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...]
Test tube horses becoming more common
We found this article on intracytoplasmic sperm injection informative and the science discussed educational. It is remarkable how modern science is extending blood lines using both mares and stallions despite some medical impediments. Source: Ranch Horse Journal, January 2019. Link. The benefits to this are that you are able to breed a mare that has always been an … [Read more...]
Focus on what you can control
Clint Schwab* reminds swine producers to remember to let technology take a backseat to good old-fashioned execution. Regardless of individual species focus, any animal health pro will capture something useful in his article about human and animal resources and maximizing production. He discusses training, feed quality, biosecurity, breeding and stress reduction. . . . … [Read more...]
Researchers bust antimicrobial-resistance myth
It would seem logical to assume beef from cattle treated with antibiotics would carry more resistant bacteria than beef from “antibiotic-free” production systems. Testing this hypothesis researchers with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have shown shows similar levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in ground beef raised with and without antibiotics. The … [Read more...]
Vegetarian-fed animals: Good marketing, bad for industry
Finding the right balance between science and marketing is an everyday challenge for animal health pros. Nutritionist Ioannis Mavromichalis, Ph.D., offers perspectives on why all-vegetable diets may not be best for animals or the animal protein industry: It’s not true to the consumerIt’s not true to the animalWhat about vitamin B12?Do not drive your customers to decide … [Read more...]
What to expect from Gen Z (includes infographic)
The oldest Gen Zers are now entering the workforce. Here are five tips on engaging them through learning and development programs: Go mobile or go homeFeed their bite-sized learning appetiteFocus on soft-skills developmentEncourage collaborationUse mixed-media formats Source: HR Technologist, December 28, 2018. Link. By designing learning experiences tailored to the … [Read more...]
Safety concerns when cats fight
Industry information shows homes with cats are likely to be multi-cat homes. Bringing a new cat into the mix can easily erupt in caterwauling and flying fur. The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine offers cat fight knowledge to keep cat owners safe. Source: Catwatch, February 2018 via Catster, January 23, 2019. Link. Most cat fights center around coveted … [Read more...]
Watch for these changes in cat behaviors
Cats are excellent at masking illness or health issues. Jo Singer discusses seven shifts in cat behavior which indicate a potential health problem that warrants veterinary attention. Source: Catnip, August 2017. Link. Domestication and indoor lifestyles have required pet cats to adjust to our surroundings, a habitat that is by nature quite alien to them. As a result, … [Read more...]
Chickens and cats don’t mix
Chicken owners need to become familiar with three types of cats, writes Ana Hotaling. Whether housecat, barn cat or feral/stray cat, chickens are not enrichment activities. They are prey in the cat mind. Larger breed birds may be less likely to fall to feline predation given their size and protective tendencies. Source: Hobby Farms, January 16, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Lipstick and red rocket sightings
Dr. Eric Barchas has directly and tactfully addressed the issue of male dog arousal. The appearance of a dog’s penis is often disgusting to animal owners. To avoid unnecessary trips to the veterinary clinic, Barchas describes the exception, a condition called paraphimosis where the lipstick is showing for an extended period of time. Source: Dogster, January 17, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
The customer is always right . . . NOT!
This is a must-read for animal health pros. Robert Sollars and others challenge age-old paradigms about how to manage customer relationships. Customers aren’t easy to come by or retain these days, but they’re also not always right. Here’s how to keep them happy without giving away too much. “The customer is always right” is wrong but “the customer always believes they … [Read more...]
Pitching veterinary products in the clinic (includes video)
Of all the actions that take place in exam rooms, presenting products often frustrates clinic team members. Bash Halow, LVT, CVPM, emphasizes that recommendations shouldn't be the first things and to pay attention to body language. Source: Veterinary Economics, January 16, 2019. Link. Halow shares a comment from one of his sessions where an attendee told the class how she … [Read more...]
This list can help you be an effective manager
A couple of years ago I read a post on the Harvard Business Review Blog Network by Joseph Grenny titled, “4 Ways Leaders Can Create a Candid Culture.” It was the inspiration for my column in Vet-Advantage’s December issue. Upon review I think this column has equal application in practices and hospitals. Source: Vet-Advantage, December 2018. Link. Some veterinarians and many … [Read more...]
Retailers get guidance on dental care
Simplicity is key with oral hygiene, according to industry insiders—and brushless options have become very appealing to pet owners, writes Jen Sotolongo. The low-hanging fruit in the modern dental market for animals is centered on home care options that are alternatives to the long-touted brushing. It is important to start conversations. Note the article does not suggest … [Read more...]
Video calls becoming as popular as voice calls
Live video calling has reached near-universal adoption for social use. It's quickly growing as the preferred method for consumers to connect with businesses, according to the results of the Vonage Video Chatterbox Nation Study. The study notes that video calling is on track to become the main form of consumer to business communication. Source: BusinessWire, January 17, … [Read more...]
Agents of abortion; why pregnant mares abort
Sarah Evers Conrad reviews more common infectious and noninfectious causes of equine abortion. Abortion can be a devastating emotional and financial blow to a horse owner. To add insult, pathogens frequently cause abortion storms in facilities containing multiple mares. Source: The Horse, January 15, 2019. Link. Understanding the cause of an abortion can help breeders … [Read more...]
Hoof trimming important in goat care
Goat hoof trimming is a necessary part of keeping and raising goats. The trick is to teach the goats to be cooperative. Gail Damerow shares hoof trimming equipment, ideas and diagrams to make the job easier. Source: Countryside Daily, December 10, 2018. Link. A goat’s four hooves don’t necessarily all grow at the same rate, and back hooves tend to grow faster than the … [Read more...]
The 10 most important things to teach a puppy
Far too many people don’t have a clue about how to properly raise a puppy, says Pat Miller. She offers a refresher course on important things for puppies to learn. Behavior problems are the number-one reason pets are relinquished. Use this information to help a new puppy owner develop their role with the pup. Source: Whole Dog Journal, December 5, 2017. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
Raised hackles are not always aggression
Raised hackles (medically called piloerection) do not qualify as a behavior, as they are an involuntary reflex triggered by something that put a dog into a state of arousal, writes Jill Breitner. Pet owners with a new pet may appreciate this article as they get to know their pets’ responses to various stimuli. Consider sharing it in social media posts, e-newsletters and with … [Read more...]
Cats groom each other for good reasons
Grooming each other, called allogrooming, is one of three ways cats express cohesion in colonies. The other two ways are allorubbing and transmitting scent signals. . . . scientists have studied allogrooming behaviors in domestic cats, lions, primates and many other species. Source: Catster, January 1, 2019. Link. Allogrooming appears to be a sign of social … [Read more...]
Cold season and cats
Its cold and flu season. The sneezing, congestion, runny nose and watery eyes that make us miserable are also symptoms of cat colds or upper respiratory infections. Dr. Arnold Plotnick reminds us that feline herpesvirus (FHV) and the feline calicivirus (FCV), both viruses, cause 80 percent of feline upper respiratory infections. He discusses cat colds using relatable language … [Read more...]
Treats with meat attract cat owners
Cat owners want options and they are looking for treats with high-quality ingredients with a focus on meat. Retailers and manufacturers agree that cat owners are willing to try new treat ideas if they meet their nutrition expectations, including protein. Source: Pet Product News, January 2019, page 54. Link. Cats are carnivores, and a healthy treat or food choice must … [Read more...]