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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Dr. Ramey on the equine microbiome
When it comes to the equine microbiome, we don’t really know enough about what’s normal to make strong recommendations or have firm conclusions about what to do when things are abnormal. Happily, horses seem to do pretty well on their own, but there’s certainly a lot more to learn. David Ramey, DVM, discusses the nuances of the equine microbiome with researcher Dr. Carolyn … [Read more...]
Dairy topics: Milk fever, dry cows, inbreeding, heat stress, sperm dose
Here are worthwhile topics to discuss with dairy producers during National Dairy Month. Veterinarians and direct-to-dairy representatives often find a third-party article opens the door to discussions beyond normal dialogues and details. The pandemic has taught us the importance of educational communications. Share these in person, on social media or in … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club now engaging pet owners
Expanding their audience to pet owners, The Bridge Club has successfully launched TBC Pets. It is a virtual community where pet owners can gather in a casual conversation to gain insight and guidance directly from veterinary professionals. More than 5,000 pet owners have attended the five virtual events to date. “The feedback has been overwhelming with immediate survey … [Read more...]
Cat toys, catnip, cat eyes and moving with a cat
We continue to review articles targeted to animal owners. This helps ensure animal health pros know what various publications are telling animal owners and also to provide solid information to use in communications and social media. This selection of cat articles is worth your review. Source: Cat toys: How to keep them clean, when to throw them out, Catster, March 23, … [Read more...]
Cats need heartworm prevention too
A noticeable number of heartworm infections are found in indoor-only cats. This, along with limited treatment options, makes prevention important for every cat. Brian Calabro, DVM, discusses heartworm disease in cats. Source: DVM 360, June 8, 2020. Link. Cats are not small dogs making it good to review what we know about heartworm disease in cats and to refocus our efforts … [Read more...]
Reasons dogs eat grass
John Woods tackles why dogs eat grass. In spite of research efforts, there’s no explanation for this. There is one clear warning, however. Don’t let dogs eat grass that has been chemically treated with glyphosate and don’t let them eat toxic plants. Source: All Things Dog, March 18, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Dogs and hot summer weather
Heat and sunshine can be deleterious to the health of our dogs. The articles collected for this post all refer to taking precautions with dogs during summer. Given the number of new pet adoptions recently, reinforcing this information with pet owners is important. Source: Can Dogs Get Sunburned? PetMD, June 1, 2020. Link. It’s actually very important to put sunscreen on … [Read more...]
Dog life after WFH. Prepare for separation anxiety (video).
Once stay-at-home mandates end, pet owners won't be home as much. Prepare dogs for separation anxiety before it starts. Steve Dale shares concerns about upcoming separation stress. He shares proactive tools and ideas. Source: Good Morning America, May 2, 2020.Link. Also see: Separation anxiety training, The Bark, April 2020. Link. Also see: Pet separation anxiety … [Read more...]
Burnout recovery: 11 strategies to help you reset
People in our networks are feeling the deepening fatigue of adjusting to the rigors of the initial pandemic period. Whether working from home or working with PPE restrictions, ongoing high stress takes a toll on the brain and body. Burnout happens gradually. You might not notice symptoms immediately. However, once it takes hold, it can affect your ability to function across … [Read more...]
Email marketing: what to do when reopening is on the horizon
Natasa Djukanovic shares perspectives on email messaging in preparation for the next normal stages. Intent, empathy and positivity are all foundational elements of her suggestions. Source: Marketing Profs, May 26, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: This is good guidance for sales team members and marketers. We all can do a better job of writing a short email even though it takes a … [Read more...]
Storm clouds on the next pandemic horizon (video)
Scientists believe another pandemic will happen during our lifetime. A global team has developed a pattern-recognition system to identify diseases in wildlife with a high potential for zoonosis. . . . our behaviors on a global scale are facilitating the movement of a pathogen from an animal population into humans” Source: BBC, June 6, 2020. Link. The surveillance system scans … [Read more...]
Remain calm and ______________
It’s the perfect slogan on a tee-shirt. Easy to say. Hard to do. No question there is stress in the animal health industry. And, there’s no question Covid-19 has added to existing stress levels. So, how to the most successful industry professionals handle stress? Travis Bradberry’s 2014 article will give you some insight. Source: Forbes, February 6, 2014. Link. When things … [Read more...]
Moving generational labels aside to focus on perennials
Helping two college kids move into their new apartment last week, I caught myself labeling them as Zs. One expressed disgust at being labeled. After all, she had planned and orchestrated the lease, packing, move and transition beyond admirably. She was correct. She didn’t belong in a bucket with a label. I apologized and acknowledged her initiative and strategic skills. For … [Read more...]
