While short-lived, rats bred for companionship make good pets. Corey Bassett, DVM, says they are calm, do not tend to bite the hand that feeds them and seem to bond emotionally with cage mates and owners. Unlike Ben, the leader of a violent pack of killer rats in the 1972 movie, The American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association recommends buying domesticated, socialized rats from … [Read more...]
Protocols without training aren’t enough
Having a well-written protocol is not sufficient for successful performance, writes Gonzola Ferreira. Highlighting the importance of training, she asserts a no training approach cannot be successful if economic losses occur because tasks are performed inefficiently or ineffectively, or if an employee suffers an accident due to a lack of training. This article is applicable … [Read more...]
Stop asking how someone is doing and what to say instead
Saying, “How are you doing,” is a simple question but does anyone really want to know? Further, does the person asked wish to reveal a candid answer? Kristin Hendrix advocates a positive approach for responding and suggests we ask for people to share something positive. Source: Leadership Vitae, March 24, 2022. Link. Tell me something good.” … [Read more...]
Building meaningful feedback loops
Leaders should use feedback loops to get constant, near-real-time insights into how to better solve problems and make better decisions, says Mike Allen. Receiving quality information isn’t a given, and it’s a major leadership mistake to assume so. Allen writes about the importance of constructing feedback loops to receive consistent and quality information. Feedback loop: A … [Read more...]
Territorialism on the rise
Research indicates a shift in what workers value in their workplaces and workspaces. Stephen Denny shares what he calls the New Territorial Imperative and the shift of values in how workers feel about their primary work territory. The human need for territory and the status it confers is as old as the human race itself. We need to give thought to this New Territorial … [Read more...]
4 tips for reengaging with audiences post-pandemic
The last two years have been a steeplechase to maintain, adjust and survive. Customers may not know or remember the ways you’re doing business and your value proposition. Edward Wyatt recommends reintroducing yourself and your business to them. <Many> may not know what the old normal was like . . . communicate like an initial introduction of yourself to your stable of … [Read more...]
How to follow up with someone who’s not getting back to you
Non-verbal communication skills are vehicles to success in this digital age. But, without a response, communication is not effective. While it is frustrating and sometimes disappointing, not getting a response doesn’t mean they’re ghosting you. Forty-seven percent of emails are opened or discarded based on their subject line alone. Rebecca Zucker shares key things to keep in … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 24, 2022
Last week’s most read post Preconditioning starts when the calf hits the ground. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Link. =================================== Click here for a free 7-day trial --> Link #TalkatooTerry Your dog can go vegan – but cats are natural born killers Source: The Guardian, … [Read more...]
Tips to reduce dairy farm expenses
Dairy veterinarians are often asked about cost reductions. Certainly, fuel prices now add more cost to equipment and cost of goods requiring transportation. Making small financial changes can certainly add up to big savings. The author shares where to focus to help shave some costs while maintaining production levels and producing high-quality milk. Source: The Bullvine, … [Read more...]
Nose flaps helpful for low stress weaning
Cattle producers using nose flaps on calves at weaning say they are the least stressful way to wean calves. Inserted in the nostrils the flap hangs down over nose and mouth preventing the calf from nursing. Flaps do not restrict calves from eating grass or drinking water. The flaps are reusable as well, spreading the costs over multiple calf crops. Source: Angus Journal, … [Read more...]
Early lactation cows need personal space
“Any health challenge in early lactation is a concern,” says Trevor DeVries, PhD. He discusses the importance of space including: room to lie down feed bunk space of 30 inches per cow 120 to 150 square feet of bedding space water in multiple places with minimum of 4 inches of drinking space per cow Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, March 17, 2022. Link. Any setbacks at … [Read more...]
Before they buy that farm store goat
Local farm stores have added goats to the chicks and ducklings they sell this time of year. As cute as they are, there are important considerations before taking a goat home. The articles here speak to diligence, veterinary involvement and legal considerations for potential goat owners. Sources: What to Know Before You Buy a Goat, Backyard Goats. June 23, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Parasite control for mares and foals
Complimentary Sponsored Content Merck Animal Health’s Wendy Vaala, VMD, DACVIM, shares the importance of life-stage parasite control protocols for horses as well as two key takeaways: Avoid any unnecessary drug administration, including dewormers, during the first 60 days of pregnancy Although any worm can affect a foal, the most significant parasites are ascarids … [Read more...]
Texas A&M lab: Pets have been getting Covid-19, too
Research on 600 animals from homes where a person had Covid-19 shows about a quarter of the pets sampled since June 2020 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. One quarter of those infected pets were symptomatic with what is described as a very mild illness that resolved without veterinary interventions. Gaining support from the CDC, the lab’s SARS-CoV-2 surveillance will continue, … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s chat about blood transfusions in dogs, cats
Complimentary Sponsored Content The Chatfields welcome Richard Stone DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), to the chat room. The Chatfields and Stone discuss blood transfusions, client reactions, risks and where the blood comes from. Stone and Dr. Jason were classmates at Texas A&M University. Source: Chats with the Chatfields, You Tube, February 27, 2022. Link. 56 … [Read more...]
