Winter temperatures in some areas challenge early calving. Producers share their methods for fighting frostbite in these articles selected. Preventing damage to ears and tails is critical because once the tissue gets frozen, there’s little that can be done. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 2019. Link. Frostbite is relatively uncommon in calves older than a … [Read more...]
Miniature goats create connections
Goats of all sizes, including miniature goats, to create connections with them and their owners. Smaller goats can be practical, affordable and affectionate. For some small-scale breeders, miniatures are the perfect starting point for raising goats. (Miniature goats) . . . can be kept in a small backyard, are easy to handle, and are the perfect size for young children to … [Read more...]
No, cats cannot be vegan
A study of U.K. cat owners revealed one in five were not aware their pets were carnivores and required animal products in their diets to thrive. It is believed similar ignorance exists in U.S. cat owners. Veganism simply cannot be a lifestyle choice you make for your cat, even if you make it for yourself. Source: Tufts Catnip, February 2019. Link. It is not possible … [Read more...]
Second dog? Yes or No?
Dogs in isolation are not happy, says Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM. She shares three rules for improving the pairing of dogs: Generally speaking, don’t shoot for female-to-female.Activity similarity is more important than breed similarity .Similar age doesn’t matter as much as similar health status. Source: Dogster, February 2019. Link. . . . the new pet does need to be … [Read more...]
7 sales trends to help you dominate in your industry
John Hall has seen more change in sales recently than ever. He says shifts like AI technology and a rapidly declining sense of trust have made it incredibly important to stay educated about best practices and evolution in the way prospects buy. . . . unless you can piece everything together to see the big-picture changes that are underway, you’re going to have a hard time … [Read more...]
Find value in every customer (includes podcast)
Customer centricity is the current thinking about seeing customer value beyond their revenue potential. There are high-value customers, low-value one, and plenty who fall in the middle. But they all matter for businesses that want to make the most out of them say Wharton's Peter Fader and Sarah Toms. The authors discuss their new book, The Customer Centricity Playbook < link … [Read more...]
Milo goes home
We reported last week about Milo, a coon hound-mix puppy that received corrective surgery for upside down paws at Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. Link. Good news comes quickly. Milo went home last Friday! Source: Oklahoma State University, February 1, 2018. Includes video. Link. “With this next phase of treatment, there is much work to do … [Read more...]
Pets, like us, continue to put on pounds
Despite veterinarians’ reports that nearly half the they see are overweight or obese, only 17 percent of their owners acknowledge it. Others may realize it, but don’t see the increased weight as a problem. It is a serious problem, according to pet health insurer Nationwide. It reports that obesity in dogs and cats has risen eight years in a row. Obesity related insurances … [Read more...]
Oral ulceration diagnosis needs proper etiology (slide show)
Jan Bellows, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DABVP, provides a comprehensive look at oral ulcers and a diagnostic flow chart to help with diagnosis. As National Pet Dental Health Month helps bring clients to veterinary hospitals, oral abnormalities may be discovered during exams. Oral ulcers have several causes ranging from physical trauma to malignancy and are characterized by a loss of … [Read more...]
Firm dental recommendations nearly tripled compliance
John Jeffreys, RVT, CVPM, < link> took the initiative to adjust how dental recommendations were being presented. By moving from low-pressure suggestions to a more needs-based dialogue, the practice grew dental revenue in a short time. . . . it is our job to educate the client and make a firm recommendation for what their pet needs. Source: DVM 360, January 10, 2019. … [Read more...]
February is National Dental Pet Health Month
It is time again for National Pet Dental Health Month, an annual event AVMA sponsors. The association offers a toolkit to help clinic’s work as effective as possible during the promotion. Source: AVMA. A website to help clients help their pets is here. Link. A website exclusively for AVMA member veterinarians to help clients is here. Link. Make the most of the free tools … [Read more...]
2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show wrap up
Nearly 9,000 people attended this year’s Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show that wrapped up last week in New Orleans. Jennifer Houston of Sweetwater, Tennessee, was named president. Animal health pros made up a good percentage of the 350 exhibitors in the seven-acre trade show. As is tradition, Cattlemen’s College kicked off the event. Source: AgriMarketing, … [Read more...]
Things to know about DMSO
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in an industrial solvent turned anti-inflammatory therapy. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for topical use on horses. However, veterinarians regularly use the chemical off-label in other ways to treat an array of inflammatory conditions from laminitis to neurological problems, writes Christine Barakat. She shares some history … [Read more...]
Pardon me, that horse is . . . uh, fat!
Obesity in horses carries a bunch of problems. David Ramey, DVM, shares some of the them, offers solutions and a story, as well: Fat horses are insulated horsesExercise intoleranceLaminitis You should be able to feel your horse’s ribs easily, but not see them (much). Source: Horse Network, January 27, 2019. Link. Keep your horse at a good weight. He’ll feel better, … [Read more...]
Engage cattle handling strategies that improve postweaning calf health
Whit Hibbard & Dawn Hnatow discuss working with postwean calves and teaching them to be manageable and happy. . . . in order for our calves to perform well and stay healthy, they not only need enough water, feed, rest, exercise and a comfortable environment, but they also need to be healthy emotionally. Source: Drovers, January 24, 2019. Link. Low-stress handlers … [Read more...]
