Luisito Pablo, MS, DVM, Dipl. ACVAA describes steps the veterinary anesthesia team takes when caring for horses before, during, and after surgery. Source: The Horse, May 28, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Sedating and anesthetizing a 900 to 2200 pound animal is both science and art. We found this article to be informative and worthy of sharing with horse owners to orient them to … [Read more...]
Most-read companion animal posts of April and May 2021
What you read helps us prioritize topics most interesting to animal health pros. It is the most important feedback we receive. The links below share the most-read posts from April and May in ranked order. Source: Animal Health Digest. April, May 2021. The best dog names of 2021. 500 names by category. How Petco is increasingly a stealthy competitor to clinics … [Read more...]
Fireworks and noise phobias. It’s the season.
Complimentary Content The first fireworks of spring started a couple weeks ago here in Kansas City. Graduation celebrations may include some left over pyrogenic flashes and booms. While minor, these sonic disruptions are a reminder that July 4th celebrations are just around the corner. Fear Free Happy Homes offers pet owners a digital kit containing strategies for … [Read more...]
2017 ransomware changed cyber security in veterinary medicine forever
Sponsored Content The May 2017 Wannacry ransomware attack is regarded as the largest cyberattack in history. Wannacry infected hundreds of thousands of computer systems worldwide and spread to more than 150 countries. Its biggest affect is that it popularized ransomware, attacks writes Clint Latham, JD. Governments, organizations, businesses, veterinary practices and health … [Read more...]
30 minutes’ exercise won’t counteract sitting all day, but adding light movement can help – new research
For decades, scientists have studied the health benefits of exercise. But this research has largely ignored the fact that how you spend the rest of the day also matters. It’s unclear if the health benefits of exercise and movement are the same if you don’t get enough sleep. A healthy lifestyle requires more than 30 minutes of exercise if you spend a lot of time … [Read more...]
Hugging requires consent, now more than ever. Here’s how to navigate that.
Live and in-person, finally! But now, post-pandemic with social distancing in place, do we need ways to easily ask people if it’s okay to hug them? Tracey Anne Duncan asked psychologists how to navigate requesting consent when you want to embrace someone with whom you are less familiar. We’re all navigating unfamiliar terrain with rusty social skills right now and there is … [Read more...]
Best washing machines of 2021
Laundry stacks up fast in veterinary clinics. The pandemic taxed existing machines as disinfection took a higher priority. Machines that have bigger capacities, speed cycles or built-in pretreat features have been developed to reduce laundry time. Ecofriendly or green choice models add more options from which to choose. Consumer Reports’ washer buying guide reviews … [Read more...]
Surefire strategies for navigating backorders
Complimentary Content Consistent with her pragmatic approach to inventory management, Nicole Clause shares her guide to navigating backorders. She includes tips and strategies for being proactive about and managing them. The guide deals specifically with longer-term backorders that are not the result of poor forecasting in an individual clinic. Source: Veterinary … [Read more...]
1 in 3 people believe that their pet will make them a better parent
Note: These survey results are worth reviewing. In a recent survey from OnePoll and AskVet, pet owners shared they experience anxieties and expenses found with child-rearing. More than 45 percent of pet parents worry their pets might get sick or hurt, while another 33 percent worry their pets may be unhappy. While pet parents trust veterinary professionals the most, they are … [Read more...]
Watch the quiet people
Meetings have taught me one valuable lesson: watch the quiet people. There are these hidden people that attend meetings. They say nothing. You can attend 10 meetings in a row and never hear them say a word. Source: Medium.com, July 28, 2020. Link. The loudest person in the room is not the most senior, or necessarily the brightest spark. Job titles make people do stupid … [Read more...]
3 technologies that can help employers struggling to hire
The reasons for the imbalance between labor demand (open jobs) and labor supply (people willing to take those open jobs) are many and complex, writes Steve Boese. He discusses the role HR technologies could play in helping balance supply and demand, and consequently, place more people in open roles. Job losses have been felt most acutely by low-wage earners and low-wage … [Read more...]
Foster tighter bonds with your associate veterinarians
The right hire and setting clear expectations are strategies that, help practice managers and owners create a more cohesive environment that everyone can thrive in, Brian Conrad, CVPM, says. Candidate attributes, financial expectations, CE goals and team building are components of developing bonds, he says. The clearer the expectations are laid out, the better the relationship … [Read more...]
Telemedicine is as old as the telephone. Getting paid IS NEW!
Opinion We’re referencing four complementary sources in this post. Virtual veterinary care is advancing at warp speed. Still, some veterinary clinics struggle with moving from a courtesy service approach to charging for telemedicine services as clients embrace the convenience. Creating clear boundaries between “courtesy services” and what is considered a "paid service" is … [Read more...]
Proper antibiotic use improves producer savings and dairy industry image
Complimentary Commercial Content included Consumer demand for dairy products was up last year. Sending positive messages to consumers about U.S. milk production is key to maintaining this demand, says Linda Tikofsky, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. She stresses that being more thoughtful about antibiotic use is also necessary in preserving it as an important tool for the long … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 27, 2021
Last week’s most read post No, people aren’t giving up pandemic pets because they’re bored Source: Animal Health Digest, May 18, 2021. Link. Two words for an instant dose of empathy Source: Forge, May 3, 2021. Link. Try mirroring the other person’s struggle with the words “of course” to validate their challenges or … [Read more...]
