Fast Bites topics this week include blood testing for cancer, the 20 most pet-friendly cities in America, new Equity Action Plan from the SBA, pet insurance progress and concerns over pet relinquishment growing in the United Kingdom. Fast Bites serves as an information source to the more than 7,000 members in the pet care services industry. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, May 2, … [Read more...]
Non-competes: Legal or not? (podcast)
. . . it is important to hire an attorney before signing contracts and to negotiate for better pay.” Vet Candy IRL host Shannon Gregoire speaks with employment attorney Omar A. Lopez, about contracts, negotiation and employee rights. Source: Vet Candy, IRL, March 7, 2022. Link. . . . new graduating veterinarians have <employment> leverage like nothing I’ve ever seen … [Read more...]
Why veterinary technicians will never be called nurses with Liz Hughston
There are a lot of reasons veterinary technicians may never be called nurses, shares Liz Hughston MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT, LMVT, VTS (SAIM) (ECC). However, she explains why there is value in becoming a credentialed veterinary technician individually and for working toward a unified standard in the U.S. and North America. Source: The Vet Blast Podcast, DVM 360, April 28, 2022. … [Read more...]
Grow yourself
Career success is not just a matter of hard work – it’s an amalgam that also includes good timing, help from our network and knowing when to play by the rules and when to rewrite the rules. Source: Forbes, April 22, 2022. Link. I don’t deny my own skills or talent, but I do believe sometimes our lack of being able to separate ourselves from a situation or from an experience or … [Read more...]
2nd annual Clinic to 5K Virtual Race to continue support for veterinary wellness
“Our mental health and wellbeing require a sustainable effort. Last year’s event was a huge success serving as a way for our hardworking veterinary teams to relax and have some healthy fun while supporting the profession,” said Relief Rover Founder and CEO, Dr. Cindy Trice. Ten dollars from every registration will be donated to PRIDEVMC, an organization that supports the … [Read more...]
This is exactly how long your meetings should last
Donna McGeorge, author of “The 25 Minute Meeting: Half the Time, Double the Impact,” shares why thinking ahead, preparation, attendee selection and outcome focus make a short meeting format more effective than a long one. 25 minutes is the optimal amount of time for people to focus.” - Francesco Cirillo Source: Fast Company, April 29, 2022. Link. Some meetings are necessary. … [Read more...]
1 in 2 vets exposed to online abuse – British Veterinary Association
Recent statistics from the Voice of the Veterinary Profession Survey show that online abuse of veterinary professionals is as common as in-person abuse. Fifty seven percent of veterinarians in clinical practice reported they felt intimidated by clients’ language or behavior during the past year. This is an increase of 10 percent since the question was last asked in 2019. The … [Read more...]
The Great Resignation is becoming a great midlife crisis
The changing composition of who is quitting jobs paints an increasingly complicated picture of the state of work in America. Although quit rates have decreased slightly from their highs last year, the phenomenon is not going away just yet. Older and more tenured people are especially likely to be quitting in knowledge worker industries like finance and tech. Source: Vox, May … [Read more...]
Onboarding can make or break a new hire’s experience
Even before the pandemic and the ensuing great resignation, one-third of companies did not have a structured onboarding process. Too often, onboarding efforts are about orientation and last 90 days or fewer. To ensure long term productivity and support employee growth and success, the authors suggest onboarding is a 12-month effort. Onboarding is a team’s job where … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 28, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Asian longhorned ticks are on the move. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, April 7, 2022. Link. =================================== Love is the key to career success: Marcus Buckingham Source: Harvard Business Review, April 15, 2022. Link. (video) Buckingham says you don’t have to love all … [Read more...]
Weaning beef calves: higher feed costs but short-term savings may affect long-term profits
Opinion The story seems to repeat year after year. There’s always something to question. This year cow-calf producers face higher feed costs and extended drought in some areas which will likely raise questions about preconditioning expenses. Wesley Tucker shares his perspectives on investing in preconditioning protocols. His tips can help cattle producers sharpen their … [Read more...]
Hoof ulcers: Don’t blame the ration
Gerard Cramer, DVM, DVSc, isn’t too concerned about subacute ruminal acidosis. Instead, he sees laminitis more broadly. Along with sole ulcers, common contributors are white line lesions, digital dermatitis, foot rot and toe ulcers. . . . the most common contributors causing lameness are standing time, flooring problems, and failure to control digital dermatitis.” - Gerard … [Read more...]
Attracting and hosting mason bees. You can RENT them!
There are more than 150 species of native, non-imported mason bees, writes Amy Grisak. They are gentle and efficient pollinators who don’t have hives like the more familiar honeybees. Nesting* in wood piles, trees and other plant materials, they lay their eggs in existing gaps or tunnels. Their life cycle is like a butterfly with females laying only 15 eggs in their 4- to … [Read more...]
Horse trailer safety checklist
Hauling horses is not for the faint of heart. Speeding down the highway with a prized and beloved animal in tow is stressful on its own. But doing so with a trailer jerked from its resting place and forced into duty without much thought could become the proverbial accident waiting to happen. We’re sharing a trailer checklist to help horse owners be sure a trailer is ready to … [Read more...]