Calf care videos now available online
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are making video resources available to provide training in calf management. The videos are available in English and Spanish and include: newborn calf carecolostrum managementanimal handlingautomatic calf feeder management hygiene and sanitation Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 25, … [Read more...]
Trick cows to calve in the daylight
Few cattle producers like to get out of bed to check the cows at 2:00 a.m. It’s cold and dark then. When late-day feeding is implemented, field studies and researchers all report 80 percent or more of cows calve in the daytime. . . . to have more cows and heifers calve in daylight hour, try to delay putting out hay and cubes until late in the day. . . The class of … [Read more...]
5 Kansas BQA trainings scheduled
Five advanced beef cattle care and health training sessions in February and March will offer Kansas beef producers the latest ways to improve animal welfare and food safety. Kansas State University veterinarians Dan Thomson and A.J. Tarpoff will lead the trainings. Source: High Plains Journal, January 23, 2019. Link. Dates and locations are Feb. 4 at Anderson County Sales … [Read more...]
As Farm Aid turns 30, its focus raises questions (includes video)
Farm Aid was created during the farm crisis of the 1980's and is today is a nonprofit with the stated mission of helping farmers and farm families. Clinton Griffiths questions the current focus while sharing information about the organization. Source: Drovers, January 25, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Help educate clients about tick-borne diseases
The risks of tick-borne infections are worth noting and you don’t need to sell from a zoonotic risk standpoint to get the point across. Both dogs and humans can be sequentially or simultaneously infested with more than one tick species, according to Edward B. Breitschwerdt, DVM. He shares basic information that can help veterinary and retail teams address tick risks … [Read more...]
Cats need their claws
Research about the negative effects of declawing cats is becoming more widely known. All cats, even indoor cats, need their claws for balance, mobility, protection, grooming and gripping prey and objects. Studies show declawed cats often experience pain from remaining bone fragments; nail regrowth, reluctance to move or play, lameness and chronic pain. All of these factors … [Read more...]
Calm anxious cats with music
Cat owners, groomers and veterinary teams all appreciate the challenges of skittish felines. Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, shares information about the benefits of playing music in order to create a more serene environment. Two resources she recommends are: MusicMyPet.com <link> “Relax My Cat” on You Tube < link > Source: Tufts Catnip, February 2019. Link. For … [Read more...]
Measuring owner-cat bonds
Here’s a fun quiz worthy of social media posts and e-newletter links. Cat owners will enjoy taking the quiz and then learning how to increase the bond with their cats. Source: Modern Cat, October 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
7 secrets to choosing the best food for cats
Elizabeth Pask and Laura Scott discuss cat food secrets and present information for cat owners to help them make the best choices for their individual animal(s). Their topics cover: Tinned food versus dry foodRead the ingredient listWhat’s the deal with grain?Good fats vs. badFiber versus fillerAdd fresh foodsConsider your cat’s life stage and activity level Source: … [Read more...]
Stop buying grain-free pet food!
Grain-free dog food, accounted for 44 percent of pet food sold in specialty stores in 2017, according the New York Times. Along with pet foods that are vegan, organic, raw and you name it, consumers continue to increase spending on specialty pet food. However, veterinarians are concerned that grain-free diets pose health risks to dogs, especially if consumed long-term. FDA … [Read more...]
Rethinking osteoarthritis: findings from the 2019 VET Report
Successful management of osteoarthritis (OA) requires a multifaceted approach, according to findings in the 2019 Veterinary Emerging Topics (VET) Report from Banfield Pet Hospital. The report considers 3 areas of concern for pets with OA—weight gain, reduced mobility, and the progress of arthritic changes—and offers veterinarians a means to better manage and treat these … [Read more...]
Connecting buying style to clients
In a recent presentation about self-awareness and self-management, Betsy Charles, DVM, related self-awareness to dealing with animal owners’ choices. She shared perspectives about over buyers and under buyers at a recent conference. Self-awareness is the ability to accurately perceive your own emotions and stay aware of them as they happen and if you don’t know yourself … [Read more...]
Manage flu in swine and you
Whether it’s the neighbor’s pot-bellied pig, the large swine operation nearby or your family, flu season is here, and we all need to pay attention. Since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, research has been conducted to better understand human and pig influenza. Because flu viruses can be transmitted between pigs and people, biosecurity is important to prevent the spread of influenza from … [Read more...]
Be sure pets are safe during cold weather
Winter weather challenges pets, livestock and animal owners. The AVMA offers information on its website, including client handouts for members. It is especially important to remind new pet owners of the limitations cold weather places on our pets. Frozen water bowls are commonly overlooked. Remember to warn people how much outdoor and feral cats like warm automobile engines. … [Read more...]
AQHA opens Horsemen of the World exhibit
The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum <link> opened a new exhibit last November. The Horsemen of the World exhibit showcases the unique bond between horses and horsemen around the globe. Visitors can view the exhibit at the Hall of Fame & Museum in Amarillo, Texas through November 2019. Source: AQHA. Link. Despite differences in breed, discipline … [Read more...]