Animal rights activists are often loud, opinionated and definitely disruptive. And they are influencers too. Each year, the Animal Agriculture Alliance releases reports from major animal rights conferences. It's critical to understanding what strategies and tactics will be used next against animal agriculture, says Hannah Thompson-Weeman, communications director, Animal … [Read more...]
B-Lyme-y! (infographic)
The DVM 360 staff put together an informative infographic that highlights findings from a new study conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Merck Animal Health. Data shows pets aren’t getting complete protection against fleas, ticks and Lyme disease. Source: DVM 360, June 22, 2018. Link. The good news: Pet parents of all ages want to protect their pets from parasites, with … [Read more...]
What veterinary medicine can learn from pet retail (podcast)
Brock Weatherup, CEO ofPetCoach, joins SPARK to discuss the background behind decisions veterinary practices must make about whether or not to carry certain retail products. He also shares his expertise on the kinds of products practices should carry and the ones they should avoid. Source: NAVC Spark. Link. Enabling technologies are disrupting many industries including the … [Read more...]
When your boss isn’t your advocate
Having a great boss (Link) is a potentially life-changing gift. On the other hand, many of us know firsthand that having a bad boss (Link) can cause a lot of drama, headaches, and stress. While it’s easy to love the great bosses and flee the bad ones, there’s one kind of boss that’s much less straightforward to navigate: the boss who doesn’t advocate for you. Source: Harvard … [Read more...]
NAVTA’s Animal Health Bi-Weekly, July 5
Genetic disorder database, heartworm grant, email goofs and canine cancer survivors. These and more are in the July 5 edition. Source: NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly: July 5, 2018. Link. Check out the upcoming NAVTA education sessions and events. <link> … [Read more...]
Missouri wildlife veterinarian does more than fix broken wings
Sherri Russell, DVM, explains her role in wildlife education and health, population medicine, One Health, conservation research projects, agriculture and education for varied interests in Missouri. This article is a unique look at how veterinary medicine is integrated within the concerns of residents where they and wildlife intersect. Source: Missouri Conservationist … [Read more...]
Canine Confidential: Why dogs do what they do (book review)
In his new book, “Canine Confidential,” Marc Bekhoff gathered up the latest research from canine cognitive/behavioral fields, as well as his own, and presents the information in an inviting, conversational mode that makes complicated topics much easier to grasp. This volume covers much ground, from canine cognition and their rich emotional lives and behavioral proclivities to … [Read more...]
Pet food transparency: telling stories to reach consumers
As consumers demand more transparency, are pet food companies learning to better tell their stories and communicate what they make, but why and how they make it, and what they stand for? Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry, says, “Yes.” She writes a commentary about her experiences at Super Zoo 2018 and the changing approach to … [Read more...]
The secret price of pets
“The care and feeding of America’s fur babies has grown increasingly baroque,” Peter Halderman says. His commentary describes the lifestyles of the most pampered pets with economics added for effect. The opportunities for treating our pets like Ferraris, or at least like high-maintenance children, would seem to be as plentiful as those for coddling ourselves. Maybe more … [Read more...]
You’re never done transitioning, so get good at it
We all have transitions, or changes, in life whether we make them ourselves or they’re made for us. Aviah Wittenberg-Cox, author of Seven Steps to Leading a Gender-Balanced Business, says mapping out transitions on a timeline from zero to 100 years will give you an idea of how many transitions you’ll experience. Source: Harvard Business Review, July 5, 2018. Link. Longevity … [Read more...]
How women can succeed by rethinking old habits
Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith discuss self-limiting behaviors that are simply part of being human. Their combined experiences with women in virtually every sector taught them that even women at the highest levels can undermine themselves with specific self-sabotaging or self-limiting behaviors that are different from those that most frequently undermine men. Not all … [Read more...]
Effect of refrigeration of clinical canine urine samples on quantitative bacterial culture
This study is meaningful to all veterinary teams. A group from Louisiana State University examined the effect of 24 hours of refrigeration on urine samples collected from dogs with signs of urinary tract infection (UTI). From a group of 104 dogs, bacterial growth was identified in 35.6 percent (n = 37), 33.7 percent (35), and 31.7 percent (33) of the immediately processed, … [Read more...]
Med students learn from zoo patients and vets in Harvard program
A rotation at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston is demonstrating to Harvard Medical School students that animals and people share the same environment. Offered for the last three years, Harvard students work alongside zoo veterinarians monitoring animal health and collaborating in diagnoses and treatments. Source: New York Times (paywall). June 29, 2018. Link. “I would never … [Read more...]
AAHA newly accredited practices for May and June
Twenty-three AAHA practice teams completed accreditation since May 15, 2018 to claim the coveted Accredited Practice status. Take a few minutes to view the list to find a practice you call on or where someone you know works. These teams meet the highest standards in veterinary medicine. Give them a call, send a note or email them your congratulations. Source: AAHA Red, June … [Read more...]
Giving feedback is difficult
Why is it so hard to tell our employees (or our spouses and friends, for that matter) that they’re doing something that’s not working and need to change? Most often, we’re worried about the other person’s reaction. What if she gets angry? What if he cries? What if she tells me I’m an idiot? What if he gets super defensive and starts blaming me? Another thing that makes it … [Read more...]
