This article was part of last week’s The view from the gut that featured the Blueprint issue of National Hog Farmer (Link). James Lowe, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, i-Learning Center, director shares the work his group has done understand the factors that drive the development of the microbiome of the pig’s intestine. Source: National Hog Farmer, … [Read more...]
Baby bison may save Siberian permafrost
To avoid releasing billions of tons of carbon from warming permafrost, scientists in the Pleistocene Park, in the wilds of Siberia, are attempting to reestablish the ecosystem as it was 20,000 years ago. They believe the actions of grazing animals can help keep the ground from thawing. Bison from Alaska will soon join other grazing animals there. Source: Fast Company, April … [Read more...]
Red wolf puppies born in North Carolina (videos)
In what appears to be a repeat performance, a new litter of red wolf cubs was born at The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina. This litter appears to be half the size of the one reported last year. (Link) Nonetheless, these add to the limited population of these animals remaining. Source: WRAL-TV via AVMA SmartBrief, April 24, 2018, Link. The first 30 days … [Read more...]
AVMA board working hard
With over 91,000 members representing 75 percent of U.S. veterinarians, the AVMA board of directors has plenty of work ahead. The board recently shared achievements and growth plans to serve the needs of our entire diverse profession. Source: AVMA@Work, April 13, 2018, Link. Here are some meeting highlights focused on actions taken to better serve the veterinary … [Read more...]
Value your people so they do their best
Your people need more than a salary and fulfilling work to be their best. They need to know that you see the value in them as individuals and from the results they deliver. These nine suggestions should be an automatic part of your management style. Source: Forbes, November 8, 2017, Link. . . . delivering the tough information – can be a challenge. Nonetheless, it’s one of … [Read more...]
May at The Bridge Club
The Bridge Club continues to broaden perspectives by sharing personal, professional and industry knowledge in its unique virtual community setting. May online events include: Spectrum of Leadership, a two-part series; May 2nd and 3rd at 3:30 CDT Generation Z: learn who they are and why we need to care now; May 22nd at 10am CST/11am EST. VCPRs: what this means for … [Read more...]
Look for AHD friends in the media
There is ongoing news about AHD supporters and friends in various animal health media outlets this month. Be sure to look for details about AHD Founder’s Circle member, Innovetive Pet Care, and its spring leadership summit. Also, be on the lookout for the lowdown on UTid+™, a new companion animal in-clinic culture system to help diagnose common bacteria and fungi associated … [Read more...]
Cows love brushing (includes video)
Brian Murphy and his family installed automated brushes to improve cow comfort. The cows love the brushes and compete for position to take turns. Source: Dairy Herd Management, March 29, 2018. (Link) The brushes really help to keep the cows clean, especially this time of year when they are getting rid of their hair coat,” Murphy says. “The cows love to stand and rub against … [Read more...]
Structured and unstructured exercise important for puppy energy
Sporting dog puppies can be challenging. We want the drive and the energy once they are trained. However, to get through the puppy stages, exercise must be designed to tire-out puppies and include early obedience and life lessons. Source: Gun Dog, April 10, 2018. (Link) Sporting dog pups are chock-full of potential and obviously provide plenty of furry awesomeness. … [Read more...]
Dogs that don’t shed – much – are all different
It’s a biological fact that there are NO non-shedding dog breeds, writes Melvin Pe͂na. Short hair doesn’t necessarily indicate no-shed dogs, and long or thick hair doesn’t mean a dog is prone to shedding. Low shedding is not necessarily hypo-allergenic, either Source: Dogster, April 12, 2018. (Link) Pe͂na provides lists of non-shedding dog breeds, or dogs who don’t shed … [Read more...]
April ends strong at The Bridge Club
Two intriguing Bridge Club topics are left in April: Hurricane Harvey: Lessons Learned by from Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists Thu, April 19, 2018, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM CDT Ryan Buck, president of Houston’s Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, shares lessons from Hurricane Harvey’s devastation of the 54,000-square-foot facility and rebuilding for employees, the … [Read more...]
Change is hard. Leading it is harder.
Change is hard. It is especially hard on the person leading the change. Compound this by being new to the organization you are leading through the change and the task can seem insurmountable. These thoughts will help. Source: LinkedIn, July 10, 2017. (Link) Change is exhausting, especially if you have a big vision, so you need to break it down into manageable pieces and … [Read more...]
The gender wage gap hurts nearly all females
The gender wage gap is a nuanced and complex issue writes Lydia Dishman. She breaks down how it varies across categories, and the ultimate impact it has on the economy including: Gender wage gap by ethnicity Gender wage gap by profession The causes of wage gaps Why closing the wage gaps would boost the economy Source: Fast Company, April 10, 2018. … [Read more...]
AABP program benefits recent graduates
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners hosted the first in a planned series of educational meetings designed for recent graduates. The AABP Recent Veterinary Graduate Conference was open to veterinarians who had graduated since 2010 and 165 attended. The conference provided continuing education on beef and dairy medicine; including obstetrics, necropsy, examinations, … [Read more...]
The view from the gut
There has been ongoing confusion about microbe management in the gut. Continuous research is helping determine which bugs are good or bad, what happens during the production cycle and how antibiotics affect gut microflora. We determined that recent information published by National Hog Farmer would be best presented in its entirety. Animal health pros can anticipate parallel … [Read more...]
