Most cat farts are normal, and almost all are odorless, writes Angie Bailey. Some common causes of kitty toots are: Diets that are high in fiberDairy ingestionEating too fast and swallowing excessive amounts of airConsuming spoiled food or garbageHairballsDietary changes, especially ones that aren’t gradual Source: Catster, December 14, 2018. Link. Although it’s perfectly … [Read more...]
Stop cats from urine spray marking
Mieshelle Nagelschneider addresses the challenging issue of cats that spray mark with urine. She says the number one reason is the cat has become aware of an outside cat’s presence and feels his territory may be threatened. She also reminds us that spray marking is a natural behavior, not something spiteful. Spraying is a major reason that cats get sent to the shelters or … [Read more...]
Cat scooting causes and actions to take
Usually seen in dogs, cats also scoot or drag their butts on the ground. Jackie Brown addresses what causes the itchy posteriors and what to do about it. Source: Catster, December 21, 2018. Link. Brown discusses these reasons for cat scooting: WormsAllergiesAnal gland issues INSIGHTS: We would add poor backside grooming to the list. Consider this article for … [Read more...]
List defines when to take dogs to vets ASAP
Jackie Brown shares a few situations that require a vet’s immediate attention. She also gives general guidelines outlining how fast to respond and to ease transport of the injured pet. BleedingBloatBreathing issuesDifficulty walking or standing PoisoningSevere vomiting and/or diarrheaTrauma: broken bones, bite wounds, falls, hit by car Source: Dogster, December 27, 2018. … [Read more...]
Free Partners for Healthy Pets program re-engages inactive clients
There’s good news about a free program offered by Partners for Healthy Pets (PHP). PHP’s inactive client reminder program has proven effective in getting inactive clients back to the veterinarian’s office, where pets can get the health care they deserve. Source: AVMA, January 4, 2019. Link. Within six months of sending a reminder message, the 1,612 practices that used the … [Read more...]
Pet obesity on the rise for the 8th consecutive year
Excessive body fat in pets increases the risk of preventable health issues and may shorten the life expectancy of dogs and cats as it does in humans. Retrospective research shows the obesity trend is continuing. Nationwide Insurance searched its database to determine the top 10 conditions where obesity is a factor. (see the table in the article). Source: Feedstuffs, January … [Read more...]
Start yesterday to promote dental month
There’s no question that dental services extend life quality for pets and increase revenue potential for animal health businesses. With the inclusion of home care in the WASAVA Global Dental Guidelines, the dental message has more potential for 2019 National Pet Dental Health Month communications in February. Social media is especially helpful in educating clients because it … [Read more...]
BEEF blog’s top 10
Consider broadening your perspective as customer interactions begin this year. Top-read lists similar to this one offer insights into customer priorities and interests. Here are the 10 BEEF Daily blogs that received the most traffic in 2018: 1. Researchers conclude livestock have no detectable effect on climate 2. Hay bale kills ranch mom 3. Move over kale; steak is the … [Read more...]
Backyard chickens may be the most pampered pets of the moment
Chicken pampering is taking over in the backyard poultry segment writes Glenn Selk. Nothing seems too much for these feathered friends. Americans have begun treating their fowl more like pets than livestock. And just as with our beloved cats and dogs, nothing is too much for our little Foghorn Leghorns. Source: USA Today, December 24, 2018. Link. The Centers for Disease … [Read more...]
Dealing with snot-nosed cats
Douglas Palma, DVM, provides a handy decision-tree guide to help in the assessment of nasal discharge in cats. Apparently, not everything is “snuffles.” This guide will make a good screening tool to use during a telemedicine appointment to drive questions. Source: Clinician’s Brief, December 2016. Link. … [Read more...]
What is it like to be a dog? What do dogs think?
Melissa L. Kauffman provides an interview from the October 2018 Royal Canin Future of Animal Companionship Conference. Alexandra Horowitz and Sarah Heath spoke about the dog’s and cat’s point of view on the world and us. They were also part of the panel discussing the benefits of living with pets. Source: Dogster, December 21, 2018. Link. Speaking to our tendency to … [Read more...]
Crate reasoning
Nancy Kerns shares her experiences with dogs and crates during last year’s California Camp Fire. She further underscores the importance of crate training for all dogs. If for no other reason, teach your dog to be comfortable in a crate for emergencies. Source: Whole Dog Journal, January 2019. Link. . . . the dogs who obviously had experience in crates were far less … [Read more...]
Still no pet insurance?
The editorial team at Catnip challenges rationales for avoiding pet insurance. Pet health insurance should be a no-brainer Source: Tufts Catnip, January 2019. Link. 100 percent of cats get sick at one point or another, just like people. That’s why we firmly believe that cat owners should seriously consider buying a health insurance policy for their pets. Also see: … [Read more...]
Resources promote importance of preventive pet health care
Animal health pros know the cost of prevention is a fraction of the cost of treating a disease or problem once it becomes advanced. Proactive protection products, early diagnosis and treatment of known risks, developing problems and diseases increases the life quality of pets. As you implement strategies for improving the customer experience, consider the resources … [Read more...]
Dog food under the spotlight
The canine obesity situation and new dog food trends have animal health pros scrambling to keep up with new products, recalls, special packaging and meeting the needs of pet owners concerned about the right food. We compiled several articles that relate to overweight dogs. Sources: as below What and how to feed your overweight dog, Dogster, December 26, 2018. Link. Ernie … [Read more...]
