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...]
5 tips for helping pets deal with their grief
Rescue. . .Rehome. . .Adopt. . . Foster. . .Relinquish These verbs are all part of the animal health narrative in 2021. Most are associated with people improving the potential for life quality for pets. And, pets grieve. From the pets’ perspective, Jennifer Coates, DVM, reminds us that grief and loss are often associated with these words and we can help if we recognize the … [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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Overtime pay for dairies is closer than you think
Dairy farming is not a 40-hour per week job, but with labor laws becoming more restrictive, employers may have to treat it as such. Dairy personnel must keep cows healthy, but the economics of overtime or additional workers will likely have dairy owners between a rock and a hard place. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, February 4, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: For dairy veterinarians and … [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...]
When to call the vet for a horse
The veterinarian is too often the last to know when something is amiss with an animal. Harry Werner, VMD, shares four levels of concern when horse owners are confronted with a sick or injured horse. The category lists will help horse owners focus their thinking and decision-making based on specific clinical signs and circumstances. He also recommends proactive planning and … [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...]
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...]
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean YOU have to be cold
Much of the U.S. is experiencing gelid (also known as extremely cold) weather. Stephanie Thurrott shares ways to embrace the cold months learned from people who live in Sweden, Iceland and Canada. Eh?! Source: Today, December 10, 2020. Link. Also see: Brrrrr! How cold is too cold for pets? AHD, January 21, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
6 ways diversity and inclusion will change in 2021
Get ready for uncomfortable conversations. From the squeeze chute to the C-suite, knowledge about diversity, equity and inclusion will take place this year, according to Amber Cabral, author and diversity and inclusion consultant. She predicts six trends that, at last, indicate true change will take place. Remote work will be more common Workforce diversity will … [Read more...]
Can you actually convince your customers to act?
A common statement from DVMs and clinic staff members is, “I don’t want to be a salesperson.” Yet, if one’s actions contribute to or create a transaction, that is technically a sale, a transfer of money and often title in exchange for a product or service. David Brock reminds us that we can help them to open up and consider a change. Then we can help them learn and consider … [Read more...]
Redesigning the farm entry to enhance biosecurity
The heart of an effective biosecurity program is the adoption of standard protocols and a proactive mindset to maintain disease prevention at the forefront of farm activities. Producers can decrease the introduction of harmful pathogens and enhance biosecurity measures by redesigning the farm employee entrance to include an additional dry changing room. The risk of introducing … [Read more...]
Covid-19 vaccine trial participant shares story
Longtime industry pro Janice Keene shares her experience as a participant in the Covid-19 vaccine trials. Familiar with the process of developing livestock vaccines, she confidently joined the 44,000 people worldwide involved in the Pfizer/BioNTech trial. The best way to protect the people you love is to get the vaccination yourself.” – Janice Keene Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, … [Read more...]
Hoof wall and coronary band injuries in horses
Complimentary Sponsored Content Dr. Craig Lesser DVM and AFA Certified Farrier, discusses hoof wall and coronary band injuries in horses in this episode of the Disease Du Juor podcast. Source: EquiManagement, January 28, 2021. Link. Topics covered in this podcast include: What are the most common hoof wall issues veterinarians see and solution? Abscesses Hoof … [Read more...]
Dispose of dead poultry properly
It is inevitable animals die. Whether by disease, predator attacks or inclement weather, getting rid of the remaining carcasses is a challenge for owners. Ann Accetta-Scott writes about disposal and major factors to consider. It’s not as simple as burying dead animal bodies. Source: Backyard Poultry, July 2020. Link. . . . the death of a chicken or entire flock requires … [Read more...]
Vets share what people think they know about pets
BuzzFeed writer Alexa Lisitza shares what a Reddit user found when he asked veterinarians what they wish people knew about their pets. The result is something directly shareable with clients in practices and via social media. Source: BuzzFeed, February 1, 2021. Link. I wish people just even had a BASIC understanding of dog or cat body language. The number of videos posted on … [Read more...]
Supplements dogs may be missing in their diet
Opinion The article below contained a red-flag sentence: “This article brings you all that is worth knowing about dog food nutrients and how to tell if your pet dog lacks them.” No author or references were included. Good intentions aside, information like this concerns me for pets, pet owners and the veterinary teams who find themselves dealing with an owner’s … [Read more...]
Understanding all these dog studies
There’s no question we have learned a lot by studying dogs. Often, there are some discrepancies in outcomes between studies thought to replicate a previous study. There's a lot of good science, but we need to be very careful about sweeping generalizations." - Marc Bekoff PhD Source: The Bark, January 2021. Link. Dogs differ, humans differ, dog-human relationships differ, and … [Read more...]
Banfield leaders discuss key pet health trends of 2020; top predictions for 2021
Complimentary Commercial Content Banfield Pet Hospital president Brian Garish and Chief Medical Officer Molly McAllister, DVM, share perspectives from trends supported by 2020 medical records data. They include: a strong increase in juvenile pets pet happiness skin issue treatments increases due to pet anxiety significant growth in telemedicine role of … [Read more...]