With 100 million Amazon Prime customers globally, the company continues to grow and grow. It has entered market segments we never imagined and now owns 49 percent or more of all online sales. Professor Sunil Gupta and Host Brian Kenny discuss a case study Gupta researched and offer insights into Amazon’s insidious growth. Source: HBR Working Knowledge, May 21, 2019. … [Read more...]
Horse sense required for barefoot trimming
David Ramey, DVM, tackles the barefoot trimming fad where horses have shoes removed and hooves trimmed to run barefoot. He says some proponents of barefoot trimming sometimes take a fanatical leap and may assert that shoes for horses are never a good thing, and that they always cause harm. Ramey disagrees for three big reasons: The stated assumption that “barefoot is … [Read more...]
Calf rescued from badger hole (includes ‘feel-good’ video)
In what he calls the most bizarre incident in his career, Brad Osadczuk, an Alberta, Canada, rancher rescued a calf that had fallen into a badger hole. The cow kept telling him something was wrong. Source: Drovers, May 21, 2019. Link. “She kept on going back to this spot. When you walk up, you couldn’t see anything. It just was prairie grass. I happened to walk up to a … [Read more...]
Get serious about kidding time
Goat popularity continues to rise. As people learn to raise them, it is inevitable they will experience kidding time. Durvet’s Kassie Miller assembled a goat kidding kit to help prepare for that magical phase. This is a good list to help goat raisers be prepared. Source: Durvet. Link. Advanced prepping and quick access ensures access will ensure you will have all the tools … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens have caused 21-state salmonella outbreaks
Fifty-two people in 21 states have contracted salmonella from backyard poultry according to the CDC. Five patients have been hospitalized and 28 percent of those sickened by these home-based chicks and ducklings are children under age 5. Don’t kiss your chickens! < link > Source: USA Today, May 17, 2019. Link. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact … [Read more...]
Microbiome; it’s a bug eat bug world
“The microbiome is a collection of different microorganisms that we find in the intestinal tract of animals, and we know these microorganisms are essential to immune development,” says Christopher Chase, DVM. “Understanding how they interact with the gut, and particularly the epithelium of the gut, is really important.” In the last decade, research has shown the epithelial … [Read more...]
5 quota-killing mistakes only experienced salespeople make
Jeff Hoffman gives perspective about seasoned salespersons and offers steps that can help avoid making common errors. He lists these five mistakes he has observed with seasoned reps: They over-qualify They lean too heavily on existing champions They stop learning They haven't networked within their company They ignore the importance of small … [Read more...]
Opinion – Get truly curious about the customer
Customers recognize selective listening and when we aren’t asking the right questions or probing to understand what’s really happening and learning what it means to them personally or professionally, according to David Brock. They’re often looking look for our help but find us unwilling to take the time to understand their markets, their business, their strategies . . . their … [Read more...]
Opinion – FREE, one-day shipping is an oxymoron
Amazon recently announced it will spend $800M to bring free, one-day shipping to Prime members. This is an indictment of our increasing inability to plan past our noses. Distribution companies have been fighting this costly next-day fight for years, often without directly assessing the increased costs to customers who require the service. Failure to plan is simply a plan to … [Read more...]
If you are approached by a service dog without its owner, it may need your help
Ashley Brewer shares what to do if a service dog approaches you without its owner. In all likelihood, the owner needs help. Share this article using social media, e-newsletters and texts. Knowing how to engage the animal to help you find its owner is important because it is different than how we’ve been trained. Source: Animal Planet, May 9, 2019. Link. . . . any verbal cue … [Read more...]
50 ways dogs communicate with their people
The position your dog sleeps in means something, writes Inno Asuncion. He shares 50 more common dog behaviors explained in human terms. This is fun to share on social media, in e-newsletters or as part of a follow-up message after initial clinic or retail visits. Source: Animal Planet, August 21, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
New AVMA website provides resources for veterinary students, early professionals
The AVMA recently launched a new website to help guide veterinary students and early career veterinarians. My Veterinary Life < link > is intended to help navigate the transition from student to veterinarian, nurture personal wellbeing, and establish strong financial habits. Source: AVMA. Link. The website represents AVMA’s commitment to provide guidance, direction and … [Read more...]
Canine parvovirus spiking again
Recent reports of canine parvovirus (CPV) infections in areas around the country remind us of how prevalent and challenging this virus is in dogs. CPV itself is small and nonenveloped, making it one of the more robust viruses affecting animals. While our industry has been fighting CPV for nearly 50 years, the only way to stop its spread is to vaccinate dogs. Because of its … [Read more...]
Thunder, firecrackers and more loud sounds
Spring storms have been frequent and loud this year in the Midwest. Add graduation celebrations with fireworks and it’s a noise-averse dog’s nightmare. Bonnie Beaver, DVM, shares strategies for managing sound sensitivity in dogs. The information is an excellent reference to share with dog owners frequently. Studies have suggested that nearly 49% of dogs are reported by … [Read more...]
Collegiate meat judging featured by Sports Illustrated
Comparing the core components to NCAA athletics, Mike Piellucci goes in-depth into the recruitment, rivalries, commitment, competitions and impact of this intercollegiate meat judging. The skill set of a champion meat judge is both eminently teachable and difficult to master: quick decision making, critical reasoning, self-assurance and, above all, the ability to quiet one’s … [Read more...]
