Taking advantage of internet video tools, The Bridge Club virtual community continues to engage professionals in conversations. Co-founder Brenda Andresen references the learning experiences and professional nuggets she and founding partner Catherine Haskins capture with each live event. The Bridge Club was featured in a recent article in Vet Advantage as the team prepared for … [Read more...]
Swine vets highly valued, need more diagnostics
It may be a sign of swine producers’ growing expectations of technology, but fewer than 45 percent rated their vet as “excellent” at diagnosing problems in a study conducted by CF Grass Consulting. With high scores overall, the diagnostic metric reveals the continual need to educate producers on preventative production practices and to develop better diagnostic tools. … [Read more...]
Myths and facts about strangles, Strep equii
Many horse owners don’t understand strangles, says Reese Hand, DVM. Strangles is an infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi, and spreads predominately by nose-to-nose contact. It is sometimes known as equine distemper. Source: Western Horseman, September 2014. Link. While strangles is easily treatable and rarely fatal, … [Read more...]
Genetics could reduce bovine respiratory disease
Genetic selection could be a new tool to thwart bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in cattle, according to research at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Focused on the genetic analysis of BRD and lung consolidation in dairy calves. BRD incidence has not changed in the past 20 years, despite producers’ proactive calf management processes. BRD has only short-term effects on … [Read more...]
Opinion – Amazon to fight counterfeiting with brand registry
In a move to avoid counterfeiting Amazon is promoting a brand registry after abruptly cancelling routine merchandise orders from thousands of its long-time suppliers in early March. The cleaner the marketplace, the better the sales integrity and product integrity.” - Ryan Craver, CEO of Amazon’s Commerce Canal Amazon’s business platform operates similar to animal … [Read more...]
Why dogs smell each other’s butts
Butt sniffing is how dogs gather information about each other. It is normal and a necessary ritual that dogs do during greetings, writes Jill Breitner. She describes the 3-second dog greeting rule can keep everyone safe and happy in the event a dog goes overboard in its zeal for getting to know another dog. … [Read more...]
Time to focus on heartworm
Spring is six days away. With it the mosquito populations will build as will heartworm disease risks for pets. DVM 360 gathered a selection of articles, tips, tools and resources to help renew heartworm knowledge with team members. Consider these resources as you educate dog and cat owners on the importance of year-round heartworm prevention. Source: DVM 360, March 2, 2019. … [Read more...]
Texas Tech vet school effort reveals challenges
A recent ad we received reveals the critical shortage of veterinarians serving small, rural communities throughout Texas. We’re sharing it to help animal health pros gain knowledge and perspective about the challenges of serving animal owners in rural areas of the United States. Texas employs the second most veterinarians in the U.S., but more than 30 percent are 60 years … [Read more...]
The importance of elevating veterinary technicians
Dan Aja, DVM, sees the important work veterinary technicians do to support delivery of high-quality care for pets, engage clients and help hospitals run smoothly. Meanwhile, the veterinary industry still faces challenges developing a consistent model for veterinary technicians, despite multiyear educational, training, and certification requirements. Aja compares the roles of … [Read more...]
Loyal employees = loyal customers
Loyalty, in general use, is a devotion and faithfulness to a nation, cause, philosophy, company, group or person. According to research by Gallup, fewer than 30 percent of employees say they are loyal to their company. Frequent turnover has a negative impact on employee morale, productivity and company revenue. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, June 18, 2018. Link. The reality is that … [Read more...]
What keeps HR leaders up at night?
Ensuring employees remain engaged and productive continues to reign supreme in the minds of HR managers. According to a recent survey, 32 percent of the HR leaders cited employee engagement and productivity as their top challenges, compared to 29 percent a year earlier. Retaining key talent in today’s economy was cited by 32 percent as their top concern. . . . over half of … [Read more...]
Building trust and compliance
Christine Shupe writes about client trust, compliance and The Opportunity, a tool from Partners for Healthy Pets, to help with animal owner engagement. She reminds us that gaining trust requires effort and follow-through. At the core of any client/professional relationship is trust. As staff works to establish trust, the probability that the client trusts and listen to what … [Read more...]
Comparing meat and poultry cash prices
If your grocery expenses seem to be increasing, a current year compared to last year cash price review may be enlightening. Perhaps packaged goods are hitting your budgets harder than food animal products. Source: Feedstuffs, February 28, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Call it welfare or well-being, it’s about proper husbandry
Portia Stewart tackles semantics that help non-ag persons comprehend the challenges of raising meat and being good animal stewards. Young consumers want to learn a lot more about their food. One of the problems we have today is a lot of young consumers are totally removed from the world of the practical.” - Temple Grandin, DVM. Source: PORK, February 28, 2019. … [Read more...]
Coyotes going metro
The coyote (Canis latrans) is one of nature’s most adaptable wild animals. More and more cities are being invaded by these daring and crafty canids. As omnivores, coyotes enjoy a veritable smorgasbord in suburban areas. A study by the Urban Coyote Research Program analyzed over 1,400 scat samples from urban coyotes and discovered the most common food items were small … [Read more...]
Top 5 diseases of domestic ferrets
Ferrets are popular as pets again. Kvin Lertpiriyapong, DVM, reviews specific diseases and conditions that are common in ferrets: Adrenal gland hyperplasia or neoplasiaPancreatic islet β-cell tumorForeign bodiesDental diseaseDiarrhea Source: Clinician’s Brief, February 2017. Link. Because of their curious nature, unique biology, and increased average lifespan due to … [Read more...]
