Inflation busting strategies, benefits of an expense audit, declining pet adoptions, when tech works against you, understanding micro-influencers and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 12, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
10 visuals that could transform your mindset (illustration slides)
A post by Rob Dance with illustrations by Pejman Milani caught our eyes. Dance’s comments, along with the slides, are good reminders to consider setbacks, priorities and your personal development. Source: Rob Dance, LinkedIn, August 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
If you can’t honor your “Yes,” say “No.”
It is okay to say no, writes Steve Keating, debunking the old adage to, “Say yes to every request and figure out how you’re going to do it later.” It’s also useful to understand that sometimes, “no,” is a complete sentence, says Keating. No explanation is required. Setting boundaries is essential for your well-being. Saying no is not selfish. He asserts it may even be the … [Read more...]
Personal transformation through leadership
The best leaders elevate our standards, ethics and performance by creating opportunities for personal transformation. Source: Giant Leap Consulting, July 2024. Link. There is no more powerful influence on the culture of a workplace than the behavior of its leaders. <The best> leaders model then elevate our standards, ethics, and performance by creating opportunities … [Read more...]
SAVMA updates guidelines for clinical students by recognizing student well-being
Revisions to the Student American Veterinary Medical Association’s “Duty Hour Guidelines” now recommends duty hours for veterinary students be reduced from no more than 80 hours a week to a limit of 60 hours a week, including all on-call responsibilities, required class time, and any clinical work done at home. The guidelines place the responsibility for time tracking on the … [Read more...]
Employers budgeting for 3.5 percent pay raises in 2025
Responses to Payscale’s new Salary Budget Survey of compensation professionals in more than 1,500 organizations found they are planning a pay raise average of 3.5 percent, reflecting a cooling labor market. Source: SHRM, August 13, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: More than 60 percent of working adults are animal owners <Link> who will feel the softening raises as much as … [Read more...]
The most expensive pets to own; annual and lifetime costs ranked
Insuranceopedia analyzed online sources and conducted independent research from large pet stores to compare the average costs for food, bedding, toys etc. for each animal segment and calculated an estimated annual cost for each. The cost graphic in the article is revealing, including: Parrots are the most expensive pets to own, largely due to their long lifespan … [Read more...]
TikTok 2024 Shopping Trend Report: “Bending Reality” or something else?
Commentary Today’s TikTok’s trends look like how businesses were valued and sustained in the mid-1900’s without the internet. Today’s digital tools may help with this so-called bending, but this bending seeks traditional values, dependable benefits and reasonable access. It’s a good thing. Source: Small Business Trends, August 12, 2024. Link. We are witnessing an era of … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 8, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 1, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the August 1st AHD Bulletin – The state of allyship in animal health. Link. Stop chasing vanity metrics. Link. Some change is necessary, some inevitable, stability is critical. Link. The chemistry behind the smell of wet dogs. … [Read more...]
Study: Two, 200mg doses of iron dextran are better than a single dose of 200 mg
Veterinary student Francisco Gomez Cruz’s research project shows a benefit for pigs by doubling the amount of iron dextran given in the first 10 days of life. Other than the low cost of another dose of iron dextran, handling the pigs twice appears to have an overall net weight benefit at the end of the wean-to-finish period. Source: PORK, July 24, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
A 6-year wait for a saddle is worth it
For more than 30 years, Nancy Martiny has improved her craft of making horse saddles. In a business dominated by men, Martiny has built one based on making saddles that can’t be found anywhere else. Today, the wait for a “Nancy saddle” is six years or more. She makes her saddles for working horses and the cowboys and cowgirls who ride them. Source: The New York Times, August … [Read more...]
Lab-grown meat approved for UK pet food
The United Kingdom has approved the use of lab-grown meat in pet food. This makes it the first country to legalize the product for this use and the first European country to legalize it for sale for any purpose. The approval was in response to an application by a UK startup called Meatly, making it the first company in the world to receive authorization to sell cultivated pet … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club sets date to discuss veterinary technicians, their challenges and status
Mark your calendars and register to join the discussion of meeting the challenges veterinary technicians face and solutions to create a successful path forward for all technicians. Despite their crucial role in veterinary care, veterinary technicians continue to encounter numerous challenges, including title protection, underutilization, low compensation and high turnover … [Read more...]
VetPrep partners with Chewy Health to launch free PowerPrep NAVLE Sessions for veterinary students
VetPrep’s PowerPrep NAVLE sessions will now be available free of charge to veterinary students thanks to a sponsorship commitment by Chewy Health, the health arm of Chewy. This program is designed to provide a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the NAVLE exam through a series of 10 expert-led sessions, seamlessly integrating VetPrep into students’ study … [Read more...]
ARS, APHIS: Trichinella no longer a risk
ARS and the Animal and USDA's Plant Health Inspection Service conducted a national survey by sampling 3.2 million pigs raised under the U.S. Pork Quality Assurance Plus program and found zero animals infected with trichinella. Data obtained from testing support the conclusion that pork from pigs managed under the PQA+ program do not pose a public health risk.” Source: PORK, … [Read more...]
