At the recent Academy of Veterinary Consultants conference, John Richeson, Ph.D., discussed how the use of new chute-side diagnostic tools have potential to help cattle feeders assess morbidity risk for individual cattle upon arrival. This could potentially reduce antibiotic use in mass treatments while improving health outcomes. Citing Kansas State University research, … [Read more...]
Beef industry is based on discounts more than anything
Discount risk avoidance is a compelling way to consider the economics of the beef industry and its value programs. Jared Wareham shares a perspective that can help veterinarians and salespersons maintain preventative programs while helping producers avoid costly discounts. Value-added programs don’t necessarily add value to a set baseline price. Rather, they begin by removing … [Read more...]
Cool stuff seen at World Dairy Expo 2018
The 52nd World Dairy Expo ended October 5. By all accounts, it was successful and full of promise. The Progressive Dairyman team assembled a collection of cool stuff from their experiences there. Some of these advancements may interest dairy clients and veterinary teams that service dairies. Source: Progressive Dairyman, October 9, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
Brush up on measuring blood pressure
Whether in general practice settings or emergency or critical care environments, blood pressure measurement is used as a diagnostic tool. Oriana D. Scislowicz, LVT, provides an opportunity for veterinary nurses and clinic staff to brush up on their skills. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, October 2018. Link. Take action notes: Include blood pressure measurement as a … [Read more...]
Human nurses take exception to using ‘nurse’ in veterinary medicine
The debate about the veterinary nurse initiative continues. Rachael Zimlich explains some of the objections from the human nurse perspective. We are not suggesting any pet owner will confuse a staff member in a veterinary clinic or hospital as a human healthcare practitioner. The issue at hand is the title 'nurse' and the connotations and respect that come with that … [Read more...]
Go ahead. Talk to yourself; its normal and good for you
Our AHD team members are remote. We occasionally reference times when we catch ourselves talking to ourselves out loud. Talking to yourself is normal and is good for your mental health. That is, if you have the right conversations, writes Wendy Rose Gould. If we speak out loud, it forces us to slow down our thoughts and process them differently because we engage the language … [Read more...]
Failures are essential to success
One of the hardest things for effective managers to do is to let one of their direct reports fail. The natural inclination is to jump in and save the day. But, you would never learn to ride a bike if you didn’t fall off a few times. So, failure is an essential part of success. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, October 1, 2018. Link. Success is important as it tells you that, what you … [Read more...]
Keep pets safe during the holidays with these tips
Just in time for Halloween, candy and ghosts, here’s a nice resource from the American Veterinarian editorial staff. Use the Fast Facts Sheet in social media posts, e-newsletters and as handouts during pet visits. . . .this holiday season being a responsible pet owner means taking precautions to keep your pet happy and healthy well into the new year. Source: American … [Read more...]
Opinion – Pets are like family. But as health costs rise, few are insured that way.
Paul Sullivan takes a circuitous route through pet economics, market growth and the challenges of price versus value. References to pet owner attitude changes include contrasting the Snoopy generation of 30 years ago with the current Brian (Family Guy) generation. Sullivan’s perspectives are dashed with quotes, pet health examples, products and animal health companies. Two … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club celebrates veterinary techs every day of National Veterinary Technician week
The Bridge Club kicks off five consecutive days of technician-centric conversations focused on work/life balance on Monday October 15th. The schedule and links are below: OCTOBER 15, NOON CST – VET TECH WEEK: WORKING MORE THAN ONE JOB? YES, YOU CAN STILL BE SUCCESSFUL. Is work/life balance achievable? Hear from Julie Legred, CVT, and Beckie Mossor, RVT. <Register … [Read more...]
Beef’s quality revolution featured
Consumer preference continues to drive innovation and quality in all food protein markets. Three papers from Drover’s review changes in how consumers buy beef, the impact of the national beef quality audits (NBQA) and how stockmanship helps shape consumer perceptions. Source: Drover’s. Meat, millennials, meal kits. Link. A generation of quality gains. Link. … [Read more...]
19 veterinary practice managers earn prestigious CVPM designation
The Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) credential is recognized and respected by practice leaders and our animal health industry. Certification is provided by VHMA’s voluntary certification program that provides assurance of professional quality services. The exam is offered electronically to qualified CVPM candidates across North America. Source: VHMA, September … [Read more...]
Shadowing veterinary technician reveals skill, passion and dedication
Jen Reeder was floored by the passion, knowledge, and dedication of Jessica Krafthefer, CVT, whom she shadowed to better understand the role and challenges of veterinary technicians. It was a simple assignment that turned into one of the more eye-opening experiences of her life. It’s hard work, but at the end of the day, when I go home exhausted, I still want to come back,” … [Read more...]
Nigerian dwarf goats now approved as livestock dairy goat
4-H and FFA participants can now use Nigerian dwarf goats in livestock projects. The breed is experiencing a rise in popularity due to its small size and colorful markings. The goats have gentle personalities which makes them good pets, plus they are easy to handle and take little space. Source: Countryside Daily, October 1, 2018. Link. Most owners do not raise their goats … [Read more...]
Talking about dogs and dreams
Like humans, dogs dream. Dog dreams likely summarize the day’s events and allow dogs the opportunity to process what they learn. I don’t think anyone can say for sure what dogs dream about but we can be fairly certain that they do dream,” says Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM. Source: Dogster, September 18, 2018. Link. What we’ve basically found is that dogs dream doggy things,” … [Read more...]
