Horse owners traveling will appreciate these lists to ensure horse health. Hannah Arington provides a checklist for traveling with horse(s) and one for a horse sitter. Consider sharing the article on social media, in newsletters, with local equine hobbyists and with 4-H and youth development groups. Doing it now will help prepare recipients for upcoming county and state … [Read more...]
Dogs get sunburn too!
People are surprised to learn dogs need protection from the sun. Hair offers a natural barrier between its skin and the sun’s rays, but it is not complete protection. Dogs can get sunburned, too. We’re including two references to help educate pet owners via social media or newsletters. Source: 5 ways to protect your dog from sunburn, Animal Wellness, May 2017. … [Read more...]
Help pet owners conduct home health checks
Opinion The need for pet owner education and training became more apparent during 2020. New pet owners, especially, seemed unprepared to manage the day to day with pets, let alone changes to their pets’ wellness. Sandra Murphy shares a home health checklist suitable for helping pet owners systematically monitor their pet. Pet owners will appreciate this list. Consider … [Read more...]
Fighting brain fog with food: Tips from a psychiatrist (with videos)
Brain fog has emerged as one of the most frustrating effects of long Covid-19. It can linger for months after the first symptoms of the coronavirus have passed. Uma Naidoo, MD, nutritionist, chef, author, prescribing psychiatrist, addresses the challenges of brain fog and how specific foods activate the gut-brain connection to help return to normal. The gut and the brain are … [Read more...]
Managing and bonding with teammates’ strengths
Opinion – Complimentary commercial content Last week we shared thoughts on bonding with associate veterinarians from Brian Conrad, DVM. He indicated he was quick to lead team building. We commented that sales representatives can often provide resources and help lead the activities. CliftonStrengths provides powerful team building opportunities. The possible individual and … [Read more...]
Female veterinarians say gender disparity remains an uphill battle
Meg Mueller, DVM, says one of the biggest challenges females face in large animal practices is the issue of working with strong and powerful patients who are much of the time in non-clinical, less than ideal settings. Clients’ perceptions that they can't handle the job doesn’t help Source: Wisconsin State Farmer, June 2, 2021. Link. This article is part of a series entitled … [Read more...]
The crystal ball: Veterinary medicine in 2031
Complimentary Content In a recent blog post, Bill Wagner, DVM, took a stab at what he thinks veterinary medicine will be 10 years from now. Much of what he projects is realistic, being created or in progress. The key will be to make the most of the customer experience and transition veterinary team members. Source: Associated Veterinary Partners, May 24, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Preventive care paradox
Recognizing and reinforcing behavior that results in the absence of disease is difficult, especially in a veterinary healthcare system built to respond to disease states versus reinforcing a state of health, according to Bob Lester, DVM. It is a challenge for a reacting-and-repairing versus preventing-and-preparing way of working Lester describes the future benefits as … [Read more...]
2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey reveals important post-pandemic changes for the pet care industry
It comes as no surprise that trends from the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey show steady growth in pet ownership, as well as pet owners buying more products and services online, writes Steve King, president and CEO of the APPA. However, the survey also sheds light on the resilience of brick and mortar facilities. Pet owners continue to frequent their local pet stores, … [Read more...]
Wait. Boarding and grooming for pets are ESSENTIAL?!
Complimentary content includes an offer from RESCUE® disinfectants Carmen Rustenbeck, founder of the International Boarding and Pet Services Association (IBPSA), joins Drs. Jen and Jason Chatfield in this episode of the Chatfield Show. They discuss the involvement of pet services and how the IBPSA serves those businesses and people. In all actuality, groomers, boarders and … [Read more...]
Recalibrate your leadership style to match needs the pandemic created
The Covid-19 pandemic has radically altered the business landscape. Many companies experienced anywhere from a 20 to 60 percent loss in revenue in 2020, and more than 14 million Americans either temporarily or permanently lost their jobs. Source: Chieflearningofficer.com, March 11, 2021. Link. We know that effective leaders must be in tune with the emotions of those around … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 3, 2021
Last week’s most read posts – these two posts tied for most read These 8 expressions can make you sound insensitive at work: Source: Animal Health Digest, May 25, 2021. Link. Flexible workforces in veterinary practices might include aging boomers: Source: Animal Health Digest, May 25, 2021. Link. Best dog bones for tough chewers Source: Puppies and Pooches, … [Read more...]
The next pandemic is already happening. Targeted disease surveillance can help prevent it.
The next pandemic threat is likely already making its way through the population right now writes Maureen Miller, PhD. Her research as an infectious disease epidemiologist has found that there is a simple strategy to mitigate emerging outbreaks: proactive, real-time surveillance in settings where animal-to-human disease spillover is most likely to occur. Miller discusses the … [Read more...]
Feed or sell cull cows? (with video)
Beef and dairy producers need decision support when deciding to feed or sell cull cows. Steve Boyles, PhD, presents the considerations necessary for making the decision to feed cull cows and sell them into a more profitable time slot. Source: BEEF, May 27, 2021. Link. You Tube video. Link. Non-fed beef makes up approximately 25 percent of all beef consumed in the … [Read more...]
Stop kissing your chickens!
In what has become an annual and sometimes, more often, warning, the Centers for Disease Control last month warned people to stop cuddling and kissing backyard poultry because chickens may spread salmonella. Out of 163 reported cases of Salmonella, 34 people were hospitalized. Children under 5 years old make up a third of the cases. Source: NPR, May 22, 2021. Link. “Don’t … [Read more...]
