As we integrate Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media platforms into our daily routines, risks of malware attacks increase, as well. According to this author, faked profiles are sometimes deployed to encourage users to connect with what seems like a harmless individual. Instead, that connection opens the door for malware to enter your company’s network. Source: … [Read more...]
3 trends that will transform animal health
Animal health is an industry driven by two sectors, pets and livestock, that respond to very different market forces. Trends in these sectors need to be analyzed separately to get a clear view of the investment landscape. It is also important to pay attention to factors such as technology, that affect the industry as a whole. Source: Fortune, July 27, 2017. These four … [Read more...]
Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Certificate Program now available
With all the information published about millennials’ focus on pet life quality, this new certificate program will help participants meet these needs. During this program, participants will: Understand the unique field of animal hospice Learn how palliative care differs from conventional medicine Learn best practices in hospice care Understand what to expect in … [Read more...]
Blanket training aids in dog comfort
Have blanket, will travel. A blanket can help dogs handle adventures away from home shares, Karen London, PhD. It is a technique used commonly with service dogs that helps them relax. With training, the blanket indicates to the dog where to sit or lie down. Source: The Bark, July 24, 2017. Once a dog has been to multiple places and happily goes to lie down and stay on his … [Read more...]
AAHA accredited practice growth
We extend our congratulations to the new AAHA accredited practices. These medical teams have met the highest standards in veterinary medicine. Source: AAHA Red, July 17, 2017. Also see: AAHA newly accredited practices, May - June 2017. INSIGHTS: Attention distributor and manufacturer sales representatives! Review these lists to determine if any hospitals in your … [Read more...]
The latest from Dr. Andy Roark (recorded interview)
Hear Dr. Roark talk about social media as a "relationship accelerator" in a recent interview with DVM 360 on Your Veterinary Voice. The interview and other topics are part of his recent newsletter. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, August 2, 2017. Dr. Roark on such topics as social media as a "relationship accelerator," that scary E-word (entrepreneurship) and new graduates coming … [Read more...]
August is National Vaccine and Immunization Month
Stay up to date on current vaccinations, Lyme disease prevention and how to keep practices in top shape. Four informative session are available on VetFolio: Vaccines: Current Protocols and Recommendations Introducing the Next Generation of Lyme Disease Vaccine Technology; sponsored by Zoetis Healthy, Wealthy and Wise Lyme Disease: The Latest Research and … [Read more...]
Introduce yourself via email the right way
Introducing yourself via email requires finesse and a little strategy to stand out among the other emails in an inbox. These six steps help make the process easier. Source: Grammarly, July 31, 2017. Your goal is to create a connection with an individual, so you want your greeting to be personal. Always use their name. Make sure it’s spelled correctly and avoid using … [Read more...]
Beat the mid-summer slump
Unless you’re on vacation, dragging yourself into the office during the summer can sometimes feel like the last thing you want to do. It’s not just because the weather is perfect and you couldn’t imagine spending the entire day indoors. Sure, the office might be the last place you want to be because your colleagues are gone, and your productivity might feel like it hinges on … [Read more...]
12 reasons pets need heartworm protection
Here is a handy list of reasons to protect dogs, cats and ferrets against heartworm infection. Provided by the American Heartworm Society, it is available in both a slide show and list form. Source: Linked In, July 26, 2017. There’s no such thing as heartworm “season.” Chances are, you don’t live in a heartworm-free zone. Pets with heartworms are found across the United … [Read more...]
August 15 JAVMA ready for study
From the news section: A fatal neurologic disease is raising the possibility of local extinctions of Western deer and elk herds. In other news, disagreements over information sharing, technology, and privacy have hindered progress on how to track horses on a wide scale, although microchipping advocates say this approach provides an ideal solution. Source: JAVMA, August … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin, DVM, honored by National Women’s Hall of Fame (includes video)
Her determination and drive to prove she could make it in the meat sciences field has placed her in a group of women that includes Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Rosa Parks. So not only did she make strides in her field as a person with autism, but she also made strides as a woman. Source: The Autism Site, August 2017. This incredible woman, a Professor of Animal … [Read more...]
Opinion – Keep dogs safe on beaches
Good content often falls short of the whole story. In this case, the article presents good considerations for sharing a beach trip with a canine. However, references to ensure the pet is protected from diseases easily shared in a public area are missing. In community parks or dog parks, the risk of leptospirosis can be as significant at beaches. The risks are not just from … [Read more...]
Stop that itch
At least two dermatological issues are always among the top 10 ailments veterinary teams face with dogs. Anthea E. Schick, DVM, DACVD, with a fun editorial twist from Dr. Sarah Wooten, share the latest research findings from the 2017 North American Dermatology Forum that every private practitioner needs to know For animal health pros at all levels, this information is clearly … [Read more...]
Empathy important during that special time
The incredible bond that develops between military personnel and the animals that support them into battle is in a category all its own. This was evident July 26 as Marine veteran Jeff DeYoung carried his best friend Cena past a line of well-wishers on a decommissioned Navy ship to be euthanized. The 10-year-old black Labrador suffered from bone cancer. Source: Washington … [Read more...]
Call me. Please!