Opinion – Your smartphone obsession may make your dog sad
I recently noticed a change in our Morkie’s behavior when I turn to my cell phone to monitor emails, texts or see what’s going on with LinkedIn or Twitter. Once I do, the dog allows about 30 to 45 minutes before deciding if it’s time to play, pet or seek attention. I’m not alone. Cheyenne Macdonald reviews growing amounts information that dogs are especially hurt by owners’ … [Read more...]
Understanding customers and decision makers
Two posts featuring Pat Malone, AHD’s weekly contributor, were opened at exceptionally high rates. Malone's focus on leading a customer to decide is evident in his writing and in his daily interactions with colleagues, customers, seminar participants and friends. These posts and the associated articles are relevant in today's business environment. Source: Understanding the … [Read more...]
Employees; our industry’s most discussed topic
Jared Wareham writes from his experiences with livestock management, yet, his take-home points are applicable industry-wide across animal health. Managing people will always require more effort and personal skill development than any of us want to devote; yet, it is absolutely necessary. Source: Drovers, August 14, 2018. Link. The risk of losing a great employee that you … [Read more...]
So, a Jewish dietician walks into a pig farm. . .
Leia Flure writes about her experience of learning about swine production. She had no knowledge about raising pigs and had questions of her own. They included: What’s a “factory farm” really like? How are the animals treated? How sustainable is animal agriculture? And, of course, are piglets as cute in person as they are in the movies? (note the anthropomorphic … [Read more...]
Antibiotics and vaccines are critical to livestock production
Those of us in the U.S. are well-aware of efforts to vaccinate for disease prevention and use antibiotics judiciously. Some organic and antibiotic-free operations operate with them. Perspectives from other parts of the world offer insight into why antibiotics remain necessary for humane livestock production. Kenneth Wameyo, secretary of the Kenya Veterinary Association, shares … [Read more...]
Genomics has reduced the generational interval
Genomic selection refers to breeding selection decisions based on genomic breeding values. The discovery of thousands of DNA markers plus the development of predicted breeding values based on marker data has allowed for accurate genomic selection of dairy sires by AI centers. A reduction in generation interval translates into more rapid genetic progress. Source: Dairy Herd … [Read more...]
Boehringer-Ingelheim forum focuses on well-being, not welfare for farm animals
The 11th Boehringer Ingelheim Expert Forum on Farm Animal Well-Being recently convened in Australia. Delegates from around the world focused on the intersection between animal well-being and international trade. The discussion centered on how to recognize and measure well-being, and how this relates to introducing standards in a global market where appetite and capacity for … [Read more...]
Modern livestock production practices are environmentally friendly
A new study in published in Nature Sustainability shows that modern, high-yield agricultural practices that produce as much food on as little land as possible is good for the environment. Researchers associated with Cambridge University looked at the effects of Asian rice and European wheat cultivation, Latin American beef and European dairy production. They then measured the … [Read more...]
Interest building for NAVC Resource Library
NAVC’s recent introduction of the Veterinary Resource Library <link> is generating considerable interest from the veterinary community and manufacturers alike. Designed to eliminate the need for veterinary personnel to check multiple websites to seek information, the resource center is quickly building toward its objective of becoming a one-stop product portal. The … [Read more...]
Purdue establishes National Academy for Veterinary Medicine
"Vet Up! The National Health Careers Opportunity Program" (HCOP) Academy for Veterinary Medicine will address a national shortage of veterinarians in public health and rural and food animal practice and a significant lack of under-represented individuals entering the veterinary profession. Vet Up aligns with other programs already in place at Purdue, including being home to the … [Read more...]
What kind of thinker are you?
Technologies for collaboration are improving faster than people’s ability to learn to use them. . . . in today’s marketplace, the smartest companies aren’t those that necessarily out-produce the competition . . . it’s the organizations that outthink them. After a lot of co-creation and trial-and-error, Elisa Steele and Mark Bonchek developed a three-step method that … [Read more...]
Avoid toxic plant risks for livestock
Fall changes in plants, dryer conditions and a tendency to overgraze can put livestock at risk to consume toxic plants. Anna O'Brien reviews some common toxic plants to help livestock avoid: Milkweed Rhododendron/Azaleas/Mountain Laurel Pigweed Ragwort Foxglove White Snakeroot Cherry Trees Black Walnut Source: Hobby Farms, August 27, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
Survey identifies needs, gaps to advance cattle care
U.S. beef producers and veterinarians identified animal handling and stockmanship as the two most important topics on which they could use additional training in a recent survey. Identifying and treating sick animals, and animal identification and training were also highly ranked. Written protocols and procedures, as well as written employee animal care commitments are the two … [Read more...]
Don’t ruin production with drought-stressed feed
The impact of this year’s drought conditions cover much of the country. It has reduced supplies of quality forage and grain. The practice of turning cows into fields to graze on total plants puts them at risk from the presence of aflatoxin, prussic acid or nitrate in the grazed crops. Aflatoxins are especially a threat to dairy farmers because they can render milk unsalable as … [Read more...]
Caterwauling, what and why
There’s nearly always a reason behind caterwauling, the higher pitched, drawn-out, melodic yowling sounds cats sometimes express, writes Angie Bailey. She shares some reasons for it, and what might help remedy the situation. Cats caterwaul: because they’re in pain as a signal they want to breed to alert us to outside activity when they are feeling insecure or … [Read more...]