do I handle “NO?” How do I overcome objections? How do I deal with difficult people? In this article like others, Malone drives home the need for leadership regardless of your role or … [Read more...]
How discomfort enables growth
Let’s be honest: There’s comfort in routines and predictable workflows, writes Michelle Eggleston Schwartz. But, navigating life on cruise control lacks the richness and reward gained from accomplishing difficult goals. Schwartz is correct. The pandemic has enmeshed home and work. Many have discovered the pleasure of applying creativity, new levels of resilience and … [Read more...]
Commitment versus compliance in practice cultures
The discussion of practice culture applies to corporate practice, private practice and various industry business units. Bob Lester, DVM, is uniquely qualified to discuss the passion of commitment versus managing and dictating for compliance. He identifies the absence of trust as a barrier to achieving a commitment culture which maximizes potential. Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
Autoship sales projected to help Chewy retain 1.6 million new customers
Commentary: includes complementary commercial content from VetSource® Chewy’s success is getting noticed by our industry. For veterinary hospitals, it is a definitive call to action to embrace, implement and optimize home delivery” - Kirk Augustine Like Amazon and other e-commerce retailers, Chewy has seen the kind of growth that was expected to take years to achieve, get … [Read more...]
TODAY! Webinar: Pandemics and Preparedness in the Anthropocene
Provided by Virox Animal Health™ The Virox team has been diligent in providing education for animal pros during the pandemic. Today, June 25th, at 2:00 p.m. EDT, Virox will host Dr. Craig Stephen, who will explore how global changes, including climate change, globalization and urbanization will affect zoonotic disease risks and management. He will also propose general … [Read more...]
Friday, June 26th is National Take Your Dog to Work Day
Recognized for the first time in 1999, National Take Your Dog to Work Day celebrates our immense love for dogs. It was conceived to celebrate companion dogs and as a way to encourage adoptions. 2020 may be different this year as many are still WFH!” Source: National Today. Link. … [Read more...]
Hardware, plastic disease still found in cattle
Fifty five percent to 75 percent of cattle slaughtered in the eastern U.S. have hardware in the reticulum. Cattle don’t usually sort their food, which means they can ingest foreign matter when eating hay or processed feed. This include pieces of fencing, nails, metals and more recently, plastic fibers used to bind hay. Magnets are used to remove metal objects, but plastics are … [Read more...]
Polyclonal antibodies being developed IN cows for Covid-19 virus
SAb Biotherapeutics of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is pursuing an extension of previous research in genetically modifying dairy cows so that certain immune cells carry the DNA that allows people to make Covid-19 antibodies. Cows become giant bioreactor antibody factories. They have more blood engineered to synthesize human versions of the proteins and their blood can also … [Read more...]
When chickens cuss like sailors
For those who have not heard a chicken spout profanity, their expletives are best described as loud, long, harsh whines proclaiming that something has perpetuated grievous wrongs against them, writes Bruce Ingram. He shares common causes of chicken cursing. Step wrong around your poultry and they’ll let loose a string of chicken cursing that’ll make you blush! Source: Hobby … [Read more...]
5 clues to Cushing’s disease
Todd Archer, DVM, MS, DACVIM, shares the five most common findings seen on CBC, serum chemistry profile, and urinalysis results in patients with confirmed canine hyperadrenocorticism: Stress leukogram & thrombocytosis Elevated liver enzymes Hyperglycemia Hypercholesterolemia Dilute urine Source: Clinician’s Brief, October 2018. Link. Although most dogs … [Read more...]
Wildlife among us
Commentary A fecal deposit on my deck and a latrine under a tree recently are stark reminders that suburban backyards are frequented by an ever-increasing citified wildlife population. Animal health pros immediately think of rabies and ideally have been able to keep vaccinations current in pets that go outdoors. Beyond deer eating in our yards and predators like foxes, … [Read more...]
Don’t flush cat poop!
Cat poop is implicated for causing fatal toxoplasmosis in wild southern sea otters, according to a recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B < link >. The Toxoplasma agents spread to the ocean from cat feces to land. Toxoplasma oocysts (eggs) accrue in kelp beds, where they are eaten by snails. Otters then eat the snails. Source: Catster, June 10, … [Read more...]
