Getting licked is not always pleasant for owners. Two articles shed light on this common behavior which, for the most part, is an indication the owner is liked. Source: Catster, February 1, 2021. Link. When your cats lick you, it can be a compliment, a sign of stress or more says JaneA Kelly. She indicates anxiety, social bonding and trust are some of the reasons cats lick … [Read more...]
The history of dog adoption and rescue in the U.S.
Arden Moore and the Dogster team keep and update key moments in the history of dog adoption and rescue. Their timeline begins in 1866, when the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals began its mission. Source: Dogster, April 30, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
The neuroscience of busyness
Cal Newport shares perspectives on a recent study designed to assess how we solve problems. The study indicates we’re biased toward solutions that add components instead of those that subtract them. Newport says this new paper raises intriguing possibilities. The collision of knowledge work (a new thing) with the digital age (an even newer thing) disrupted the professional … [Read more...]
A H.I.G.H.E.R whole team approach
Guest Contributor – Caitlin Keat, MSm We’ve combined two contributions from Caitlin Keat. Leadership behaviors do not always come naturally. Recognizing and allowing the whole person is critical to improving team dynamics, successes, retention and continuity. Wholeness is a state of forming a complete and harmonious whole. It is ongoing, everchanging, and something we have … [Read more...]
A new solution: Relief veterinary technicians
Employing a relief DVM is a familiar practice. However, the concept of a Relief Credentialed Veterinary Technician/Nurse is new to managers and practice owners, writes Michelle D. Krasicki-Aune MBA, BS, CVT. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Spring 2020. Link. Enlisting rCVTs in an institution can positively impact and potentially reverse some of the negative financial, … [Read more...]
Research insights on telemedicine; changing pet owner expectations regarding accessing
Vet-AI and Joii Pet Care released new insights into the effectiveness and safety of remote prescribing. They are collected from tens of thousands of consults during the pandemic, as well as exclusive pet parent research which highlights owner expectations and needs. The insights were first shared in a live webinar called The Great British Data Show last week hosted by The … [Read more...]
She-cession. Pink collar recession. Getting women back in the workforce.
Pandemic-driven lockdowns forced many women to choose between work and family, setting women’s labor force participation back decades. Jen Colleta addresses what HR can do to stop this alarming trend. Colleta says the statistics are stark: More than 5 million payroll jobs held by women were lost in 2020. Of those women, nearly 2.5 million left the workforce entirely … [Read more...]
Pandemic pets taking toll on vets, staffs
Veterinarians and their teams across the country are seeing more new pets and more sick ones than in pre-pandemic times. The Associated Press reports despite extending hours, hiring more staff and refusing new patients, the load is heavy. Some practices have hire counselors to help staff members deal with burnout and fatigue. The numbers support the burden. Approximately … [Read more...]
No, people aren’t giving up pandemic pets because they’re bored
Opinion Finally! Award winning journalist S. E. Smith speaks up on pandemic puppy surrenders, better ways to approach animal welfare, ways to handle hardship surrenders and social media posturing. While pets adopted during the pandemic period are being surrendered, data from Shelter Animals Count appear to indicate current relinquishments are not back to pre-pandemic, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 13, 2021
NOTE: When it is time to catch up on your reading or recall something you scanned, try the AHD Archives on the right side of the AHD website. Such as: Archives for April 2021. Link. Last week’s top post Eating less meat won’t save the planet. Here’s why. Source: Animal Health Digest, May 4, 2021. Link. What my Mother’s death taught … [Read more...]
Could artificial insemination become illegal?
Artificial breeding might become illegal should a ballot initiative in Colorado be enacted by the state’s citizens says Corey Geiger. He reviews the legislation that would call an animal, “any living, nonhuman creature.” The revised definition would then state, “. . . not limited to, a dog, a cat, a horse, livestock . . ,” says Geiger. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, May 10, 2021. … [Read more...]
Medina Spirit’s treatment with canine antifungal could be behind doping findings
Opinion We’re sharing articles about the Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit. The horse allegedly tested positive for 21 picograms of betamethasone according to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Medina Spirit’s dermatitis was treated with Merck OTOMAX® OTIC OINTMENT, consistent with a veterinarian's recommendation to apply this ointment daily to give the horse relief, … [Read more...]
Decoding the guaranteed analysis on cat food labels
No wonder cat food labels are confusing! When pet foods became common, the template just got moved over from livestock and never really got adjusted. It’s a lot different from what we are used to seeing on “Nutrition Facts” labels for human foods.” - Cailin R. Heinze, VMD, MS, DACVN To clear up some of the confusion, the authors provide a guaranteed analysis … [Read more...]
Why dogs bark at nothing
For dog owners it may seem like their dog can see ghosts, but there’s a logical reason for the commotion writes Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT. Dogs don’t experience the world the same way humans do, she says. Because you can’t hear or see anything in the environment to explain your dog’s barking, that doesn’t mean there isn’t something going on. New and experienced dog … [Read more...]
New AAD funding to expand rapid, rugged POC platform in livestock, humans
Complimentary Commercial Content Advanced Animal Diagnostics’ announcement that a $7 million investment will support commercial expansion of livestock tests and 510(k) submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for human blood tests. “We’re uniquely positioned in animal and human testing to fight the rising threat of infectious disease,” said Joy … [Read more...]