Declining cull cow numbers reflect shift from beef-on-dairy trend
Dairy producers are enjoying the cash flow improvements from the beef-on-dairy market, which is lowering the number of cull cows marketed and increasing the purchases of semen. The beef-on-dairy trend is also challenging the number of replacement dairy heifers available and prioritizing the purchase of gender-sorted dairy semen. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, August 5, 20234. … [Read more...]
Incorporating BQA into practice
Beef Quality Assurance education and practices remain one of the more important efforts for and by cattle producers. Ongoing support and leadership from veterinarians is vital to continue seeing producer successes and consistent quality beef products. BQA-certified operations are estimated to provide 85 percent of U.S. fed-beef. Julia Herman, DVM, MS, DACVPM, shares the … [Read more...]
The promise of electroarthrography for equine cartilage assessment
One primary challenge when diagnosing and managing osteoarthritis is accurate assessment of the quality of cartilage in the patient. Researchers from the Ontario Veterinary College and the University of Toronto believe they can advance cartilage assessment with their groundbreaking work on a novel non-invasive technique called electroarthrography. The technology EAG is a … [Read more...]
PPID caution: Trailering prior to testing could produce false positive result in horses
Research completed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Middle Tennessee State University determined that a 40-minute trailer ride gave multiple false-positive PPID diagnoses up to 30 minutes post-trailering when using a basal ACTH test. The results are a warning for horse owners and veterinarians to avoid a horse getting incorrectly diagnosed. Source: The Paulick Report, July 31, … [Read more...]
5 reasons cats purr
It’s a common question with many answers. AAHA shares perspective on why that purring motor may be running. From expressing contentment and fostering mother-kitten bonding to promoting healing and reducing stress, purring goes beyond simple happiness. Source: AAHA, August 6, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for social media posts, newsletters and as a reference … [Read more...]
RECOVER initiative issues new CPR guidelines
Aiming to standardize cardiopulmonary resuscitation practices and make outcomes more comparable to human cases worldwide, multiple discipline specialists collaborated to develop new recommendations when performing lifesaving CPR on pets, including: Chest compression techniques Chest depths and techniques Breathing support Medication dosages and … [Read more...]
Show me the money in pet food
With a nod to Jerry McGuire, we’re sharing Tim Wall’s review of the U.S. pet food companies with $100 million in sales for 2023. The 22 companies combined for almost 40 percent of the $147 billion U.S. pet owners spent on pet food, treats and other products. Source: PETFOOD Industry, August 2, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
4 acupressure points for dry, itchy skin in dogs
Brief, daily acupressure sessions can be used to enhance pruritis treatments, write Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis. They share how to stimulate specific acupressure points for dry skin that traditional Chinese medicine calls “wind heat.” Source: Animal Wellness Magazine, August 4, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Sharing this article and acupressure method for pet owners to do at home … [Read more...]
Tangible tick tactics with Dr. Dryden (podcast)
Michael Dryden, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVM, often known as Dr. Flea, discusses strategic methods for avoiding ticks, shares tips for preventing secondary disease and offers insights into why tick strategies have changed. He speaks about tick range expansion that impacts how veterinary teams can help animal owners reduce the risks in different regions. Source: Clinician’s Brief, … [Read more...]
Advocacy from veterinary teams helps pet owners choose pet insurance – Part 4
Sponsor Content Our series on how veterinary teams position and share the benefits of pet insurance continues. ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance field representatives have continued seeking feedback from veterinary professional advocates as part of an initiative started during VMX and WVC <Link>. In addition to the new comments in the link below, we’re sharing the … [Read more...]
AI is a powerful tool, but not for small businesses
While AI's potential is vast, its practical applications and benefits for small businesses remain a contentious topic, writes Louis Mosca. He reminds us that significant human oversight and intervention are still needed when implementing AI. Source: Forbes, July 29, 2024. Link. The extent to which AI can drive revenue and enhance productivity varies widely depending on the … [Read more...]
SuperZoo preview
Flipping through Pet Business’ SUPERZOO preview gives animal health pros a look at consumer-facing marketing and product trends. Taking place in Las Vegas August 13th through 16th, the convention is where the retail pet industry comes together to discover the latest products, trends and innovations, along with well-rounded education sessions. Source: Pet Business, Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – August 5, 2024
Pet spending growing despite inflation, growing brands through partnerships, employee well-being program benefits, three qualities of a mindful leader and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, August 5, 2024. Link. NOTE: The IBPSA Master Business Academy starts October 14th. The intensive 10-week program covers three core areas essential for business success: … [Read more...]
Five techniques to help negotiate with a bully
Communication is difficult enough without having to deal with a bully, especially when negotiating. Stephanie Vozza shares what the author of “For the Forces of Good: The Superpower of Everyday Negotiation,” suggests for training your brain to approach the conversation calmly and then work through the bully’s position and perspective hoping to deescalate the negative … [Read more...]
Adjusting to your customer
The ability to connect with customers in a meaningful way and offer solutions that meet their needs and solve their problems means you’ll be relevant to them. Source: Veterinary Advantage, December 2023. Link. Explore the challenges that each customer is facing and find ways to help.” INSIGHT: Every team member is a representative of your practice. … [Read more...]