I am not sure there is a way to adequately prepare yourself to see the Grand Canyon for the first time. But for those who have always lived nearby it is just a fact of life, part of the usual environment. Like a habit. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, November 18, 2020. Link Replacing a bad habit with a good one is not as easy as that sounds, but it is doable. You do not have to be … [Read more...]
Discuss treatment plans to avoid surprises
Emily Shiver, practice manager, CVPM, CCFP, shares proven tips to help present treatment plans and their financial components. Note the physical alignment, transparency, empathy, outcomes and acknowledgement elements she highlights. Presenting treatment plans with empathy and compassion helps to eliminate some of the stress of this delicate discussion. It also potentially … [Read more...]
Pet Business customer loyalty survey results
Results from a 2020 survey of persons using small businesses reinforces the importance of three factors important to boarding, daycare and groomers. These factors are familiar in veterinary surveys and important to consider as the clients are the same. Deliver high-quality service consistently: 62 percent said this is the most important trait Create a personalized … [Read more...]
VVCA Mark Five series compares telemedicine policies: AVMA, AAVSB, and VIC
Continuing his series about the dynamics of telemedicine in the veterinary space, Mark Cushing, JD, compares the policies of three organizations that set guidance for veterinarians. He first reminds us that the VCPR rules were established to create a legal basis for state boards to take disciplinary actions against a practitioner, NOT to protect animals under the care of … [Read more...]
Healthcare community learns about growth of telemedicine in veterinary care
The healthcare community is becoming more aware of the health value of pets for people. In a survey conducted by Xtelligent Healthcare Media, 11 percent of respondents identified pet ownership as a social determinant of health, five percent screen their patients for pet ownership and nine percent partner with organizations within the community to address the ups and downs of … [Read more...]
University of Georgia program teaching vet students about bees
One of the more uncomfortable side challenges with VFD rules remains the required interaction of veterinarians with apiarists when prescription drugs are needed. Dr. Jörg Mayer at the University of Georgia is leading the implementation of a first-of-its-kind program on bee medicine. Mayer recognizes many veterinary students have no relevant experience with some animals and that … [Read more...]
Talkatoo becomes AHD sponsor
Talkatoo, a specialized dictation application that allows for speech-to-text capability, joins the group of sponsors who support our weekly AHD Bulletins and post library. Talkatoo’s capabilities include difficult animal health vocabularies. Animal health pros will find this talk-to-type technology especially useful in easing daily workflows, recordkeeping and … [Read more...]
Top 10 holiday ads: Greenies tops the list
Ace Metrix tracked the spots that are engaging consumers the most this holiday season. Greenies’ animated dog is in the top spot. Dogs made appearances in four of the top 10. Source: Ad Age, December 3, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Most of these ads are under 20 seconds. … [Read more...]
Avoiding Covid-19 spread after travel (includes videos)
Thanksgiving holiday travel has already proven to speed Covid-19 spread. Kerry Breen offers guidance for quarantining, testing and incubation periods from several sources. If you traveled or gathered with people outside of your immediate household, it's not too late to prevent spreading the virus now.” Source: Today, November 30, 2020. Link. "The order of the day is for … [Read more...]
Promising new test for Johne’s disease in dairy cattle
The Institute for Global Food Security and School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast has developed a new test to detect more infected animals by milk testing than milk-ELISA. This could potentially facilitate control of Johne's disease faster, the university said. As well as bovine milk, the new test can also be applied to feces and blood from … [Read more...]
Animals most likely to kill you by state
This is intriguing enough to share. The study of the deadliest animal by each state was completed by the Centers for Disease Control. Dogs topped the list in Alabama and Arizona, for example. Source: The Outdoor Wear, November 20, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Steve Dale: Rats! They are everywhere!
Steve Dale helps explain the expanding issues with rats, their propensity to disperse leptospirosis and the priority of protecting dogs with lepto vaccines. Consider sharing his post on social media or in newsletters. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, November 28, 2020. Link. . . . this is the time of year when young rats born just a few months ago are seeking food competing … [Read more...]
Other small pets, an important segment to monitor
Pet ownership beyond cats and dogs may make up a small part of the industry’s focus, but trends in small pets mirror what’s happening in the marketplace. The popularity of reptiles and amphibians within the pet trade is simply on fire right now. . . ” - John Mack. founder and CEO of Reptiles by Mack Source: Petfood Industry, October 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Watch any two … [Read more...]
Confinement, feeding practices, lifestyle affect horse behaviors
There’s a lot to understand and consider when dealing with undesirable horse behaviors. New research from Brazil confirms the connection between confining a horse to a stall without sufficient food to keep him occupied and an increased likelihood of undesirable behaviors. Source: EQUUS, November 2, 2020. Link. If a horse develops unwanted behaviors, Ribeiro urges owners to … [Read more...]
Unmet environmental needs are killing cats
The number-1 cause of death for cats is something veterinary teams are not treating nor educating clients about: euthanasia. And the most common reasons for euthanasia in cats is behavior problems. Sadly, these are problems animal health pros understand, know why the behaviors happen and what cats need to minimize or eliminate them. Liz Bales, DVM, issues a call to action … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen discusses what to know about dog flu
Complimentary video content Jenifer Chatfield, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ACVPM, talks influenza in the latest video edition of Is This a Thing? With flu season upon us, she reviews all the influenzas, their origins, the interesting creatures that get flu and how they ALL fit together. Source: Dr. Jen the Vet, You Tube, November 25, 2020. Link. If your dog has not been … [Read more...]