Dog and cat kisses can turn deadly
Scientists have begun to describe all the bacterial species living in dogs’ and cats’ mouths and compare them to our own. Their work is revealing a host of potential pathogens lurking in each slobbery kiss or scratchy lick. About 10 to 15 percent of dog bites become infected, as do up to half of cat bites.” Wash those hands, pet lovers! As difficult as it will be, consider … [Read more...]
Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year nominations now open
Farmers and ranchers have until July 1 to nominate their dogs to become the Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year. The contest celebrates farm dogs and how they support farmers and ranchers in producing food for families and pets. The grand prize winner will win a year’s worth of Purina dog food and $5,000 in prize money. Source: American Farm Federation, April 12, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Do prescription dog foods really help?
Opinion One of the main objectives for Animal Health Digest remains to provide animal health pros with information animal owners may read, take to heart or better understand. In this article, Nancy Kerns focuses on prescription diets and admits to some peeves and challenges of educating pet owners. She says change is coming and the newly crowded veterinary diet market … [Read more...]
Bacterial UTIs and antimicrobial stewardship
The latest guidelines for bacterial cystitis offer new recommendations regarding which types of bacteriuria require antimicrobial treatment, which antimicrobials should be considered first line and duration of antimicrobial treatment. Patricia Dowling, DVM, MSc, DACVIM (Large Animal), DACVCP, shares three types of UTIs and three treatment approaches. Source: Clinician’s … [Read more...]
Foundations Industry Training Program from Antelligence set for May 18
Complimentary Commercial Content The next Foundations training program is scheduled for May 18. It will be offered via Zoom and features a newly developed workbook, as well as audio and visual components designed to drive interaction and enhance the learning experience. The revamped training has received very positive reviews. Participants say it gave them a better … [Read more...]
Veterinary Inventory Professional certification program closes Friday, April 29th, midnight
Complimentary Commercial Content Trained inventory professionals make an ongoing, positive impact within a veterinary practice. They right size inventory costs and help to ensure patient care can thrive. Vet Logic’s new Veterinary Inventory Professional certification program promises to become a step-by-step roadmap to take action, create processes and establish systems … [Read more...]
Equine health educational resources are a click away
Sponsored Content Considering foaling season is ending soon and the positive responses to the recent equine toxins infographic <Link>, we’re sharing more equine resources from the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance digital library. Any equine enthusiast will agree that horses enrich their lives, but they also come with some predictable health risks and associated … [Read more...]
The four Fs of employee experience
Better employee experiences make people’s lives at work easier and go beyond to promote learning and growth, ensure safety and security, and foster connection and belonging. Four simple principles can assist you to help people perform to their fullest potential. When applied to employee experience, the Four Fs unlock productivity and cut down on energy-sapping frustration … [Read more...]
Pets being poisoned by careless handling of cannabis
Increased access to legal marijuana products in Canada and some U.S. states may be behind the growing number of dogs, cats and other pets ingesting the drug, most likely in the form of THC-dense edibles that look and smell like normal food, according to a study in PLOS ONE. The survey notes most exposures were accidental which emphasizes the need to promote pet owner … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 25, 2022
Pet therapy helps human well-being, technology influences on pet care industry, keeping Macs secure, pet industry hits record $123.6B, videos for small businesses to consider and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, April 25, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
How to stop procrastinating
Most of us procrastinate, writes Alice Boyes, who believes the problem probably stems from one of three things: your habits and systems (or lack thereof) your desire to avoid negative emotions (like anxiety and boredom) your own flawed thinking patterns (which can make a task seem harder than it is). Boyes shares simple strategies for managing each and getting off … [Read more...]
Close the communication loop(s)
Managers who solicit ideas are under no obligation to act upon them. However, what they are obligated to do is to thank others for their suggestions. Then, let them know who made the decision and why it was made. Closing the loop means letting people know when and why vital decisions have been made.” – John Baldoni Source: SmartBrief, April 22, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Managing pressure
Most of us can reflect on a few moments when we choked under pressure. Maybe you lost your voice or your ability to think straight when speaking with an important client, manager or audience. No one is immune. Source: Harvard Business Review, April 7, 2022. Link. Rehearsal is important, whether you’re alone in your office or in front of a camera or crowd. You can raise the … [Read more...]
Antibiotic-resistant MRSA strain genes spilling over to native hedgehogs in Europe
The coronavirus pandemic has served as a stark and tragic example of how closely animal health and human health are linked. Think about what we’ve seen in the last three years: Covid found in about 29 animal types <Link> HPAI spreading from wild fowl to poultry and now to eagles and other wild birds We’re just learning a MRSA strain may have been transferred … [Read more...]
Compounding considerations: pros, cons
When animal-use approved drugs are not available, veterinarians can turn to a compounding pharmacy to meet the needs of individual animals. The authors share the various considerations, opportunities and challenges. Compounded medications can be useful when FDA-approved medications are not available, but they should not be selected on the basis of cost alone.” Source: Today’s … [Read more...]
Pilot program to promote mental health and wellness for veterinary teams
The Veterinary Wellbeing Alliance is launching a pilot program that aims to help veterinary professionals reduce stress and burnout. The Veterinary Wellbeing Alliance was created through a partnership between the Veterinary Medical Association Executives and the wellness platform Listeners On Call. The VWA has received generous support from 16 professional and industry … [Read more...]