9 rules of being an adult at work
It is important to be regularly reminded of what it means to be a responsible and mature adult in the office. These may seem basic but remember immature moves could change the way people perceive you and determine whether you actually succeed in your career. Alyse Kalish offers nine rules of being an adult at work: Show up on time Dress appropriately Do what’s … [Read more...]
What did veterinarians learn at AASV? (slideshow)
It has only been five weeks, but the American Association of Swine Veterinarians 2018 annual meeting may seem a distant memory. Realistically, there has likely been little time to act on the information learned there. Now is a good time to refresh the action items from the meeting, discuss them with colleagues and industry representatives. Source: National Hog Farmer, March … [Read more...]
Zombie raccoons; 200 new viruses in reptiles, amphibians, fish
These two articles expose the reality of living with wildlife. Distemper is likely the cause of strange-acting raccoons in Ohio. Meanwhile, researchers indicate viruses that infect amphibians, reptiles and fishes are studied little compared to the ones that affect mammals and birds. Source: The Washington Post, April 5, 2018 (paywall). Residents in Youngstown, Ohio, … [Read more...]
4 signs you care too much about what co-workers think
Wanting to please others is normal. This doesn't mean it's healthy. In many cases, it's holding you back from success at work. This tendency to zero in obsessively on the opinions of others, often at the expense of your own preferences, is sometimes referred to as "approval addiction." Source: US News and World Report, April 2, 2018. The “pleasing” attribute, while … [Read more...]
Your “but” may not give the right impression
The word “but,” a simple conjunction seems nearly impossible to avoid, is potentially damaging to your brand and reputation, even if only subtly. Typically, “but” follows a more positive statement and signals a note of disagreement, opposition, or confused thinking that’s just around the corner. Source: Fast Company, March 28, 2018. Here are a few common situations where … [Read more...]
Why we stink at fact-checking
Research from cognitive psychology shows that people are naturally poor fact checkers and it is very difficult for us to compare things we read or hear to what we already know about a topic. Psychologists believe that there are at least two forces at work. First, people have a general bias to believe that things are true. Second, people tend to accept information as … [Read more...]
Why we fall for false expertise and how to stop
One of the more important assets a group can have is the expertise of its members. But, research indicates that even when everyone within a group recognizes who the subject matter expert is, they defer to that member just 62 percent of the time. When they don’t, they listen to the most extroverted person. People are not naturally skilled at figuring out who they should be … [Read more...]
Sentinel chickens keep us safe from disease
Chickens do more than lay eggs and develop protein. Throughout California, 139 sentinel chicken flocks work hard to help ecologists and disease prevention specialists predict when human cases of West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis may occur. They’re sitting in coops throughout neighborhoods waiting to get bitten by mosquitoes. But, they don’t get sick from the diseases. … [Read more...]
Owning a horse is hard, but worth it.
Gerrie Barnes reminds would-be horse owners to decide how much time they have available for an equine friend. She shares options to meet the needs of a horse enthusiast and to ensure a horse’s needs are met. horse: Full-time/on-site ownership Boarding ownership Leasing Take lessons Source: AQHA, April 2, 2018. Owning a horse isn’t as easy as it looks, but it … [Read more...]
Polydactyl cats and their many toes
Domestic cats normally have 18 toes; five on each front paw and four on each hind paw. However, polydactyl cats can have one or two extra toes, usually on their front feet. Sandy Robins reviews this fairly common trait. Source: Catster, March 27, 2018. Because of the variability in the expression of polydactyly in cats, some extra toes have a tendency for ‘ingrown’ claws,” … [Read more...]
Feline serenading indicates heat (includes videos)
If you grew up before air conditioning you’ve probably been awakened by the tell-tale sounds of a tom cat and his girlfriend singing to each other. Angie Bailey shares videos and discusses spay and neutering as the only way to stop all the caterwauling, yowling, lugubrious meows and thunderous purrs. Source: Catster, March 28, 2018. The only way to truly prevent female cats … [Read more...]
Cats may experience placebo effects
Cat, or other pets, may experience placebo effects, according to a study at North Carolina State University evaluating a novel approach for cats with degenerative joint disease. Though conducted in 2014, interesting results were aired this week. Source: KPCC, April 4, 2018. Results? In Part One, all owners said their pets were better – so there was a definite placebo … [Read more...]
Noise sensitivity and pain in dogs
A recent study about noise sensitivities in dogs gives us new information that could improve their quality of life and well-being. Two recent articles reviewing the research findings are offered for your consideration. The research suggests that pain can be a cause of new noise sensitivities, especially in older dogs. The recommendations based on the work are: older dogs … [Read more...]
Use the first 90 minutes of your day to gain clarity
As an industry, we invest heavily into life quality issues for animal health professionals and animals. Benjamin Hardy believes how you spend the first 90 minutes of your day will determine your success in life. His perspective is results-orientated. Hardy thinks most people’s mornings are far from optimal. As a result, few people make tangible progress toward their dreams on a … [Read more...]
Leadership secrets revealed
Done well, leadership looks easy and effortless, much like a swan gliding across a pond appears graceful and elegant. But, like the swan, there is a lot of work going on below the waterline. So, understanding the following secrets of leadership will help develop your leadership abilities. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, March 22, 2018. Don’t expect the world to look at you as a … [Read more...]