Lucy Foulkes, PhD, says therapy speak and over-psychologizing could be doing more harm than good. She asserts “concept creep” and “therapy speak” are doing people a disservice when it comes to mental health. Source: New Scientist, September 19, 2023. Link. <mental health> labels may be helpful . . . but in other respects they can make people believe they have a … [Read more...]
Pathways to retention in veterinary medicine
We’re re-posting AAHA’s invitation to download a new whitepaper on retention in the veterinary industry. The days of more than 10 candidates for every job are gone. The veterinary profession cannot graduate its way out of this labor shortage: retention is a keystone. The Stay, Please survey and analyses, provide critical insight into what veterinary professionals … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 15, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 8, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the February 8th AHD Bulletin – Groundhog day again? Link. Cunning chameleon, M. bovis contributes to calf pneumonia. Link. Paragon’s new digital dog grooming guide. Link. ============================================ Service and honor are the fabric … [Read more...]
“Enshittification” is coming for absolutely everything
Providing a somewhat off-color, but witty read, the person who coined the phrase "enshittification," offers a commentary. Cory Doctorow explains what his phrase describes, the circumstances in society that enabled it to happen and what can be done to reverse it. Source: Financial Times, February 7, 2024. Link. There are four constraints that prevent enshittification: … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – February 12, 2024
Affiliate marketing, Y or N? outsourcing HR, market budgeting, outreach methods by SMS or email and more . . . Note the information about IBPSA’s new membership health insurance benefit. Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, February 12, 2024. Link. An interesting interview with Royal Canin’s Kira Best is included. … [Read more...]
Creating a Fear Free toothbrushing experience for pets (video)
Fear Free specialists explain how pet owners can make the often stressful task of brushing their pet’s teeth into something Fear Free. The video is good to repost on social media, link in newsletters or use in exam rooms. Source: Fear Free Pets, YouTube. Link. (3:25) Sponsored Content. Dental wipes make oral care easy and convenient. MAXI/GUARD® family of oral care … [Read more...]
CBD in Dr. Marty Beckers’ 2024 five tips for dogs
Marty Becker, DVM, shared five tips to do for dogs in 2024 in his recent newsletter. They include nutrition, parasite control, supplements, CBD and enrichment. Source: DrMartyBecker.com, February 13, 2024. Link. Related content: Long-term CBD for dogs caused few health problems, PETFOOD Industry, February 6, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Unique Bridge Club Veterinary Virtual Care events slated for February 28th
Listen as a group of industry insiders shares data from more than two million data points gathered from more than half a million virtual care interactions. The virtual conversations will cover country specific data and address: The need for virtual veterinary care: Tackling access concerns Global insights: Virtual veterinary care data from the US, Canada, Europe … [Read more...]
New WHO medically important antimicrobial list
Sharing what he considers a foundational document for considering how we use and monitor antimicrobial use in animals. Scott Weese, DVM, shares the who, what and why of the latest version of the WHO’s Medically Important Antimicrobial List. Source: Worms and Germs, February 13, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Respecting the cow: What does it cost you?
Ensuring comfort and calmness in the parlor can only benefit your bottom line, writes Jason Reid who frequently sees cows being negatively affected by the drive for speed and efficiency in dairy operations. He shares economic pros and cons of working too quickly and focusing on efficiencies that ignore what can put cows in a state of stress. Source: AgProud, January 25, … [Read more...]
USDA updates defense against African swine fever
AFS has not entered the U.S., thanks to continuing efforts to prevent this deadly swine disease from breaching the country’s borders. Yet, it is getting closer and shows no sign of stopping. This article gives an update on the global situation and USDA, APHIS and state efforts including surveillance of feral hogs. Source: National Hog Farmer, February 12, 2024. Link. The … [Read more...]
Strategic anaplasmosis management needed this season
There are concerns that anaplasmosis is reemerging throughout the U.S. The transmission of bacteria from ticks and horseflies is the initial cause, especially during heavy tick and fly seasons. Beef producers may control the disease with strategic pest control methods, good husbandry practices and antibiotics, writes Gilda V. Bryant. Source: Progressive Cattle, February 7, … [Read more...]
Improved winter grazing management
Commentary Livestock producers need animal health pros for more than medications and preventatives to be successful. Being aware of resources to share is one of the ways we can support the growth and development of healthy production. Consider this article when discussing ways to improve herd health. Winter is sometimes overlooked as a time to make improvements to range … [Read more...]
Cameras help researchers understand polar bear behavior during extended land stays
Climate change is increasing the length of time some of the Far North goes without ice. This means polar bears can’t eat their preferred prey – calorie-rich seals. Scientists are using data captured by cameras to determine how the bears fared. The results aren’t positive. Source: The New York Times, February 13, 2024. Link. “Terrestrial foods are not adequate to prolong the … [Read more...]
Coyote bites kids. Authorities close park.