Manage swine disease risk at the truck wash
Biosecurity measures literally hit the road when considering the health of the U.S. swine herd. Ann Hess relates the experiences of Illinois third-year vet student, Megan Bloemer, whose work was awarded the first Morrison Swine Innovator prize at the 2018 Allan D. Leman swine conference. Bloemer’s presentation, Protecting the Inevitable Risk: Biosecurity at a Truck Wash. … [Read more...]
Change the feeding schedule of spring-calving cows now
December is the time to reset the feeding schedule to dusk hours for cows bred to spring calve, says Glenn Selk. Known as the Konefal method, adjusting the feeding schedule limits night-time calving when observation is more challenging and when temperatures usually lower. University studies have confirmed this method moves calving to daylight hours in as many as 85 percent of … [Read more...]
New tracker technology for cows resembles fitness trackers
A new type of fitness tracker may help farmers keep track of their livestock. The new technology, in the form of a smart ear tag, produces similar data to those delivered by consumer smart watches. GPS enabled, the high-tech ear tag allows farmers to track the location of individual animals remotely via internet capabilities. Source: BEEF, December 7, 2018. … [Read more...]
When euthanizing livestock is necessary
JoAnn Alumbaugh shares some perspective on the potential challenges of euthanizing livestock following weather events, wildfires and in the face of an epidemic disease following the 2018 USAHA meeting. Unlike a foreign animal disease outbreak. . . the reason to euthanize after a fire or blizzard is to end animal suffering. Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 31, … [Read more...]
Use NSAIDs appropriately with horses
NSAIDs are some of the most common medications given to horses. They are prescribed for the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with equine osteoarthritis (OA). While an important part of joint health management,” says Boehringer-Ingelheim’s Britt Conklin, DVM, “they have to be used appropriately.” Source: AQHA, December 13, 2018. Link. Dr. Conklin urges horse … [Read more...]
Controlling ammonia volatility in poultry litter
Moisture is the number-one variable poultry producers must manage to help control ammonia production, thereby boosting bird health and performance. The inherent challenges that accompany ammonia have not changed. However, it often seems that producers have become accustomed to its impact, just as desensitization to ammonia’s smell occurs. Regardless of the size of the … [Read more...]
DO NOT FEED NUTS to dogs
Pet owners frequently search "are peanuts safe for dogs?" Bottom line, certain types of nuts can cause poisonings, an upset stomach or an obstruction in a dog's gastrointestinal tract which can lead to life-saving surgery and unexpected veterinary expenses. According to Nationwide pet insurance, walnut poisoning is one of the most common claims for toxic … [Read more...]
9 top-rated orthopedic dog beds
The biggest waste of money when it comes to dog beds is being cheap, writes Cynthia Foley. There’s a lot to consider when searching for the right bed for an individual dog. She discusses weight, sleeping style, bedding materials, washability and sizing. Pet beds are a frequent last-minute purchase around the holidays. A dog bed that is properly matched to the dog’s size and … [Read more...]
11 free puppy handouts
Add these new (or new to you) handouts to your new-client packets or put them on your website or in social media: Parasite prevention: Is that client’s puppy bugged?Why puppies need vaccinesDental health: Protect your puppy’s pearl whitesFeeding: What’s for puppy’s dinner?Enrichment: Don’t let boredom ruin your puppy’s brainTop 5 tips for teething puppiesThe secret to … [Read more...]
Kick start selling skills with marketing tactics
Whether you carry a bag, handle the phone, receive animal owners at the front desk or meet them in the aisles, selling skills are important. They differentiate you from competitors. Jacob Dillon shares marketing tactics and tips that you can use to kick start your sales skills and improve the outcomes of your actions: Sell benefits instead of featuresKnow your customer … [Read more...]
CRM is not dead
Succeeding today means developing and nurturing relationships more than it references efficiency, writes Denis Pombriant. He shares perspectives on why CRM is still important. If you haven't rethought your CRM deployment in a while, or if you thought you had everything done; think again. Source: CRM Buyer, December 1, 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: There’s little doubt large … [Read more...]
When an argument gets too heated, here’s what to say
Productive conflict is a hallmark of high-performing teams. Some teams struggle to communicate dissenting opinions without triggering resistance and defensiveness, writes Liane Davey. They fall into unproductive conflict by invalidating one another as they argue. IF you can validate your teammate’s perspective, expertise, and feelings, you will keep the conflict focused on … [Read more...]
Can veterinary insurance could save the veterinary technician?
Tiffany Bartlett, LVT, BAS, reviews research on the value of veterinary insurance to determine if it could help make the sustainable career choice for veterinary technicians. She discusses potential confusion between hospital wellness plans and pet insurance and exposes educational needs for veterinary technicians and hospital staff members. Source: NAVTA Journal, … [Read more...]
How clean is that stethoscope?
A new study in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology underscores the importance of adhering to rigorous infection control procedures beyond handwashing. The study was conducted in a human hospital intensive care unit. Itcompared single-use stethoscopes to traditional reusable stethoscopes carried by medical personnel. All stethoscopes were significantly … [Read more...]
Replicating the cleaning power of cats’ tongues
What scientists study is amazing. Add technology and a 3D printer and the cleaning power of a cat’s tongue becomes a viable product development opportunity. A cleaning brush inspired by new research on the unique structure of a cat’s tongue is on the way. Source: AAHANEWStat, November 29, 2018. Link. Cats’ scratchy tongues enable them to keep themselves so clean. … [Read more...]