Why constant learners all embrace the 5-hour rule
Benjamin Hardy, PhD, describes what he calls Ben Franklin’s 5-hour rule. Franklin invested an hour per day for deliberate learning and thinking. No distractions, no notifications, just deliberate flow-based learning. Source: Benjamin Hardy, PhD, You Tube, May 3, 2021. Link. I would submit that if you are not spending an hour a day deliberately learning, you are actually … [Read more...]
Perspectives on mentorship
Guest Contributor - Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT Mentorship is personal and tough to define. Alyssa Mages shares her experiences with mentors and their contributions. My mentors were strong and fearless in my eyes. They looked for the potential in people and when they found it, whatever it was, they helped it to flourish, to grow, to become. They did not give up!” Source: … [Read more...]
Outcomes are key to productive meetings
“Nothing ever gets done in meetings. Meetings are a waste of time. Meetings are of no value.” For a list of reasons, we all try to avoid getting stuck in a meeting that goes on and on. There are many suggestions to improve meeting productivity, but all will be for naught if your meeting does not include Mitch Zenger’s first recommendation. Source: Meetings at … [Read more...]
5-step process holds team members constructively accountable
Confronting less-than-acceptable performance or conduct can create tension, writes Michael Canic. He says it is time to rethink how we view accountability. The goal of holding team members accountable is to help them—and the organization—improve, grow, achieve, and succeed.” – Micheal Canic Source: Training Magazine , April 28, 2021. Link. Canic shares a five-step process for … [Read more...]
Catching up with VIP’s Shawn and Dr. Ivan
Complimentary Content Shawn Wilkie and Ivan Zakharenkov, DVM, invite innovators to discuss current and future trends while applying their veterinary and entrepreneurial experiences to the discussions. For podcast fans, VIP episodes remain an excellent opportunity to learn from animal health pros who are helping invent the next generation of animal health. Source: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 6, 2021
Last week’s top post Beyond wellness plans, bundling can work Source: Animal Health Digest. April 20, 2021. Link. Tractor Supply, over 5 million chickens sold to new customers in 2020 Source: Morning Brew, April 28, 2021. Link. TSC credits strong Q1 earnings to millennials moving to suburban and rural areas. There’s a name … [Read more...]
Covid-19 takes heavy toll on farmers mental health
Two in three farmers/farmworkers say the Covid-19 pandemic has affected their mental health and more than half say they are experiencing more mental health challenges than they were a year ago, according to a recent American Farm Bureau poll. Animal health pros who call on farmers and ranchers may notice behavior that is out of character. Farm Bureau assembled a list of great … [Read more...]
Eating less meat won’t save the planet. Here’s why.
If you are concerned about climate change, water use or greenhouse gases, listening to this program is a must. The presentation addresses many of the disparaging environmental messages about beef and dairy production. As is often the case, the short answer is not the true answer. Source: Brilliant.org, YouTube, April 25, 2021. Link. Listening time is 24 minutes. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Why are veterinarians so unhappy?
Source: Veterinary Innovation Solutions. Registration Link. Topics to be discussed include: The generational shift and whether millennial veterinary professionals are different to motivate How to set goals that create a sense of belonging How to build thriving teams and reduce employee turnover with the application of positive psychology. … [Read more...]
Flavored water may help horses drink more
Concerns that hospitalized horses that did not consume enough water and could develop colic led to testing different water flavors often used in veterinary settings. The winner of the taste test was sweet-feed flavored water, which the test group horses significantly preferred over plain water. If you're going to try flavoring a horse's water to try to get them to drink … [Read more...]
Dogs and cats do see in color
Debunking common thoughts that cats and dogs only have black-and-white eyesight, veterinary experts share the animals see in color just like us. However, the structure of their eyes limit all the hues they can see. Source: Martha Stewart, April 27, 2021. Link. "Dogs and cats can see in color; however, it is with a decreased spectrum of colors," Jennifer Freeman, DVM … [Read more...]
Jealousy in dogs
New research from New Zealand shows dogs appear to be one of the few species that might display jealous behaviors like how a human child shows jealousy when their mother gives affection to another child. In humans, jealousy is linked with self-awareness, the reason animal-cognition researchers are so interested in studying jealousy and other secondary emotions in … [Read more...]
Emerging Salmonella serotype gains attention, concerns
Includes Sponsored Content Salmonella 1,4,[5],12:i:-, an emerging serotype in swine, has become one of the most identified serotypes in pigs, pork, and humans worldwide. Responding to the industry’s needs, Swine Health Information Center posted a new fact sheet that contains valuable information on the serotype, its nomenclature, as well as resistance. Pigs often carry … [Read more...]
AHD welcomes new contributors from EVT
Beginning this month, Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, and Caitlin Keat, BS, MS, will contribute their perspectives from their work with veterinary teams. Throughout the pandemic and through their business, Empowering Veterinary Teams (EVT), Mages and Keat have worked to support and inspire veterinary team members taxed with myriad changes in how work and life are transpiring. We’re … [Read more...]
What workers’ attire communicates to customers
Research found that shoppers were almost twice as likely to interact with a formally dressed employee as one who was informally dressed, believing that the more formally dressed employees had more expertise than their casually dressed peers. This raised their expectations of getting better service. Dust off the lab coats and sport jackets.” Source: Harvard Business Review, … [Read more...]