Two University of Minnesota researchers have combed through 57,000 publications to share a 10-year retrospective of disease, pathogen research and how it is prioritized. Salmonella, E. coli, influenza, pseudorabies and FMD were the top 5 most researched pathogens. Source: National Hog Farmer, December 2018, page 6. Link. We generally find a shift in the last 40 years, … [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...]
Ways 3D printing helped animals in 2018
From animal prosthetics to implants to even robotic assistance for bees, 3D printing has helped animals as much as it has helped people. Read standout stories from 2018 about how 3D printing has helped our animal friends to live their best lives. Source: 3D Print.com, December 24, 2018. Link. As 2019 progresses, there will undoubtedly be many more instances of 3D printing … [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...]
Pet industry spending trends in 2019
Chris Rowland writes about key trends influencing our industry’s annual growth, including increases in pet ownership, the humanization of pets and pet parents demanding premium products and better, quality food. Source: International Business Times, December 28, 2018. Link. The trends indicate growth in the following areas: Innovation to spark new products and … [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...]
Welcoming 2019 and adjusting to changes
For some animal health pros, early 2019 will bring a period of adjustment to some of the fast-paced onslaught of changes that started last year. Whether in practice ownership, cannabis laws or almost everything else, the past year brought upheaval to the profession, making it a microcosm of the world at large. Edie Lau Source: VIN News Service, December 31, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
The veterinarian’s holiday survival checklist
Cherie T. Buisson, DVM, CHPV, shares tips to avoid making the holidays more stressful than needed. This list works for all animal health pros. The holidays are always stressful, even for those of us who love them. Source: DRANDYROARK, December 7, 2018. Link. Here are a few tips to surviving all the cheer and chaos: Postpone Cut back Make it Take a break Keep it simple … [Read more...]
Raptor anesthesia
Jenna Larios, LVT, and Monica Madera, DVM, provide information required to understand some of the major considerations of raptor anesthetic protocols, analgesia, anatomy and physiology, and physical restraint. Overall, the approach to avian/raptor anesthesia differs from that of mammals though the principles remain the same. The major differences are in regard to the avian … [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...]
Drovers’ Top 10 Cow-Calf Stories of 2018
From anaplasmosis to low-stress animal handling and deworming to BQA requirements Sara, Brown gives us a look at the top cow-calf stories of this year. Source: Drover’s, December 13, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
Marburg virus could become global threat. CDC tracking bats.
The Marburg virus is as fearsome as its cousin, the Ebola virus. It kills up to nine in 10 of its victims. Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) that inhabit caves throughout Uganda are natural reservoirs for the virus and it can be excreted in urine, feces or saliva. A team of CDC researchers is using GPS trackers attached to male bats to track what they do nightly. … [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...]
Catios, one solution to the indoor/outdoor dilemma (includes video)
Catios are becoming a popular trend in feline enrichment and safety. Cat owners who wrestle with the indoor/outdoor dilemma can have the advantages of both worlds with a safe outdoor enclosure called a catio, or cat patio. Source: Modern Cat, December 5, 2018. Link. INSIGHTS:A variety of catio resources are available including DIY plans for those who want to … [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...]
Great students don’t necessarily make great employees
School and work environments are quite different, and the strategies that help students excel throughout their academic life aren’t necessarily the same ones that lead to success in a working life. Stav Ziv shares some perspectives on the challenges of transitioning to the workforce: Not being used to hearing ‘not good enough’ and not knowing what to do when it happens Being … [Read more...]
Harshness can be helpful
The world can be quite the harsh place. It does you no good to avoid that fact, to hide from it, or to pretend it's untrue. Look directly at the harshness, at the ugliness, at the unfairness. Process it and understand why it's there. Then use it to improve. Source: Forbes, January 25, 2017. Link. All the brilliant work, great accomplishments, shattered glass … [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...]