The variable costs of fulfillment challenge margins for companies that serve B2B and B2C segments. Thus, it is no surprise to see free shipping policies change to account for unpredictable supply chain costs. Shipping costs are up, distribution center costs are up, fuel is up across the board . . . companies must either pass it to the consumer through price increases or … [Read more...]
It’s important to use all the otitis options (with video)
Amy Mohl, DVM, shares tips on getting recurrent Malassezia spp otitis under control. Citing a retrospective case series, the study excerpt shares key pearls including: Anesthetized ear flush procedures are underused for treatment of chronic otitis externa. Flushing with sterile saline can remove thick debris, which can be an impediment to successful management. Source: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 6, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 29th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from June 29nd AHD Bulletin – Study: PRP gel accelerates skin wound healing in horses. Link. How to charge for technician appointments. Link. Skipping rocks and back to basics. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Looking back while charging forward
As the third quarter of 2023 begins, the animal health industry continues to adapt to ever-changing new norms. Dr. Google’s influence may be diminishing as new information sources expand in the B2C sector capitalizing on major publications’ use of their databases from other markets. It is important to remember media sources still influence animal owners’ understanding and … [Read more...]
Bear cam livestream returns for salmon run
Need a few minutes break? Watch bears catch salmon in Alaska. The famous bear cam livestream at Alaska’s Katmai National Park is back for its 12th year running, documenting the park’s brown bears as they find the best salmon fishing spots in Brooks Falls. Watch the YouTube livestream at the link below and spot the bears jumping, diving and even belly-flopping to catch their … [Read more...]
Establish a sales trigger for cattle during drought
It’s not unusual for producers, their vets and bankers to collaborate on business efforts. This is a good article for those discussions. Recent rains in the Midwest gave only temporary drought relief. There’s a point where you can’t grow or buy your way out of a drought.” – Wesley Tucker Source: Missouri Ruralist, June 26, 2023. Link. Consider some aggressive culling to … [Read more...]
Ringbone; never good news but not a death sentence
Ringbone and other forms of equine osteoarthritis is a common problem that occurs in horses all over the world, writes David Ramey, DVM. There’s no known cure for the condition, it is progressive and it doesn’t let up. Ramey discusses the history of ringbone, factors involved, options to redirect horse activity and ways to try to control the clinical signs of the disease … [Read more...]
Six degrees of connection: a new mathematical take on social ties (video)
The next time you connect with someone, remember you’re not just making a new acquaintance, you are participating in a universal human formula. Researchers recently showed that the simple human behavior of weighing the costs and benefits of social ties is related to the roots of the six degrees phenomenon by studying social ties in digital networks. The research suggests that … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 3, 2023
Note the flash sale this week on the IBPSA Emergency Action Plan, Private Label Manufacturers Association trade show features private labels, pet insurance opportunities in retail, free small business apps, challenging the value of pets in human health care, gut health research results and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, July 3, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Boarding and pet … [Read more...]
Veterinarian personality, job satisfaction and well-being
There does not appear to be a specific personality profile for veterinarians and most personality types are unrelated to their well-being. The personality trait neuroticism is the exception. Like other neurotic individuals, neurotic veterinarians experience more negative affect, less positive affect, and lower life satisfaction . . .” Source: Advances in Small Animal Care, … [Read more...]
Check your assumptions at the door to avoid medical gaslighting
Commentary Medical patients around the country are complaining about a phenomenon known as medical gaslighting. Most doctors aren’t intentionally trying to gaslight their patients, nor do they even realize they’re doing it, according to Karen Lutfey Spencer, PhD. But there can be serious consequences including loss of trust. It is logical to extrapolate the consequences of … [Read more...]
Seven times, seven ways
Speaking to the challenges of modern communications, Matthew Kirchner shares how today’s myriad modes of communication make memory and recall more difficult. He reminds us that few people will remember an instruction, request or message delivered only one time as recent research indicates our attention spans are getting worse. Kirchner explains his mantra of seven times, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 29, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 22nd, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from June 22nd AHD Bulletin – Quiet quitting or setting boundaries. Link. New graduates may have no idea how to behave in the office. Link. 11 signs a cat needs to see a veterinarian immediately. Link. Demand for Yaks growing. Link. Place keeper: 2023 … [Read more...]
BVDV in wild hogs
Wild pigs can carry a number of infectious diseases including zoonotic diseases. A high seroprevalence rate of bovine diarrhea virus in wild pigs has been found in several U.S. states, according to a recent study by investigators at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in Auburn, Alabama. Cattle are known as the dominant source of BVDV infection for pigs. … [Read more...]
Apps to help manage backyard chickens
One thing all chicken keepers need is a method to manage their birds. Ana Hotaling reviews four poultry-management apps backyard chicken keepers can consider to help them manage their flocks. Source: Hobby Farms, June 21, 2023. Link. Smartphone apps allow poultry keepers to easily add and modify flock information, keep track of egg production, and keep tabs on much more … [Read more...]
The two horse worlds
Although acknowledging some overlap, David Ramey, DVM, describes what he calls two horse worlds. The pleasure versus performance designations have a lot to do with the expectations of owners. Ramey asserts the owner of a horse that’s valued because he’s a very special individual who makes his human’s life better just by being there may look askance at the owner of a horse … [Read more...]
