Complimentary Content In a recent blog post, Bill Wagner, DVM, took a stab at what he thinks veterinary medicine will be 10 years from now. Much of what he projects is realistic, being created or in progress. The key will be to make the most of the customer experience and transition veterinary team members. Source: Associated Veterinary Partners, May 24, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Preventive care paradox
Recognizing and reinforcing behavior that results in the absence of disease is difficult, especially in a veterinary healthcare system built to respond to disease states versus reinforcing a state of health, according to Bob Lester, DVM. It is a challenge for a reacting-and-repairing versus preventing-and-preparing way of working Lester describes the future benefits as … [Read more...]
Wait. Boarding and grooming for pets are ESSENTIAL?!
Complimentary content includes an offer from RESCUE® disinfectants Carmen Rustenbeck, founder of the International Boarding and Pet Services Association (IBPSA), joins Drs. Jen and Jason Chatfield in this episode of the Chatfield Show. They discuss the involvement of pet services and how the IBPSA serves those businesses and people. In all actuality, groomers, boarders and … [Read more...]
Recalibrate your leadership style to match needs the pandemic created
The Covid-19 pandemic has radically altered the business landscape. Many companies experienced anywhere from a 20 to 60 percent loss in revenue in 2020, and more than 14 million Americans either temporarily or permanently lost their jobs. Source: Chieflearningofficer.com, March 11, 2021. Link. We know that effective leaders must be in tune with the emotions of those around … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 3, 2021
Last week’s most read posts – these two posts tied for most read These 8 expressions can make you sound insensitive at work: Source: Animal Health Digest, May 25, 2021. Link. Flexible workforces in veterinary practices might include aging boomers: Source: Animal Health Digest, May 25, 2021. Link. Best dog bones for tough chewers Source: Puppies and Pooches, … [Read more...]
The next pandemic is already happening. Targeted disease surveillance can help prevent it.
The next pandemic threat is likely already making its way through the population right now writes Maureen Miller, PhD. Her research as an infectious disease epidemiologist has found that there is a simple strategy to mitigate emerging outbreaks: proactive, real-time surveillance in settings where animal-to-human disease spillover is most likely to occur. Miller discusses the … [Read more...]
Stop kissing your chickens!
In what has become an annual and sometimes, more often, warning, the Centers for Disease Control last month warned people to stop cuddling and kissing backyard poultry because chickens may spread salmonella. Out of 163 reported cases of Salmonella, 34 people were hospitalized. Children under 5 years old make up a third of the cases. Source: NPR, May 22, 2021. Link. “Don’t … [Read more...]
What happens when a horse undergoes general anesthesia?
Luisito Pablo, MS, DVM, Dipl. ACVAA describes steps the veterinary anesthesia team takes when caring for horses before, during, and after surgery. Source: The Horse, May 28, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Sedating and anesthetizing a 900 to 2200 pound animal is both science and art. We found this article to be informative and worthy of sharing with horse owners to orient them to … [Read more...]
Most-read companion animal posts of April and May 2021
What you read helps us prioritize topics most interesting to animal health pros. It is the most important feedback we receive. The links below share the most-read posts from April and May in ranked order. Source: Animal Health Digest. April, May 2021. The best dog names of 2021. 500 names by category. How Petco is increasingly a stealthy competitor to clinics … [Read more...]
Fireworks and noise phobias. It’s the season.
Complimentary Content The first fireworks of spring started a couple weeks ago here in Kansas City. Graduation celebrations may include some left over pyrogenic flashes and booms. While minor, these sonic disruptions are a reminder that July 4th celebrations are just around the corner. Fear Free Happy Homes offers pet owners a digital kit containing strategies for … [Read more...]
Hugging requires consent, now more than ever. Here’s how to navigate that.
Live and in-person, finally! But now, post-pandemic with social distancing in place, do we need ways to easily ask people if it’s okay to hug them? Tracey Anne Duncan asked psychologists how to navigate requesting consent when you want to embrace someone with whom you are less familiar. We’re all navigating unfamiliar terrain with rusty social skills right now and there is … [Read more...]
1 in 3 people believe that their pet will make them a better parent
Note: These survey results are worth reviewing. In a recent survey from OnePoll and AskVet, pet owners shared they experience anxieties and expenses found with child-rearing. More than 45 percent of pet parents worry their pets might get sick or hurt, while another 33 percent worry their pets may be unhappy. While pet parents trust veterinary professionals the most, they are … [Read more...]
3 technologies that can help employers struggling to hire
The reasons for the imbalance between labor demand (open jobs) and labor supply (people willing to take those open jobs) are many and complex, writes Steve Boese. He discusses the role HR technologies could play in helping balance supply and demand, and consequently, place more people in open roles. Job losses have been felt most acutely by low-wage earners and low-wage … [Read more...]
Foster tighter bonds with your associate veterinarians
The right hire and setting clear expectations are strategies that, help practice managers and owners create a more cohesive environment that everyone can thrive in, Brian Conrad, CVPM, says. Candidate attributes, financial expectations, CE goals and team building are components of developing bonds, he says. The clearer the expectations are laid out, the better the relationship … [Read more...]
Telemedicine is as old as the telephone. Getting paid IS NEW!