If you’re one who prefers texts, emails and emojis, it’s likely time to use your phone’s keyboard to call coworkers, customers; even suppliers. In this CEO’s experiment, it turns out that effective phone calls save time, uncover clear direction and yes, tighten relationships. Source: Fast Company, August 1, 2017. What I found was that particularly for more nuanced … [Read more...]
Cool clear water. Is it?
Water is readily available in the United States, yet 63 percent of Americans worry a great deal about drinking water pollution. Whether you live in the city, suburbs, on an acreage or farm, water quality is a modern-day concern for people and their animals. Two extension educators urge consumers to monitor their water and have it tested if they suspect problems. Source: The … [Read more...]
New study reveals insights into pet owners’ buying decisions
A new study of pet owner behavior finds important differences in the ways millennial pet owners make decisions about their pets’ care compared with older pet owners—and how and when both groups decide to involve a veterinarian. Source: DVM 360, July 20, 2017. Veterinarians and pet owners see the world differently. The research highlighted important differences between how … [Read more...]
New recommendations for feline spay/neuter surgery
The AVMA board of directors has endorsed a consensus document recommending that cats not intended for breeding be gonadectomized prior to five months of age. Source: AVMA@Work, July 10, 2017. This document represents a clear and evidence-based position that promotes individual animal health and welfare, contributes to effective population control, and can be communicated … [Read more...]
Photojournalist shares Idaho dairy video
Vibrant images help bring our articles to life in media. They also help animal health pros stay current with modern practices. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, July 31, 2017. Ryan Ebert fill a week in Idaho visiting dairy farms and photographing everything from cows to people to equipment. INSIGHTS: Distributor inside sales teams will enjoy this look at dairying even if they have … [Read more...]
Stop deceiving dogs
We mislead our dogs when we are not absolutely clear in our intentions. Plus, we lie to them when we give them affection at the wrong time. Cesar Milan says the result can be dogs that are frustrated, fearful, confused or even aggressive, but the solution is very easy. Source: Cesar’s Way, July 30, 2017. We have to be absolutely clear in our attentions and express them to … [Read more...]
Manage negative feedback
If you’re not getting negative feedback from time to time, you are not pushing your limits. Negative feedback is a fact of life and some negativity is especially personal and biting. So, being able to manage those situations in a respectful and effective manner is important to your overall success. Here is a classic illustration. Source: Inc., June 2017. I've written … [Read more...]
Opthalmic exams made simple
Did you ever wonder what veterinarians are doing when they look in to a pet’s eyes? Ron Ofri, DVM, offers a logical, anatomical order to the exam and a list of equipment needed. He proposes veterinary teams perform an ophthalmoscopic examination of all patients, not just ophthalmic case to gain the required proficiency and familiarity with normal fundus variations. Source: … [Read more...]
Diagnosing and treating anaphylactic shock
Anaphylaxis is often misdiagnosed because definitive criteria to distinguish it from an allergic reaction are lacking. This article reviews anaphylaxis pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and clinical examples. Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, July/August 2017. Anaphylaxis is a severe condition that requires rapid emergency treatment. Because of the lack of … [Read more...]
5 most loyal dog breeds
Dogs are generally loyal to mankind, certainly in comparison to other species not developed for human companionship. But some dog breeds were developed with an extra dose of loyalty to their people. Source: Dogster, July 21, 2017. The breeder groups making the most noise about loyalty traits in these breeds: Bouvier des Flandres Bullmastiff Yorkshire Terrier … [Read more...]
Veterinary nurse effort finds focus
A representative of the group working to change the title of veterinary technician to veterinary nurse and standardize credentials nationwide said today that they will initially focus on Indiana, Michigan and Ohio where they like their chances of success. Source: DVM 360, July 24, 2017. We have compared the curriculums of veterinary technology programs to human nursing … [Read more...]
How we search continues to change
Marketing a practice has really changed. Instead of putting an ad in the yellow pages and making sure the phone number is correct in the white pages, a hospital now has to be found on multiple platforms and be accessed in a variety of ways. These areas need to be managed on a constant basis. Source: MWI Messenger, August 2017, page 21-22. The next leap in accessing and … [Read more...]
Don’t apologize. Do this instead.
Excessive apologizing can take away others' confidence in you as a leader. Instead, practice moves like thanking people for waiting if you are late to a meeting rather than saying, “sorry,” writes Judith Humphrey. Avoid apologizing before giving bad news so you don't reinforce the negativity of what you will say, and focus on solutions rather than feeling sorry for not being … [Read more...]
Why sitting at your computer all day can wipe you out
If you’re conscious, your brain demands your energy and lots of it. Using your brain takes real, honest, physical work — it’s just not visible to us the way using our muscles to exercise is. Source: Science of US, July 19, 2017. Because we’re more likely to get sick after period of heightened mental exertion, too, it’s important to treat mental fatigue with the same care … [Read more...]
Is technology being used counterproductively? (audio program)
In this thought-provoking audio interview, David Allen ( Getting Things Done® ) talks with Dr. Theo Compernolle, a doctor with a 35-year background in medicine, psychiatry, teaching and research. His most recent book is Brain Chains. Source: Getting Things Done®, July 13, 2017. You’ll find this interview to be educational, and perhaps challenging, as you learn that we may … [Read more...]