May is National Beef Month
There’s plenty to appreciate when it comes to beef. It’s in the hamburger you cook on your grill, the gelatin that makes up the marshmallow you roast, the gum you chew, the medicines you take, the soap you wash with and in many other products. Beef and its by-products have an immense impact on our society and around the world. Source: Kansas Farm Food Connection. Link. . . . … [Read more...]
Trim chicken beaks, claws and spurs
Chickens’ spurs, toenails and beaks are made of keratin continually grow says Gail Damerow. Like dogs, chickens naturally wear down toenails and beaks unless their environment reduces the scratching and surface contact needed. Then its time to trim. The diagrams provided will be familiar to animal health pros, they simply feature chickens instead of dogs or cats. Source: … [Read more...]
Goats are cute, but they aren’t easy pets
Brian Barth wonders if 2019 will be the year that goats join dogs, cats and parrots in the pantheon of animals that have gone from wild to domesticated. Barbara Jamison, owner of Puget Sound Goat Rescue, shares goat husbandry requirements about this farm animal trying to become a pet. They include: Most importantly, you must adopt at least two. Herd animals are profoundly … [Read more...]
Top 50 pet food companies in the world
This is a compelling look at economic mass in the pet food industry based on 2018 results. The companies listed also have links associated with them. Source: Petfood Industry, May 2019. Link. Also see: Pet market trends, signals from other services, Petfood Industry, May 2019. Link. The increasing use of non-medical pet services extends even to daily dog care needs . . … [Read more...]
Rural infrastructures declining, negatively affecting agriculture (includes video)
Safe, efficient transportation methods are crucial to successful agriculture. Aging of roads, bridges, railroads, waterway technologies and ports challenges how we will move ag products around our country and the world. Natalina Sents investigates the decline in rural infrastructure and what can be done to fix it. Source: Successful Farming, May 6, 2019. Link. The … [Read more...]
Commercial content from AAHA NEWStat
We captured the commercially sponsored content below as featured in AAHA NEWStat for review. Source: AAHA NEWStat. Link. How do you know which pet supplements are safe?, May 1, 2019. Link. Sponsored by Rx Vitamins Survey reveals good opportunity for veterinarians to include feline MCS assessments, May 1, 2019. Link. Sponsored by Kindred BioSciences BabelBark … [Read more...]
Oh, my aching cat
As cats age, arthritis is a likely challenge. One study showed 90 percent of cats over the age of 12 experience some radiographic signs of arthritis. Young cats can also suffer from this condition. Excess weight and obesity add to the problems. Cailin Heinze, VMD, discusses joint supplementation and indicate glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and omega-3 fatty acids are widely … [Read more...]
Common skin problems in cats
From allergic dermatitis to rodent ulcers, a variety of skin problems can afflict cats. Janice Huntingford, DVM, reviews the most common ones, along with their causes and treatments. Source: Animal Wellness, July 6, 2018. Link. Regardless of cause, allergic dermatitis frequently manifests as “miliary dermatitis,” which is not a specific disease but rather a disease … [Read more...]
Behaviorist tells how to stop cats from scratching furniture
Marilyn Krieger discusses scratching behaviors of cats and how cat owners can train them to scratch in acceptable places. She reminds us that scratching is natural and instinctive to all felines. They scratch because: Scratching objects is one of the ways cats communicate. Scratching is a displacement behavior After napping, there is nothing as fulfilling as a slow … [Read more...]
Take Fido for a bike ride in his own basket
John Wood offers a look at five bicycle baskets that allow a pet owner to take a smaller dog along for a ride. He says the baskets are safer than a small dog running alongside a rider. Biking enthusiasts will enjoy getting this information via social media or in an e-newletter. Source: All Things Dog, May 13, 2019. Link. Choose properly-sized pet baskets which have: … [Read more...]
Brucella canis confirmed in Iowa commercial breeding facility
Canine brucellosis is considered zoonotic and is highly contagious among dogs. It causes severe reproductive problems. Iowa's State Veterinarian Jeff Kaisand, confirmed several cases of "canine Brucellosis" coming from a commercial small-dog breeding facility in Marion County southeast of Des Moines. When spread to humans, a rare occurrence, B. canis produces flu-like … [Read more...]
Senior pet diets warrant serious conversations
While every dog or cat that enters a veterinary or retail facility needs a pet diet, animal health pros may shy away from a discussion of individual pet diet needs. Especially true as pets age, nutritional recommendations are important at all stages of pets’ lives, but they’re critical as pets age. Animal owners are bombarded with marketing messages about pet diets. They need … [Read more...]
Watch out for snakes! For you and Fido.
It is that time of year for exciting hikes and nature walks, but remember to watch for snakes. The number-one rule for hiking is for us and our dogs to stay on the trail, experts say. The snakes are waiting in the high grass where they’re harder to see. Rock climbers need to watch where they put their hands, too. Source: NPR Shots, May 12, 2019. Link. Like humans, dogs are … [Read more...]
Promote pet chipping this month
May is National Chip Your Pet Month and an excellent time to turn up attention to the benefits of placing microchips in pets. Once pets are chipped and registered in a national pet recovery database, services like the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool < link > can reference the chip against hundreds of registries’ databases. Pets with microchips are up to 20 times … [Read more...]
FCC warns, one ring robocall wave in progress again
Robocalls are annoying at minimum. You answer and it may take up to 30 seconds for a person to answer. Now the Federal Communications Commission has issued a warning about so-called one-ring robocalls, a scam that doesn’t require the receiver of the call to pick up the phone, but to call back. In April, Americans received 4.9 billion robocalls, or 163 million calls per day. . … [Read more...]