Sponsored content from AAHA Red and AAHA NEWStat
Here is actionable, sponsored content from recent issues of NEWStat and Red you’ll find helpful: Cats take enough risks on their own. Why add adjuvanted vaccines to the list? January 21, 2019. Link. Content provided by Boehringer Ingelheim. Pet insurance 101 for veterinary hospital teams, December 21, 2018. Link. Content offered by Petplan. The itchy dog: short … [Read more...]
Dogs and their owners tend to act alike, including anxiousness
Whether through conscious training or day to day interactions, humans shape dog behavior—and they change as we change. "Our lifestyle changes trickle down," says William J. Chopik, a social psychologist at Michigan State University. He led a recent study that found that dogs resemble their owners in an entirely different way: their personalities tend to be similar. Source: … [Read more...]
Bragging rights: Top veterinary universities
Rankings prepared by Quacquarelli Symonds ranks The University of California – Davis in the number 2 spot globally for 2019. The ranking makes it the top-ranked veterinary university in the United States. Eleven North American schools are ranked in the top 25 as shown below: University of California – Davis (#2)Cornell University (#5)University of Guelph (#7)The Ohio … [Read more...]
Dr. Andy Roark on boundaries, the new trend in vet medicine
Boundary challenges are not unique to veterinary medicine, but not all of us put lives on the line when we set solid boundaries. Dr. Roark’s writers reveal details about the challenges with setting boundaries. Ericka Mendez, DVM, reveals her feelings in The growing pains of setting boundaries in veterinary medicine. Link. In her post, Our new veterinarian leaves every … [Read more...]
Six tips for the hiring process (Video)
Marian Rowland, BS, CVPM, discusses six tips in an informative video that have improved her hiring practices. Source: VHMA, February 22, 2019. Link. Rowland shares the following six main tips: Create a hiring process and follow itDon’t rushUse your core valuesUse a training program from the ground upLook over staff benefit percentageBe open to changing your hiring process … [Read more...]
Signs of cancer in dogs vary greatly
Veterinary oncologist Dr. Stacy Binstock’s estimate of 25%-33% of dogs developing cancer at some point in their lives is sobering. Cancer is the number one cause of death in older dogs. Catherine Ashe, DVM, reminds us that annual or semi-annual exams are more than vaccine appointments. The physical exam is the most important function and helps identify any symptoms that might … [Read more...]
Plague risks in cats and dogs plus public health concerns
In a recent episode of Dr. K's Exotic Animal ER on Nat Geo Wild, a client brought in a pet prairie dog. As I watched, I wondered if the audience knew that prairie dogs are amplifying hosts for plague. Radford G. Davis, DVM, explains the disease and the eminent risk to dogs and cats from interactions or ingesting infected rodents. Clinicians living in enzootic areas may be … [Read more...]
Use color to build your legacy
This new productivity technique can help you reverse engineer your day based on where you want to be many years down the line. Research has shown to be 91 percent effective. Source: Forbes, February 20, 2019. Link. He breaks down the groups into three colors: Red, Green and Gold. . . . he has come to understand that people are largely looking for function and meaning in … [Read more...]
Work on yourself first, to improve your team
Jennifer Porter writes about working with dysfunctional teams and developing the skills to improve team dynamics. Teams are complex systems of individuals with different preferences, skills, experiences, perspectives and habits. The odds of improving that complex system in a meaningful and sustainable way are higher if every team member (including the leader) learns to … [Read more...]
Avoiding cost does not create value in calving date plans
As the cattle market approaches some expansion slowdown <link>, consider options for where and when calves are born. Despite the greatest total cost, June calving provided the lowest unit cost of production and greatest net profit per calf, thanks to greater weaning and carcass weights. Source: BEEF, January 23, 2019. Link. Calving dates and management systems are … [Read more...]
Methane potent but not long-lived (audio interview)
Methane produced by livestock is the most potent of the gases in question, BUT it simply does not stick around all that long of time compared to gases created by the use of fossil fuels. . . . the three greenhouse gases are not created equal. CO2 and nitrous oxide, have a lifetime of 1000 years. Methane however has a lifespan of only 10 years Source: Radio Oklahoma … [Read more...]
CattleFax predicts slower and more measured pace in 2019
David Cooper shares a summary of the 2019 CattleFax outlook he heard during the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The cattle business cycle will enter a typical slowdown as this year progresses. Kevin Good, CattleFax analyst, explained that weather and profitability drive expansion in the beef industry. Prices for the U.S. will remain relatively … [Read more...]
Managing feline constipation
Charting diagnostic steps, Glenn A. Olah, DVM, provides a helpful flow chart to help veterinary teams address feline constipation. Constipation can lead to complications including obstipation and megacolon. Source: Clinician’s Brief, September 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Flow charts like this one are tremendous tools for reviewing diagnostic steps and for discussing the … [Read more...]
Acute feline urethral obstruction – a quiz
Test your blocked cat management skills with this interactive quiz. After reviewing the case information see how you score on which drugs are appropriate for the patient. Source: Clinician’s Brief, October 2018. Link. INSIGHTS: Quizzes like this are popular with animal health pros. They make great team meeting or lunch topics to reinforce knowledge and discuss choices … [Read more...]