VVCA to clarify virtual care, telemedicine, executive director
Mark Cushing, JD, explains how the Veterinary Virtual Care Association came to be and how it plans to bring clarity, definition and structure to the growing segments telehealth, telemedicine and virtual care. . . . what was a side feature. . . is now an expectation” Source: Todays’ Veterinary Business, June/July 2020. Link. Virtual care is a tool alongside in-person care and … [Read more...]
Intranasal vaccination for dairy, beef calves
One way to reduce the effects of maternal antibody interference is to use intranasal vaccines, writes Jennifer Ryan. Colostrum received by young dairy calves can interfere with injectable vaccines. However, intranasal vaccines tend to work with colostrum. Beef calves are often worked first at branding, a stressful period where cortisol weakens blood cells. Intranasal works here … [Read more...]
March 2020 – Top post review (3 of 3)
March 2020 – the month when the coronavirus feces hit the fan. Animal health pros faced the challenges and worked hard to mitigate risks while learning what changes the next day would bring. Defining essential versus non-essential was necessary to facilitate prevention of coronavirus transfer. Work-from-home mandates literally ground some businesses to a halt, forcing high … [Read more...]
April 2020 – Top post review (2 of 3)
The Animal Health Digest curation model delivers published information in the context of how animal health professionals work and interact with each other, with customers or clients and within their affiliated networks. Our industry spends millions annually supporting media. A portion of this supported content falls into the category of one and done. By physically reviewing … [Read more...]
BudBox design improves stockmanship
Handling cattle can be stressful on the cattle and operators. Traditional methods of funneling and pushing add more stress. Whit Hibbard And Dawn Hnatow explain the differences between three crowd pen systems: wedges narrow options to one and rely on force tubs favor a mechanical over behavioral approach BudBoxes use a behavioral approach by obeying certain … [Read more...]
Pet separation anxiety likely after pandemic pause
The pandemic WFH pause has some silver linings. For pet-owning families, pets and people became much more attuned to each other’s behaviors and idiosyncrasies. Animal health pros have been proactive in assessing the potential for pet separation anxiety issues as family members return to work and summer activities leaving pets alone at home. Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA, shares ways … [Read more...]
Raising Gallons video part of dairy month effort (video)
Dairy Management Inc. and state and regional checkoff teams around the country are showcasing dairy’s resilience and community impact during the Covid-19 pandemic in celebration of National Dairy Month. The efforts began on World Milk Day, June 1, with a Raising Gallons video < link > DMI created in partnership with state and regional checkoff organizations. The video … [Read more...]
Here’s the beef. . . well maybe
Darrell Peel, Oklahoma State University ag economist, says beef markets are moving past the worst of the disruptions that caused upheaval recently. Beef markets were thrown into turmoil in March as food service markets, such as restaurants, were sharply curtailed and beef demand suddenly rose in the retail grocery sector. He discusses the supply chain, price fluctuations and … [Read more...]
Never seen a screwworm? Here’s why.
Except for occasional reintroductions, primarily in imported dogs and horses, the screwworm has been eradicated in the U.S. Eradication started in the 1950s with the joint vision of ranchers working with USDA in a multidecade effort that included Mexico and Central America. This fascinating article sheds light on what it took to get rid of screwworms. As importantly, it focuses … [Read more...]
The 4 parasites horses hate
Sponsored Content from Bimeda U.S.A. Take a look at how modern deworming approaches are preventing the evolution of super parasites and the techniques to employ to keep horses healthy. This special edition covers: The four worst parasites for a horse What’s the future of parasite control? Know the most effective deworming techniques The most effective deworming … [Read more...]
Rabbits, RHDV and what you need to know
The most recent report indicates that RHDV has spread over 1,000 miles in the last six weeks with no end in sight. Since people, insects, birds, and other animals, including pets, can spread the virus to a healthy rabbit, there are many safety precautions rabbit guardians should take to help protect their rabbit, including vaccination. Even if a rabbit is indoors-only, they … [Read more...]
3 keys to post pandemic retailing
Mark Kalaygian shares three factors for pet specialty retailers to consider when devising a strategy for doing business in a post-pandemic environment: Recession realities New weapons for brick and mortar locations Craving contact Source: Pet Business, May 26, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Stop, look and listen to Kalaygian’s assertions. Veterinary clinics that have … [Read more...]
What MAP means for veterinary clinics
Minimum advertised pricing is one of the positive outcomes of a more aggressive OTC retail environment. While veterinarians may dislike having to change their focus from cost-based margin, MAP offers a much improved and level playing field at the customer’s pocketbook. Source: Veterinary Advantage, March 2020. Link. In today’s world, vendors need to have their products … [Read more...]