City officials closed a park in Arlington, Texas this week after a coyote is believed to have bitten two children. It remains closed as officials try to locate and trap the coyote. Source: WFAA, February 14, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Learning to co-exist with coyotes
This shadowy image is a Ring surveillance photo of a coyote within 1,000 yards of our suburban AHD office at 8:30 p.m. trotting down a well-lit street. The photo was taken just before the coyote grabbed a small dog from a porch. Quick action by the pet’s owner saved the dog with very little damage. Every year there are increasing reports of coyotes killing dogs and cats, … [Read more...]
Slow hay feeder pros and cons
Veterinarians usually learn about how horses are fed when something is awry. Owners have a variety of choices when shopping for a slow-feeding device, so considering what Madeline Boast shares could benefit the horse, owner and veterinary-client relationship. She explains why a horse might benefit from a slow hay feeder and how to choose the right one. Source: The Horse, … [Read more...]
What makes the equine heart so special?
Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc, shares quick facts about the equine heart. She writes the equine heart’s size and function are central to the animal’s athletic prowess and give horses the ability to move at high speeds when necessary and the endurance to cover long distances. It is good information that can be shared with members of 4-H, FFA and other youth clubs. Source: The Horse, … [Read more...]
If we don’t keep reminding, educating – WHO will?
Commentary The American Heartworm Society routinely provides images like these on X, Instagram and Facebook. The amount of likes and forwards of the posts does not reflect the number of followers, nor how many animal health pros there are. It’s our job to keep the educational efforts of AHS in front of pet owners. The posts are easy to forward and can be copied for all … [Read more...]
Measure pet food by weight, not volume
An estimated six out of 10 cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese, so how pet food is measured is something to consider. With a little coaching, pet owners can learn to measure based on calorie content instead of using a volume measurement. Research has shown that measuring by cup, or volume, often leads to overfeeding or underfeeding.” Source: Catster, September 27, 2022. … [Read more...]
How to get a dog to listen when it’s distracted
Some dogs become highly distracted as soon as they step into the real world. It is a common problem for dogs of all ages and an important behavior for all dog owners to cultivate. Consider this article when coaching an owner, for social media or newsletters. To get a dog to come when distracted outdoors, it needs to be able to reliably ignore distractions indoors, … [Read more...]
How to help dogs get along
Multiple dogs in a household or daycare often require approaches to minimize exposure to stressors that can result in interdog aggression. Pat Miller, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, shares a lot of information that may be challenging for the typical dog owner to comprehend. The tips and approaches she offers can be used to help pet owners deal with dog-versus-dog interactions in their homes … [Read more...]
Your money personality. Learning yours may help with spending habits
Talking about money benefits all of us. We all have pain points when it comes to our finances and different ways of dealing with them. When you know where you stand with your money, and why you behave in the way you do, it is easier to sort through what you need to do. Source: Refinery 29, February 7, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
When your manager brings in someone above you
When someone else is hired or promoted to a position above you it often stings. In growing companies, being layered is inevitable and is a common practice. Melody Wilding shares how to deal with the reactions that arise and how to productively move forward within those new arrangements. Source: Harvard Business Review, January 22, 2024. Link. Being layered can evoke … [Read more...]
Consistent ordinary produces extraordinary
What a leader does every day may seem ordinary, but ordinary things done consistently are what it takes to be extraordinary. Source: Linkedin, February 5, 2024. Link. You have not had it easy. You have experienced setbacks, barriers, and people who were not on your side. Consistent focused persistence yields results.” – P.T. Malone … [Read more...]
Good thoughts not communicated are meaningless
Acknowledging people’s efforts and encouraging their progress is common sense. Praise helps people feel good about themselves. Those who feel good about themselves produce good results, and people who produce good results feel good about themselves. Praising can be given not only when you catch someone doing something right, but also when you catch someone doing something … [Read more...]
Benefits that can keep older workers on board
A shift is emerging in how companies see and value older workers as labor shortages continue in certain industries and roles. Some companies now recognize that their Baby Boomer population represents a talent pool that should be nurtured. Lin Grensing-Pophal shares perspectives on ways to reinforce and add benefits that appeal to older workers. Employers are recognizing that … [Read more...]
Improve the narrative with diagnostic listening
When you experience a doctor who is skilled at narrative medicine, the differences are like night and day. In a past AHD post, a Tuft’s Catnip article referenced a piece from the Journal of the American Medical Association explaining the importance of engaging clients relationally. Some of the best veterinarians practice narrative medicine instinctively and it feels more like a … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 8, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 1, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the February 1st AHD Bulletin – A plan is not a strategy. Link. Studies: Early social housing helps dairy calves thrive. Link. Using standing equine CT in veterinary diagnostics. Link. Do it NOW! Link. ============================================ … [Read more...]
Groundhog day again?
The iconic movie “Groundhog Day” is amusing, but also mirrors our journey in leadership and personal growth. Source: Linkedin Pulse, January 30, 2024. Link. Each iteration is an opportunity to refine strategies, enhance decision-making, and lead with more empathy and understanding. INSIGHTS: Embrace persistence and resilience. … [Read more...]