Amazon privacy settings you should enable
Many of us are not aware of our Amazon privacy settings. We could be sharing too much information with the company. Settings can be changed at any time. Charles Slocs shares the importance of privacy settings, browser history and more . . . Amazon has made it very easy for its users to view and change all of their privacy settings.” Source: Tech Source Online, December 5, … [Read more...]
How craving attention makes you less creative
This TED talk is good for introspection and consideration. Trying to gain followers and likes only to be left feeling inadequate and less creative can be addictive. In his candid TED talk, Joseph Gordon-Levitt explores how the attention-driven model of big tech companies affects our creativity. . . . <there is> a more powerful feeling than getting attention. . . it’s … [Read more...]
Ambulatory assistants add value for farm-call DVMs
Twenty-plus years ago, an equine veterinarian shared his troubles with keeping inventory, invoices, medical records and follow-ups current. The discussion led me to suggest he consider hiring a person to be his shadow. A few months later, he called to say thank you. He said the assistant had captured more than double the wages in lost charges alone in the first 90 days. Amy … [Read more...]
Prepare clients to be financially prepared from the start
Getting a pet has financial consequences that often surprise pet owners. Boo Larsen shares data from the recent Synchrony Lifetime of Care study along with three ways to help prepare clients for the cost of care: Prepare new pet owners for costs they may not anticipate. Recognize that an invoice of $250 or less may cause anxiety. Be upfront and open about the … [Read more...]
Help your employees be ambassadors
Many leaders and companies are facing consequences of the great resignation. New ways of hiring and retaining employees are being developed, tested and implemented. But are we engaging the old and new team members as ambassadors for our business? It is a good question for animal health pros at all levels. Think about it! “Engaging your employees as ambassadors goes beyond … [Read more...]
It’s National Pet Poison Prevention Week
In 2021, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center saw a 22 percent increase in call volume. It’s team analyzed more than 400,000 cases they received. They’re now sharing the top 10 toxin groupings. It is also organized in an informative infographic suitable for social media, newsletters, bulletin boards and exam room posting. Download and share the Top 10 Pet Toxins of 2021 with … [Read more...]
Future bound: Dr. Eleanor Green
Complimentary Sponsored Content Mike McFarland, DVM, shares a discussion with industry icon, Eleanor Green, DVM, about her career path, women in veterinary medicine, becoming the first female dean of Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, her passion for horses and more. I don’t think it’s a women’s profession or a man’s profession . . .”- … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 17, 2022
Last week’s most read post Gen Z wants this more than flexibility at work. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 10, 2022. Link. =================================== Delta variant of COVID-19 found in cat Source: My Vet Candy, March 11, 2022. Link. This apparent interspecies transmission is the first published example … [Read more...]
Benefits and challenges with multi-species grazing
Land use and stewardship are two of the hot topics producers and landowners face. Adaptive grazing with more than one species of livestock can multiply regenerative benefits, shape landscape, and add income to operations. Source: Noble Research Institute. Link. Adaptive grazing uses higher livestock densities for short durations between long periods of rest to allow complete … [Read more...]
Scheduling castration for bull calves
For bull calves, there’s no good time for castration. In today’s market however, producers use castration as a key component to any preconditioning program. Neutering can greatly influence market price premiums or discounts. Despite common perceptions, numerous studies have shown weaning weights are similar for bulls and steers. 62 percent of commercial cow-calf herds used … [Read more...]
The bottle beats the bucket for winter watering
Simply feeding milk or milk replacer isn’t enough in developing calves. Their rumens need a separate source of pure water to feed the fermentation process that promotes rumen development. Research in a 5-week comparison period found calves getting water by a bottle consumed an average of 1.4 quarts of water per day, compared to 0.2 quarts for the bucket group. Source: Dairy … [Read more...]
Preconditioning starts when the calf hits the ground
Opinion Stocker operators and feedlots want matched sets of calves that are weaned, castrated, dehorned, familiar with water and feed sources and immunocompetent. Calves born now will be weaned in seven months, but could be weaned much earlier <Link>. Therefore, the colostrum intake first 48 hours after calving could be considered the first step to having … [Read more...]
Gene-edited beef cattle get regulatory clearance in U.S.
The cattle cleared by the FDA have genes altered with CRISPR technology giving them short, slick coats that let them more easily withstand hot weather. Cattle that aren’t stressed by heat might pack on weight more easily, making for more efficient meat production.” Source: ABC, March 7, 2022. Link. U.S. food regulators said short-haired cattle produced through gene editing … [Read more...]
Q&A: Caring for the emotional needs of a healing horse
Recovery from injuries, disease or other conditions affect a horse’s well-being. It’s also important to consider horses’ emotional needs during these times of stress, writes Stephanie Sawtelle. It is often necessary to modify a horse’s normal routine of feeding, turn out and exercise to accommodate physical healing. These changes to the routines can cause stress and have a … [Read more...]
Coccidia in dogs and cats
Coccidia are a major issue for puppies and kittens under eight weeks old and can even kill them. After the first exposure, Coccidia parasites may remain present in the animal's intestines, and they're just waiting to take advantage of any digestive upset, writes Marty Greer, DVM. The bacteria is rarely the initial cause of the diarrhea, but once diarrhea starts, the Coccidia … [Read more...]