What happens when a horse undergoes general anesthesia?
Luisito Pablo, MS, DVM, Dipl. ACVAA describes steps the veterinary anesthesia team takes when caring for horses before, during, and after surgery. Source: The Horse, May 28, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Sedating and anesthetizing a 900 to 2200 pound animal is both science and art. We found this article to be informative and worthy of sharing with horse owners to orient them to … [Read more...]
Most-read companion animal posts of April and May 2021
What you read helps us prioritize topics most interesting to animal health pros. It is the most important feedback we receive. The links below share the most-read posts from April and May in ranked order. Source: Animal Health Digest. April, May 2021. The best dog names of 2021. 500 names by category. How Petco is increasingly a stealthy competitor to clinics … [Read more...]
Fireworks and noise phobias. It’s the season.
Complimentary Content The first fireworks of spring started a couple weeks ago here in Kansas City. Graduation celebrations may include some left over pyrogenic flashes and booms. While minor, these sonic disruptions are a reminder that July 4th celebrations are just around the corner. Fear Free Happy Homes offers pet owners a digital kit containing strategies for … [Read more...]
Surefire strategies for navigating backorders
Complimentary Content Consistent with her pragmatic approach to inventory management, Nicole Clause shares her guide to navigating backorders. She includes tips and strategies for being proactive about and managing them. The guide deals specifically with longer-term backorders that are not the result of poor forecasting in an individual clinic. Source: Veterinary … [Read more...]
1 in 3 people believe that their pet will make them a better parent
Note: These survey results are worth reviewing. In a recent survey from OnePoll and AskVet, pet owners shared they experience anxieties and expenses found with child-rearing. More than 45 percent of pet parents worry their pets might get sick or hurt, while another 33 percent worry their pets may be unhappy. While pet parents trust veterinary professionals the most, they are … [Read more...]
3 technologies that can help employers struggling to hire
The reasons for the imbalance between labor demand (open jobs) and labor supply (people willing to take those open jobs) are many and complex, writes Steve Boese. He discusses the role HR technologies could play in helping balance supply and demand, and consequently, place more people in open roles. Job losses have been felt most acutely by low-wage earners and low-wage … [Read more...]
Foster tighter bonds with your associate veterinarians
The right hire and setting clear expectations are strategies that, help practice managers and owners create a more cohesive environment that everyone can thrive in, Brian Conrad, CVPM, says. Candidate attributes, financial expectations, CE goals and team building are components of developing bonds, he says. The clearer the expectations are laid out, the better the relationship … [Read more...]
Telemedicine is as old as the telephone. Getting paid IS NEW!
Opinion We’re referencing four complementary sources in this post. Virtual veterinary care is advancing at warp speed. Still, some veterinary clinics struggle with moving from a courtesy service approach to charging for telemedicine services as clients embrace the convenience. Creating clear boundaries between “courtesy services” and what is considered a "paid service" is … [Read more...]
Proper antibiotic use improves producer savings and dairy industry image
Complimentary Commercial Content included Consumer demand for dairy products was up last year. Sending positive messages to consumers about U.S. milk production is key to maintaining this demand, says Linda Tikofsky, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. She stresses that being more thoughtful about antibiotic use is also necessary in preserving it as an important tool for the long … [Read more...]
Canine origin coronavirus causing a stir
Preliminary reports of a dog origin alpha canine coronavirus infecting people are alarming. Scientific diligence is needed to confirm the species jump and determine how much risk management is required, if any. We’re sharing three articles for your review and consideration. I think the more we look, the more we will find that these coronaviruses are crossing species … [Read more...]
Dairy herds need to be vaccinated for leptospirosis
Agriculture Victoria and Dairy Australia are working together to inform dairy producers of the risks from leptospirosis. They developed a biosecurity tool to assist dairy farmers create a farm biosecurity plan tailored to their farm. An integrated approach to prevent leptospirosis should consider: vaccinating the whole herd (following directions on the vaccine label) … [Read more...]
Spring ahead of summer flies
Removing breeding material is the foundation of fly control, says Roger Moon, entomologist. And spring is the time to get ahead of the fly population. If flies gain a foothold on the dairy, animals and their caretakers will pay the price as the summer wears on. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 13, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Now is a great time to remind producers how to … [Read more...]
What to expect at World Pork Expo
Joseph Kerns says hog markets, China, U.S. crop prospects, industry expansion, disease and how to navigate the business environment will be hot topics at the first live World Pork Expo since 2018. 2021 World Pork Expo is held at the Iowa State Fair Grounds, Des Moines, Iowa. June 9 – 11. Link. Source: National Hog Farmer, May 17, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: The topics of … [Read more...]
Equine Disease Communication Center review of diseases
Complimentary Sponsored Content The Equine Disease Communication Center is an industry-driven initiative that works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. EDCC is designed to seek and report real-time information about diseases, similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerts the human population … [Read more...]
10 common health mistakes horse caretakers make
Farm calls are excellent opportunities to observe not only horses, but things in their environment that can impact overall health, shares Laurie Gallatin, DVM. Sometimes our horse husbandry is based on “how we always did it,” or the advice of well-meaning friends, trainers, or even Dr. Google, she says. She shares 10 common mistakes caretakers make. Here’s a sample: Not … [Read more...]