73 percent of pandemic adoptions at risk to be surrendered
Sound the alarms and call in the techs! A recent survey of new dog owners conducted by Merck Animal Health found 73 percent of those who brought home a pooch this year are considering rehoming the animal once the pandemic ends. This decision, Merck says, likely stems from a lack of knowledge about animal care. 25 percent of respondents claimed they do not have enough … [Read more...]
Manage change proactively in veterinary practices
Complimentary Commercial Content from Covetrus Software Services, North America Covetrus has created a how-to resource to help teams transform with the rapidly changes in today’s veterinary climate. Navigating What's Next: How to Manage Change in Your Veterinary Practice, offers tips and insights that will help you: Recognize the need for change and identify the signs … [Read more...]
TODAY, free webinar: Emergency and disaster response in a pandemic
Free webinar sponsored by Virox® Animal Health Members from the University of Florida’s Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service will share how their unit has responded to state disasters and local emergencies. They’ll also share what has changed since Covid-19. Lawrence Garcia, DVM, and Brandi Phillips will include how to prepare for a disaster that may affect your … [Read more...]
Conflict, stress for younger veterinarians is not limited to the US
Conflict and stress, identified as top causes for young veterinarian disgruntlement in the US, have now been identified in veterinarians in Poland. A recent study there analyzed conflict and conflict-causing factors in veterinary practices. Source: Irish Veterinary Journal, November 17, 2020. Link. Conflict in the course of work is most often experienced by young … [Read more...]
Fences produce a complex range of ecological effects
. . . once a fence is built its effects are long lasting.” Recent research by a team of ecologists suggests the environmental impact of fences is greater than that of roads. Fences stretch out globally as much as 10 times farther than roads. Source: The Conversation, November 30, 2020. Link. The most striking pattern <researchers> found was that fences rarely are … [Read more...]
Zoetis CEO Kristen Peck named Businessperson of the Year 2020
Kudos to Kristen Peck for being recognized as one of Fortune’s top 20 businesspersons of the year. She and her teams helped Zoetis grow profits nearly 14 percent over the past 12 months. The company’s stock, meanwhile, has gained roughly 26 percent year to date, far outpacing the S&P 500. Source: Fortune, November 30, 3030. Link to Peck overview. To create the annual … [Read more...]
Who’s watching the kids?
Commentary Two articles and Thanksgiving experiences prompt this post. Whether rural, urban or suburban, parents are taxed. The effects of changing school schedules, daycare limitations, restrictions on gatherings and physical distancing play out in family lives and at work. Virtual care helps, but only goes so far. Even with optimum resources, parents are stressed to know … [Read more...]
Mark Five episode 5: the role of vet technicians, vet nurses in telemedicine
Complimentary content from VVCA Mark Cushing, JD, addresses the empowerment or restriction of veterinary technicians or vet nurses as telemedicine grows in veterinary practice. Although it is an area that has been widely debated, he clarifies areas to consider: The 3 NOs for vet techs/nurses Types of supervision of vet techs, vet nurses by DVMs Use of these … [Read more...]
5 leadership lessons from powerful women
October was National Women’s Small Business Month, a time to reflect on and appreciate the work of women entrepreneurs and the contributions they have made. In the spirit of this important month, let us not forget about its importance just because it is now December. Let's dive into lessons from a few of the world’s most impactful women leaders. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, … [Read more...]
Augustine, Clausen discuss inventory management on Inventory Nation podcast
Kirk Augustine has been following Nicole Clausen, CSSGB, CCFP, as she developed Veterinary Care Logistics. In ongoing communications, Clausen shared a current context that mirrored Augustine’s experiences in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Finding common ground, Clausen invited Augustine to be a guest on a recent Inventory Nation podcast. Clearly the lack of inventory … [Read more...]
Revenue growth, merit bonuses are alternatives to production-based pay in veterinary medicine
In 2018, Wendy Hauser, DVM, and Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA, challenged the historic production-based compensation for DVMs. This discussion remains timely with the growing demand for veterinary care, increasing use of telemedicine and practices struggling to fill staff positions in the face of the pandemic. The antidote for production-based pay is this: a hybrid program of … [Read more...]
Stocker cattleman shares systems thinking
Wes Ishmael shares what must have been a refreshing discussion with John Groves, DVM from Eldon, Missouri. They discuss how applying elements of system thinking impacts overall outcomes and flexibility in stocker beef operations. Whether systems thinking or a holistic approach, the animal is seen as being part of the complete farm ecosystem. The most exceptional operations are … [Read more...]
Zoetis video celebrates human-cattle bond
Commentary For those of us who grew up in or near the country, the Born of the Bond YouTube video clearly celebrates the commitment, connection and efforts of cattlemen and cattlewomen to their animals. It is as moving as some messages from the companion animal segment. Source: Born of the Bond, YouTube, Zoetis, October 29, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: The human animal … [Read more...]
Pros and cons of chicken coop heating
Jeremy Chartier recommends setting chicken coop heating to about 40oF to help chickens continue to lay eggs, keep eggs from freezing and have liquidwater to drink. Source: Backyard Poultry, November 16, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]