Complimentary Commercial Content This unique educational opportunity is designed for individuals who are relatively new to animal health and will benefit from a comprehensive overview of the entire industry. Initially the program will be offered virtually. Live programs will be available as venues open post-Covid. Source: Antelligence, June 18, 2021. Link. The program … [Read more...]
Preparing for show season
For animal enthusiasts, livestock shows and fair events will kick off within the next six weeks. While veterinary teams provide health checks and certifications, animal health pros’ expertise will be valued beyond services and tactics. Given the increasing popularity of backyard rabbits, chickens and goats, the audience for show season preparation is not solely livestock … [Read more...]
Creating boundaries in our everyday work (podcast)
The animal health industry is rightly concerned about mental health and stress in the veterinary work environment. When you’re struggling with these issues, the day-to-day routines of a work environment can be a lot, but recognizing and enforcing boundaries help navigate work and stress. This podcast is a conversation with author and activist Roxane Gay about work and mental … [Read more...]
We’re colleagues. Sometimes friends, but not family.
Justin Pot says, “Your company isn’t a family, and I think pretending otherwise is unhealthy and unproductive. Family loyalty isn’t based on performance because that would be absurd.” Companies are different. They don’t employ people out of love or loyalty because companies, by definition, can’t feel those things. Your company employs you because what you do is valuable—at … [Read more...]
Manage or coach?
Somewhere along the way, we learned that giving employees free snacks, a meditation room and allowing a day to bring one’s pet to work was the new enlightened workplace. The result is that only 20 percent of fulltime employees worldwide are engaged in their work. Source: Gallup, May 27, 2021. Link. Imagine if all businesses worldwide could double real employee engagement … [Read more...]
CNN; Covid-19 pandemic magnifies workforce crisis in veterinary field
Opinion CNN’s Alec Snyder assembled a good situational summary of where the veterinary field is in 2021. Same story, different day? Yes. However, Synder combines different elements and challenges to end with some positivity. Between the lines and quotes are opportunities to embrace change, adapt, empower and leave a history of recalcitrant attitudes behind. Consider and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 17, 2021
Last week’s most read post 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey reveals important post-pandemic changes for the pet care industry Source: Animal Health Digest, June 8, 2021. Link. U.S. bans importing of dogs from 113 countries due to rise in false rabies records Source: NPR, June 14, 2021. Link. Veterinarians are praising the decision. 36 … [Read more...]
Udder conformation, increasing concerns for farmers
Opinion, including Complimentary Commercial Content Dairy cows are expected to last 10 seasons. But New Zealand dairy producers are culling cows that should have been in their prime. Their udders simply aren’t holding up. Udders are blowing out, and some cows have had poor suspensory ligaments which became evident when they got a bit of age, shared producer Reg … [Read more...]
Hot chicken: good on a plate, dangerous in the coop
Heat exhaustion, heat stroke or even death are real dangers to chickens when temperatures rise. They don’t sweat like humans and are limited in their ability to cool down. Lots of shade and cool water help immensely. The effects of heat exhaustion are cumulative, says Lisa Steele. Several days of temperatures above 80 degrees, especially with high humidity, can negatively … [Read more...]
No kidding. A review of caprine health concerns
As of January 2021, there were 2.58 million goats in the U.S. The 2012 map shown gives us a good picture of where the goats are. Herds of fewer than 500 animals make a majority of the numbers. Population disbursement, the popularity of goats in urban and ruralpolitan settings, as well as increasing numbers of pet goats make goat information important across the country. Here … [Read more...]
Why does my puppy growl at strangers?
At its core growling is about communication writes, Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT. It is a warning, a symptom of your puppy’s discomfort. Rarely an indication of aggression initially, growling at strangers is a sign that something is wrong. The most likely explanation is the puppy is fearful of people they don’t know. Source: AKC, January 19, 2021. Link. Whenever your puppy … [Read more...]
CIRDC. Does a new name make it easier?
Opinion Two excellent articles are included as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex sources for this post. Adjusting the nomenclature to represent a variety of cofactors is logical scientifically and diagnostically. Pragmatically, though, many of the known CIRDC pathogens are NOT included in core vaccines, including two well recognized pathogens: Canine … [Read more...]
Engage pet owners to monitor respiratory rates in dogs and cats
The animal health industry is finding value when owners become active participants in their pets’ care. The human–animal bond and client–veterinarian relationship is strengthened and pet patients are observed in a normal home environment. Brian A. Scansen, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology), shares pet owners can be trained to measure, record and track their pet’s resting … [Read more...]
Talkatoo wins VMX Pet Pitch Competition
Sponsored Content Congratulations to AHD Sponsor, Talkatoo, for being awarded as the winner of the Startup Pet Pitch Competition during VMX in a live pitch competition resembling an episode of the TV show Shark Tank. This is our industry; these are our people and now a lot more of them are going to know about Talkatoo and what we can provide them. It’s a big deal!” - Shawn … [Read more...]
Confidence requires a PLAN
Without a plan, confidence is simply arrogance. While your arrogance will get you hurt, your confidence will inspire others to join you in pursuit of that common goal that will benefit everyone involved. Duke University’s Coach Mike Krzyzewski, or Coach K, shares a story of confidence with the plan. Source: Inc., June 4, 2021. Link. But when you do not believe in yourself -- … [Read more...]