Opinion We’re referencing four complementary sources in this post. Virtual veterinary care is advancing at warp speed. Still, some veterinary clinics struggle with moving from a courtesy service approach to charging for telemedicine services as clients embrace the convenience. Creating clear boundaries between “courtesy services” and what is considered a "paid service" is … [Read more...]
Proper antibiotic use improves producer savings and dairy industry image
Complimentary Commercial Content included Consumer demand for dairy products was up last year. Sending positive messages to consumers about U.S. milk production is key to maintaining this demand, says Linda Tikofsky, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. She stresses that being more thoughtful about antibiotic use is also necessary in preserving it as an important tool for the long … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 27, 2021
Last week’s most read post No, people aren’t giving up pandemic pets because they’re bored Source: Animal Health Digest, May 18, 2021. Link. Two words for an instant dose of empathy Source: Forge, May 3, 2021. Link. Try mirroring the other person’s struggle with the words “of course” to validate their challenges or … [Read more...]
Canine origin coronavirus causing a stir
Preliminary reports of a dog origin alpha canine coronavirus infecting people are alarming. Scientific diligence is needed to confirm the species jump and determine how much risk management is required, if any. We’re sharing three articles for your review and consideration. I think the more we look, the more we will find that these coronaviruses are crossing species … [Read more...]
What to expect at World Pork Expo
Joseph Kerns says hog markets, China, U.S. crop prospects, industry expansion, disease and how to navigate the business environment will be hot topics at the first live World Pork Expo since 2018. 2021 World Pork Expo is held at the Iowa State Fair Grounds, Des Moines, Iowa. June 9 – 11. Link. Source: National Hog Farmer, May 17, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: The topics of … [Read more...]
Equine Disease Communication Center review of diseases
Complimentary Sponsored Content The Equine Disease Communication Center is an industry-driven initiative that works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. EDCC is designed to seek and report real-time information about diseases, similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerts the human population … [Read more...]
Dog accessories help owners with responsibilities
Opinion The author got my attention with these opening sentences: Bringing home a dog means an addition to your existing family and your responsibilities. Being the owner, you will be responsible for the dog’s actions, behavior and health. What followed was a nice overview of some accessories to help make a dog’s life easier and strengthen his bonds with family … [Read more...]
The 3 Rs of tick-borne diseases
Reports from colleagues around midwestern U.S. states indicate tick populations are thriving. Tick distributions are dynamic and ever-changing, and practice protocols often need to evolve to meet the growing threat ticks pose to pet health, writes Holly Morss, LVT. Morss discusses teaching staff members to address tick borne disease using the 3-R’s: Review the topic of … [Read more...]
Free webinar: How to find new growth levers in veterinary consolidation
Complimentary Content Animal health pros are invited to a live, free webinar: “Riding the Tide in Uncertain Times: How to find new growth levers in veterinary consolidation,” hosted by OpenRoom. Topics to be discussed include: Planning for success: Destination Pet’s rise to operating 75 veterinary practices in only 4 years Whether the pandemic has affected … [Read more...]
10 ways to have a better conversation
In this insightful TED talk, Celeste Hedley shares 10 useful rules for having better conversations. "Go out, talk to people, listen to people," she says. "And, most importantly, be prepared to be amazed." Headley has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation: Honesty, brevity, clarity and a healthy amount of … [Read more...]
Nutrition Coach Certification: Nutritional education for the pet, client and practice
Nutrition is one factor the veterinary healthcare team can affect, writes Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition). Burns advocates for involving veterinary nurses as nutrition counselors for pet owners and the practice team. She discusses the values of nutritional education, the challenges of misinformation and shares details on the NAVC Pet Nutrition Coach … [Read more...]
Redefining Team
Guest Contributor - Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT The word team conjures up many different images, positive for some and downright uncomfortable, for others. There are so many clichés surround it as well – we’ve all heard the overplayed “Teamwork makes the dream work.” “There’s no ‘I’ in team,” and so on – but what does being part of a team truly mean? Mages notes the negative … [Read more...]
What executives are saying about the future of hybrid work
The authors compiled hybrid work survey results from 100 executives from various industries and locations. While employees are feeling anxious, most organizations have only begun to think through and articulate the specifics of how to carry out a more permanent mix of remote and on-site working for all roles that aren’t essential to perform on site. Source: McKinsey and … [Read more...]
Customer service is not customer experience
Customer service is only one aspect of the entire customer experience. Customer service needs to be put into context — which means putting customer experience first. Most customer service starts when a customer calls with a problem. By contrast, customer experience starts with hope — with the reason the customer chooses you in the first place.” Source: Strategy + Business, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 20, 2021
Last week’s top post Why constant learners all embrace the 5-hour rule Source: Animal Health Digest, May 11, 2021. Link. University of Minnesota researchers develop novel, field-deployable test for CWD Source: University of Minnesota, April 19, 2021. Link. The team is striving for a test that could be set-up at individual stations … [Read more...]
Managing how long beef producers keep cows
Doug Ferguson challenges the conventional cow management paradigm that a cow has 10 years to pay her way. Instead of being in the business of making old cows, he suggests a high turnover process that increases inventory value and improves gross sales. Other principles from Wally Olson’s marketing school are referenced as more examples of how high turnover methods increase … [Read more...]