Dang those flies!
Flies are a nasty nuisance. Whether on the farm, acreage or in the backyard, they are an insidious challenge for animal owners and people alike. It’s summer. When the temperatures go up, fly numbers rapidly increase. If not controlled, adult flies continue to lay eggs and increase the fly population. Managing larvae and adult flies should be a continuous process. Every … [Read more...]
DOGPARCS study shows parasites are common in recreational canine sites
What has been suspected to be true about dog parks and parasite risks has been quantified. This study assessed the prevalence of these infections in dogs visiting off‑leash dog parks. It is the first large-scale effort to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs visiting dog parks throughout the USA. Source: BMC, June 1, 2020. Link. Intestinal parasites, the … [Read more...]
Why dog import legislation is important to animal health pros
Commentary Art Parola, a pet industry consultant, recently wrote the column, Why Cattleman Should Care About Dog Import Legislation, for Drovers. He highlights the real risk of Bont ticks being imported while attached to dogs coming into the U.S., especially those from the Caribbean region. It is highly infested with heartwater for which hont ticks are vectors. Heartwater … [Read more...]
People find it hard to accept a compliment (podcast)
Suzann (Suzie) Pileggi Pawelski finds people typically respond to positive feedback in one of three unhealthy ways: Deflection (brushing it off) Reciprocation (repaying the compliment as quickly as possible) Discounting (providing reasons why the compliment isn’t really deserved). By refusing a compliment properly, people are missing out on a level of connection … [Read more...]
Focus on the lifetime value of the customer – always
Lifetime value (LTV) is the most important number in your business and the one to be obsessed with increasing, says Fernando Camacho. He shares perspective on building daycare and boarding businesses by prioritizing LTV in current customers, plus using LTV to measure return on investment of new customer acquisition efforts. Source: Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine, May/June … [Read more...]
34 hard truths to know before becoming successful
In a recent post < link > Benjamin Hardy, PhD, reminded us that “every choice is costly; saying Yes isn’t free.” In this article, he shares truths about the path to success. Many of these will make sense for animal health pros as we work to define the next normal. Source: Benjaminhardy.com. March 16, 2020. Link. This message accompanied the list from Hardy. Here's an … [Read more...]
The power of 6 magic words
It’s easy to criticize, condemn and complain. That leads to finger pointing and often escalates into a volatile situation where everyone loses. Source: Purpose Unlimited: Link. People complain that things need to change. Yet, they could be the change they’d like to see. It’s amazing how many problems can be resolved when we decide to be part of the solution instead of part … [Read more...]
Employee engagement builds resilient teams
Business units are at an increased advantage and more resilient than their peers if employee engagement is strong. And they are at an increased disadvantage and less resilient if employee engagement is weak during a recession. Source: Gallup, May 20, 2020. Link. Clear expectations - during tough times, employees need managers who reset priorities, involve them in … [Read more...]
Global Vet Link offers free regulatory compliance education
Content provided by Global Vet Link. Complicated animal health regulations and movement requirements are always changing. The GLV platform helps simplify these rules for veterinarians and helps ensure compliance. The company is expanding industry knowledge of animal health regulations and documentation to everyone with GVL University < link >. Source: GVL, June 3, … [Read more...]
TODAY! Free webinar: Covid-19 & Companion Animal Setting
Content provided by Virox Animal Health. Thursday, June 18th, 2020 at 2:00 PM EDT Practical measures for protecting your team and your clients when returning to business. This webinar is aimed at veterinarians, animal technicians, office managers, employees and volunteers in clinical or group animal settings. Dr. Jose Ramirez will review the latest … [Read more...]
Survey reveals 1 in 3 adults misused bleach
The Centers for Disease Control says about one in three adults intentionally used chemicals and disinfectants unsafely, according to results from a recent survey < link >. Some of the high-risk practices included using bleach to wash fruits and vegetables, applying household cleaning and disinfectant products to bare skin, and inhaling, gargling or ingesting cleaners and … [Read more...]