Canine origin coronavirus causing a stir
Preliminary reports of a dog origin alpha canine coronavirus infecting people are alarming. Scientific diligence is needed to confirm the species jump and determine how much risk management is required, if any. We’re sharing three articles for your review and consideration. I think the more we look, the more we will find that these coronaviruses are crossing species … [Read more...]
Dairy herds need to be vaccinated for leptospirosis
Agriculture Victoria and Dairy Australia are working together to inform dairy producers of the risks from leptospirosis. They developed a biosecurity tool to assist dairy farmers create a farm biosecurity plan tailored to their farm. An integrated approach to prevent leptospirosis should consider: vaccinating the whole herd (following directions on the vaccine label) … [Read more...]
Spring ahead of summer flies
Removing breeding material is the foundation of fly control, says Roger Moon, entomologist. And spring is the time to get ahead of the fly population. If flies gain a foothold on the dairy, animals and their caretakers will pay the price as the summer wears on. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 13, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Now is a great time to remind producers how to … [Read more...]
What to expect at World Pork Expo
Joseph Kerns says hog markets, China, U.S. crop prospects, industry expansion, disease and how to navigate the business environment will be hot topics at the first live World Pork Expo since 2018. 2021 World Pork Expo is held at the Iowa State Fair Grounds, Des Moines, Iowa. June 9 – 11. Link. Source: National Hog Farmer, May 17, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: The topics of … [Read more...]
New bacteria species found in snake poop resist 35 types of antibiotics, could spread to humans
Researchers in India say they have isolated two new species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the scat, or fecal matter, of a vine snake, a mildly venomous reptile found throughout South and Southeast Asia. The new species are resistant to at least 35 different antibiotics, according to India Today. Source: Newsweek, May 24, 2021. Link. The bacteria reported here comes … [Read more...]
Equine Disease Communication Center review of diseases
Complimentary Sponsored Content The Equine Disease Communication Center is an industry-driven initiative that works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. EDCC is designed to seek and report real-time information about diseases, similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerts the human population … [Read more...]
10 common health mistakes horse caretakers make
Farm calls are excellent opportunities to observe not only horses, but things in their environment that can impact overall health, shares Laurie Gallatin, DVM. Sometimes our horse husbandry is based on “how we always did it,” or the advice of well-meaning friends, trainers, or even Dr. Google, she says. She shares 10 common mistakes caretakers make. Here’s a sample: Not … [Read more...]
Dog accessories help owners with responsibilities
Opinion The author got my attention with these opening sentences: Bringing home a dog means an addition to your existing family and your responsibilities. Being the owner, you will be responsible for the dog’s actions, behavior and health. What followed was a nice overview of some accessories to help make a dog’s life easier and strengthen his bonds with family … [Read more...]
AAFP releases new end-of-life toolkit
AAFP’s new End of Life Educational Toolkit provides information to help facilitate a peaceful and painless transition for a cat at the end of their life. This digital toolkit aids veterinary professionals in preparing a well-planned process to honor the life of the cat by offering guidance and valuable information. Source: American Association of Feline Practitioners. May … [Read more...]
The 3 Rs of tick-borne diseases
Reports from colleagues around midwestern U.S. states indicate tick populations are thriving. Tick distributions are dynamic and ever-changing, and practice protocols often need to evolve to meet the growing threat ticks pose to pet health, writes Holly Morss, LVT. Morss discusses teaching staff members to address tick borne disease using the 3-R’s: Review the topic of … [Read more...]
Relief Rover supporting veterinary wellness with virtual run: “Clinic to 5K”
Acknowledging the pandemic challenges of veterinarians, along with maintaining mental health and wellbeing, Relief Rover is responding with healthy fun and a challenge. The Clinic to 5K running event will take place the last week of July. Ten dollars from every registration will be donated to NOMV that provides the necessary support to all members of veterinary … [Read more...]
These 8 expressions can make you sound insensitive at work
We need to abandon expressions that might demonstrate emotional insensitivity. Eliminate these if you want to show concern for the feelings of your coworkers: Whatever No problem No way Understood Totally I hear you Guys You’re being sensitive Source: Fast Company, May 24, 2021. Link. Whether working remotely or as team members in-person, managing … [Read more...]
10 ways to have a better conversation
In this insightful TED talk, Celeste Hedley shares 10 useful rules for having better conversations. "Go out, talk to people, listen to people," she says. "And, most importantly, be prepared to be amazed." Headley has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation: Honesty, brevity, clarity and a healthy amount of … [Read more...]
Nutrition Coach Certification: Nutritional education for the pet, client and practice
Nutrition is one factor the veterinary healthcare team can affect, writes Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition). Burns advocates for involving veterinary nurses as nutrition counselors for pet owners and the practice team. She discusses the values of nutritional education, the challenges of misinformation and shares details on the NAVC Pet Nutrition Coach … [Read more...]
Redefining Team
Guest Contributor - Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT The word team conjures up many different images, positive for some and downright uncomfortable, for others. There are so many clichés surround it as well – we’ve all heard the overplayed “Teamwork makes the dream work.” “There’s no ‘I’ in team,” and so on – but what does being part of a team truly mean? Mages notes the negative … [Read more...]