Work is natural and good for dogs
I’m caring for one of my adult childrens' dogs this holiday week. At age 5, she’s a good girl with shades of narcissism golden retrievers possess. That said, she’s out of her element at Grandpa’s. I have decided she needs a job. So, I’m working with her on retrieving a heavy bumper on a long rope twice a day for fifteen minutes. The rope keeps the bumper from being a toy and … [Read more...]
The immune system and the pathogenesis of depression
The discovery of “why” is part of many animal health pros’ scientific makeup. We investigate to understand and then study more to be sure we understand. For several months, our industry has been focused on suicide and its underpinnings, including depression. This article references studies that have shown a link between chronic immune responses and the development and presence … [Read more...]
Modern technology helping to manage smelly pigs
The battle between swine producers and their neighbors over the hog production smells may be getting some new technology beyond tree and bush windbreaks. Electrostatic precipitator technology from commercial industries is being tested at Iowa Select Farms. Source: National Hog Farmer, June 19, 2018. Link. John Stinn, environmental projects manager, says, “the electrostatic … [Read more...]
Latest JAVMA
We’ve linked you to the table of contents for this issue of JAVMA. The following summary is from the JAVMA news segment: Veterinarians, caught in a chronic opioid shortage, are turning to other anesthetics that may be less effective. In other news, the social climate at veterinary colleges is improving overall, but among students, sexism, racism, and homophobia may be … [Read more...]
Smithsonian exhibit shows viral vulnerability
The “Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World” exhibit <link> in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History explains the perfect storm that we’ve brought upon ourselves: The more of the planet humans take over, the more we inadvertently make it a viral paradise, and a dangerous place for us to live. The exhibit shows that our vulnerability to viral infection depends on … [Read more...]
Don’t break the chain, the science behind lasting change
Do you remember your New Year’s resolution? Did you keep it? Aytekin Tank writes about how to keep your changes moving forward. He quotes what Jerry Seinfeld once said about his writing work. “Don’t break the chain.” “He said for each day that I do my task of writing, I get to put a big red X over that day. After a few days you’ll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain … [Read more...]
Opinion: Generation Z; Chasing butterflies
If you spent any time trying to understand millennials, then this article series will bring perspective about the next generation, Gen Z. The series focuses on brand practitioners, but since each of us manages our own brand, some of the information applies to every animal health pro. The authors compare Gen Z metaphorically to a butterfly. Some are in a state of metamorphosis … [Read more...]
Create a motivating environment
At some point, every leader has dealt with a person or worse, a group of people, who has lost motivation. It is frustrating. As much as we’ve been there ourselves, sometimes it’s hard to empathize with others who are disengaged from work and are unproductive as a result. Source: Harvard Business Review, March 22, 2018. Link. Despite these difficulties, it is possible for … [Read more...]
Developing leaders properly critical to success
Leadership matters! Most people at least implicitly understand this basic concept. People who have studied, and practiced leadership understand it at a deeper level. Developing and selecting individuals for positions of authority is one of the most important responsibilities of today’s leaders. Source: General Leadership, August 6, 2014. Link. The ability to be steady and … [Read more...]
30-year milestone for World Pork Expo in the books
“It’s hard to believe Expo has been around for 30 years,” says Jim Heimerl, NPPC president and producer from Johnstown, Ohio. “Just as the U.S. pork industry has evolved over the years, so too has Expo.” In search of new ideas and solutions for today and tomorrow, more than 20,000 producers, employees and industry professionals attended the 2018 World Pork Expo. Among the … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club to launch ICON Series
Expanding on its video-based community platform and live event strategy, The Bridge Club will launch the first event of a new ICON series during the AVMA Convention in Denver. The ICON event, featuring honoree Kristen Peck of Zoetis, will take place July 16, 2018. Advance ticket purchase and registration are required. Tickets are available now. <Ticket Link> Source: … [Read more...]
A guide to pets’ body language
Dogs and cats display common non-verbal gestures and postures. This article provides a downloadable, pictorial guide to help animal owners understand what a pet is trying to convey. Source: American Lifestyle, April 1, 2016. Link. Canines are usually very expressive, but their messages can get lost in translation. Felines can be a bit more mysterious with their body … [Read more...]
Latest NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly
Veterinary nurses easily outnumber veterinarians. See what is important to the NAVTA members in this edition. Source: NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly, June 19, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
AAHA recognizes 2018 veterinary students for excellence in primary care
AAHA has announced the 2018 recipients of the AAHA Awards for Proficiency in Primary Care. Our team at Animal Health Digest congratulates these students who have shown outstanding clinical proficiency in primary care. Source: AAHA. June 19, 2018. Link. “Primary care is the foundation of excellent veterinary medicine. The AAHA Awards for Proficiency in Primary Care … [Read more...]
Lead with medicine, not money
Naomi Strollo, RVT, addresses money in the veterinary hospital. She says it is important to lead with medicine and then empower your client service representative to manage some cost conversations. She offers some tips for these conversations, including emergencies: Explain what you want to do. Don’t assume price is the problem. Focus on consent, not cost. Offer … [Read more...]