5 ways to use invoicing as marketing
Opinion Whether printed on paper or sent as a PDF, invoices are a way to market your services and products. Different than most collateral, invoices prompt a focused review from the recipient. Uwe Dreissigacker shares five ways to use invoices: Strengthen your branding Sell special offers, sales or promotions Encourage referrals Provide free resources Ask … [Read more...]
Dry cows need shade to thrive, increase lifetime production
When talking about environmental impact in dairies, most would think about carbon footprint or water quality. However, a University of Florida study determined it is most ideal to cool dry cows during the entire dry period to prevent milk loss. The same should be provided for bred heifers. Researchers found reduced dry matter intakes pre-calving and weaker immunity pre- and … [Read more...]
Dr. Jen the Vet at VMX
Complimentary Content Eugene “Gene” O'Neill, CEO, and Dr. Dana Varble, chief veterinary officer at the North American Veterinary Community, were guests on Chats with the Chatfields during the recent VMX industry conference. They and Jen Chatfield, DVM, discussed current innovations in veterinary medicine, NAVC’s support of innovative companies and the industry landscape … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 10, 2021
Last week’s most read post Watch the quiet people. Source: Animal Health Digest, June 1, 2021. Link. Knowing when not to talk is an art.” – Patrick T. Malone Empowered women empowering others Source: DVM 360, May/June 2021. Link. Empowering Veterinary Teams’ founders Alyssa Mages, CVT and Caitlin Keat, BS, MS are filling their own career gaps by helping … [Read more...]
Pandemic misery index reveals far-reaching impact of COVID-19 on American lives, especially on Blacks and Latinos
Opinion Social media posts are sharing the excitement of live attendance at the 2021 VMX Convention. There’s a backdrop to these return to normal accounts to keep in mind. While progress is being made, racial and ethnic gaps persist, despite an overall decline in pandemic hardship. According to the U.S. Pandemic Misery Index, 80 percent of U.S. adults experienced at least … [Read more...]
Know how much water cattle need
Sometimes a picture puts things into perspective. This one does when it comes to how much water cows and calves need. Share and discuss water resources with producers to support health and prevention strategies. Drought and hot summer days are coming quickly. Source: BEEF, June 7, 2021. Link. All the grass in world means nothing without water. … [Read more...]
Scoring hair shedding traits in beef cow selection
Selecting for cows that shed effectively is crucial to dealing with summer heat stress. It is so important that the American Angus Association is interested in developing expected progeny difference (EPD) values. This may seem to be a silly thing to do, but hair shedding is a moderately heritable trait.” – Edon Cole, University of Missouri Extension livestock … [Read more...]
Hay! Got any?
Pasture and range conditions are historically poor for this time of year because of ongoing drought west of the Mississippi River. Nearly 70 percent of hay produced, and 76 percent of the nation’s beef cow herd is located in this region. Further, producers expect to harvest the smallest amount of hay in more than a century. Unless there is some drought relief soon . . . expect … [Read more...]
Oldest livestock genome reveals origin of today’s goats
Comparing the ancient goat DNA with that of modern wild goats, scientists found distinct genetic clusters indicating apparently managed goats were being bred with one another. This confirms the herders maintained a goat population largely separate from near wild goats in Iran’s Zagros Mountain region. The earliest of the goat remains date to about 8200 BCE, making the DNA in … [Read more...]
Oh, those dirty rats!
Rodents are one of the major taxa most likely to carry zoonotic diseases, harboring more than 85 unique zoonotic pathogens. The paper referenced here focuses on the unique opportunity zoo personnel have to be at the forefront of the early detection and identification of novel hosts and geographic ranges of rodent-borne pathogens with high impact on endangered species and … [Read more...]
Disease Du Jour: Tips about senior horse management
Complimentary Content sponsored by Merck Animal Health The two most common things we deal with in our old horse population is lamenesses and endocrine dysfunction, says Dianne McFarlane, DVM, PhD, MS, Dip ACVIM, referencing research results. The endocrine dysfunction is mostly about Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), as well as insulin … [Read more...]
Dogs get sunburn too!
People are surprised to learn dogs need protection from the sun. Hair offers a natural barrier between its skin and the sun’s rays, but it is not complete protection. Dogs can get sunburned, too. We’re including two references to help educate pet owners via social media or newsletters. Source: 5 ways to protect your dog from sunburn, Animal Wellness, May 2017. … [Read more...]
Help pet owners conduct home health checks
Opinion The need for pet owner education and training became more apparent during 2020. New pet owners, especially, seemed unprepared to manage the day to day with pets, let alone changes to their pets’ wellness. Sandra Murphy shares a home health checklist suitable for helping pet owners systematically monitor their pet. Pet owners will appreciate this list. Consider … [Read more...]
Upcoming Leading with Purpose webinar: Pushing beyond your current plateau
Consolidations and practice acquisitions continue. The following topics are on the webinar agenda and will interest practicing veterinarians: Status of veterinary practice consolidation: market share, acquisition pace, and future projections Reasons for the increase in consolidations and top challenges Key revenue drivers in veterinary services Six essential … [Read more...]
Managing and bonding with teammates’ strengths
Opinion – Complimentary commercial content Last week we shared thoughts on bonding with associate veterinarians from Brian Conrad, DVM. He indicated he was quick to lead team building. We commented that sales representatives can often provide resources and help lead the activities. CliftonStrengths provides powerful team building opportunities. The possible individual and … [Read more...]