How does laminitis affect the hoof? (video)
Complimentary Commercial Content Mike Barker explains how laminitis affects the horse's foot. The video is part of a curation of hoof care highlights <Link>. Source: American Farriers Journal, YouTube, June 17, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Avoid algae in horse and livestock water troughs
Working to maintain algae-free water helps keep horses drinking as temperatures rise. Here are two resources addressing algae growth suitable for sharing with horse and livestock owners on social media or in newsletters. Frequent water tank cleaning is important, especially in warm months and especially with plastic tanks.” Clair Thunes, PhD, says most algae don’t pose a … [Read more...]
Dog food has become 40 percent more expensive since 2020
The cost of ingredients is one of the causes to blame for the price increase. These costs are heavily impacted by factors such as drought and transportation costs according to research by veterinarians.com. The research revealed that dry dog food has risen by 41% in cost compared to 2020, as well as: 55 percent of respondents said they had to cancel subscriptions for pet … [Read more...]
The 5 love languages of cats
Cats offer so many levels of emotion akin to humans, writes John Woolf. They show their affection in a multitude of ways, he says sharing subtilties and five ways cats express affection for owners. Reading a cat is different, to be sure, than reading a dog.” – John Woolf Source: John Woolf, Linkedin, June 26, 2023. Link. The love of a pet is one of the greatest joys a human … [Read more...]
11 years of dry versus wet cat food influenced cat health
Around eight years of age, metabolic or physiological changes are occurring that are having impacts on cat health, according to Emma Bermingham, PhD. Her 11-year study of the same group of cats has focused on the long-term effects of commercially available diets on cats’ health. . . . at eight years the cats bodyweights started to diverge. Cats on the dry kibble diet started … [Read more...]
10 pet safety tips for July 4th activities
July 4th celebrations may be fun for us, but they can be stressful for pets. Here are 10 common-sense tips to keep in mind for the holiday. Source: PetMD, June 24, 2023. Link. Here’s how to keep your pets safe this Fourth of July. Keep your pet indoors. Create a safe space for your pet. Prepare for noise phobias. Make sure your pet has an up-to-date ID. … [Read more...]
New VIP podcast episodes. Are you caught up?
Shawn Wilkie and Ivan Zak, DVM, began Veterinary Innovation Podcasts in July 2019. Since then, they have produced more than 150 podcast episodes featuring innovations and topics our industry is working to address. Podcasts from the last 30 days include: The power of AI in veterinary medicine. Link. Effective pet owner education. Link. Building high-performing … [Read more...]
Chewy expands CarePlus insurance and wellness offerings
Commercial News Item As B2C commercial offerings expand, animal health pros need to understand what is available to pet owners and what may influence decisions about preventative care and treatments. “ – Kirk Augustine Chewy recently announced the availability of CarePlus insurance and wellness offerings that feature expanded coverage options and prices from two providers, … [Read more...]
Study: PRP gel accelerates skin wound healing in horses
A scientist in Pakistan recently shared study results that indicate using platelet-rich plasma can be a safe, effective approach to hastening wound healing in horses. Muhammad Talha Sajjad, DVM, MPhil, PhD, found PRP gel encourages re-epithelialization and accelerates skin wound healing by promoting wound contraction and stabilization of the collagen fiber arrangement. … [Read more...]
How cats took over the world
Research on feline DNA clarifies our ancient relationship with cats. Some experts consider cats only "semi-domesticated" since they look and behave so much like their wild relatives. Cat DNA from archaeological sites across Europe, the Middle East and Africa shows cats lived with humans between 300 and 15,000 years ago. Population dispersal occurred with advances in agriculture … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – June 26, 2023
Pets and older adults, pet wellness’s effect on holistic approaches, software to manage pet businesses, a video discussion of pet trends and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, June 26, 2023. Link. In the video (10:03) Hunter Williams, Imke Wouters and Melissa Tischler discuss: The importance of pet nutrition Pet care beyond the basics The latest pet fashion … [Read more...]
Actor Michael Caine: Use the difficulty
Actor Sir Michael Caine shares some great perspectives in this short video clip. . . . when anything bad happens, you gotta' USE the difficulty.” – Micheal Caine Source: Aurelio Reis, Facebook reels. Link. INSIGHTS: Caine’s assertion resembles the proverbial phrase, “when life gives you lemons make lemonade.” … [Read more...]
The opposite of triggers, glimmers are all around us
A trigger is a person, place, thing or situation that elicits an intense or unexpected emotional response. Glimmers on the other hand are tiny micro-moments of joy that allow us to feel calm and give us a sense of inner peace. On the surface, glimmers may sound trivial says Deb Dana, LCSW, but they’re crucial to calming down our central nervous system. . . . glimmers can ease … [Read more...]
Agreement or commitment?
An agreement is a contract for mutual benefit. A commitment is deeper and more comprehensive. Commitments are worth the extra time and effort.” Source: gearsmagazine.com, March 5, 2021. Link. With commitment, there’s no going back – no limitation is recognized. It is the equivalent of the modern phrase, “I’m going all-in!” … [Read more...]